Friday Photo Fiesta: Evan's fort

Hello Candid Carrie visitors for another fun Friday Photo!


Remember building forts when you were little? As a little girl, I only minimally built forts as I was too busy playing school and house with my Barbie's. But, I know lots of little boys can attest to the joy of your very own fort.

This week my youngest decided that he was going to make a fun fort to play in on our basement floor. Blankets and removable couch cushions made the most inventive fort we have had here.


Evan promptly put his stuffed pika to "sleep" on top of the fort. See it there in the left corner?

As Evan got ready for bed Sunday evening, he said that he doesn't want the pika to be lonely so he should sleep down in his fort. Chris and I looked at each other doubtful that this was a good idea, but we consented. He woke up many times that night: confused and disoriented. The next night he also wanted to sleep in it. Begrudgingly, we caved in to his command.

He slept like an angel. Even my blow drying did not wake him up the next morning.

Unfortunately, a wrestling match that ensued with his brothers the next evening destroyed his fort, so he had to go back to his bed. I am sure this is not the last fort we will see at our home.

Thanks for playing with me today! Click on Carrie's link on my blog roll to head back to her site!

You're fine!

Being the mom of three boys, I am constantly addressing the plethora of bumps, bruises, and ailments that my boys complain about. Because of the heaps of complaints I receive, my apathy about the severity of the complaint culminates with this phrase: You're fine!

Brendan scrapes his knee. You're fine. Put a band aid on.
Andrew hurt his foot. You're fine. Just use the other one.
Evan was tackled by both brothers. You're fine, Ev. Be tough.

This same attitude is pervasive throughout all illnesses. In the past week, all of the boys have been sick, yet due to our busy lives, I am not overly sympathetic.

Evan started it all last week with a nasty cold that had him wheezing profusely. We gave him some albuterol for the wheezing and benadryl for the dripping nose, and I sent him to school. Ev, you're fine. You don't want to miss the leaf drawing today, right?

Then, Brendan was sick at the start of this week. Brendan is on daily steroids for his asthma, so a cold is not welcome for him. He got Evan's cold and was coughing incessantly due to his asthma. Again, on Monday we loaded him up with meds and sent him on his way. Brendan, you're fine. If you really need me, call. But, I think you're fine. Did he call? What do you think? Of course, not! He was fine. (Not really, but he thought he could finish the day.)

Now is Andrew's turn. This one is tougher. He started with just a cold, but then he also started wheezing. Andrew won't admit he has asthmatic tendencies, so he is a little tougher to help. Yet yesterday he looked at us and ASKED for a breathing treatment. Yikes. Last night he came home from school with a fever, and he also woke up in the middle of the night with a fever. When I told him that he may not be able to go to school, he replied, "Mom, I'm fine. Tomorrow's gym day."

You're fine, Andrew? I thought so. . .

P.S. He hasn't woke up yet today for me to offer the final answer of School or No School?

Rivalry: Part Two

The Big 10 has incredible rivalries. My favorite, of course, is OSU and Michigan. However, all Big 10 teams play competitively with each other. That is why when I was asked if I would like to go see OSU and the Badgers on Saturday, it was a quick "You bet!" as a response.

My friend Corina, who I work with at Waunakee, and her husband are both UW grads, so they have strong ties to UW. We had planned to hang out and watch the game together anyways. So, when tickets from her husbands work fell into her lap, we leapt at the chance to go to the game.


As we arrived in downtown Madison, we were so excited to witness a virtual sea of red pulsing with excitement down the roads. Everywhere you looked vibrant reds dominated the eye. I was pleased to only be verbally assaulted a few times wearing my Buckeye shirt in Badger land.

Corina and her husband had four seats: two in the loge and two in the stands. Corina and I took the first half outside. Our seats were only 18 rows from the Buckeye bench on the 40 yard line. The tickets were amazing! We were so close to the field, and could see every move the players made. It was humorous watching us in the half as I would stand and cheer for the Buckeye first downs and scores, while Corina and the rest of the nearby crowd would cheer for the Badgers.

The half quickly passed, and we switched spots with our hubbies and watched the second half from the loge. One of my favorite moments is a Badger tradition where between the 3rd and 4th quarter, they play "Jump Around" and the student section just jumps up and down. It is so incredible to watch thousands of students jump up; even the Buckeye players caught the fever and jumped a little!

Near the end of the game as the Buckeyes were getting ready to score, I was a little tense; I wanted to win! Chris said that as he and Corina's Chris watched the Buckeyes score, my Chris literally jumped up mimicking the Touchdown motion, while her Chris buried his head in his hands.

It was an incredible game. We had so much fun and were so grateful that we could witness this remarkable rivalry with such wonderful people!

Rivalry Part One

Army vs. Navy; OSU vs. Michigan; Browns vs Steelers

All of these represent great rivalries. This weekend I was privy to watching two amazing rivalries unfold in a sports-packed frenzy.

Friday evening had been long anticipated by the students at Waunakee, the high school I teach at. They were playing their biggest rival, DeForest, where I live! The Waunakee and DeForest rival originated long ago probably in part due to the close proximity of their locations. Sometimes this rivalry turns bitter; it is rarely amicable.

Last year Waunakee football went undefeated in the regular season, only to be beat by the underdogs, Deforest in the playoffs. So, this year, they were out for revenge.

The atmosphere at the school on Friday was incredibly energy-charged. Students were adorned in black garb as both schools adorn Purple as their main color. With this, one school often calls a "Black Out" where they wear black to differentiate themselves from the other team.

As we got ready for the game, I invited another DeForest family over for pizza and football for the pre-game.

As we walked into the game, I, wearing my Waunakee shirt in the midst of Norski wearing people, couldn't help but buy into the rivalry. The crowds were chanting and cheering. Loud roars from each side would deafen the other when something exciting would happen. It was an amazing atmosphere to be in.

There were so many people that we couldn't even sit. Our family actually stood for the first half of the game in the chilly October air. At half time we caved into the fatigue and cold and went home to just listen to the ending.

The game ended with Waunakee on top by at least one touchdown. (It may have been more.) However, I think the rivalry is far from over. . .

Genetics works

My brother sent me a new picture this week of McCamey. When I opened it, I was startled at the similaries between her and Jeff. You be the judge!

She will definitely be daddy's little girl.

Friday Photo Fiesta: Wishy Washy

I can't make up my mind lately. Apparently neither can the weather. Yes, we are officially in the fall seasons, so ups and downs are pervasive.

Last week, I was wearing shorts, and the weather was near 80 degrees. This week the weather has topped out at 60. I am shivering but holding out on turning on the heater.

So, when I did a tour outside this week, I noticed that nature is also wishy-washy. This beautiful rose was adorning my front flower bed, as the lone representative of bloom.

Not even five feet away was one of my trees with this leaf, showing the ultimate sign of confusion. It is neatly divided in half by the red color.

I actually look forward to the full color conversion, but this wishy-washy nature has got to make its mind up!

Thanks for playing with me today and taking a look at my great outdoors! Head on over to Carrie's if you want to join in the fun!

Surrogate doctors?

As moms we assume many roles: mommy, doctor, playmate, psychiatrist, organizer, and many more. Why do we sometimes think, however, that this makes us qualified to just dish information out at random?

Evan is sick. He has the cold that has begun circulating and won't disappear until March now. When my children get colds, they have an asthmatic reaction where they wheeze and cough like seals each time. They are blessed with this gift from their mom.

Last night I went to the store to buy Evan some medicinal relief for his symptoms. I went to the cold aisle, scanned the thousands of options, and decided on Benadryl, some nighttime medicine, and Vapo Rub. I briskly headed to the checkout line at the store. As my grocery clerk began to check out my items and her colleague began to bag them, they miraculously turned into surrogate doctor mommies.

"Ahh. .. Do you have a little guy sick at home?"

Silly question, don't you think? I am at the store at night buying only cold medicine.

"Yes, I do."

"This Vapo Rub is the best. You know what you need to do. Put some on his neck. Wait, how old is he?

"Four"

"Ok, put some on his neck and wrap a towel around his neck to keep the warmth there. It works."

Not to be outdone by the checker, the bagger inserts her own Vapo Rub suggestion to put the lotion on his feet and put thick socks on. She repeated "Thick Socks" two times for good measure.

While I know their messages were well intended, I just had to laugh at how, as mom's, we seem to want to cure everyone. I found their advice endearing yet annoying as well.

For now, I need to go and Vapo Rub Evan up. Here come the towel and thick socks. . .