Fun and Dreams

Our Maisie has never loved sports.  Or ANY physical activity that would result in a droplet of sweat forming for that matter.  

She's our dreamer.  And with her dreams come constant song throughout our house.

Literally.  

It's like living with a person who constantly sings her thoughts instead of speaking.   And when I'm folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher, scrubbing a toilet, brushing my teeth, she will make me stop what I'm doing in order to watch her (can't break eye contact because then I'm not paying attention and she'll have to start over) perform some song she's been working on ALL DAY LONG.  

I recently listened to a pod cast by Glennon Doyle called 'We Can Do Hard Things' and the episode title was "Fun: What the hell is it and why do we need it?" 

Do you know what you like to do for fun?  No, seriously?  What do you, as an adult, find fun?

As for me, I have no idea.  

Isn't that terrible?  If someone where to ask me what I like to do for fun, I'm guessing I'd suggest organizing my closet, dipping the pink moldy bottom of the shower curtain in bleach because it's 'satisfying', or taking apart the fridge to figure out how far that blue jello actually dripped.  

So when I watch my kids "having fun" a part of me thinks back to when I was their age and fun came easily.  I'm not a total idiot and realize the world is 99,000 times different than it was in 1987, but still.  

The idea of hopping on my bike to look for loose change under the concession stand step was a total thrill for me.  And I won't even start with the adventures and mysteries to be found the cemetery.  Biking to the nearest library (3 or 5 miles- not sure- oh and with a picnic lunch and my sister) to spend the afternoon scouring years of microfilm to find a classmates moms' obituary, praying for a picture, just so we could see what she looked like.  Don't judge.  We didn't find it.

And then there was babysitting.  Have you ever baptized someone you were babysitting- for fun?  

Back to the point.  It's no secret Maisie finds her fun in singing and performing. So when the idea occurred to me for Maisie and her groupies to sing at the local winery... I figured why not?

They spent over a month planning, practicing and rehearsing for June 4th.  I tracked down a portable PA system through the school as the girls began planning outfits, breaks and introductions.

Whenever I told someone the girls were going to be singing at the winery, their first response was,

"For what?"

To which I'd shrug my shoulders and reply... Just for fun.

Early morning practices.

Organizing the play lists.

The day of the concert came and one of the girls was so nervous she puked stomach acid 3 times beforehand.

Their nerves reminded me of high school track; or the Strawberry Festival Fun Run for that matter.

I wasn't in charge of costumes, but I find her stunning.

They sang 2 hours.  

Made $99 in tips.  

And for one night of their life, felt like stars.

But more importantly, they had the kind of fun most 13-year-old little girls only dream of.

 

Once upon a time

 you were a little girl with big dreams that you promised you'd make real one day.

Don't disappoint yourself.

 

Fresh Starts and New Things

And, we're back!

I've dusted off my Nikon, bought a new computer, joined some Facebook Photography and Editing Groups, Subscribed to a few new YouTube Channels and am ready to step up my game.  

Thank God Jay is around to help me navigate the technology side of everything.  

Let's just say this kid knows his way around a computer.

Memorial Day weekend led us to Lake Aquabi.  And yes, it was like Camp Kikiwaka as we ended up with 9 kids spending the weekend with us.  

Two sites, two tents and an RV worked like a charm to house all the campers.  

No need to squint too hard- this kid is not a Boyd.

But this one is.

And of course this one.

The sun was bright and the shadows are harsh.  Will work on that.

But stay tuned, we have an exciting weekend coming up...

So This Is Christmas

This picture about sums up our week.  Kids are excited and the dogs ear is bent inside-out as he's forced into a sack.  

I totally get-it Jasper.  

Sometimes we just have to let things lay where they want to.

As I look through past years posts around this time of year, I don't think I'd want to trade places with myself.  There was so much to do, so many "traditions" to follow, so many expectations- and it all had to be hidden. 

This is our first year without having to convince someone Santa wouldn't burn up in the fireplace.  The first year I didn't have to scramble up early and sneak the dang Elf somewhere before I was caught, the first year I can binge watch Criminal Minds with my girls before bed and not worry about falling asleep and forgetting to fill stockings before going to bed.  

Oh, don't you worry- the stocking are still being filled every night, it's just not as urgent and planned as it once was.  

Lottery Tickets, American Eagle Underwear, Face Masks and Poo-pourri have taken the place of Dollar Store toys and candy.

Perhaps that has to do with the fact that our puppy chewed the plug-in off the Christmas Tree lights.  No lights on the tree this year.

Nobody really liked my tall, skinny tree anyway.

And my ornaments keep getting snagged by that sweet puppy, leaving Barbie and a Train Engine participating in our our Nativity Scene this year. 

But this little girl has her first basketball practice tonight and she's been ready ALL DAY.  As we got closer and closer to the school, she said her heart was pounding and she was so nervous.  

She told me she wants to be a champion.

With her level of energy, strength, motivation and confidence, I think that just may happen.

Christmas Bells are Ringing

Although nobody 'really' believes in Santa anymore (Jayson could take it or leave it), I'm still stressing over what I'm putting in stockings tonight.  

18 years old and 15 years old are tricky ages.  

Underwear and candy is about all I got.

Our only holiday traveling took place last weekend and we brought the puppy.  

He's a handful, but I love watching Mike step up to the plate as he cares for the Jasper, as I did our babies.  

It's quite the role reversal, and I'm LOVING being on this side of it.

And once we're done with students Friday for Christmas Vacay, I'll be feeling like this for next 10 days....

Jasper and Cookies

Jasper got to meet Aunt Heather and Laura over the weekend.  He peed himself on the way, which meant Molly's pants were wet and the dog was soggy.  Then again, he's only 8 weeks old and doing much better than I expected with potty training.  

Goose is keeping him in his place and makes sure he knows who's boss. Jasper seems to be really curious about Goose's tail (probably because he doesn't have one) and sometimes thinks Goose's penis is a nipple.  Goose couldn't be more annoyed.

Took him out to meet the goats again this week and he was head butted quickly by Jersey.  Pretty sure once they felt how sharp his teeth were on their ankles, they were DONE.

 

                                But the pond was drained this week, all but a few feet (we think)  

                    Hoping for a clear pond by the summer of '21 or '22.  

Molly and I made Christmas cookies over the weekend and we couldn't skip the peanut butter kiss cookies, the caramel pretzel and Reeses cup cookies.  We listened to Christmas music and Molly told me she loved having everything organized and ready to go.  

You're welcome sweetheart.  It's called "Mise en Place"

She kept saying 'This is SO much fun"

                                        

I know where she gets it.

Surprises and Gratitude

The older you get, the fewer surprises there are.

Which is why this photo taken 5 minutes before Jasper arrived is filled with so much anticipation (on my part)

Insert the Facebook Video here (which is accessible through Facebook)

And then I watched Molly turn into a little mother... again.

He LOVES bath time which makes this psycho cleaning mama very happy.

The first makeshift playpen was made from refrigerator racks and plastic bins from the Food Bank.

The cushions of the couch worked as "place holders"

I think that "Trash To Treasure" Mississippi Valley Fair Exhibit in the 90's with the empty pop bottle got my juices flowing on the creativity front.

We celebrated our new pup by taking him to the bar with the kids for dinner.

Jayson found a gambling arcade game and won 40 tickets- which ended up being worth $40.

He paid our bar tab for the night.

There was karaoke in the event room (where we held a fundraiser for Jayson- dueling pianos)

Molly wasn't impressed with the singing.

And we celebrated Thanksgiving with Crab Legs at Grandma and Papa's house.  

They were as delicious as could be and I can't wait to carry on the crab leg tradition next year - and maybe Christmas... and Easter...

As tradition goes, my tree goes up on Black Friday and comes down on December 26th STAT.

If he isn't the cutest little elf, I don't know who is.

Not only has Jasper been to the bar, but he loves car rides!  He's went to Bomgars and pissed in the dog treat isle.

Speaking of that- he's nearly potty trained and comes when he's called.

He's super smart- was probably a breast fed baby ;)

My invention was moved behind the couch when I decided I wanted my living room back. This one is remodeled to include his kennel, which I don't think he's terrified of anymore after I caught him napping in it this morning.  With my slipper... and a flip flop.. and a sock.

Facebook worthy photo...

And this one not so much.

Life is getting more and more interesting by the day around here.  

Having this guy by my side makes life not only do-able, but absolutely perfect.

I am so grateful.