Christmas 2015

Christmas 2015 has come and gone in a flash! It was a very relaxing, two week break from school that we all needed. 

Christmas Eve was spent at Steph and Dan's "new" house and it was so awesome. They did an amazing job rebuilding their burned home and we definitely crisened the new place with a fabulous Christmas Eve party. Steph was worried about so many people in a fairly small house, but it didn't feel that way at all. We ate delicious food, drank yummy cocktails, laughed and enjoyed family time. 

Earlier in the morning on Christmas Eve, Steph and I had a pie baking session. We both had the goal to become a better pie maker and Steph ended up finding Georgia's pie crust recipe during the remodel of their house. So we were determined. We planned the variety of pies we would make, bought all the stuff and met early in the morning at my house to....totally FAIL!! Pie makers we are not!! Literally crust after crust was an epic flop of messy-crumbly-fall apart dough. We laughed our butts off because we just couldn't get the damn crust to work. So we ended up making 6 various pies with pieced together crusts. None of them looked good at a all... But thankfully Aunt Ann made desserts also so no one had to eat our pies. It was comical considering we are both good cooks who enjoy being in the kitchen, we have a brain, yet we couldn't make a pie crust to save our life. We aren't done trying!! We both said Georgia was watching us just shaking her head. 

Christmas Day was just the 5 of us. My parents went to spend Christmas with baby Olivia and my brother, John/Mary were at the cabin so we just enjoyed the day together at our house. Husband and I both noticed the kids received less this year, but the stuff they did get was what they truly wanted...not just toys. TJ got an Xbox one (which isn't cheap but was his one big gift), Beau got an electric scooter and roller blades, both items he's been begging for so he was super stoked, and Finley got a new beauty vanity that is pretty awesome. We couldn't put any gifts under three because Maverick chews anything left in th ground...so there wasn't a present in sight until the 24th. I really liked that because it didn't cause the  kids to endlessly focus on and snoop around the gifts...which aren't the reason for Christmas in th first place. 

We took a few day trips to Apex to ski and the boys had basketball practice several times over break. Husband and I just took the final decorations down and we at settling in for the start of school. It's hard to imagine, but TJ has only four more Christmas's at home until he's gone to college. That blows my mind...and makes me have a crying panic attack. 

Maverick's favorit spot. 

Enjoying all th snow. We had a good white Christmas. 

Kyle and CJ invite Husband and TJ to a Seahawks game two days after Christmas. They had an amazing time. 

Finley received a ballet barre in her room for Christmas. 

Sleeping Beauty!

Today Finley wrapped up her performance in Sleeping Beauty for Children's Dance Theater.  Finley has found something she really loves in dance and performing, and we strongly encourage her to participate in CDT productions.  It's a pretty big commitment that begins in August...and continues every.single.Saturday...so we do have to juggle all the other stuff going on in the fall, 

 Finley the Forest Nymph!

 Brothers went to opening night to enjoy the show!

 Backstage before night two.

 All the Forest Nymps waiting to go on stage.

 Cousin Quincy came for night two.

 Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs!

 And that's a wrap...it was a great 3 days!

Maleficent and Happy!

Thanksgiving has become the ugly step-child holiday to Christmas...each year it becomes less and less important with stores jumping directly from Halloween to Christmas (gag).  This year we hit Thanksgiving HARD with a really awesome holiday weekend packed to the brim.

We have a lot to be thankful for and so many great family members who make our lives better!  So now that my pants don't fit and my fridge is filled with leftovers...time to start thinking about Christmas.

 Cousin Olivia's first Thanksgiving! 

 First stop on Thanksgiving Day was the Sackman Thanksgiving.  All the Sackman cousins together!

 Cousin Olivia was manhandled and toted all around the house by her two loving older (bossy) cousins.

 Plughoff Thanksgiving!

Sackman Thanksgiving Feast...quite the group!

Hawaii

Maui summer 2015 was one of the best vacations we've taken...the kids are at the perfect age to be independent and we enjoyed two weeks of Hawaiian life.

Last winter Husband and I booked Maui and planned on surprising the kids, sadly that didn't fly too well! They were bummed not to be going to CB, but instead Maui. Womp Womp...brats. Once we got there CB was a distant memory...the cold, windy step-sister to warm, glorious Maui! Our condo was right across the street from Kam III so we swam, surfed or paddle boarded each morning and hit the condo pool in the afternoon. 

Not surprising, Beau enjoyed our time more than anyone. He just fits the Hawaiin attitude and as he rode his skateboard around Kihei, with his blonde surfer hair, he looked like the perfect Local. He ended up loving surfing and we'd wake early and head out before the afternoon trade winds picked up. I ended up having a minor shark encounter...minor for the locals who were like, "Oh it was just a 6ft bull shark!" Swimming around the cove where I was paddle boarding. To me that was Jaws!! 

Hawaii is a pretty expensive vacation and we (OK Husband) did a really thorough job of planning and budgeting. Each kid picked one big to-do.. TJ picked Zip Lining, Beau rented a surf board for our time there, Finley paddle boarded and they each had a set amount of spending money. As a family we did a Lua and enjoyed some hikes and exploring that didn't cost anything. We found a great deal on a rental car and cooked most of our meals at the condo. Husband wasn't grumpy at all about the budget, which means we must have done okay!  

We've arrived! Beau boarding through the airport. 

Fourth of July. 

How we spent most of our day!

A beautiful Hawaiian evening.

I actually think this picture was from the shark sighting day...which included a man standing on the shore next to my mom...who was waving me in...The man had his two hands on top of his head making the "shark sign" with his palms together.  Yeah...it was super crazy!

I feel so blessed to spend life with this guy and have adventures like this!

The Hair Progression

When your 12 year old tells you he wants to grow out his hair...things get interesting. TJ's last hair cut was November 2014. We now have a long, beautiful, thick ponytail but it's taken some patience getting to this point. He's been so set on this and I admire his determination. As well as his thick skin. People are rude and opinionated! Most surprising are adults who makes comments about his hair!! Many are in good fun, but honestly it's pretty eye opening to hear some of the snide comments.  

My opinion on the whole hair deal is pretty much my parent philosophy for about 99% of things, Pick My Battles!!!  TJ is a great kid...he doesn't give us any grief, gets good grades, is an ASB officer, helpful, works hard, and is so nice to everyone!  My gawsh...I can handle him growing out his hair. As with most things in life, Husband didn't have a strong opinion about this.  His one request was, "Get that hair out of your face!"  So we've been working on ponytails and buying a variety of headbands.  For football he wore a skull cap (I learned that name..) and I'm pretty certain it didn't actually come home to get washed once.  Eeeeek.  Gross.  Some of the girls will french braid it and honestly it looks really cool.  We've had a few conversations on hair management and he has learned that it does require a bit more upkeep...cream rinse and brushing are now required!

March 2015

April 2015...starting to get in his face. Husband was not happy. 

The start of the headband phase. 

We have a bun!

Fall music concert. 2015

Currently! I call this Daniel-Son!

A New School Year!

My life is continuing to flash before my eyes. We have an 8th grader, a 4th grader, and 2nd grader. Mornings are easier because no one needs my help, except reminders to brush and the daily, "I'm leaving in 10 minutes..let's go!" I think I blocked out that part of my memory that includes mornings with three small kids who all need help. I loved our small babes, but honestly I really like independence too. 

So our mornings are easier, but evenings are crazy!! I know this is the season of life...sports, dance, band, orchestra, homework....we try to throw in family dinner here and there but some nights it's concession stand popcorn and Skittles for dinner. My house is a mess, minus the one day a week our cleaning lady comes, and no joke it's messy by bed time. But for those few glorious hours I feel nirvana. 

When the kids are finally in bed and the house is quiet, I feel a sense of calm that is blissfully relaxing. Which is good because we have to wake up and do it all again tomorrow. 

End of the Year Recap

Another school year flew by...they seem to be moving quicker and quicker the older the kids get. I can't believe next year we'll have an 8th grader, 4th grader and 2nd grader! I swear TJ just finished Kindergarten. This was a really positive school year! We've not had a "bad" year but things just feel easier as the kids are older and more independent. I also realized this year that the older I get...the better I handle things, the more mindful I am of my time and the more reflective I am about friendships and what truly matters. EUREKA...I'm totally okay with being mid-thirties and what my life is like. 

Some highlights of this year....

All three kids soared academically! TJ made honor roll every quarter and became so independent with monitoring his school work and grades. Beau loved third grade and we were so thankful for the most amazing teacher! Finley loves school..she's the kid who comes home and asks for me to make her problems on the whiteboard. Even when I'm super tired, it's hard to say no to that. She's kind and fairly quiet at school. She keeps close to her friends and truly gets bothered when kids don't follow the rules or don't pay attention. One of her biggest gripes was kids who would just not sit still in circle time. We talk a lot about just taking care of ourselves and not worrying about others. One more year until she'll be with me at East and I can't wait!

TJ ran for ASB Sergeant of Arms the week before school ended and he won! I'm so excited he'll be involved in student government next year because that was my thing in school and I want him to experience all the great aspects of student leadership. He's our social, everybody knows-him-everybody likes him kid. It makes me feel so good when teachers and other kids tell me he's that one kid who is nice to everybody. He's mellow and goofy and the best line in his speech was, "I have a good sense of humor and like to joke around. The best person I like to make fun of is myself..." And the audience laughed. He's just one awesome 13 year old...who has a terribly messy room and the smelliest feet you can imagine....So I pick my battles and move on...

TJ continues to like sports and lifts weights a lot. Sometimes I look at him and think Holy Cow..he's huge. He's tall and strong and just not the little boy I once had. TJ played his second year of trombone and was pretty stoked when his band instructor asked him to try the tuba next year. He marches with the pep band and played Pomp and Circumstance at graduation.  Even though we live in a small school district, our music department is amazing and TJ is a great example of how music helps make kids well rounded. 

Another really great part of this school year was Beau at East with me!!!! I loved having my buddy there everyday and catching sneak peaks of him in the hall, at recess, in class and at assemblies. He would write me notes and leave them on my desk and every time he walked by my office window he waved! As cool as he tries to be, he still loves his mommy a lot. One really interesting thing I learned about Beau this year that kind of surprised me is he's a rule follower! He's very aware of school rules and not breaking them. I guess this kind of surprised me because he's also a bit mischievous. But much more so at home I've come to realize. Beau excelled in math...loves it and his teacher absolutely pushed and challenged him. He doesn't like to read, however he's good at it, especially when it involves taking AR tests or some reading challenge. He would wear sport shorts every single day if we'd let him, prefers t-shirts with the sleeves cut off as his favorite shirt and intentionally wears mis matched socks. Sigh. Pick my battles on that topic every single morning. Beau is our creator and energizer bunny. Give him a box and some tape/scissors and he's happy. He loves to ride his bike around the neighborhood and had his first broken heart this spring when his BFF (who lived down the street) moved to Ellensburg. It was hard for us to see his sadness, but that's also life.  

Finley's teacher told us all year that she's the kind of student that every teacher wants...rule follower, kind, very focused and eager to learn. I have no idea who she got those qualities from because that wasn't me or Husband in first grade. Actually I attribute it mainly to her age.  She's one of the oldest kids in her grade and her behavior matches that. She has no time for dramatics or nonsense and just seems so much more grown up than a lot of her classmates who are 6...as she'll be 8 in a week. Finley is my reporter. Everyday after school I would get a play by play of her day. She doesn't miss a thing. She has the memory of an elephant and her reenactments of various incidences were very funny. She is strong and tough-both mentally and physically. Clearly the product of two older brothers. It takes a lot to hurt her feelings...which is good because life can be mean. 

One huge part of our school year involved hair...yes HAIR! This school year will forever be the year of hair. TJ's last hair cut was October 2014 and he's set on letting it go. He can make a ponytail and his girl friends (not girlfriend) can French braid it!! Initially it was annoying to us, but finally Husband and I both got over it. It's only hair. If this is the worst thing he does, great! We go to almost all of EWU's home football games and have gotten to know a lot of the players. His favorite lineman has long shaggy hair past his shoulders. He swears he not cutting it until college-we shall see. He has to wear headbands whenever he's doing anything physical-thankfully there are manly/sporty headbands out there. Along with that, Finley has been growing out her bangs aaaaaalllll year. Good Lord we are almost able to pull them all the way back into a long pony. I'm not sure what prompted this move, but we've committed and I had to get very creative this year because the rest of her hair is so stinking long. Beau was on a hair cut strike (mainly because of older brother) until basketball season, then he realized he wanted a trim. And Husband...oh to have so much hair as Husband! Sadly all that long, shaggy, thick hair is turning gray quickly!!! There's always jokes about who has caused all that gray hair (me!) but no matter how hard I try to persuade him that perhaps a little 'Hair Color for Men' might not be a bad idea, he'll never go for it. And that's okay. Husbands so true to himself and I respect that. 

As we settle into the first week of summer and fill our days with swim team and all sorts of camps, I am already feeling my battery recharge. For me it was a busy and rewarding year. I'm beyond excited for a grant program my school was awarded starting next year called The Leader In Me based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This has been a game changer for so many people and just the small taste we had of it this year showed us how profound of an impact it will have over the next 5 years. We had some staff retirements, some move because of their spouses jobs, and some relocate to be closer to where they live (sick of commuting) and because of that next year is filled with a sense of new beginnings and exciting growth. I'm so happy to be part of it and even more happy my kids get to experience The Leader in Me first hand. I plan on documenting our progress so others can hopefully follow. 

In the meantime,15 days until our Maui family vacation and 77 days until school starts again...time to soak up summer. 

 My mantra for the year!

I saw this on Instagram and it just made me smile! I think it's so true and I try to remember to be positive and optimistic every single day!

#teacherkidproblems. These two stinkers spend a lot of time hanging out after school while we work. 

My sweet Beau! This was from the Fall. 

Typical morning heading to school, books and hot chocolate.  Note the shorts...it's winter. 

Another fine example of their outfits. Chosen by themselves..of course. 

Track & Field was a first this year for TJ! He won Most Improved for his team and every meet surpassed his previous throws. It must have been the hair. 

Our spring jog-a-walk-a-thon at school! This was a major fundraiser that I planned and we raised over $11,000! The weather was cold and gloomy, but the rain and lightning started only in the last few minutes. Phew!!! Every kid needs to experience a jog-a-thon!!

Last Day with Nana and Beau. 

The night before the last day of school TJ had a party. I was tired, a bit grumpy, had a boat load of work to still do before I checked out for the year...but the thought of the last day of school pushed me forward! :-)