A Time for Everything

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose....and dear reader, it is time for this blog to come to an end.  Although the early incarnations of this idea had a couple iterations on other formats, this blog eventually fit my purpose: make sure the grandparents can follow the kids' growth and activities.  The kids were young, their grandparents were far away, and I knew I wanted to share their pictures and fun stories with everyone.  I think even early on I realized the crazy demands on raising children can so easily allow the funny moments to get lost, that I wanted a repository for later.  For when they were all gone from the house.  A vault for anecdotes that can too easily get lost in the busier times and stresses of a young family, and even more so as a family grows.  I know too that long ago this format became an enjoyable project for me.  It was my diary of a time raising kids, the adventures we were having, and often time a place that allowed me to travel back in time on the days that we can all use a positive reminder of what is good, what is important.  

As I look now this will by the 478 entry, it will fill 5-6 volumes of hard cover books in our living room and likely be just shy of 2000 pages.  When it started there were few self imposed rules:  outside activity, kid centered, try to have a picture and anecdote worth saving.  The entries contained tid-bits on the weather, what we were eating, and other minutiae.  It is my project, so often there are hidden phrases, word choices, or imagery that are meant to invoke my memory. There are layers of emotions in these volumes.  As the kids grew my entries changed a bit, but the importance did not. 

Amy mentioned a few days ago that we aren't empty-nesters so much as nestling launchers, that is a good state of mind and point a view.  A positive spin on what can otherwise be a sad milestone in parenting. About a year ago it occurred to me that Graces' College move in day would be the appropriate ending for this project.   This kids are all adults now, we will still parent them as much as every, albeit differently, and I am happy knowing they are happy and all have pretty good relationships with us, and great ones with their grandparents. 

Thank you kids for making this all possible, teaching me emotional depths of pride and love that I did not know were possible.  I love you all very much and am so proud of what all of you have and will accomplish.

The launch

We took Thursday off work, loaded up both cars due to the pending storms and moved Grace into Lax.  I think it was easily the hottest dorm move in we have ever had and I know it was certainly the most humid.  We carried the boxes, totes, and bags into the building and up the stairs but honestly the air was almost thick enough to have just floated the cargo.  Grace and her roommate have been planning out their space for the past few months, but that is different than working around all the boxes in the 8x8 space...or at least it takes some time to get move from the plan to implementation.  But in the end Grace had the mirror and calendar hung, clothes in the drawers and closets, and the beginnings of nice 'living space' under her lofted bed; complete with a nearly wall to wall rug that finessed under the beds and dressers. Her Coach new she was moving in and he and the new assistant made a point of stopping by and checking in on her.  Amy and I met them on the stairs after our final load and we all had a nice chat about the team and team dynamics he is trying to build.  We did also notice all the activities posted around the Residence hall to get the students to mingle, one of which is eating Benny & Jerrys (BJs) in your pajamas (PJs).  Things change.  Grace's dorm was super cute and she I can see her making if feel like home.  I get my photo set up nice and high on her book shelf as she set up her make up area and she was kind enough to leave it in place while I was there.  We hit Howie's for a late lunch and target for last minute items...along with all of the other UW-LaX families.  Coincidently bumping into Merrick while we were there.  We put the finishing steps on her room and then walked outside for a final hug and photo next to the Resident hall sign.  We were doing so well up to then, emotions were in check, but the finality of the pending goodbye is always hard.  Parenting is the only relationship that if you do it correctly means they ultimately leave you and all of these emotions of pride, joy, sadness have a tendency to leak out of your face on a very hot, humid day on the sidewalk in front of Angel hall.  We stopped by Merrick's apartment to drop of his golf clubs, get a quick update on his new job, and a hug before making the long ride home where Grace's car was still parked in the street and the sugary vanilla smell of her still lingered upstairs; while she was laughing with friends both old and new as she checked on the campus and her newly adopted city.  She even followed tradition and sent us a first day of school picture before leaving her dorm, new home, launching pad for more greatness.

August and Everything after...

It is August and our time with the kids is both precious and limited as they spread out.  Sophia has stated a teaching program to add to her degree and make her more financially mobile at her job.  She is working her Grad school Applications for Social work.  Grace is slowly packing up to leave for University.  She did have an issue transferring one of her transcripts as the high school had attributed the work to a similarly named underclassman, but it all worked out in the end.  Merrick has moved his stuff back to his apartment in Lacrosse and has a job at Best Buy locked up for the start of the school year.  He says the the apartment is unpacked...but might need something for the walls. His first day was a "complete disaster" as he called it when the secondary authentications were all fouled up; but he was able to get it taken care of the next day.  Ella headed out  with a car load of clothes to start her new job in Antigo.  She woke up, put on a nice top for her interview and was offered the job on the spot...they did not see her mismatch pajama bottoms on the screen, sadly no pictures exist of this job winning outfit.  She has spent a bunch of time getting her room ready, some of it with the help of Amy and sounds excited when she calls with updates.

June is quick

 Well we have come through another set of milestones.  Grace officially ended her HS Lacrosse career with the annual banquet.  She is a humble leader and even though she walked off stage with all the club records and plenty of hardware she was also aware of her teammates and how to continue to be a team.  She won MVP, and the coaches also broke their own rules of only giving a single award to the players and also gave a leadership award to Grace, as well as her teammate.  Coach John was choked up when he talked about Grace as a leader and why they needed to also give her that award along with the MVP.  Grace and her good heart did not want to diminish the leadership award given to her team mate and did left it at the table when the photos were taken of all the award winners.  She had a big week for awards also walking across the stage at Lambeau for this year's Northeast Wisconsin Sports awards, winning the Player of the Year for women's Lacrosse.  We hosted the families and many many of Grace's friends for her Graduation party.  I did catch Amy, alone, and reflecting on how fast the time goes and the wonderful young lady that Grace has become.  Amy set up a Dirty-Soda bar and it was an absolute hit with the young'uns.  We even had to restock that bar during the party.

Merrick wasn't interested in coming but we did get all the girls back to the winery for the TLR concert.  It was a great show, great location, great company as always.  We all felt that it ended way to early, but that just might have been the psychology of the solstice and sun that was still up as the show drew to a close.  Sophia's birthday found me playing trivia with her and some friends, glad to have been invited.  It was her golden birthday.  She is also looking at starting a teaching program to get certified to teach and I am proud of her work ethic and goals.  Ella celebrated her graduation with trip to Blue Ox for all the music and then she is back to camp for 3 weeks with expected interstitial interviews as she continues to look for a full time teaching position for the fall.  Yesterday Amy and I met up with Merrick on the golf course for a very sweaty par 3 and driving range lessons.  He  is back at work this summer as a lifeguard with Grace; before they both head to UWLaX in what will be few very fast weeks.  

The Last Redbird leaves the Nest

We had a slight delay due to a pop up rain storm on an otherwise glorious evening.  Grace took her walk across the stage and accepted her diploma with all the rights and privileges award unto a graduate. She graduate with honors and her and I stapled her patched onto her National Honor society stole.  Her NHS recognition for hours of service and academic achievements.  Under her stole was a "Mr. T." starter kit of fabric cords of all colors.  The girl has made the most of high school and somehow found time to be involved in almost every activity from Chess club, cheese club, Passion for Paws, Spanish Honors Society, Scrapbooking club....the list literally seemed to grow every day on top of an already busy schedule of work, sports, and jam band.  We have her home for a few more months before she leaves for college in the fall, but her busy schedule has helped us transition into a version of empty nesting.  

"No man is an island" and much like her time in school, this ceremony too was a reminder of how far and wide her support has always been.  Her entourage for this ceremony with us, grandparents, and Ella was scatter across all areas of the packed stadium.  Amy had her covered on the field with high fives on the way to and from the stage, Ron and Jan had her from the field level seats, while Bob and Nancy, Ella and I hollered her name and whistled for her from the top rows of bleachers. An apt metaphor for the support she has always had and helped her reach all the heights she has. To that Grace amassed so many strong and varied friendships.  The ceremony allowed the students considerable time to wander around the field before taking their seats, and with great pride I was able to watch her bounce from pod to pod, gaggle to gaggle, group to group, circle to circle, of various friends spread across the field; smiling for pictures and congratulating each other.  She has grown into such a fine young woman and I know her future is bright as the evenings sunset was beautiful. 

So Many Seniors!

 

Racking up miles and milestones.  Last weekend we drove to La Crosse and back and Eau Claire and back to help move college move out, but this weekend we celebrated the seniors.  Grace played her final regular season game on home turf in front of large audience and cheering crowd. It was senior night and all the seniors showed up to play and easily dominated the game.  After her game Amy and I started a drive back to Eau Claire through the dark and constant construction to be ready for Ella's graduation on Saturday morning.  We are so proud of all she has accomplished and her hard work while at Eau Claire.  We filled the car with another load of her belongings and the accumulations of four years of college into the back of our car and drove back Saturday to meet Grace outside her Senior ball.  Ella stayed behind, to clean and finish her packing.  She openly admits she is dragging her feet about having to leave Eau Claire.  Her 4 years there have been so important to her academically, socially, and transformational as she solidified her core person. Even if you can never step into the same river twice, I know she will wade heart deep into the memories of her experience often for the rest of her life.  Grace too is taking the next steps, leaving behind a high school filled with volunteering, clubs, high academics, and top level athletic performances as she starts to transition out of high school and into the college life that Ella just left behind.  So many seniors taking their next steps, so much parental pride with each step they take.

quite the game

 

Well ultimately the Ghostbirds lost but also completely overperformed and had a nail biting game against the Wausau Wolfpack.  Amy and I did the 5 hours of road time to Wausau and back to cheer as loudly as we could and Grace deservedly was awarded the MVP of the team. It was a record breaking game for her, including a double hat trick for a single game team record of most goals in a game (6), most points in a game (8), most draws won (19), most draw controls (13) as well as chalking up a few personal/career records: most goals (77), most assists (18) and most points (95) and hit the 100 career draw controls milestone.....she was all smiles and bouncing ponytail as she strutted off the field.  Ella and some of her friends made the drive over from EC to help cheer her one....and cheer they did complete with bleacher dances and cheers.  They were slightly delayed to get to the game as they had to stop for a photo shoot of a 'cool barn' at sunset.

Sticks of all kinds

 

From lacrosse sticks to chop sticks we found a simple theme for the weekend.  Grace's HS season opened up with a cold night of play on Friday but ended with some beautiful temperatures for two games on Saturday.  Amy was anointed by the Ghostbird at Friday nights jacket, we never saw it but the coat went straight into the wash when we got home.  I was hoping that it meant she had to lead all the cheers for the season, but I guess our understanding of the omen was different.  Grace racked up some points in all of the games and the team shows promise.  She knows girls on the opposing teams so it is always fun to see their camaraderie off the field and after the games are done. Sunday night was sushi night!  We tried our hand at rolling our own sushi roles and it was certainly fun and clearly easier seen than done.  We filled up fast but definitely plan on doing it again as it seems like a fun group activity and everyone came up with tasty concoctions. Grace was exhausted after the games and work and headed off to get some homework done. Amy, Sophia and I hung out and chatted about 'work' stuff.  It was just a perfect way to end a weekend and Amy and I talked about how cool it could be if as the 'kids' get older,they are able to come for Sunday family meals even just a couple times a month.  As always we will take what we can get, and be happy for the many blessings we have including time with family.

Let them eat Cake!

Signs of spring differ for everyone.  Maybe it is the first robin, rain rather than snow, budding of maple trees...around here it is loads of birthday cake that usher in the changing of the season.  Merrick celebrated his birthday after a ride back home from LaX, but everyone was there to meet us when we arrived.  That first round of cake was a fudgy chocolate tuxedo cake.  We all hung out most of the night and had plenty of laughs.  Friday night we celebrated Grace's 18th and all hit the sushi joint to usher in her adulthood.  Sophia made a quick detour to grab us a vanilla cake on the way home and we all packed in a little more seasonal carb of choice.  Grace had a bunch of friends over on Saturday night for pizza and games.... and there was a vanilla cheesecake that need our attention.  Sunday I drove Merrick home, but Grace was ready to make a coconut cream pie for me when I got back and all the girls were able to be there for some tacos and yes...birthday pie, just to mix it up a little.  Today looking forward to some nachos and  plenty of left over cake as spring is coaxed into being.

Snowmageddon 2026!!

 
Well it had been forecasted for nearly a week before it arrived with predicted snow totals around 30" in our area.  I think we ended up with about 27 inches of fresh snow, and drifts to my thighs with plow marks over my shoulders...it was great! Amy and I had went out to eat on Friday and hit the grocery store for snow day supplies on the way home...essentially mimosas and big breakfasts. Ella had spring break at all of her schools, both college and high school placement so she made the drive home arriving on Saturday just in front of the pending front.  Sophia was already there and the chili was filling the house with the smells of a proper heavy snow day. We played a fun game with our phones on the TV that essentially just picks on each other like a Livingroom random roast. Sophia was going to spend the night, but her boyfriend's plans changed last minute and she headed off to see him with plans of coming back for brunch...the snow storm made other plans and Sunday and Monday had us all hunkered down.  We cooked, snowblowed, lounged, read, puzzled and fed the spring migrating birds that were looking worse for wear.  Sunday morning had about a foot of snow piled up against the garage service door.  Both the dogs looked at it, looked at me, and then went back in the house until I could clear some paths for them.  School was called off by Sunday afternoon, a simple joy that never gets old.  We were all a little shocked and surprised when it was also called off for Tuesday...but it was with good reason. The roads were horrible with several inches of hard packed snow/ice; the warm spring sun helping to create a glare sheet where the only deviations were tire popping potholes.  Merrick came over Tuesday evening for a big butter chicken dinner and then we played a mini round robin chess tournament.  The kids are still way better than I am but it was fun to watch them think through their moves.

Driving the Loop!

 

Well dearest readers it has indeed been awhile since we have spoke and we are already well into March.  In the interim we have had some events, Grace went to the Snowball dance in appropriately freezing temperatures and as been playing plenty of Lacrosse. She is now in the last week of the off season, and somehow she will find time to fit in more practices...We drove a large loop around the State this week as she had a meet & greet with her team for next year.  We meet the other parents, watched the Eagles win handedly against Wesleyan and most important Grace was able to touch some grass on her next home field.  It was good to see her excited about playing in college and some of the anxieties from the unknowns drift away.  She was also able to meet her roommate and came back all aglow so I think that will go well for her too.  We touched base with Merrick and had a few meals together, he joined us for the team dinner (maybe unexpectedly) but was also able to talk to a few of the parents with incoming students and help them understand the campus...and food options from his point of view.  He drove us past his apartment that he has leased for next year as well and it seems to be real nice with a good location. Sunday we headed north through the bluffs and visited Grandprize for a belated birthday meal.  Ella met us there too, so it was great to talk to her and hear her excitement as she is about to switch teaching placements and the interview season starts to ramp up.  We got back on the road for a quite ride home and then some couch time.  Both Merrick and Ella are on break next week so we should get to put some eyes on them again in a short time.

Now the Quite Season

 

The tree came down yesterday, well at least the main tree, and the house is getting put back together from the Holiday season.  It stretched for about 3 weeks this year and was great. EC was early but all the kids were able to make it back for the weekend, boyfriends made appearances too. There was all the normal visits around town and as much food as you could pack into a 36 hour time slot. Grandprize heated up the garage and we all watch the Packer game with Lasagna filled bellies.  Back home Amy and I had two more days of work, but that was a nice trade off for a two full weeks of break.  Ella was home and getting ready for her teacher placement which started today.   Sophia was out of town for Christmas eve, missing out on Spaghetti, pool & pull tabs but she made an early morning drive to make it back to us for Christmas day breakfast and then we headed to TR to continue the Christmas gatherings. All the days and evenings in between...we relaxed, we read, we played games.  It was a great break.  Now the days are getting longer and the schedules are getting quieter for Amy and I, although it is ramping up for the kids.

Da Tree and Tunes

Well we still managed to keep the weekend busy and entertaining.  We meet up with Ella in EC to catch a show and a cool little venue for a 'super group' comprised of the lead singers from 3 other bands we like.  The opener was a great find as well.  We had a nice dinner and a room with a great view of the city.  Sunday we meet up with her and her boyfriend for a wholesome breakfast and then headed home.   Back home with the smell of chicken soup cooking, the trees finally blossomed into a Christmas tree with Sophia, Grace and Amy adding the adornments.  Ornament breakage was minimal and the process was efficient...older kids make it easier and harder and it took a week to just align two of their schedules to pull this year's decorating together.

T-Day a New Way

 

All the thankfulness of each previous year, but we did it differently this year.  Amy, Ella, and Grace all headed east to visit extended family; leaving on Tuesday night to make early flights and ultimately getting delayed by a winter storm for an extra night in Baltimore.  They made the best of the extended stay and found a Christmas market to tour, shop, and laugh.  Merrick, Sophia, and I all had a large thanksgiving day breakfast...we also all decided that is sort of the best way to do it.  Breakfast food is always great, and we had pork served three different ways, you aren't full from previous houses you had to visit and the dishes clean up is quick.  Sophia even left me a pie, but to be fair she needed most everything I had on hand to make it.  It was ultimately delicious even though she arrived with frozen apples. We just left them in the oven longer and it might be my new preferred way to back them.  400 for about an hour and then shut the oven down and leave the pies to continue to back, caramelize, and get a nice crispy crust.  The rest of the week was pretty quite although Sophia and her boyfriend did stop back Friday to play cards and laugh well past midnight.  Again so much to be thankful for including rested and ready to return to work.