And The Band Marches On!!!

Steven's marching band had semi-state competion on Saturday and they did well- 6th place, so on they go to State next Saturday.  The kids will be getting an overnight trip out of the deal, and they are SO excited.  They got back to town around 11:30 PM and the Police and Fire Departments met them outside the city limits and gave them an escourt through town (with sirens).  The band kids were yelling out the open bus windows.....  Now, you have to remember we live in a tiny town, and the streets roll up at 6 PM, so unfortunately, no one was up to see it.  They said no lights even came on in houses for people to be waking up and looking out the windows.  Oh well.  We will have to figure something out when they come home from state - it should be an earlier return time.

The Shed

Gotta love 'em.  My guys, Mike and Pete are out there in the dark right now (granted it is only 7:45) working on framing the floor of our new shed.  Mike salvaged a  bunch of building materials last year when a building at work was coming down, and we ear marked it for a new shed.  Our current shed (MAYBE 8x8) was just not cutting it and our garage was so full of stuff.......  Anyway, it is my turn to get something built, and the shed is going up!!   I was pushing for a shed of 16x32 (actually I suggested we just build a barn - something about building permits, and my barn was veto'd), Mike cut me off at 12x24--that was something about having big enough roof  trusses.....picky, picky.   Mike is out there with the halogen flood lights, van headlights and the radio on, building away with Peter.  I think if it gets much colder out he may fire up the salamander for heat.  I am in the house while Molly and Zach are in bed - hey, I've spent my fair share of time out there today already.. leveling the footings took a long time this afternoon.  Tomorrow, the walls go up!!!

 

 

 

We had family pictures taken this weekend.  How do you like my kids?

 

 

Do you all rememeber Nana?  That human-like Nufundland who took care of Wendy, John, and Michael.........yes, the kids in Peter Pan.  Nana was in charge of the children in the nursery.  I've taken to calling Sadie "Nana".  Woof, woof - the baby's fussing.   Woof, woof - Molly's crying.  Sniff, Woof - Princess Stinky Butt needs you.  But right now she's just waiting and hoping that Molly will share her animal crackers with her.

 

Peaceful Morning

I finally have a peaceful morning to sit down and blog.  I always seem to be looking after someone's needs lately and don't have more than a few minutes to myself.  Right now Molly is sleeping in, Zach is already off to school, and the big boys are downstairs getting ready to head off in a little while.

Let's see....

Steven and his marching band are heading off to Semi-State competition this Saturday.  Steve is pretty cofident they will move on to State the following weekend.  They have a good chance, I think, they have never placed less than 3rd in their competitions this fall.  It's great to have him so excited about something.

Peter is really growing up.  He's still 13, but he has matured a lot this last year.  He likes to help with his sister, and I have faith he will continue to do well this school year.  He loves math, likes band, and is really throwing himself into private reading time.

Molly and Zach have both had tests with our Bladder Exstrophy doctor.  I see surguries in their near futures, but I don't have details yet.

Zach is loving school still and he likes his teacher.  His reading is improving daily.  He is actually in 2 reading classes and English as a Second Language classes.  For someone who came to the USA about 2 1/2 years ago, he's doing amazing.

Molly improves daily.  She has now gained 5 lbs since we have had her.  She's gone from wearing 3-6 month clothes to 12 month.  She is walking when she is holding our hands and beginning to pull herself up on furniture.  She is now ok letting others hold her, as long as Mike or I are close.  She's eating most foods now, and only doing bottles at night and sometimes nap time.  I will be glad to know this girl when she is NOT cutting teeth - she has one more coming through now, that makes about 14 teeth she has cut in the last 2 months.  She only has 2 more teeth to come in and she will have them all for now.

I am almost done with my tax classes with H&R Block and will begin working for them again in November.  It will be nice to get out of the house for a while and my mother in law will watch Molly while I work.  I am glad it's a seasonal job, I still get to spend most of the year home with Molly - I have loved seeing all the "firsts" that I missed with the big boys while I was working full time.  

Moon Festival

Last night, the family and I celebrated the Chinese Moon Festival.  It is part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the BIG Chinese holidays.  Grandma Joyce sent us some Moon Cakes to share, I did some research on line to get the reasons for celebrating the moon.  Tradition is to set out Moon Cakes and Watermelon, spend time with family and look at the moon.  So that is what we did.  I am sure the people driving by our house wondered why we were out on the porch at 8 PM in the dark.  And why Pete and Zach were silly dancing to the Chinese music CD that my sister got Molly for a baptism gift.  Or why Mike was searching the garden after dark for the last watermellon (can I just say we did not pre-plan well).  Then we just sat together, enjoying the night and our family.  We are blessed.  Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!