Let the Games Begin

Hillsdale football had a strong start this past weekend.  Varsity won 55-0 Friday night against Mapleton Mounties.  Dakota got to play the whole second half.   The JV won 30-7 on Saturday against Fairless Falcons.  Dakota played almost the whole game Saturday, until the freshman took over the fourth quarter.  The kid end up with 2 sacks on Saturday.  He looks like he knows what he is doing!  I'm very proud of him.  He had a lot of decent plays on the Varsity game Friday too.  Who knows, maybe he'll end up with another letter to sew on his jacket.

School Starts...Again

 Today was Kayla's offical start to her sophomore year.  Dakota actually started on Monday.   (Whohoo, back to a normal schedule, well at least for me.  The kids aren't getting home until 6 pm or later every night.)

Dakota:
Activities: Varsity Football, Varsity Track, YMCA lifeguard
School: Ashland County West Holmes Career Center (Resource Conservation Program)
Goal:  To get A's and B's
Height: 5 feet 11 inches
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favortie Movie: Tommy Boy
Favorite Subject: Math

Kayla
Activities: JV Soccer, JV Basketball Cheerleader, Choir
School: Hillsdale High School
Goal:  To pass 10th grade
Height: 5 feet 1 inch
Favorite Color: Blue
Favortie Movie genre:  Chick flicks (she has too many to list)
Favorite Subject: English

For me...my days are just flying by.  It seems like I've way over planned for my kids.  I'm going to be rolling things over to the next day all week.  That is a good problem to have.  So far, so good on the start of the year.  I'm enjoying being with the kids again.  My new principal is great, I'm really enjoying her take on things.  The new intervention specialist and I are kindred spirits....life is good. 

Spudnut Success

Weird name, but I didn't name 'em.  My mother-in-law is known for her cooking and baking.  I learned of her culinary talents before I ever met her.  I was so afraid to cook for Kyle, because I worried that I wouldn't be able to "measure" up to her tried and true talent.

I'm no longer afraid to try Robin's recipies.  I just know that mine won't be as good on my first attempt.  All that being said, my THIRD attempt actually tasted good.  I couldn't bring myself to tell her (even though she's going to read this) that I attempted them while she was down and they were terrible.  (I added too much flour the first time and the second time my yeast didn't work).  Well I'm not a quitter, so as the old addage goes, third time's a charm!  I combined two recipies I had because I opted for the easier for me methods of both recipies.  (oil because I didn't have to measure shortening, and microwaving over saucepan scalding, I didn't know what scalded milk should look like).  These were REALLY good.  I see why my brother and sister-in-laws love them.  Yummo!

The family prefered the glazed over the frosted.  We took some over to the Kline's when we talked about starting seminary this week.  The family of 6 had no trouble helping eat this huge batch.  I will definately need to make these when I can share, because I got about 4-5 dozen donuts.  I'm not sure the final count; we kept eating them warm.

Spudnuts (I combined a couple of recipes Robin's and one I had cut out before)

1/2 cup mashed potatoes (I used 1 cup)

2 packages dry yeast

1 1/2  cups warm milk (I heated mine in the microwave 1 minute or scald)

1/2 cup oil  (or 1/2 cup shortening, I used the oil it's easier)

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs beaten

1 tsp. salt

6 1/2 -7 1/2 cup flour (I used 7 1/2)

Glaze: 4 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

Cook potatoes and reserve 1/2 cup liquid.  Cool until 110 degrees.  Dissolve yeast in liquid.  Warm milk.  (one recipe called for scalded, I just microwaved it did the trick).  In large bowl mix dissolved yeast, mashed potatoes, milk, oil, sugar, salt and eggs.  Add enough flour to make a soft dough. (It will be sticky, my first mistake was to add too much flour).  Place in a greased bowl and let rise until doubled about 1 hour.  Punch down and rise again about 20 minutes.  Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness cut with 3 inch donut cutter (I used a canning jar lid and a melon baller for the smaller holes, because I didn't have a donut cutter)  Deep fry 375 degrees until golden brown, flip during cooking .  Dip in warm glaze.  Cool on wire racks.  Makes 4-5 dozen

Week in Review

I ended the week reflecting on all the things that transpired.  Classroom, classroom, classroom was the bulk of my days.  Planning, sorting, organizing, sweating (no A/C), I helped our new intervention specialist settle in by organizing her room with her as well, (she just moved in from Florida, this week).

 I got my hair cut and highlighted for school pictures Monday.  I went shorter, first time in about eight years.

 Kayla is starting to get into soccer.  Running her to and from practice has been a big part of the week. 

 Soccer car wash at Burger King, the girls were earning money to buy the seniors gifts at the end of the season.

 Kayla is scrubbin hard on the Yukon.  I should have her do that more often. :)

 We took Yaya's advice and stopped by the local farmers market.  We got a gigantic cantelope and fresh off the stalk sweet corn. 

 We had a stray vine grow out of our compost pile.  This happens every year.  It's kind of fun waiting to see what we will get.  It almost always squash.  This year we got this lovely gourd and acorn squash.

 Can you believe it's time to start thinking about dresses for homecoming.  Kayla and her friend Meghan who's Dakota's date this year went hunting.  I think they each tried on twelve dresses.  You know, not a modest one in the whole lot.  We will have to do some hunting for cover ups, shoes and jewelry in the next few weeks.

Kayla bought this one.

Meghan is still undecided.  We are going to go back next weekend or maybe the weekend after.  Special times, it is exciting with all these things going on.  Watching the children grow up.  Seeing them make choices (good and bad) and learning.  I feel like I am doing a lot of learning with them.  Life is good. 

SCORE!

Hard work, sweat, and perservenence in learning something new,

 Sore muscles, heat exhaustion, miles ran too,

All worth it, when her first goal was scored tonight.

Million dollar smile

Fall Sport Season Kicked Off

This is our first year with the two kids playing conflicting sports.  Kota is home and Kayla is away on Saturdays, at least his game starts at 10 and hers at 1 (and visa versa).  We have time to see both.  (Yeah, we have time to see both.)  Kayla is doing okay considering she's never played soccer in her life.  She was inches from scoring a goal Thursday, but no dice. 

This week we watched two soccer scrimmages one Tuesday, (they lost, to Mapleton, boo and won against Crestview, yeah).  The boys played against Tuscarawas Valley tonight.  I'm not sure who really won, they were playing two games at once only half field.  It was hard to focus on them.  It seemed we did very well, but they weren't keeping score.  Dakota only got to play for about 10 minutes tonight because he had his yearly injury already.

We thought that he had a fractured hip...turned out just a bruised bone.  I didn't know bones could get bruises, but they can.  The coaches had Kota call us from pictures today to tell us they were going to let him rest tonight so he doesn't get hurt worse.  He pestered them the whole game until they finally let him play at the end.  He did fine.  Better safe than sorry though.

We are glad the kids are out getting some exercise and enjoyin their high school life.  I'll have to admit, football (American) is much more interesting for me to watch than futbol (soccer).  Nevertheless, we will support the two by are presence.  I read somewhere that you spell love T-I-M-E.  They'll be getting a lot of it this year.  (Thanks Yaya!)

Tornado turning into Order

Well, my behavior is tired today.  I drove Kyle to work today, and then ventured to my classroom again.  I worked the entire day.  Well, at least while he was at work.  I stopped for about 15 minutes when he brought us lunch.  It's amazing how much stuff I needed to put away.  My room looked like a tornado hit it as I was unpacking.  It's starting to show some semblence of order.  I have a ways to go before those kiddos show up on 8/23.

 I like to hang my Steelers pennent in Browns country.  It's always a great way to get conversation going with the boys.

 Ladies from the church donated some supplies for my kids who can't buy their own.  I really appreciate that!

It's always so clean and sparkly at the begining of the year. I love this part.  The anticipation, the wonder of how it's going to go.  Are we going to reach our goals?  Am I going to make a difference?  My new principal is going to be great!  I'm almost ready.

Family and Faith

 Last night we watched Kim's kids.  It was fun having a niece and two nephews around.  We entertained them by playing games.

 Kayla and Kami played connect four, while Kota and Kadin played battleship.  Kyle got to play with Kolton.  Indoor cornhole.  It was fun watching Kolton step way infront of the board to sink a shot in the hole.  Kyle kept throwing the cornhole bag in different ways, under his leg, without looking, etc; Kolton mimicked every move.

It's been awhile since our children have hung onto everything we do and want to do it "just like dad or mom."  What a responsibility we have as parents (aunts and uncles) to show the kids the best ways to live life.  Then when they get older like mine, still guide, but start pulling back and letting them decide.
They don't always chose how we want them to.  I know my Heavenly Father feels the same way as me as an adult.  He has things he prefer I chose, but I don't always make the right choices.  I'm glad He loves me anyhow.  I get it! 

Today was a mile stone for me.  I was released as Relief Society President at church.  Yaya was called in my place.  (over at Whispering Pines)  As I reflected this past week about the release, what have I learned, why now, what could I have done better, etc.  I came to terms with the emotions.  Angry because Yaya is my friend (gospel mother, more like it) I still wanted to work with her, and I didn't want her to have the burden.  Then I realized it wasn't for me to decide.  Heavenly Father was making ready for a change in my life.  I'm still not 100% sure what that change is, but I'll need the extra time to focus my attention on it.  Then I felt relief; it was such a big job, I devoted a lot of time to my assignment.  Today, I feel gratitude.  I'm at the end of a trial.  I survived.  I learned a lot.  I'm a new person, (slightly better I think, I don't always admit that to myself or out loud for that matter).  I've forged new friendships that won't dwindle just because we're not directly serving together.  Now it's time to focus seminary and scouts only at church.  School is going to be difficult, challenging and worthwhile year, and I have two very active teens that I am going to enjoy every last second of their activities and pray fervently, that we taught them enough to make right choices as they continue to grow in the faith and world.
I'm ready and excited for a new chapter.  I hope I can remember the life lessons that got me here.

Crazy Cat

This guy loves the bath tub.  He will do anything he can to get into the bathroom.  Lately, as soon as the bathroom door gets opened he will dart from wherever he is in the house to get in.  Today, he took my foot completely out from under me to get in there.  Thankfully, my other foot was grounded and I didn't fall, I was just surprised!

They are not allowed to be in the bathroom, because they crawl into the towel cupboard and get fur on the clean towels.  Kyle doesn't appreciate cat hair sticking to his face when he drys off.  (It brings a whole new meaning to his whiskers. hehe)

Kayla thinks they are just acting like teenagers and doing things they aren't supposed too.  But she also thinks that he might like the bathtub because Grandma used to put them in the bathtub when they were babies.  Grandma felt bad for them when it was cold or raining and brought the then, outside kittens; into the house to be dry and warm.

Who knows, I just don't want the crazy cat knocking me down to get into the tub!

Happy Birthday; Fidget!

She is 15 today. 

You know the funny thing is, she asked for these Converse shoes.  No big deal right? 

I tried to get her to buy a pair of these a couple of summers ago.  When I saw a lot of the college girls wearing them, Bella from Twilight, you know they were in style.  I get; Eww, those are gross; not cool; what are you thinking?  (I was thinking other girls thought they were stylish, apparently I thought wrong!)

Funny thing is, her friends are wearing them now.  Hmm, maybe they needed to be lulled in the fashion trend.  Lesson learned; make a suggestion two years before you want your daughter to act on the idea.  I better get to planning her future.

Kayla is a lot of fun.  She is the funny, sparkling personality, a lot like her dad.  We have so many term of endearment for her.  (my husband's family likes nicknames).  They have come and gone over the years, but here is what she answers too:

Kayla (of course)

Fidget (grandpappys nick name)

Kay-la-la

La-La

Sweet pea (as a baby/toddler)

Brat (lovingly by her dad)

Baby Girl

Little one

Midget

Biscuit  (pronounced Bis-git)

Flutter-budget

Terd (lovingly of course)

Munchkin

Hoser

Knob

Happy 15th kiddo.  I hope they don't kill you at soccer practice tonight!

22 Days and Counting

I worked for several hours in my classroom today after summer school.  I put in a full day.  If I could figure out to get the pics off my phone I'd show you what I accomplished.

I'm trying out a new arrangement.  So far, I like it.  Sometimes it's better empty than with students in it, so we'll have to see how it functions.  I have 22 days until they come back to see me.

We got the schedules for football and soccer.  We have 3-4 games per week between the 2 kids.  Games start Saturday for Kayla. She has 2-3 games a week.  We will find out if Kota has 1 or 2 games in a couple of weeks.  It will depend if he is straight varsity or plays both varsity and JV as a junior this year.  My Saturdays are all spoken for until the end of October for my two kids.  If the football team goes to play offs again, then our weekends will be spoken for well into November.  No complaints, really; I am going to enjoy every last event my children are in...because in two short years one will begin to fly the coop.  (Sigh)

I am looking forward to seeing all the accomplishments.  Go Falcons!