Nutcracker Ballet

Sam, her friend, Nina, and I went to Nutcracker Ballet this afternoon at the Overture Center in Madison WI. Act one was really good and the girls loved it. We had fantastic seats. Second balcony right in front. Act two, well, didn't seem to go with act one. It was like a spring theme. Now, I'm not exactly an art connoisseur. Maybe I missed something. It just seemed like they need to fill the time with something. Sadly, I would say I saw a better Nutcracker Ballet in little old Wausau Wisconsin's Grand Theater, years ago. You would think Madison's art community could have done better. And what was up with the multiculturalism? I don't remember that being in the story line. Not that it was awful or anything. It was a different take on it I guess. When the girls and I discussed the ballet, we all agreed we liked the first act better and Nina said she got sleepy during the second act. Granted, she is 6 and her attention span isn't like an adult, but I got drowsy too. Thank goodness, the tickets were free!

The charmer

Sam is my cuddlier. She loves to be read to, she gives out hugs and kisses several times a day as well as love notes that seem to litter my house. She can charm the pants off of anyone. She has been known to use this charm to get stuff. If I have to tell her "no" to a request she usually responds with "That's okay mom. I love you." Then, sometimes she will proceed with a compromise. Oh, she's good. It works mostly with Daddy. Matt even admitted to me, that was true. I'm a little tougher for her to crack but, she does try. The other day, she was having a difficult time with her English lesson. Not that it was hard to learn, but it involved a lot of writing and she just didn't want to do it. She tried her most useful strategy, "compromise with a hug." She wanted to only do one page instead of the usual two pages. It was tough, but I stayed firm. She dawdled for about 2 hours on this subject. Finally, Zach brings down a note from Sam That reads: "I love you Mom, can I do just one page?" I stuck to my guns, and said no. Sam was flabbergasted. I left the room to do dishes and unbeknown to her, I could hear her whine to Zach. "I told Mom I loved her and she still won't let me do just one page." HA! Sorry honey, not going to work on me and Daddy's at work.

My baby boy is thinking about going to public school

Zach said he might want to give public school a try. I will admit I have reservations about it. I know there are some good experience to be had in public school. And I think it would benefit him to see what it is like. He made sure to ask if he could leave public school at anytime, which I said yes, but told him he would have to finish a full year. His biggest concerns are bullies and homework. He's dealt with bullies before but only rare McDonalds Playground instances. With our homeschool group all ages play together. Sometimes you will see a 10 year old playing chess with a 7 year old and it's not an odd sight. We don't seem to segregate due to age differences. Zach is very social with all ages and can have a civil engaging conversation ranging form adult to child. Also, Zach doesn't get why you go to school all day then sometimes you have to bring work home and do more school. He told me once that was stupid. In his mind once you've learned it you should move on. But, he said he want's to experience reccess, group class rooms (which he has experenced with Quest Classes, but the group classes can have ages ranging from 8 to 14; not all the same age like in public school), and gym more than once a week. I know Zach would do fine in public school. It is us parents who will find it challenging. Matt works 2nd shift and would only see Zach on the weekends. Because, by the time Matt get's home at 10 PM Zach has to be asleep in order to wake up early for school. Matt normally sleeps till 9 or 10 AM and would probably bearly see him before he's off to school. This is the delema we face and Matt said he would have to figure something out so he could see his son more. Whether that means getting a different job or finding a day shift within his company. We will see I guess.

First major winter storm this season.

We decided to just have a snow day today. All the kids had off from school so we did too. I knew the kids would want to play with their friends on the big snow mounds. In the picture above, Zach is laying down and Sam has the pink coat on. The other two kids are neighbors that pretty much spent the day at my house playing inside and out then had snicker doodles. It was a fun day for the kids.
We were blessed to have our neighbor come over with his truck that had a plow on the front and helped us with the sidewalk. That's right, he used his truck to clear the sidewalk. The snow was so thick and deep snow blowers were not working. He also did the end of our driveway. I love my neighbors! Matt stayed home because his company decided to just close for the day due to the bad weather. So he did shovel the rest of our driveway and help Jeanne (older neighbor lady) with her driveway. When all the snow was finally done falling, we accumulated around 18 inches. Now we have to buckle down and prepare for the upcoming ice storm they are predicting for next week. Never a dull moment in Wisconsin.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving, what can I say. It was a blast as usual. This time we had the added bonus of meeting my new niece, Sydney for the first time. Oh, what a doll. She's such an easy going baby. Well, from my perspective anyway. Though, I don't have to do midnight feedings or chance dirty diapers. I love the age of my children!
Well, my mom and dad, (mostly Mom) hosted Thanksgiving for the whole Prahl side of my extended family. Yeah, their house is too small for that many people. Mom said next year we are all just going to do our individual family. I think, that will workout better for everyone. My mom doesn't need that kind of stress anyway.
The next day, we did the gift exchange for just my family and like usual, my mom refused to follow the gift suggestion list. She had my name this year so I got a griddle (not on the list) but I don't mind. It totally comes in handy for big breakfasts I make for my family. Wow, I didn't realize how great it was to do 6 pancakes at a time instead of one at a time. Enough on my lame excitement for cooking appliances. The kids got more Webkinz from Aunt Laura. Even though I said no toys. Who am I kidding right? They also got pajamas which they really needed. Sam loves her's a little too much. She insists on wearing them every night. Which means they get washed a lot and already have a small hole forming. I will attempt to stitch them soon. I'm no pro with a needle and thread. I got some awesome pictures of my dad getting his gift. His face was hilarious, but I promised him I wouldn't post it on here, sorry folks.
We got to hear all about Jacobs buck that he got during deer hunting. I want to say it was a six pointer. Ugh, I'm sure someone in my family will correct me. See this is what happens when I put blogging off for weeks at a time.

Sydney Mae Marienthal Wheeler

Welcome Sydney Mae Wheeler! She arrived today at 4:04 AM. 7lbs 4 oz. 19 inches long
Congratulations Laura and Jeremy!
Mommy and baby are doing fine.

Halloween 2009

This year Sam went as a black cat and Zach wore His Templar Knight costume he made for his Midevel HIstory class. The kids first stop was Aunt Kiki's door, then it was off to Subway for supper before heading to the Athletic Club for our churches "Autumn Festival". There the kids can play games for candy, see their friends, and have a Bible story time. We love going there every year because it beats walking outside in the cold and asking strangers for candy. Funny that we teach or kids not to do that, then encourage in on Halloween.

When we arrived we found that Sam and her girlfriend Isabelle were both dressed as black cats.
Zach spent most of his night with his Friend Mathew. While the kids played games Matt and I either followed the kids around or hung out with Mathew's dad, Gaylord. Since we are the only people who sign we kinda stick together. Gaylord is one funny guy. He always has a funny story to tell or a joke and he never passes up a moment to tease.
The night ended with a bag full of candy and the kids excitedly talking about what costume they will make for next year. Yes I said "make." We got a sewing machine so we are going to attempt to sew our own costumes for next year. Will update on the process of that next year.