{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

First "picnic" of the year!

Jump Rope for Heart

Last weekend, DD brought home information on Jump Rope for Heart.  She was so excited to tell Nanny how she would jump rope and raise money for kids who have heart problems. 

There was only one problem.

Drue didn't know how to jump-rope.

She wanted to raise money even though she didn't think she would be jump-roping. Her P.E. teacher has other activities involving jump-ropes that those who can't or get tired of jumping can do. Often, Drue will pretend to sell things to me.  She'll gather magazines, ring the door bell and say, "hi.  I'm selling everything in this magazine, would you like to order any of it.  It will be here in a week and you can pay me then."  Well, this was her chance to go door to door and get donations. We decided to keep the donations to the grandparents this time.  The Luikens, Balvanzs and Great-Grandma Mary were kind enough to donate, but really, do you think they had a choice once they saw their blue-eyed, freckled, red-headed granddaughter?...Nah, not really.

She made Pa go inside so she could ring the door bell.

Explaining what the money goes towards.

There goes Pa's money!

She wanted to fill out the form all by herself.

The kids practiced in P.E. but the concept is a little tricky.  Nanny could tell how excited Drue was to earn money for the children and promised she'd help her learn by Friday. (tomorrow!) After a few different nights of Nanny calling to say, "let's practice!" and Nanny & Pa bringing homemade jumpropes that Pa cut into various sizes, She GOT it! She was so proud of herself and so was everyone else! She had the biggest smile on her face and would say, "JUMP" everytime she needed to jump! We made a couple special trips to Nan & Pa's to show off!  They are really the ones who taught her. 

Jump!

Practicing on her own.

Trying to get the timing down with Momma running the rope and both of us jumping together!

While watching her try so hard to master jumping and trying not to be discouraged, I said, "DD...you sure are determined."  Her brother replied, "yeah, German Shepherd."  He thought I said "you sure are German."  Which, I guess she is.  Ha!

After Drue figured out the jumping on her own, she tried with 2 people holding the rope (what is that called? Double?) anyway, she can do that, too!  She's practiced everyday after school and tonight even taught Lane to do the double (?) too!  He's totally not one to be left out, and is quite excited to perfect his new skill.

Drue raised $105 for Jump Rope for Heart and is most excited to receive her t-shirt that says "I Helped Save a Life!" along with 3 other gifts she's promised to share with her brother.  She's looking forward to jumping from 2:30 to 3:00 on Friday the 26th and I can't wait to hear all about it!

Retro

During the UNI / KU game my mom dug out Shawn's old UNI jacket.  When we were young, Mom went back to school at UNI and one night brought us each home a jacket.  I remember when she gave them to us, thinking how cool they were!  Ok, when I say young, I guess I was in high school...I think.  I have pictures from my Freshman homecoming parade and I was wearing my purple UNI jacket... Uncle Shawn's jacket fit Dig perfectly and we thought it only appropriate that he wear it for the end of the game...must have been good luck!

Seriously, What a stinker!?!

And, no...Mom and Dad don't usually decorate with air-compressors & DeWalt tools...they are in the process of putting new hardwood floors in.

Just Trying to Be Nice

This event took place way back in November and December, I've been meaning to blog about it, it's been on my 'to-blog-about-list' and I'm finally making time for it...ok, the truth is Ryan has no idea I'm even here, he's glued to those stinking March Madness games like his life depended on it.  He does come out of his coma during commercials, just long enough to grab a Pepsi or an ice-cream sandwich.  Every so often he actually gets out of the recliner (my recliner, by the way) during the games and plays catch or soccer with Lane in the living room...March Madness makes me mad.  I get why it's called that now.  Seriously, how much basketball can one watch?  Anyhoo.  On with my story...

*Disclosure* Since most of this was kept secret from us, my facts are as I assumed them or have been told...however, I'm not good with 'guy' stuff so none of this may make any sense...

Back in October my Dad saw an ad for a sale on running boards. (ok...time-out...I'm talking about the thing-ies you step on to get into our SUV) Dad knew that our passenger side running board was starting to show rust and thought he'd be nice (actually, he always is!) and buy the new running boards for Ryan and I ... since our anniversary was coming up in November, he thought he could use that as an 'excuse' to give them to us.  Now, he just had to come up with a reason to 'need' our car for the day so he could have them installed. 

Turns out...it wasn't that easy.  He and Mom went to the store to get them.  While there learned they were a special order for our model of car.  Ok, no big deal.  But that would cost more money.  Dad proceeded with the sale...I think he questions now if he should have.  A few weeks pass and our anniversary has approached.  The boards were in and he and Mom went to pick them up just in time to give them to us on our 8th anniversary.  But the sales person comes out with a teeny-tiny box and hands it to Dad.  He explains that those can't possibly be what he ordered... They realize they need to re-order a different style and once again, the price has increased.  But Dad has committed to this purchase and waits another couple of weeks for the new boards to arrive.  Once he's notified they are in, Mom and Dad return to the store to pick them up.  While there they learned they need to purchase the brackets to attach them to our Expedition.  Fine.  They finally get them home and now just need to 'get' my car from me. 

Just so happens that my 4-Wheel Drive light on the dash would flash back and forth between 4-Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive, it was now December and we already had snow, I wanted to get it checked out to make sure it was just the dash lights, not the actual 4-Wheel Drive stuff flipping back and forth ...I don't claim to know anything about automobiles, hence my wonderful description.  I made an appointment, asked if Mom could follow me and pick me up after dropping the car off.  Rick (the car guy) told me it should be done by noon.  Perfect.  I can't remember exactly what was going on that week but I'm sure I had places to go, people to see, things to buy... When I called at noon to make sure I could get it, Rick said, "uh...no, we're pretty busy it's going to be 4:00 before we're done."  I could handle that.  That night I went with my parents to my great-aunt Betty Roll's visitation at the funeral home.  I decided since I had a ride, I'd have them drop me off to get the car.  BUT, the Expedition was not sitting outside like it should have been. 

So...  Either my car had been stolen...or it wasn't done.  Yee-Gads.  I kept thinking, What was wrong with it?! I didn't think it would be that big of a deal! Glad I took it in but how much is this going to cost me!?  I don't want to spend too much on it!  It was paid off then "hailed-out" and we bought it back for only $500...I don't want to spend more than that on it!

So, the next morning I call to NAG  check on the car.  No answer.  Mid morning I called Ryan and asked him to call to see what the heck was wrong and tell those guys not to put too much into it if it's going to be crazy expensive.  He called me back a minute later saying he couldn't get anyone to answer.  So at noon I nag some more check on them again. Rick finally answered and said, "we're having a little trouble.  it's taking a little longer than we expected."  I voiced my concern about the money and he kind of fumbled around, not really knowing what to say.  But he assured me it would be done that afternoon. 

Mind you, I've been telling Mom &Dad all about my nagging to the guys at Quality Auto.  They managed to come up with some kind of answers and miraculously keep straight faces all while calling me funny little names or referring to me as some nosey/ naggy neighbor Agnes off of the old Bewitched.  After Betty's funeral, Mom & Dad dropped me off at the shop to pick up the Expedition.  I was getting a little nervous after I called so many times to bother check on the guys working, that I asked Dad if he'd please just go in and get the keys for me.  He did.  He came out with a little smirk that made me think they all had a good laugh about the several times his favorite daughter called.  Dad handed me the keys and I walked to the car. 

I went to step up... and froze.  I noticed the new running boards right away.  I turned back to look at Mom & Dad & Shawn and they were all laughing.  I still didn't get it.  I remember thinking, "Why would Rick put new running boards on without asking us? Who would do that?" 

Then it dawned on me.  Oh my! How embarrassing. How nice!  And how beautiful! They looked so good!

Little did I know or understand all the trouble it took for that to happen, just for Dad trying to be nice!  Ends up the running boards were harder to get on & off than anticipated. They also had caller ID and saw our numbers and decided not to answer (smart on their part!)  I don't think Rick & Eric will put another pair on for anyone...ever.  Just last night Dad saw a similar ad in the newspaper and said, "oh, I think I just got a little sick seeing that!"

We've all had more than a few good laughs over this whole thing and I just want to say Thanks Again, Mom & Dad!!!   Dad may never 'try to be nice' again!

Dumpster Diving

We got a little taste of Spring yesterday so Lane and I spent the afternoon outside.  We played football, baseball and on the swingset. I also decided to use the time to paint some new treasures! 

A couple weeks ago I saw a little white wooden table and a small white bench on the curb after our backyard neighbor moved out.  We had been at Mom & Dad's for dinner when I spied them... 

Ryan was completely mortified when I demanded he stop so I could grab the goodies.  Ok, it wasn't really dumpster diving, but curb collecting.  I didn't know what I would do with them, but I knew I had to have them. 

Yesterday, I washed them up and gave them a fresh coat of paint.  I had the blue mixed especially for the table, but the other paint I just had in the basement.  I have tons of paint!  I've painted our kitchen 3 times already and it will be 3 years ago we moved this May, so I used an orange (1st kitchen color) for the longer bench that I DID find in a dumpster at a sorority house back in 1999 at ISU.  The small bench I painted the red of our bedroom. 

After painting, I gave everything a coat of my all time favorite-always-gonna-have-some-in-my-house Ralph Lauren antiquing glaze in Tobacco.  Mmmm!  I just am in love with that stuff! Here's how things turned out..

The orange bench before antiquing glaze...being used as an 'auction table' by the kiddos!

This Robin Egg Blue table matches nothing in our house... and that is exactly why I love it!

The little red bench is currently holding our Easter Egg Tree in the living room.

The orange bench sits on our front deck.

While I was at it, I decided to paint our garden gate as well!

Now... I'm off to do the things I should have done yesterday....

Get Your Green On!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from our Little Luiken Leprechauns!

Last night the kids and I planned our special St. Patty's Day treats for tonight.  It will a busy afternoon as DD has a dentist check-up, Lane has preschool registration and we greet at our Lenten services at church.  So we decided we'd make our treats last night.  We made "End of the Rainbow Cupcakes!"  I'll be honest, I totally cheated and used a box mix this time and they didn't layer perfectly, but they are still 'rainbow-y' and the kids, especially Lane, are just tickled about how colorful they are!  We also made yellow pineapple jello to have as the "pot of gold" at supper...

After two consecutive posts showing my muffin tins...I believe they are in need of a good scrub!

What Does This Mean?

So, I have a 4 year old little boy who LOVES to sort things.  Anything.  Birthday candles, colored popsicle sticks, balls, crayons, cookie cutters, cereal, towels, candy, construction paper, stuffed animals, dishes...anything.  He likes to sort by colors, by sizes, by texture, by age, by number...any way.
 I wonder what that means?

He often BEGS to sort.  Sometimes he even cries because he wants...almost needs to sort.  "Mom! What can I sort?"  "Mom! I really want to sort something, can you help me find something to sort?"
 I really wonder what that means.

I had a T.T.T. meeting last night and when I got home, Lane asked me if we could sort something.  I told him it was too late to start that but promised we'd sort today.  So, this morning he sorted his legos.  Perfect for him!  Colorful, big, little...
Just what he needed. 

Today's mission...accomplished!

 Some of Dig's sorted Valentine's Day treats

Sorting Momma's Fiesta Ware by color

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

The Superheroes!

{With their blankie capes!}

They wanted to pose for this one...can ya' tell!? :)

Notice the undies OVER the pajamas!

 Just like real superheroes do it!

Mistaken Identity

For those of you who don't know, I'm the Superintendent of the Sunday School at the St. Paul Lutheran church in Eldora.  It's a volunteer position with a two-year term.  This is my second year. It's easy...I even have an 'assistant.'  I pass out attendance envelopes before Sunday School starts, pick them up after the kids are there, ring 'the bell,' record attendance, give out treasure chest awards for attendance, award Star cards- our monthly perfect attendance and count the offering.  I have to be there a few minutes before everyone else so this often means that Ryan drops the kids and I off then goes home to get ready and meets us for church.  I also have two monthly meetings, Board of Education and Sunday School Staff.  On these days, the kids and I drive separately in the morning and Ryan brings his truck to church.  That way, he and the kids can take the Expedition, with the car seats, home and I take his truck home after the meeting...ok...that was a lot of 'prep' for a short silly story... but here goes.

After one of the recent meetings, I walked out to Ryan's truck, parked where we often park.

 {Upon noticing how clean it was}
  He must have washed it this weekend, I thought. 

{Upon noticing the On-Star sticker in the window}
Wow.  I didn't realize Christensen's vehicles had On-Star.  Fancy. 

 {I thought} I used the key to unlock the door. 
Wowza!  He really cleaned this puppy out!  Well, it is new. But wow! Immaculate. 

{Upon noticing a little ol' man's hat on the seat next to me.}
What? Since when does he wear a little ol' man's hat?

 I proceeded to try and start the truck...finally it dawned on me. 

This is SO not Ryan's truck!

I quickly hopped out...scoped my surroundings, hoping no-one, especially the owner of this truck, (yup, I know who it is) saw me getting out...spied the right truck...ran to it, jumped in, took off and laughed the whole way home!

Yee-Gads! Can you say...embarrassing?

Tell me something similar has happened to you...

Looky What Dig Got...

Our 4 year old + a new Wii = no one slept in this Saturday morning!

Star of the Week & Ants on a Log

Drue Kathleen is Mrs. Hildreth's Star of the Week!  Sounds a little more exciting than it really is...but to a kindergartner...it's BIG STUFF!  What does being the Star Student entail you ask?  Well...your Mom gets to scrounge through a humongous box of pictures that need to be but in photo albums and pick 12 out to be put on the Star bulletin board.  Mrs. Hildreth moves the big, huge hand with a finger pointing down to above your chair, it reads Special Person! (or something like that) and the most exciting thing is that on Wednesday, the Star Student gets to pick a friend to eat in the classroom with her (instead of in the cafeteria) and to set the mood, Mrs. Hildreth dims the lights and plays background music...the music of choice this week was Math Tunes...they're always learning!  DD chose her spunky friend, Kassidy. They ate chicken fajitas and visited with their teacher.  Special times, indeed! 

I took this picture at her conference this week.  I had to go by myself because Ryan was home with the stomach flu.  We received a wonderful report.  I was happy to learn DD is a caring helper to her fellow students and is meeting or exceeding all of the goals for kindergartners at ENP.  She loves to read, writes beautifully and is an all around great student.  Her journaling is amazing.  I am so anxious to see her monthly journal, her drawing, story-telling and writings are so stinkin' cute!  We're talking kindergarten here...but hey...a mom can brag!  She's doing so great! Her teacher had nothing but positive things to say and we are so truly proud of her.

As for Digga Dean, he is anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Wii.  We were told it would be in last Friday....it wasn't.  We're hoping for tomorrow.  He is so sporty, it's almost crazy.  He's obviously got it in his blood, because trust me, I do not spend my days teaching him tennis, kick-soccer-baseball, basketball or soccer...he just gets it.  He loves it like I've never seen a little guy love anything before.  He begs to play some sort of sport all day.  I don't think I've done any household chores for 3 days now.  I've played a lot of tennis and 'H.O.R.S.E.' though...which is way better than laundry and dusting that's for sure!  Some day, I won't be asked to play those things, so I'm taking advantage and never turn down an offer.  Here's the last picture I took of him...I went to check on an unusually quiet Dig in the kitchen and found him making his own "Ants on a Log."  He had been reminded of the snack on a commercial during Sponge Bob ( a show the kids sneak to watch, knowing I dislike it) and knew he could make it himself.  He did a great job!  He even shared...and they were yumm-o!  (no he didn't cut the celery, I had it pre-cut for snacking)

oh yeah...he has a buzz! 

 Reminder to self:  Do not use 1/4" blade on trimmer in March

But, what a cutie, huh!?

He looked in the mirror and said, " I feel like Diggy, but I don't look like Diggy!" 

You will bud...in about a month!  :)

School Mittens

Last Monday morning DD couldn't find her mittens.  I couldn't either.  I went to check the car and on my way back in the house, I see what used to be a mitten on the garage floor.  Cash the Dog was obviously bored and decided to destroy little DD's little mitten.  She was not happy, which is not a good way to start a Monday morning in this house because if DD ain't happy, ain't no one happy!  She panicked thinking she wouldn't get to play outside for recess because she didn't have an extra pair of water-proof mittens.  She had gloves she could wear to school but I told her I'd check at the stores in town to see if they had any, but I knew our options would be limited this late in the winter...and Pamida doesn't open until 9 which is about the time Drue has her first outdoor recess.  So, I thought I would run up to the nurses office, ask if Drue could borrow a pair of mittens until I got to Waterloo that Thursday.  Roads were bad Monday and Tuesday and school got out early Thursday, I figured that would be a good day to go.  I didn't tell DD that I was going to the nurses office.  I knew she wouldn't want to wear the nurse's mittens.  I don't know why, but she wouldn't.  For T.T.T. we donated over 40 pairs of mittens, I didn't feel guilty asking at all, especially knowing they'd be returned.  So...after dropping DD off at school on the East side, I drove around to the West side and in to the nurses office without her knowing.  The nurse only had one pair of water-proof mittens left!  They were a little small, but they'd work for a few days.  I walked down and met DD at her locker.  I didn't tell her where I got them, as far as she knew they were from a store...she tried them on, "yes, they're a little small, but they'll work."  Done deal.  Not really.  When I picked her up she was wearing her own gloves, I said, "did you just leave the waterproof ones at school?"  "No, I took them back to the nurse."  "Why!? There aren't any waterproof mittens to be found in this town! And how'd you know they were the nurse's?!"  She said she just knew... (ok, she probably did the math and knew I couldn't possibly have got anywhere to buy mittens.)  "But that's ok mom! Mrs. Hildreth has a pair of class mittens that I can wear for recesses I just have to give them back to her after every recess."  Fine.  Then the next day, she came home with "THE" mittens on.  "Mrs. Hildreth said I can keep them until we get to Waterloo."  I cracked up!  She'd rather wear bright red mittens that have "SCHOOL MITTENS" written in permanent marker on them, than borrow a pair from the nurse!  That's not embarrassing?!?   Anyhoo...Scheels had ONE pair of waterproof mittens left, luckily they were a girl style and DD's size. 

Kindergarten Lesson Learned #67 Buy more than one pair of waterproof mittens yearly!

Silly...but I guess not shocking since we're talking about the same little girl who is embarrassed as all get out to pack a lunch even on days she knows she hates and will not eat what is for lunch, like hot dog & mac & cheese days. Those are the only days she would take her own lunch, but...

That's another story...we tried making things she liked and would eat...even butter/cinnamon/sugar sandwiches.  She'd act all scared when I picked her up from school and would try explaining herself while crying, "I just wasn't hungry mom."  I explained I didn't care what she ate, I just didn't want her to be hungry.  "I just feel funny when I take a lunch because no one else does on the days I do."   Um, that's because you don't eat 'kid' food darling.  :)  So, I tried to make it seem a little more fun and packed her a Subway kids meal a couple of times.  It worked once.  The second time she ran to her room after school and tried hiding the leftovers under her bed! We had a discussion and decided that she would prefer to no longer pack lunches, she'd just eat what she liked off the tray and on hot dog & mac & cheese days she may be asked to take a bite, but it won't kill her...at least not right away...then, I taught her the 'stir-it-up-a-little-bit-to-make-it-look-like-you-tried-it' trick... just in case...'cause that's what mom's do.