Return to Planet Earth

No, we did not fall of the face of the earth...though it may seem like it...we merely took a vacation! Back now, hopefully for more regular posting...here's to hoping!

Well, lots of little things have happened in the last few weeks, but I've not had a free second to sit down and do them justice. I can almost promise not to do them justice even now, but I figured I'd at least get them documented.

Where to start? How about this...

Social Events: Last weekend was the weekend of social outings. It started Friday night, when Sebastian went over to a friend's house to play for a few hours.

Saturday was Meagan's turn. She was invited to a fancy girly tea party at her friend Julia's house. The girls all dressed up in princess dresses. The mommies all dressed up in pretty dresses (which was a CHALLENGE for me, since I only own about 3 dresses total, and they're all spring/summer dresses at that). They drank chamomile and peppermint tea out of tiny little porcelain tea cups (mostly Meagan's set that she got for Christmas...I was glad it was put to good use). They had fruit & veggies and summer sausage and cheese. They had cookies and cheesecake. They got their fingernails painted. And of course, they played princess make-believe games. Meanwhile, the mommies had their own fancy tea party in the 'grown-up room,' where we sat and talked and laughed for a few hours while the girls played.

Sunday then, Isaac got his turn. Before church, we dropped him off at a friend's house. He went to church with Jacob & his family, and they all went bowling afterwards...it was the Super-bowl (since t was Superbowl Sunday, you see). After bowling, he went back to Jacob's house and played for a few more hours before finally being dropped off in time for our family picnic dinner (more details to come).

In Sports: We all hunkered down (I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to use that phrase just now...I must be in a quirky mood...) and watched the Superbowl together. I made chicken wings - BBQ & Buffalo - and popcorn chicken, nachos & dip (that tasted DISGUSTING and mostly just went straight down the drain....but not before Meagan ate 2 helpings...yuck!) and salad, etc. We set up tv trays for Lucas and me, and we spread out a big blanket on the floor for the kids. Of course, thanks to the competitive nature of almost every person who bears our last name, we couldn't just be neutral observers of the football game. Oh no! Our kids insisted on choosing a team to cheer for. The kids all decided that red was better than black, so they chose Red. Meagan found a red bandanna and swung it around her head, cheering 'Go Red! Go Red!' Lucas said she made her own version of a terrible towel. Unfortunately for them, their team didn't win...fortunately for them, they were asleep by that time and had no idea! :)

Also in sports, Meagan got the chance to be in first group at gymnastics this week, which was a HUGE deal for her. Her coach always puts the stronger/more focused/etc girls in the first group so they can set the tone for the others. This week, he let Meagan be in the first group for beam. She was SO ecstatic! It meant a great deal to her, I could tell by the way she was carrying herself. Also, Grandma H. was there to see her be leader, which just made it all the sweeter!

In Career Planning: Yes, career planning.

This week, we got in a little discussion with the kids about what kind of things they like doing, and what they think they might like to do when they grow up. Meagan wants to be a builder (which I can totally see...she is always finding CREATIVE ways to construct things when she gets an idea...for example, she once made her very own throne by using a roll of paper towels, a roll of toilet paper, a dowel rod - stuck through the TP & towel tubes to hold the 2 packages together - and then sat the seat of a broken rocking chair on top of the towel/paper tower...anyway).

Isaac said he wants to be a hunter (for which he got a hi 5 from his daddy). Sebastian then said he wants to be a zoo-keeper. Lucas looked at me with raised eyebrows and said, 'Oh great, one wants to kill animals; the other wants to keep them alive'...this should be interesting!

In Other News: Since I last posted, both my brother and my sister have added additions to their families. Both Brandon & Jenny and Chris & Erica had little girls...Delaney (not sure I spelled that right) and Ginny (or that). I'm not sure when I'll ever get to see them, but I hope sometime before they start kindergarten! Delaney hasn't been feeling well the past few days, and has been in the hospital...please pray for her speedy and complete recovery. I know Brandon & Jenny will be relieved when they get the okay to take her back home.

In Closing: I think that pretty much sums it up for us. SO SORRY I've totally disappeared on you all lately. I've been catching some crap for it, trust me! I am truly working on simplifying life a little so that I have more time to do the things I want and need to do. Blogging is one of those things, so we'll see how it goes!