having fun-

we spent the weekend running around, again.  Saturday morning, Rocket had a soccer game at 9 am which meant leaving at 8 am so he was there in time for warm ups.  Meanwhile, Falco had to be at a race at 9:40, so anther family picked him up at 9am to take him to the race.  Rockets game finished at 10:25 (they won), and we headed over to the race to see Falco since his actual start time was 11:40 am.

We found a good spot to watch the race and be in the shade.  We did not realize this was close to the finish line, but we did know it was close to the other parents and runners from Falco's school.

We ended up moving over a bit into the sun as it was a little breezy in the shade.  I missed Falco coming up the course, but he had a personal best of 21:08 for the race-WOHOO.

After the race- you can see Mam and Rocker in the blue and red chairs just over his shoulder.

Going back to Friday night, I took the boys for a walk- they were both getting on my nerves!  Just normal bickering, but I had no patience for it since I was not happy that they were avoiding doing chores.  We ended up having a talk on Sunday and they are back on track and I am less stressed.  Typical teenager behavior- nothing to worry about.

 

Pablo and I had been walking in this park all week, so Pablo was excited to go again.

my teenagers- not really happy I made them go out- no matter how good Rocket's smile is.

the moon was coming up- it was a "super" moon, meaning it was a full moon that was close to Earth in its orbit so it looks bigger.

Saturday, after the race, we took Mam home and then came home so Falco could get ready for HOMECOMING.

His photo for when he runs for office in Austria.

The team was having dinner together before the dance.  The boys all stood around together talking while the girls arrived.  Some of the kids went as couples, but most went solo. I really like this tradition.  When I was in school you could not go to homecoming alone, you had to go with a date.  Prom was the same.  Now the kids go as friends, in groups and everyone has a great time.

all the boys

A close up.

Getting the boys to stand together was like herding cats, at least I thought it was, until the girls got involved and then it was impossible to get the girls to pay attention.

the girls- seriously, they were not listening or paying attention for quite some time.  Final a mom had to go over and pull them into position.  It reminded me why I am happy to have boys- they will eventually listen (sometimes).

Sunday, after church, we headed to the grocery store and this car was parked next to us.  Falco was very happy and very "James Bond" in his posing.

Rocket had his last soccer game on Sunday afternoon.  They won again.  But, they have not won enough games this season to advance to the league tournament.  So we are back to sleeping in on Saturdays!!!!!!!!!

Both boys are now done with sports for the season.  Rocket had Basketball tryouts last week, we are waiting to see which team he is put on and when practices will start.  Falco is done, there are no sports at school he can do for the last 3 months he is here. But, the YMCA (rec center) is right across the street from school, so he and friend are going to go work out a few days after school each week. 

 

 

 

Sunday night, we pulled out Rocket's old toys to donate some of his cars to a friend who is volunteering with an orphanage in Guatemala.  While we were sorting cars, all the cars from the CARS movies were sorted to keep and the boys starting playing with them.  I think they were both having happy memories of their childhood.

Today is Falco's saint's day.  As he has explained to me, you get small gifts on your Saint's day.  His parents sent a gift that arrived last week and he received 3 letters from family in time for this celebration.  I think I might make kiasersmaren (spelling?) for him tonight as a treat.

he got a smart watch/fitbit type thing.  Love it and love that he told me where his parents got it- I have already checked and I think I can get the same for Rocket (he has asked for one for the last 2 years)- I love that the place is not expensive- I nearly feel over in shock when I saw the packing list- it is totally less than the cost of a pizza. Completely within my budget for Christmas. Thank you Falco's parents!!!!!

 

 

Well that is all for today- lots of photos coming on Sunday evening or Monday as I take the boys on a little trip.  More details to come after the fact.

 

Love and hugs,

Deb

last hurrah of warm weather?

the pictures out of order again. 

 

yesterday evening after dinner, the boys played on the trampoline.  I think the boys are really ready for sports to be done.  they are very happy playing and hanging out last night.  I am not sure how many more nice evenings they will have and in a few weeks the time will change (fall back) and it will be dark by dinner time -NOOOOOOOOO!  I don't like winter.

even Pablo was in on the playtime- though Pablo was really more interested in getting treats.  He was hoping that when he brought the Frisbee back, someone would give him some human food.  Sorry doggie boy, no human food for you.

resting in the yard- stealth dog.

the goal from Falco was to make Rocket scream.  Rocket was happy to scream.  I am not sure what the neighbors thought, but the boys were happy.

dinner al fresco. Chicken Mac and Cheese and green beans or edamame (soy beans).

Pablo and I have been walking at lunch this week.  the leaves are just starting to turn and the weather has been gorgeous.  We have been going up to the park near Falco's school (about 5 minutes driving time from the house).  the loop around the park is about 1-1.5 miles (1600 m-2km)

Pablo likes this park- there are lots of good smells, lots of squirrels, and I think there are some deer back in the woods. 

on the way the first day.  the new car is very slippery for Pablo.  It took all week to get it worked out that a bathroom floor mat works perfect on the seat for Pablo to stand on.  It does not slip and he does not slip.

on our way home on the first day.  One tired dog (we were at the stop light).

and this is what Pablo does the rest of the afternoon when we get home!  His "baby" Fred stays with him.  I am not sure why Rocket started calling the baby Fred, but it works.

 

Last soccer games and cross country race this weekend!!!!! 

 

 

Love and hugs,

Deb

One of the boys got his school pictures back today

That's my boy- look so handsome in his Austrian soccer shirt.  I love that his smile is back.  I love my boy.

Tomorrow is walkathon for Rocket's school.  I will be up there volunteering as usual.  Look for pictures tomorrow night if I can stay awake.

Falco has 2 more weeks of cross country and then he freeeeeeeee and I am free too  We are both tired of being tied to a schedule.  he wants to come and go and not constantly need rides and I want to be able to do things around the house before he gets home.

Hard to believe that we are about 1/2 way through his stay now.

Love and hugs,
Deb

new adventures, new car

Friday night, I took the boys to the baseball game.  it was the last night for fireworks- actually there were only 2 more games left in the season after this game.  Our team color is Red, but the boys were in blue coats and the rest of the folks around us were all in blue for their team. Their team is in first place in the division, so it was like being at an away game as the Reds are in last place in the division.

 

The boys were quite happy to be at the game. 

It was a little cooler than other weeks, temps in the 60s (20 C).

 

As usually, I brought dinner. Falco was loving it- pulled pork sandwiches, chips and fruit.  The boys also found the $1 hot dog stand later in the game.  The Reds lost 7-2, but Falco got to see a grand slam home run by the Reds.

The fireworks were great.  I realized while I was taking pictures that it is so nice to not worry about how much film I have in my camera and just take pictures.  I think I took over 100 pictures of the fireworks.  I will spare you though and only share 2

 

We had no issues with parking or parking garages this time, but there was another adventure as my friend Fran though her car was stolen.  I think that will be a memory for a long time.

Saturday, Falco was off to a XC race (see details below), and I took Mam to see Rocket play soccer.  His team won their second game of the season.  I don't think he was too happy with me during the game as he was jogging the field while his teammates were racing toward the ball.  He finally picked it up and I was able to get some good action shots.

 

meanwhile- Falco was at XC.  He had to be picked up at 7:40 am for the race, but his race was not until 12.  He did not eat between breakfast and his race and that caused some issues.  Apparently, he feel 2 times on the race course, he says he was told he blacked out.  But I can not imagine the race marshals allowing him to continue racing if he came up to him and found him on the ground. His electrolytes were off for the rest of day.  When he got home, he was sick and really should not have sat to eat a heavy lunch.  He ended up going to bed and sleeping for 2 hours. When he woke up, he was much better.  while he was sleeping, I saw Dr. M (Rocket's doctor, who is also a runner and who also has a son who runs cross country).  Dr. M explained what was likely going on and told me to keep an eye on Falco, make sure he stayed hydrated and to not eat really heavy food- soup and crackers was a good place to start.  Everything is OK- but let me tell you I was not too happy with Falco's coach for having them too early, not encouraging them to eat something around 9 am, and then not knowing that he was down on the course 2 times and not notifying me.  this is the worst part of having kids in 2 separate activities and being a single parent.  Thankfully both boys' seasons should be over in the next few weeks (please God, don't let Rocket's team be forced to go to end of season tournament when they don't have a winning record- please, please, please).

Rocket did some bike riding this week.

 

 

But, the biggest news is that I had to buy a new car!

this is the old car.  My parents owned it for 7 years and then I have owned it the last 12 years.  Wednesday, I took it into the dealership for some servicing- there was a noise under the driver side and the steering wheel had to be at 2 and 7 O'clock.  Well, I did not hear anything from Tommy (the service guy who always takes car of my car) on Wednesday.  On Thursday, when I had not heard from him by 10 am, I called to see if there was news.  because I did not get a call on Wednesday, I knew it was probably going to be bad.  Well, Tommy called back around 11 with the news that the car was not repairable unless I wanted to pay out lots of money and it was so bad, they could not let me take the car back as it was unsafe to drive (thank you God for keeping me and the boys safe).  But, while that was the bad news, he had good news. He knew the car I wanted to buy based on our conversations over the last few years and he had the sales team find the exact car I wanted.  The car was up the road at their other dealership (1 hour up the road), but if I wanted it, they would get it brought down.  I looked at the car online, called my credit union to arrange financing and began the process of buying a new to me car (it is a used car).

 

 

Friday after work, I went to pick up my new Toyota Sienna (mini van)!  I decided not to tell the boys that I knew the car was coming home on Friday, when they asked about the car on Thursday.  I told them we were still looking for a car and it would probably be Tuesday before we had one.  I am so sneaky. 

 

The car came home at 2 pm on Friday and I waited

 

Rocket got home first and I met him at the door instead of letting him come through the garage.  He asked where the loaner car was as it was not sitting in the driveway like it had done since Wednesday.  This is my boy's happy dance when he saw the mini van.

 

Falco was even more fun- he gets picked up from school after practice.  I knew he would be looking for the loaner car, so we were able to drive right up to him without him noticing.  He thought the mini van was another loaner car.  Neither he or Rocket was too happy that I kept it a secret on Thursday, but I enjoyed the fun of keeping a great surprise from them. 

 

the van is great.  it is pleasure to drive and there is lots of room for us.  As you all know, my dad (Pap) has not spoken to me since February 2014.  Well, Mam came home from the soccer game on Saturday raving about the mini van.  On Sunday, I pick up Mam before church- she usually locks the door to the house behind her, but this time, Pap told her he would lock the house door.  She and I were both laughing, he came to the door to look at the van.  He still not talk to me, but he had to see it.  

 

that's all for today, Falco should be texting me soon to pick him from practice.

 

Have a great day, love and hugs,

Deb

Going to Hell in a Handbasket

The title of this post is in reference to the state of American politics.   Falco and I watched the debate last night- we both agreed on who won, but today my news feed has blown up with the ugliness of this election.  I really do fear for this country no matter who wins- it feels like we are on the brink of civil war.   Rocket was going to stay up, but this is him during the debate.  He could have gone to bed, but he wanted to "rest" on the camping mat.  He said he was hot, but when I got him into bed, he complained he was cold- go figure.

On Sunday, Auntie Lulu (my sister) brought over the finished blanket for him.  She has been working on it since he came home.  I am not the only one who takes forever to finish things. 

Saturday was filled with sports- Rocket had soccer in the morning and Falco had a cross country race in the evening.  This is him having a banana.  Apparently he hates them (or strongly dislikes them), but if he has to run 3.1 miles (5K) and then needs a snack he will eat them.  This is a hint for his parents- make him run, he will eat anything!!!!!

The board shows his time- he is number 159.  At one point the board showed him in 259 place, but apparently it was 159.  There were 306 runners in his race.  According to Falco, he took 26 seconds off his personal best time.  this is AWESOME!  Only 3 more weeks of races for him and then his season is likely over.  He will go watch his team mates for the district, region and state championships if they advance- but only the Varsity runners go and he is not varsity.  He is looking forward to some extra time in his schedule.

He is the runner in front just after the finish line.

Coming down the home stretch.

this is the 306 runners taking off from the field behind the stadium.

getting ready to line up for the start.

so you see the curve of teams!

Rocket's team played hard in the morning.  They lost 1-0 (though Rocket says it was 4-0).  Rocket was a wing in this game- he is on the far left of the screen- all by himself.

 

Rocket has at least 4 more weeks of soccer.  if his team wins at least half their games, they move to the league championships- right now they have lost 3 games and won 1 game.  I think I would like to be done with soccer for this season at the end of this month instead of playing into November again this year.  Basketball will be starting soon and it really would be nice not to have to drive either of the boys around for a few weeks.

 

that's all for today.

Love and hugs,

deb