Exceptions to the Rule

We’ve never been a “family bed” type fam. Perhaps because I got some bogus advice after getting married to purchase a queen size bed instead of a king size..and I listened. Duh, I married a giant; that one should have been a no brainer! So there is barely enough room for me and the good looking giant much less trying to squeeze a kid in with us. No thanks!

Our kids are always welcome in our room if they have a middle of the night issue but they have to sleep on the floor. There are mornings I’ve nearly stepped on one of my children not realizing they came in the night prior, grabbed a sleeping bag and plopped down next to the bed.

Well there are always exceptions to the rule right. Our exception occurs when Rich is traveling.
I let the kids take turns sleeping with me when Rich is gone. After a few of the first trips this was modified to taking turns sleeping with mom every other night. This after realizing I get very little sleep when one of my precious darlings is next to me.

Well Rich has been gone since Monday and last night was the first night there was mention of sleeping with mom. Which equated to a lot of sleep for me this week.

Here’s my Sky all tucked in, comfy, cosy on Dad’s side of the bed last night....


She actually stayed on her side and did not snore or kick so both of us had a good sleep. It is the cute little one that is horrible to sleep with…..praying (for her husband's sake) that things change prior to marriage.

Anyway, may you have a good night sleep with or without a sleep mate!

A Weekend to Remember

My Sport’s boy turned 7 on Saturday and like most birthdays we celebrated in many ways…

On Friday it was Liverpool cupcakes with classmates

Homemade apple pie for dinner’s dessert

We kicked-off Saturday with blueberry pancakes

Later Blake and his teammates would devour the coveted soccer b-day cake

Saturday afternoon Blake’s teammates arrived for the Liverpool/ Manchester United Play-off

Despite the grueling afternoon heat, Captain Torres (Blake) and Captain Ronaldo (good bud Craig) would lead the teams in various soccer endeavors….

Soccer Bowling

Skill Relays

Yellow Card Tag and Soccer Blocker

And a final play-off game left these guys utterly goofy

When the last candle was blown out

These All-Stars

Had an absolute ball!

Bay, I hope you know I’m your biggest fan!

Love you big boy!

Valentine Findings

This Valentine's Day I find...

The chocolates delicious

Valentine's from the kids extra special


Treats for the kids fun


The roses beautiful

Sentiments from loved ones near and far precious

And having my #1 Valentine home divine!

(the past 2 V-Day's he's been out of town...actually not even on the same continent)

I hope you're finding your day extra special in many ways too!

Lending a Helping Hand

My mom seems to be in a blog fog. In part I guess due to me and my brother and sister…we take up a lot of mom’s day but I think she really likes it. Some of it is my Dad’s fault too as she’s been helping him with lots of admin stuff for the ministry.

Anyway since she has been absent I thought I’d help her out with a post or two. Oh, who is this? It’s me…..



.....Tori, the cute littlest Franzen.

Well I gotta get going, I may be little but I’ve got a hectic day. Lots of painting, coloring, singing, watching Full House and other random playing to do. A girl’s just gotta have fun.

Just wanted to let you know someone is taking up for my mom’s blog slack.

Meet My New Assistant

Co-Cook


Painter


She's even been helping out with the household chores. This would be her rendition of putting the silverware away....

I'm enjoying my little helper!

Spider-Free

Wordless Wednesday

Okay maybe ONE word....OUCH!

Spider Juice

At the dawn of 09 it was out with the 10 dozen Christmas cookies and in with loads of this….


Fortunately my kids like all sorts veggies and fruits. I visit the fruit market once or twice a week. Oh, they like the cookies too but are taking part in mom’s limited sugar mandate and they are so appreciative—NOT!

Everything was fine and dandy until they caught a glimpse of me pulling out the juicer. It was then the moans began as did the pounds of carrots being pummeled into liquid.

They have been troopers…they plug their nose, down the veggie potion and secretly pray mom gets over this phase before their skin turns orange.....





Well this morning I thought their prayers would surely manifest. Even though I was juicing while they were in school, I am ever mindful of them, as I store their share in the frig for an nice afterschool snack. How nice am I?!

I was happily creating my concoction when there was a loud sound and a puff of smoke. Oh no, I thought…she bit the dust…my precious juicer that has been with me longer than my dear children. Well after cleaning and some investigation I decided to try it again and was back to juicing in no time. Phew, my kids would have their yummy juice after all.

Upon finishing I noticed something floating in the glass of juice. Fortunately I did not shrug it off as pulp because as I scooped out the small mass I noticed legs….8 to be exact. Well there was supposed to be 8 anyway. Ew gross, that noise and puff of smoke wasn’t my juicer biting the dust it was a spider’s last moments of life and its remains were now in my juice.

So I am wondering does anyone know the nutritional value of an arachnid? Hey it might make for a new protein drink.

Marshmallow Monday

Witty Wednesday

Executive Camping

The kid's last week of summer vacation we left the backyard and headed out for some real camping. The week became something we termed, Executive Camping. Allow me to explain….

Just like most camping there was….

Fishing

Lots of fun little critters

High Tech Camping Gear (Wear)

No Make Up and Baseball Caps


Lots of Swimming

Camp Fire Cook Outs

But what put the Executive in our camping style was our "tent" was a house with walls and a roof. We slept in beds and had electricity (well most of the time anyway).....

It was a nice get away that definitely fit our camping style!

A Day of Firsts

Our day yesterday began a bit earlier than normal. By 5:30 a.m. there was a flurry of activity as the kids rose in great anticipation of their first day of school.

Donned in school uniforms and new shoes with bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils, khokis (take a stab at what these are) and lunch pails carried in book bags the “taxi” was back in service.

Blake, beginning Grade 1 and wearing the full school uniform for the first time, confessed his excitement and anxiety during the pre-school chatter. It wasn’t long before he was settled in his new classroom and gaining confidence in what lies ahead……


Skyler’s prayer to have at least one friend from last year in her class this year was abundantly answered as she brewed with excitement upon realizing the whole “sticker club” (her closest friends that trade stickers for kicks) would brave Grade 4 at her side. This would certainly be a first for her.


And precious little Victoria finally able to attend school on the same first day as her big brother and sister climbed enthusiastically into the car on her way to the beginning of Pre-K…..


All returned home full of stories from the first day of school. Mom and Dad grateful it went so well and expectant of a wonderful year for all 3.


Foolish to think this would be our only “firsts” today. As Skyler and Tori played late in the afternoon, Tori took a tumble off the bed and hit her head. (that is why monkeys aren’t supposed to jump on the bed). She gave us a fright and oh what a sight of my babies blonde hair streaked with blood.

Off to the ER we rushed, fortunately the cut was not too deep….3 staples would close it. Typical child stuff I suppose but another first for us and prayerfully the last.


When our heads finally hit the pillow I gave a prayer of thanks for God’s army of angels watching over us. Grateful our day of firsts was over and hopeful for the dawning of an uneventful day!

Pizza Poetry

Sky My made her first pizza pie.

Mom to roll the dough but the rest she would know.

With a pesto crust she would surely earn my trust.

Olives, herbs, and feta cheese

This edible delight would definitely please.


It was pepperoni for the boys

which quickly silenced any noise.


Such yummy creations by my girl

So glad she gave it a whirl.

Blog fodder and a delectable meal

For me, such a great deal!

Camping with Pa

Tis true the Franzenfam has been known to watch Little House on the Prairie and the rumor that we own and watched (multiple times) every season just might be a valid one.

However when it comes doing things like they did in the good ole days well we are amiss!

The kids convinced Pa to go camping last weekend. He agreed, unpacked the tent from the garage and headed out to the backyard to set up camp....



It was a great night creating some “camping” memories and it all occurred from the comfort of our own home. In fact Ma got the whole bed to herself…inside!








Definitely my kind of camping!