Balloon Fiesta 2010

It's Balloon Fiesta time again! That time of year when we wake our children up in the dark whispering promises of wonder, amazement and hot chocolate. It's the time of year when you quiz the same wide-eyed, groggy kids on your cell phone number over and over again on the drive in because that memory of your nephew getting lost years ago still haunts you.

We made it to the field around 6:30 a.m. and this year we, thankfully, didn't have to jostle in food lines because Mark's employer provided us with a nice spread and even some cool trinkets for the kids. We headed out on the field just as the first wave of balloons was starting to go up.

We were all marveling that it doesn't seem like a year ago that I waddled down to the field only to 'park' for the duration of the morning because I was days away from delivering Harrison. Now he's a spectator. He was rather serious but definitely soaking it all in.
There are always new balloons to see, which means that there are new cards to collect. Madelyn was really motivated to get balloon cards on this trip.
The bee family is a family favorite. The baby bee was new to us this year.
Some parting shots...

We had to hustle to a soccer game so we missed the second wave but we have another date with the balloons later this week.

Suppertime

Last night, chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese were on the menu. I know, it's lame, especially when the temperatures are still in the 80s. We only had 30 minutes between arrival from school/errands and departure to Madelyn's dance class. And it's easy. And I should stop making excuses.

So, we're sitting at the table and we have a conversation that goes something like this:

Seth: I want boy cheese.

Mom: (looking puzzled) What?

Catherine: You know, since we have girl cheese, he wants boy cheese.

Mom: You mean gr-r-rilled cheese.

Chloe: But you always say girl cheese.

Dad: (speaking slowly with superior enunciation) It's grilled cheese.

End scene with Mom and Dad chuckling and the kids silently starring into space contemplating this new truth.

If that tickles your funny bone, remind me sometime to tell you Chloe's version of a song from Mary Poppins.

I wish I had a bigger plate

There are so many things to do during the week around here. It's overwhelming really. My attitude fluctuates between wide-eyed excitement at all the opportunity and frustration at all that goes undone.

Maybe I could learn to balance more than one 'plate'...

Survivor -- Family Style

I got an email not long ago that suggested the reality show Survivor should take a group of dads along with their youngsters to some isolated destination for a week or two of what I would call perspective. The description of the challenges, etc. were very funny.

And it got me thinking. My life parallels the Survivor themes.

My first challenge each day is to OUTWIT these three. That's becoming increasingly difficult as each works to define themselves: their interests, their personalities, their relationship with others.
Then I have to OUTLAST these two. That became clear with potty training. They are finally potty trained (and have been for a couple months) but it was a test of endurance. We conveniently ran out of diapers one day and Mark had to wait the entire day for Sam to break and actually use the potty. Since then he's been 95% dry. Daily we face the challenges of three-year-olds attempting to learn independence but finding frustration easier to express. Finally, we have to OUTPLAY this little guy. He's walking now and has been for a couple weeks. He's everywhere and into everything and I mean that in a way I've never meant it before. He's cute as a button but he's that kid who likes to play with electricity and splash in toilets and climb and stick things in his mouth.
I rise each day ready to take on the next challenge with a smile on my face because the rewards are so vast. Watching my children grow, play, love and learn makes it all worthwhile and then some.

Confessions of a Soccer Mom

Hello. My name is Heather and I am a Soccer Mom.

The voices in my head are saying: Wow. How did that happen? Who are you?

Yes, our family has moved outside of its box and into the realm of team sports. I've always passed on team sports because of the variability in schedule and the TWO commitments per week; one of which is a sacred weekend day.

But you know what? It's been a lot of fun. It helps that our team is packed with friends and the practices are in the field adjacent the park so the siblings stay entertained.

And, Catherine really likes playing. She's still nervous at game time but her skills increase each week. If only she didn't have to sweat, soccer would be the perfect sport for her.

And what did you do this weekend?

Our annual wood gathering is complete! We've spent three Fridays over the last six weeks up in the mountains collecting dead and down wood to burn this winter.

The days are always fun, well for everyone but Mark. The kids generally build nests or lodges for the animals. This week they built a teepee that they convinced us to bring home. Harrison has enjoyed these outing as well. Last year he was a little young and it was a little cold besides. He loves all the new textures, sights and sounds.This year we opted to rent a log splitter rather than have Mark out on every day off splitting wood. What a brilliant idea! For only $100 and about 15 hours of our family's time we have wood for the winter and, quite possibly, beyond.We make a good team when we all work together. Madelyn did the log prep, Mark loaded, Heather operated the splitter and Catherine & Chloe stacked. Harrison jumped and Seth & Sam generally stayed out of the way. It feels great knowing that we're ready for cooler weather. Bring it Mother Nature!

Summer Highlights: Dance Recital

I'm back!

I took a sabbatical this summer. Thank you to those of you who reached out to inquire how/where we were. We did quite a bit of traveling this summer. After our first trip, which was most of June, I got so bogged down in sorting through pictures that I gave up on trying to blog the vacation and all the memories. I've resigned myself to summer highlights. Enjoy!

The summer started with the girls' dance recital. They've been taking lessons since we moved back to NM in September 2008. As the studio only does recitals every other year, this was their first recital with this studio. It was Catherine and Chloe's first recital ever.
The girls were beautiful and we are so proud of the effort they put in to their performances.
The recital was based on Alice in Wonderland. Catherine and Chloe were ladybugs and Madelyn was a pawn. The boys were excited to surprise their sisters with flowers after the performance.
A memorable group shot!