Es Regnet

Es Regnet was the first german phrase I ever learned before we moved to Germany when I was 9. Mom borrowed some german picture books from the library to get us thinking about our new adventure, and I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Today was a day off of school for the kids (not me, but I had a great work day - good classes, and time to work on pojects). Unfortunately it was not a day to go outside because of the steady rain. So I ran around taking snapshots of everyone occupying their time.

Blondie and Cheesie were playing with the playmobil people. Cheesie had a classroom setup, and then Blondie would come over the "announcements" and ask for a kid to leave the class and she would take the kid to the hospital setup on the fireplace.

Big Al and her friend "K" were in the tween bedroom with the door closed - not sure what they were doing --- not sure I'm supposed to know.

T-Rex was sitting on my bed working on a crosstitch ornament for someone for Christmas -- don't know who will get it, but she is doing a bang up job.

Brian was on the laptop - after taking this picture I was warned that since I'm posting a pic of him, I should expect to show up on his photoblog..... this is totally prohibited since he always catches me making some weird face... or sleeping... or something.

Just a lazy day stuck in the house.... nothing exciting.

Futbol

Big Al's team is playing a TON of games this month, most of her season in fact. This weekend her team played in the club tournament - 170 teams registered for boys and girls games U-9 through U-18. On Friday she and I went to a hotel and helped register teams, and she and several teammates helped by pumping up endless soccer balls.

Saturday they played two games and shut out both teams.

Sunday they played the year younger elite team, and beat them too (4-1) - which was nice because they scrimmage against us a lot and it would have been a bit embarassing to lose to them.

Tonight in the final, we played the first team on Saturday, and won 2-0. The girls played well, and have a few things to learn still, but overall very enjoyable. Big Al loves to play, and it is a fantastic group of girls and families. My neice also won her tournament so a very successful weekend for the Brown grandchildren.

That's 4 games won this weekend - WAY TO GO!

Scenes from Sunday

It was a pretty quiet weekend here.... Brian took Big Al to a soccer game, but we mostly just sort of did our own thing:

Blondie played with clay
Big Al taught Cheesie how to braid plastic laces
I sat at my sewing table making plans for gift giving (in between laundry and making soup).

Brian made bread to go with my soup

T-Rex made jewelry

We each seemed to just find our own space this weekend. Rather quiet really - we need those weekends periodically - probably won't get another one until November.

Future Valedictorian - and a Charlie Brown moment

Okay, I'll admit, I'm a pushy parent..... especially with my kids. They must get the best education possible, AND they must be the best with their education. Some roll their eyes at my absolute nuttiness with this, but its how I am..... can't help it.

I also hear some of you saying, "If you cared so much why are they in public school in SC?" Honestly? We live in a good district. There are lots of programs with lots of opportunities for the girls. Big Al has taken Latin in middle school, and is currently taking Algebra I in 7th grade. T-Rex is part of the pull out math/science program for high achieving kids in her school, and Cheesie is in a math/science magnet program designed to integrate more opportunities for kids in our school. So that left Blondie..... turns out even with brain surgery, she has the ability to pull her weight too, and we found that out today with interims. Children in our district don't begin to get traditional grades until 2nd grade, and when I pulled Blondie's up on the computer I was SO PROUD!

A's in Language Arts and Reading, and a B in Math.

The Charlie Brown moment happened today when I saw those grades too. My Dad (Charlie Brown) used to sit the girls down at the table every quarter and pull out the wallet, and shamelessly pay the kids for their grades (NEVER did he do this while I was growing up). Now, technically we are only halfway through the quarter, but I wanted to reach for that phone and call him up - we did let her tell grandma though. I can almost hear him saying, "WAY TO GO ABS!" He would be proud of her too.

If I can get to it tonight, I'll post some of the video and pics Brian took today from therapy. She is really getting strong with that left arm, and I was pleased to see some new exercises in PT. Check out the Rasmussen's page.

Just another day in the park

Saturday found us splitting up the kids for different activities. I took the older girls to the Greek Festival to listen to music, watch dancers and look at the art. It's a fund raiser for the local Greek Orthodox church, and quite large. T-Rex and I went with scouts, and I took Big Al with us so she could check off a cultural event requirement for school. It was definitely fun, and I wish I had brought home the food! I should have brought my camera too!

Brian took the little girls to the children's garden by our house. It really is their favorite place to go, and as they walked out the door they were making sure that he was going to let them perform on the stage that is set up there. He must have spent a LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG time watching their performances because he came back with a ton of cute pictures.

ROCK ON!!!! OH YEAH!!!!

(Yep, that's my kid dancing on a table)

Are you talking to ME? ARE YOU talking to ME?

But soft. What light through yonder windows break....

AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Last weekend of summer

So technically, our school year already started, BUT with the labor day weekend we went out to the lake. Unfortunately for us it was incredibly windy, and a little chilly to swim, but the girls still had fun. I love the fact that there is zero television, and zero internet.

So I read books, and looked at the view....

We practiced our super model poses -- with air blowing on us

We almost broke our arms throwing each other off of the tubes

Sand was tested

Castles were built

An absolutely lazy weekend

Update

Okay, I have lots of those coming, because we have been busy.... but apparently my father-in-law is wanting new stuff, so here goes.

School started, soccer started, Brian still doesn't have a job.

Blondie though is doing amazing things. We have been working that wrist all summer long, and look what she can do now:




We were also inspired by this video:



Which made us pull out our cup stackers, and Blondie got right to work doing just the first part:



So now, the rest of you hemi families better run out to Target and get your cups, we'll see you in Indianapolis next summer, and will welcome all challenges.