Last year, two superheros made their debut at Christ the King's LifeTeen retreat. There was that video of them on youtube, they made a few appearances, and then they went away for awhile. Well, it seems that they have been spotted again, this time in Virginia, and with a baby. Here's LifeBaby saving the world, one bounce at a time.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Failure...
My skills as a housewife received two failing marks this week, both at the hands of Matt's coworkers. First up? My baking skills. Last weekend, Jason requested that I make cookies (again). I complied, happy to have a chance to make something yummy and then send it out of the house and away from my waistline. Admittedly, these were not the *best* cookies I've ever made, but I figured they were good enough for a hungry coworker, right? Wrong. A couple of days later, Matt brought home some cookies. Not leftovers; these were different cookies, reportedly made by Jason's 3 year-old. "The cookie war is on," he said. My cookies apparently not being good enough, he had to get some competing ones made and taunt me with them. They were delicious, I will admit, but I still don't think it's fair... I didn't realize I had competition to measure up against! Sigh. I'll do better next time.
That same day, Matt got a rather unfavorable comment about his new haircut. Who cuts his hair? Wait, that would be me. This particular coworker (a different one) had been bugging him to get his hair cut for several days. I guess I feel somewhat better knowing that it was really "helmet hair" that he was reacting to (remember the bike-riding that's been going on?); reportedly he approved of the hair once Matt had a chance to get inside the building and fix it.
On the plus side, I learned a new trick this weekend. We had to make cupcakes for LifeTeen (50 or so) and I was dreading the frosting part. Not sure why, but I really dislike frosting cupcakes. Anyway, I noticed that many of the cupcakes sold in bakeries seem to have been frosted using a pastry bag. So I figured I'd give it a shot. I arranged all the cupcakes in the boxes I'd be carrying them in and went to work. Wow- so much easier!!! I just picked the biggest tip I could find and made a swirl around the cupcake until it was covered. Didn't have to touch them or anything! Yay.
That same day, Matt got a rather unfavorable comment about his new haircut. Who cuts his hair? Wait, that would be me. This particular coworker (a different one) had been bugging him to get his hair cut for several days. I guess I feel somewhat better knowing that it was really "helmet hair" that he was reacting to (remember the bike-riding that's been going on?); reportedly he approved of the hair once Matt had a chance to get inside the building and fix it.
On the plus side, I learned a new trick this weekend. We had to make cupcakes for LifeTeen (50 or so) and I was dreading the frosting part. Not sure why, but I really dislike frosting cupcakes. Anyway, I noticed that many of the cupcakes sold in bakeries seem to have been frosted using a pastry bag. So I figured I'd give it a shot. I arranged all the cupcakes in the boxes I'd be carrying them in and went to work. Wow- so much easier!!! I just picked the biggest tip I could find and made a swirl around the cupcake until it was covered. Didn't have to touch them or anything! Yay.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Fall Fun
Hiking and pumpkins and picnics and... it's been a fun couple of weekends! The weather is cool again after a few days of summer-ish weather last week. So cool, in fact, that even with the windows all closed, I came into the study yesterday to find Matt wearing flannel pajamas (over a t-shirt), wrapped up in a blanket, with fuzzy slippers on the feet, and a wool hat on his head. Ok, so maybe it wasn't quite as cold as all that, but that's still what he was wearing.
Before the chilliness of fall hit us, we spent last weekend outside. First was the Orbital company picnic, which was not like any company picnics I've ever been to. There was food, of course, and some games. And then there were the rides. Moonbounce, inflatable space shuttle slide, laser tag (in an inflatable tank- like an army tank), two climbing walls, a spinny thing you get strapped into and then whirled around (yep, that's the best I can do), a high ropes course, and more. The kids seemed to enjoy most of this, but I think some of the adults were getting into the rides as the evening wore on. I had a good time meeting some of the folks Matt talks about from work (and realizing, of course, that none of them actually look the way I had pictured them). I also enjoyed the "art gallery" of art work submitted by children of employees- all having a space theme. There was even a category for children ages 0-3 yrs. Next year Henry will *definitely* be participating. :-)
The following day, we packed up and headed west out to Shenandoah National Park. Matt finally got some mountains! Although he might not identify them as such. Still, we picked a nice spot to go hiking and spent a few hours wandering about in the woods. Really we were following a trail, but there were very few other people on it and it wasn't a major trail, so it felt like more of an adventure. We decided that while it made for a nice walk in the woods, it was far from actual mountain climbing. For two main reasons.
On Sunday we stayed home to recover from our big adventure, and then had some folks from LifeTeen over for dinner. See, there was no LifeTeen meeting that night. Why? Oh, because the following day was Columbus Day. If you're from Michigan like we are, you might not see the logic there either. But Columbus Day being an important enough holiday here to close school on Monday, everyone goes out of town for the weekend. And so we had to cancel the LifeNight as well. Hmm... odd. We will also be off on Nov. 2, because all the schools are closed the day before elections... in anticipation of being closed on election day. Uhh... right.
This weekend, the outdoor fun continued. Friday night we took advantage of a great Friday night tradition and went to a high school football game. There are a bunch of high schools in the area, so we just picked one. It also happened to be homecoming, and I was excited to see that two of the girls in my LifeTeen small group were on the homecoming court. Yay! This was also Henry's first time being out in the "cold." We had him all bundled up, but his face was still exposed. I'm not sure he quite knew what to make of the chilly air on his face. He didn't complain at all, just sort of stared at us and sat pretty still. But we had a good time, and I think the home team even one. Which is how it should be.
Then on Saturday, we decided it was time to go pumpkin-picking. This should be easy, since there are a lot of farms in the area. However, pumpkin-picking has been turned into a very commercial event around here. You can find dozens of fall festivals and pumpkin patches and things, but they are nearly all these big events with rides and food and craziness. And entrance fees. (of course) So we just decided to do it anyway and picked the biggest, most fun looking one we could find in the area. And it was fun! We bundled Henry up again and took him on all sorts of fun slides, and to the goat farm, and face-painting (mine, not his... that would have been a mess), and apples, and pumpkins, and a hay ride that we didn't actually go on. Anyway, it was a good time. But the pumpkins they give you for free are teeny, so we just got a real one at the grocery store anyway.
So that's what we've been up to lately! I've got several sewing projects to keep me busy this week, as well as just normal household stuff that I need to do a better job of keeping up on. I'll get the rest of the pictures posted sometime soon, so check back later for that.
Before the chilliness of fall hit us, we spent last weekend outside. First was the Orbital company picnic, which was not like any company picnics I've ever been to. There was food, of course, and some games. And then there were the rides. Moonbounce, inflatable space shuttle slide, laser tag (in an inflatable tank- like an army tank), two climbing walls, a spinny thing you get strapped into and then whirled around (yep, that's the best I can do), a high ropes course, and more. The kids seemed to enjoy most of this, but I think some of the adults were getting into the rides as the evening wore on. I had a good time meeting some of the folks Matt talks about from work (and realizing, of course, that none of them actually look the way I had pictured them). I also enjoyed the "art gallery" of art work submitted by children of employees- all having a space theme. There was even a category for children ages 0-3 yrs. Next year Henry will *definitely* be participating. :-)
The following day, we packed up and headed west out to Shenandoah National Park. Matt finally got some mountains! Although he might not identify them as such. Still, we picked a nice spot to go hiking and spent a few hours wandering about in the woods. Really we were following a trail, but there were very few other people on it and it wasn't a major trail, so it felt like more of an adventure. We decided that while it made for a nice walk in the woods, it was far from actual mountain climbing. For two main reasons.
- When you climb a mountain, you start at the bottom and go up. This means that when you get tired on the way home, you have gravity on your side. In this park, however, you drive in on Skyline Drive, which is along the ridge. So most of the hikes seem to originate from the top and you walk downhill to your destination. Yeah... the way back is a bit more brutal that way.
- On a real mountain, you can stop on occasion and see some great mountain views. Here, we could stop whenever we wanted and see... trees. Somehow not as satisfying, but still pretty.
On Sunday we stayed home to recover from our big adventure, and then had some folks from LifeTeen over for dinner. See, there was no LifeTeen meeting that night. Why? Oh, because the following day was Columbus Day. If you're from Michigan like we are, you might not see the logic there either. But Columbus Day being an important enough holiday here to close school on Monday, everyone goes out of town for the weekend. And so we had to cancel the LifeNight as well. Hmm... odd. We will also be off on Nov. 2, because all the schools are closed the day before elections... in anticipation of being closed on election day. Uhh... right.
This weekend, the outdoor fun continued. Friday night we took advantage of a great Friday night tradition and went to a high school football game. There are a bunch of high schools in the area, so we just picked one. It also happened to be homecoming, and I was excited to see that two of the girls in my LifeTeen small group were on the homecoming court. Yay! This was also Henry's first time being out in the "cold." We had him all bundled up, but his face was still exposed. I'm not sure he quite knew what to make of the chilly air on his face. He didn't complain at all, just sort of stared at us and sat pretty still. But we had a good time, and I think the home team even one. Which is how it should be.
Then on Saturday, we decided it was time to go pumpkin-picking. This should be easy, since there are a lot of farms in the area. However, pumpkin-picking has been turned into a very commercial event around here. You can find dozens of fall festivals and pumpkin patches and things, but they are nearly all these big events with rides and food and craziness. And entrance fees. (of course) So we just decided to do it anyway and picked the biggest, most fun looking one we could find in the area. And it was fun! We bundled Henry up again and took him on all sorts of fun slides, and to the goat farm, and face-painting (mine, not his... that would have been a mess), and apples, and pumpkins, and a hay ride that we didn't actually go on. Anyway, it was a good time. But the pumpkins they give you for free are teeny, so we just got a real one at the grocery store anyway.
So that's what we've been up to lately! I've got several sewing projects to keep me busy this week, as well as just normal household stuff that I need to do a better job of keeping up on. I'll get the rest of the pictures posted sometime soon, so check back later for that.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Bike Saga
Some of you may remember our frustration with our apartment complex on the lack of bike-storage space. No racks anywhere, and mean notices if you leave the bike anywhere public. For months, Matt had his old bike on the balcony, but then took it to work and left it in a bike rack there. Since he bought the new bike, it has been living in the entryway to the apartment (the old one was still at work). As the old one is fairly broken and definitely not worth repairing, Matt was going to throw it out. So he brought it home and was going to take it to the dumpster the next day. However, it was raining at that point, so he left it under the stairs. No lock or anything, just leaning against the wall. I guess we were hoping that someone would either "steal" it or the apartment people would impound it (as threatened). It lasted a week down there, though, with no one bothering it.
Yesterday after Mass, however, we noticed two things. First, the bike was gone. Second, it had been replaced by a pink little-girl's bike (which is still there).
Later on in the day, Matt found his bike. It had been moved to the leasing office and was propped up near the rent drop-box. So... we're still not sure exactly what is going on with it. Did management make good on their threat to impound it, only to realize that they don't have anywhere to put it either? Did someone take it and then realize that it's broken and so they gave up on it? Is someone waiting for us to come look for it (which we won't)? Hmm...
Yesterday after Mass, however, we noticed two things. First, the bike was gone. Second, it had been replaced by a pink little-girl's bike (which is still there).
Later on in the day, Matt found his bike. It had been moved to the leasing office and was propped up near the rent drop-box. So... we're still not sure exactly what is going on with it. Did management make good on their threat to impound it, only to realize that they don't have anywhere to put it either? Did someone take it and then realize that it's broken and so they gave up on it? Is someone waiting for us to come look for it (which we won't)? Hmm...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The latest news
So last weekend we took our second road trip up to Connecticut for my cousin Andrew's wedding to Chrissy. Once again, Henry did great and the "road" portion of the trip went fairly smoothly. We took the scenic route to get there, which was well worth the extra time. It was great to see the colors changing as we drove farther north- we don't have much in the way of fall yet. Henry also enjoyed the time we spent there, as he was passed around among the various Flemings who also attended the wedding. I'll admit that during the ceremony, it felt funny to be sitting and enjoying it without a baby in my arms (he was in the hall crying... with Grandma). You can see some more pictures from the wedding in the album on the left.
Otherwise, life continues as usual. I've pulled out the sewing machine a couple of times in the last week. Once to make a new nursing cover that would be appropriate (as far as that's possible) for wearing with a nice black dress at the wedding. Turns out that project went so well that now two friends have commissioned me to make one for them! I should go into business. :-)
Speaking of commissions, I also finished a project for Matt this afternoon. He had asked me to make him some panniers (think "saddlebags") for the back of his bike. Of course, he's now adding more "structure" to them. And shiny stuff. But I think the overall result is (going to be) successful. Yay! (Matt would like me to add that he is ... bleeding. Yep, he's sewing.)
Our Catholic mom's group is growing, which is great. I've been going to the hospital mom's group as well, but the ladies I meet there don't necessarily share the same values and view of life as I do. In any case, I like having friends. And things to do. Yay!
Henry continues to be a little boy. Sometimes he's happy and playful, other times sleepy and sweet. And I try not to think about the rest of the time. He "talks" a lot more and even sort of giggles on occasion. He's also finding use for his hands. Mostly for sucking on, but also for reaching out and grabbing things. I should probably be finding more things for him to practice grabbing... hmm.
When he's awake and happy, he enjoys his Bumbo seat. We've been putting him in the seat on the table while we eat lately. It's like a real family dinner. :-)
He also enjoys his jumper seat more, and can sit in it without being propped up by blankets. Yay! And since he loves kicking his little legs so much, he can make the thing bounce (and spin) pretty well. So fun!
Henry also thinks it's a lot of fun to stick out his tongue.
Otherwise, life continues as usual. I've pulled out the sewing machine a couple of times in the last week. Once to make a new nursing cover that would be appropriate (as far as that's possible) for wearing with a nice black dress at the wedding. Turns out that project went so well that now two friends have commissioned me to make one for them! I should go into business. :-)
Speaking of commissions, I also finished a project for Matt this afternoon. He had asked me to make him some panniers (think "saddlebags") for the back of his bike. Of course, he's now adding more "structure" to them. And shiny stuff. But I think the overall result is (going to be) successful. Yay! (Matt would like me to add that he is ... bleeding. Yep, he's sewing.)
Our Catholic mom's group is growing, which is great. I've been going to the hospital mom's group as well, but the ladies I meet there don't necessarily share the same values and view of life as I do. In any case, I like having friends. And things to do. Yay!
Henry continues to be a little boy. Sometimes he's happy and playful, other times sleepy and sweet. And I try not to think about the rest of the time. He "talks" a lot more and even sort of giggles on occasion. He's also finding use for his hands. Mostly for sucking on, but also for reaching out and grabbing things. I should probably be finding more things for him to practice grabbing... hmm.
When he's awake and happy, he enjoys his Bumbo seat. We've been putting him in the seat on the table while we eat lately. It's like a real family dinner. :-)
He also enjoys his jumper seat more, and can sit in it without being propped up by blankets. Yay! And since he loves kicking his little legs so much, he can make the thing bounce (and spin) pretty well. So fun!
Henry also thinks it's a lot of fun to stick out his tongue.
Monday, October 6, 2008
You know you're having a bad day when...
... you drive the car out the wrong end of the garage. This happened today at a house about a mile away from us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)