Alena-12 years old

Alena Jane is turning 12.  The last year before those teenage years.  I am going to predict that your teenage years will not be all that horrible.  You are such a sweet, loving girl that I find it hard you will stray much from that.  

Over this last year you have obtained braces.  After having 4 teeth pulled, your braces were placed this past March. It was amazing how much your teeth moved even in those first couple weeks.  I am hopeful you won't need a full 2 years of braces as we are already in the "fine tuning" phase.  You adjusted well and followed the no popcorn/gummy candy rule for a while but lately have dabbled into those gummies again...

Last spring was also a crazy time as you were actually involved in 4 sports at one time:  softball, volleyball, basketball and soccer. It was not intended to be this crazy but we sort of overcommitted. Thankfully that craziness only lasted a few weeks.  You love all these sports and having to choose between them is very difficult.  You continue to excel at all of them as well.  You have become a fabulous basketball player, to add to your soccer and softball skills.  I am most impressed with how much you have improved in volleyball.  We decided to pass on club volleyball this year (except with Woodward Granger) but you tried out and made two local teams.  I think this is your sport. 

We love watching your friendships grow.  You have a sweet, group of friends who have similar likes and personalities. I love that our small school will allow all of you to remain together from 6th grade to 12th.  You are your goofy, outgoing self around these friends and it is refreshing to see.  

Alena, you are so special to us.  I look at you daily and am in awe of the person you are becoming.  I now look up to you as you have outgrown me.  You are more mature than most 12 year olds, are incredibly intelligent, and a naturally gifted athlete.  Along with being a responsible daughter, a loving sister, and a great Parker hugger, you are beautiful inside and out.  Happy 12th Birthday!

What is your favorite color?  Yellow

What is your favorite toy? Fidgets

What is your favorite fruit?  Apples 

What is your favorite movie? Remember the Titans

What is your favorite TV show?  The Thundermans

What is your favorite thing to wear?  Leggings and sweatshirts

What is your favorite animal? Seal

What is your favorite song? High Hopes

What is your favorite book? Terrupt Series

Who is your favorite friend?  Claire Modracek

What is your favorite snack?  Cheez-its

What is your favorite drink?  Sprite

What is your favorite breakfast food?  Pancakes

What is your favorite dinner? Cheeseburger

What is your favorite place to go? Gulf Shores

What is your favorite game?  Word Slam

What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play Basketball

What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

What do you sleep with? Eeyore, Squishmallow, weighted blanket, other stuffies

What do you want to be when you grow up? Pediatric Ophthalmologist 

Twins-9 years old

Happy 9th Birthday Caleb and Lauren.  This was the fastest year ever, despite still dealing with COVID-19. As expected we are going to have to learn to live with this virus and that is what we are doing.  I would say that our year has been pretty "normal."  We were just as busy, if not busier than previously with all your sports and activities. I can still remember being so scared when you were born early and were so so little.  Those NICU days seem like yesterday so it's hard to believe it was 9 years ago.  

Since we didn't do parties last year due to COVID, we let you both have a friend party. Of course, you wanted separate parties which always makes the Fall even crazier for me while I plan 2 parties around our numerous activities.  

Lauren went with an art theme for her party and had a small get together at Painting With a Twist.  Her and her friends painted a canvas painting that she chose, with guidance from the artist at the studio.  They all turned out very cute.  

Caleb invited his friends to Urban Air; a trampoline/zipline/VR place.  His entire basketball team was invited, along with a couple other friends from school.  It was nice hosting away from home but I think next year we will stick to a couple small at home parties.  

Lauren, what a joy you are.  Your mind is constantly thinking and processing things.  You definitely received the early bird genes from your mom and dad.  You are often the first one awake and most of the time are in a really good mood.  You are constantly chatting in the morning, while your brother and sister are a little slower to wake up.    Like most girls, you are a worrier and frequently wonder if your friends like you or are mad at you.  This is something we are frequently processing through.  We know you are a great friend and I especially love that you are good friends with both boys and girls. You remain busy with dance and gymnastics but are starting to love traditional sports as well, especially basketball and softball. This year you played with older girls for both sports and held your own.  You are competitive, (not as much as your brother), but become a little emotional when you don't feel you did as well as you should have, (even if you happened to get a victory).  You inherited my sweet tooth and are not a big eater, except for hitting that candy drawer after dinner.  We continue to love your spunk, hilarious personality, motivation and positive attitude.  What an amazing little person you are becoming.  

What is your favorite color?  Teal

What is your favorite toy?  Mini Brands
What is your favorite fruit?   Apples
What is your favorite movie? Jumanji
What is your favorite TV show?  The Thundermans
What is your favorite thing to wear?  Sweatshirts
What is your favorite animal? Dolphins
What is your favorite song? Voices
What is your favorite book? My Weird School
Who is your favorite friend? Jules Modracek 
What is your favorite snack?  Cheeseballs
What is your favorite drink?  Sprite
What is your favorite breakfast food?  Crepes
What is your favorite dinner? Steak
What is your favorite place to go?  Home
What is your favorite game?  Monopoly
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play in the Snow
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
What do you sleep with? Stuffed animals/blankets

What do you want to be when you grow up? Veterinarian 

Caleb, you continue to become more and more boy every year.  I never knew boys went through pants and socks as much as they do.  If you are not playing with a ball in your hand, you don't know what to do with yourself.  You continue to love playing and watching all sports.  Over this last year,  you enjoyed flag football, baseball, basketball and soccer.  You have quite a bit of talent in everything you do. We hope you continue to focus on each sport as the season comes, working to improve.  You are so fun to watch.  You remain so competitive; at times a bit too much.  We are working on trying to reel this in a bit.  Even things not related to sports are a competition to you!  For a 9 year old, you eat A LOT! I suppose I should be used to this as it is only going to be worse.  We love your adventure to try new foods.  You continue to make friends easily and are very social in school.  You don't love school but you excel in it.  I feel like you have grown up the most over the last two years and love who you are becoming as well. 

What is your favorite color?  Green

What is your favorite toy? Laser Tag
What is your favorite fruit?   Watermelon
What is your favorite movie? The Grinch (animated)
What is your favorite TV show?  Ninjago
What is your favorite thing to wear?  Shorts and t-shirt
What is your favorite animal? Lion
What is your favorite song? Shooting Stars-Owl city
What is your favorite book? Magic Treehouse Series
Who is your favorite friend?  Kellen Velky, Jayden Fineran, Gavin Velky
What is your favorite snack?  Animal Crackers
What is your favorite drink?  Diet Pepsi
What is your favorite breakfast food?  Doughnuts
What is your favorite dinner? Waffles
What is your favorite place to go?  Florida
What is your favorite game?  Doghouse
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play basketball
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
What do you sleep with?  Bears blanket and big stuffed dog
What do you want to be when you grow up?  Pro Basketball player

COVID-19 Part 2

 I really dislike writing about something everyone in the world is sick of talking about, but I want my children to remember what life has been like over the last 10 months. The craziness of this universe because of a virus that has now killed over 400,000 Americans. 

In March 2020, the first case of COVID 19 appeared in Iowa.  Schools were shut down for the year, people were told to stay home and quarantine.  Restaurants closed, activities were canceled, vacations postponed, and fear became a reality for everyone.  Nobody knew exactly what would happen months down the road nor how long this pandemic would last.  The last pandemic was 100 years ago; none of us had ever faced anything like this before. 

My last post was written when COVID was just beginning. We were only about a month into this new craziness.  We never went back to school last spring but finished the school year at home. This was very challenging for two working parents, more so for Justin who was home all the time, (and still hasn’t gone back to work).  It’s clear to say, my children didn’t learn as much at home as they would have should they have gone to school.  When school ended, our schedule didn’t change too much. Instead of necessary online school work, we went into “summer mode” and the kids read and had work books to do during the day, along with chores, before they were able to spend time with their friends. 

We limited our time with others for a while but it really became quite challenging and mentally difficulty for everyone. It was hard for the kids to see other friends playing together, yet they couldn’t play with them. It did allow us to enjoy some amazing time together as a family of 5 buy let’s be honest, my kids NEEDED other friends to play with.  I was also unsure how our neighborhood friends felt about my daily possibly exposure to COVID in my line of work.  Soon we let down our guard and allowed the kiddos to hang out with the other 3 families we are very close with.  The adults also started hanging out together (usually outdoor gatherings), and immediately everyone’s mood improved.  This was a clear indication how important being with others is to our well being.  

Alena was able to begin softball in June, but Caleb and Lauren did not have spring sports.  We were so thankful to be able to at least do something!  Our visits with Grandma were limited but she did attend Alena’s softball games when able.  

Besides playing with friends in the neighborhood and going to a softball game here and there, we didn’t so much else.  Occasionally we would pick up dinner from a restaurant but eating out was not part of our routine.  I would get our groceries since I was the one who was out five days a week to work. We did plan a small get away to Great Wolf Lodge in MN with the girls. We had a good time but I think we were all a bit fearful of getting COVID while we were there.  Caleb wasn’t able come as he had a freak accident the night before we were about to leave, (more on that in a different post).  We also ventured to Myrtle Beach in August just before school started.  Traveling on an airplane, in airports, in a new city was definitely a risk.  Masks were worn everywhere but I still held my breath for 2 weeks after we returned from vacation, hoping we would not come down with COVID, or infect anyone who came around us after our vacation. 

Our amazing school district developed a plan to allow kids to have school full time in person safely.  There were a few students who chose to do school full time online, therefore teachers had to develop lesson plans for in person and online learning students.  I can’t imagine how difficult this has been for all our amazing teachers.  Many schools in Iowa have not been doing in person learning this whole time and my brother and family have been learning at home this entire school year thus far.  We cannot say enough about our small, fabulous school district-Woodward Granger!  

This fall, the kids were able to begin all their sports. We were busy with soccer, softball, football, gymnastics and dance.  Masks were required for most sports, (at least walking on and off the field), but the COVID numbers in Iowa and throughout the country started to climb in November.  Sports were then shut down for a couple weeks while things settled down.  

Holidays were very different for everyone this year. The health departments, urged people to not have large gatherings, stating if you want to see your family next Thanksgiving, don’t see them this Thanksgiving.  Justin and I had just traveled to St. Lucia for a week right before Thanksgiving so just the five of us celebrated together.  I successfully made the entire Thanksgiving dinner!  

For Christmas we did spend Christmas Eve in Ames with Grandma Joyce but everyone wore masks. We did not go to church and ordered in Chinese food.  Christmas Day was spent as a family of 5 and it was perfect. 

Our lives now are still a bit restricted but we are hopeful the end is in sight.  A vaccine is now available.  Currently health care workers, teachers, those in care centers and those over 65 are able to be vaccinated.  It is a series of two vaccines. I have received my first one and will receive my second one next week.  However we will likely still be donning these masks for a little while and limiting outings.  This has just become our new norm. I am so thankful our kids remain in school and have gotten used to wearing masks throughout the school day.  We are also amazed that they can still participate in all the activities they love!