Fun on the Big Screen

Last Saturday we ended up having 4 extra tickets to the SCSU hockey game.  Henry suggested that we let the kids bring some friends along. Due to logistics (hockey practices), we had to divide and conquer.  I took the girls to La Casita after their practice and Henry took the boys to Five Guys after their practice.  We met up at the game.  Luckily, Blake and Paige have such a great group of friends that taking 6 kids for the evening wasn't any more work than taking just our two.  

There was some elbowing and giggling when the cheerleaders were present.

Do you think they noticed I was taking pictures?

The boys were a riot and apparently someone else thought so too because they made it up on the big screen no less than five times. They were eating it up!  But, they girls were less than impressed with the boys' fleeting moments of celebrity.

"Look!"  "What!"  "Huh?"  "Again?"  "No fair!"

I really needed to get those girls up on that big screen before the game was over!  So, I took their picture and e-mailed it to SCSU Fan Pics.  Yes!  Their picture made it up on the big screen right before the end of the game.  And all was right in the world again. 

Trick or Treat

Pumpkin Carving
Is there another activity that I look forward to so much,
yet dread about 30 seconds after beginning?

The piles of candy around the house and the lingering spooky decor are signs that Halloween has now come and gone.  One thing that is not scattered around the house, candy wrappers.  Years ago, I implemented a strict house rule.  If I have to throw away wrappers, I will also throw away the uneaten candy along with them.  Now a simple, "Is that a candy wrapper I see on the floor?" gets the kids moving really fast.  This year we also sorted our candy right next to the garbage can.  If you have goods in your stash that you don't love, put them directly into the trash.  Unless of course it is something that Mom or Dad loves, then put them into our candy bowl!  And this year I had a brilliant idea that I was fearful would end in mutiny, I bought blowpops and glow bracelets to hand out instead of candy bars.  The bags of candy were in the house for a month, yet no one was tempted to deplete the supply.  I think this was the first time that I didn't have to re-buy candy.

Costumes this year were awesome.  That is awesome in the regards that they were super easy.  Paige, for the second year in a row, donned the same costume that Blake had worn the previous year.  Last year Blake was a vampire, this year Paige was a vampire.  The only thing I purchased for her costume was a pair of spider web earrings that I came across while shopping at Target.  Initially Blake had decided that he was getting too old for trick or treating and that he wasn't going to dress up.  I thought he should have at least one more year of festivities, so I suggested dressing like a nerd.  He was immediately on board due to the fact that one of his favorite songs at the moment is "White and Nerdy" by Weird Al.  I found him a pair of glasses while walking through Claire's, found a shirt on the clearance rack at Target, and the rest we scrounged up from around the house.

Every nerd needs a 'Kick Me' sign on their back!

We stuck to our tradition of trick or treating as a family.  I know we only have a few more years of this childhood tradition remaining.  I couldn't help but reminisce about our first years of going out door to door pulling a wagon and walking with/carrying the kids up to every door. Now we just stand at the curb and give the occasional "Watch for Cars!" warning.

And one more bonus this year, the weather was beautiful!  This year was also the 20th anniversary of the Halloween Blizzard of '91.  I can't believe that was t-w-e-n-t-y years ago.  I don't remember exactly what I did that night, but I'm fairly certain it included watching the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video on MTV.  That's right kiddos, way back in the olden days, the Music Television network used to show music videos.  And back then, Snooki was a toddler and not a Halloween costume idea.  Yep, that's me bringing it back full circle.  

Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning to You

This is one of my favorite pictures...

but for some reason Blake finds it embarrassing!

Blake had just turned 5, Paige was 2,

and I was still firmly in my 20's :)

I am the queen of snooze on weekdays.  I know that as soon as I peel my eyes open, I am officially at work so I generally allow my repeatedly blaring cell phone alarm to ease me into the day.  I usually end up crawling out of bed when I hear the kids come sneaking into our bathroom to steal the shower.  I have no idea what is so much more appealing about using the bathroom in our bedroom when they have one right in between their very own bedrooms.

At some point this morning, I mistakingly turned my alarm off instead of hitting snooze.  When I finally woke up and looked at the clock, which read 7:20, I was hit with the dreaded realization that I hadn't heard the pitter patter of my children's feet.  The house is completely silent.  I scan our bed for any stowaways but it is only me and Henry.

Blake's and Paige's alarms are set for 6:45 and they are always upstairs by 7.  On the very rare occasion that I have to go drag them out of bed, it is never pretty.  It is bad enough that I am not a morning person, so I am very happy to have three other family members that tend to jump out of bed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.  But when they are tired in the morning, it is NO good.

So I take a deep breath and put my feet to the floor knowing that I am in for a bumpy ride this morning.  I turn the corner to head downstairs and what do I spy with my little eyes...

Two children so enthralled in their books,

they didn't even glance up when I took the picture.

 It looks a little like a 'Good Morning to Me'!

Swinging for the Fences

It is that time of year to switch out "the gear".  Time to put away the bats, balls, gloves, and cleats.  As the focus shifts to football, I thought it would be a good time to reminisce about baseball and softball from the season that is quickly slipping away.

Avon Youth Baseball -
Blake had another great baseball season.  This year he moved up to the peewee level which means a lot more realistic style of game.  Gone are the coach pitchers and catchers.  At this level, the players play all of the positions and the coaches get to just be coaches.  Also gone are 'the swing until you get a hit' and 'everybody gets a chance to bat' type rules.  Welcome to three strikes and your out and three outs to an inning.  Blake really enjoyed getting the chance to pitch and catch.  I enjoyed watching the boys out on the field, looking so serious in their uniforms.

Albany Softball -
This was Paige's first year of softball and she was so excited to practice and play.  The rules for her league were similar to Blake's.  The girls teams have a much larger age range so the older girls pitch, catch and play the infield while the younger girls catch and play outfield.  Paige really loved getting to play in the catcher's position but would get a bit distracted while playing in the outfield.  Regardless, she looked forward to every game with the "Red Roosters".

Minnesota Twins -
 I don't think there is any doubt that the Twins did not have a spectacular 2011 season.  But that didn't make it any less fun to watch them play.  We went to several games again this year.  Henry and I were able to make it for the home opener and to a Twins/Yankees match-up with some good friends.  We also made it to a few games with the family, including one where we sat right behind the visitor's dugout!  The weather this summer made for beautiful outdoor games, very much unlike the kind of weather we experienced last year.  Hmmm, but then the Twins had a much better record last season.  I'm not liking that correlation one bit!

View from the seats behind the dugout.

Camp Memories

Happy Camper!

Blake attended the final week of Elks Camp again this Summer.  And once again, he had an "awesome" time.  I must say it was much easier for me this year than last year.  It is strange having zero contact with your child for an entire week.  It is of course made easier by the fact that he is surrounded by friends (and that we are good friends with the family that runs the camp).  I know he had a great time doing good old-fashioned summer camp activities like archery, bonfires, contests, swimming, crafts, and of course plenty of skits and songs.

Since this week was just for the campers, we decided to add a little book-end fun for the non-campers.  Camp drop-off was on Sunday so we enjoyed some Saturday festivities up north with a couple families.  We turned Sunday into an event as well and dropped the boys off at camp by pontoon and then spent some time hanging out on the lake.  The following weekend we decided to "sneak" up to camp with a couple families to check out what an evening at camp is like.  We were only there for a short time, but it looked like so much fun!  (And from a mother's point of view, it also appeared to be very organized, clean, and safe... so that was fun for me.)  To top it all off, we saw the Northern Lights from the boat after we left camp that night.  I don't think I have seen them since I was a kid...very cool!  It was a fun way to spend some time with good friends as the summer winds down.  But no fears about losing touch with them over the winter because, of course, we'll see them all at the rink very soon!

Three excited boys on their way to camp.

The sisters decided to take their own transportation.

After drop-off at camp, the Dads picked up the sparkly boat and we headed to the sandbar.

Bonfire on the final night of camp.

Everyone trying to take pictures of the Norther Lights.
It didn't work.

 Blake is already looking forward to next year.  And Paige too, since she will be old enough to be invited to attend.  Hmmm, I'm thinking an adult summer camp sounds fun.  But then again, I think there have been some movies made based on that premise...

He'll Give You The Jersey Right Off His Back

Despite having crazy hockey schedules for the kids, we only ended up missing two SCSU games this entire season.  They didn't have the greatest year, but we are still fans.  I will say that I would be more than happy to never hear "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba ever again.  They played the whole obnoxious "I get knocked down but I get up again" thing every time they got scored on.  I was about to write a letter, compose an e-mail, or make a phone call to tell them that either they need to start playing a different song or quit getting scored on.  One or the other, because I was about to lose my mind.  Fingers are crossed that both change for next season!  Because, we'll be back.  After all, we have been going to games since the time when we only needed two tickets for the four of us to get in.  Blake could still sit on Henry's lap and I was waddling down the stairs to our seats with my big belly full o' Paige.

This year, the last home game of the regular season was a throwback jersey and silent auction night.  Henry has been waiting a long time for this night.  It's kind of a long story, but don't worry, I'm gonna tell it.  Two years ago, Henry tried to win Garrett Roe's game jersey in a silent auction because #9 was Blake's favorite Husky hockey player.  It came down to Henry and another guy bidding back and forth in the final minutes before the auction ended.  Finally, the other guy tells Henry that he would really like to have his son's jersey.  Henry was bidding against Garrett Roe's dad.  Henry, of course, stops bidding and the two chat for a couple minutes while Henry explains that Garrett is our 7 year old son's favorite player.  So Garrett's dad gives Henry his e-mail address and promises to set up a special meeting for Blake.  Blake did get that special meeting which included a tour of the locker room, meeting the players and coaches, getting autographs, a photo, and even one of Garrett's game sticks (see post "Super Bowl Homeboy" from February 2009).  He was on cloud 9!  Needless to say #9 became a favorite player for our entire family.  And Henry still wanted that jersey.

So fast forward two years, it is now Garrett's senior year and last regular season home game of his SCSU career.  There was no doubt on Saturday, that we were going home with that jersey.  After the game, all of the auction winners were invited down on the ice to meet their players, take a picture, and get the game jersey.  The kids were so excited to get the actual jersey off his back, Paige even said she was going to smell it.  For those of you that don't know, hockey stinks.  No one else wanted to smell that jersey.

After the game (Which turned out to be a great game and a huge win!), we head down to the ice and wait our turn in line.  When we get to Garrett, there are hand shakes, hugs, and smiles.  He tells Paige that he likes her eyes (they were glittered from Blake's game earlier in the day).  She takes it literally, and you could almost see her melt.  Yes, we make her smell the jersey.  Yes, it stinks.   We took pictures and chatted for a few minutes.   Then it was time to go.  As we are walking off the ice, Blake turns back to Garrett and says, "Thanks for the memories."  Now, it was my turn to melt.

The kids fought over who got to hold the bag with the jersey in it the entire way home.  Now, with the wall location already determined, I just need to get it framed.  It is just a hockey sweater, but what it represents is undeniable: hockey, family time, innocence, smiles, heroes, joy.  Yes indeed, thanks for the memories.

A Woman's Work

I hate ironing.  I didn't always hate it, in fact, I used to enjoy it.  I spent countless hours in my teenage years ironing mountains of shirts and lab coats for my stepdad.  It was a mindless task that had a beginning and an end, plus I kind of liked the smell of Niagara and Magic Sizing spray starches.  I don't know when I started to despise the task, maybe when it became something that I HAD to do instead of something that I could do if I was bored and wanted to be productive while watching TV.

Henry has asked me multiple times to consider getting his shirts dry cleaned or at least professionally pressed.  Alas, I just cannot bring myself to pay someone to do this daunting task for me.  And it infuriates me that I cannot get the shirts perfectly pressed myself.  Therefore, I am bound and determined to do it myself.  And, until I figure out the right method, Henry will have to wear the semi-wrinkly shirts with the knowledge that I have given it my all.

Maybe shirts aren't made out of the same fabrics as they were in yesteryear.  Maybe my stepdad just wore wrinkly shirts.  I have no other explanation for my inability to get the damn things perfectly smooth.  I actually googled "how to iron shirts".  The method suggested was to douse the shirts with a spray bottle of water and proceed to iron the shirt inside, then outside, and repeat if necessary.  Yes, I do this.  And yes, I feel the sting of defeat as I place the still semi-rumpled garment on the hanger.

Then comes my other complaint with men's clothing.  Who's bright idea is it to use patterns (StRiPeS) that make you feel like you are going to vomit as you are ironing them?  I know I am generally to blame for purchasing them, but you don't realize the mistake until the first time you lay them out on the board.  I just finished ironing and being dizzied by the shirt pictured above.  Then, as I was hanging it up, I notice a stain.  ARGH!  (Yes, I'm a pirate.)  Seriously, I'm thinking of checking the tag for a warning about seizure inducing characteristics.

I promised Henry last night that I would iron the mounting wardrobe that taunts me every time I walk through the laundry room.  And I will.  It is my job.  My challenge.  And my seemingly unbeatable nemesis.  I will use the knowledge that I have gained throughout my years, and in my quest to be a domestic goddess (that was supposed to be funny, seriously), to provide my family with pristine dress wear.  I will not be ashamed when I see crinkles and wrinkles, but feel pride in the fact that I will not give up, and maybe next time, I will do better.

I have always loved to learn and I take comfort in knowing that I can learn valuable lessons that will help me in my pursuit of perfection.  For example, I learned while in Mexico, that ironing clothes while wearing a bikini after drinking numerous margaritas can lead to abdominal burns.  I didn't seem to mind, at the time, perhaps drinking margaritas while doing housework is the solution!

I am now saying to myself, "Self, writing this blog post was an exceptionally fun method of procrastination."  Now back to the ironing...

A woman's work is never done.

Winterful

Just a little recap of the major winter events that I failed to blog about in a timely fashion.

Paige's Birthday
Buckaroo turned 7 this December.  Whoa.  She decided to take her turn at a Chuck E. Cheese's b-day party.  Lucky me got to take Paige and three of her friends to Maple Grove to celebrate.  I had a bit of happiness in my heart knowing that this was my second, and final, birthday excursion to the bizarro world that is Chuck E. Cheese's.  I'm officially done!  The girls had a great time and had their fill of pizza, pop, games, and prizes.

Paige in the Ticket Blaster

Paige also got to choose her birthday meal and cake for our at home celebration.  She wanted crab legs for supper.  Henry and I may have planted that idea in her pretty little head.  She does love crab legs and we only make them once or twice a year, so a birthday seemed like a great excuse to get out the dishes of butter and have us some messy seafood.  Then there was the birthday cake...

Paige's Birthday Pie

Red announced that she wanted pumpkin pie for her birthday cake.  Okay?  I've never made a pumpkin pie before but figured it couldn't be too tough.  I usually try to go all out homemade so I wasn't even sure where to begin.  It ended up being a hectic week so I decided to cheat and bought pumpkin pie filling and a pre-made crust. The day of her birthday meal arrives and I tell her that it is time to make the pie.  She says she is really excited because I make the best pumpkin pie.  Uh Oh...I sense a miscommunication disaster...I've NEVER made a pumpkin pie.  Turns out she wanted apple pie.  Well, I already had the crust and I luckily had some apples in the fridge.  She ended up with a honeycrisp apple pie.  And it was good!

Our Anniversary
 
Henry and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on December 23rd.  I truly love him and our life that we have built together.  Henry has been known to tell me, when he's annoyed with me (I know, hard to believe that I can be irritating in any way, right?), "Remember that I always love you."  Reading between the lines, he is saying that he doesn't necessarily like me at that moment.  I almost always like him too! 

Shortly after our anniversary, one of Henry's co-workers pulled me aside at a business function and said, "That man absolutely adores you."  There aren't words to describe how that made me feel.  Henry has told people that he is married to his best friend.  And to that I say, "Ditto".

Christmas

Paige and her cousin Zach snowmobiling at the cabin.

It was another fantastic Christmas for the Blattner family.  The kids were able to spend massive amounts of time with their cousins.  This is what they were most looking forward to, even more than the gifts!  This year they were very much into giving gifts as well which was heartwarming.  Blake and Paige got books and games and hockey gear.  The family received a telescope from Santa.  Hindsight being 20/20, we learned that telescopes are not a great christmas gift.  The kids were so excited to try it out until we realized that we probably won't be able use it until we take it up to the cabin this summer.  We are all looking forward to stargazing when the clouds dissipate and the weather cooperates.

And just because it seems fitting 

with the Anniversary and Christmas themes

Our First Christmas (ahhh, ha, ha, ha)

Star Light Star Bright

The kids spent almost two full hours playing outside in the snow this afternoon.  Usually they play on the big snow pile in the cul-de-sac.  But today, I told them to stay in the backyard in case the plow came through again.  Blake was less than excited about this idea after seeing the mountain of snow in the front.  However, he couldn't get dressed fast enough when I told him the snow on the rink was up to Paige's waist.  The snow was so light and fluffy, they could almost swim through it!  It was so great  to see them "unplugged" and playing so well together for such a long period of time without getting bored.

It was a fun afternoon for them that ended in my favorite thing...a quotable moment!
We were in the garage getting their soaked gear off and hung up....
Mom - "Did you guys have fun?  You were out there for almost 2 hours!"
Blake - "Yes.  We made snow trails.  It was awesome!"
Paige - "If I see a star tonight, I am going to make a wish that our fort doesn't get wrecked.  Would that be your wish too Blake?"
Blake - "No, I would wish that I could shape shift."