What a Busy Day!!

Today I became the parent of an official teenager. I guess, in some abstract way, you always know that is what is coming when they place the baby in your arms. Well Ashley has arrived to the magical age of 13. And while one likes to think that nothing is as important as you on the day that you were birthed into this mortal world--things happen! So here's a day in review of what happened on Ashley's birthday.

It started by having a Saturday morning pack meeting for three brothers. It was our first official pack meeting in the start of the new school year. We had a pancake breakfast, complete with sausage and deluxe baked hashbrowns. It was followed by a game of Cub Scout Jeopardy. We played the Cubs against Parents! Of course, with the help of a couple of Double Jeopardy questions, the boys won! I know that Braden loved it, because he asked if we could play it again with just our family this evening. Hmm...you just never know what's going you do that is going to resonate in some kids.

Ashley has been taking a Hip Hop dance class of the local YMCA on Saturday mornings. Mid pancake cooking--Jeff left to take her over to that. He sat locked out of the church building for the last 20 minutes of our meeting because I didn't answer my cell phone during the game :( But we had a lot of boys progressing on the Cub Scout Trail to award badges to. All three of our boys earned pins or badges. Nathan and Cameron both earned their Aquanot, Naturalist, and Citizen pins as Webelos. Braden received his Bobcat award and then pinned me! He has come so far in such a short time. He'll be done with his Wolf well before Christmas and then have 8 months to earn a slew of arrow points!

(The newest cub scout in our family--Braden)

After scouts, we headed home to celebrate the birthday! Ashley had a choice of going out to lunch with the family or having a birthday party later in the week, complete with friends, cake, pizza, and swimming. She chose the get together with her friends and so we let Ashley open her presents from Mom and Dad and the cards from grandparents without a lot of festive fanfare. She was very pleased with her haul--a flat iron, a book of contemporary piano music, a sweet pair of Nike tennis shoes with a purple flash, the Jurassic books she requested, jewelry, and cute cards with cash from her Grandma and Grandpa Eibert and Great-Grandma Ida Mae.

Ashley has earned quite a bit of cash from her recent babysitting jobs. She eyed something that she wanted to break the bank for--an acoustic guitar. She has quite a busy schedule at school with several honors classes, orchestra, piano lessons, jazz band, and learning leadership skills as Beehive class president at church. I tried to explain to her that adding a time-consuming hobby to her plate could take time away from any of these other worthy causes, and would not be the smartest choice right now. She was adamant that things wouldn't change in her commitment levels or practice schedules--and she still wanted the guitar. So we went for a pleasant Saturday afternoon drive to let her make her first major purchase. By the end of the evening, she was picking out Silent Night. She is determined to be self-taught--and no doubt, she will be. She is that kind of girl!! (Dear Taylor Swift--Ashley is a fabulous writer and has a strong streak of musical talent! Maybe she'll be the next high school crooner. Watch out Steven!)

She has one uber-fan and uber-critic---her sister! Jessica gave her a standing ovation and help opening all of her presents. But when it came to the guitar--she begged Ashley to put it away, saying that it sounded awful. Only a 5 year-old could put it so bluntly and without any guile. What she doesn't quite understand yet, is that nobody does anything or plays anything perfectly to begin with. We all start at the bottom and progress towards something better and improved. Ashley will be the perfect example for Jessica when it is her turn to start an instrument and practicing. For now, she'll just have to endure the broken chords and painful noises like everyone else ;)

New Addition to the Family...

Jessica is the perfect little mother. Hours and hours have gone into perfecting the folded blanket, the cuddling position, tender caresses, and loving whispers. It makes your heart melt when you see the instinctive nurturing behavior in action. Many a doll, toy, stuffed animal, and occasional couch pillow has been held and coddled by this little mother. But what I saw today made me roar with laughter at what she was mothering!! A beautiful little zucchini boy!!



Our neighbors brought us over a ginormous zucchini this afternoon. The boys exchanged ideas about the greatest recipes for bread, muffins, and brownies that could include this luscious squash. And the amount of potential yummies will be vast, seeing that it's quite large; at least 5-6 pounds...you know, a perfect newborn weight.

So now that I've officially recognized the "baby"--it's time to enact some separation anxiety and get down to business with a grater and a few plastic storage bags. I'm sure that it's going to cost me in some way. Maybe I'll let her frost the Zucchini brownies; which, by the way, are delicious!!

RECIPE: Zucchini Brownies

2 cups grated zucchini 2 cups flour

1 cup sugar 1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda 1/3 cup cocoa

1/2 cup oil 2 tsp vanilla

Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Mix together and bake in a greased 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool; frost with a chocolate frosting of your choice. Healthy and delicious!

First Day of School

School is back in session...and order and routine will again rule our lives. Everyone was up at the crack of dawn despite the bellowing I heard yesterday about not wanting summer to end. Even the weather changed overnight and made the first day of school really feel like summer was over. We have some big milestones in our family this year. The oldest is off to a new school...and the youngest is now in school too. For many, this may have been a long-awaited day. But for me--I've never looked forward to being without my 5 yr-old shadow. But much to her delight, the day has finally come...and it was hardest for me. Boy did I feel stupid crying in Jessica's classroom and not her!! She is in good hands and is just thrilled to be with the big kids now. And all of the kids have great teachers and great schools. They are going to love this year and later I will probably ruefully wonder what the big deal was all about.

2010 School Year

Ashley--7th grade; Nathan and Cameron--4th grade; Braden--3rd grade; and Jessica--Kindergarten

It's all about the Kindergartner when it's the first day of school!! Jessica is beyond excited to go to school. Proud Mom was up early this morning to capture the first departure at 7:30am...with Ashley's first day of middle school. She leaves an hour before the other 4, so we had to take all the pictures before she left. No problem...back packs, new shoes, and coats were on each child almost 3 hours before school started! I made them take off all the extras to get the pictures... even though it was kind of funny to watch them eating cereal with the back pack hanging off their shoulders.

Middle School. Gosh. The place I've been dreading since my very first kindergarten experience 8 years ago. Ashley has a milestone in her childhood academic experience today. The outfit was selected, matching jewelry purchased, shoes coordinated, and so on. Her friend, Analisa Schmidt and her parents picked her up for the big arrival on campus. (I hope she remembers her locker combination. It's not the easiest number rotation, but at least the locker is central to most of her classes). I'm having visions of Sixteen Candles and Napoleon Dynamite combined and it's not a pretty picture. We'll know in approximately 7 hours if she'll need therapy...or if I do. I loved school when I was her age, but it's different for the parent when you know what kind of garbage is out there and you've just sent your baby out into the great unknown. Enough of this!! Ashley's stellar among kids, but I still worry because I can't go with her and fend off all the questionable influences. I guess that goes back to teach them correct principles and then let them govern themselves. At least I know that she has strong values and a positive attitude. She's going to be up to her eyeballs in homework due to 3 advanced/honors classes, orchestra, and piano lessons. There was a mishap on the original schedule and we got her out of 6th period wood/auto shop (now aptly known as 'Applied Technologies') and into PE instead. I never thought I'd have to go in and request that my kid take PE instead of something else! But at least PE is 6th period, right?

I don't have to wonder where our little one picks up half the stuff she comes up with...because we went through the same ritual with Jessica as we did with Ashley, minus the jewelry. She came up with the black and white with dots are over outfit. Cute!! But it could have been at least 10 other different Back to School outfits that she's dying to wear. Hair bows, shoes, and carefully selected outfits are just waiting for the second, third, and fourth days of school. The days just won't come fast enough for some people, if you know what I mean...

I'm proud of my crew. I'm excited for all the things that they are going to learn this year. I remember 4th grade was my most favorite year until junior high, then high school. Kindergarten is a HUGE milestone and I have to admit, actually made me weepy on the first day of school for the first time ever! There's just something to be said for taking the road less traveled...and then knowing that you won't be traveling it again. It makes me realize what a blessing it is to have each one of these kids in my family. They are my treasures and I love them.

Details from the Marriage of Peanut Butter and Chocolate

I was perusing the web the other day when I came across a little chocolate concoction that I had to try...a peanut butter and chocolate cupcake. It looked too simple not to give it a try. And migraine aside, I started the cupcakes after dinner tonight, only to have a treat that had the kids begging for more. It was worthy of sharing. So I present to you some details in the day of a marriage between chocolate and peanut butter.

It started with Miniature Reese's Peanut Butter cups--definitely a glorious beginning to a match made in heaven. Just peeling 48 of them made my kids giddy and Dad reverting to his "If you didn't see me eat it, it couldn't have been me...." tactics. We almost lost the big picture of why we were peeling them.



I made two Betty Crocker chocolate cake mixes according to the package directions. I set the oven to convection bake, to expedite the cooking time of 48 cupcakes down to 22 minutes. After I filled the cupcake tins with the paper lines, then the cake batter, I added one miniature peanut butter cup to the center.

To make the frosting, I emptied the container of vanilla frosting into the Kitchen-Aid mixing bowl and added 1 cup of the peanut butter. I figured since both labels said "creamy"--that my frosting would be just that...but it wasn't. It had the texture of light fondant or a soft-center for truffles.... (Ooh. That would be so yummy too! Not to get off the subject or so easily distracted--but doesn't that sound fabulous dipped in milk chocolate???)

So getting back to our session on the marriage details of peanut butter and chocolate here...I took a tablespoon full of the frosting and patted it out in my hand a little and then placed on top of the cupcake. It molded beautifully. I took the extra peanut butter cups, the ones that almost didn't make the earlier peeling session...and chopped them up on a cutting board. I then took the frosted cupcake and put it "head-down" on the cutting board to pick up some of those candy pieces. They looked amazing, smelled amazing, and accompanied by a tall glass of milk--tasted amazing.

And for the time-saving tip of the day: I froze half of the cupcakes before I frosted them so that I can have a little bit of heaven on another day without having to go through the whole process again. I will just make up the frosting for a fabulous treat to take somewhere or enjoy at home without having to do all the dishes. I'm thinking I might have to try this with a variation of mint and York peppermint patties. Can't you just picture the crushed candy canes across the top? MMMMMmmmmmm...another treat to add to the holiday feast. Enjoy.

How do You say You're Sorry?

This doesn't look like a boy who would give his Mom any problems, does he? Cameron is usually a very good helper and hard worker. He's very analytical and thinks of everything in terms of what privileges/benefits he can earn. But sometimes the smooth talker reverts to his 10-year old self, and forgets that honey works better than vinegar to lure bees.

And as you know, apologizing is not an easy task...and especially if you don't think you were in the wrong to begin with. This head-strong child, beloved Cameron--left me an apology letter on my desk today. I think that it might have been initiated by his father to smooth over a warpath his Mama was going to be on when she got home. Here's the skinny: I had to leave in a rush to get Ashley to her Open House at her new middle school, only to find three boys' bikes laying in the driveway behind the van. I asked Cameron to hurry and move the bikes but was met with a lot of verbal opposition, if you know what I mean. I counter-threatened with the first leverage tool that came to mind...no more playing the XBOX. I told him that if he didn't get the bikes out of the way ASAP, there wouldn't be any XBOX for him till after school started. Oooh. I'm sure you can just hear the retorts and snide barbs that started coming my way.

Well. Here rises the problem. Unbeknownst to Dad about the spar of words that had just occurred in the garage, Cameron was given the controllers to play shortly after I left. When Dad found out what happened and how the privileges had been revoked, he ordered Cameron to make restitution for his actions before I got home to resume the power play. Here's what I found.

Interesting to note, no fault was admitted for leaving his bike where it shouldn't have been (which was not why he was in trouble with me to begin with)...but a carefully worded apology with a willingness to please me on multiple levels--laundry and dishes. And he did. I went to do dishes to find that the dishwasher had already been unloaded and reloaded by this young man without being asked. He fulfilled his promise with sincerity.

I think that Cameron learned some valuable lessons from his Dad today. 1. Parents work together for the good of their kids. You can't pull a fast one on one without the other finding out. Dads love the Moms. Moms love the Dads...and if they are smart, they don't let the kids come between that. 2. Privileges are fragile and attitude-dependent. I don't get any thrill out of being the mean mom, but sometimes she must rear her ugly head to correct the troubled behavior. 3. Apologies, when sincerely given, set everything right again. 4. Sometimes it's just easier and less time-consuming to just keep your mouth shut and be obedient. Then there's no need to eat humble pie. 5. And even when you're onery, Mom and Dad love you, no matter what.