No News is No News

Not much to report around these parts as of late.  Time has been spent shooting hoops as all three fellas are playing basketball this year.  Ethan has had two games, and hasn't had much practice at actual "game-playing".  He looked up at us in the stands and mouthed, "I don't know what to do!"  Our advice, "Get the ball and take it down the court!"  Last game he made three shots on the basket.  Next goal: Have one go in!

Also on Thursdays we are double booked with two practices and swimming lessons in Washington.  Silly us.  We hadn't planned on the boys agreeing to play basketball, so we planned another physical activity and the result is running back and forth like crazy people on Thursdays.  There is only one more week of lessons though, so hopefully things will slow down a bit that night. 

Subbing is improving.  I am feeling a little more comfortable in my role.  It is very challenging to remember all the different variations on name pronunciation and jumping in mid lesson on a whim.  It is buys, busy, busy.  There is not a lot of down time in an elementary school classroom. 

In Will's classroom, his little friend calls me Mrs. Will or the more formal, Mrs. Will Maxwell.  After my stint in fifth grade, a friend of Ethan's wanted to call me Ethan Maxwell's Mom.  Silly kids.

Unwrapped holiday packages are piling up as is the laundry.  All the men in my life have been under the weather since Thanksgiving with E and W especially hard hit with the dreaded cough.  Will was up so much in the night, that he has already fallen asleep.  (Hence my 15 minutes of free time to post)

I have no cute pictures to post, but can refer you to Jenrsworldofphotography.com to see some shots of the boys that my dear friend Tami's sister took last summer on a whim. 

That's all she wrote.

Oopsie Doughsie

While shopping at the grocery last week I contemplated suppers "Would I have the energy to make homemade rolls one day this week?"   Since the magic eight ball in my head indicated "All signs point to no" I discreetly threw a bag of frozen bread dough into my cart.   I unpacked the groceries and went to bed.  The next day I went downstairs to find one lone bag of groceries that I forgot.  Of course, it contained the frozen dough.  This is what I found: 

Even though the dinner rolls had meshed into one giant roll, I formed two loaves instead and they came out just fine.  

SUB Stories

We had two days off this week for In-service and Veteran's Day.  I spent Wednesday at the high school floating from room to room as a 7:30 am phone call from an actual person indicated they were 5 teachers short that day.  So I quickly showered and showed up to report to my Dad's old stomping ground.....the wood shop. 

I suppose it looks a bit different now than it did in the 70's but still, it was fun to be in his space again.  I have memories of washing my hands in the sinks for fun.   Later that day I sat through a couple of Vo-Ag classes.  I could almost sense Old Ern breathing on my neck.  

At the end of the week I spent some time in Second Grade.  This is a little momento that I took home with me.

I mean, seriously Joe, you can already charm women at age 8.  Skills that will indeed come in handy.  However, I hope I taught you a little double digit addition as well.  

Posts 'O Nothing

I wrote two posts on my ipad, but I guess they didn't publish.  Currently the boys are hogging it playing Minecraft so I will have to figure out what I did wrong later.

Until then, I wanted to add this link http://youtu.be/MVG-tXxgXC0 to Ethan's Lego Food Chain video that he completed to accompany his posterboard food chain web for 5th grade science. 

We were thrilled because he did the whole thing himself!

This Takes the Cake

Happy belated birthday to my lovely mother-in-law. 

This is the cake her hair stylist whipped up for her.   She is loved by all service personnel within a hundred miles of the city of Columbus.  

AMAZING! 

Will's First Blog Post

The minyn is prpl.  i see a minyn........... .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,..................................................................................................................................

william rodgers maxwell

Halloween 2014

Introducing....pumpkin carving results.....

 

You can call me "Al.....bert Einstein"

Anyone need a spell from Mad Eye Moody?  Complete with peg leg.

AND the purple minion!  

The treats are still spread across the living room floor in candy castle piles.  Yum.  Don't tell but there may be a few less Twix than we started with.  Shhhhhh.  

The whole crew pre-candy. 

Because it was Fall Break...eh?

After parent/teacher conferences we headed north, and then north, and then east and then north and landed.....at Niagara Falls.

We stayed on the Ontario side because the kids wanted to go outside of our country.  Two minutes into Canada Ethan says, "Can we go to a bookstore?  I want to see what kinds of books they have in Canada."  Unfortunately there were no bookstores in Niagara Falls, only cheesy souvenir shops.  

Our room was on the 29th floor of our hotel with a great view of both falls.  We watched fireworks from our window in our pajamas on the second night and enjoyed the full moon over the rainbow illuminated falls the first night.  

From the tour under the falls...

Ethan was a bit apprehensive as we walked close to the water.  He was afraid someone was going to fall in.  Kevin and I both remember feeling this way when we were close to his age and visiting with our parents.  

Watching the water was a bit mesmerizing and as you stand upstream and watch the water pour over the falls, it almost seems unreal. 

A good time was had by all.  

Science Test Notes

Ethan is learning to take notes this year in science class.  He brought home his notebook from school today because he has a test tomorrow.  I had to smile when I looked at his sweet (although sloppy) handwriting. 

His comment is that there isn't enough room on the lines.  I told him that it was okay to use two or more lines for each thought.  Notice how he crammed it on along the side?

Oh the arbitrary rules that we make ourselves fit into.  

Ka-Ching

It's been about a year now since we joined the I-group.  We now are proud owners of an I-pad and two I-phones.  I have always been partial to the Apple products.  Back in the day I could use a Mac like nobody's business.  Then I married K. who has been trying to show me the ropes on the Windows/Dell (see I don't even know what to call it?) for years.  He has been patient during my frustrated moments..."Where is it?"  "How do you do it?"  Blah blah moan moan. 

If we could afford it we could convert our mammoth desktop computer to an Apple, but until we win the lottery we will do with what we have.  Really, my day wouldn't be complete without the computer crashing on me.

Back to the topic at hand, anyhow, yesterday was a crazy afternoon.  Kevin had a meeting and wouldn't be home to take Will to soccer at 5:00.  The boys pile off the bus at 3:30 famished, tired and sweaty.  In that mere hour and a half I needed to snack them, do 3 rounds of homework, dress all three for soccer (E/B practice at 5:45), eat supper and get to practice in a timely matter. 

It didn't help that the oldest son was not in the mood to do homework.  "I hate homework.  Why do we have to do homework?  Ahhh.  I'm tired.... etc. etc."  After several rounds of motherly words, we finally finished most of what we needed to do and piled into the van by 4:59.  Halfway to practice I realize I forgot all the equipment that I was supposed to bring. 

I dropped Will off late and returned home to pick up the equipment and then returned to practice to drop off the equipment, finish Ethan's homework and push them on the field for practice.  

What's all this have to do with your I-phone you ask?  Well, during the course of traveling to and from the soccer field to home, four times I passed by a pharmacy chain store.  Four times my phone dinged like a cash register.  Apparently the Key Ring feature that keeps track of all my loyalty cards was telling me that "There are savings nearby at Rite Aid." 

Oh thanks for that.  Perhaps if you had reminded me to pick up the soccer equipment before I left home I would have experienced some other type of savings.

On a side bar, we watched soccer from behind 6-8 large piles of asphalt that they dumped on the road.  It made for an interesting perspective to say the least.  This is why we live in the country.  For the beautiful views.

A Productive Day

Some days it feels like I get nothing accomplished.  I think that feeling is just a way of life for people with young children.  Latley I have had a little more time on my hands and on days when I don't substitute, sometimes I can actually FINISH something.  

I have been working on a pair of fingerless gloves and today finished one!  Woo hoo.  I can't help to think of that Harrison Ford movie where he is accused of killing his wife, but blames it on the one-armed man......anyhow, the point is, the one-armed man would now be able to wear one of my finished fingerless gloves.  The Fugitive FYI

Also, I have been in need of a teacher bag to carry all my "comfort" stuff to school.  I have to laugh because the day I was in kindergarten I didn't even OPEN my bag because I was so busy.  BUT it is like a security blanket for me of sorts.  There are extra lessons and a few picture books to read.  

I had all the fabric on hand.  It's funny because I tried to sew something last week.  I stared at all the fabric and couldn't decide on anything for a solid hour.  Finally I got my Adult ADD under wraps, sat down turned on the machine and proceeded to brake the bobbin winder.  Now that machine is in the shop but my sister loaned me an extra one of hers.   

Thankfully today's project went a bit smoother. 

Also I have been sorting through knitting magazines of my Mom's and trying to select possible patterns and actually DISCARD magazines that don't have anything worthwhile.   (This is virtually UNHEARD of as far as my Mom is concerned.  Her comment, "They don't eat anything.") 

I found this pattern and think that it speaks for itself. 

Wow.  

Back in the Trenches

It is Sunday.

I think my legs are finally rested after my subbing day in Kindergarten on Friday.  Boy.....were.....my....legs....tired. 

Not a lot of extra time for sitting.

It went fairly well, though I was so concerned about missing deadlines....8:10 this....9:00 assembly....10:30 that....1:15 art...etc that I forgot all my classroom discipline skills and spent the day reminding over, and over, and over, and over.  Hopefully I didn't ruin the established classroom behavior for the regular teacher when she returns on Monday. 

However, I did it and I survived.  Woot woot.  Now I need to get psyched to do it again!

My men bought me flowers, because they are thoughtful that way.

Until my next job, I will search online for good compression hose.  Must....keep....that....circulation....working.

And so it begins.

This week found some of us feeling under the weather.  Ethan stayed home from school yesterday with a sore throat and upset stomach.  I haven't been myself for the last three days.  Someone brought a little ray of sunshine to my door to brighten my spirits.  

Isn't it cute?  Thanks T.  So bright and cheery! 

Laborious Labor Day

'Twas a lovely Labor Day Weekend.   We attended our local high school football game on Friday night.  Ethan and Ben worked on their doodle book most of the game.  Mid way through the first half Ethan says "Are we the white team?"  Needless to say, we weren't.  Where's your school spirit my man?? 

Saturday we loaded up our bikes on our spiffy new bike rack and headed off.  We enjoyed a few laps and then the humidity sent us running back home.  Whew.  Will has finally gotten the hang of a two wheeler.  He just needs to tweak his starts and stops. 

Then we headed to the ridge to swim with friends, eat their delicious food and enjoy conversation as the children watched video.  Here's a picture of Will living it up in the pool.  

He looks pretty happy, doesn't he? 

On Sunday we traveled to Pittsburgh to watch the Pirate game.  We had great seats and I felt like I was a competitor in the pierogie race!  Okay, maybe not.  It is fun to sit in those baseball stadiums and cheer on a team (even if technically you don't really follow them or watch them ever).  

Since today is Labor Day, Kevin and I worked our butts off (mine is still sore from biking!) trying to get the house organized and clean.  Gheez!  House keeping bores me to tears.  However, I am happy to report I can access my sewing machine and hope to work on few projects in the next few days.  

The house is pretty quiet most days as all three boys are in school.  I have spent my days cleaning the carpets, organizing the house and knitting.    I am scheduled to sub my first day in Kindergarten on Friday.  I am still getting the hang of the sub alert system.  I seem not to have a trigger finger quick enough because I hear the alert and check my phone.....and missed it.  Oh well,  I will figure it out in time I suppose.  

Science...It's just fun.

I was too chicken to take college in science.  I thought I didn't have the smarts.  Therefore when I went back to graduate school, it was necessary for me to take undergraduate biology.  Surprise surprise...I loved it! 

Our boys are interested in how things work, so we try to spark their curiosity when possible. 

Last week we did a few science experiments from our summer science kits.

 

Yes, I do have a video.  No, I do not know how to get it to work on the post.  Yes, I do need a tutorial. 

Science.......cool stuff.

List titled "Maxwell Summer 2014"

Kevin presented this at supper the other night of all the activities we did this past summer.  
The list includes, but it not limited to......

2 hotel trips to Dover and cousins
Millersburg Day Trip
Wooster reunion - hotel with Grandma and Grandpa
Basketball camp (Ethan and Ben)
Amos Lee concert (Kevin and Sally)
Lowes Build and Grow (Will)
VBS
Knitting classes (Mommy)
3 Little Lake Theater plays (James and the Giant Peach, Cat in the Hat, Charlotte's Web)
2000 Mile Road Trip
-State College: Cousin Garrett
-NJ:Haiduc Dales swim and play
-PA: James, Colman, Thomas (Ringing Rocks)
-DC: hotel, monuments and museum
-NC: hotel, July 4th party at Uncle's
-NC:Beach
Kindergarten program - (Will )
Lego Camp- (Ethan and Ben)
Swimming Lessons
Nickel Creek concert (Sally and Kevin)
Dinosaur Show
Visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house
E, B, and K Birthdays
Ohio Wolf Creek Lodge and visit friends
Swimming at Martins
Bowling
Drive In Movie


Wow. 

Hopefully some memories were made and a good time was had by all. 

Thanks for the list, Kev-bo!

First Day of School 2014

Today is an important day!

First, it is the 52nd anniversary of my favorite couple, Dick and Rosie, who deserve nothing but happiness and kindness from everyone for today and everyday.  We, Pennsylvania Maxwells, love you! 

Second, it is the first day of school for all 4 of my men.  The tumbleweeds are blowing through the house today.  (Or maybe that is the giant dust bunnies.)

 

 

Here is a picture that Kevin snapped in front of the school this morning.  The hardest part was having to get up at 6:30!  Will asked at breakfast, "Is my school going to start this early again tomorrow?"  Then as I kissed him good bye he said, "I am really excited for kindergarten." 

Ben was up, breakfasted, dressed, brushed, hair combed and ready to go by 7:00.  Hopefully that momentum will continue for the next 179 days.

Ethan had some early morning jitters, but then bounced back due to Kevin's fatherly pep talk.  I am not sure what encouraging words were said, but he was bright eyed and bushy tailed for the rest of the morning.

I had my moments of being teary-eyed because lo and behold my children are growing up right in front of my eyes.  Also these life marking moments make me miss my mom too.

I wouldn't trade my three fellas for all the tea in China. 

Therapy 101

Sometimes I feel totally unequipped to deal with the ugly parts of life....conflict, sadness, anger.  I wonder how to repair the missing steps on the ladder of my emotional development.

Understanding emotions is what you learn as a child, unless your Mom doesn't show much emotion.  I can count on one hand how many times I have seen my Mom cry or really angry.  She pushed it way, way down because that is what she learned from her parents.  If you don't talk about it then it will go away.  Only it doesn't.  So I have been struggling to figure it out on my own as an adult.

You aren't a good girl if you don't accept what others say with a smile.  You are seen as "crazy" and "irrational" and the "one who is itchin' for a fight."  Unfortunately no one will say any of that to you face because we were never taught how to face it head on, no emotion and in a calm manner.  We were only taught to keep it in and push it down until one day we blow up and bring up things from 20 years ago.  Things that were never discussed. This fosters resentment and hard feelings that quite possibly will never get resolved.

I try to teach my sons how to express what they are feeling but it is challenging. especially because sometimes we aren't sure what we are feeling.  Why are we really mad at the situation? 

I feel like typically I am a relatively calm and forgiving person, and yet I am unable to maintain this with my siblings.  Is it the history?  Is it because we are such a large family that it is hard to find a place to fit in?  I don't know.  It's both sad, angry and frustrating. 

Therapy session ended. 

Vacation 2014 a/k/a 1,800 miles added to the van



Our vacation began with an overnight visit with cousin extraordinaire, Garrett, in State College, PA.  Holy Smokes, it is beautiful around that area!  I would not have traded my College of Wooster experience, but I must admit I was envisioning what life might have been like had I attended Penn State University.  It was fun to walk around, eat creamery ice cream and try to picture my Dad stomping on the same spots.  Thanks Garrett!

Will is holding the kid sized cone.  Exactly how big are the kids in central PA?

 

Next we traveled across PA to visit good pals in New Jersey.  Will loved every minute he played with best pal, Ethan.  This is also home of the M & M company, so we HAD to snap a shot.



From there we drove back to visit two of my brothers and their families in Newtown, PA.  We visited a local county park called ringing rocks where the kids could pound on the rocks to make a ringing sound like a bell.  Pretty cool! Scientist, Kevin Maxwell, has the particular scientific reason for their ringing.  My observation, "Those sure do sound purdy."

On to the nation's capital, also known as one of the hottest place I have ever been.  Of course this was due in part to walking all over God's half-acre with a 40 pound 5 year old on my back.  Guess who has two thumbs and forgot the stroller?  The boys especially loved riding the metro and seeing "real spaceships" at the Air and Space Museum.

This is a picture of our fingers after we touched a moon rock.  These fingers, my friends, have been pow! straight to the moon!

Onward ho, through the brutal creeping traffic of I-95 to Raleigh, NC to visit family for their annual 4th of July party.  Nothing sweeter than cousins!


We traveled next to the outer banks to see the Wright Brothers' exhibit in Kitty Hawk and experienced the most beautiful day I have ever seen.  It was sunny and in the low 80's at the beach!  We were thrilled that Arthur had hit land earlier and provided us with such great weather.
 
At Jockey's Ridge State Park the boys enjoyed climbing, running and jumping over the sand dunes that seemed to go on forever.  "I feel like I am in the desert," said Ethan.

We stayed in Corolla, a northern tip of the OBX.  Of course a trip to the beach wouldn't be complete without a trek up the steps of a light house.  This year Will wanted to go and made it up every one of the 300 steps.  Whew!



"Are we beach people?" Kevin asked.  My reply, "I don't know.  I think we could be."

 

 

Artsy

Here are a couple samples of art projects that Ethan and Ben did in school this year.  The art program does some really cool things, including Art Day where students spend the entire day rotating through grade themed centers.  This year Second Grade theme was Rainforest and Fourth Grade was Egyptian Art.  Will and I volunteered for half the day and had a great time. 

To Kimba Lou

Dearest long lost west coast friend.....

Remember that hat pattern and yarn you sent me for my birthday two, count them, two years ago?????  Well, technically one and a half.  (I sound more productive that way.)  

I made it!  What? Yes!

(Now you say....You go girl!  Wow I am impressed.  It was worth the wait.)  

To which I simply and humbly reply, "Thank you."

COW reunion

We don't need to mention the number of the reunion.  It sure was fun.  Special shout out to Grandma and Grandpa for hanging back at the hotel with the boys.  It made it a lot easier to visit with people whom we haven't seen for many a year.  Unfortunately.  It is always fun to be at Wooster and especially fun when college friends are there too! 

Where's Rosie?