I was asked why I stopped the last entry short of Cousin Camp, which was from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon. The answer is actually very simple. M had his birthday party Saturday afternoon ( a blog entry will be forthcoming in the next few days on that.) If I had typed up some of the stories, M's party would have had a completely different tenor. Kids would have been crying, parents would not have been talking to each other, grandparents would have been... well actually they would have just been standing off to the sides saying things like "what goes around comes around" and "you kids were much worse at that age". And I would have probably been in the back yard teaching RC how to properly fell a tree, in order to whittle it down to a canoe!
So in reality none of that would have happened, it was I was tired last night. And I needed time to process these stories. At work I use the phrase "Let me crock pot that, and get back to you..." when I want to deflect making a decision in a moment. (This is actually a chapter in my book I am writing.)
Like the last entry I need to explain the characters/Nieces and Nephews.
M= My son, a reoccurring role (9ishly)
m=My daughter, a reoccurring role (7ish)
Truck = Introduced last entry, eldest son of the best eye dr that lives in another city that starts with Em, in the same state. (3ish)
RC= "Race Car" Introduced last entry, youngest son of the best eye dr that lives in another city that starts with Em, in the same state. (Under 12 mo)
Bridget = New addition, Eldest daughter of an engineer that graduated from WSU (5ish)
Conrad = New addition, Youngest son of an engineer that graduated from WSU (3ish)
(these are not all the cousins, there are a few more, but they were not able to attend due to age, and their parents wanted us to sign a waiver...jk)
6 kids. 2 adults. There are plenty of families out there that handle 6 kids, some handle more. I use the word handle because I feel it is a looser word than manage, or control. All and all it was a very good weekend. I can see why we stopped with one of each model. M and m counter balance. Friday during the day adding Truck and RC, that was fine.... for a day. 6 kids, I applaud the people of the world that have more than 5... good for you!
There is one thing you need to know going into the events of Cousin Camp (CC), Truck and Conrad are weeks apart in age. They are very similar in many many ways. In reality we had 3 kids, 1 set of twins, and a baby. Truck and Conrad were the best of friends... until the moments when they were not. Don't worry no children were harmed, hurt, or damaged in the making of CC. I do think Truck and Conrad learned something this weekend, that they are not the top dogs when the other one is around. I found it very similar to a theme/prophesy in Harry Potter (don't worry i won't ruin it for you... the movies and books have not been out long enough, but if you have read or seen them you will understand what I am saying). I would like to think that CC helped them understand "game recognize game", and that eye for an eye is not the best way to get through life... then again they are both 3 so maybe they learned nothing.
The evening started off with a hot dog eating contest in the living room. I was going to play music and give each child a walk up intro similar to the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest... but due to time constraints that will have to wait until next year. And when the parents drop off the kids next time I will have them fill out a survey monkey to make the writing processes easier for their child's intro. No world records were broken that evening. Joey Chesnut's record is safe at least for a few more days.
After dinner we headed to the front drive way for art time. Chalk drawings, at least that is how it started out. I got the crazy idea to have M lay down in the drive way and I was going to do a chalk outline, like what you see in the movies. One outline turned into every child outlined multiple times across the driveway and side walk. There are a lot of things that I could say about what our drive way looked like... but I will just leave it with, there were many many outlines of what looked like small dolls. All the while this is going on RC is looking at us like "If this is what growing up means, you are going to make me lay down in a drive way... I think I will stay a baby and have you carry me around everywhere." (His looks say a lot). When we finished tracing everyone, you would think we would go inside and clean up... not so fast my friend. That only took about 10-15 minutes, it felt MUCH LONGER! The kids invented a new game "OH NO MY DOUGHNUT!" it is a simple game but takes a very long time to master. My mother gave us a chalk set that was in the shape of several donuts. And about 5 of those donuts were your typical round shape. This game starts at the top of the drive way, where a child (the baker) sits down and starts to roll the doughnut down the drive way, then you have someone (older) standing at the sidewalk in front of the street (the pluger) to stop the rolling chalk from going in the street. As soon as "the baker" releases they scream out "OH NO MY DOUGHNUT!" and then they laugh. Now I want you to sit back and think about 5 kids yelling this at the top of their lungs all at different times. I believe it was this moment our neighbors were gratful we did not actually have 6 kids!
Once most of the chalk was in about 27,000 pieces we all headed inside and got cleaned up and put on our pajamas. Went downstairs, where I had set up the basement to look like the Warren Theaters, with seat side serving, recliner chairs, a state of the art computer speakers and a projector for a special showing of the 2009 Bill Hader vehicle "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". During the movie there was laughter, and there was tears... we will just leave it at that! After the film had concluded everyone went upstairs to brush their teeth, and get ready for bed. I turned on the lights and the beautiful set up that mirrored a freshly opened Warren theater, now resembled a Regal Cinemas movie shack... candy and popcorn on the floor, to floor is wet from something, but you don't want to ask why or how the corner is wet. (Too soon?)
As I walked upstairs everyone was in "bed" and the living room looked like a snapshot of the driveway. Bodies laying every which way. I don't think it took too long for everyone to get to sleep, of course m and Bridget being the only girls stayed up and gossiped for awhile, but the days events eventually got the better of them.
Saturday morning we got up ate cinnamon rolls, and got dressed. Bridget had a very nice dress to wear that matched m's. But we did not want it to get dirty or messed up so we told the girls to go into m's room and find some clothes for Bridget to wear. This quickly turned into an HGTV show that was a mix of What Not to Wear and Hoarders. m was giving away just about everything she owned. And I have a theory about this... it was either:
1. m just has a huge heart and wants what is hers to be her cousins
2. m was giving away things so later she could say to Bridget "Listen, there will be a time where I am going to ask for your blind help, and you CAN NOT EVER ask why!"
We finally explained that m could not give away all of her clothes, or she would have nothing to wear when school starts.
I had a Jane Fossey moment late Saturday morning. The cousins started to splinter off into groups.
-Conrad was off in a room by himself (supervised) becasue he just wanted to play with M's mountain of legos
-Truck kept gravitating to the trampoline... which I think is what he needs for his birthday!
-Bridget and m went off to play "Butterflies" locking themselves in our hammock as their cocoon... which oddly made me want to watch a Steve Gutenberg movie.
-M, strangely kept disappearing to the basement to play Roblox, then some how reappear out on the trampoline
-RC, he was so over the noise and drama that he asked Aunt Beth, quietly, to put him in his pack and play. He said he was just going to lay down and drown out the commotion.
All in all it was a great success. Everyone had fun, and like I said M's party was that afternoon so we go all of those kids SUPER hopped up on sugar to give them back to their parents, along with a pamphlet from Wilford Brimley.
M&m
13.8.17
11.8.17
A Classic!
So as promised our story took a planned turn as I decided to help out fellow family members while I am off work the last part of this week. I don't say that looking for pats on the back, or a parade. To be honest I think I got off very easy from a "Manny" standpoint. The most difficult part was trying to choose what parts of the adventures to document.
For the sake of clarity, we had 4 main characters today
M= My ginger Mason (8.999ish)
m= My princess Madison (7.75ish)
Truck = my oldest nephew in attendance (3ish)
RC= "Race Car" the youngest nephew in attendance (10 mo-ish)
*Again names were changed (or were they???) to protect the celebrity status*
The day started off just like any other day. The sun was up, the ground wet from evening showers that were much needed for our crops. Mason was the first to awaken, he served himself breakfast, and just waited for the day to begin. Madison arose from her slumber shortly after 8. I had been given strict instructions from her "do NOT wake me up until I tell you, that you can!" Shortly after 8:30 brother Dr. Emrick arrived to drop off his two small lads Truck and RC. My first remark to the good doctor was "Did you pack the whole house?". "Yes, pretty much" he retorted without missing a beat. From there our conversation took an interesting turn. I mentioned that we did not have a gate for the stairs or anything, that our children had long ago learned to climb over it so it was no longer needed... but as an Eagle Scout I would fashion anything I needed to "baby proof" the house using nothing but my wits and items in nature. Upon my proclamation, my brother in law (who happens to be employed as an eye dr) laughed.
I have to admit I was looking forward to the conversations that m and Truck were going to have. RC is more of a strong silent type so I knew the verbal stories would be limited. Straight off the bat Truck and m got on to the topic of how old they were. This dialog ended up with m asking "Do you think you are a man?". Truck looked straight at her and quipped " I am 3!" Which makes me think of the old ball coach (Mike "Mullet" Gundy) saying "I'm a man, I'm 40!" It also helped I was wearing my OSU hat at the time. Which I promise was a coincidence, because RC's diaper bag looked like someone robbed the OU bookstore... ok it had one OU burp rag, but I bet there was more in there, I just didn't want to touch anything else.
Our morning consisted of trampoline fights, watching some Pound Puppies (a personal favorite of mine growing up), Madison reading to Truck while Truck played random animals sounds in the back ground, and chalk art. We snacked on animal crackers, and talked about naps. We finished off the morning as superheros and fighting crime.
For lunch we had a 1 course meal of peanut butter peanut butter sandwiches with a side of Cheetos. During the time M,m, and Truck were eating lunch RC had decided he would like some personal meditation time in another room to reflect on his morning, and recharge his batteries for the events of the afternoon. After lunch m and Truck played princess candy land... needless to say Truck was NOT impressed with the game or m's style of play. They played one game and then Truck politely got up from the table and just walked away. No words were said, he just let his actions speak for him.
After lunch and nap time all of the kids asked if they could go to the park. I thought this would be a good chance to get some of their energy out. As we walked and scooted to the park, we ran into a small mud patch. Truck had too much speed built up to simply stop or slow down, so he barreled through until his scooter had lost all its scoot. M and I pulled the scooter of the the mud and did our best to clean it up... I have had some experience with clearing mud out of a mode of transportation. we finally made it to the park, but little Truck looked at me and said "Uncle Randal, can we not go through the mud on the way back" and I heeded his advice and we found an alternate route. The playground was fairly uneventful, and the trip served its purpose. When we returned home everyone was hot and tired.
Mason and Truck went downstairs for a bit to play Roblox. I know Truck had not earthly clue what M was doing, but I think he just wanted to be around his older hippy looking cousin. Eventually Truck returned upstairs and went out back with m to play in the hammock and on the trampoline. While this was going on RC just stood at the back window intently watching their everymove. Sometimes looking back at me, as to ask "can I go out and play?"
I have to admit you can only watch for so long before you get slightly bored of watching someone push someone else in a hammock. RC turned his attention back to the random smattering of toys strung across the floor. Getting quite fussy at times, I thought i would try something that worked for both M and m when they were that young. I put on The Killers... he was not a fan which surprised me. RC is the first person I have met that could not tolerate them. I did find his secret favorite band.... he LOVES him some Judah and the Lion! I put that on and he started to jam out. At one point I thought he was going to pull out a card board square and bust a move.
So you may be wondering why I would name this entry "A Classic". Well it comes from what I think is one of the funniest comments from the day. All through out the day m would start talking to RC, and in the middle of their one sided conversation she just kept telling him "You are just a classic!". She must have said it 15 times through out the day. "You are just so cute! You are a classic!" I asked her once what she meant by that. She went into a nonsensical explanation that just kept using the word classic in the definition.
I would define today "A Classic Day!"
For the sake of clarity, we had 4 main characters today
M= My ginger Mason (8.999ish)
m= My princess Madison (7.75ish)
Truck = my oldest nephew in attendance (3ish)
RC= "Race Car" the youngest nephew in attendance (10 mo-ish)
*Again names were changed (or were they???) to protect the celebrity status*
The day started off just like any other day. The sun was up, the ground wet from evening showers that were much needed for our crops. Mason was the first to awaken, he served himself breakfast, and just waited for the day to begin. Madison arose from her slumber shortly after 8. I had been given strict instructions from her "do NOT wake me up until I tell you, that you can!" Shortly after 8:30 brother Dr. Emrick arrived to drop off his two small lads Truck and RC. My first remark to the good doctor was "Did you pack the whole house?". "Yes, pretty much" he retorted without missing a beat. From there our conversation took an interesting turn. I mentioned that we did not have a gate for the stairs or anything, that our children had long ago learned to climb over it so it was no longer needed... but as an Eagle Scout I would fashion anything I needed to "baby proof" the house using nothing but my wits and items in nature. Upon my proclamation, my brother in law (who happens to be employed as an eye dr) laughed.
I have to admit I was looking forward to the conversations that m and Truck were going to have. RC is more of a strong silent type so I knew the verbal stories would be limited. Straight off the bat Truck and m got on to the topic of how old they were. This dialog ended up with m asking "Do you think you are a man?". Truck looked straight at her and quipped " I am 3!" Which makes me think of the old ball coach (Mike "Mullet" Gundy) saying "I'm a man, I'm 40!" It also helped I was wearing my OSU hat at the time. Which I promise was a coincidence, because RC's diaper bag looked like someone robbed the OU bookstore... ok it had one OU burp rag, but I bet there was more in there, I just didn't want to touch anything else.
Our morning consisted of trampoline fights, watching some Pound Puppies (a personal favorite of mine growing up), Madison reading to Truck while Truck played random animals sounds in the back ground, and chalk art. We snacked on animal crackers, and talked about naps. We finished off the morning as superheros and fighting crime.
For lunch we had a 1 course meal of peanut butter peanut butter sandwiches with a side of Cheetos. During the time M,m, and Truck were eating lunch RC had decided he would like some personal meditation time in another room to reflect on his morning, and recharge his batteries for the events of the afternoon. After lunch m and Truck played princess candy land... needless to say Truck was NOT impressed with the game or m's style of play. They played one game and then Truck politely got up from the table and just walked away. No words were said, he just let his actions speak for him.
After lunch and nap time all of the kids asked if they could go to the park. I thought this would be a good chance to get some of their energy out. As we walked and scooted to the park, we ran into a small mud patch. Truck had too much speed built up to simply stop or slow down, so he barreled through until his scooter had lost all its scoot. M and I pulled the scooter of the the mud and did our best to clean it up... I have had some experience with clearing mud out of a mode of transportation. we finally made it to the park, but little Truck looked at me and said "Uncle Randal, can we not go through the mud on the way back" and I heeded his advice and we found an alternate route. The playground was fairly uneventful, and the trip served its purpose. When we returned home everyone was hot and tired.
Mason and Truck went downstairs for a bit to play Roblox. I know Truck had not earthly clue what M was doing, but I think he just wanted to be around his older hippy looking cousin. Eventually Truck returned upstairs and went out back with m to play in the hammock and on the trampoline. While this was going on RC just stood at the back window intently watching their everymove. Sometimes looking back at me, as to ask "can I go out and play?"
I have to admit you can only watch for so long before you get slightly bored of watching someone push someone else in a hammock. RC turned his attention back to the random smattering of toys strung across the floor. Getting quite fussy at times, I thought i would try something that worked for both M and m when they were that young. I put on The Killers... he was not a fan which surprised me. RC is the first person I have met that could not tolerate them. I did find his secret favorite band.... he LOVES him some Judah and the Lion! I put that on and he started to jam out. At one point I thought he was going to pull out a card board square and bust a move.
So you may be wondering why I would name this entry "A Classic". Well it comes from what I think is one of the funniest comments from the day. All through out the day m would start talking to RC, and in the middle of their one sided conversation she just kept telling him "You are just a classic!". She must have said it 15 times through out the day. "You are just so cute! You are a classic!" I asked her once what she meant by that. She went into a nonsensical explanation that just kept using the word classic in the definition.
I would define today "A Classic Day!"
10.8.17
We're Back.....And Better than ever...
So let me start off, and explain why it has been soooo long since the last post. I lost the keyboard. (I think that is the same excuse George RR Martin is using)
I plan to detail out the next several days that I am at home with the kids before they go back to school. This will be in a similar format as the previous adventures, meaning everything and every story is 100% true to the best of my memory.
Before I get into the details of the events of the day I have the throw out a disclaimer:
I have given myself free reign to talk about my kids, to tell stories of my kids. We will be adding some additional characters into some of our stories. They are my nieces and nephews, but their names and identities will be changed to protect the innocent. That and I don't want to get sued by the family attorney on retainer.
Imagine this next part is being read in the voice of LeVar Burton.
Over the past few years M&m have grown up not only in stature, but also in brain power and creativity. Mason has aged 8 years in mental capacity, while Madison is now a 17 year old girl who the movie "Mean Girls 4: Back to the Streets (Rodeo Dr)" is loosely based off of. We pick up our story Thursday August 10th 2017 8:00am.....
Madison enters her fathers bedroom asking when he will be getting up. She is bored and wants to play a game. Off in the distance you hear nothing but silence because Mason is on his iPad and has his headphones in. When I do not immediately answer, Madison decides this is a perfect time to stand above me and scold me and try to guilt me out of bed. "You wake me up every morning when I am not ready to get up. If I don't get to sleep in YOU don't!" Sigh... I got up.
Upon coming upstairs I find Mad has set up her Disney Princess Candy Land game, about 2 decks of Uno, and Farkle. We start off with a rousing game of Candy Land, where Madison does not only beat me she destroyed me. I am fine losing but when she starts to smack talk it becomes a bit much. We play again, and she beats me just as bad. Mason takes his headset off just long enough to find out why Madison is getting in my face and yelling "BOOM CHICKEN SOUP!" while she waves her hands in front of my face... taunting me. We played some "street" Uno and "street" Farkle, meaning she makes up different rules each time we play... one game of Uno she dealt out 22 cards a person. Farkle was more of a mix of the actual game Farkle with Yatzee. If I had not stopped her we would still be playing some form of a game. (And do not get me wrong I know the day will come when I will look back and wish she would still play or want to give me attention, but have you ever played 1 on 1 Disney Princess Candy Land for several hours?)
After breakfast while Mason is trying to get a Lamborghini in Roblox, Madison and I decide to work on our album together. She plays some piano for a bit, then some mandolin. I lay down some PHAT rhythm on the old acoustic guitar. I don't want to ruin what i know will be a huge hit but Madison did a mash up of Sam Smith's "Stay with me" and the old church camp song "Every Move I Make" this jam became the theme of the day pretty much.
For lunch we went to Chipolte, and none of us got sick... at least yet. On the way to lunch we were surfing through the radio, and Shawn Mendes comes on. Madison decides to clear up several questions people my have had. The song "There's Nothing Holding Me Back" was written by her boyfriend Shawn for her. Mason ever being the protective, loving, older brother calls Madison a liar, which sets her off and they have a cordial discussion in the back seat. It ends with me calming them both down, but Madison trying to have the last word saying under her breathe "Mas you don't understand what we have..." which gets a big eyed confused look out of Mason.
What sounds like a logical thing to do once you have just eaten Chipolte? Go to the Sedgwick County park and ride scooters... so that is what we did. The temperature was OK, it was the humidity that made it feel like we were all wearing bear skin sweaters.
After busting out a few sweet scooter tricks (M&m) and I did some wicked awesome trick walking including a 182 spin off of a bench. We went to a play ground to "cool" off on the swings. Mad and i swung while Mas played frogger with us... you now the old play ground game where inevitably some kid gets a concussion from taking a foot to the side of the head by someone in the swing. (No child was harmed in today festivities.)
Once we got home all we wanted to do was go in the basement and cool off. It was a fun day, and both of those kids are going to sleep very well tonight.
Please stay tuned for tomorrows update when Truck and Race Car come to hang out with Uncle RandaL.... twice the children = twice the fun!
I plan to detail out the next several days that I am at home with the kids before they go back to school. This will be in a similar format as the previous adventures, meaning everything and every story is 100% true to the best of my memory.
Before I get into the details of the events of the day I have the throw out a disclaimer:
I have given myself free reign to talk about my kids, to tell stories of my kids. We will be adding some additional characters into some of our stories. They are my nieces and nephews, but their names and identities will be changed to protect the innocent. That and I don't want to get sued by the family attorney on retainer.
Imagine this next part is being read in the voice of LeVar Burton.
Over the past few years M&m have grown up not only in stature, but also in brain power and creativity. Mason has aged 8 years in mental capacity, while Madison is now a 17 year old girl who the movie "Mean Girls 4: Back to the Streets (Rodeo Dr)" is loosely based off of. We pick up our story Thursday August 10th 2017 8:00am.....
Madison enters her fathers bedroom asking when he will be getting up. She is bored and wants to play a game. Off in the distance you hear nothing but silence because Mason is on his iPad and has his headphones in. When I do not immediately answer, Madison decides this is a perfect time to stand above me and scold me and try to guilt me out of bed. "You wake me up every morning when I am not ready to get up. If I don't get to sleep in YOU don't!" Sigh... I got up.
Upon coming upstairs I find Mad has set up her Disney Princess Candy Land game, about 2 decks of Uno, and Farkle. We start off with a rousing game of Candy Land, where Madison does not only beat me she destroyed me. I am fine losing but when she starts to smack talk it becomes a bit much. We play again, and she beats me just as bad. Mason takes his headset off just long enough to find out why Madison is getting in my face and yelling "BOOM CHICKEN SOUP!" while she waves her hands in front of my face... taunting me. We played some "street" Uno and "street" Farkle, meaning she makes up different rules each time we play... one game of Uno she dealt out 22 cards a person. Farkle was more of a mix of the actual game Farkle with Yatzee. If I had not stopped her we would still be playing some form of a game. (And do not get me wrong I know the day will come when I will look back and wish she would still play or want to give me attention, but have you ever played 1 on 1 Disney Princess Candy Land for several hours?)
After breakfast while Mason is trying to get a Lamborghini in Roblox, Madison and I decide to work on our album together. She plays some piano for a bit, then some mandolin. I lay down some PHAT rhythm on the old acoustic guitar. I don't want to ruin what i know will be a huge hit but Madison did a mash up of Sam Smith's "Stay with me" and the old church camp song "Every Move I Make" this jam became the theme of the day pretty much.
For lunch we went to Chipolte, and none of us got sick... at least yet. On the way to lunch we were surfing through the radio, and Shawn Mendes comes on. Madison decides to clear up several questions people my have had. The song "There's Nothing Holding Me Back" was written by her boyfriend Shawn for her. Mason ever being the protective, loving, older brother calls Madison a liar, which sets her off and they have a cordial discussion in the back seat. It ends with me calming them both down, but Madison trying to have the last word saying under her breathe "Mas you don't understand what we have..." which gets a big eyed confused look out of Mason.
What sounds like a logical thing to do once you have just eaten Chipolte? Go to the Sedgwick County park and ride scooters... so that is what we did. The temperature was OK, it was the humidity that made it feel like we were all wearing bear skin sweaters.
After busting out a few sweet scooter tricks (M&m) and I did some wicked awesome trick walking including a 182 spin off of a bench. We went to a play ground to "cool" off on the swings. Mad and i swung while Mas played frogger with us... you now the old play ground game where inevitably some kid gets a concussion from taking a foot to the side of the head by someone in the swing. (No child was harmed in today festivities.)
Once we got home all we wanted to do was go in the basement and cool off. It was a fun day, and both of those kids are going to sleep very well tonight.
Please stay tuned for tomorrows update when Truck and Race Car come to hang out with Uncle RandaL.... twice the children = twice the fun!
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