Monday, February 25, 2013
Elizabeth's first E
Jolene's Baby Shower
I was able to take a trip by myself to Southern CA for Jolene's baby shower. I was so happy to get to go since I often feel like I am missing out on things like that. We are so near, just still so far. Donald was wonderful, he knew I wanted to go and so he got on-line and got me cheap plane tickets. It cost less if I went down Thursday night, instead of waiting until Friday. It was Valentine's Day, but Donald didn't care. He and the kids drove me down to Sacramento, dropped me off at the airport and then went on their little adventure. Unfortunately, I got airsick on the short plane trip (that really made me mad!), but made it safely.
Right when we got to my mom and dad's house, at about 11:00 at night, my dad was unloading my suitcase from the trunk and I hear someone saying "You have to let me in, you have to help me!" I went back over to the door and see this teenage kid (he said he was 19) trying to get into the house. He is in socks, but no shoes and is out of breath from running. He keeps saying that someone is after him and that they "tried to jump him". I told my dad not to let him in and I told my mom to call 911. I was so worried that he just saw my dad and since my dad is 75 years old, he might be seen as an easy target. He starts taking off his sweatshirt and I kept thinking he was going to pull out a gun or knife or something. My mom was having trouble with the phone, so I took it and talked to the 911 operator. I told her that we had this teenage boy there who says someone was trying to attack him. The first thing she says to me is "Don't let him in the house!". He was, by that time, standing just inside the house. He was really freaked out and she was asking me if he was under the influence. I have very little experience in knowing, so I told her I wasn't sure, I didn't think so. She asked to talk to him and he was refusing. He had taken out his cell phone and called his mom to come get him. I finally got him to take the phone and he was not really answering her questions. Then, a car pulls into the driveway - it is his mom. He hangs up the phone and gets in the car. She just says "Thank you for taking care of my son" and drives off. 911 calls right back, I give her the license plate and while I am still on the phone with her, a police car is coming up our street, turns around and follows the lady! I know, totally weird. So looking back, I probably didn't need to call 911, but I was really worried for my parents and myself. I was still shaky from being sick on the plane and the kid had said someone was trying to attack him. The 911 lady said it was good I called, even though nothing came of it. We had my brother follow up for us and he said the police did stop the mom, but all they did was talk to her, there was nothing else they could do since there was nothing illegal happening!
I know, you are thinking my parents don't live in a safe neighborhood, but really, they do. The police only have to come around while I am visiting. I think I was the most shaken up. If I wasn't there, they wouldn't have called the police. My dad would probably have offered to drive the kid somewhere and my mom would have gone off to bed! The kid said he was at a party, but we didn't see a lot of cars, or lights or hear music, so he must have ran for a while. My dad thinks his mom must have already been looking for him because she got there so fast, even before the police. I just know I'd rather be safe than sorry and if that kid was hopped up on drugs, you don't know what he would do. Was someone chasing him? Who? Or was he hallucinating? I don't know. The rest of the weekend was really nice though!
Friday, I spent the day shopping with my mom and sister. It was really nice that Brenda had the day off and could hang out with us.
I did the candy bar matching game at the baby shower, like Jenny Smith did at my shower for Elizabeth. It was a big hit. My mom took a few pictures, but they are all really dark. This was my favorite match of the game - "Baby Daddy, aka Wayne" and "Big Hunk". I had to look really hard to find that candy bar!
Right when we got to my mom and dad's house, at about 11:00 at night, my dad was unloading my suitcase from the trunk and I hear someone saying "You have to let me in, you have to help me!" I went back over to the door and see this teenage kid (he said he was 19) trying to get into the house. He is in socks, but no shoes and is out of breath from running. He keeps saying that someone is after him and that they "tried to jump him". I told my dad not to let him in and I told my mom to call 911. I was so worried that he just saw my dad and since my dad is 75 years old, he might be seen as an easy target. He starts taking off his sweatshirt and I kept thinking he was going to pull out a gun or knife or something. My mom was having trouble with the phone, so I took it and talked to the 911 operator. I told her that we had this teenage boy there who says someone was trying to attack him. The first thing she says to me is "Don't let him in the house!". He was, by that time, standing just inside the house. He was really freaked out and she was asking me if he was under the influence. I have very little experience in knowing, so I told her I wasn't sure, I didn't think so. She asked to talk to him and he was refusing. He had taken out his cell phone and called his mom to come get him. I finally got him to take the phone and he was not really answering her questions. Then, a car pulls into the driveway - it is his mom. He hangs up the phone and gets in the car. She just says "Thank you for taking care of my son" and drives off. 911 calls right back, I give her the license plate and while I am still on the phone with her, a police car is coming up our street, turns around and follows the lady! I know, totally weird. So looking back, I probably didn't need to call 911, but I was really worried for my parents and myself. I was still shaky from being sick on the plane and the kid had said someone was trying to attack him. The 911 lady said it was good I called, even though nothing came of it. We had my brother follow up for us and he said the police did stop the mom, but all they did was talk to her, there was nothing else they could do since there was nothing illegal happening!
I know, you are thinking my parents don't live in a safe neighborhood, but really, they do. The police only have to come around while I am visiting. I think I was the most shaken up. If I wasn't there, they wouldn't have called the police. My dad would probably have offered to drive the kid somewhere and my mom would have gone off to bed! The kid said he was at a party, but we didn't see a lot of cars, or lights or hear music, so he must have ran for a while. My dad thinks his mom must have already been looking for him because she got there so fast, even before the police. I just know I'd rather be safe than sorry and if that kid was hopped up on drugs, you don't know what he would do. Was someone chasing him? Who? Or was he hallucinating? I don't know. The rest of the weekend was really nice though!
Friday, I spent the day shopping with my mom and sister. It was really nice that Brenda had the day off and could hang out with us.
I did the candy bar matching game at the baby shower, like Jenny Smith did at my shower for Elizabeth. It was a big hit. My mom took a few pictures, but they are all really dark. This was my favorite match of the game - "Baby Daddy, aka Wayne" and "Big Hunk". I had to look really hard to find that candy bar!
My mom spent the whole weekend being dragged around by me. My favorite part may have been getting Thrifty ice cream cones together.
Wayne and Jolene had dinner with us on Saturday. On Friday, we went out to dinner with them and Brenda (Ash was out of town). I intended to take pictures of us all together and forgot. Dinner was a ton of fun though!
My brother Wayne with my cat Mittens. We were looking at old photo albums with my mom and Jolene and when I saw this picture, I thought it looked like Joshua and Cali! I guess I'm the only one who thinks so!
My sister and mom.
Grandma Betty, Brenda's mother in law and my mom.
The most important women in my brother's life!!!
Jolene, Me, Brenda and my mom
Donald was super sweet and arranged a babysitter for all day Monday. He came down to Sacramento by himself and picked me up. We spent the morning shopping, then went to lunch together at the Cheesecake Factory. We even stopped in a few furniture stores on our way home. I actually found a few things I like and have a better idea (finally) of what I want for the living room. Now I just have to start saving my pennies! When I came home, the kids were all absorbed in their own activities. I went straight to Elizabeth, who was more interested in the cat than me, then to the other kids to say hello. Once it sunk in that I was home, all the kids tackled me with hugs! It was a nice trip but even nicer to come home!
We had a day together as a family, then Donald left for a conference!
Joshua, the athlete!
It is hard to see, but this is Joshua making a shot during practice. The ball is in the hoop. He seems to make most shots at practice, but isn't aggressive enough to get the ball during the game.
And, below is Joshua at his first baseball practice of the season. Yes, baseball and basketball overlap by about 3 weeks. Ugh! I know we will manage, but it will be a busy few weeks. He is on the Dodgers again. We actually had his team switched since he couldn't make any of the practice times for the other team. I hope this is a good coach, as some of the baseball coaches are really intense. This may be his last year of baseball unless he loves it to death - I think next year he is old enough that he has to try our and be drafted. Too much pressure if you ask me!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
While Sheilas Away, the Rest of Us Play
So while Sheila went down for Jolene's baby shower, the kids and I went on an expedition of our own. We went from dropping Sheila off at the airport, and headed over to Roseville, where we had a hotel room for the night. We were their guest of the day and got a gift basket of goodies upon checking in. The kids were of course thrilled and tried to eat it all that night. The nighttime sleeping was...interesting. Sarah and Joshua fought over the covers until I gave them the blankets of my bed. Then intermittently throughout the night each of them would wake up, and with sit bolt upright (Joshua) or move over and try and lay on her brother (Sarah). Elizabeth was very restless until she got herself wedged into a ball up next to me.
The next morning we had a nice breakfast at the hotel, and then headed up to Auburn, and down along Highway 49, until we got to Coloma. For those that aren't in the know, this is the site of Sutter's mill, the first find of gold in California.
We went into the museum, and saw the nice exhibits they had about the discovery, interactions with Native Americans and about life in California about that time. We watched a movie about Coloma and the gold discovery. Joshua said that was the best part of the trip.
Joshua checking out the gold!
Gold panning tools.
Elizabeth liked this "princess carriage" and wanted to go for a ride in one.
A model of Sutter's mill, and my goofy son.
Joshua in an old jail in Coloma.
Joshua climbing the walls of the jail, I think he was trying to escape.
Joshua learning how to run a sluicer! Sarah shouting to the other workers to "stay away".
Joshua pushing the girls in a mine cart.
The re-created Sutter's Mill.
The site of the original Sutter's Mill along the American River.
Sarah, panning for gold (unsuccessfully).
Joshua panning for gold (also no luck).
After a good morning we headed back to Chico, and the busy weekend of basketball games, church and anxiously awaiting Sheila's return.
The next morning we had a nice breakfast at the hotel, and then headed up to Auburn, and down along Highway 49, until we got to Coloma. For those that aren't in the know, this is the site of Sutter's mill, the first find of gold in California.
We went into the museum, and saw the nice exhibits they had about the discovery, interactions with Native Americans and about life in California about that time. We watched a movie about Coloma and the gold discovery. Joshua said that was the best part of the trip.
Joshua checking out the gold!
Gold panning tools.
Elizabeth liked this "princess carriage" and wanted to go for a ride in one.
A model of Sutter's mill, and my goofy son.
Joshua in an old jail in Coloma.
Joshua climbing the walls of the jail, I think he was trying to escape.
Joshua learning how to run a sluicer! Sarah shouting to the other workers to "stay away".
Joshua pushing the girls in a mine cart.
The re-created Sutter's Mill.
The site of the original Sutter's Mill along the American River.
Sarah, panning for gold (unsuccessfully).
Joshua panning for gold (also no luck).
After a good morning we headed back to Chico, and the busy weekend of basketball games, church and anxiously awaiting Sheila's return.
A Good Couple of Weeks for Sarah
Sarah has been having a really good school year! I feel like third grade was not her best year and she was really kind of floating around, not knowing who she was. This year has been awesome! She has made good friends at school, has been proud of being smart, is respected by her teacher and peers, successfully tried new activities and is just generally happy! I feel as though she has found herself again!
She was recently the spotlight kid in her class. I refused to bring in a pet, so she had to find other things to share. She made a bunch of balloon animals and origami to take in. The kids loved it!
Here she is at basketball practice. She is the shortest girl on the team! She is used to being the tallest, but it is a combined team of 4,5&6th graders. She is the sole 4th grader and since she is a young 4th grader, the size difference is magnified. It hasn't affected her ability to make friends though. She is well liked on the team and has made friends easily. She has a constant smile on her face and has so much fun!
She won her class spelling bee! She didn't think much of it and just mentioned it in passing. Then, the next day she comes home with this thick packet of words. Most are words I've never heard of and I can't pronounce. We asked her if she wanted to study, or just go for it for the experience of it. She said she just wanted the experience. I have to admit I'm glad she didn't spend hours studying for it! She got out quickly, but enjoyed it and hopes to try again next year. She got a participant ribbon and was happy with that!
Here she is making a shot during one of her games. She didn't make it, but her whole team cheered for her!
She was recently the spotlight kid in her class. I refused to bring in a pet, so she had to find other things to share. She made a bunch of balloon animals and origami to take in. The kids loved it!
Here she is at basketball practice. She is the shortest girl on the team! She is used to being the tallest, but it is a combined team of 4,5&6th graders. She is the sole 4th grader and since she is a young 4th grader, the size difference is magnified. It hasn't affected her ability to make friends though. She is well liked on the team and has made friends easily. She has a constant smile on her face and has so much fun!
She won her class spelling bee! She didn't think much of it and just mentioned it in passing. Then, the next day she comes home with this thick packet of words. Most are words I've never heard of and I can't pronounce. We asked her if she wanted to study, or just go for it for the experience of it. She said she just wanted the experience. I have to admit I'm glad she didn't spend hours studying for it! She got out quickly, but enjoyed it and hopes to try again next year. She got a participant ribbon and was happy with that!
Here she is making a shot during one of her games. She didn't make it, but her whole team cheered for her!
Sunday, February 03, 2013
1st Monster Concert
Sarah and Joshua were both able to perform in the Monster Concert this year. Last year, Roxanne, the kid's piano teacher, asked Sarah to audition, but as soon as she heard the word "Monster" she said no. I think, since she didn't know what it was, it was too intimidating for her! So last year, we went and watched, and this year Sarah tried out and so did Joshua (after only having started piano lessons in June!!)
Sarah played three songs - "Dad's Dune Buggy", which she didn't really like, "Rhythm and Boogie" and "Shout it Out". Joshua played in just one song, "Rocking Horse Rag". They got their music way back in September and had to audition in October. By the time the concert came, we were all pretty tired of the songs! Now they will have to decide if they enjoyed the experience enough to do it next year!
One of the things that made the concert fun for the kids was that they both had friends who were also performing. One of Sarah's best friend, June played in the concert. Sarah was even paired up with Ana, June's older sister for two of her songs!
Joshua at the piano - the kid next to him convinced him to switch places at the first rehearsal. No adult caught it until the second week, then they had been practicing like that, so they let them stay switched. It was fine except the other kid was taller and we could hardly see Joshua!
Sarah and Ana.
Joshua and Ryan. They played the same song, but not on the same piano!
Day trip to Sacramento
The kids had the day off for Martin Luther King, Jr day but Donald had to work. I wanted the kids to feel like they got to do something special and I was feeling confident after our day at Cal Skate, so I decided to take them down to Sacramento to the Children's Museum. It was a tiny little place, and really for younger kids, but everyone had a great time! We had enough time left after spending the morning there that we decided to head over the the Train Museum, which is always fun. The kids were super well behaved and made me feel confident that I can do increasingly bigger trips with them while Donald is working.
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