The Ultimate in Frisbee

This is a "thank you" to a cousin that I see only once every few years and I know that he doesn't have any idea how much he has done in the way of making memories.  Every time we leave after spending time with Ridge, Trevor has commented on how much fun he had.  Despite the age difference, Ridge has always gotten down and played with Trevor from the time Trevor was only 3 years old.  This past weekend was no different.  After a rousing game of frisbee, Ridge took time to teach Trevor a few new throws that he use in the games this summer through our Park & Rec Dept.   Once we were loaded and on the road to home, Trevor made a comment on how much fun he has with Ridge and how much he learned from him-first about LEGOs and now about Frisbee.

TIME + FUN=MEMORIES

Words to Live By

"There is so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best us, it hardly behooves any of us to talk about the rest of us."

This is a quote that I copied off of a friend's page.  This saying will also be up on the chalkboard in our kitchen for us to see everyday because it is important to remember daily and I don't want to forget it. 

Grandfather's Clock

Many of my memories of Grandpa involve his beautiful woodwork and the immense amount of patience he had in getting it "just right".  Grandma and Grandpa's home has so many of his projects displayed but I couldn't help but notice how many clocks there are that were made by Gpa...including the Grandfather's Clock (above) that is in their living room. 

To me, this symbolizes the TIME he took to be with each one of us when we were at their place or they were visiting us-not THINGS.  Due to busy daily schedules, it is so easy to give my kids THINGS when really, what speaks the loudest is the TIME that we give to them. 

Thank you, Gpa, for yet another thought you have given to me to ponder.  Your example lives on.....Love you!

King Trevor at the Middle Ages Fair

KING TREVOR & QUEEN AMANDA

 The King and Queen at their table during the feast & guards at each end.

The fool is shown off to the far left.

 Here, King Trevor is performing a Knighting Ceremony. 

A week ago, the sixth graders concluded their studies of the middle ages with a MIDDLE AGES FAIR.  Trevor was awarded the part of the king.  Trevor came home one day after practicing and said he had a really embarrassing part.  After asking him what it was, I found out that he had to pull out the chair for the Queen when they sat down for their feast!  A little practice would be a good thing, right?!  They had to come up with their own costumes and then give a presentation for each of the five first grade classrooms on the people of that time.  They did an awesome job and kept the first graders well entertained with stories of "their" life 1000 years ago!  After the presentations, they were given a ride on a "magic" bus that transported them over to Europe (middle school!) and served a feast that King Trevor invited them to.  While at the feast, the students were able to watch a duel, take part in the "fools" entertainment and a game of London Bridge with the Queen as well as listen to the "Royal Madrigal" (middle school madrigal singers).  What a great way to learn about the Middle Ages...to actually "live" it! 

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words....

 Gma and Gpa's wedding picture

In talking to Gma after Gpa's funeral, she was telling me

about Gpa telling her that he wished they could have

had more years together.  As a teenager, I remember watching them

together and hoping for a marriage as close as their's seemed

to be.  She told me on Saturday that you can never give

too much in marriage but you can take too much.

And, with love, working at a marriage is never hard work. 

They have always been an inspiration to me....and I hope that after 65

years of marriage Terry and I can be as close as Gma and Gpa were.

 All of Gma & Gpa's 11 children were present.  Sadly, this picture was

taken after Della had been taken back home.  It was very special to see her

again and to see all my aunts/uncles again.  It had been many years

since seeing some of them.

Although there were many that weren't able to come, I know their thoughts were

there.  This is a picture of all the grandchildren and great grandchildren that

were able to come. 

Our time was bittersweet...it is always hard to say good-bye to someone so special. 

Gpa has a special place in my heart and always will.  Though we lived so far

apart, I learned so much from him and have many fond memories of him.  I feel for

Gma but I am so inspired by the love they had for one another. 

Though sad to say good-bye we know that he is at peace and enjoying the

eternal life he worked so hard for.  

I enjoyed so much our time with the entire Krisher family.  My most fond memories are of 

spending time with them when I was little.  It was so great to visit with each one and even meet

some for the first time! 

Sing to Me the Songs of Zion!

Today I am saying good-bye to Grandpa. 

He will be missed dearly but we know

that he has gone on to his

eternal reward.

In talking to Dad this morning, he said that the last hymn that

Gpa chose was "Sing to Me the Songs of Zion". 

I remember their trips to WI to visit us and going riding in the front of their VW bus.  Ah...the trips to Medford and getting those cheap pieces of candy and just spending time with Gma and Gpa.  Then after we moved to Dorchester, they would come and spend several weeks every year while parking their camper in our yard.  Gpa was such a mild man-I don't remember ever hearing him raise his voice.  He always had time for us no matter what was going on.  And then, there is the woodworking that he loved to do and did so well.  I am thankful for the blanket chest that I inherited from them that was originally made for Great Gma and Gpa Duesing - and the meaning that that chest has for me now is priceless. 

You are gone but not forgotten.

You will live forever in our hearts.

Thank you for the faithful example

that you lived for us to look on.

In stitches.....

My plan for the day was to go to school as I usually do on a Thursday morning, come home and finally get the girls' room painted.  As luck would have it, I was just getting near the end of taping the trim off and ready to break out the paint when....the phone rang.  Upon answering it, I hear that Emily had had a little accident at recess and the feeling was that she probably will need (gasp) stitches.  At my arrival, I see a very sad little Emily sitting on the cot with bloody (but not ripped!!) leggings and a huge gauze patch taped over her shin bone on her leg.  After a quick, subtle inspection, I took her home and promptly made an appointment with our family doctor. The final diagnosis was, yup, stitches.  This diagnosis was NOT, however, taken kindly to.  Poor Emily was very frightened at the thought of being sewn back together and was not comforted by the thought of needle to numb the pain.  "Mom, I'm a little 9 year old girl....and you're making me do this....I don't want it!"  This comment came after the doctor tried to reassure with the thought of not being able to wear skirts b/c of a really ugly scar made from NOT stitching.  Emily, of course, had a remedy for that little problem - "I'll just wear tights!". 

After the stitching was done, she realized it really wasn't all THAT bad....just so long as she doesn't have to look at it.  After Erin inspected the damage, she immediately said that it looks like a really bad mending job!!  I feel fortunate that with 12 years of children, this is only our 2nd round of stitches in this household!! 

Happy Birthday, Mom!

A big birthday wish goes out to Mom - the one who gave all she had to raise three kids, work the farm and work in town!  She taught us much more than we realized at the time, but now, as a mother myself, I know how much effort goes into being a mother!  Happy birthday, Mom!  Take time out to enjoy yourself.....with your family all over for supper!!!!  Now, really, what can be better than that?!  =-)

Love you!

Welcome to the family, Jake!

After several months of discussing, researching and, most recently, watching Craigslist, we now have a new member in our family!  We had decided that a Beagle was the right one for us....and today I looked on Craigslist (yes, again!) and found a BRAND NEW entry for a 3 yr old Beagle that was free to a loving home.  Of course, I immediately called on it and planned to meet at a local park to check him out.  The girls came with me and....  Well, we all immediately fell in love with him!  Erin sat down on the ground beside him, and came right over, laid down on the grass with his head in her lap, looking up at her with his big eyes.  Who could NOT fall in love with him?!  Jake is 3 years old, is the most loving, calm dog I have ever had!  The kids are THRILLED and they are arguing over who GETS to take care of him, walk him, clean up after him, etc.  I will have to sneak in my time while they are still in school! 

    Erin, Trevor and Emily sit proudly next to their new dog, Jake!

Does anyone remember the song by the Pirates of the Mississippi called "Feed Jake"?  When I started dating Terry, he had a dog named "Jake" and this song was pretty popular as well.  Just a few memories from having "our" dog now.....called Jake!

The girl that was needing to give him away was really concerned that he would be going to a loving home....he may get a lot more attention that he was used to (he was neglected at his previous home) and more love than he knows what to do with!!  The insulated dog house that Terry and his dad made about 11 years old has been stored.....just waiting for the right down to come along.  Today it was brought back out, cleaned up and Jake went right on in and snuggled into the blanket that Trevor laid out for him. 

Homework

Usually, the thought of homework does NOT bring a smile to the face of the children. However, two weeks ago Erin came home just THRILLED with their very first big homework project. There were asked to chose a famous person to research, write a short report on, complete a big poster about and make a mobile to hang in the classroom. She was just too excited and could hardly wait to get the organizer to begin her research. However, the person she had chosen she had been "studying" for several months!! Erin is a music fan and, like many "tween" girls, her latest favorite singer would be none other than Justin Bieber!! Her report was great, her poster was marvelous and her mobile was very creative - all because she loved her HOMEWORK!

After tossing around many different ideas including Laura Ingalls Wilder, Sacagawea and others, Emily settled on researching Harry Houdini....just as her older brother had done three years ago. (I am thinking she idealizes him more than she would want to admit!) She learned a lot of Harry trying to impress Trevor with her knowledge only to be shot down when Trevor already knew it! However, she also did a terrific job and worked very hard.

We were all very happy when I offered to drive them to school so they could turn in their report and mobiles (bus ride+school project=disaster!) ONE WHOLE WEEK EARLY!!!

Big Mac Snack

Ah...the fun we do make!

Neat treats we must bake!

Many ideas we have cut out.

"Yum!" is what the students shout!

The teachers like to see the ideas we have found.

Memories in the making abound! I had just as much fun making these cute "Big Mac" snacks as Emily and Erin did! It is always fun for them (and me) to take these fun little snacks to school. The students are always excited to have something fun to eat and the teachers get a kick out of the kids (Trevor in the past and now the girls) bringing in such unusual treats! And other news.....Trevor was awarded a part in the musical!! He will be in the chorus of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Practices start next week so he will be pretty busy for the next while. But he is excited to have a part!