Challenge Accepted

First: The background

 

Second: The challenge

 

 

 

Third: The Progress

Photo Challenge

I have fallen really behind in my daily attempt. Instead of scrapping the idea all together, I plan to modify it to be a weekly challenge instead.

The daily routines at home are a bit harder with Jason traveling so much. The last thing the kids want is a camera in their face. They seem to just want food, attention, books and screen time after school.

As I scroll through the previous weeknight attempts, most of what I get are crying kids, pouting faces or just a simple "go away mom" tongue. Kids-1, Mom-0.

Special Olympics

Let me win,
But if I can not win,
Let me be brave in the attempt.

Special Olympics = one amazing experience. There is something about attending one of these events to be inspired about true sportsmanship. Everyone is a winner. Everyone is excited about their results. What an honor to be part of it.

Practice with the special Olympics group has not been going that well. It is a bit overwhelming with lots of athletes practicing, it is at 7pm on a Friday night and Owen still hasn't quite mastered the ability to get out of the pool quick enough to get to the bathroom (enough said there). Jason and Owen attempted about 4 practices with the team before deciding a more controlled environment would be ideal for now.

The day of his first "area meet" came, we did not know what to expect, did not know how he would handle everything and just hoped for the best. He was one of the last groups to swim so it was a 2 hour wait for his turn. It was a good thing grandpa was there and his iPad was available to keep him entertained otherwise we would have been in some serious trouble.

The team's leader was great about giving Owen pep talks. Walking him through what he would be doing and reminding him to just do his best.

When it was his turn to "race" he was excited and had no fear. He hopped right in the pool and started swimming. It was a good thing Jason was close by to remind him to come back to the start line and wait for the horn. He swam hard. He stopped a few times to turn to find Jason to give him a thumbs up and then pushed forward again. In all the "practice" he has done, he has never done so well as he did that day.

He came in third but one of the competitors was disqualified so Owen actually took 2nd.
Standing on the podium, he wanted the tallest one...

The competition.

So proud of his ribbon.

His next competition will be the state meet on Saturday March 29th. Still trying to find out more details on location and time but you can count on us being there cheering this little fish on!

Teach me to SOAR and I will.

Photo 365: Day 61

One of my friends started a meal exchange and invited me it. It is a great concept where we make 6 of the same meal and then swap with each other so we end up with 6 different freezer meals for the month. So far it has been a great success and super convenient to always have a pre-made meal ready in the freezer when we need it.

 

Our March contribution was a Chicken Parmesan Casserole.

Here is a link to the recipe if interested...

http://thrivinghomeblog.com/2013/07/chicken-parmesan-casserole-recipe-an-easy-freezer-meal/

We modified it a bit and added noodles.

February

The month of February got away from me so I don't have a picture every day. I hope March is better to me!

Day 35 - Day 60 in no particular order..

His reading is starting to take off. He is really enjoying just sitting and reading. His favorite books are star wars but I even have a hard time with those words. (I suppose it is better than dinosaur books!)

Olivia had a rough few weeks in February.

Even the dr.'s office was nervous as they heard her coughing

Spending some time with dad.

4 treatments a day and it still didn't do the trick. Honey, steam showers, outside in the freezing air, vicks on the feet, humidifier, you name it we tried it.

Guess who is on the box top committee?

 

Working hard on her valentine cards.

 

Class party for Valentines day. Fun with pipe-cleaners

 

Finally had a snow storm while Jason was home! 

Cars with her big brother.

 

 Special Olympics meet. Owen waiting his turn to shine...

Photo 365: Day 28 - 34

Falling a little behind!

 

 {Day 28} A line up of characters watching a parade.

There was just something about this that made me smile.

 

{Day 29} As I am taking this challenge. I make sure to capture our daily life. This is a prime example of exactly that. Dinner time proves to be a challenge when Jason is out of town. If Zoey does not have a distraction while I am making dinner, well this is what happens. 

 

{Day 30} What can I say about this day? It was NOT fun, but Owen did fantastic for this dr. appointment. A post is overdue on this discussion...

 

{Day 31} Thankful for technology.

{Day 32} My little love

{Day 33} Handsome.



 {Day 34} No words for this one.

Photo 365: Day 20 - 27

{Day 20} One of the many reasons why we love when daddy is home

(which has been very rare lately)

{Day 21} This girl is growing up too fast. 

{Day 22} Daddy-daughter date. A much needed night of attention for this girl with her dad. Weeks when he is away are tough and she is my go to helper. Taking care of the dog, entertaining Zoey while I cook, getting diapers, jammies, keeping me company, the list goes on. Not sure how I would make it through without her.

We just wanted her to feel a little special so they went to dinner and a movie and had a great time.

{Day 23} Would you guess this is Occupational Therapy? Still working on brushing his teeth. He has graduated to allowing us to brush with water but any other flavor is a melt down. So his Therapist was trying juice here. He got a few brushes in but it was still a challenge. Just keep trying, just keep trying, repeat, repeat, repeat. Never give up.

{Day 24} Experimenting with a Macro lens, I have a lot to learn, ha ha.

{Day 25} A beauty even with pink eye.

{Day 26} She will sit and do this puzzle over and over and over again.

Thankful to have another puzzle lover in the family.

 

{Day 27} She may be growing up too fast but she is still my baby girl who loves to snuggle.

(wearing the pants I knitted)



The start of something new

Turning 8 opens a new opportunity for Owen. He is now eligible to participate in the Special Olympics. Each season there are different sports to try and a chance to play. There are not very many programs like this available so we are thankful to have this outlet. We are a few weeks late for the swim season but made it to a practice this last Friday. The practice started at 7pm (Owen's bed time is typically 7), and of course he gave it his all. Excited to swim and have fun in the water. He did a few laps in the pool on the kick board before deciding it was enough and then went to the shallow pool.
The first meet is February 9th at Gustavus Adolphus College. Beyond that I am not sure what to expect but we are excited!

Photo356: Day 13 - 19

{Day 13} After my camera took a tumble my prime lens was damage. I decided to upgrade as a little present for learning how to better use my camera. It arrived and it is a night and day difference.

{Day 14} She stole an iPad.

{Day 15} With Dad in Germany, it's been nice to have a little extra help. The girls were thrilled to have Grandma over!

{Day 16} Drawings - Owen made this fine piece of art at school. A perfect representation of "Mario". It is awesome to see the detail he is starting to add to his pictures.

{Day 17} Olivia is LOVING her swim class. I think this is her favorite part. I also love to get to practice capturing the moment!

{Day 18} What mom?

{Day 19} Bath time. Finally not screaming through her baths.

I skate. You slide.

The weather was finally warm enough for us to venture out for some winter fun. We are lucky that we didn't need to go far, just across the street to the pond. Where our neighbor has been keeping a rink maintained and ready for skaters. Olivia is the only one in the family with a pair of skates so the rest of us cheered her on and did a little sliding. I was quite impressed with how well she did for her first time out.

 

A little help from dad in the beginning.

 

And then she was off. Skating away.

 

 

Owen did some spinning.

 

Zoey did some bonding with the neighbor.

 

 

We need to look in to getting Owen some skates and figure out how to support him to learn how to skate. His ankles are still pretty weak so it will be difficult but I know he will really like it.

Photo 365: Day 8-12

Completing a photo challenge every day has proved to be a little challenging. I may need to expand my mission for the year. The challenges occur when Jason is out of town for the week  and the only times I am able to use my DSLR is when the sun is not out. I will need to get more creative. But for last week, this will have to do...

{Day 8} Slim pickings for photos on this day.

{Day 9}They like to cuddle after school. I think they both need the down time. They clamor to get on my lap and usually end up fighting about it. Thankful on this day they decided to cuddle each other.

{Day 10} She loves to color with the big kids.

{Day 11} Coloring, puzzles, yup we celebrate it ALL. This is a big deal.

{Day 12} Thankful for warm weather.