Hockey Heartbreaker

My friend Amy has a son, Ben, who is in Jeremy's hockey class. Amy brought her camera to practice yesterday and captured some beautiful pictures of our boy. I still have so much to write about in regards to his hockey practices, but for now, enjoy these pics!

In his full gear. We purchased shoulder pads this weekend,
and now he looks like a real hockey player.

Skating with his preschool buddy Kaiden.

Love this!

My boy.

Tickling or Tackling?

I find that having one kid of each gender proves the stereotypical outlook on occasion. Case in point: tickling. The kids love to tickle, and most of the time the parents oblige. I mean, really, is there anything better than hearing a kid's giggle? And I have to say that both kids are adept in knowing our ticklish spots: mine is above my knee and Phil's is his feet. 

But tickling has proven to be more of a challenge when it comes to Jeremy. He would rather body-slam you than try to tickle you, yet he still refers to it as tickling.

So yesterday I asked him why he tackles instead of tickles. And his response?

"Mom, that's just how I roll."

OK then.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

After taking some recent pictures and video of Jeremy skating, I realized I never posted pictures of the kids' Valentine's Day cards. For the special day, Jeremy had a celebration at school, but I had to go with him since he doesn't normally go to school on Mondays. The kids were so cute in class, and the boys spent time comparing arm hair. Riley had her own party at school, but it was small, so parents weren't invited.

The kids dressed in their red/pink outfits.

Both kids made cards, with Jeremy's arriving in the mail thanks to preschool. Riley took it upon herself to make the family a card. It was a very low-key day, but one that reminds us to show those we love how much we care.

Riley's card.

 

 

 

Jeremy's card to the family.

Rewind

Riley was reading to me for part of her homework and had to use the bathroom. Jeremy told me to make sure and pause the book until she got back.

Do you think we use our DVR much?

Funny Husband

Thursday night, Phil reminds me that he took Friday off. I looked at him a tad confused, as we didn't have anything in particular planned. I asked him why.

"So I could spend time with you."

And there was a collective "awwww" that came over the crowd. Oh wait, that was just me. But then he continued.

"And Cubs tickets* go on sale tomorrow."

Nice. 

But he did redeem himself by checking to see if the local Dairy Queen was open, and then he purchased me a Blizzard. So I guess he can stay.


* Please note that the husband is not a fan of the Cubs. He merely purchases the tickets to a high-value game and then sells them for a profit to all those silly Cubs fans out there.

Class of 2024

I had to do something last week that I'd been dreading for a few months. The school district posted the signs I believe before Christmas, stating that kindergarten registration would occur this week, and when I first read the signs, my heart dropped a bit. Could it really be time for my little guy to get signed up for kindergarten? Has it really been almost five years since he's blessed our lives?


For those who know me, I don't shy away from the fact that I feel pangs when it comes to milestones with Jeremy. I blame it on several things: he's my baby, he's my boy and it's the last time I'll get to experience these milestones. I have a hard time letting go, but that's just the way I've been for most of my life. I tend to hang on too long, just grasping at these feelings for one last time.


I really am trying to embrace the fact that my little guy is starting kindergarten in the fall. But it's hard. My kids are my life. I stay home with them, and that's what makes it harder in a way. I'm around them all the time. And that's perhaps why it's easier for me to let Riley grow up a little--I worked after she was born and then stayed home after Jeremy was born. Jeremy and I went through everything together--sleepless nights, colic, separation anxiety, potty training, preschool, you name it. And as much as I wouldn't change those experiences for anything, those special times with him make it harder.


I've already said that August 25 is going to be tough. He's going to be gone all day. (But don't worry--Jeremy is beyond excited, and Riley loves the fact that she gets to ride the bus with him and show him where he needs to go.) And I don't think it will fully hit me until the afternoon, since he's already at preschool three times a week but is home to have lunch and spend time with me in the afternoon until it's time to get Riley. Nobody said parenting is easy. And sometimes letting go is even harder.

Can you believe this little guy will be the Class of 2024?

Blizzard of 2011

Last night, what could best be called Snowmagedon, hit most of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The snow began to fall Monday night and didn't stop until early this morning (Wednesday). Add to that, 50+mph winds, and you have quite a sight. I was in shock when I looked out the window this morning. I kept saying over and over that I couldn't believe the amount of snow we received. I ended up taking a tape measure out, and I think we had about 17 inches, but again, it's hard to tell with all the wind.

Downtown, Lake Shore Drive was completely shut down and people had to abandon their cars on the road. Part of I-80, which is south of us, was shut down as well due to the massive drifts of snow.

Luckily Phil chose to work from home yesterday, so he didn't have to drive in the inclement weather. He did, though, use the snowblower 6 times yesterday. Riley was recovering from the flu (it was her first time missing school, as she got perfect attendance last year, so it was rather traumatic for her to miss school), so she was home. 

Both kids were off today and school is also closed tomorrow due to wind chills in the -25 degree range. Oh how I dream of warm weather with windows open, bare feet in the grass and sunny days. (No comments from Uncle D where the temps are sure to be in the 50-60 degree range.) The kids did want to me post these pics for C+D to give them a taste of winter. Enjoy!

Our enclosed deck received quite a bit of snow.

More evidence of the fierce wind gusts.

A view into our back yard. Our fence is about 7 feet tall, so you can see the drifts.

The view out our front door.

What we saw when we opened the garage.

A view across the street.

The plows had yet to come through.

Riley surveying the snow drift.

Our neighbor helped Phil clear the driveway since he had a bigger snowblower.

The kids are all bundled up.

Trying to tackle the drift.

They did it!

Jeremy got his foot stuck.

Our mailbox. You can see the drifts.

Our street.

The kids by our mailbox.

Jeremy getting swallowed by the snow on our walkway.

Riley helping me shovel the sidewalk.

Riley is in there somewhere.