Say You're Sorry

There hasn't been much going here to blog about lately.  I thought I'd share a little something that happened yesterday.

I was working the lunch recess duty out on the playground and a girl came up to me and said she was having a really bad day.  Her friends wouldn't let her be in their group, and to top it off, some boys came up to her and made fun of her.  She's a girl who comes up and talks with me off and on during recesses, so I was used to chatting with her.  I told her that when my friends used to do that, I'd just go find a good book to read until they got over it.

As we were talking about that, she pointed out a bunch of boys and said "Those are the boys who were making fun of me - especially that one in the glasses."  Well, I'll give you one guess who that was (ahem-Winston).  I asked her what he did, and she said that he was getting in her face, flapping his arms and making yelling noises - and then his friends were laughing.  I told her that he was my son, and I'd have him come and talk to us.

I motioned for Winston to come over, and he happily came along.  I asked him why he was getting in the girls face and flapping his arms and making loud noises.  He hardly remembered doing it, but then said "I was just being funny."  I told him that the girl didn't think it was funny, and it hurt her feelings.  He said "I didn't mean to."  I proceeded to tell him that he needed to appologize to her for hurting her feelings.  He then said a bit louder "I DIDN'T MEAN TO!"  Then I said "I know you didn't mean to, but you did hurt her feelings, and you need to tell her you're sorry for hurting her feelings."  Then he said "Mom, I'm not good at saying sorry."  I repeated what I had already said a couple of times, and finally got him to face her and tell her he was sorry for hurting her feelings.

I couldn't believe how hard it was to get him to do that.  Tom and I have always tried to instill in the boys a sense of empathy for others - especially when they've been hurt.  And to especially say 'sorry' when it's their own actions that caused the hurt.  That's way up there with showing gratitude to others and being gracious with a 'You're Welcome'.  I'm not sure how our youngest has slipped through the learning process on this one (Keaton would say he's spoiled).  I definitely think this is something that we need to work on.

And believe me, we will! 

Winston's First Essay

Winston had to write an opinion essay for his class.

Here it is...

He gets to the point.

Sandpoint!

Part of our long weekend was spent up north to visit Nels & Rachel and family.  On our way up there we stopped at Lake Cocolalla.   There were a lot of people out ice fishing, and Tom thought it would be great fun to walk out onto the ice.

Those miniscule little squares are ice huts.

We forgot our camera, but luckily Keaton brought his tablet with him, so he was able to snap some photos.  We hit it just right, the sun was shining and it was really nice.  A bright spot in the banks of fog.

Keaton and his Mum

Tom checking out a crack in the ice.

While we were out there we heard it crack a couple of times.

One time it made a really deep, moaning, grumpling cracking sound.

It even freaked Tom out and we headed for the car.

Preston high-tailed it to the car at the sound of the first crack.

He joined Marcia who was waiting for us in the car.

Then it was on to Nels and Rachel's house!

We had a great time playing Catan, 4-square and Sevens.

Rachel made a really yummy dinner for us.

Clara's so cute!

I don't know why we didn't take any pictures of the other kids.  They were mostly up in the family room playing, or running around outside in the snow.

The next morning Nels and Tom made us breakfast!

Pumpkin Waffles and Strawberry Smoothies!

YUM!!!

I've gotta save this one for the memory book!

We had a great visit!

Thanks again Nels & Rachel ~

~We really enjoyed our stay!

Lazy-but not so lazy-Saturday

My Saturday project.

The rag-rug is coming along.

We also took a couple of hours and played the Farming Game.  Tom figured he'd won because he had the most cows.  I challenged him to liquidate everything and see what he was REALLY worth.  He did win, but I wasn't far behind him.  One more turn and I could have had him.

Just another family fun weekend.

I love it.

A Date!

Today when I got off work, Tom took me out on a date.  The thing that makes this so special is that we hardly ever do things like this.  There are so many other things that seem to take up our time and resources, that spending on ourselves isn't something we do often.  So it was a real treat for us.

We went to the South Fork restaurant.  Tom had been there a couple of times with the work crew, but I had never been there and always wanted to, so that's where we went.  It has kind of an industrial/pub atmosphere and good food.  We ran into a couple of our good friends, Mandy and Natasha, who were having lunch there too.  Tom had a burger (of course) and I had southwest cilantro pasta.  It was really, really, really good.  For dessert we went to Sweet Mutiny and split a gluten-free coconut-pineapple cupcake and a dulce de leche frozen yogurt.  (We aren't gluten free people, it's just that is my favorite cupcake from that store).

After getting dessert, we went for a drive out into the countryside.  We found a glorious spot, where someone had a cabin on the side of a hill that overlooked the whole valley that was covered in snow.  It was a beautiful view.  I told Tom, I thought I could live there.  Then we drove around some more and found a nature reserve we didn't know about.  The road was pretty snowpacked, so we will go back in the spring or summer and do some hiking around there.

Then we went back into town to see if Keaton wanted a ride home from work - since Preston had a late class tonight.  Keaton decided he was working late, so we didn't have to take him home.  We went into a used book store that is next-door to where Keaton works.  That place was packed!  With about every kind of book!  It's definitely a place I will be going back to!  While there, I perused the 75% off rack and found a huge old King James version bible.  It has a leather cover/binding and loads of reference pages and maps inside of it.  It was published in the 1930's.  It was only $4, so I took it home with me.  I'm looking forward to looking through it and reading it.

After that we headed home where Marcia was taking care of Winston for us.  He was pretty much oblivious to our absence.  Tonight he has all of his houses, cars and little people out on the rug on the floor of the living room.  I sure hope he puts it all back when he's done.  I've been working on another rag-rug for the kitchen, so that's probably how I will end the day.

This is probably a very boring post.  But I had a very good day.  Nice to have those!

Poor Sally.

Our poor Sally is recovering from her spay surgery.

She's feeling a bit low right now.

Give it a few days, Sally...

And all will be right as rain.

LOL!

I Laughed Out Loud when I saw this on my friend's facebook.

So funny!

You Know What Makes Me Smile?

SOCK MONKEYS!

I love them.

Crazy New Year Bash - pt. 4

Pictures Taken By Other People

I have some very talented family members.  During their time here, they went for a couple of nature walks, taking their nice cameras with them.  They got some wonderful photos, and I hope it's okay with them that I share a few.  I had more, but my computer failed to save the bulk of what was taken.  I will attempt to acknowledge which photographer goes with which photo.  So Dad, Nels and Melyni, please forgive me if I get some wrong.

(photo by Mel Chick)

The Mad Camera Man!

Nels Chick

(Photo by Nels Chick)

The Other Mad Camera Man!

Mel Chick

(photo by Melyni Powell)

The crew with their cameras

(photo by Melyni Powell)

My beautiful niece, Victoria

(photo by Nels Chick)

Snowdog 1, just wants a little lovin'

(photo by Nels Chick)

Snowdog 2, really-really-really likes the snow!

(photo by Nels Chick)

Dad has a conversation with Hope the Deer.

(photo by Mel Chick)

Beautiful Hope

(photo by Melyni Powell)

Super cool ice formations

that were dangling over a babbling brook

And a very awesome photo

(photo by Nels Chick)

A little barn owl.

There were some really great shots of this little guy, but I only ended up with about three.  This one was the best I had.

Terrific photos everyone!

Thanks for sharing them with me - and I hope you don't mind that I shared them with everyone else.

(Dad - I lost the photo you took of me and the sock monkey.  I would love a copy of it, if you please- pretty please... blink-blink!)

Super Crazy New Year Bash - pt. 3

It's All About the Kids...

...Right?

For days after everyone left, Winston would walk around aimlessly saying 'I wish my cousins were still here.'  Or 'I wish my cousins would come back.'

I think he likes his cousins.

My oh my, were there a lot of kids around here for New Years.

Some of the older girls playing on the computers.

There was a lot of electronic games being played.

The little girls were having fun too.

Just with the toys instead of the computers.

Ross, cruising around on the Barbie Winnebago.

The really big kids, Preston and Keaton.

Setting up Catan boards is their specialty!

Ross, swinging on a table leg.

Yeah, it was that kind of crazy around here!

Ross and Jude having a corn dog fight.

It was pretty funny - wish I got it on video.

My 'kid' sisters, Melyni and Kendall.

Having them some coloring time.

This was the best of all...

Ross and Jude's exclusive 'Only Boys' club.

Behind the kitchen chairs.

They were chattering away and giggling back there.  Don't know what they were saying, but it must have been pretty funny.

Preston wants to join?

Sure, come on in 'cuzin' bruthah'!

Poor Clara.

She just wanted to hang out with the boys too.

But there was no way they were gonna let that happen.

She sure told them, though.

'No no... no no no!'

She even pointed her little pointy finger at them while she said it.

It was hilarious!

Sure wish I got that on video too!

Mmmmm... corn dogs for New Years Eve!

Vi was enjoying the ketchup.

Cade watches Jude chug a soda.

Here's my little monkey.

Hey Winston, I know it's a school break and all...

...but you do still have to brush your teeth, you know.

And the ones who started it all!

Hey Mom and Dad...

...thanks for having such great kids...

...who have such cute grandkids!

We loved every minute of it!

Wish I had taken more pictures!

Super Crazy New Years Bash - pt. 2

Finally... Photos!

Uncle Paul dropped by for a visit.

Preston, Paul and Keaton make a 'tough guy' pose.

A winter walk with Hope.

Tom and his youngest born.

Tom and his oldest born.

Tom and his little brother.

 Then, on to the Chick Pic's!

Ha-Ha!

Mom playing the piano for us.

I loved this.

Playing Cribbage!

And having a great time too!

Some Settler's of Catan with a sick Tom.

Watch those cards!

An attempt to get a picture of all the kids together.

The stairs seemed like a logical idea.

It was a challenge to get everyone in the picture.

Or to get everyone to look at the camera.

Ooops - things seem to be falling apart here.

Okay, now it's just turning into a big mosh pit.

I'll try to post more pictures tomorrow.