Budding Artists

 

Addysen and Cannon both had artwork selected to be on display during the district artshow. Unfortunately, they weren't displayed at the same place, so one night, we trekked to the library, and then to the mall. It was a fun little excursion and I'm trying not to count how often we've found ourselves eating at the mall, or at Costco, or in the car lately. We'll just focus on the art!

Showers Are So Overrated

Arguably, if I believed in jinxes, I might think I did this to myself. Just last night at Enrichment, some friends and I were discussing how hard it is to leave our kids alone while we shower. Of course, we recognize the extreme need for sanitation (and escape!), yet the thought of what can happen to our homes (translation = walls, carpets, curtains, couches, etc) or worse yet, our children, in the few minutes it takes to shower makes one question the true necessity of getting clean.

During the conversation, I think I said something to the effect of, "Brynnley can usually be trusted while I shower, but Kenzie is another story."

Clearly, I spoke too soon. 

Today, for reason's unknown to anyone, Brynnley came inside during the 10 minutes I was upstairs, and cut her hair -- AGAIN.

She is 41/2 years old and has never had an official haircut. However, today's episode constitutes the 3rd time scissors have come in contact with her tresses. YES -- the third time.

The first time was after she got blue silly putty stuck in her golden locks.

The second time was in the Fall -- about 1 week prior to her preschool pictures. She claimed she didn't like her bangs always being in her face. (Don't ask how many times I've tried to keep those same bangs out of her face by putting in clips, barretts or rubberbands!)

Which leads us to the today -- the third time. 

For a girl who claims to LOVE* LOVE* LOVE* how long and beautiful her hair is getting -- there seems to be no explanation.

For the record....she is grounded from using scissors.

But, given that one of the Enrichment topics last night was to try and maintain a positive attitude...here's my spin...at least it was the other side of her head this time. How's that for positive?

Oh yeah...in case my sanitary habits start to slide, you'll know it's because, in the interest of my children's safety, I've given up showers.

Mother of the Year? Not Likely

It's 9:30 on Friday evening. I am in my pj's and Greg is at work. I'm finally to the point where I can sit down and watch tv for a few minutes. (I usually use folding laundry as my excuse...but tonight, I'm not even doing that.) 

Of course, with technology these days, a person can't even watch tv without the remote control...and I can't find it....anywhere. For whatever reason, one remote controls the tv in the family room and the tv in the basement. I'm sure it has something to do with the satellite -- but that is a rant for another day.

I searched and searched...remembering that Cannon tried to sneak downstairs and watch tv as soon as he walked in the door from school. Again, a rant for another day. (Yes, clearly I am one ranting lady.) I didn't WANT to wake him up...but after looking for 10 minutes to no avail, I did what any-desperately-tired-not-quite-ready-for-bed- mother would do. I woke up my sleeping child to ask what he had done with the remote.

Cannon doesn't wake easily...so the conversation went like this:

Me: Where is the remote?

Cannon: What remote?

Me: The one for the tv...the one you had after school.

Cannon: What? Why are you asking me these things?

Me: Because I want to watch tv and can't find the remote.

Cannon: What's the big deal?

Me: I want to watch tv and can't find the remote. You had it after school. Where did you put it?

Cannon: What? What are you talking about? What is a remote? (This from the tv-junkie himself.)

Me: (Trying to be patient with his-nowhere-near-awake-little-self) Cannon, where is the remote? What did you do with it? I've looked and can't find it.

Cannon: You aren't making sense. What are you talking about?

Me: The remote for the tv. Where is it?

Cannon: Behind the beanbag in the basement.

Me: Ok - go back to sleep.

Seriously, did he hide it there when he was mad that I told him he wasn't allowed to watch? It's just a good thing I ignored my conscience and woke my sleeping child. I would have never thought to look behind the beanbag. 

But hey, this was important, right? Afterall, I have season finale's DVR'd and calling my name. What else could I ask for on a Friday night?

They Came Back

We have been Ohio residents for many years now. Throughout this time, we've met some incredible people. Unfortunately for us, many of them have been in Cleveland as students, and therefore, upon graduation day....they move away.

Of course, they all say how much they love Cleveland (seriously, who doesn't love 9 months of winter?) and how much they want to return some day. Some even promise. Oh...the "someday" promises. I won't name names, for fear of missing someone, but I can count...ON ONE HAND...how many of our dear friends have actually returned to visit. (You know who you are.) For the rest, we'll wait for "someday."

But, last weekend, Klint and Betsy returned! When she emailed to let me know they were coming, I literally couldn't sleep. I was SO excited. I truly didn't understand why Cannon acted as though he didn't remember them...until it was pointed out that they left 6 years ago...and he was not-quite-2 at the time. OK.

Despite visiting late into the evening, the hours were too short. We picked up right where we left off and had so much fun. Being the fine hostess that I am...I offered them pizza and chocolate chip cookies for dinner -- is it any wonder that our friends don't come to visit? Really...such service. Thankfully for me, they were forgiving of the fact that it had been a rough day...and I am no Martha Stewart.

If I can track down the video of the ward talent show where we all performed "Lord of the Dance," I will do so. You probably had to be there to appreciate it....but it's symbolic of the friendship. I just hope another 6 years doesn't pass before we meet again!

PS - for all of you who have graduated and moved on...or simply moved on...with promises to return...our door is always open...and we'll even order pizza!

Just Too Tired

Flashback Friday

In honor of the CAVS game 5 tonight vs. Boston, we took a little trip down memory lane. When Kenzie was less than 2 months old, Greg performed the Honor Guard at game 6 of the playoffs vs. Detroit. Unfortunately, they lost the game by 2, but it was incredible to be there and to WITNESS.

This Is Why I Need Maid Service

I'm not laughing about this...yet. But hey, if it helps you have a good day....

Given that we have out of town friends visiting this weekend, I thought it might be a good idea to clear a path through the war-zone, otherwise known as our house. I was wrong. Clearing one path only makes way for more disaster. Clearly, Kenzie had other ideas regarding how to prepare for our guests. 

The pictures say it all.

In Memory Of...

Today is the Police Officer Memorial Parade. Greg went, in full dress uniform, to represent his department as a member of the Honor Guard, and to honor those brave men and women killed in the line of duty. This year will likely be particularly memorable, as it was 1 year ago this month, that Greg's friend, and fellow police officer, Jason West, was killed in the line of duty. He will be memorialized at the services.
I will never forget the moment that phone call came and the look on Greg's face. Despite the fact that he had just finished a particularly long shift, he rushed down to the hospital to wait, with dozens of other officers, friends and family. His voice broke when he called a short time later and said, "Jason didn't make it."
***********************


Officer Jason West
Cleveland Heights Police Department
Ohio
End of Watch: Saturday, May 26, 2007

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: 332

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, May 25, 2007
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: In custody

Officer West was shot and killed at a disturbance.

Officer West responded to a disturbance call on Altamont Avenue, near South Taylor Road. A fight over a woman had broken out at a large party at the location. Police dispatchers assigned three cruisers to the disturbance. Officer West pulled down Altamont Avenue going east, followed by another cruiser.

A third cruiser pulled down Altamont Avenue, traveling west. The suspect was in a car parked on Altamont, facing westbound. As Officer West approached in his cruiser, the suspect backed his car into the driveway. Officer West pulled his cruiser in front of the car, blocking it. When Officer West stepped out of his cruiser, the suspect opened fire at him from inside the parked car. The suspect then exited the car and continued to shoot Officer West at close range, striking him in the leg and face.

The suspect fled north to Beechwood Avenue and ditched his gun in a neighboring driveway before breaking into a woman's house. The woman fled the house and was not harmed. Officers found the suspect hiding on the second floor and took him into custody.

Officer West was transported to Huron Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

Four years prior to this incident the suspect had told his family that he wanted to kill a police officer. He then went out and threw a brick at a police cruiser and assaulted an officer. He was later convicted of that crime and sentenced to probation.

Officer West had served with the Cleveland Heights Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his parents and sister.

****************************

MAY 2007:

“O say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave,
‘Ore the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

The wind was extremely strong in Cleveland Heights today.
And, has been my routine almost every day in the nearly two weeks since Jason died; I’ve watched the flag in fascination.

From the elliptical machine at Bally’s, my view of City Hall is unobstructed. Across the parking lot, just above the tips of the leafy treetops, I see it – stars and stripes flying proud – at half-mast.

Officer Jason West was gunned down in the line of duty while responding to a call just after 10pm on Friday, May 25th. It’s likely, and sadly fortunate, that Jason never even knew what him. Several bullets, fired from close range, hit him multiple times in the face and leg as he exited his police cruiser. With his gun still secured in its holster, Jason was likely dead before he even hit the ground.

Symbolic in so many ways, Old Glory seemed to be particularly struggling today. She tried to stay tall and straight, despite the elements whipping against her. As I watched a CHPD cruiser pull into the station, I couldn’t help but reflect on how Jason’s family, friends and fellow officers have struggled these past two weeks.

As the wife of an officer who was close friends with Jason, I’ve experienced the impact of these senseless events first-hand.

As I’ve attended memorial services, candlelight vigils and the funeral, my thoughts have been both profound and strangely random.

Would Jason have CAVS fever – now that Cleveland won the Eastern Conference? After all, the CAVs are playing in the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history.

What songs would Greg want sung at his funeral, should that horrible day ever arrive? We better be prepared.

If the news cameras catch me in the crowd, will the tear-stains down my face be obvious?

The kids need to attend the candlelight vigil so they can have some comprehension of why we keep talking about daddy’s friend who died.

While I have stopped planning Greg’s funeral on a daily basis, the reality continues to set in.

The news has already stopped running stories about a Fallen Hero. Eventually, the flowers will fade and the beautiful spring blossoms, marred by this tragedy, will eventually turn to cold, gray snowflakes.
Eventually, even the flag outside City Hall will be returned to its full height.

Will we forget? How can we possibly forget? Or perhaps more importantly, how will we continue to remember?

Just as the flag, representative of so much, persevered against the wind, we will remember.

We are forever changed.
Jason’s sacrifice will not be in vain.

“O say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave,
‘Ore the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Breakfast In Bed

Despite the fact that Greg left for work at 1:30am, I still managed to get breakfast in bed on Mother's Day. I was truly surprised when the light came on. I groggily opened my eyes and tried to focus as Addysen and Cannon walked in carrying waffles, toast and hot chocolate. Brynnley and Kenzie weren't far behind with a basket full of napkins, cards, spray butter, syrup, a fork and a plastic bug and marble (Brynnley's contribution). It was very sweet and when I think back on this day, I am going to try really hard to only remember breakfast....and not the dozens of fights that ensued throughout the rest of the day!

Mother's Day Gifts

 


Cannon has been SO excited about the Mother's Day gift he was making at school. All week we heard about memory boxes and that he needed a jar and "broken pieces of jewelry." Being the stellar mother that I am, I was not at all interested in making a separate trip to the store for a jar. So, we took the last few pretzels out of the big plastic Costco container and off he went to school.

He came home with his present yesterday -- nearly bursting with excitement. He spent a long time (and has since pointed out again and again) telling me about each piece he put on the jar and what it meant, etc. He's very proud of his efforts and of course, I love it.

I think my favorite though, is the note he put inside. It reads, "Dear Mom, Thank you for all the things you do for me. I love you so much, Mom. When Mother's Day comes up, I will ask Dad to make you breakfast in bed."

Gotta love 'em.

DMV/BMV - What A Joke

Apparently, I am superstitious. I've wanted to rant about the Ohio BMV (make no mistake, it is the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, NOT the Department of Motor Vehicles) for days...but since I was driving illegally, I decided I better hold off.

Clearly, I must think that the highway patrol and fine law enforcement officers of this fair state are going to surf through cyberspace, come across my ramblings, and then search out my unregistered automobile. Yeah. Like that is likely. The only law enforcement officer who MAY come across my diatribe is the one who lives in my house. And, since A) he's too busy working and B) he doesn't actually read this blog and C) he's partially to blame for my lawlessness, the likelihood of that happening is really quite non-existent.

Nevertheless, now that I am legal again (and happily cruising 5-10 miles over the speed-limit), I will voice my frustration.

Our car registrations expired on Greg's birthday - April 29th. Granted, they send the renewal forms in advance. And, if I could have found them in the piles of paperwork on my kitchen counter, this headache might have been avoided. But, the date came and went...and we didn't renew our registrations 

Of course, Greg doesn't seem to feel the same sense of urgency about these matters. Although I could be wrong, I think it has something to do with that silver badge he carries in his wallet. (in reality, he's been working nonstop - perhaps averaging 4-5 hours of sleep at night - so I will cut him some slack). 

Anyway, the day after his birthday, Greg tried to register the cars. But, they informed him that both vehicles were due for an e-check. That was on Wednesday. Greg worked all day Thursday and Friday -- so Saturday, during our 1 hour break between soccer games, in the pouring rain, we ventured to the e-check station. 

If you've never done this...you should try it. This is a fun experience. You have to unload all passengers from the car, open the gas cap and wait while your car is subjected to a battery of tests. Our poor car has never been the same since our accident last year (due mostly to the fact that we needed the insurance money for groceries - -rather than a new bumper). It failed the test. Something to do with no pressurization on the gas cap.

Thankfully, Napa Auto parts was around the corner, we bought a new gas cap and returned to the e-check station. Greg took Cannon and proceeded to the BMV - -for fear of being late to the soccer game.

Upon arriving at the BMV, the girls and I were happy to discover we could stand in the express line. Quickly, I handed her the e-check paper and my debit card. Unfortunately, I was told that I could not register the car because I did not have power of attorney papers for Greg...nor do they accept debit cards - CASH OR CHECK ONLY.

I calmly explained that I simply wanted to pay for the registration -- that I normally send in a check, or pay online. I also informed her that Greg had been there 15 minutes previously, registering the other car. The woman was not impressed with my plea. She simply looked at me and said, "Robert (Greg's first name) must return himself, or you must bring power of attorney papers back. NEXT." *#$%*%#!@@...

So, because it was Greg's long week - -I drove around paranoid all week long. (His long week entails working from 6am-6pm and you can bet the BMV doesn't keep those kind of hours!) I prefer to be on the right side of the law. I would make a terrible criminal as I feel entirely too guilty!

Finally, on Thursday, I attempted to take matters into my own hands and tried to register online. I got Greg's license information and proceeded -- without any complications whatsoever. I stopped just short of clicking the "PAY" button because Greg had said he would try to stop by there on his way to working on our rental properties. It's a good thing I stopped, because he had been able to get to the BMV. 

Go figure. Online, they didn't need the e-check. They would have taken my credit card information. In fact, they would have even let me pay TWICE...since Greg had already paid. But...in person, they would only allow Greg to do it, with the e-check verification, and with cash.

How do these people justify their existence? And with gas nearing $4 a gallon - -do I really need to spend all of my time driving back and forth to the BMV?

C'mon.

Hmmm?

Perhaps we need to revisit how to use silverware.

This Is How We Party

We went to Kerr's last night for cake and pizza -- celebrating Greg's birthday.
You can see that the cake and ice cream was a great (MESSY) hit...especially with Kenzie and Nolan.
What started as a "let's-wash-your-face-and-hands-in-the-hose,-yes-you-can-have-a-drink," quickly turned into "Water Limbo" and the first water fight of the season.
Given that it was only 70+ degrees and dark, the water was a bit chilly. (Or so I gathered from the screaming children. I didn't actually get close enough to test it out.) But, that didn't stop the kids (and grandpa) from having a blast.
Kenzie's opinion of water limbo quickly turned negative when, rather than going UNDER the hose, she stood up INTO the stream of water.