Spring Break 2009

Hallelujah!

It's spring break! And I am in need of a much needed break from school and life itself.

It all began with my oldest child going away for the first time by himself. Being away from family didn't seem to phase him at all. He was going away with his friends. He was going to stay up all night, and he was going to eat junk all day long. What more could a ten year old want?

HOWEVER... He had troubles figuring out his calling card the first night away. Being the good boy that he is, he told Richard, "Daddy, I'll call you in the morning to make sure I have figured out this calling card thing." Awww! (Not so much when it's at 5:00 AM!)

Alex went to California on an Oceanography Club trip. On Saturday, we discovered that he experiences some fierce motion sickness. Getting sick off the side of the floating lab boat was definitely not his idea of fun! Thanks, Mrs. Kaus, for helping him get cleaned up! On Sunday, he got sick again on the bus. Thanks, Miss McClintock, for helping Alex! She even had him call home that morning to get verbal approval for children's Dramamine. I think that Alex did not just experience motion sickness, but a combination of a lack of sleep and eating junk food probably didn't help either.

How sad it is to have your little one go away for the first time without Mom and Dad! But we were happy to say that he was in good hands. Greg Mazenko and Kirsten Berrett were his chaperones. Both of whom are good friends and neighbors. Thank goodness!

Alex had a lot of fun, but as kiddos hopped off the bus, this is what I heard....

"Alex got sooooo sick on the trip." (Nice, huh?)

Will he be up for a ferry ride on our family vacation? "Sure!" (What a trooper!)

I am looking forward to a nice vacation to Seattle and Canada with my family and rejuvenating my energy-less self. It will be nice to relax and take time out for myself and my neglected family.

We'll be sure to update our blog with the goings on and photos from our trip.

YEAH!!!!!!

Snow in Arizona?

Our kiddos have been asking to see snow for quite some time now. We thought that we might see some snow when we went to eastern Arizona in early January for a day trip. But... alas! There was no snow. Bummer! (Alex was VERY disappointed.)

We recently had a long weekend, lots of rain in Phoenix, and snow in the high country, so Richard and I decided to take a little road trip. We all wanted to see some snow! We didn't want to go up to Flagstaff and fight the crowds of people, so we asked several native Arizonans where we should go. Many suggested Show Low and Payson. We hit the road and went past Payson and a little town called Strawberry, and this is what we saw...

Awesome, huh?

It was a much longer trip driving there and back than originally anticipated, but it was worth the short time we spent there throwing snowballs and sliding on our backs and tummies down the mountainside. We tried REALLY hard to find some snow toys, but they were all taken as many others had the same idea we did that weekend. Luckily, our snow jackets were nice and slick enough to allow us to slide down in.

Happy days are here again!

Just An Update...

Last night (Sunday), Alex got sick after eating a lot of something he should not have been eating.

After cleaning up and taking a shower, he comes downstairs and says with a smile, "Mommy... It's only a week late!"

Better late than never?

(This post is in reference to his desire to stay home from school on the Monday after winter break to help extend Mom's winter vacation.)

Got Milk?

Several days ago, we started Aidan on whole milk since he is now a one year old. As you can tell by looking at the photos, he didn't care for it too much. I don't remember our other children having such a difficult time drinking milk.

Aidan did not care for it all!

Well... as time has passed, we have realized that he really does enjoy the milk if it is warmed up quite significantly.

And why do we need to do that? Cater to his desires?

This is why...

Play Ball!

A few months ago, Alex expressed an interest in playing football. We were like, "Huh? Where is this coming from?" Despite the love of sports and watching it in our household, our oldest is not the athlete of the year by any means.

So... who's to say no to that little burning desire in his heart?

Why not? His best friend from school also wanted to play, so his mom and I signed them up.

We are not looking for the next Joe Montana, John Riggins, or Jerry Rice. We are just hoping that he has fun and enjoys his time playing flag football this season.

Things, as of yesterday, were not too organized with the league we signed the boys up in. Jerseys are not yet in. The boys played in practice jerseys. The games were running late, so we didn't even begin our game until 45 minutes after it was scheduled. Our team didn't even have a head coach until yesterday, the day of the game. Wow!

A couple of parents were overheard saying that the team was stinky, but what do you expect when no one steps up to the plate before the first game to head coach? Our new head coach doesn't even have a child playing on the team (Now that's dedication!), but he seems eager to teach the kiddos some football. We were not the best team by any means, but now with three practices a week (Ugh!)... I'm sure that they will only get better. Alex and his friend will only be able to make it to two practices a week since scouts is on the same day as one of the practices, and it means more to Alex and the family that he continues with his growth in scouting. But... we are looking forward to not necessarily marks in the win column but a boy who learns more about football, begins to enjoy playing more sports, learns good sportsmanship, and grows even more to be the good, young man that he is. And... this was evident when I observed him, on a couple of occasions, patting his teammates on the back saying things like, "Nice job!" or "Good try!"

Play Ball!

Go, Scorpions!

Now That's Love!

As I contemplate going back to school tomorrow, I have to relay a cute story...

A couple of days ago, I stated, "I so do not want to go back to school on Monday. I'm not ready!" I actually said this out loud, and Alex listening replies, "That's okay, Mommy! You can take the day off. I'll stay home with you. I'll try to make myself throw up on Sunday night."

What more could a parent want!

Happy New Year!

We, in the Wood household, wish each and every one of you a very happy and safe new year!