Wilkins' World... updates, etc.

Really no need to admit the obvious in the "blogging neglect" department. Guilty as charged!
Now the question is where to begin???? Well the stomach bug has hit our household for the second time this month... this time the victim is moi. Note [me+illness+fatigue+being cooped up and not being able to do "my thing" = 1 cranky, crabby, fed up person...aka me - present state]
My remedy, a blog entry.

In no particular order... Wilkins's Family Updates.

• weekends have been mainly about making use of our season pass at Swain. We have had the opportunity to stay at a condo at the base of the mountain for several weekends this season. It has been wonderful family and friend time.
• Our entire family decided to give snowboarding a try. No big surprise that the kids have taken off with it. Rick has picked it up quicker than I [my competitive side doesn't like that too much ;o) ] It has been fun for the kids to see their parents try something new and not be the "best" at it. Valuable for them to see our tenacity! Happy to report that their have been no major injuries... just bumps, bruises and sore egos. Not sure if we have made the full fledged "Shredder" status, but all agree that boarding is fun!
• The kids skiing skills have improved and they are smart, good skiers! If anyone wants to join us... let us know.
• MaKenna is about to embark on a session of swim lessons. Her goal is to be able to swim well enough to try out for the Mercury Swim Team sooner than later. Hope her tenacity pays off! MaKenna has a teen role-model who is an excellent swimmer and a member of the HS Swim Team and she would love to "be like Caitlin, someday"!
• MaKenna has decided to play Lacrosse again this Spring. However, she made her preference known...she would rather play the "boys way" [much more agressive game, more physical and the way she has learned the game after playing with her brother]. The girls lax game is "kinda boring, Mom" according to MaKenna. Mom seconds that opinion!
• First Grade has provided it's fair share of hurdles for MaKenna. Reading has been one of those challenges... mainly her fluency. We have another perfectionist in the family [I know, I know... you plant corn, you get corn!]. This trait is both a blessing and a curse, just a hard balance for a First Grader to figure out! And the Friendship Drama... yes, in 1st grade! Can I just say that Girls Stink sometimes! Soooo petty and cruel. Lots of talks about this.
• Connor is wrapping up his indoor lacrosse season [long, started back in Nov.] It has been a great season for skill building. Last weekend, Connor was asked to play on the FCA [Federation of Christian Athletes] team in a tournament in Roch. He had fun... challenging and exhausting.
• Connor decided, after finding a tote in the basement this summer that housed just about my entire swimming career and watching Michael Phelps in the Summer Olympics, that he would like to try Competitive Swimming. He is on a Developemental Team for our local US Swimming Affiliate Team. He wraps this up next week.
• The most random news on Connor is that he tried out for our High School's Drama Production of Les Miserables. Random, because of how it all came about, he told me that he had to go to school for auditions at 7pm one evening when I got home form work. Naturally, I asked what for... "I don't know" was the response. "Do you have any paperwork?" I asked. "Nope... Mom I just have to be there at 7pm." Off we went. Arrived at the HS auditorium [silly me for thinking that we should be going to the Intermediate School]. Down went Connor to the front of the auditorium and returned with the stack of paperwork that I had asked about previously. The top of the paperwork read... "Livonia High School Drama presents Les Miserables". I motioned Connor to come over to me and asked him if he knew what he was auditioning for. He waved the sheet of music at me and said "yeah"! "Mom, I have to practice this" I said "CONNOR, do you realize what this entails? This room filled with people, you on stage, singing??? for three nights????" "Yep, Mom, I really have to practice this, so I'm ready!" was Connor's response. Connor auditioned for the young, lead male role... Gavarache. He got the role! Here Rick and I were thinking that this would be a humbling experience for him, and that we would be parenting him through a disappointment, etc. [the competitive trait also runs in our family]. You could have knocked me over with a feather. How can I be his mother for almost 11 years and not have even guessed that he would want to do this? MaKenna, yes! Connor, I wouldn't have guessed it. He is in the throws of rehearsal now. Loves it and the high schoolers have been amazing to him! Show dates are Thursday - Saturday, March 19th - 21st.
• Rick is doing great. Finishing the coaching post for the indoor lax team and gearing up for the spring lax season. Work is going well, steady [ a blessing in todays' economy].

I'll close for now. Time to get some stuff done. Hope all is well with all of you!

General Happenings

As I have been bitten by the guilt bug for slacking when it comes to posting on the blog, I thought I would attempt to bring the blog up to date. I sure hope that I won't fall into a once a month posting category. Time will tell, it's getting close to my bed-time.

• Working out has been going well, for the most part... feel free to check out my working out blog entry on http://working-it-out-jessw.blogspot.com/

We celebrated our 1 year anniversary the third week in September. All of us have made great progress. We are thinner, stronger and definitely more fit. I have enjoyed this journey and the fact that I have embarked upon this commitment with some great support, friends. I know that I couldn't have come this far without them. I am closer to my overall goal and my next stage of maintaining.

• MaKenna and Connor continue to be a joy! Busy as ever and happiest when they are in the middle of their favorite activity. Lots more to share about both lovies... Fall season wrap up, school updates, MaKenna -isms, Connor and his friends "school" mom & dad on 'girls', Winter sports begin ... that'll be my motivation to come back and post another entry on the blog.

Stay tuned.

Time to Re-Group, Re-Focus...

Okay, not sure where to begin...

I'll start with the fact that I consider myself organized. Organization has always come easy to me. I think it was my way of keeping things in check, a control factor [imagine that?!] If I was organized then I could plan more, better, etc. I was also recognized, early on, in a positive way for my organizational skills. Maybe that's why I am having a hard time with the fact that no matter how many lists I create these days, I can't seem to stay on top of them.

I have lists for work, for home, for myself, for Rick, Connor and MaKenna's schedules/activities. I have to do lists, must do lists, be here, go there lists, work out/ fitness lists, grocery lists, gift shopping lists, send card lists, birthday, anniversary , celebration, thank you lists, update blog lists, send pictures lists, volunteer lists, need to touch base with, need to visit lists, need to let this person know how important they are to me lists, need to show my appreciation lists.

My children are more and more self-sufficient and yet it seems like there is no more time to get the lists done! Maybe it's because the more self-sufficient they get the more activities, and to-do items creep onto their lists? Which loosely translates to my list.

Maybe I have reached my own maximum capacity for the whole more, better plan thing. Maybe I just cannot cram another thing into the time constraints that I have? Maybe that's it... maybe it's not an organizational thing but a time thing?! I am envisioning a thermometer on a hot day... remember the cartoon images? all of a sudden the mercury explodes! Well, I think that I have exceeded my "temp." time capacity!

Seriously though, how many of you have thought about your days from start to finish each day? Am I alone in this struggle? I take the deep breathes and try to polish off the "S" [or is it a "W" - yeah right] on my chest and accept the fact that I am a person who will always struggle with the concept of "did I do or accomplish enough today?!" It's a tough balance between making the most of the days you have and being a busy bee!

Another realization... no wonder I "crash and burn" a.k.a. get run down sometimes!
Top of my next list... Do what you can and accept the fact that you cannot control time!
Time for bed... because along with my value of organization I value sleep almost as much!
Thanks for reading!

September 4th

School Days... and a new year begins!

Hey Cheerleader!

Many of you have asked... her she is, in her glory! Don't know that I get the cheer leading thing, but, I was the tom-boy kinda gal! My thing was matchbox cars, football cards, Lincoln logs, Lego's and a baby alive doll. Rick and I have told the kids that they can try activities so when Mb said she wanted to Cheer, I swallowed hard and said that we would look into it. Then the flyer came home with the school papers and the PLeeeaaase Mom, started. The rest, as they say is history.
So, like anything else, we have been committed to "practicing" cheer leading for the LJB Flag Football and Cheerleading.
A W E... S O M E awesome, awesome...totally!
"Mix 'em up, Spin 'em around, Come on Livonia, Mow 'em down!"
Who has joined in at this point? As Auntie Sarah reminded me, the NHHS Varsity Swim Team would do our "cheer" ritual before our home meets... "Hefty, Hefty, Hefty" "Wimpy, Wimpy Wimpy!"

What do Croquet, Brownies, Fishing, Treasure Hunting and White Water Rafting

have in common?
Family, Memories and a great family vacation.

With all three sets of Connor and MaKenna's Grandparents living on Lakes in NYS we try to arrange family visits in the summer. Add Connor and MaKenna's football and cheer schedules into the mix; not to mention the fact that I am the "newbie" at work when it comes to vacation time and that makes for some quick, jammed packed family visits.


This year's the trip to Henderson was special in that it was the first time that all my siblings [on my father's side] and their spouses were together in a long time [since Brooke & Jesse's wedding]. We had a great time. We went white water rafting on the Black River in Watertown, NY. For me, I don't know what made me laugh more... Sarah's nervous energy before we even boarded the rafts or her "oh s_ _ _!" comments through out the ride!

The Wilkins participated for the first time in the Greystone Cup - a semi -serious amateur Croquet tournament. It was an adult only [Connor got a bi and was Grandpa's partner] tournament... truthfully I think that Rick would have been better off with MaKenna as his partner. I did improve when I went to the one handed method [one hand holding a cocktail and one hand holding the mallet -form counts for something... doesn't it?!]


Connor and MaKenna were very busy... lots of people around to indulge their energy and imaginations! Brownie making, cooking classes, wave splashing, swimming, scavenger hunting, fishing, Wii playing, treasure maps and treasure, bonfires with pie irons and smores! Plenty of hugs and kisses to hold close to our hearts and cherish until the next time when we are together.

Time Well Spent

Hour-glass
Originally uploaded by didixx28

A little background before I start this post. Because I am the so to speak "low man on the totem pole" in the "vacation time" requests in my office, we have had to jockey our typical summer plans this year.
The kids have been so anxious about making their annual trek to Cedar Lake for a visit with Mimi and Gampie. We headed out Friday when I got out of work. We arrived in enough time for Connor, Rick and Gampie to hit the lynx and try out their very best Tiger impressions. Meanwhile MaKenna, Mom and I took to trying our best at a "make-shift" nail salon. Mimi is quite the manicurist! I think that every shade of nail polish that Mimi owns ended up on either MaKenna's finger or toe nails.
Saturday morning and Mom and I headed out for a walk around the block, while Rick and the kids headed to the beach. It was a great day at the beach. Plenty of sun, sand creations galore - even a full sand body cast for Connor [possible pis to follow] and enough swimming to make me check and see if my children had grown gills!
Saturday evening and Gampie took the kids back out on the golf course. MaKenna's goal was to be able to be included with her brother [you never know what you may miss out on, ya know!]. Also, to get her Gampie to go "really fast" in the golf cart! Connor has been frustrated with his golf game [if he only knew, that's more than half the battle with this game]. His buddies have been shooting better rounds in their weekly Jr. golf league. Connor is convinced that is because of size and the fact that he is shorter than the rest of his buddies. We have been trying to tell him differently, but to no avail. Gampie to the rescue! I had told Connor that he should ask Gampie for some pointers as Gampie coached golf for many years. Well, it worked. When the crew returned they were smiling from ear to ear. Ready for this one....???
Connor had a birdie [one under par for those of you who are not golfers] from the jr.'s tee on hole #16. He drove it just before the green and chipped it up and in the hole> MaKenna said that Gampie yelled so loud that it blew her ear out! Connor has carried that ball around with him ever since. Wow! Lots of memories came flooding back to me. Hole #16 is where my Dad [an avid golfer and who passed away in 1992] had his only hole in one. There is a sports award plaque that used to hang in the TV room of our old house that had a picture of my Dad, Grandpa and brother that was taken on the day that he made the hole-in-one. Rick and I had some of our wedding pics taken on that green as well.
MaKenna swam and swam some more. She has decided that she will take the infamous raft swim test next summer so that she can swim out to the raft and play dibble dabble [i'll explain in a later post].
It was fun to be back to my old summer hang out! Lots of memories to share... sometime soon. For now, it was a treat to witness our children enjoying the place and some of the things that hold a very special place in my heart!

Remember When?

back to some toys...
Originally uploaded by dogboneart

I was browsing through some photos and came across this one. It made me smile. We had this toy when I was young. My favorite part was the car elevator. If my memory is correct, when you cranked it to the top the bell would ding and the elevator floor would lift and cause the car to roll out and onto the track. My favorite "people character" was the dog.
Fisher Price has always made some cool toys! This piece was pretty "advanced" for the 1970's.
I look at the FP toys that Connor and MaKenna have had and they are awesome. MaKenna will still play Little People. She loves it when we have a rainy day and we haul the tote of FP Little People gear up to the living room and set up the town. I am even allowed to play along. If I had to pick my favorite set in the current collection I would chose the zoo set. It's fun to use your imagination... even if you're just a kid at heart!

As the end of the school year approaches...

some reflections.
It's hard to believe that just 9 short months ago, we watched as our son boarded the bus at 7am and headed off to a new school building to start a new chapter in his scholastic career. That same morning we joined MaKenna on her very first bus ride to school. It has been a great year for all of us and the kids have accomplished so many things this year.

Connor has really enjoyed the new building and daily format. He has made the most out of the multitude of activities, clubs and organizations that are offered for these grade levels. He participated and was elected as his class's Student Government association, joined the Paw Print - school paper, band, tried out and made the Page Turner's team, Challenge 24 team and of course Intramurals. Connor really enjoyed his class and his teacher this year. He recognized that he has been "really lucky" to have had "awesome teachers, every year!" He was a little saddened when his teacher was not able to finish out the school year, as she went out at the end of April to have a baby girl! [now that Connor has met this adorable cutie-pie, it was all okay that his teacher didn't finish the year with them!] On Friday, Rick and I were invited to an awards ceremony at Connor's school by his principal. Connor was going to be presented with the Citizenship Award. Connor did not know that he had been chosen for this award and we were asked to keep this as a surprise for him. I avoided the barrage of questions the morning of... boy, does e keep tabs on me!!! Why are you going into work late? what appointment? where do you have to be? for how long???????
Anyway, he was completely surprised and stoked to have won this award! The expression on his face will be etched in my mind forever! Yes, the tears welled up in my eyes! Such a wonderful moment for Connor - a great affirmation for him!
He noticed that we were sitting behind the rows of students shortly before the ceremony started, the good news was that he thought we were there because Rick is on the school board. [I love it when a plan comes together]

MaKenna has had an exceptional year! She developed her own love for school and academia. We have learned that she likes to do, experience things at her own pace. Once she has decided to commit, "she's all in!" otherwise, "forget about it!" Thankfully she had a teacher that understands this about MaKenna and was able to bring out the best in MaKenna! We are grateful for teachers like her, who see the potential in each child and work hard to build on those qualities! Hard to believe that my "baby girl" is officially growing up! Her school career had begun! MaKenna has learned so much this year... all the in & outs of the daily routine, lunch room, play-time, specials and yes, even at this age, friendships! We will attend MaKenna's special "Graduation" ceremony next week and will take some pics to post. We are looking forward to this fun rite of passage!

Then it's Summer Break... yee haa! Connor and MaKenna are looking forward to, and in no particular order...Pools, Lakes, Bikes, Golf, Rec, Bonfires, Camping, Staying up late, Sleeping in, the Drive-in, Fishing, Rec, Fireworks... just carefree time!

Rick and I are looking forward to the above and a slightly more relaxed schedule [maybe wishful thinking on our part :o)], no school calendars, snacks, packing lunches, arguing about what clothes/shoes are appropriate for PE class, bed time, rushing here there and everywhere, permission slips, projects!

Mimi and Me

While Connor and I were off exploring Niagara Falls and it's attractions at the end of May [see post below], MaKenna had a very special day herself. It is an annual tradition that MaKenna's teachers do every year towards the end of the school year. They host a Grandparent's Tea! Mimi made the trip out to our house and met Rick to travel to the school. MaKenna had an extra special treat because her teachers indulged her by making sure that MaKenna was able to have a guest reader; the event that was missed when she was sick during her Star Student week. The timing was perfect and when Mimi arrived in MaKenna's classroom, she became the Guest Reader!
Then it was off to the Tea. This is a picture that MaKenna's teacher took of them! I love this pic, just love the pride that shows on MaKenna's face. It was a nice day for MaKenna because she didn't have to share her Mimi with her, brother, Mom or Dad! I think that it is awesome that MaKenna's teachers recognize just how important Grandparents and extended family is to our children.

1 of the 7 Wonders of the World

At the end of May, I had the pleasure of joining Connor and his 4th grade classmates on a field trip to Niagara Falls. It was a great day, a nice chance to enjoy an experience with Connor and create some memories together. The day started with a visit to Fort Niagara. I had never been there and it was a neat place to tour. I think it's a safe bet to say that the boys loved the "war /battle" element of this portion of the trip. The gift shop had a large selection of muskets, rifles, etc.

Next, we were onto the Aquarium... and I use that term loosely! I have been to a few aquariums in my life so far, so maybe I am spoiled?! We walked into the building and were instantly overcome by the pungent fish smell. You know the kind of smell that feels as though you will have to scrub it off your body, hair and teeth! SERIOUSLY - gross! And you can imagine the comments from the parents! The animals looked as though they were in "rescue" stage of their lives than the "display" stage. Penguins had the mange, some of the fish were missing eyes and had large growths protruding from their bodies. The highlight was the sea lion show and the kids loved it.

Another 4th grade teacher took 2 of Connor's buddies, their Mom's, Connor and I on a "secret" mission. We left the aquarium and took a hike along the trail by the river. There was a small path that branched off the trail and took us right to the edge of the bank of the river. The water was very calm, and beautiful shades and blue and green. I was a nervous wreck because I didn't think that Connor realized just how much of a drop off it was and that there was no railing, fence, etc. I did not get a picture, which I regret because it was so peaceful and beautiful. The boys felt very special to have this opportunity.

We boarded the buses again and headed to the Falls! We did the Maid of the Mist tour. I think that I was as excited as the kids... this is something I have always wanted to do. We donned our blue ponchos and took wagers on just how wet we thought that we would get. Carefully observing all those who were disembarking the boats prior to us. I'm not sure if this next senario would have played out the same way if I was with MaKenna and her girlfriends. You can probably guess where the boys all wanted to be on the boat!? Yep, right up front on the lower level. They had surveyed as many of the Mist's employees to see where the best spot was to stand. The information that they gathered was "spot on"! As you can see, we got wet! The boys thought that it was "cool" that their Mom's ventured to the front with them [little did they know that we wouldn't have had it any other way... unsupervised, at the front of a boat that goes into the Falls????]It was so much fun and absolutely amazing!
What a great day! I will cherish this time spent together for a long time!

6 Wonderful Years...

Our MaKenna turned 6 years old today! Happy Birthday Kenna girl!
It amazes me just how fast the time goes by. Maybe it's because we're in the middle of it? Maybe it's because there is so much to think about? Maybe it's because "time flies when you're having fun!"?
In MaKenna's words, she had "the most awesomest birthday EVER!" This was a great day and a nice way to end a kind of crummy week for MaKenna. She has been sick all week. Battling ear infections, a cough that wouldn't quit and a nasty cold. That was bad enough but, when she had to stay home and miss school [especially since MaKenna was Star Student this week] that was the worst! MaKenna missed the day when she could have a Guest Reader come into the class and the day that she could bring in her birthday snack! Let's just say that the tears flowed and flowed and Rick and I were the most unfair parents ever! Not to fear though, MaKenna's teachers to the rescue... they promised to celebrate when MaKenna returns to school! sigh...big sigh!
The kids were off from school today. Rick and I had to work but the kids had a great day. We started bright and early before I left for work and MaKenna opened some gifts. Then off to some friends house for fun and cupcakes for a mid-morning snack [Ms. Sharon ROCKS!]Back to our house with friends in tow... more fun. For her Birthday Dinner Menu, MaKenna chose Goulash [Italian style], tossed salad with chi chi beans and fresh fruit salad! For dessert, no cake here just Twisters, please!
Six years ago today, I was in my hospital bed, getting acquainted to my beautiful, blessed baby girl and falling head over heals in love with her! Today, six years later I feel even more blessed and in love with MaKenna then I did on that day! MaKenna is my Lovey Girl!
We love you and wish you a Happy Birthday!

Some of this and Some of that!

It is amazing how quickly time goes by. It has been awhile since I have posted and it seems like too long. I enjoy blogging and sharing our happenings with those of you who read about them. This blog has allowed me to try and keep the family and friends who span the miles close to our hearts. So much has been going on... so I'll try to bring you up to speed!

• Rick has been as busy as ever! He is coaching Connor's lacrosse team again this spring. He really enjoys the sport and working with the kids. Connor likes having Rick as a coach and I can only hope that they both continue to enjoy this time together and the fond memories that they are creating. Work for Rick has been going well also. He is such a hard worker and he likes the insurance business! Rick has joined me in the commitment to a more fit lifestyle. He is very close to his goal and feeling great about it!
• Connor is loving the Spring weather, Lacrosse, 4th grade - the Intermediate school and all the activities that are happening there! Connor competed on the Page Tuners [reading competition] team and his team one the division and will compete in the regionals at the beginning of June. Connor also tried out for the Challenge 24 [math] team and made it. He will be competing with this team sometime in early June.Connor's teacher went out on maternity leave and welcomed a beautiful baby girl at the end of April. Connor and his classmates are adjusting to their long-term sub . We are looking forward to the 4th grade field trip to Niagara Falls. I will be chaperoning the trip. Lacrosse has taken the reigns as Connor's favorite sport[we'll see what happens when golf, football and skiing seasons roll around?]! !
• MaKenna continues to light up our world! She can hardly wait to be officially 6 years old. She is star student this week so we spent some time today gathering up some photos. MaKenna made me feel like a super star myself as she wanted to bring in every single scrapbook that I have made her. She said" I just can't choose Mom, I LOVE them all!" MaKenna decided to play lacrosse this Spring. She has been "warming" up to it. She "really doesn't care for the mouth piece... because it makes it too hard to talk!" She is "so frustrated" with the goggles! They "never stay where they're suppose to stay"! She "cannot run or hustle when the coach tells them to because I need cleats!" Sneakers are just "too slippery"! The good news is that after MaKenna had her first goal she seemed to get along just well with her equipment! Our weeknights are spent on the grounds of the school's athletic fields and Saturdays are spent traveling to games. Can't think of many other things that I would rather be doing. It is awesome to witness your kids having fun!
  

• An interesting factoid... my father emailed the following to me.

Bre has made the All Army female (6 members) triathlon team and Brooke has made the All Navy team. They will compete in California on May 27 with the top 6 of the 24 entrants qualifying for the World Championships in Europe. Both are very nervous since this is their first test in a big time competition. Neither expect to make the next stage but hope to use this race as a foundation for future races. Bre's lack of training due to injuries and other maladies will also hamper her. Husband and brother Jesse is fortunate that he will be at sea chasing the bad guys so his allegiance won't be visible !!

Bre is my youngest sister. Brooke is my sister-in-law, married to my youngest brother, Jesse. Now just imagine if my sister Sarah wasn't recovering from back surgery and had made the All Air Force triathlon team??? It never has really dawned on me, but out of my 4 siblings, 3 are active, dedicated members of our Country's armed forces in 3 different branches. I have a bil and a sil who also serve! Thank you to them all, for their service!

Rock the VOTE....Rick the Vote

Rick, Rick, he's our man!
Tuesday is our school district's vote. Budget and school boards member's fate to be determined.
Rick is running for a seat on the board. We have had lots of conversation about this opportunity. It all started when I mentioned to Rick that I was thinking of running for the board myself. Rick was supportive and we hashed out the pros and cons. As time passed and the it was announced that there were openings on the board, I had started my new job. Rick and I felt that with both kids being students in the district it was time for one of us to volunteer and run for the board. We decided that with my schedule it would be best for Rick to run.

It has been somewhat of a cathartic process. It has brought back some fond memories of when my Dad ran for school board. I can remember our family helping with the "campaigning"! We stood outside... a specific distance away from the entrance of the school, and handed out fliers, asking people to vote for our Dad! I believe that I learned about civic duties, volunteering and being part of working towards the greater good from my parents! They have all set examples of this throughout my life! I only hope that Rick and I can do the same for Connor and MaKenna.

Random thoughts, updates and more...

Just thought I'd take the opportunity to ramble to anyone who's willing to read.

So it's been 6 months since I started on my fitness journey[check some of my first posts on this blog or the links on the right of this blog to my fitness blog...working it out] and the motivation started to seep away a few weeks ago. I came down with a nasty cold and it wiped me out. I kept up with my normal routine until I realized that I wasn't getting any better and decided to cut back. Well, the cold got better but my drive was depleted. Not a good thing for me. I have accomplished a lot so far. I am proud of every pound that I have lost [24# to date], every muscle I have built - getting some definition back, every sweat that I've broke, every puke [yes, I said puke and yes, I've done it more than once] and every last rep that I have eeeked out! But, like I said in the beginning, I have accepted the fact that this is more than reaching a certain weight or fitness level, I have decided that this needs to be a way of life for me. And, while I know that if I am truly going to make this a way of life I need to accept that I am going to have the ups and downs that are just part of every person's lives. Let's just say that's easier said than done for me!
I work out with 3 great women and a hard-ass trainer. She is not a yeller like Jillian on the Biggest Loser but she will push you to your breaking point and still want more! Can you see the determination on my face yet??? You all know how I love a challenge! Enough said! We do a great job of pushing one another and motivation is another plus.
After this week's workouts I think my "drive" is back! On Tuesday, our trainer came in at 5:45am, big smile and announced that we were going to do 30 Man Makers [if you really want to know what these are, check out the Cross Fit Link to the right and search Man Makers] for time. We all looked at her and waited with eager eyes and baited breath for her to say "April Fool"...
no such luck! OMG! It was a hard workout! And never fail, Bethany did not disappoint us today. 100 jumping jacks, 50 sit-ups [straight legs & touch your fingers to your toes], 50 supine hip extensions using a physio ball. 5 rounds for time. My abs will be burning, burning, burning [Sarah & Rob relate there]! And if that wasn't enough, I went for my 3 mile loop walk when I got home from work. It was a gorgeous day and it felt good to be outside. I think that I'd better have my mojo back after those work outs!

Connor is helping out with the Varsity Lacrosse team's home games. He went tonight for the first game. Before he left for the game he asked me if I had a black sharpie marker. He wanted it so that he could ask "the guys for their autographs". It was so cute! It reminded me just how impressionable he still is and how excited he must of felt to be able to go "hang" with the "Varsity Lacrosse Players"! I remember when I was young and my father coached college wrestling. I loved to tag along to the practices and matches. I felt so cool when the athletes would acknowledge my existence. I also remember going to home college basketball games with my family. The players knew our family and would sometimes stop and chat with us. It was awesome to "look up" to them. It's nice to have heroes!

Thanks for reading!

Skiing anyone?

I've created a couple of media clowns! The kids love seeing their pictures on the blog and better yet, when I blog about them. Connor has been wanting me to post some of the skiing pics and videos that I took over this past skiing season.
Our last ski outing was for Connor's birthday celebration. A few of Connor's buddies joined us for a day of skiing, pizza and cake. They had a great time.

MaKenna had taken her skies off but wanted me to get a picture of her anyway. My friend, Sharon has some awesome video of all of us skiing, Connor skiing backwards and over jumps... some "air" shots.I may attempt to post so that the kids can feel like SupaStars!

If only...

we lived south of the Mason Dixon line?! My little southern bell would fit right in. This Spring head piece that I made reminds me of the big, flowery, fancy hats that the southern ladies wear. Maybe this is a geographic, stereotypical image that I have somewhere in my memory but that's what this headpiece reminds me of. MaKenna's class was celebrating Spring and asked the parents to create a hat for the celebration. I originally tried to put the flowers onto a hat, but it would have caused some serious damage to Makenna's scalp. Alas, a headband and I was ready to create. It is quite the dramatic piece fro my "little princess". MaKenna LOVES it and thought that I was the "Greatest Mom, ever"! I love a win win scenario! Happy Spring!

Happy Easter!

Close up green Easter
Originally uploaded by moline

A family day, just the four of us and it has been a nice day together. We have enjoyed one another's company. Wishing all of you a wonderful Easter and family celebration.

I love this photo. When I saw it, all these thoughts flooded my mind. The drawing on the calendar page reminds me of the Peter Rabbit Tales books and the illustrations on those pages. My Nana was an author, librarian and an avid reader. As a child, one of the many things that she indulged me with was lots of wonderful books. Nana started my Peter Rabbit Book collection and added the character figurines over the years. I even had a cup and plate with the Peter Rabbit sketches on them. MaKenna has inherited some of these items and they bring a warmth and a smile to my heart when I walk in her room and see them there. I remember when Connor was 6 years old, the students at Geneseo High School were preforming the Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit Tales for their annual school play. I took Connor to the show and truth be told I'm not sure who got more enjoyment out of it... him or myself. I know that Nana would have loved to be there with us.

I also love this picture because of the egg cups. When I was growing up we had egg cups. They were shaped like ducks and were very cute. My Mom would make us soft boiled eggs [another Nana memory, because I remember that my Nana always had her eggs done as soft boiled eggs]. It felt so fancy to have our soft boiled eggs served in these cute egg cups.

I'll try to post some pictures of the kid's Easter events soon!

I've been Tagged...

Okay,for Donna's sake I'll play along. I am suppose to list seven random things about myself. Then I'll tag 7 more people. Be a sport and play along, who knows, you may learn something neat about someone?!

1. I have a "need for speed" and in my younger, less responsible days had 11 points on my driver's license. This "milestone" prompted Governor Cuomo to send me a letter telling me what a danger I was to my fellow NY'ers.
2. I competed in the Nationals for my Division III college swim team and placed 6th in the Nation in the 200 meter butterfly and 10th in the Nation in the 400 meter IM. I swam the 200 meter butterfly leg of the 800meter medley relay team that finished 7th at nationals.
3. I had my belly button pierced until I was 7 months pregnant with Connor... then it became very apparent that it wasn't so hip or stylish anymore!
4. I want to learn to play piano and write a book before I die.
5. I'm just now starting to accept the person that I am and embracing myself and realizing that I am okay, even with my faults.
6. I wish that I could see my Dad [who passed away in 1992] again, even if it was for an hour. So much has happened in my life that he has not been a part of [directly]. Would love to see his smile, have a hug and share his wisdom.
7. I had my nose broken during an Intramural Broom Ball game in college.
8. My Senior year in college, while on Spring Break I got a tattoo.

So, I'll tag Mom, Rob, Bethany, Mer, Deirdre, Melis, Lynne

Caught....

Free Ear Piercing
Originally uploaded by • Sandra •

I'll try my best to recount this mornings account the best that I can. MaKenna came out to the kitchen to tell me that she had seen how to pierce ears on the Disney Channel.
"Mom, It doesn't even hurt if you do it the way they did on the Disney Channel! They don't even use a needle! Want me to show you how they said to do it?"
I decide to play along... "Sure, how did they say to do it?" I ask.
MaKenna goes on to say "well they said to have something sharp... but NOT a NEEDLE and a lemon" You pinch your ear lobe like this, squeeze some lemon juice on it, hold the lemon behind your ear and poke the sharp thing through it! Ta da, your ear is pierced and it won't even hurt!" MaKenna's eyes are twinkling with delight at this point. Being the mean Mom that I am, I break the news to her that when Mom and Dad say it's okay and that she's old enough to get her ears pierced we will probably not choose the "Disney Channel's" way of piercing ears and more than likely go to a store that pierces ears. MaKenna is not exactly thrilled with my response but she goes on her way back to her room.

Fast forward about 15 minutes, and MaKenna is in her room, listening to a Christian Rock station she has found on her radio and she closes her door (this should have been my first clue, but no, I just thought she was closing it because the music had gradually grown louder and I was having a hard time hearing myself think). A few moments later she comes out of her room to find me and says that she has "em, aah bumped her ear on the corner of something in her room???" and "can I look at it?" Well, I am on to her now, I notice that there is a mark on her ear lobe that suspiciously looks like she has tried to pierce her ear. I am biting my lip at this point, trying not to laugh and I question her about the corner in her room... " really MaKenna... what corner did you bump your ear on?... your dresser?, your night stand? MaKenna says "Mom, I just want to move past this!" I ask her if she was trying to pierce her ear like the Disney Channel? Oh, the look I got - so hard to put in words. She was totally exasperated with me. "No, Mom, *sigh* I'll show you!" Out she comes with a wet wipe and a bead bracelet. She held the wet wipe behind her ear lobe and was using the lever on the lobster claw clasp of her bracelet to try and pierce her ear. I told MaKenna that she should go explain to Dad - I just wanted him to see MaKenna in action.

She went to find Rick and was wimpering at this point. She had closed the door to the room in an attempt to keep me out. I knocked and went in to find MaKenna, her wet wipe,bracelet, and tears flowing...Rick is totally confused. I attempted to explain to Rick what was going on and MaKenna said, "Mom, I really want to move past that part and I just want my ear pierced WITHOUT a NEEDLE!" I cannot hold back the laughter and I loose my composure! Rick has now experienced his first "girly drama"! Lucky him.
It's somewhat scary that MaKenna conjured up this whole scheme... I mean come on, ear piercing - a how to lesson - on the Disney Channel? She knows that the Disney Channel is approved of in our home - so it's a "safe bet to assume that if the Disney Channel has ear piercing, and better yet, how to do-it-yourself than surely Rick and I will let her pierce her ears???" Really??!! Oh, the joys of parenting!