Somebody...

...named Brooke...


...with the help of a bag of M&Ms...


...got a haircut!


Too bad you really can't tell!

GO HC!

Andy is alive. He is uninjured. No need to send bereavement cards or flowers.


He played very well, with the exception of blowing out one of his shoes. Not surprising, however, since they were his shoes from Junior Year of High School. Why does he still have those? One word - PackRat.


The boys LOVED watching their Daddy play. Will sat the entire Alumni Game on the bench, staring in awe. Jack was too busy playing with his girlfriends, Kaitlyn and Kelsey (The Lorenzi Girls). Brooke kept screaming "Hi, DA-DA!" from her comfy seat in her stroller on the corner of the court.

Lots of fun to visit with old friends at the 'Ole Alma Mater. Just a little weird to do it with your kids...I mean, aren't we still young enough to be students there?! And I swear I could have worn that cheerleading uniform again...with a smidge longer skirt.

And a BIG thanks to Ju-Ju for a fun weekend. But I guess she never got the memo you are supposed to let the kids win at Chutes and Ladders....

Random Thoughts

I have been Debbie Downer this week. It could be a combo of:
-a new workout kicking my "I thought I was in shape" butt
-Brooke wanting Mommy all the time, including at 130am
-Mother Nature, in more ways than 1
-bad mood, bad mood, bad mood

No worries. All of that will be erased soon enough. Aunt Julie comes to visit for the weekend tomorrow. Ahhhh..."Girl Time." Enough said.

Also, how can you not love...


Tattoo Fruit Roll-Ups that tattoo your lips blue...


Or a little girl lovin' marshmallows...


Or 3 little kids caught singing "It's A Party in the USA!"


If all that doesn't work, I am sure my spirits will be lifted as I revisit the ole' Alma Mater Saturday. Yes, it's Alumni Basketball Day at Hanover. And - hold on to your seats -

The Goose
#40
Mike Beitzel's pride and joy
(or worst nightmare)

is returning to Collier Arena. My boys are so excited they can hardly stand it.
So please join me in prayer that my husband doesn't
a) hurt himself
b) hurt someone else
c) miss an attempted dunk
Because it just might scar my sons for life.

But again - no worries. Talked to my good friend, Scott, today. That's Dr. Scott...as in Orthopaedic Surgeon. He is keeping a slot open for Andy on Monday - his surgery day - just in case. God love him!

The Squeakel

Yesterday afternoon Angela and I took the three buddies - no, not Alvin, Simon and Theodore...


Jack, Will and Sam

...to see The Squeakel. I could have sat in that theater all night and listened to all those little kids laugh and giggle. Talk about makin' the heart smile! And when Will asked to sit on my lap for the last 45 mins. - priceless!


Now, if he just hadn't dumped that full bag of popcorn on the floor of the van on the ride home....

I Am So Lucky...

To have this wonderful woman as my best friend!
I got a quick visit with Ju and her Mom and Aunt yesterday while they were in town.
Love you, Ju!

This One's For You, Uncle Eric

Uncle Eric has been expecting a picture of the boys in the UC Jersey he bought for them last year.


I finally got around to it.


Jack has on the Uncle Eric jersey.


Will has on a different jersey...a baby one we received from
The Shrews Crew when Jack was born. Will didn't mind...even went to the grocery in it. As long as we kept the "baby snaps" tucked in.

Thanks to Uncle Eric AND The Shrews Crew for making 2 little boys happy. Go UC!

A Pretty Good Week

We had a pretty good week around here. Back into our "routine" after 3 snow days last week.

We did a little of this...




What can I say - my kids love McDonald's.
And Mommy is addicted to their Cokes - it's crack on ice.

And this guy right here -

We got a great report on him at our first Teacher Conference. Can't believe we will be making a decision soon on which Kindergarten to attend.

I had a conference call for work...yes, I said work. I begin my adventure in "the working world" for my cousin's company in a few short weeks, for a few short weeks. More on that later.

And today we met our favorite partners in crime - The Markarian Crew - for some playtime at the indoor center at Sharon Woods. Love that place. Kids had fun.


Not too sure what she thinks of the tunnel slides.


And I guess you gotta get past these meatheads to get into the ball pit. Be afraid...be very afraid.

Last, but certainly not least, congrats to The Habegger Family (Sarah was my Fresh/Soph years college roommate) on the beautiful addition of Baby John to their family this past Tuesday. What a cutie! I miss tiny babies...

Have a great weekend! And since our team is on "vacation"...Go Colts!

Help for Haiti

If you feel compelled to help - and I hope you do - there are a number of ways you can do so:

Prayer.

Text the word "Haiti" to 90999 and $10 will be donated to the American Red Cross (this donation will appear on your next phone bill).

Text the word "Disaster" to 90999 and $10 will be donated to Compassion International (this donation will appear on your next phone bill).

You can also head over to

www.kellyskornerblog.com

If you donate to any organization and leave her a comment telling her so, she and her husband will donate $1 (up to $1000) to Compassion. Get a bigger bang for your buck.

If you are not sure what you want to do, think about this: as a CNN reporter was talking to a woman who sat outside a clinic all night to get help for an obvious broken leg, the camera panned over to a child about Brooke's age or younger, lying on the ground dead, barely covered with a sheet - her little legs sticking out from underneath. Heartbreaking. Do something. Please.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Bill!

We want to wish our Grandpa Bill a very Happy Birthday! Wish we were in Florida with you...but we did have a party at McDonald's for you at lunch! We love you!

Love, Jack

Will

and Brooke

A Message From Brooke

Dear Other Mommies -

Please inform your children, aka little friends of mine, that, although they make look appetizing, their Daddy's deodorant and a bar of soap do not taste good.

I know.

I tried both today and they are yucky.

Thanks for passing this message along.

Love,
Brooke

Sunday Trip

We took a Sunday Trip to the Museum after church. Momma needed to get OUT of the house after 3 snow days last week. I think the kids needed out, too. The best part was being able to have Daddy tag along.

Normally we head right for the Children's area...but this time we went thru the entire Museum (except for the OmniMax). We learned history of Cincinnati, WWII, recycling, energy, etc. We also visited the 3rd floor original Control Room when the Museum was Union Terminal. Lots of fun...3 tired kids...2 tired parents. Here is a little recap:

First up...kids trying to get a free souvenir.


Daddy teaching about energy...or bicycling...or how to embarrass your kids in a public place.


Will wanted to bring this dinosaur home. He settled for a picture. Notice Brooke eyeing the polar bear in the background...she DID NOT like that thing!


My little Junior Explorers!


The kids LOVED this original train car. They must have played here for a half-hour!
And finally...


This one's for you, Miss Angela! And everyone else who hates snakes!

Tried As We Might...

Although this group tried...


And this group tried...


We couldn't make this group win.


And now we have the daunting task of trying to explain to a 5 year old why the Bengals are "on vacation" and we have to wait 8 months for the next game.

We are now officially in basketball season at The Goshorn House.

"Hey, Daddy..."

"...this is supposed to be fun, right?"


"I'm not so sure. I can't really walk."

Can I get an AMEN?!

Hey all you moms and teachers...


Don't you feel like this most days??!!

"Is Your Son Jackson?"

Today was the first time someone from a school setting has asked me this question. I am sure it will happen numerous times over the next 14 years or so, but still...makes you a little weak in the knees wondering what statement, question, rant, rave or horror-story will follow this seemingly innocent question.

As Jack and I were getting ready to depart the school parking lot today, one of the little girl's mother from Jack's class approached the window.

"Is your son in my daughter's class?"
At this point, there is no running and hiding and I can't run over her.
"Yes."
"Is your son Jackson?"
"Yes," I said (instant nervous stomach begins).

She goes on to tell me that her daughter talks about Jack all the time at home and she thinks she has a little crush on him. I told her Jack is pretty fond of her daughter as well...he claims he doesn't know all the girls' names in his class (I know that is not true) but her daughter is one of 3 girls he talks about.

The best part was when the Mom said:
"I asked _____ what it was about Jack that made him so special. She told me it is because he wears nice shirts."

AHH-HAAA! This justifies every argument, meltdown, disagreement, discussion and, occasionally, collaboration as to what shirt Jack is going to wear to school.

I guess I now know why he asks most mornings:


"Do I look cool?"

Someone sure thinks so!

It's Official...

"Snow Days" are LONG days...and this was just my first one.

Will has a temper. But he always tells me "I'm sorry I talked you like that." We're workin' on it.

Jack has a temper. And extremely chapped lips in the winter that he FREAKS out about. Chapstick is our best friend here - always a tube within reach.

Brooke has a temper. And when she says "Happy New Year!" I seriously think it is in Japanese.

Bath time may be the hardest part of my day - I bathe them all at the same time - but it is usually one of the funnest too. I love watching the boys laugh when I whip Brooke's hair into a point with shampoo. Hilarious!

I live for "The Story." 1230pm Monday thru Friday. No, I don't read to my kids. It's Mommy's 1 hour trip to fantasy world with "The Young and the Restless." I have done it for approx. 28 years...why stop now. And now my kids like "The Story" so I have to keep watching...right?

I also live for bed time. It is so quiet and I love watching my children sleep.

I am addicted to "The Biggest Loser" this season. I cried thru 1/2 of it tonight.

This season of "The Bachelor" is THE.WORST.EVER. Even if it is "On The Wings Of Love."
Puke.

I am getting some ice cream now. Good Night!

"It's An Honor Just Being Nominated..."

Since we have not left the house in nearly a week and a half, I decided I would be "Fun Mom" today and take the kids to the mall after we picked up Jack from school. A little Food Court Pizza (my favorite), run a few errands, "get the stink blowed off" - you get the drift. Just so happened the train was still up. And since I never let my kids ride it ($2 x 3 - you do the math) and since I was being "Fun Mom" today...I said what the heck!


If you can't tell, Brooke is SCREAMING in this picture. Not happy. But I knew she would enjoy it once it started. So what did I do?

I turned to the "Conductor" and simply said:

"Hurry and lock the door. She will be fine."

At which point, he did as I said and then knocked on the window and said:

"Hey! Little boy! Hold on to your sister so she doesn't fall when it starts."
(For Liability Purposes, I'm sure...and a kind heart)


And for the record, I was right. She loved it. And even told Mr. Conductor "Thank You" when it was over.

My first nomination in 2010 for
MOTHER OF THE YEAR.
And it is only January 4th.

I can already tell it's going to be a good year...

Happiness Is...

Sharing your seat and a treat with someone you love.

Christmas 2009

Yes, I know it is already 2010. Happy New Year!
But I left my camera at my Mom's so I had to wait for the snail mail to return it.
That also means I have no pictures of our final Christmas celebration, which was with The Goshorns (sorry Goshorn Family). Here are our highlights:


After a family meeting to discuss the best way to get Santa to stop by our house...


we left Reindeer Food outside to lure the sleigh our way
(thanks, Aunt Julie!!).


Plus milk and cookies for the big guy.


Guess it all worked...he left a few presents for The Goshorn kids!
He also gave Brutus, our Elf, a lift back to The North Pole. We will see him again next year!


Santa did not disappoint, as Jack got his Transformer Trading Cards...


Brooke got a fancy purse...


And, because the real thing could not be transported (nor kept alive), an "alternate" whale was delivered for Will. When he opened it he screamed "My Orca!" He knows his whales at 4...I just learned which one was an Orca this holiday season.


Jack even had a special present for Mommy and Daddy...


A beautiful hand-painted ornament! Something we will always treasure!


Once we arrived in Yoder, Uncle Jon helped the kids throw a fabulous birthday party for Jesus, including re-lighting candles!


I think our family had a great Christmas. Hope yours did too!