Christmas Morning

Christmas morning started a little different for us this year...

M and I woke up before the kids.

We made a pot of coffee and just waited...for.an.hour!

Finally, C2 came down the stairs wondering if he could get up. Upon hearing that yes, he could get up, he hurriedly woke up his brother and sister and they all mozzied into the living room.

Boy! Have times changed!


C2's main gift was a DSi.


C1 received an iPod Touch; that thing is amazing!


B got a weight bench. Soon we will all be buff!


Overall, they were all happy.

C1 is now counting down to her birthday!

Wonder what she wants?

Time To Get Busy!

That's right...it's time to get down to the nitty, gritty business if getting ready for Christmas!

We are having Christmas here at our house again for M's family on Christmas Eve. Everyone decided it was so nice last year, we'd just do the same. Actually, it was here, or the restaurant. No one really wanted to do that...

We will eat, go to church, then come back for presents and fun! I'm actually pretty excited; just have to start getting ready!

All the Christmas shopping is done. Most of the presents are wrapped. I need to go to the grocery today with a list a mile long. Then, the fun part, cleaning.

Things aren't too bad, just a few details to take care of. C2's room needs a good pick up; that's where the kids will play. I've noticed a few cobwebs that need to be knocked down, and my curio cabinet needs a good Windex shine. Other than that, just the basics.

Oh! And the cooking. M wants to make some fudge and cookies. He says he and the kids will take care of all that though.

Sounds great to me!

Well, I Went

Today, with two other teachers, I visited Jack.

I was a little anxious about the visit. Wasn't sure what to expect.

But, I am so glad I did.

He is doing so well. He almost looks better than he did before. His coloring is better, and because of the chemo, his face has filled out.

His hair is very thin, but his mom said it is actually starting to come back already.

He was in good spirits, and actually getting around pretty good. I guess a week ago, it was a different story.

Before we left, we all got hugs. He warned us first to be very careful of his port. He DID NOT want to get bumped there!

God bless you, Jack!

Jack

In September, one of our kindergartners was diagnosed with cancer.

He is doing well, and is home now, for Christmas.

To watch a video that one of our local churches put together about Jack, click here.

Tomorrow, along with our school principal and two other teachers, I am going to visit him.

I actually have very mixed emotions about this. I am going, because it is the right thing to do, but I know I will be an emotional wreck after. After his diagnosis, I had a really hard time.

Watch the video, and say a prayer.

He has a long way to go...

The Best Place To Be?

This time of year, the best place to be, is in the Kindergarten classroom. Now, I know there are a few of you out there that will disagree, but hear me out.

Here at my house, my kids no longer believe in Santa.

Christmas is still a fun time around here. The kids all still get excited about decorating (even B), we bake cookies (that never happens the rest of the year), and there is constant chatter about what they are getting (they seem to think I'm going to tell them).

But just the wonder and magic of Santa...is gone.

As soon as we go back to school after Thanksgiving break, all the kids are just so excited for the season.

"It's almost Christmas!", they all say.

And of course, they talk about Santa. I.love.it!!! I really do miss the innocence that goes along with believing in Santa.

If you believe, all is right with the world.

There are always one or two kids that I do feel sorry for.

The non-believers.

Because there has to be no worse feeling than being verbally attacked by 23 of you best friends yelling...

"UH HUH! SANTA IS REAL!!!"

They always look over my way and I just give them the look that says...

"You're on your here. I learned a long time ago, you don't mess with Santa."

Kindergarten Birthday Wishes

Every year the teacher I work with and the kids "surprise" me with pictures and birthday wishes.

This year was no different.

I wanted to share a couple of my favorites.

I really like this first one. I think I'm looking pretty good...


Now, this next one, was drawn by my cousin's little boy, B.

B has a sense of humor that is just not right for a six year old!


When the teacher shared this last one with me, she made sure to tell me, "I want you to know, this is NOT how I drew you on the board!"

Then I saw who it was from and understood immediately!

That crazy B!!!

One More Thing Learned

Last year for my birthday, I listed 39 things that I have learned in my lifetime.

Well, on this last trip around the sun, I learned one more thing.

If you hurt the ones that love you, it takes a long time to get back to where you once were.

I'm so sorry...

Kickin' It Off!

As we do many years, last night we started our holiday season with a movie.

Not just any movie, one of the best holiday movies.

Ever.




I think Cousin Eddie is my favorite. That white v-neck sweater with the black dickey? Awesome!

The only problem I have with these old Chevy Chase movies?

It reminds me too much of my uncle that died. He loved Chevy Chase and imitated a lot of his comedy. In a way, he even resembled Chevy in his everyday actions.

Wrong season to start feeling bad...

But remembering is good!

See What Happens!?!

When I hear the words, "Mom, can we use your camera?", I know what to expect.

Goofy pictures are coming...




What I don't understand...

Why is my daughter the one that always has her tongue out?

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!


This is B with a potato turkey that he made in pre-school.

He was so proud of it, we had to take a picture.

I miss having younger kids around the holidays. This year, B went bowling with friends and then stayed all night.

Where does the time go!?!

I want more potato turkeys!

Walking and Talking

A couple of weekends ago, with the unusually warm weather, we headed down to the park with some friends.

The kids played on the playground for awhile, and then we headed into the woods.


My friend T, had just upgraded her phone and needed some professional help.


Don't worry T, she and her brother are my "go to" people when I need help with these modern conveniences!

We walked the full length of the trail and then had to turn back because the sun was beginning to set.

I did manage to get a few beautiful pictures though,



Our natural surroundings weren't the only beautiful things out that day!

Football Sunset

At C2's first football game of the season, we were in the visitor's stands facing east.

At one point during the game, I turned around to see this.


I absolutely LOVE the sky!

I am always saying to the kids, "Look at the sky! Isn't it beautiful?"

It is always changing, but always beautiful.

Now, if we could just figure out how to stop the snow from falling from it, my world would be a much better place.

Have I Mentioned...

how much I miss the pool?

On one of our last trips to the pool, I looked behind me in the car, and saw this:


This is my cousin's son, B.

He had his goggles on, and was ready to jump in!

Man, I miss summer...

Football Memories

It's been almost five weeks since C2's last football game.

But, I was looking for some pictures today for C1, and found a lot of football pictures.

Here's the group photo that was used in the programs.

C2 is right behind the cheerleaders. His number is 12.

Looks like a lineman, right?


Here's the one they take for fun.


After the JV team plays, they sit on the bench and watch the varsity team play.


At the end of the season, the boys have a whipped cream fight.


At the banquet, C2 gets his trophy.


This was his first year. Because he is a "big boy", he could not be a ball carrier, and played on the line. (I will never hear the words, "Mosgrove, the ball carrier.") He started out not very aggressive and shy. But as the season progressed, he really did improve. The last game they played, he was in for.the.whole.game! Wow!

I can't wait to see what next year brings...

Reading and Visitors

One year ago today, I added two items to my sidebar.

One, the "Books I've Read" log. In the last year, I read 37 books. Not too shabby. I tried to expand my list of authors this year also. I found a couple of new ones that I really liked and even enjoyed some of the classics. I discovered Jane Austen and Ernest Hemingway.

Two, the "Visitors Counter". I had 2,319 visitors on this blog over the last year. WOW!

Time to clear the book log and start over.

I feel a trip to the library coming on!

Why Here??

Remember this little guy?

He showed up again a couple of weeks ago. M and I were sitting in the garage. OK...I was sitting in the garage, he was working in the garage.

I heard what I thought was a cat.

M said it must be outside.

Later, I heard it again.

It was definitely on the inside.

A little while later, out came the little guy. He looked at me and ran right out!

Must have remembered that ride I took him on!

Girly Fun

Last week, I took C1 and her friend L to Build A Bear.

The girls got it in their head that they needed to go before school started, and I was chosen to take them!

They each picked an animal and stuffed it.

Then, the hard part. Picking an outfit!


It took a lot of deliberation, but they both finally decided what they wanted and dressed their new friends.


C1 picked the Cinnamon Bear and L picked the Leopard.

See how cute!


Finally, they had to pick names.

C1 named hers Cinni. L named hers Kit Kat.


Where was Build A Bear when I was little, huh!?!

Ooops!

Have you ever locked your keys in your car?

I've done it a few times times, here at home. But my purse, with the extra key, has always been in the house. No problem.

Two weeks ago, I was at the gas station, and went inside to get a pop.

I locked the car.

With.my.keys.and.purse.inside.

CRAP!!!

They attendant called the police and they came.

"I've never done one of these cars before," the officer said.

"Oh Lord!" I thought.

Thirty five minutes later, he got in.

"That was the hardest car I've ever done!" he said.

Lesson learned.

On Monday, I DID IT AGAIN! I was at the pool.

I called the police, and they came.

"Of course, you have to have a Pacifica" he said. "They're the hardest."

This officer only took seven minutes.

Internet, please tell me that this is NOT a sign of old age!

Car Show

A few weeks ago, M and his brother had a car show at the restaurant.

They had planned and prepared for weeks. They had a lot of response and were worried about space.

Then, it rained.

Of course, classic cars do not go out in the rain!

They still had a few die-hards though.

The kids and I went over to see all the action.

The kids wore their shirts,


M fired up the grill,


and the servers laced up their skates!




C2's favorite car is a Vipor.

They had one there that night. He got to sit in it and see the engine.


He was one happy little guy!

Blue Eyes

B has the prettiest eyes.

Being the BRAT that he is though, he never lets me get a good picture of him.

He always wants to look serious.


I got him though!


What a cutie!

Are You Ready For Some Football???

This year C2 is finally old enough to play midget football.

We've been pumping him up for this for the last couple of years.

He is definitely built for football.

He decided to try it.

Tonight was the first practice. He was excited to go, but still a little unsure.

After watching the practice, I was unsure myself.




After we got in the car he said, "I was thinking I was going to tell you guys I didn't want to come back. But I'm surprised how fast I got my energy back!"

What a trooper!!!

Field of Honor

Last weekend being the fortieth anniversary of man landing on the moon, and Neil Armstrong being from Wapak, they had the big Moon Festival.

At the Neil Armstrong Museum, there was the "Field of Honor".

There were hundreds of American Flags placed in honor of heroes that have served our country as servicemen and women, police, firefighters, and other first responders. It also honored the astronauts that have died in service to America.



To be there, standing in the midst of these flags waving in the wind, knowing that each one represents someone that has dedicated their time and/or life to our country, it is truly a calming and spiritual experience.

I don't know why, but it touches your heart...

Reading

If you ever look at the sidebar on this blog, you've seen my book list.

This summer has been a summer of reading.

We've been out of school for almost eight weeks; I've read ten books.

The problem right now? I started a series by Beverly Lewis. I borrowed the first two from the library. When I went to get the next one yesterday, all they had were numbers four and five. I thought that my mom had number three, so I went ahead and got the last two.

I asked my mom last night if she did have number three. First, she told me that she didn't, but she had read the first two and wanted to go on with the series too. After we discussed the books, she confessed and said that she did have number three, but she was reading it!

I tried to convince her to just let me have it.

I could be done in two days!

She won't...

So now I am bookless, and bored!

I guess I could clean, do laundry, and go to the grocery.

Nah! I'm sure I can find something to read...

One CRAZY Ride!

Tuesday night as M were watching TV, I hear a kitten crying on the porch. My cats were going crazy, running from the bedroom window to the front door, trying to figure out what was going on.

On our porch was a tiny, black kitten. It couldn't have been more than eight weeks old.

Being the animal lover that I am, I put some food out. Every time I stepped outside though, the kitten ran under my car in the driveway. It was scared of me:(

Wednesday morning, I was in the garage and looked out. Sitting under my car, was that kitten. I sat and watched it climb up in my motor. Yikes!

When it was time for me to leave, I looked under my car and did not see the kitten. I honked the horn, slammed the door a few times, shook the car, and prayed when I finally turned the car on. There was nothing, so I assumed the kitten had ran off.

I drove all the way to Wapak, about nine miles, going 55-60mph.

Yeah, I'm a speeder...

Pull into the High School parking lot and hear.that.kitten!

As soon as I stopped the car, it ran out from under my car.

Holy crap! What was I going to do? It won't come to me; it's too scared. But I can't leave it in the High School parking lot!!!

I called my mom.

She and my aunt brought over a can of food and we got it out from under my car. I grabbed it, and brought it back home.



I'm sorry to say, we haven't seen it since...

It Really is a Big Deal...

If you know C2, you know he is not the bravest kid on the block.

Actually, he's a big chicken. He does not like to try new things; he worries about EVERYTHING.

This weekend, C1 and her friend bribed him to jump off the diving board at the pool.

For.five.Tic-Tacs.

That was an accomplishment.

Well, yesterday, for four pieces of gum, he went off the high dive.

I just about fell out of my pool chair!




The girls go off all the time, and have perfected a few tricks.

C1 doing a toe touch...


Her friend L doing whatever!


Big day at the Mosgrove House!

Lazy Sunday

Here it is.

Sunday again.

We should be getting ready for church. Haven't been there all summer.

But this is what we're doing...

C2 is chasing Pokemon on his Gameboy,


C1 is in bed watching TV,


and I have yet another book waiting for me.


We do need to get busy though.

I feel a visit to the pool coming on...

Movie Night

Last weekend, M and I took the kids to the Drive-In.

When I was growing up, we went to the Drive-In all the time. There were several to choose from in this area. Now, there are two that I know of, and they are each at least half an hour away.

We stocked up on drinks and snacks, loaded up the chairs, blankets, and pillows, put on comfy clothes and headed out.

C1 and C2 made a bed in the back of the car.


M, B, and I sat in the lawn chairs with blankets.

And to be honest, M and I pretty much slept through the second movie!

As I was loading these pictures onto the computer, I noticed something.

C2 was eating cheese popcorn.

See his face?

Too funny!!!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame...

Last week, M and I took the kids to the Dayton Dragons' Baseball game.

We are really not a "sports" family, but we do enjoy going to these games. We make it to at least one, maybe two a year. It's close by, and something different to do.

Of course, we have to get pictures with the giant baseballs outside the stadium.


M and B outside the stadium.


This is the view from our awesome seats! It's great to watch the game from, but the kids are always mad because they don't even have a chance at getting free stuff from here!


The best part for this "non sports" family, is the entertainment between innings.

The kids love to watch the mascots, Gem and Header. They always have dancing and fun contests; it's really fun to watch.

Here, Gem is dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies". It was too funny!


OF course, being a sixteen year old boy, this is what B did during.the.entire.game...


He loves baseball!