Friday night, Scot and I hosted a spend the night party for 12 boys (ages 10-11). Yes, we were nuts, yes we were exhausted, and no we didn't sleep much- how did you guess? But that's not what I came here to tell you. I must tell you the "Quote of the Night" that was made to me by one of Brady's good friends.
Brady's friend (after looking at pictures of me and Brady during the last 11 years):
"Mrs. Simon... you'll be happy to know that you looked your worst when Brady was a baby".
Me totally speechless:
"Um, Thanks!"
And that was the highlight of the night... :)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Boring!
Well, it's been forever, but... I can't think of anything to write! Our lives have been boring lately. I guess that's good, considering that when they aren't boring, it isn't usually in a good way. Nothing has been going on besides staying in the house and trying to stay warm. How much can you blog about that?
The kids had their parent/teacher conferences last week. I always tense up a bit going into these. Those of you who know me well understand that I hate to be blindsided with bad news. Thankfully, that did not happen. Everyone is doing well. Brady has a 99 in math. Seriously? Is he even my child? A 99? How is that even possible? I stared at him in amazement. I found out Christian's strongest subject is reading. Who knew? Certainly not me. All I can get him to read are the directions on his DS games. As for Leah, she excels in writing. Every Monday, she brings her homework home and has to do it right then. The boys stare at her like she has 5 heads. Christian says, "Why do you want to do it now? It's not due until Friday!" He really can't imagine someone doing homework for fun.
This week the Kindergarten is studying about Mexico. Our field trip is to a Mexican restaurant. I'm going. Big shock. Any excuse to eat tortilla chips and salsa. I love that she's learning about different cultures. She already takes Spanish (Hello! Darlington? Why did you make me take Latin and French? I'm never going to use those languages! Why didn't I take something useful???). Learning about Mexico should be a breeze for her! I hope one day we can take the children there!
Well, that's it for now. Check back later. We have two birthdays coming up and a trip so more exciting things should be happening soon!
The kids had their parent/teacher conferences last week. I always tense up a bit going into these. Those of you who know me well understand that I hate to be blindsided with bad news. Thankfully, that did not happen. Everyone is doing well. Brady has a 99 in math. Seriously? Is he even my child? A 99? How is that even possible? I stared at him in amazement. I found out Christian's strongest subject is reading. Who knew? Certainly not me. All I can get him to read are the directions on his DS games. As for Leah, she excels in writing. Every Monday, she brings her homework home and has to do it right then. The boys stare at her like she has 5 heads. Christian says, "Why do you want to do it now? It's not due until Friday!" He really can't imagine someone doing homework for fun.
This week the Kindergarten is studying about Mexico. Our field trip is to a Mexican restaurant. I'm going. Big shock. Any excuse to eat tortilla chips and salsa. I love that she's learning about different cultures. She already takes Spanish (Hello! Darlington? Why did you make me take Latin and French? I'm never going to use those languages! Why didn't I take something useful???). Learning about Mexico should be a breeze for her! I hope one day we can take the children there!
Well, that's it for now. Check back later. We have two birthdays coming up and a trip so more exciting things should be happening soon!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Ice Skating
Friday we went ice skating with the children's school. The Kindergarten goes on this field trip to aid in their study of light and ice and invites the rest of the elementary school to go with them. Of course, Brady went with us anyway! Mrs. Niedrach says the purpose of this field trip is to teach about perseverance- to teach children that practicing something of difficulty will result in rewards. This was Leah's first time to go. Now, with the boys, they became easily frustrated and did not really enjoy their first time. In fact, Christian got mad and stomped off the ice last year (shocking!). Leah was a whole other story! She was patient, she listened to our advice, and she had a great attitude. We are always amazed at this. We are so used to expecting the same kind of reactions as the boys had at her age and we feel amazed when she doesn't. Wow! She was awesome!
The other thing I must blog about regarding this trip is Christian. Holy cow was there a change this year from last year. I talked briefly with him before we left about not having a repeat of last years anger. We discussed having a good attitude and patience etc. etc. etc. If I was being honest though, I wasn't optimistic. Wow... he blew me away. He laughed when he fell, he persevered, he was amazing! He genuinely had fun and gave it his best. I praised him heavily. I may have even gone overboard, but I was just so happy and proud of him.
We had a great trip!
We held on to her most of the time, but by the end, she was going around the edge by herself. Very impressive!
The other thing I must blog about regarding this trip is Christian. Holy cow was there a change this year from last year. I talked briefly with him before we left about not having a repeat of last years anger. We discussed having a good attitude and patience etc. etc. etc. If I was being honest though, I wasn't optimistic. Wow... he blew me away. He laughed when he fell, he persevered, he was amazing! He genuinely had fun and gave it his best. I praised him heavily. I may have even gone overboard, but I was just so happy and proud of him. 
Christian definitely got Mrs. Niedrach's lesson this year. For the past two years, he has worked to try to ice skate. He has been frustrated and stated numerous times that it was too hard. This year, the result of all that hard work paid off and he finally got it! He learned that sticking with something, even though it's difficult, will result in a reward. The reward of learning a new skill and having fun!
Of course, Brady is a pro by now. He learned a while ago how to do it and he zips around the rink just fine.
We had a great trip! Monday, January 5, 2009
Reflections
Last year I completed a list about the previous year and I thought I would carry on the tradition! Here we go!
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Travelled alone to Chicago. Actually, I've never travelled anywhere alone that far away!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept them! I'm so proud!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Cozumel, Mexico.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time with my children.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Our summer trip to the beach- so much fun!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It's hard to say. I always feel like the children are my greatest achievement, but personally I reached an exercise goal.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Missing out on time with my family.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope. Didn't fall once- woohoo!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I'm enjoying the new TV I bought Scot alot!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Honestly, it would have to be Scot. He helps me so much with the children everyday. He's amazing!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The person who stole Brady's Nintendo DS. He was devastated. It was also a cruel lesson about human behavior.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Berry Elementary- hands down!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Vacation. What can I say... I REALLY needed a break!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? thinner
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Hanging out with the children after school. I really miss it!
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Working at night.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Same as last year--at my house and my parents house!
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
He's the easiest person to be in love with... more every day if that's even possible.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Supernatural!
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone. Life is too short for hate.
24. What was the best book you read?
Twilight series. My love for these books is just plain weird.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None
26. What did you want and get?
Christian's self control- he's SO much better.
27. What did you want and not get?
A better schedule.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Twilight
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I actually had a birthday this year! We celebrated with family and friends! It was great!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
For my grandmother's health to have been better.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Is no-style a concept?
32. What kept you sane?
Scot and Vicki!
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Dean from Supernatural and Edward Cullen (the literary character, not the actor).
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election.
35. Who did you miss?
Buck. I also miss my grandmother, even though she's still here.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I've met some new friends at Berry! It's hard to choose just one.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Nothing is worth sacrificing your happiness for. Also, life is short.. enjoy every minute.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Travelled alone to Chicago. Actually, I've never travelled anywhere alone that far away!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept them! I'm so proud!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Cozumel, Mexico.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time with my children.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Our summer trip to the beach- so much fun!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It's hard to say. I always feel like the children are my greatest achievement, but personally I reached an exercise goal.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Missing out on time with my family.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope. Didn't fall once- woohoo!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I'm enjoying the new TV I bought Scot alot!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Honestly, it would have to be Scot. He helps me so much with the children everyday. He's amazing!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The person who stole Brady's Nintendo DS. He was devastated. It was also a cruel lesson about human behavior.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Berry Elementary- hands down!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Vacation. What can I say... I REALLY needed a break!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? thinner
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Hanging out with the children after school. I really miss it!
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Working at night.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Same as last year--at my house and my parents house!
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
He's the easiest person to be in love with... more every day if that's even possible.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Supernatural!
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone. Life is too short for hate.
24. What was the best book you read?
Twilight series. My love for these books is just plain weird.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None
26. What did you want and get?
Christian's self control- he's SO much better.
27. What did you want and not get?
A better schedule.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Twilight
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I actually had a birthday this year! We celebrated with family and friends! It was great!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
For my grandmother's health to have been better.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Is no-style a concept?
32. What kept you sane?
Scot and Vicki!
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Dean from Supernatural and Edward Cullen (the literary character, not the actor).
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election.
35. Who did you miss?
Buck. I also miss my grandmother, even though she's still here.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I've met some new friends at Berry! It's hard to choose just one.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Nothing is worth sacrificing your happiness for. Also, life is short.. enjoy every minute.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
It's 2009! We rang in the New Year with great friends and the children (who would NOT leave us alone- what's up with that???). Everyone was in a celebratory mood and had a good time. Well, I hope everyone had a good time...
But, although it was fun... New Years always reminds me that I am not young anymore. By midnight, I am tired and ready for bed and I look tired and ready for bed. I guess it's a good thing I wasn't at a party and just had to walk up the stairs...
I hope this year is as good or better than 2008!
It's 2009! We rang in the New Year with great friends and the children (who would NOT leave us alone- what's up with that???). Everyone was in a celebratory mood and had a good time. Well, I hope everyone had a good time...Here is Leah all decked out for New Years. Notice her necklace on backwards. She was super excited and wanted to stay up until midnight. It didn't happen..
But, although it was fun... New Years always reminds me that I am not young anymore. By midnight, I am tired and ready for bed and I look tired and ready for bed. I guess it's a good thing I wasn't at a party and just had to walk up the stairs...
I hope this year is as good or better than 2008!
