Showstopper - DPP 2017 Day 14

Today was a fairly standard day in the Hoffman household.  We were back to normal with all four kiddos out the door to school.  I took my camera to work today with big plans to take some photos of the beautiful campus but I was busy enough that I never had the chance.  So all the photos today come from the school concert.  I can't say that I took the time to try and get a good submission for today.  I spent more time just capturing moments.  However, I did appreciate this one and it will be the day's photo.

There is one in every crowd.

 In our case, there were two....

Both a daddy and a Pawee willing to be a little crazy and silly to get a laugh from K.  I love that about both of them.  You just can't take yourself too seriously in life or you will miss some of the best parts.

Here is a list of some of the moments that I want to remember that make school concert nights so grand:

1.  The sweet chats between a Daddy and his daughter on the way in to the concert while he helps to carry all of her important treasure in her bag.  She can't be bothered to carry her own stuff because she has her baby and her ear muffs.

2.  A night where he gets to be the center of our family's attention.  He stars in the show.  I think this is great for all kiddos but especially those in larger families.

3.  That there were two types of B in this performance.  There was come alive, let the music fill your souls, sing your heart out, and dance about B..... and there was also, become distracted, watch others sing for awhile and lots of yawning B.  It was clear he played some serious favorites with the song selections.

4.  On the song that was clearly his favorite, I was reminded of a story he had told me with pride at bedtime a few weeks prior.  He had reported that he had come up with the final move of the song.  I don't know how I knew that it was the song but I was fortunate that I chose to video tape it and sure enough, that last move was a vintage B move.  I have this picture of it because sometimes you tolerate a blurry and grainy photo to have the picture of the move that he held until you got just the perfect picture and dropped your camera. 

So much fun to get to sit in your own row without any parents.

These three have been buddies since kindergarten.
I love this trio.  They are hilarious.
I love their moms too.

5.  Friendships.   Nothing better than to have an excuse to be with your friends on a school night!

Well - looks like Lil b has entered the awkward photo smile phase.












6.  Family - we are so blessed by all of our family.  I really wanted a picture with the whole cheering section but instead I was trying to herd cats. . . .er, I mean my kids.  (One thing I would like to forget is my children running around the place like crazy people.  We reframed it as a teachable moment and I remain hopeful they learned this time..... unlike all the other times we've reviewed where we can and cannot run around like banshees).
Marilyn managed to duck away from my camera on this night.  If I pointed it her directions, she would slyly lean out of the way.  Fortunately, I got a good one of her a few days ago.   I did however catch this sweet moment where at least one banshee slowed down for a sweet moment to snuggle up to Omom.

You can still see a bit of the crazy in her eyes from the running.  But I LOVE this picture of my sweet mama.  I love that she was able to be there.  After a major back surgery that was worse than expected, she is finally bouncing back and is able to come and sit for these events again.  It makes all of our hearts happy to have her around.  K enjoyed a performance full of snuggles and "drawing on her back."   I think that look on my dad's face is saying, "I am so glad that I am not the one trying to herd the screaming banshees."

We ended the night with a trip to the froyo place with friends.  It was a wonderful night.

Ketchup

Day 11 -

I was intentional about not taking many photos on this day.  In fact, only one.  I was growing weary and tired.  That level of overwhelm was reaching peak levels so I made the conscious decision to not worry about this project.  I love this project.  It helps me see clearly at the end of the day.  But most of all, I love to go back and read it all before the project begins again the following year.  I am always amazed at all the stories that I have forgotten even within a year's time.  But I am also all about letting myself off the hook.  Being a big family, the logistics of the day to day is busy and crazy and wonderful.  It takes energy to remember it all and get to everything.  And when this blog starts raising my blood pressure, it takes a back seat.  Sleep won on Monday and my stress and blood pressure are back to normal.  :)

The walking meeting.

How great is it to work at an institution that encourages wellness and life balance.  That encourages reflection and personal growth.  So today, we took our admissions process discussion to the track.  Before we knew it, we had 45 minutes of activity under our belts which beats sitting at the conference room table for another hour.  Plus we came up with some great ideas, solved a few problems, and had many a laugh.  We like to laugh. .. .  a lot.

Day 12

I was able to tackle some of the Christmas prep the night before and was feeling more in control.  However, none of the Hoffmans had their best day today and that included me.  I found myself apologizing to the kiddos the next morning because sometimes when you are the mom, you have to practice what you preach.  Some days, I feel the need to write about the struggle of the day but today isn't that day.  Today I choose to focus on the great parts about today.  I choose to recognize that the good and the bad stress that comes with this time of year takes its toll on all of us.  It makes little ones wigglier, distracted, tired, and those listening ears are totally on the fritz at times.  It makes us big ones short, impatient, tired, and frustrated at times.  When you can see it in yourself, it makes it easier to forgive it in others.  We could use more of that in this age of social media and the court of public opinion that never rests.  If we always assumed positive intent and allowed for imperfection- always - in children, in others, and in ourselves - man, life would be way less stressful.  I think I remember something about stones and sins and I am pretty sure I need to be putting my rocks down.

Tonight was the first time our piano teacher did a Christmas concert and I loved it.  It was festive and fun.

Our piano teacher is the best.  She manages to be fun and kind but nudge the kiddos each week to be better.  They all adore her and look forward to seeing her each week.  It is a RARE occasion that we get a "can I skip piano tonight?"  That is saying something because we get that about something with each kiddo each week.  Here she is giving some last minute encouragement to Lil B for his first recital.

We do not push our kids to practice and maybe we should.  We do place it in the list of responsibilities that must be completed before they move on with their day.  We encourage it.  We remind them.  But we don't force it.  Mostly because I want them to enjoy it now and forever.  I do know that they would be much further along in their playing if they were more disciplined in their practicing.  But these recitals help to force their hands and gets them to sit down, practice and perfect (or attempt to). They all progress at different rates and speeds.  Tonight, they made Rich and me so proud.  Their songs were pretty rough this last week and I was worried we were just going to have a hard life lesson of why you prepare.  I was prepared to let them learn that lesson the hard way and support them through it but I didn't have to.  They usually practice after school while Rich and I are still working.  Those three are INCREDIBLE at doing their responsibilities, homework, and spelling in their time after school.  And it was clear, the up'd their piano practice game.  They did a great job.  It came together and they did it.

A pre-show pep-talk from their Pawee whom they hadn't seen in ages.  They were so happy he came.

Here she is making sure her Uncle Tev is behaving back there.  After a day of school, she could hardly stand to sit through this performance which is unusual for her.

B improved the most over the last week.  That kid is good under pressure.  Knocks it out.

The best part of the night was when B was going on stage and in an effort to keep his mother from taking his picture he announced, "NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY!"  It got a chuckle from the audience but the joke was on him because I didn't need my flash. Hee hee.  He also, between songs, took the book he was finished with, looked right, looked left, and then unceremoniously tossed it on the floor.  I shook my head at him but couldn't help but laugh.

 Lil b handled his performance like a pro.  He even knew to bow.  He played his two songs confidently and well.  This kid is Mr. Happy and Mr. Positive.  And he attacked this with the same joy he does almost everything he does (except maybe spelling tests.  He hates those.)

E's love for piano playing has absolutely exploded in the last year.  Both because her skill level is getting high enough that she can push herself to learn songs that she wants to learn and because she has a good friend who is phenomenal and an encourager.

I think we all know this is everyone's favorite part of the recital. 

Lil B checking out the sweet little gift from his teacher.

Interestingly, E asked me this morning (of Day 13) if I did the blog and I said that I decided to catch up on some much needed sleep instead.  I told her I was feeling crabby and just wanted to end my day.  She replied, "you needed to do your blog so you could see the good in the hard day."   She is a wise one and she listens.  At times a bit nosy about it but she listens and retains. :)  But here I am at the end of Day 13, blogging about day 12 and all I can remember is goodness and love.  Looks like she was right.

Day 13 -

Today was not as planned.  Rich had to be up in the middle of the night to do work with people overseas so I was on for all of the morning routine.  Both E and B had to be at school early so we all got up and ready so we could just drop them off together.  We were ready to leave when E came up and wasn't feeling well.  She has shown dependability and responsibility this year which was an improvement from last year.  I had no reason to doubt her.  So she was allowed to make the decision of whether she felt badly enough to miss school and she said yes.  So I sent her back to bed with the intention of waking her in a couple of hours and try to get her to school.  No fever and no vomiting means we at least attempt to get to school at some point of the day.  When I returned later to check on her, she was warm to touch and sleeping hard.  So a day of rest was decided as the best course of action.  I am grateful for both the option of a sick day and the option of a work from home day when kiddos get ill.  It gives some of that ever elusive balance to the working mom.   Normally, E would have been fine left with her Dad and I would have been off to work but I wasn't feeling 100% either and Rich was having a crazy busy day.  I am fairly certain that phone didn't leave his ear today.

Sick.
And I love the side-eye I am getting.  She is not pleased with my photojournalism.

Always good to refocus once in awhile this time of year.

We adopted a family for the first time this year.  It has been an absolute joy and I would encourage anyone to do the same.  It has a personal touch which is a bit uncomfortable but incredibly rewarding.  Out of comfort zone things are often the most important.  Tonight we were all wrapping while Christmas movies played. A fun family service project, right?  That turned out to be a mistake.  The kids watched the movie while Rich and I wrapped.  But it is done and now we get to deliver it all!

He wanted me to come chat after K went to bed.  I didn't get there in time.
But when I saw this, my heart swelled.  Teddy doesn't sleep with the kids ever.
It makes me wonder what B wanted to talk about and if Teddy sensed he just needed someone to be with him.
Teddy is still up there which is unusual because he is ALWAYS by my feet.  But tonight, he is staying close to B.

 I end today feeling really blessed in the last few days and ready to tackle tomorrow.  Saying prayers for healthy kiddos and a healthy mom.

Day 10 - A game, a medal, and a symphony.

After a late night struggle with the to do list, I had to make some adjustments to the plans today.  The to do list is always a growing and never fully complete list year around.  I have come to terms with that and make do.  But this time of year, the to do list takes on a life of its own.  Like the Hulk when he is angry or a magwai that was fed after midnight.  Most of the time and most days, I take it in stride.  But there are times when the mass of things to do begins to weigh down on me and I get overwhelmed.  Those are the times that I just have to let some things go and beg the grace of those who I have cancelled on or let down.  Fortunately, as I have grown older, I have learned to surround myself with people who are love despite the imperfections type of people.  Sometimes you just have to take a big breath and focus on only those things that need to be done today.  It also didn't hurt that my awesome hubby picked up and straightened the whole house and one of my favorite peeps that I cancelled on brought us some homemade mac and cheese for dinner.  How do I rate?  Pretty darn good.  It is not lost on me how incredibly lucky I am to be cared for by fantastic people.

Basketball was still center stage today but this time it was Lil b's turn first.  His league is fun to watch and even makes us giggle from time to time.  Lil b is a kiddo that loves sports and they come more easily to him than the older two.  He just has a ball out there.    Here are a few pictures from his day on the court.

Stealing the pass.

My favorite thing that I want to remember as I am sure it will disappear before too long.  When he is out on the court and something goes right, there is always a short run of skipping before he returns to running.

Taking the shot.

He has two expressions on the court - the grin from ear to ear (usually while skipping) or sticking his tongue out in concentration while he plays.  I suppose I should add the third - the one where he yells at his favorite teammates to pass to him when he is way back by half court and they are all down by the basket ready to shoot.  I appreciate that he understands the concept of passing out but perhaps he is over utilizing this strategy.

And another

  I secretly suspect he just likes taking it down to the basket for a shot and wants to start from back there.  Whatever it is, it is pretty funny and cute.

Here is what K likes to do during time outs and half time at basketball games.  Lots of kids get out there and play some basketball or shoot a few shots.  Not K, she just gets out there and runs.  Has no care in the world and runs very randomly.  Oh why can't we retain the confidence we had at four.  And the joyfulness.  She is so incredibly happy (unless she is hangry, of course) and carefree.

E's team had their last game of their tournament today and for the first time this season, they took first place.  They have had some tough losses over the last month and so they enjoyed this win.

The best part of the day was getting to have a special date with my second born.  My parents gifted us some tickets to the symphony Christmas program.  I had a conversation with my dad about who would be best to go.  E was an obvious choice due to age, maturity, and ability to sit still for long periods.  She has loved these types of events since she was very little.  Sadly, she couldn't go as she had her last game.  All three littles expressed an interest in going.  There was a bit of a scuffle last night between E and Big B which resulted in tears, bruised legs, bleeding mouths, and mostly bruised feelings.  It was ugly as we worked through it but at the end, I realized that B needed that time more than anyone today.  He is content to be off on his own a lot in his room or busy with friends that sometimes we forget that soft, big, mushy heart.  All the kiddos need more one on one time but I feel like it happens organically more often with the other three that it does with B.  I really knew he needed it when he dressed up some without complaint.  He typically fights dressing up.  But here he is ready to go with his big 'ol dog up on his bed (where the dog isn't allowed).

My only non-iphone photo today so it will be the submission.

The worry with B is that he is full of energy.  When I first spoke with my Dad about who might go, we both worried he would be bored, get antsy, and then the experience had the risk of turning out to be a negative one.  Today was a lesson in not underestimating my young man.  I still have so much to learn.  Sometimes it is easy to focus on the energy and forget that he is also my noticer, my one who comes alive with music, and the one who listens intently and for meaning.   When in St. Louis to watch my father preside for the last time in the Federal courthouse, of the four children, B sat as quietly as E and it was only B that knew what the case was about and he knew lots of details.  In fact, I told him today that I didn't give him enough credit for how great he is at these sorts of events and mentioned the St. Louis example.  I'll be darned if that kid still didn't know about the court case down to the nitty gritty details.  The kid LOVED this and declared that we needed to return again with the whole family.  He really wanted to go back for the evening Sunday show.

He assured me that his monkey wanted to see this show.  He is growing up and maturing quickly these days and I love these little throw backs to the little guy that happen from time to time. 

As he does, he noticed people playing certain instruments, had commentary about his favorite songs, singers, and dancers.  He was sad when it was over and didn't understand why the second act was so short.

Who doesn't love an intermission that includes ornament making and hot chocolate?

We are ready for the second act with our hot chocolate ready.  B was so excited that he was allowed to sip on this through the second act.

We called this "ice cream as big as your head".  We both got two scoops which was a mistake.  They were HUGE scoops.  We had our fill and threw the rest away.   It was a fantastic date. 

Basketball and Friends DPP 2017 Day 9

Today was a busy day of basketball.  This made for a good challenge for me.  One that revealed that it remains a challenge.  My photography strength has always been candid moments and portrait photography.  Sports photography is a whole different ball of wax and I do not have the settings right yet and I miss more than I get. It is why this post is so late.  When you know that you are bad at something, you have to take a volume approach.  So when it came down to edit photos and pick ones that would work for today, I had 400 or more photos to look through.  I had to hit the delete button a lot. Something to work towards in the future.

Heading in to Big B's game.

E had an early morning game that we barely rolled out of bed in time to feed her some breakfast before we left.  I left without coffee.  WITHOUT COFFEE!  I don't know how I made it either and I appreciate your concern.  Naturally, I didn't take a camera to that game.  Too bad as she took an elbow to the eye, enough that the ref stopped the game to see if she was ok.  It is puffy and we are waiting to see if it will blacken.  We figure it will keep the elbows away at the next games because she will look so tough.

The picture above is us heading in for Big B's basketball game.  I didn't think he would play this year because he didn't have much fun last year playing.  He has had a complete turn around this year thanks to great coaches and a team full of good friends.  What is not to love.

I love how much of himself he puts into everything that he does.  This is the effort he puts in for a warm up shot before the game.  I can't believe how much air he got.  You will be happy to know that shot went in.  He sunk a bunch of shots during this game.  He doesn't always do that but he did today!  It is really hard to get a picture of him shooting because the kiddo has no fear and just barrels through the other players towards the basket.   Here is a series where some of the pictures are really blurry but I had to keep them because he is coming up on a kiddo that is bigger than him, kept going full speed, got past him, and then took a shot.  Not bad for a little guy. . .

And he made it!

 Most of all, I love that he is an encourager.  That he cheers for his teammates, believes in all of them, and never puts winning before team.  He isn't disciplined in his words and actions; it is that what was done well outweighs any mistakes in his mind.  It is how he views his teammates and himself.  On a day they got absolutely clobbered by the other team, he said, "Mom, is it ok that I don't care we lost?  Some of the guys were really frustrated but we have the best team.  It just didn't go our way this time."  He always says things that as I reflect on them I realize how much he has to teach me.  Love that kid.

The younger siblings have organized.

The three musketeers.

Then it was off to E's next game where she took on a tough team.  It was a close game but they won.  E works hard to improve as a player all and her work is really paying off.   She absolutely loves the game of basketball and we love watching her play.

This picture is really just to give you an idea of the difference between E and other girls her age.

Moving down the court quickly.

With no one in front of her, she takes the shot.

This is a terrible picture when it comes to focus and composition but I am including it anyway.  E used to hang back on offense, worried about making mistakes and missing shots.  In the last 6 months, she has shaken off that fear and has had a game or two where she was one of the top scorers.  So I love this picture because it shows the work and the growth.  She took this shot and she made it.  As her parents, we don't care much about the shots taken and the shots made.  We care about the journey, overcoming the intimidation factor, and learning to take chances in the name of growth.

No day is completely consumed by basketball.  There are always sweet moments like this one.  Marilyn (Rich's mom) is so wonderful about coming up to our house frequently to see basketball games, babysit for date nights, and helping out when there is a parent out of town.  Consequently, the kiddos have a close relationship with her.  Tonight, B decided that he needed to share his artwork with Grandma.  Grandma was dutifully impressed and showing it off.  She already knows where she will display it.  Our kiddos really won the grandparent lottery on both sides of the family, if you ask me.

E also had a really fun Christmas party with friends tonight.  That mom has my utmost respect!  She had a big group of middle school girls to her house and put on what by all appearances was the dinner party of all dinner parties.  There was pizza, cookie decorating, a gift exchange, and a group of kiddos that left their phones alone and interacted instead.  Three cheers for that party!

So today's post is almost done....   But there is one more picture I have to post.  As I was clicking through photos at basketball to see how I was doing with this new photography skill, one of the basketball dads gave me a little grief as to why he wasn't in the pictures.  Naturally, I spun around and took one quick and promised him it would find its way here.  That'll teach him.  HA!

The uninvited guest....

So today was not a high picture volume day.  Mostly because I just forgot.  Great news!  We did not have a before school activity to either forget or not be able to find shoes to be able to attend.  So that makes this morning a win.   You know what else makes this morning a win?   I was bustling around because I was picking one of my work friends to carpool into work.  Rich had an early call so I was on my own to get the kiddos off to school.  I was giving lots of reminders of time but not really paying too close attention to what the three of them were doing.  I knew all the critical items were complete and they were just playing.  So when I gathered all of my things and turned to walk out the door, I stopped to take a picture of what I saw.   If this isn’t a morning win, I don't know what is.  They crack me up.

DPP Day 8 - Ready for school

K has really committed to this bike helmet being more of an accessory rather than for riding bikes.  Picked her outfit to match it today and she has been sleeping with it.  This is a new thing in the last two days and I am not going to be sad to see it go.  However, I do intend to get lots of pictures while it lasts.

This evening was mostly uneventful.  Rich got to go to a hockey game with a good friend.  The kids and I drove E to basketball practice.  K was having a meltdown in the backseat about the littlest of things.  She is normally completely content and laid back.  Tonight, she was bothered by every. little. thing the boys were doing.  She has been eating like a horse the last week or so, so we thought we should feed the beast.  Hangry is real, people.  We got some food for her and it was a miracle cure.  We returned home for snuggles, playing with neighborhood friends, making Christmas lists for the grandparents, and Christmas movies.  Kevin was nice enough to bring E home from practice so the other kiddos were able to play.  While I was writing yesterday's blog and the kids were off to bed, Kevin and I watched this movie that reminds us so much of our grandmother.   Do you know what movie it is??

Probably the best story from today is a Rich story.  Rich has an amazing mind for forensics, computers, and how things come together but this leaves little room for dates, upcoming events, and the like.  Rich is very friendly and makes friends with all the neighbors.  We are both outgoing but the man often makes me look like a recluse.  So he is good friends with our neighbors across the street as am I.  They are sweet enough to always invite us to their Christmas party every year.  They throw an amazing party and we always look forward to it.  I hadn't put the party on the calendar yet but I was pretty sure it wasn't tonight.  However, there were lots of cars around their house so Rich wanted to go make an appearance.  I wasn't dressed or ready for a party and had a lot to do before bed so I took a pass.  He walked in, as he does, and just starts hanging out and chatting with people.  The man has never met a stranger.  He gets a drink and some food (because when would he pass up on food?!?!?) and finally finds Randy.  It was at this point that he is informed that he is at Randy's work party not the neighborhood party.  But see, Rich seems to know all these people and chats with them anyway.  As I start to think about it, I am fairly confident that this is not the first time that Rich has crashed Randy's work party.  I am fairly confident we both did two years ago and he did last year.  I think it is good they have started sending me the invite for the party.  Now I can't stop giggling because I am envisioning that this is just a thing and perhaps they wait each year for the uninvited guest to arrive.  Maybe they even have an over/under pool on it.   I need to be better at getting it on the calendar or checking the text before letting Rich out that front door.  Good news is - he gets along with everyone and likely livened up their party for the short time he was there. It is entirely possible that Randy and Jeanne are not nearly as excited to live near us as we are living near them.   I have said it before and I will say it again.  It is never dull.  We are like our very own comedy of errors over here!