A Torturous Day

When you are a homeschool mom, your kids are "always" with you.  However, there is one place I don't  allow my kids to go with me - and that is....the torturous grocery store! (I took them when they were babies, but when they were older, they stayed home with daddy or sat at a table in the commissary with a book.)  I figured, if they didn't know what was available, they wouldn't know what they were missing. Well yesterday, I was on base and needed Landon's strength to load lots of water for me. So instead of getting dropped off at the library, he went with me. I soon realized it was nice having him push the heavy cart while I shopped.  It didn't take long for the torture to begin! The kid was suffering. He drooled as he walked down the isles. He couldn't believe all the wonderful junk food he has missed out on. He felt neglected!  I laughed as he gave me a scenario of every meal he planned on eating when he moves out on his own. (I told him to invite me over!) :)  Seriously, my kids know (I've told them enough times!)...that when I'm no longer responsible for his health, they will make their own decisions on what they eat. However, it's my job to teach them the importance of a healthy lifestyle - and a "treat" (Mr. Webster's definition: treat - noun an occurrence that causes special pleasure or delight; something considered choice to eat;)...not a lifestyle!

Anyway, he did fess up and tell me that he appreciates me keeping them healthy, and that he will always have junk food in moderation, like we do now. I guess only time will tell.  :)

 I did cave in, and he left with his very own large bag of (fried, not baked!) spicy Doritos. :)

Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day!  It's a day we set aside and show our loved ones what they mean to us.  When Max and I were first married we used to go out for a nice dinner. We soon realized ...Valentine's night was crazy! The wait was long, the service was bad, prices were inflated, etc. So instead, I started making a special dinner for us. I pulled out the china, lit the candles, and we exchanged beautiful cards and small meaningful gifts. Then we had kids. Ah, we now have to change our plans? Wrong. Why would we? Isn't this day about love? The only thing I changed, is the menu. The fancy meal was replaced with a heart shaped meatloaf. (Which "real" beef is a treat for them, since I typically use ground turkey for everything.)  :) We have always received homemade cards or a poem from the kids (although, Landon's have now gone digital!).  The kids get to open their long awaited coupon books I make. (I blogged about these books last Feb.).

 We end our grateful day with thanking our Lord for His "perfect love" and our love for each other.

Arizona Skiing

Skiing in Arizona is wonderful!!  We are only four hours from the mountain, and we get to ski during the week, so the place is empty And, I don't have to freeze to death, because we're in Arizona!  Love it!  The kids are begging for another trip.  We'll see if it happens.

                                             A beautiful sunny day!

Kids ready to hit the slopes....mama waiting for the sun to come out.  It did! :)

Landon staring at the vending machine, debating if he wants to part with his $. 

                 Payton taking a hot chocolate break. (She on the other hand, is always ready to part with her money for yummy food/drink.)  ;)

                                   Landon at 15....

.....12 years earlier, at three.  What a cutie pie! :) 

Tournaments

We had back to back tournaments.  Payton's soccer team played in the 21st annual soccer tournament here in Tucson.  They were thrilled to get to play the "highlight" game.  The field was beautiful and it with an actual score board - they even got their names announced over the intercom.  The dad who introduced them asked us to send him our daughter's nick names.  So it was fun to hear "Payton Shnookums Maxwell."  :)

 They didn't win the game, but they sure played like professionals.

                     Nice kick....

                     Run, Payton, run!

The following weekend, we drove out to Albuquerque for a Tae Kwon Do tournament.  It was such a blessing to have my whole family there to route them on.  They've never had that.  Their coach and a couple other students from their class also flew in.  There were no knock outs, so I was happy!  :)

               A nice picture before they got sweaty. :)

Landon placed second in forms.  (Of course we were all bias and thought he deserved first!)  :)

He's now getting ready to spar.  He didn't win, but he did well for not competing in several years.  This is just the first of many tournaments. Their new school competes often. 

Payton getting ready for forms.  She didn't win, because she forgot one move. She's done that form a million times...but all it takes is one mistake.   

......but she won in sparring, so she was happy.  I'm still hoping they will change their interest.  Ballet and golf is what I'm still routing for. It's so much safer. :)