Hello, is this Nick's mom?

Mark and I have joked that we expect to get lots of calls from the school about Nick. Well, the first one rolled in on Friday. Evidently, Nick and his buddies are roughhousing too much at recess and had been talked to about it. And talked to about it. And talked to about it, until it was time to call the parents. To be honest, it was a relief to talk to an adult about the situation. If you know Nick, you know he has a vivid imagination and tends to embellish on real events. He had already copped to the fighting when retelling his days at school, but we couldn't figure out if it was play or if he was getting beat up by other kids...or if any of it was really happening at all. Sounds like it's all in fun--but, of course not appropriate for school. I was slightly annoyed only because we JUST asked his teacher about this at his conference on Wednesday. She told us Nick was no problem at all and she hadn't seen any rough behavior. I'll give her two passes on this, however, because 1) seems this is at recess and maybe the supervisor hadn't reported it to her 2) there are some particularly rowdy and rough kids in the class, so maybe Nick just pales in comparison. Of course we had a sit-down with Nick Friday night, and hopefully we got through to him.

However, this behavior may be the least of our worries, because then came Saturday morning...

I get back from the grocery store and Mark says, "did you see my text?" I pull out my phone and read, "Nick just dropped the f bomb. Elaine said that he learned it from you. He said he learned it from (friend who I will not mention by name, so as not to drag another kid on my blog)." I am happy to report two things:

1) He did NOT learn it from me--and neither did Elaine. I forgot to switch off my podcast when picking up the kids last week and when I started the car, the very first word to spring from the speakers was an emphatic "f***." THAT was what Elaine was referencing when she said he learned it from me.

2) Mark said when he talked to Nick, he really didn't seem to understand that it was that bad to say it. In his mind, it was the same as calling someone "stupid."

Unfortunately, we had some out-of-town guests over last night and their 5-year-old son also has been using the f-word. Before you know it, Lainey comes running up the stairs all-to-happy to tell Mark that Nick just said "the word" again. It's lucky for Nick that the other parents had freely discussed their son's "experimentation." We allowed Nick an opportunity to explain the situation, and per Nick, "I didn't say it. I told him he can't say 'f***ing'." We got crystal clear (I hope) with Nick that there is no situation where he should ever use that word. If he's trying to tell a friend not to say it, he still can't use the actual word.

So now I'm way less concerned about getting a call about ninja fighting at recess, which is at least an age-appropriate offense with other willing participants. I'm now freaking out that I'll be getting a call from the office and every parent in the Kindergarten class over Nick's language.

Lainey may give us the fits at home, but Nick's going to be the one to turn my hair white...

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Pierced

Big step for our little Lainey today...two new holes and some bling to fill them! She was pretty nervous as we approached Claire’s, but she kept a stiff upper lip that broke into a huge smile at her first glimpse of her new look. Magic!

I wish I could say that the road to this moment was magic too, but it reality it’s been a rocky one. We were actually set to do this a few months ago, but the morning we were to go, Elaine’s behavior was so abhorrent that I shut the whole thing down and vowed not to take her until she shaped up. And again, I wish I could say that she indeed improved her attitude, but it’s not been a fun time at our house. Without going into all the details and examples, I’ll just say Mark and I are at the end of our rope (especially me). 

Thursday was a particularly bad morning that put me on the brink of tears all day. So, in my pain, I came to the only possible decision...it was time to take her to get her ears pierced. I knew we both desperately needed a special experience to share—one that wasn’t tied to any quid pro quo. Just Lainey and me taking on an adventure. And it really, really was a special morning that lead to a good heart-to-heart talk, and I know we both feel better. 

Oh, Laineybug, you fierce, sharp, independent girl. I love you more than words, and I know you love me. And we’re gonna’ be okay. 

You look good girl!

Rise of the Dead (Blogger)

This blog is not dead; it was just in hibernation. But, what better night to rouse it from slumber than Halloween! I'll tell you, October sprang up out of nowhere and then ghosted right into November. We have been super busy with activities, work, and hosting loved ones in Chicago. Thank you Kammlers, Andersons, and O'Neill for traveling to us and bringing lots of love and laughter with you.

The Halloween candy haul has been an overwhelming success with the kids raking it in at Boo at the Zoo on Saturday, parties at school and the YMCA, and of course, good old-fashioned trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. We must have 25 pounds of the stuff...I don't think I'm exaggerating.

I'd love to write more, but I'm exhausted. But, I refuse to let this blog fade away into the good night. Posts may be sporadic and sparse until I can get my mojo back, but write on I will! In the meantime, thank heaven for photos to tell the story. I know that's what you really want to see anyway!

Happy Halloween!

Our little Dalmation and ninja!

Add one Mom Avocado! (Nick's ORIGINAL costume...and a story for another post)

Expertly carved pumpkins by Mark 

Boo at the Zoo

Uncle time!

More uncle time!
(I'm embarrassed that this is the ONLY photo I got of the Kammler visit.
It's still a good memory capture--cards with Lainey and a back massage from Nick)

Who stole September?

Seriously, folks. September stuck around for a hot minute before October hit me in the face. I feel like I JUST wrote about the kids first week of school a few days ago, but the calendar says otherwise. While, we've been busy getting into the school year and activity routine--ballet for Lainey, karate for Nick, and swimming for both--nothing too noteworthy has been going down around here. Pretty much keeping the status quo other except for one, small and yet HUGE change to the house. After five years (yes, we've been here FIVE years!), we finally made the yellow house a little less yellow with newly painted shutters, trim, and garage. We love it! Mark gets all the credit for picking out the color scheme. It's really given the house a whole new personality. Check it out!

Before...

...and after!

Back to School!

CPS is back in full swing this week! Both kids are off to a great start. Lainey was a little disappointed she didn't get Ms. Daresh, but seems to like Ms. Sweeney, who is new to our school this year. Nick's only complaint is "the girls are mean and don't talk to the boys." But, he loves drinking chocolate milk at lunch. I've asked that he only get it every other day, but he says, "I'll try, but it's just soooooo good, Mom." Fair enough Nick. And, really, if reaping the benefit of the kids getting the school lunch means they drink chocolate milk every day, I can deal with that compromise. Best news of the week is both kids still get to see their summer camp besties, who go to different schools but are attending  the Y after school program.

For extracurriculars, Nick is taking karate at the Y on Wednesdays. He had his first class and thought it was "awesome." Another boy from his kindergarten class is in it with him--I hope they don't start practicing on the playground! Lainey was supposed to take tennis, but again, the class was canceled, because she was the only one to sign up. She'll start ballet tomorrow (a new endeavor!) and is going to sign up for a basketball league that starts in October. We'll probably add in swimming at some point this fall, too. Gymnastics got the boot this year, but may be back in the mix if ballet doesn't pan out.

Here's to a happy and successful school year!

Tennessee!

Laurel Falls

We hit the Smoky Mountains last week for our summer family vacation, and it was amazing! We stayed in Pigeon Forge, which is super touristy, but our cabin was about 15 minutes outside of the main area and very quiet and secluded. When we arrived Monday evening we were greeted by a black bear crossing our path! Very cool!

Mark and I went back-and-forth on how to structure the trip. Should we do the national park first? Or take the kids to the tourist trap fun or a water park first? In the end, the weather forecast decided for us and we did the park the first day on Tuesday. We weren't sure how the kids would take to hiking, but they LOVED it! Our main hike was to Laurel Falls, which took us about 2.5 hours round trip. Nick can be kind of wimpy about walking long distances, but not here. He was a champ! Both kids loved all the little spots to stop and climb and the "short cuts" off the paved path. They also had fun wading in the water by our picnic spot. We did the drive around Cade's Cove and got another black bear spotting as well as some wild turkeys. The full drive around is lengthy and the kids ended up nodding off, so Mark and I decided to push ahead and drive up to Clingman's Dome. The drive gave the kids another 40 minutes of sleep to refresh them for the climb to the top. Breathtaking! Afterward, we treated the kids to pizza and arcade time, where Lainey won her first of TWO Beanie Boos at the claw machine.

On Wednesday, we had an afternoon reservation to do a family float rafting trip on the lower Pigeon River, so we spent the morning on "amusement" activities including the Alpine Coaster and mini golf. We finished golf, just as the rain started for our drive out to the rafting outpost. It POURED when we got there, but luck was on our side and the sun came out just as we hit the water. The raft ride was pretty fun with some very small rapids to add a little excitement. Lainey did an awesome job paddling--I was impressed! That evening, we hit "The Island," which is an open air mall with a carnival in the middle. Bonus surprise was a free Everclear concert. Ha! The kids rode all the rides, did a trampoline with a harness and bungee cords, and Nick did a "tykes" low ropes course, while Lainey tried the high ropes course. Ultimately, she got freaked out after two obstacles. Mark bought a ticket and went up to try to help her through, but she was too far gone with panic. She made her way back down and the first thing she said to me was, "I'm so embarrassed." I gave her a big hug and assured her that she wasn't the first kid to get scared and wouldn't be the last. I also relayed the time I did a ropes course at the age of 12 and totally flipped my lid. Her spirits rebounded on the giant Ferris Wheel, before hitting another arcade, where Lainey won her SECOND Beanie Boo (and any blight the ropes course had put on her mood vanished). We came soooooo close to winning one for Nick--we had that monkey in the claw at least eight times--but it fell out every time. Womp, womp. But, Lainey let him have the majority of the tickets they won on other games, so he got a squishy monster thingamajig and was happy.

We ended up not getting home until 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, so we took it easy Thursday morning with a big breakfast at the cabin, before heading back to the park. We started out on a hike to the Grotto Falls, but had to turn back when it started pouring rain. We really didn't mind the rain and were going to push on, but this trail wasn't paved and was steeper than the Laurel Falls trail, so Mark was worried about it being super slippery coming back down. Although we didn't make it to the falls, the rain did stop, and we were able to explore a few other stop offs. Before calling it a day, we appeased the kids with go carts, bumper cars, and bumper boats. So fun! We spent the evening at the cabin enjoying the hot tub and playing Sorry! on the deck while the sun set. A perfect way to end our time in Tennessee.

While we said farewell to the Smoky Mountains on Friday, our trip was not over! We were off to Kentucky for a final adventure at Mammoth Cave, which was a hit for us all, but possibly not as big of a hit as the fried chicken restaurant Mark found for dinner that night. It's called The Eagle, and I highly recommend it if you're ever in Louisville.

Saturday was the ride back to Chicago and the real world for us. While I wouldn't call this vacation relaxing, it was definitely restorative. Because we were so active and having so much fun, I was able to keep my brain turned off from all the day-to-day stress and to-do lists that usually run through my head. And since the kids proved to be such powerhouses on this trip, it has me excited thinking of all the possibilities for vacations to come. Truly, I haven't had so much fun in ages, and we built some really amazing memories.

Trail-side climb

One happy dad!

Alpine Coaster

Nick and his paddlers

The rain couldn't dampen our spirits!

Vroom!!

Farewell to our cabin

Caving

Shortless Summer

Pants v. Shorts

We’ve had a pretty hot summer. More 90-degree days than not and so much humidity! Who wouldn’t want to wear a pair of shorts and let the breeze blow across their legs? I’ll tell you who—Nick. Nick REFUSES to wear shorts. It is a battle every day—a battle that I raised the white flag on about three days in and ordered several pairs of thin summer pants. But for some reason, wearing pants in the summer is the hill to die on for Mark and he intends to win this war (although he’s lost nearly every battle and it running out of time).

Oh Nick, what’s the deal?!

Is it because we’ve teased you about your skinny legs?

Is it because you hate to put on sunblock?

Is it because you slowly want to drive your father mad?

Nick has claimed #2 as the root cause, but I secretly think it’s #3. Alas, we may never know…but, one thing’s for sure, those legs aren’t catching a suntan this year.