Fall Getaway to Houston/Galveston area

During the school's Fall Break in October (Oct. 13-16) we ventured to Houston/Galveston.  Why?  It was to use up the travel vouchers we received last year when we returned from our Universal Studios trip, it fit nicely within the days off, and the flights were direct.  We left Omaha early that Saturday morning giving us most of the day in Houston.  After landing, we picked up our bags, found the rental car, headed to the USS Texas Battleship.  It was a great day to be outside  - some might say hot.

From the Battleship we went to the San Jacinto Museum of History which told of early Texas history.

On Sunday we first ventured to our "favorite" standard vacation stop - Walmart - to pick up lunch supplies.  We were heading to Schlitterbahn and wanted to have a lunch ready so we didn't have to leave; not knowing what would be available at the Park.  We got there as it opened; before it got too busy.  We rode the double tubes around the Torrent River for awhile then moved to the Loopy Luge Tube Chutes and Guada Loopy Tube Chutes after a bit and then back to the Torrent River when the Chutes became busy.  Around lunch time Ralph opted to try to Boggie Bahn.  He did get bettter with each try - it was fun to watch him try something new.  All in all a fun time except the water park was advertised as an "indoor" park during the time we were there BUT it certainly wasn't covered and we didn't bring any sunscreen.

From the waterpark we went to the beach.  The boys had fun but I cut it short due to the lack of sunscreen.  It was a great sunny day!

There was a local ice cream shop named "Hey Mikey's" so we stopped.

From there we rode a ferry for the "fun" of it.  The purpose was to transport vehicles from one rode to the other but we just rode it to ride it . . .

The plan for Monday was Johnson Space Center.  It was a cooler and rainy day.  One on hand it was a great indoor activity but due to lightning in the area we didn't get ride the tram and visit the sites outside the Space Center and around the complex. . .  We did get loaded on a tram but lightning was close enough before we left they suspended the rides.  Regardless we were there nearly all day.

Our intial departure on Tuesday was around 5:20 pm.  Our plan for the day was to visit the Children's Museum of Houston following a short visit to the Health Museum (free admission with our Morrill Hall membership) since they were within a block of each other.

The boys had fun trying to see how loud they could scream in the scream room at the Health Museum.

The Children's Museum was great!  There were areas for kids of all ages. 

Ralph found a spot where a staff person helped him make a circuit.

The boys also did an experiment.

We returned the rental car around 2 not knowing how long the whole process would take of returning the car, getting to the airport, through security, etc.  We arrived in plenty of time . . .especially since our flight was delayed - our usual pattern for returning home.  We finally left Houston almost two hours later - under the time for getting another travel voucher.

Falling Behind with Fall and Halloween (AGAIN!)

Similiar to last year I'm trying to squeeze in some posts a bit late but still posting nonetheless.

We made our yearly visit to Vala's Pumpkin Patch in September - a bit early for pumpkin picking but since we just go to enjoy the attractions it worked well for us.

We hit the egg scramble early before it got too busy.

Then onto the Big Slide where Henry was a BIG BOY and did it "all by himself".  It was fun to see their smiles as they came down the slide.

Henry wasn't quite ready to do this attraction yet . . the Old Hwy 6 Peddle Carts - a single rider big wheel in a sense.  In all fairness he may have been old enough but may be not quite tall enough to have a successful trip around the track.  Ralph tried to encourage him and even challenged us that he'd keep going until Henry did a lap . . . After 15 laps I made Ralph stop . . .then we went home after I made them go through the Lost Pumpkin Mine.

Ralph was very accommodating this year when I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween.  Last year I bought him 2 costumes and didn't get one returned in time.  This year he said he'd be the Harry Potter from last year - THANK YOU!  We didn't land on Henry's costume until about a week before Halloween.  While they don't always coordinate this year we sold Henry on being Dobby, a house elf in the Harry Potter series, after a co-worker suggested it.  Luckily the "costume" was basic and a quick sew for someone not to good at sewing.  I did purchase a mask to help identify him a bit easier.  Dobby was a hit.  We went to the Trunk or Treat at St. Johns and Boo at the Zoo.   I was surprised by the folks that recognized him.

We squeezed in pumpkin carving the weekend before Halloween.

AND . . .Halloween night!

Christmas 2018!

Christmas . . .a time to reflect of the past year.  A time to remember the people who impact your life.  A time to brighten someone else's life. 

We have been blessed by many people this year who had an impact in our lives - from various people who coached and continue to coach the boys in various sports to the teachers and staff at Kahoa as well as CCD to the folks involved in Cub Scouts. 

Ralph has been a part of brightening others lives through community service this year as a requirement for Confirmation.  Mike has volunteered with behind the scenes efforts for both basketball and wrestling.  I stay involved with PTO and cub scouts.  We have had the opportunity to brighten others lives by being anonymous gift givers to those who don't ask for much but still appreciate a holiday gift.  Henry has yet to discover the benefits of brightening other's lives but hopefully soon.

This year we were the recipients of a very thoughtful person who made a last minute request come true for Ralph.  One week ago tonight Ralph told me of a game he wanted.  Amazon was the 1st place I turned and the item was "currently available. " By Wednesday morning I emailed the company asking where the game might be sold locally.  Within an hour I received an email back asking for our adddress.  I replied and heard nothing until I received an email on Saturday, December 22 letting me know the game was being sent to us and should arrive by December 27 . . . not quite a Christmas miracle but still more than generous for someone to take the time to send the game.  THEN on Christmas Eve there was a package at the front door from Fed Ex.  By some miracle an envelope being sent from Florida via Express Saver (3 business days for delivery) arrived in 1 business day.  The gift was buried under the tree with the hope that it would be the last to be opened . . and it was.  Ralph, not knowing the story behind the gift when he opened it, had a smile on his face when he saw it and said "nice . . .nice" when it was opened.    No amount of planning could have gotten a better outcome!

Rewind to earlier in the day. . . .The boys awaited the arrival of Uncle Larry to open gifts. . . then went proceeded to do what kids do on Christmas.  I found it "funny/cute" Ralph choose to cut the ribbon off rather than rip it off which usually results in demolishing the box in the process.

Another fun story of the day is that Children's author Dan Gutman asked for photos of kids and their Christmas gifts of "My Weird School" books . . . Ralph received this tshirt because he does read like crazy and he has read many "My Weird School" books in the past few years.  Since we didn't have any photos of the boys with new "My Weird School" books I posted a photo of Ralph and his shirt and commented "not a book but . . ." .  The post received a "like" from both the author and his wife and a reply of "even better"

After gift opening at home we went to Grandma and Grandpa's.  Henry was like Speedy Gonzales tearing through his gifts and was soon asking who he could help open theirs.  

 . . . and to all a Merry Christmas!

Henry: Celebrating 9 years!

Nine years old!   It’s fun reminding Henry of his birth every year . . On the eve of his birthday I tell him that when we went to bed there was no Henry and by the time the sun came up Henry was born!  He was quite giddy over that idea the other day playing along with me.

Henry’s actual birthday was noneventful – school and wrestling.  The celebrating was held last weekend with a friend’s party at Laser Tag last Saturday morning and gift opening, dinner and cake with grandma and grandpa on Sunday.

3^rd grade is well under way and seems to be going about as well as it could.  He is lucky school comes easy to him.  His penmanship still has a lot to be desired.  He doesn’t like it when math requires more thinking and effort than he wants to put in – two step problem solving is not a favorite of his.

Henry weighs roughly 54 pounds these days.  He has moved on to size 8 pants and the M(7/8) shirts are fitting better.  Henry is still all about wearing solid colored tshirts (no graphics are preferred AND, I found out tonight, he doesn’t really care for 2-toned shirts).  I think stripes are ok but not the body of the shirt being one color and the sleeves a different color.  These pants are size 8 wtih the tags cut off that morning (ie. size 8 is still pretty long as the pants were rolled up a few times)

Breakfast is about the same as six months ago.   His preference most weekdays is still French toast sticks and a sausage.  When the weekend rolls around he usually asks for a breakfast burrito made by Mike.  Dessert most evenings is ice cream.

Current activities are cub scouts and wrestling with CES (Competitive Edge Sports).  He will wrestling for CES with the season begins in January.

Ralph: Celebrating 10 1/2 years!

 (updated towards the end of October)

Ralph’s eating repertoire is improving a bit – some days he actually seems to be the better eater of the 4 of us.  At the hotel breakfasts he will have oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit . . followed by who knows how many little cinnamon rolls.  Ralph has taken a liking to “chicken tacos” which is simply chicken and diced tomato on a tortilla shell.  His favorite breakfast item at school is mini cinni's and his favorite school lunch is Salisbury Steak.  He doesn't really care for the school pizza and sometimes opts for the salad when having "hot lunch" on pizza days.  His favorite fruit is (seedless) clementines - Ralph refers to them as "Jimmy's" for some reason - pears also rank near the top.

There are not any signs of the adult teeth coming in to any of the 8 spots he had the baby teeth removed in July.

Books are never far from Ralph.  His favorite book right now is "The Book of Lies" by James Moloney and his favorite author is Brandon Mull (author of the Timekeeper Series and the Fablehaven series.

We don't really watch many movies but he answered "Elf" when asked what his favorite movie is.

Favorite subjects in School are currently math & science.  

His glasses seem to rest on his shirt's collars more than his nose.

He is doing a great job at getting his violin practice minutes in each week and has started to help with the beginning orchestra group before school.

He is within six months of crossing over to Boy Scouts.

Ralph was a “Kahoa Cougar” announcer in early October – Kahoa’s morning announcements are streamed via their Chromebooks now since the intercom does not work in the portable classrooms.  Fifth graders had to apply to be an announcer along with having a reference. Ralph asked the school librarian to be his reference.  

Ralph was recently appointed an election commissioner at Kahoa and was asked to make a poster to encourage fellow students to participate in student vote in early November.

He is wearing size 12 pants, L (10/12 shirts), and size 3 shoes.

1st day of School 2018-2019

Last Thursday was Back to School/Open House night.  

A chance to meet the teachers and see the classrooms before the 1st day of school.  

Henry has Mrs. Volnek for 3rd grade and his class is one of 2 classes in a portable this year.

Ralph has a "new to Kahoa" teacher who has taught at another Lincoln School for the past 9 years.  New to him this year are lockers though they do not lock at least he is being exposed to them.

Monday, August 13: the 1st day of school!    

The 1st day of the last year of elementary school for Ralph! AND 3rd grade for Henry!

 . .it usually takes a few shots to get a decent photo and this morning was no exception.  I think we provided some entertainment for some construction workers nearby who were waiting in their truck.

This has become "our spot" to take photos at school . . the last with both of them!

Both came out of school with positive comments. Ralph said he liked his teacher and Henry said "it was good".

Rita's has become "our spot" for the 1st day (and last day) after school treat!