Remembering Ace

Five years ago this month we threw caution and reasoning to the wind and purchased a new puppy.

We had just gone to the pet store to "look."  Yeah, right.  

We all fell in love with the adorable black and tan dapple mini dachshund.

We purchased the kennel, the food, the toys, and the dog.  Something like $600.

He was the cutest little dog ever.

His first night at home we loved him to pieces.

We talked about what to name him.  We finally decided on Ace Freeway

(Freeway in honor of our cousins' first -- and only -- dog).

He was such a sweet and mellow dog... for the first few days.

The kids promised to care for him... feed him... walk him... pick up his poo.

Oh, was he a cute puppy (that's how they get you).

Fast forward a few months.  Ace got sick a couple of times

(we learned that many puppies bred for pet stores often have health problems).

After a couple of trips to the vet at $65 a shot, and the need for a "special diet,"

I (the penny-pinching mom) was wondering why I was spending more money on the dog than the kids.

Because we don't have a fully fenced yard, someone had to physically take Ace out to potty.

The kids were perfectly willing to do this... for the first month.  Then it became mom's job.  I felt like I had another child.

Ace turned out to be a very hyper and active puppy.  He loved to chew shoes (leather was his favorite).

And he never quite got used to his kennel at night, which led to endless hours of barking.

Bill would try to be the in-control alpha-male and would occasionally give a deep, harsh, "Be quiet, Ace!"

To no avail.

I began to threaten.  "If you kids don't take care of Ace... I'm going to get rid of him... I will... We got the dog for YOU, not for me!"

They would jump into action.  At least they did the first couple times they heard the threat.

Then the threat became empty.  See?  Mom isn't really going to get rid of the dog.  So they thought.

On August 18, 2005... we (or should I say "I") sold Ace.  I was grateful to have recovered at least a portion of the money we had put into him.

(Do these kids look like they are weeping and sad about Ace leaving??)

But I haven't heard the end of it since.  Especially from Mauri.

She was so young at the time, it really wasn't HER responsibility to take care of him,

however, she has been deeply affected by the departure of her dear, sweet puppy.

Every chance she gets to write about Ace at school, she does it.  Her journals are full of memories of Ace.

She still occasionally talks about someday getting Ace back.

What it comes down to is this:  we were NOT prepared.  We hadn't done any research.  

We did not understand the time and energy required to care for a new puppy.  

We all have very fond memories of him.  We all loved him.  

And we still talk about the day we might try being dog owners again.

Next time we will find a little older dog... probably from a shelter.  A dog that's been house trained, and is used to kids.

A dog that likes it's kennel, and doesn't have a chewing problem.

For now, Buddy and Tweety keep us company.  They are our test subjects.

Can we handle pets?  Can our children give them the care they need to flourish and be happy?  Only time will tell.

Ace now lives in New Mexico.  He has a Boxer buddy.  We know he is happy.

We talk about him often... and it makes us smile.  

I think my children realize that my threats are not empty... a good lesson to learn, no matter how hard.

P.S.  As Mauri was reading over my post she said, "Mom, why did you put 'We all loved him'?  That makes it sound like we loved him, and now we don't.  We still love him!"  There you go.

She's Got Rhythm

I've been fiddling with my blog layout today...

I can't tell if the big family pic is distorted or not.

I think I will just try living with it for a while

(and I may get some input from my equally visual family members...

although all Bill really cares about is symmetry).

I like BIG pictures, and this seems to be the only layout that works.

I am HTML illiterate, though, and it took me most of the day

just to get this far.

Unfortunately, that means past posts don't really fit on the page as well.

Someday I will take the time to fix them.

Just not TODAY.

Mauri performed with her class today -- and the rest of B track.

(One class went at a time.)

The music teacher had been working with them on

interesting rhythm patterns...

I thought it was interesting, and was thrilled that parents were actually

invited to attend.

And I was grateful to my friend Rebecca for calling

and reminding me about it... 30 minutes before it started

(I was in my PJs).

I grabbed this picture of Mar before her class headed back to their room.

Then something amazing happened...

everyone wanted their picture taken...

...so glad I was there to do it!

What Was I Thinking?

The cheer season is over. Thank heavens.
I helped with the banquet (because someone needs to) --

not that I'm not happy and willing to help, it's just one of those things that you agree to, thinking that it will be easy...
...then you find out that it really requires much more of you than you had anticipated. 

I offered to make the table covers for the banquet.  
"It will be simple," I told myself.  "Just stamp out the names of the girls... add some stars... easy." 

I figured that since I have a big, unfinished basement, 
I could just lay out those long strips of paper and whip 'em out.  
I needed to make six... no problem!

HAH! (Yeah, they were "easy"... like pie...  
which is really time-consuming and sometimes difficult to make.  
Which is why I seldom make it.  Who came up with that phrase anyway?)

I figure I spent a total of 8 hours on these little babies.

8 hours on that cold basement floor... on my knees 
(I'm definitely too old for that)... 
madly stamping and stenciling away.  
Did I mention that I have been sick?  

I repeatedly asked myself, "What was I thinking???"

They turned out cute {enough}, and really added to the decor. 

However, I don't know if I will ever do something like that again.  

And I was a little frustrated when another mom (obviously NOT a visual person like myself) 

volunteered to trim the edges 

(which I had left un-trimmed until I could see them on the tables -- I didn't want them too short), 

grabbed my scissors, and took off cutting.

She's one of those git 'er done kind of people, and boy, did she git 'er done.  

As quickly as possible.  

And she didn't care if it was straight or not.

Soooooo annoying when you have spent so much time on them and you CARE... about neatness and straight lines. 

I just bit my lip and let it go... (kind of).

NOW [that I've vented a bit] I can let it go.

The banquet was great -- the girls had a great time.  

It is, after all, their last official day as a team.  

One last circle cheer before they leave.

Next year there will be a different team.  

Tryouts are in April, so there's a little reprieve -- at least from cheer.

Lexee has decided to do track this year.  

The season started Monday and goes at least through cheer tryouts.  

(I think she's trying to do anything to get out of looking for a job.)

On That Note

Mauri performed well at her recital on Friday.  
Cowboy Joe and The Trumpet Song went off without a hitch.  
I even practiced so much that I memorized my part in the duet and, 
although it all flew by so fast I can't even remember playing, did not mess up.  
What a relief.

 

As I have reflected on the numerous piano recitals I have attended, 

I have felt a great sense of gratitude for the piano teachers 

that have taught my children...

(and yes, every one of them have had piano lessons -- 

some more than others.  

Taylor actually told me once that he regretted not taking more.  

That was an "I told you so" moment for sure.)

This is our current piano teacher, Sister Wilson.  She has taught Shilo and Mauri.  

Unfortunately her home is up for sale -- we are hoping that she ends up sticking around for a while.

This is Sister Anderson who taught Shilo for about a year.  

She always encouraged active involvement from parents -- 

like singing along to songs Shilo was learning.  

She has a great way of working with kids.

This is Sister Baumgartner.  

She taught both Shilo and Lexee for about a year.  

She is a great friend and was a really fun teacher -- the girls loved her.  

Now she only teaches voice lessons.

This is Melanie Turpin -- 

she taught Britta for about a year, then Shilo for a few months.  

She really focused on timing and encouraged using a metronome.  

She moved to Hawaii.

Our first two piano teachers are... in 35mm film.  Bummer.  

I still really appreciate Sister Weintz (we moved) 

and Sister Lewis (she moved to China of all places).  

They were awesome.  

And even though most (ok, ALL -- except Mauri for the time being) 

of my children chose to eventually stop lessons, 

the discipline they have learned through consistent 

(ok, maybe not ALWAYS consistent -- but you know what I mean) 

practice has been invaluable.  

I also like to think they will always benefit from learning to read notes and being 

somewhat musically inclined.

I think it would take enormous amounts of patience to be a piano teacher.

NJHS

Shilo was inducted yesterday.

I am so proud of her.

Mauri has a piano recital tonight and I'm supposed to play a duet with her. I'll be spending the better part of my day practicing.
I'm not one of those people who can just sit down and play, and Cowboy Joe has a funky rhythm.

The last time we practiced, Mauri requested that we pick up the tempo. 

I'm a little worried that I'll mess up (it's that performance anxiety thing),
which might mess her up. I don't want to let her down...
the pressure.

Sick and Tired

Bill and I have been sick.
No fun. Especially being sick at the same time.

That means there's no one to pick up the slack,

take care of you,

let you sleep in,
and be the functioning P.I.C.

(Person In Charge -- a term I have used since 
my supervisor days at Hardees -- 25 years ago)

The good news is that we are on the mend.
Bill is back at work...
...and I am still going

(like the Energizer bunny, but not as energetic).

The YW had New Beginnings last night.

Cute theme...

cute girls...
so glad I could just go and enjoy.

Class party... done!

I haven't been a room mom for a very long time, and I wasn't about to sign up for it this year -- however, I am perfectly happy to help

(I just don't want to be in charge).

I mentioned to Mauri's teacher at the beginning of the year that I would assist the room mom in any way she needed.

(Everyone could use an assistant in my opinion.)

Next thing you know... I'm it.

Planning the Fall Party and emailing parents for help.

Can I just say, it's been a long year?

I am just relieved to say the Valentine's Day party was swell, the kids had a good time, and the teacher (a substitute) was impressed.

I can't take the credit.
Honestly, I hunted ideas online, found the two I thought would be the easiest (without being too lame in the minds of third graders), and rounded up the volunteers to help (of which there are many -- I'm not the only one who would rather just "assist").

The "hugs to go" were a hit -- the kids traced their hands on each end of a long piece of paper (I used that paper on a roll that the teachers use at school), then cut them out connecting them with a strip of paper.
(It took some time for the third graders to cut out their hands, so younger kids would definitely need some help.) Then they wrote a love note, accordion folded them, and put them in an envelope to give away.

We also played HEART bingo -- another online find (the link is no longer working, so you'll have to google it if you'd like to play).

Then we ate treats (supplied by the oh-so-helpful assistants) and read Valentines.

I took my camera -- you know, to capture the fact that I actually was the room mother ONCE for Mauri -- so years from now she can not dispute the fact that I was actively engaged in her childhood.

But the party happened so fast.
Which is better than the Christmas party...
20 minutes of crickets...
the worst.

The good news -- AHHHHHH, it's done.

P.S. The Science Fair has also come and gone. Bill will not let me get over my "game on" attitude, and felt that I continued it through to Mar's Valentine's box. Let me just say that Mauri and I shared ideas and spent quality time together working on both projects together... the way it should be. We used the computer, the Cricut, and the sticker-maker together. Mauri stamped, designed, and decorated.

She was happy with her final product(s).
Enough said.

(Mauri's comment the morning of the Science Fair:

"If mine is the biggest one there, I'm just telling people I'm makin' up for last year.")

What's next? Oh yeah, a swim meet, then the Cheer Banquet.  Always something.

Seriously creative

A couple of weeks ago LHS held it's Winter Spirit Week...
Lexee and her friends made some totally awesome shirts (for lack of better descriptive words --the 80's are back, right?) 

to wear for the dress-up days:

Tie-dyed for Twin Day...

and Joker shirts for Heroes v. Villains Day.

Why so serious?

(SERIOUSLY --  so creative)

Love is in the air

Mauri made Bill and me a cute little iMovie yesterday...
to the tune of Honey Honey by ABBA. 

She took these pictures to add at just the right moment in the song:

"I heard about you before... I wanted to know some more..."

"And now I know what they mean... You're a love machine..."

"Oh, you make me dizzy!"

(Her pictures also say "I LOVE YOU")

Then she added some great kissing pictures:

I will spare you the others -- pretty much of the same thing.

What a great Valentine's Day gift...
Mar is definitely sharing the love.

Happy Birthday Wanda!

In September of 1987 I met my mother-in-law for the first time. Of course, I didn't know at the time that she would be such an important part of my life. I remember sitting on the couch in her front room chatting while Bill ran to shower and change (we had gone 4-wheeling and were heading to a U of U football game -- we had "events," not just "dates").

Just a few months later, she became family.

She was young when Bill and I were married -- still in her 30's.  She was in the midst of child-rearing (her youngest was 6!) when suddenly she had a new daughter-in-law. She was still in her 30's when she became a Grandma.

I am amazed at how she gave me so much of her time during that busy stage of life.

She helped me learn about caring for a baby.

She babysat 3 days a week while I went to school.

She taught Taylor and Britta how to crawl.

She video-taped priceless memories of my children.

She kept her goodie cupboard and freezer stocked with treats.

She took us camping.
She invited us (and all the kids as our family grew) over for dinners and game nights.

She brought us Valentines and Easter baskets every year.

She has made me many beautiful hand-crafted items.

She has tended my children more times than I would like to count.

She is the most giving, self-sacrificing, and patient person I know.

I wish I was more like her.

Today she's 60 (still young)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We love you.

Things I've Learned - Science Fairs

I have always wanted to keep a notebook titled
Things I've Learned. 

I don't have a great memory, and usually end up making the same mistakes
over and over.

I've cursed NOT starting the notebook many times

(usually right after I've made the same mistake twice).

Don't get me wrong... not BIG mistakes...
just those little "note-to-self" things.

Well, it's Science Fair season again, and I'm starting the Things I've Learned notebook -- right here, right now.

Our elementary school holds a Science Fair every year. Since we have lived in Colorado (2002), I think we've only had one year without one. They have evolved over the years... they no longer judge the projects... they just want the kids to learn the scientific method and encourage their interest in all things science. Initially only the 5th and 6th graders participated, but now all grades are invited to take part in this rite of elementary school passage. Believe me, I have helped with my share of Science Fair projects.

So you would think I would just KNOW.
Know that when your child brings home an informational paper about the project, stating that the display (for the 2nd graders) should be on a trifold large piece of construction paper and should clearly show that the child has done the work, you really need to help that child make a display that would equal those of the most elaborate projects.

I learned that last year.

I'm not making that mistake again.

And I was so proud of myself. I have the tendency to over-do, but I restrained myself. I let Mar choose the project, perform the project (actually Grandma and Grandpa G. helped her with it), and hand-write her hypothesis, observations, and conclusion.

Once we got to the Science Fair, however, I noticed that there was not a single other display quite like hers.

They were large, bold, and beautiful... neatly done with obvious parental involvement.

I could see the disappointment on her face as she compared her display to the others.  

(And she had been so proud of her final result.)

Well, this year's project is in full swing, and you can bet that I won't make the same mistake again...

I will be giving by best effort to make sure Mauri's project is an eye-popper.

No, I won't be "making" the display, I will merely be assisting.

With every available means I have. 

Get out the Cricut, Mauri, it's Science Fair time --
game on.