RIP- Oh Great Comforters of Mine. . .

This week I said goodbye to two great friends who have been in my life for at least 13 years. I did not mourn or weep, but crazily stood in my driveway taking pictures of my "friends" on their way to the nearest garbage dump.

Meet my old green couches. . .




I first met these couches over 13 years ago in the apartment of my brother Tim in North Royalton. He was engaged to be married to Anita, and they were fixing up their place with some new furniture. I am certain that I crashed on those couches at least a couple of times in the Cleveland area after a few nights out.

My love affair with them continued as the couches journeyed with Tim and Ni to Chicago where I can remember Chris and I ridding the couches of all their cushions and creating a makeshift cozy bed on a number of visits to Chi-town. These green bearers of comfort also resided in New Jersey temporarily with Tim and Ni before they moved back home to Ohio.

As the couches began to wear, Tim and Ni moved on, but being young-- and low on cash-- I gleefully welcomed the green comforts into my home in Cleveland. We felt they were an upgrade to the hand-me-downs from mom and dad that we were using. The boys especially loved to play with the couch cushions as they were removable and they could stack them and jump on them.

But then, we moved to Wisconsin and the wear was beginning to show on these elderly couches. They were cloth, so all old markers or crayon stains were visible and impossible to get rid of. And, then slowly-- little tears begin to creep onto the top of the couches. In desperation, I even tried to sew the tears back together with some terribly weak thread, but to no avail- the couches were dying, and my slipshod stitches could not stop their demise.

We delegated the couches to the basement and bought new ones. Our mantra became "Go to the basement and jump on those couches, boys. No one cares about those." And they did.

For over two years those couches have sat in the basement enduring abuse after abuse. I watch tiny holes in the fabric lead to gaping wounds where the stuffing began to fall. Then, even that was not enough, the stuffing gave way to the foam that was hiding underneath it. Then, the last few months, we sunk to an all time low, where even the foam was removed, and only the wooden particle board remained. Stripped to the bone.

It was time to say goodbye. I called the local garbage man and explained the death of my furniture. We decided to keep the cushions for what may be years of fun for the boys (and perhaps years of dangerous stunts.)

So on Monday, the men came to pick the couches up. Gingerly, the couches were tossed into the back of a truck and instantly crushed.

RIP- Green couches.

All the Entertainment I Need

Some people need big screen TVs with endless hours of sports and movies. Some people need awesome evenings on the town parading from place to place. Still others need expensive concerts with fancy dinners. Me? I have all the entertainment I need living in my house: Evan.

Over the past two weeks, he has provided me with innumerable moments of hilarity.

One of his sweeter moments was when he was talking about kindergarten next year. He said that he plans to go to a school in Waunakee. (His daycare is in the neighboring town of Waunakee, so all of his friends right now are from there.) I explained that he would be going to Eagle Point just like his brothers. But he insisted that he would be going to "Myboretum." I was temporarily puzzled because I had never heard of that, but then I had an epiphany when I realized what he meant. The school closest to his center is Arboretum (sounds like OURboretum) and he interpreted is as MYboretum. . Too sweet.

Even today in church he made me smile as he diligently worked on creating a picture. Instead of using his normal name to proclaim himself the artist, he instead inscribed: www.evan.com. Apparently, this is how kids of this era relate to themselves.

And my favorite story of his -- The Ghost Kid-- resurfaced this week. As I picked him up at preschool this week, Evan was on the playground playing. So, I gathered his belongings in the room, and another little boy who saw me getting Ev's stuff said to his dad that McKenna and Laci will have a tough time now that Evan is leaving. Being nosy, I asked him why? He said that Evan helps them find the Ghost Kid.

I did a double take. The Ghost Kid? Here at preschool? So, I asked the little boy if the Ghost Kid has always been at preschool, and he said that Evan just saw him there that day and that everyone was looking for him, but only Evan can see him. How wonderful! My cherub has brought the Ghost Kid to school to share with his friends.

After school, we discussed what the Ghost Kid has been up to, and fortuitously for the Ghost Kid, he was on his way to Florida to ride some rides at Disney. I hope the Ghost Kids gets in less trouble at school.

I love my little man and his incredible imagination and humor. He is one of a kind.

Meet the Newest Member of Our Family

This newest member of my family seems to be a trouble maker, popping up only at unexpected moments. This newest member seems to have the ability to disappear when he knows the blame will come his way. This newest member was not planned, but I am greatly amused by his presence.

Meet Ghost Kid.

Ghost Kid first left signs of his existence about three months ago when no one would claim ownership of the mess left in the basement. Three chipper "Not Me"s resounded when we inquired who to blame the mess on, so we were all truly stumped as a family to figure out who could possibly have caused the mess. Fortunately, our intuitive five year old noted, "It must be the ghost kid." Then, he shrugged his shoulders and walked away as if announcing a new member to the family was no big deal.

I was alarmed. Who was this Ghost Kid? He needed punished. How dare he come into my home, mess it up, and try to get one of my innocent cherubs into trouble. I needed to see him, but Evan adeptly replied that you can't see ghosts, so he wouldn't show up. Bummer.

Even though I haven't been able to physically see Ghost Kid, his actions continue to appear. Andrew misplaced his "Mouse and the Motorcycle" book, and after searching for a few minutes, he asked Evan about it. Evan replied that it must have been the Ghost Kid who moved it. Similarly, there was a wrapper left on the kitchen floor, and again, after three angelic kids of mine all denied putting it there, the answer became clear: The Ghost Kid did it.

The Ghost Kid even forced his impish behavior to extend beyond physical mischief; once we noticed a horrifying odor seeping through our living room. One by one, the boys all replied "Not Me." Evan just smiled and shrugged stating that of course it was The Ghost Kid.

So, as a mom, I am struggling to deal with my Ghost Kid. On the positive side, he hasn't added to my food bill at all; apparently, Ghost Kids don't need food. Ghost Kid doesn't talk back to me or even play his DS too much -- all awesome traits. But, Ghost Kid is always getting into trouble and I can't put him into time out. My fear? Ghost Kid could begin getting into serious trouble.

For now, I welcome the humor of the moment when Ghost Kid is introduced. He has hilariously become a part of our family. And I can count on the fact that the next time a muddy mess is left in the kitchen or clothes are scattered all over the floor. .. that the Ghost Kid is the culprit.

A Look Back at the Decade

I am stealing this idea from two places: My sister's blog and another blogger friend's blog. I love the idea of looking back at the important moments that occurred over the last ten years. I started the decade married and living in Wisconsin.

2000- This was the year we had Andrew. We started the year in Wisconsin where I was teaching and Chris was finishing his Master's degree. We had Andrew in March and promptly moved back to Ohio in April.

2001- Chris was working at Athersys, and I was staying at home with Andrew. Then, we had Brendan in July. Before we had Brendan, however, we purchased our little bungalow in Brooklyn, Ohio.

2002- This was a crazy year for me at home with two little guys. I am not sure what happened this year beyond feedings, diapers, and naps. Chris and I did manage to squeeze in an awesome vacation to Maine, NovaScotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. All without kids!

2003- Another year of being at home with the babies. I am stymied for an important event. . . (Besides of course raising my kids!)

2004- This was the year that Evan was born-- our final attempt for a girl that turned out much more wonderful than I could have imagined. This was also the year that Andrew and Brendan began preschool in Parma Heights. Andrew began kindergarten in the fall.

2005- Our big move! Chris' got a new job in Madison, Wisconsin and we uprooted and moved the family to a great new home- our current home-- in Deforest. Brendan went to kindergarten this fall, and officially our house became sports headquarters with more activities piling on by the minute.

2006- I went back to work in the fall. After six years off, I took a part time job teaching every other day. What an ideal transition back to work!

2007- I increased my work load to full time and officially made Ev a full time babysitter-kid. The boys were in so many sports that our after school time was almost laughable.

2008- I officially put Evan in preschool/ daycare in 2008. We also took our first major family vacation to Mount Rushmore, Custer state park, and Yellowstone/ Grand Tetons. That trip was so very memorable for the boys.

2009- This year. . . All three boys had baseball last summer, creating the craziest summer schedule I have ever entertained. I began coaching cheerleader for the high school girls. Andrew started football.

What will the new decade bring? Predictions about what I will reflect on in a year?

I am guessing it will be mostly sports and kids related. In ten years, Andrew and Brendan will be in college!!! Yikes- In ten years, I am guessing that I will have sat through enough sports games to be in the world record books. In ten years I think I will have no money left as my boys will drain me with their food needs. In ten years, I hope we are still as happy as we are today.

Christmas in January

No, we aren't celebrating our fourth occasion to unwrap presents a month after the holidays. I am finally getting to the point where I have a moment to post a blog showing all of the holiday pictures.

As I looked through the pictures, deciding what to post, it felt like a lifetime ago when stacks of essays weren't waiting for my eye to read and my brain to grade. This is the beginning of finals weeks, a time where I read an incomprehensible amount of work in an attempt to capture 18 weeks of effort into one letter.

Sorry- I digress--

Christmas was an incredible relaxing time filled with much visiting and fun. Here are the highlights:

We celebrated Christmas morning at my mom and dad's home again. The boys just know that Santa can find them there.

I got a few precious moments with my brand new-- seven day old at the time-- nephew Rylan. I love little babies!

Here is a feeble attempt to get six boys to stand still to take a picture. The first three pictures all show them wrestling on the floor.

My nephew Noah enjoys himself by climbing into his mother's wreath box that she hoped to win in our gift exchange. Too bad the gift was quickly claimed by another person. Noah was part of the gift, so he has a new mommy now. -haha

The Annual cookie making session with grandma came after Christmas this year.
We took this group of five boys to Tower city for a little dinner before. . .

We took them to see the Globetrotters. They are all sporting autographs from Cobra, one of the Globetrotters. They loved this night!

Evan worked on his snowboarding skills at Grandma Doucette's hill.

Brendan also tried his hand at daredevil sledding.

The Doucette grandchildren posed in front of the tree before the present melee.
Evan is sporting his favorite new presents: his Gryffindor hat and scarf. (He also has a wand and Harry Potter glasses!)
We had a remarkable holidays!

We Joined the Fun

Christmas sweaters have long been a fun way to celebrate the holidays. People love to find unique holiday sweaters to show their love of the season. Christmas trees, ornaments, bells, and snow all make quaint sweaters even cuter.

Yet, in a high school, anything that resembles a "festive" sweater is ridiculed by a student body that believes style is of the utmost concern. So, my friend Corina and I decided that hosting a festive holiday sweater day would be both hilarious and full of holiday spirit.

The trouble became, however, that on that day we had a difficult time determining who was being satirical and who sincerely owned their red Christmas tree sweater. Yikes! It was a tricky line to trace. But, I took some pictures to celebrate a few of us participants.
My coat had two snowman pockets, and the creepy part was that there was a giant snowman on the center back of the sweater. One of these sweaters had ice skaters and another had bows tied on her shirt. Too fun!

Here are a few more. One owned a Christmas poncho that she had received as a gift from her sister. The lady with the snowman has the matching sweater with her daughter.
A student got in the spirit as well. I am sporting matching cardinal turtleneck and vest. His sweater actually has yarn balls that come off in many places.

I believe we have started a tradition that will continue for many years.

Off to a Running Start. . .

On your mark, get set, and go!

Every New Year's, people -- including me -- set resolutions and then tenaciously attack the goal like a frantic sprint. The urgency to see results is akin to wanting me get across the finish line quickly.

This year, I am changing my approach a little. I have decided that slow and steady just may win this year's resolution race. Incidentally, a race is my goal.

Slowly over the past year, I have begun running; this is something I haven't attempted since my days of big hair and Aqua Net, but as an adult, I have discovered that running has greater benefits than attracting attention in short shorts (I'm not looking for that anymore. . .) Running burns calories- and lots of them! I love and crave the burn I get during a good run.

I have built my running capabilities to a 4.4 mile run in about 45 minutes- slow and steady. Then, I have to race home to get ready for the day. So, this year my goal is big and scary.

I want to run a half marathon on Memorial Day weekend.

13.1 miles.

Running.

I am excited, daunted and ready to cruise. Writing the goal down makes it feel real. I will officially start a training regimen at the start of March, but I will continue building my endurance until then.

Stay tuned as I attempt to race to the finish of my personal goal.