Get up, get out and play

 Oh boy. My blog app is not working well.  Let me see if I can make any sense out of this at all.  We got up early this morning because we are trying to sell Quincy’s old van, and we thought people were coming to look at it. They didn’t show up.   Jim is sad about it, he has the van on his Facebook marketplace and the amount of questions has been crazy.  He’s ready to be done with it.   

Jim took Saige to her 2 basketball games and ran a couple of errands for me.  Her team lost both games. Next week, they have their season end tournament and then we are finished with her basketball season.  I’d be lying if I said I was sad about it ending.  But mostly because ending winter sports always makes me happy.  I am ready for spring!   

This evening, Jim and the kids hung out at home, I drove the high school girls basketball team to their game.  The girls who play varsity are the ones who used to play on a team with Quincy.  It is fun to watch them play.  I don’t exactly miss the high school season with their billion games, but I had been meaning to go watch a game and I was happy to get paid to do so!  

Colin and Cameron spent the last couple of days in Murray, KY.  Murray state is one of the colleges Cameron is considering for his Master’s program.  He had an interview and they spent some time together.  It makes my heart happy that they like hanging out together.  

Some Kansas sports page had some awesome photos of Quincy’s championship match from last week.  It is my understanding that 6 boys from her team qualified for state today.  Twelve kids going to state is incredible!   I’m so proud of all of them.  They have worked really hard this season.  

The kids are enjoying the snow.  I can’t say the same.  I found some seeds and potting soil.  Is it too soon to start the garden?   

More snow days

Wednesday evening, before I even got home from driving the bus, I had a text that school would be out on Thursday due to the potential winter storm that was coming in.  Since, at that time, it was literally 60 degrees, and I was driving with my window cracked, enjoying the fresh air, I kind of laughed about it.  Saige, Harper and I went over to our Religion Ed class.  I literally had to carry a boy to his class because he was having a fit, we had one that refused to move from a bench in the back of the church, where I teach my class (the Scranton church is still being built, so the classroom spaces have been created by utilizing the vestibule, kitchen, back of the sanctuary, and the choir loft).  The kids were absolutely bonkers, so I was sure the weather was going to change.  When we came out, the wind was whipping from the north and the temperature had dropped about 40 degrees.  Around 3:30 am, I woke up to Ollie growling at the door in our bedroom.  Not the best feeling in the world, but I soon realized he was growling at the sleet hitting the door.  Sleet turned to snow, and the wind was still whipping creating pretty big drifts.  Jim went to work, but the rest of us stayed home.  Jim said he had to utilize the 4 wheel drive to get to town.  I am glad that I made him buy that Nissan with 4 wheel!  :)  The kids and I had a relaxed day of hanging out.  Landrie spent the night with Quincy, and so I had an extra kid around.  The good news is that Landrie is always happy to eat the foods I cook and is even complimentary.  I made a big pot of chicken tortellini soup.  My kids were less than impressed, but Landrie thought it was great.  Or at least she said she liked it!  :)  Quincy and Landrie never lack for entertainment.  Yesterday, they spent a bunch of time creating a marble racing maze out of all the cardboard they could find.  They were "holding feet" instead of hands.  They were full of randomness.  At one point, they were also facetiming some wrestling kids that Quincy has met this year and including them in their randomness.  At least they weren't asking me for things to do.  :)  

Last night, the district once again called off school for today.  Jim and I both had to work today, and I think it was the right decision, as the roads are not good.  The kids are happy since they already have a scheduled day off on Monday, they get a 5-day weekend.  It is the little things that make them the happiest.  Personally, I am hoping that the 7-8 inches of snow we got will be completely gone by Monday, so I don't have to deal with it next week while driving the bus!  

Expensive smile club

Harper hates having her picture taken.  She especially hates it if I try to get her to smile.  But today, I forced the issue because I told her I wanted “before” pictures so I can see the progress that my money is buying!   She humored me.  Sort of.   She told me she was annoyed.   I told her cha Ching - she let me take a couple of pictures.  

She got to pick the style of braces that she wanted.  Got to pick the color for the brackets.  She got the top teeth braces today and will get bottoms next week.  She doesn’t like her teeth currently, and so she was happy to get this started.  She was even chatty about it.   We had to run to Walmart afterward to get her supplies- mouth washes and floss picks.  She also helped me pick out some stuff for Quincy’s wrestling team’s goody bags.  It took a lot longer than I was planning and she wasn’t happy about being out of school for so long.   When you live 30 minutes from town, and gas is over $3 a gallon,  you have to take care of stuff while you’re there.   

I did crack up when we were loading the car and I said “that cost a lot more than I was planning!” Harper retorted “would have been more if you bought all the stuff Evelyn asked for!”   She’s not wrong. 

We got our hotel reserved and tickets purchased for state wrestling next week.  I’m happy that it isn’t this week, as the weather looks like it’s going to get bad again.  I’m actually keeping my fingers crossed that they messed up the forecast!   

Super bowl Sunday

Nobody here had any real cares about who won the super bowl, however we all love having a reason to have snacks for dinner!   Andrew smoked ribs, Madison and I tried out an air fryer wing recipe, Mallory made bacon and ranch roll ups.  We had all the standard nachos and baked goods.   The half time show was good, the commercials left a little to be desired.  Having a night with some of the kids home was fun.   I don’t love professional football, but super bowl is a holiday,  right?  

Spencer sent me this cute and hilarious picture of Colin and Volt.  It cracks me up because I think Volt was probably truly not happy about it. Colin better sleep with one eye open.  

The upcoming week is a crazy one.  I am trying to enjoy the last few minutes we have left of the weekend!   

Our Saturday

Yesterday, Saige had a game at SFT, and Quincy had regional wrestling at Baldwin.  Jim covered wrestling while I was on basketball duty.  Saige’s team is learning.  If she was in college, this would be called a “rebuilding” year.   They lost 2-34 and the 2 points were accidentally made by the other team shooting into the wrong goal.  We are still counting it.   It sounds bad, but honesty, they are improving.  They just don’t shoot very often.  Or ever really.   But their dribbling is on point.  And Saige had a rebound and caused 2 jump balls, she got the box of chocolates for being MVP.   It’s all about learning the game.  Someday, it will come together for them.  

I was especially amused by Evie yelling “go Saigie go- get the ball” when Saige was on the bench.  ;)  number one fan! 

Quincy had an amazing day yesterday.  She pinned every one of her opponents.  She beat a girl who was extremely good.  She took first at regionals for a ticket to the state tournament.  Even more awesome, her team took 2nd at regionals. They wrestled with 7 wrestlers - meaning they did not have a wrestler in every weight class, and still took 2nd place!    They had 6 of the 7 wrestlers advance to state.   It was a great day for Trail girl’s wrestling!   I am so proud of all of them.  This is a neat group of girls.  And I would not be doing it justice if I didn’t say they have an amazing group of coaches as well.  I’m so excited to go watch them at state!   It’s going to be fun!   

The one where Mallory and Madison turn 26.

These girls of mine, the ones who first made me a mom.  The ones who tricked me into thinking being a mom was easy, because they have always been rule following, compliant, polite, sweet girls, turned 26 today.  I couldn’t be prouder of them.  They are rocking the adult life. They are self-sufficient, smart and independent. Seriously, they are amazing women and I just watch them and smile. I am blessed that they both live close and hang out around here often.  I wouldn’t want it any other way!  

Mallory is living her dream.  In a time where teaching is incredibly difficult, she is such an amazing teacher.  

Madison is working doing what she loves too, feeding people.  And she also keeps up with her family.   

We are very blessed to have them as our daughters!  Love you both so much!  

Other goings on - Saige asked for a basketball goal.  Preston seconded her request.  Daddy is a sucker.  Basketball goal was delivered, Preston and Quincy set it up.  Saige is incredibly happy.  Preston has been “helping” her practice, although I sort of feel like he is taking advantage of her team’s goal height of 8 feet.  I am happy that they are playing outside!   Always good to get some fresh air.  

We had a 4-H meeting Monday.  Harper was on the program, but really wasn’t wanting to give a talk.  Quincy literally said “if you shut up, I will do it for you!”   And she did.   She gave a very good talk about raising meat chickens.  I was pretty proud of her.  Harper can take Quincy’s turn in a couple months.  

Tonight was league wrestling for the girls.  Jim went to watch.  Quincy’s team took second place, and Quincy took second place in her weight class.  Not too shabby!  I am very proud of these girls.  So much work, practice, time, energy and effort has gone into this.  On to  regionals!