Family Harmony

Hey Nicholas, Girls Don't Have Cooties

So on Sunday we decide to go out to lunch to celebrate the end of the school year and Nicholas and Kathleen's grades. We want to make a memory of this and figured since Mike said they could order dessert, everyone would be happy. Apparently the thought of touching each other gave Nicholas and Kathleen indigestion. After threatening Nicholas within an inch of his life, he agreed to put his arm around his sister. Meanwhile, Jane is saying - "ha, ha - I'm getting dessert and you're not." We pile in the car and head East on 250 for what seems like the five millionth time in 24 hours.

Anyway, moods improved and we settled in at Longhorn Steakhouse in Short Pump. With my Pinot Grigio on its way and the children engaged in the mazes and crossword puzzles from the kid's menu, I was happy.

I took a moment and almost cried for all my blessings. I was snapped from my reverie with Jane demanding that I take her picture too. "Oh, okay" I say as I fumble for my camera stuffed in the purse I made (sorry, wont' go in to that again!) The fumbling takes longer than I thought and the beverages and bread arrived so Mike says - "Do it quick, I don't want stay like this for an hour." I think what he meant was "My cold beer is here, and it's 110 degrees outside." So here's the memory-maker.

I love it.

Jack Attack!

Our beloved Jack is almost 9 months old. Jane wants to know if he's going to be as big as Clifford. Picture this. He is standing next to me right now salivating at Kathleen's baggie of chips. Jane is crying because he slung her off his back like a rag doll.

"When is she going to get it that I'm not a horse?", he muses.

He's a food-focused, duck retrieving prodigy who's not afraid to risk banishment to the out-of-doors for a shot at a ham sandwich let unattended on the counter (my fault, don't tell Mike.) He loves to ride to school with the human puppies and most days he does. This morning was a fiasco, however and Kathleen gets the good-sport and regain-your composure award. Here's the deal. I thought Jack might stay in one place better if he had something to chew on in the car. So I let him take a piece of the plastic pipe the contractors left in our yard (out-building project, a future blog post). He starts out fine in the 'way-back' but decides the middle seat riders (Kathleen and Jane) needed company. He hurls himself over the seat with the large plastic pipe in his mouth (my fault, don't tell Mike.) Along with way, he scratches Kathleen with either the pipe edge or his teeth, we aren't sure which. Keep in mind Nicholas and I are in the front seat, yelling "Jack, Jack - stop - stay in the back" all the while driving to school. Amid the chaos I hear that pitiful muffled cry from my 8-year-old that seems to say "I'm trying not to cry because we're almost at school."

We get to school and Kathleen blinks back a couple of leftover tears, inspects her battle scars and deems she's ready for her day. What a recovery! She deserves the 'I survived the Jack Attack award.' Did I mention that Jack is our beloved dog?!

Queen for a Day

Jane gets her nails done for her graduation from Hebron Day School!

Well it's coming. Jane will start kindergarten in August. Mike says to embrace it and look forward to this new phase in life. I'm beside myself over it. I told him we needed another baby or another puppy to keep me sane. We'll keep you posted on the puppy.

Graduation was awesome. Jane's class recited Bible verses, sang songs and got diplomas. Following was a covered dish dinner for which I went all out and attempted to bake boxed brownie mix. It was a flop. Who messes up Duncan Hines? Clair does. Instead I whipped up some non-boxed mac and cheese which was gobbled up in mere minutes. So there. A fun night was had by all.

Purse and Apron Strings


Don't laugh. I never fancied myself visiting fabric stores on purpose. Recently I discovered how much I enjoy quilting. Who knew? After all I now have cats, yes that's plural. I made this fun purse on Memorial Day. After a beautiful weekend loaded with cookouts and good friends, I settled into my newest project. It's not perfect and the fabrics really make the piece but I know I've gotten better. I never fancied myself a quilter but that was before my stereotype disappeared. No puff painted sweatshirts or bad perms here. No sir. Let's hope Jack - snout in right bottom corner - doesn't eat it.

8K Was Fun!

Mike and Clair ran their first race together on 2-16-08. It was the Richmond Roadrunner's Sweetheart 8K . Mike was ready to push as hard as he could and Clair just didn't want finish dead last. Well, they both accomplished their goals. Mike clocked an impressive 40 min. finish (yes, that's an 8 min. mile!) and Clair finished at 48:52, just under a 10 minute mile. Please see the happy, tired couple in Heather's kitchen after the race. She and Hayes generously watched the children while Clair and Mike blazed trails through their beautiful neigborhood. "The Grove" provided a fun and hilly course. Thank you, Heather, for the nourshing and delicious breakfast you provided our children. And, yes - I am being needled not to buy any more frozen pancakes. (Clair got busted for cheating on breakfast at home!) Lookout Monument Ave. 10K, here we come!

Exciting Upcoming Events:
Reports Pending!

Kathleen makes First Holy Communion AND Theatre Debut in April.

Jane reherses for first Dance Recital in excited anticipation and (gasp) registers for kindergarten.

Clair to turn 40 and looks for freelance work.

First-Year Wrestler Ends Season With a Bang
(or a cradle, or a headlock, or...)

Nicholas' championship wrestling meet was yesterday, 2-10-08. He ended his season in a three-way tie for first place. During the matches, Nicholas' mother franticly searches for a barf-bag each time his name is called. It's nerve-wracking for a mother to watch. But our little (big) guy can hold his own. He won some, lost some, and learned a lot. The season, we think, has seasoned him. We're just proud of him for getting out there and doing something he'd never done before. For you local readers, we highly recommend the Collegiate Wrestling Club. The coaches are dedicated and focused on helping the boys learn, have fun, and push themselves a bit. The head coach wrestled at Oklahoma State and brings his glory days some to share with this generation of little ass-kickers-in-training.

Family Dog Brings Much Joy To Everyone But Cats

Finally! The Norman's have their dog. Jack was brought home on October 28, 2007 and it's been nothing but canine heaven for everyone but the cats. That is if you don't count Clair traipsing through the woods at 3:00 a.m. to retrieve a wondering pup after a satisfying middle of the night poop. (Jack's). Did anyone see the Blair Witch Project? Or if you don't count the after school fights over who's turn it is to take Jack out to deposit his waste. Now that the underground fence zaps away any collar-wearing being if they get too close, life is better. For now, just Jack has a collar. Ruby and George, the feline members of the family, have yet to welcome their brother. Much hissing and squabbling keeps a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs which makes toting laundry up no fun. When the hissing subsides (the cat's), the gate will come down. Oh we just love our dog! Mike has big plans for this smart fella - retrieving ducks and such. Clair jut wants him (Jack) to snuggle and not ask for anything but a kiss and pat between the ears which she would freely also give Mike.