Mary's Night Off Broadway

Mary recently got all dressed up for her Night Off Broadway school musical (which was VERY entertaining - kudos to the music department at Arcanum!) and we of course took advantage of the opportunity to snap a few photos. She looked really cute. But more importantly, she felt cute...and it showed. She carried herself with a confidence that impressed us all and it was WONDERFUL to witness her in action. We really jazzed things up by going with this snappy "up do." Even the cutest boy in the 3rd grade told Mary she looked pretty that night (which immediately turned her into a big pile of goobiness) but what girl doesn't want to get noticed for all the right reasons now and then. Go Mary!

PLAY BALL!!

Beth & John are both playing ball this year...well at least they are when the games aren't rained out. Beth's team is currently 3-0; and they even run-ruled the last team 17-1 in 3.5 innings (yowza). Poor John had to wait an extra two weeks to get his first game in. He was an unfortunate subject of our recent soggy weather pattern. Both kids have several games to make up due to rain.

But, alas, he had his big moment this Saturday when he had his very first baseball game. EVER. I was a bit surprised to see that they don't use the "tee" for t-ball anymore. The coaches pitch to them right away and will only bring out the tee if they are struggling. Well, John had 3 at-bats and 3 hits! Heaven forbid they ever want to bring that tee out for him. He told us that he will have none of that crap! Here's a video short of our little stud in action.

What Mary's been up to...

Mary started aquatic therapy a couple months ago and loves her "swim class." The Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development in Piqua has the Mac Daddy of all adaptive swimming pools. It's a huge pool, heated to 90 degrees, fully equipped with a ramp (rather than steps) to get in the water...they even have a wheelchair that they can roll clients right in if needed.

Once Mary's in the water, she does activities to build strength and endurance. In the picture below, she's actually walking on an underwater treadmill. I didn't even know such devices existed!

Below, she's walking (unassisted) with styrofoam free weights to her "pleasant on the eyes" instructor, Jason. Perk for Mary! In just a few short sessions (1/2 hr, once a week), Jason already has Mary able to float on her back (no small feat to get the muscles of her body to relax enough to do this) and she's working on swimming. Real swimming. Mary comes home excited about her class, but exhausted from working so hard. It's a very cool thing and I thank Grandma & Grandpa Trittschuh for finding this place and even taking her to her classes every week. This is big stuff!

News in Photos

Houston, we have a cheerleader!

And she's just a little psyched. And then we had Easter. It was lovely and Beth even made her first communion (which we have NO pictures of thanks to my forgetfulness. Boo!). What a special day. There's lots of changes going on with the family. I should have plenty to blog about over the next few months. :-) Until then.......

Nope, we're not dead

...just wasn't much to talk about.

Snow, boredom, work, sickness, more snow, level 3's, winter blahs, YUCK! Pair that with a jacked up computer that would freeze up any time I tried to upload a picture and wah la - no updates.

FINALLY we have something newsworthy! Beth had her annual spring band concert tonight, and it's the first one as an Arcanum Trojan.

Of course, I had to take her picture.

Boy she sure has changed since last year's band concert. Beyond looking more grown up, I was impressed by the increased difficulty of the music played. Tonight's show was very enjoyable. Bravo Beth! Bravo!!

New Years Pictures

For the first time in several years, Matt did not have a gig booked for New Years Eve so we decided a night home with kids sounded good. We made up several munchies and spent the entire night goofing off in our jammies. We snapped a couple of pictures in between riveting games of Yahtzee. Here ya go.

Our Scary Monster

The dining room table fort.

They had so much fun in their fort that this was not a forced picture! No joke!

This was just a cute picture we snapped of Gavin on New Years Day. Gavin came to play at our house because Mommy (Corinne) decided to ring in her wild 'n crazy NYE celebration by spraining her ankle and needed to go to the ER for x-rays. She really knows how to party!

A Post Christmas Prose

Twas the day after Christmas,
The holiday went well.
Presents all over,
Now my house looks like hell.
I shall get OFF the computer
And don cleaning gear.
In hopes that my carpet,
Soon shall appear.

The children are playing
with toys that are new
There's another beep from the cell phone
of our oldest Trittschuh.

We've eaten all things
That are fattening and good.
I've not had the will power
That a girl really should.

My jeans, they will not button.
My blouses do not fit.
So sweats is the answer,
Until I get rid of this shit.

These holidays are great.
And oh so much fun,
But after it's over,
You see the damage it's done!

But would I trade all these woes
For a perfect house or waistline?
The answer is no,
For these memories are divine.

In January I'll work out,
Eat less, or at least try it,
Now I say Happy New Year to all,
And to all a good diet!

Preschool Christmas Programs are Precious!

I had the pleasure of attending the Salem Christian Preschool Christmas program yesterday morning to watch John perform. Holding true to my "emotional mush" status, I could feel tears burning my eyes even before the program started. Once the show was underway, I had to swallow hard to overcome the lump in my throat watching my baby deliver the only child-spoken part in a strikingly sweet version of the the very first Christmas. John portrayed a very convincing Inn Keeper.

Once the skit was over and the songs began, I indeed ended up with tears running down my cheeks. But not from crying. I was laughing hysterically at my little man with his smokin' moves! He's a superstar.

Here's a taste of John's mad dance skills...

And now a sweet one.

SOLD!

We finally sealed the deal and sold our house on Tuesday of this week; after more than two weeks of negotiations, inspections, the appraisal, and subsequent re-negotiations. I'm happy and excited at the possibility of getting into a more functional house very soon. In fact, when I'm helping Mary up the stairs to go to bed, take a bath, or to play in her room, one of us chimes in with a "not much longer" or "man I won't miss these."

But to tell you the truth, our house has been a good house. We've renovated almost every room inside (some twice!) and have learned a lot along the way. I just hope the next family enjoys it as much as we have.

Now we only have to find our new house, pack up and move by the first week of December. Anyone have boxes?

Chicks 'N Peeps

At least once a year, the ladies in Matt's family all get together for some shopping, drinking and belly laughs. We lovingly refer to ourselves as the Whittington Chicks (a term that I believe was brought about by a drunken karaoke rendition of "Earl Had to Die" by the Dixie Chicks.) Ladies, correct me if I'm wrong on this one!

This weekend, we were able to get our ever-growing group together (minus Amanda and Lisa) :-( and knocked out another great get-together. We laughed at the rapid expansion this year of the next generation of Whittington Chicks, or Peeps, as we decided that they too need a name until they earn their "Chick" right of passage some day. (We've had 4 baby girls born in the last 12 mos. with one more due in a few weeks!) It's good to know that our beer drinkin, loud talkin', overspendin' tradition will be secure with the next generation. Woooo hooo!!

Happy Halloween

It's the year of recycled costumes!

I think Beth looked pretty bas ass...

The End of the Wee Bolt Era

You know, when they were little you could say, "Get together for a pic" and they'd all huddle together with big cheesy grins. Now as sixth graders, this is what you get with that same request.

What goofballs! I'm glad it's over but I will miss them. (Most of them anyway...)

;-)

Gotcha!

I was taking pictures a few weeks ago and trying to get a rise out of Beth since she was refusing to give me a cute smile. I may have mentioned that she might like a certain new "someone" that goes to her school and caught this reaction. Ah ha....gotcha!

John Turns 5!

We had a fun day today. All of our food and activities were decided by the birthday boy. We started our morning with blueberry pancakes and sausage, immediately followed by PRESENTS. A live demonstration of proper form when weilding a sword was given... ...followed by a live duel right in the kitchen. The party then moved to a local bowling alley... (stupid rain ruined our plans for the park) ...where both Dad and Miss Mary each bowled a STRIKE! After working up an appetite over the course of the afternoon, our boy decided that he wanted to eat his birthday supper at McDonald's (Lord, help me...McDonald's?!) and then we'd come home to eat cake and ice cream while enjoying his favorite Nickelodean TV programs til bedtime.

I may poke fun at all of this, but I have to tell you, it really was a fun family day. I can't believe my little guy is 5. He's developed into a fun little person with real likes, dislikes, interests and opinions. I love him like crazy and can't wait to see how the next 5 years go. Happy birthday baby boy!

The Last Wee Bolt Cheer Photo

Sixth grade....whew, she's almost done. I mean, "YAY, go Bolts!"

The Climb

Every time I would hear "The Clmb" on the radio, I would get choked up as it reminded me of Mary. I took that inspiration and created Mary's Journey.

Fun at the Fair

We had a great day at the Great Darke County Fair. We endured the weather (brr!) and spent the day riding rides and playing games all the while scarfing enough fair food to choke a horse. By the time we left, we were tired, dirty and all had bellyaches....BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT!!

No More Baby

I kissed my baby goodbye this morning and sent him off to school for the first time with Daddy. (Well, it was Pre-K, but it still counts!) John was pretty excited...until he got to school. Then he put on his bravest face and tried to choke back the tears. He held it together until it was time to say goodbye...the tears just rolled as he hugged Matt tight and said "I love you Daddy." John wasn't the only one fighting the urge to cry at that point.

I'm happy to report that he had a good day. He made new friends, he colored a picture of shapes and told me that he needed more apple juice in his lunch next time. I guess that means he survived. He's ready to tackle it again tomorrow.

First Day of School

With backpacks packed, and finally being able to wear their brand new shoes, the girls excitedly returned to school this morning. The rain outside prohibited me from being able to walk behind them snapping pictures like a complete goober as they were walking into the school, so I had to settle for the standard pose in our kitchen.

Here's Mary, off to tackle the third grade.

And Beth, ready to rule the school as a sixth grader.

Stay tuned...tomorrow John starts pre-K!

Beth's Birthdays in Pictures

Let's take a stroll through memory lane...

One

Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten

And as of yesterday, my baby is eleven. Just like that.

I'm almost afraid to blink. She grows up too fast.