MLK Day

I don't usually have a special post for MLK day (which last year, Erik called it "milk" day, haha!), but it was a more meaningful day this year, for a couple of reasons.

First, Saturday was a flop for most of us because we got a big snowstorm at the worst time. If it were a school day, school would have been canceled and that would have made everyone's day. Since it was Saturday, it only meant that dance was canceled and all other classes at the Summit, which affected the Zumba class I was planning on going to. It never occurred to me that they would actually cancel those other activities. Once we got out later on, though, I realized how bad it was and was glad I didn't try anything stupid. So, I worked out at home, which was fine, and Victoria got to relax, which was fine, except for she gets a lot of pent-up energy when she doesn't go to dance, which is not always fine. At least for her, she ended up hanging out with a friend later on. The others, however, waited to hear from their play date friends that we had set up, and they all fell through! We had some let-down kids! Even the snow couldn't cheer them up because it rained part of the day on the 6-8 inches of snow we got and it was a wet mess. With Austin's cast that can't get wet, and the fact that he forgot his snow bag with all his snow gear in it at the school for the long weekend (ugh!), he had no desire to go outside. With all these let-downs, I told them that on Monday, we would do something fun as a family!

As I researched things and realized that most of the things I was thinking weren't going to work because it wouldn't be a Saturday (when we could ice skate, for instance), I knew that it would have to be something simple. So I told them we would go sledding all together and then go out to lunch. The snow was going to be solid by then and I was able to find Austin's old snow gear (and buy a "new" pair of used boots for him). I had some Panera Bread gift cards and Austin had a coupon there for a free lunch from his teacher. Since these activities wouldn't take long, we could even support my friend's little children's choir for the Martin Luther King celebration at the library. I took the kids to the practice Sunday night and they were ready to go.

Sledding turned out to be even more fun than we thought, especially because Jason was there with us as he rarely gets to go with us. Also, it was super icy from the rain that had frozen over the snow, so it was very slippery and fast! We all had such a great time together. Victoria brought a friend and everyone had fun with her as well.

The second reason it was so meaningful, was the Children's Peace Choir at the library that Austin and Erik sang in. If I had told them they were going to do it without their sisters, they never would have in a million years, especially Erik. I kind of tricked them all into it on Sunday when I convinced them to go to the practice to support my friend. When Victoria and Karissa realized they were the oldest two, I secretly told them they didn't have to perform in it, but not to tell the boys, or they wouldn't do it either. When Austin and Erik sang at the library with the group, it was so sweet. I was so glad they could participate and that we could remember why we celebrate this holiday.

Creating memories, that's what it's all about!

Karissa

We wrapped Austin's fingers from the cast in some old wool socks. It seemed to work well for him. His tube was my favorite way of going down the hill- so comfy!

Victoria and Emma

I think my glove is in most of these pics, but I couldn't tell because it was so bright and blinding out there! Jason went down many times, but I think he bruised his ribs when he went down on his stomach, not on the comfy tube.

Erik is giving the thumbs up here because he had just made some crazy air off a jump. I didn't see it, but Jason says he was pretty high. I think it jostled him a bit, but he's been fine.

I was trying to get a selfie of Jason and I here, but obviously, I couldn't see and didn't have it on selfie mode!

Here's the songs they sang. We looked a little scruffy, after having just come back from sledding with our hat hair and big boots, but oh well! (Don't know why the other video is sideways...)

Always Changing

Victoria's room is always changing. This is her room now with her new quilt and curtain for her closet, that she made, with some help from me.

Here's Karissa's quilt that she finished (she didn't iron hers).

And then she decided to spiff up her room too. They're both really into keeping their space organized, cozy, and fragrant with candles. Let's just say that they love the new Hygge trend!

Bring on 2020!

I don't like to put a lot of pressure on myself at the beginning of a new year with starting new goals right away since it starts during a very cold season in Michigan, which means, typically, I have sick kids who need extra attention, caring, and washing done for them, as well as in the house. It's also very dark in Michigan this time of year, so desires to be outside to play before or after school are very low, making anything related to the outdoors difficult, unless you don't mind being in the dark and/or very cold temperatures.

This year, however, I actually have been able to start some new goals and be excited for them right away. It's easier since no one is sick, yet, and we have the awesome new Children and Youth Program for the kids to set goals for themselves in the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social areas. Jason and I worked with our kids on Sunday to choose attainable goals for them to start on. I set some of my own for myself, so I have felt pretty motivated this week as we went back to school. I could tell the kids feel motivated also.

On a side note, just before Christmas, Victoria finished working on her last two goals to earn her Personal Progress medallion! She's 15 and a few months, so she did a great job earning that in those few years. She hasn't gotten the medallion yet, but hopefully soon. Even with that accomplishment, she's still excited to start on some new goals.

An unwritten goal, that my girls didn't want to even make a goal for because they know they're going to do it anyhow, is that they're both making new sheet quilts for their beds. They helped me repaint the boys' room over the break and reorganized their stuff with the new desk. We made it look really nice and I think it encouraged the girls to freshen up their rooms. Then they both said to me, separately, that they wanted a new quilt for the bed in each of their rooms. I reminded them that we just had Christmas and that quilts can be pricey and persuaded them to make sheet quilts. We found good sheets on sale at Target and are now in the process of making some quilts.

Erik wanted green, Austin wanted blue, so we settled on turquoise. I thought it was too bright at first, but I really like how it lightens the room now!

Victoria's organizing skills

Covering up the drab green and beige.

The new desk.

They didn't want to part with the stickers on their beds yet...

They got these cool space tents for their beds for Christmas. You can also see the big box on Austin's bed that he didn't want to part with yet either. That box was one of the reasons we did the room spruce-up!

Luke was very interested in Karissa's cutting of the fabric.

We're all enjoying rereading the Book of Mormon again. We know the story of Nephi really well, so it's nice to have some good conversations about the story since they all understand and know it.

So, despite Austin starting the year off with a broken arm, which, by the way, is a buckle fracture, but closer to the growth plate than last time, though still only 3 weeks in a cast, we've started off 2020 ready for action!

The girls and I went to the temple.

I took the kids sledding on New Year's Day to get some fresh air, even though Austin's arm wasn't in a cast yet. We went to a small hill for that reason, and because the snow wasn't great, as you can see. 

Austin won the Jumping Jackpot at an old-fashioned arcade I took the boys to on our last day of break.  He earned 649 tickets!!

Erik did well on the Ski Ball.

Austin got out of school early the first day back to get his cast on. We used the last of his gift card at Cold Stone while we were at it.

13!

Being in town for the holidays this year meant that we were home for her birthday, so we decided to have her party that night. Since it's her 13th birthday, we went with a bang and had a sleepover. It was the biggest one we've had yet. Before I get to that, let's start at the beginning of the day.

Karissa likes to sleep in, so she slept in til about 9, not too bad when you consider how long I used to sleep in when I was a teenager... We had waffles for breakfast. Karissa chose to have a chocolate chip one, which is what she usually likes and doesn't put syrup on. If we have whipped cream, she adds that, but unfortunately, she and Victoria blew through it with all the other fun nights, so no whipped cream that morning. After breakfast we made sure to do our family scripture study because we were on track to finish the Book of Mormon by the new year, which we did, so we couldn't afford to miss that evening with the party going on. (Now we're ready to study it with the guide this year which will be so great!) She opened her family presents in the morning which is an option when no one goes to work or school on your birthday. She loved all her gifts sent by family members from afar- thank you!

 We had to do some cleaning up to get ready for the party so we had room for all 7 guests to sleep in the basement. Austin and Erik did a good job with their part. Karissa had made her cake the day before, including fondant memes that she and her friends like. She spent hours doing it. I'm so glad she did it then so she didn't have to do it her birthday morning like she had originally planned because before we knew it, it was time to go to lunch at Subway, where she requested. Little did she know that I had planned a little surprise meet-up there with two of her favorite people, so we had to be there by noon.

Sorry if you don't get the memes on the cake, but if you do, more power to you! There's about 5 of them, that's why they're so random!

Back story: about 7 years ago, her Primary teacher was Stefanie Nelson. Stef always gave great lessons and fun treats and quotes to go with them. She is also very loving and huggable, something Karissa really likes. They've maintained a relationship ever since. Stef and her husband Aaron give Karissa Christmas and birthday gifts every year. Every once in a while they take her out to lunch. They've hosted some parties for the other girls from church who are Karissa's age. They have three grown boys, though they aren't much older than Jason and I, so it's as much fun for them as for her. Karissa lovingly calls them Sis Nel and Bro Nel.

SisNel texted me a few days before her birthday with a question about her gift. I told her about our plans to have lunch at Subway and invited them, with the idea that it should be a surprise. So, as we were eating lunch, in walk SisNel and BroNel with a big birthday bag. She was so surprised! It was so fun and we had an enjoyable visit with them.

Next, we had to use up our free roller skating passes that expired on her birthday. Even Jason got to come, which I realized that he had never been to the Skatin' Station in all the time we've been here! It's something that I've just done with the kids as a way to get their energy out and use up the passes we get from school. It was fun having him there with us. My friend Rosie and her family met us there. We all enjoyed the music, the action, and the announcement of her birthday over the mic.
We were going to leave right after the races, which Austin wanted to participate in. He's a great skater and was the youngest in his group, so didn't win, but he will soon because he's so fast! On his way off the rink so we could get ready to go, he fell and landed wrong. Well, three hours later, and as the party was underway, he came home from the urgent care where his radius on his left arm was declared fractured. Same bone, other hand, same break- buckle fracture.

He was in a lot of pain. The boys and I snuck away to work on our Monopoly game during part of the party.

Karissa wanted won ton soup and shrimp for dinner at her party. So I made my very easy version, including chopped cabbage, carrots, and green onions. It was surprisingly popular. The sticky rice I made, which my own kids don't usually like, was very popular too. I don't usually make Chinese for big groups, so I wasn't sure how it would go over. Even her friend Thai, who is Chinese, thought it was really good. She had invited him to stay til 10, even though he was the only boy invited. I hadn't
really gotten to know him before, but I'm so glad he came. He's a very sweet kid and was one of the more calm party attendees.

Karissa worked hard to set up all the shrimp.

One of her Olivia friends, she had 3 best friends named Olivia, made her this cute poster with some of the sayings that Karissa made up. 

 They all danced, joked, listened to music, played a couple group games, and had a Mario Kart tournament. When Thai left, the girls did makeup and watched movies. I know they stayed up way too late, but I was impressed that they popped popcorn and cleaned it up afterwards and had all their things out of the basement and ready to go on time. I made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast (another of Karissa's favorites) with oranges and orange juice. As they all were leaving, I was on the phone with many different offices to get Austin's appointment finalized for his cast on Monday. When her friends left, Karissa cleaned everything up, put it all back where it belonged, and then took a nap!

I have to say that Karissa is becoming a very helpful person around the house. She loves to bake cakes and cookies, help with cooking other meals, and being helpful with other random assignments. She has found a love in playing the piano that hadn't blossomed until this year. She really enjoys playing the viola in the orchestra too and has been doing better at getting there on time each morning. She loves her choir class at school and even sang with the ward choir for Christmas. She has great facial expressions when singing. She's really good with our cats, and Luke, in particular, can't get enough of her. When it's cheer season, she's totally invested in that. She enjoys reading, but her real passion is in art. She's always bringing around her sketch book and working on her comic whenever she can. She enjoys painting as well. All she wanted for Christmas were art supplies. She has a very creative mind! Happy Birthday Karissa!!

The comic she's working on about the 8 elements. She's done about 20 pages like this.