8 1/2 Reasons My Kids Have The Best Cousins Ever

The kids and I recently got back from our yearly trip to upstate NY to visit my family.  We always have a wonderful (and busy) time staying with my sister and her kids as well as connecting with the rest of my siblings and their families. This year, we had the added bonus of being part of one of my other niece's weddings, making this one of the most looked-forward to trips ever. We've been making this trip for the past 7 years and it is one of the things we look forward to the most each year.  My nieces and nephews have grown up so much through the years and I continue to be more and more impressed with them as they mature.  Even though there is a bit of an age gap between my kiddos and their cousins, they have the best time together.  As I sat back and watched the interactions this year, I couldn't help but think that a) we really need to see them more than once a year and b) my kids have the best cousins ever.  Here's why:

1.  They will repeatedly lock themselves in the dog crate with (or without) the kids time after time for (more than) a few laughs. 

2.  They volunteer to go on rides that spin, scramble, rapidly and repeatedly turn to give me a break.

3.  They wake up HOURS before they normally would to get in some extra play time with the littles.  (We're talking a COLLEGE kid getting up at 8:30am. On his own.)

4.  They willingly become tow trucks, turtles, slides, jungle gyms or countless other things to entertain their younger cousins.

5. They were always up to take a morning/afternoon/evening swim with Liv (or be the lifeguard) when I couldn't do it myself

  

6.  They take them on adventures and do things with them that I can't do, like lifting them up to touch the ridiculously high street sign.

7.  They incorporate them into their exercise routines with no hesitation or complaints.

8.  They don't *seem* to mind having an "y" added to their name, even though at 18, 16 and 14, no one really calls (or should I say "called") them "Zachy", "Greggy" or "Kimmy" anymore. 

8 1/2.  They don't mind when the 3yo accidentally gives them a new nickname that has no sign of going away anytime soon.  "Greggy" = "Gravy"

AND a bonus reason my kiddos have the best cousins...

They are asked to be in their weddings, get all dressed up and dance the night away at one of the best days of their lives. 

We love you guys!

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This post was written in support of Michele and Mel's "Blog Post by Number Month" .  Are you game? Just write a listy-type post with a number in the title and you're good to go!

Can You Name 7 Types of Berries?

Living out in the middle of nowhere as we do, we have to spend some quality time together in the car to go to any major store, the doctor, church, to visit friends and family, etc.  The kids keep a stash of books on the seat between them to keep themselves occupied when they aren't looking out the window staring at ... fields.

Every once in a while, we come across a good billboard to get us talking. The other day as we were driving to the store, the kids and I saw one that read:

Liv read it out loud and started rattling off berries:

1. Strawberries

2. Blueberries

3. Lingonberries

4. Mulberries

5. Raspberries

6. Blackberries and...

She had barely finished saying "and" before Joe-Joe triumphantly piped up with:

7. "aaaaaand LIE-BERRIES (libraries)!"

It took us a few minutes before we could compose ourselves as we were laughing so hard.  And, of course, when we did big sister was quick to point out that the LiBRARY isn't actually a "berry," and that she was going to say "huckleberries," which is an equally fun word.

This billboard definitely made for an enjoyable trip and made us ready for summer and berry season.  Who's with me? (And would you have listed other berries?)

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This post was written as part of Michele and Mel's "Blog Posts By Number" for the month of June.  The premise is easy - and fun.  Just write a quick post with a list and a number in the title.  It's so easy I can do it.  And if I can do it, so can you! :)

6 Things My 8-year-old Wants To Do this Summer

The other day, Liv's writing assignment was to jot down some things that she wanted to do this summer. Brian and I were both curious to see not only what she would come up with, but how it would be phrased. Would our upcoming vacation to New York to visit my family (and be in her cousin's wedding) make the list?

1. Have less school

This homeschooled child is concerned about having school every. single. day. 

Relax, child. I don't see that happening.

2. Have more free time

Heading in to third grade, she already has cause and effect figured out. 

I think that earns her some extra days off.

3. Swim at the Rec Center

No surprises here. My girl LOVES the water (the boy, not so much) 

The water slides and being outside are an added bonus.

4. Go to a Buddy Walk® in Georgia

While I'm proud of this one, it isn't happening. No Walks in GA this summer.

(But she can go to the Cleveland Walk with me this summer and 

we'll go on a girl's trip to a Buddy Walk® this fall.

5. Go to the Cleveland Zoo with Papa and Joe

Who doesn't love a trip to the Zoo? 

Mama's not invited since she knows I need to work.  (See #4)

6. Be outside

If she could, she'd be outside 24/7 reading, playing with the animals

climbing trees and just exploring.  Here's hoping the weather (and mosquitoes) cooperate.

In her own words:

5 Ways "Kids" Are Like Kids

Apparently, June is "Blog Post By Numbers Month, " and I'm going to do my best to play along.  The premise is pretty simple, as Michele breaks it down for us novice writers: "each day, write a 'listy-type' post with a number in the title." I think I can handle it, at least for a few days.  Here goes nothing:

5 Ways "Kids" Are Like Kids

1.  They have no concept of personal space. At all.

2.  They will use you as their personal jungle gym / climbing wall.

3.  You can never get all of them looking at the camera at the same time.

4.  They are messy eaters, take bites that are too big and/or chew with their mouth open

5.  You think they're so cute that you can't help taking video of them doing ordinary things. 

And then you show them to everyone you know (and a few people you don't)

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words - and a Good Caption

Not long ago, Liv celebrated her First Communion.  She was so excited. She could not WAIT to get dressed (Joe Joe said she looked like "a princess"), have her hair done and get to the church.  She did NOT want to be late or miss out on any aspect of the day. Joy and pride radiated from her face throughout the whole ceremony.  She didn't stop smiling until we got to Grandma and Grandpa's house and it was time to take family pictures.  Luckily, all the aunts, uncles and grandparents who were at her party got very nice pictures.  Our family picture looks much like the one below. Of all the photos that were taken, this one is my favorite and definitely deserves a spot on our Christmas card this year.

I hope you'll agree with me that this picture is worth 1,000 words - and that you'll also help me give it a caption.

Caption me, please

This post was written for Ketchup With Us, the brainchild of Michele and Mel. June's theme is "Blog Post By Number" and we're encouraged to write a numbered post in 10 minutes or less.  I'm also going to try to keep up the daily number-themed post for the rest of the month.  Here's hoping I can make it a week! Thanks for the inspiration, ladies. You're both #1 in my book. :)

 

KETCHUP WITH US - #36 - 10 Minutes in Words and Pictures

 

No pressure.  I've got 10 minutes to write about whatever crosses my mind for this installment of Ketchup with Us.  Michele and Mel have given what just might be one of the most interesting ones yet.  This has already taken up 2 of my allotted minutes so I better get cracking... On your mark, get set, GO!

This reminds me of my brother Mark.  Why? Well, because my adorable 3 year old says, "Uncle Mark, Get Set, GO!" when he plays with his cars or just before he starts running around like a maniac. As Mel can attest, Joe Joe does not sit still.

Speaking of my brother Mark, he JUST got married earlier this year. Yay!

We were so excited for him (we still are, of course) and couldn't wait to be part of it.  Liv was going to be the flower girl and Joe-Joe the ring bearer.  The trip to NY to see all of my family was to be the icing on the cake.  Unfortunately, we had to miss the big event because my poor girl ended up in the hospital with mono.  Once she got settled in to her private room, she had a great time and LOVED the food (and the attention from the nurses.)

Keeping a 7 year old calm and quiet is not an easy task, but lucky for us, the weather made it unbearable to go outside so she had no choice.

So, the kids were cooped up in the house for what seemed like weeks on end and we kept busy with art projects and learning to "juggle."

Fortunately, it actually seemed to bring them closer together, which may be the only good thing about how brutally cold the winter has been.  A cute video would be here but none of my computers are working...

It was so cold that one of our goats tried to come IN the house.

When we finally did get to spend some time outside, they were so excited to tromp in the snow, make snow angels and, well, just be outside.  Unfortunately, I can't get these super cute pictures of the kids to upload, so here is a cat wearing a sombrero.

And we're outta time...

 

A Very Special Christmas Greeting - Ketchup With Us #31

'Ketchup With Us' - Prompt #31

Those creative geniuses Michele and Mel are at it again. Just in time for Christmas, these two thoughtful ladies are asking us to send someone a special holiday message. In their own words:

Send someone holiday greetings.

(WHO? Anyone! Friend, family, person you've never met. HOW? Make a video, hold a sign and snap a pic or just write a special message.)

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Our special Christmas message is for  Joe Sung Min's amazing foster family, the Choi's: Omma (Mom), Appa (Dad), Halmeoni (Grandmother) and his two noonas (big sisters) and his little foster brother the Choi's adopted. I will forever be thankful for the opportunity to meet this incredible family in Korea, to eat in their home as we celebrated Joe Sung Min's birthday.  You will always be a part of our lives and a very important part of Joe Sung Min's life story.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our family to yours!

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Greeting #1 (The Safe Picture)

I *really* hope this sign says that he loves them and wishes them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Or something similar. We love you!

Greeting #2 (The Unpredictable Video)

Just the two of us ... our annual girls' trip.

Each fall, as I travel to different Buddy Walk events, I am fortunate to have an amazing little travel companion/partner in crime. At 7.5 years old, Liv has been going to Walks with me since, well, she could walk.  We've lost track of the actual number she has been to, but we think this year was #13. She is a regular at Walks in Ohio: Cleveland, Boardman, Cincinatti and Columbus, and last year, she joined me in Tulsa.  This year, I brought her to what may be her most memorable Buddy Walk ever: Jacksonville Beach.

Between staying in a hotel right on the ocean, having carnival rides, a bungee jump AND the Walk ON the beach, I knew she would be in heaven.  And I was right.  We were in Florida for 4 nights and despite the poor girl being sick with a cold/upper respiratory infection  (we had to make an unscheduled stop to an Urgent Care) we had a wonderful time collecting shells, visiting with my amazing friends from the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville (Liv met lots of fun people and got to hang with some cool kids (with and without Down syndrome) which made it an even more enjoyable and meaningful trip.) 

Without any further ado, our trip in pictures:

Thursday:

Breakfast of champions. Don't hate. It was early.

Liv's "artistic" photo from 10,000 feet

Finally... hitting the beach

Savoring the moment

A love letter to the beach (I originally thought it was for me.) WRONG!

Sand art: our hotel, the ocean and the sun. Brilliant!

Miss adventurous was determined to have crab legs for dinner. Success!

Friday:

Sunrise from our hotel room

Early morning shell hunt. Found a jelly fish!

At the St Augustine Alligator Farm - an albino alligator

When in Rome (or St. Augustine) ... you gotta hold a 'gator

Hamming it up with Princess

Feeding time!

Someone was hungry and extra ferocious

Excited to see the "Golden Tomb" from history

Her 2nd favorite part of the day; watching a python swallow a rat. Crazy kid.

Gator wrestling.

Saturday:

A girl (or girls) could get used to this view in the morning

Professional shell collector

Volunteers hard at work setting up for the Buddy Walk

Ready to get our Walk on!

Miss Joni and Penelope before the Pirate ship ride started. Smiles weren't so big when the ride was over. Phew!

Liv and her new friend Penelope. They had so much fun together in Jacksonville!

Liv made a flamingo, "Jackie" at the Buddy Walk.

Whee! A bungee!

A fly-over plane promoting the Buddy Walk. How cool!

Buddy Walk on the beach!

Miss P frolicking

Liv and Miss P. How cute!

Miss Debbie, DSAJ's Executive Director. So honored to recognize them as being the 2012 Buddy Walk of the year! I have enjoyed working with her the past 11 years!

Sunday: 

We saw a heron from our hotel room and hurried down to check it out

A close up of the great blue heron.

So excited to find a conch shell this morning!

Mr. Timmy and Chad's collection of shark and megolodon teeth. Cool! And Miss Jennie gave Liv two sand dollars from her collection. How exciting!

Our last sunrise on the beach. So beautiful!

Catching a few zzzz's on the flight home

SURPRISE! My luggage was inspected!