Battle!

Shelly and some classmates participated in Battle of the Books.
A list of 100 books (maybe less, but still, the list seemed really long).
Three teammates.
Lots and lots of trivia questions.

Shelly's team was at a slight disadvantage because one of their teammates was unable to participate, so the remaining teammates had to pick up the slack and read even more books.

They faced off against the other teams at the public library one day after school and unflinchingly provided the book titles and authors to every character that was named, every plot turn that was listed. The parents, grandparents, community sat back and marvelled at the teams' skill and confidence.

Grandma and Grandpa were kind enough to take us out to dinner after the competition, thanks for the great afternoon! :)

A Little Time Out

Sometimes a girl just needs a little time-out from life, family, the household chores and noise and everything. So today, the girls (Shelly and I) bailed on everything else and found ourselves at B&N. With some tea, books, and colored pencils.

We spent a couple hours just enjoying the peace and quiet. We talked a little, we colored a little. We just relaxed and let everything move on around us while we forgot about the chores at home and the stresses of the upcoming week. And then we came back home and dove back into our lives. A little refreshed, and looking forward to the next time-out. Maybe soon. Hopefully not too far away.

Hockey Fun

Shelly's choir was chosen to sing the National Anthem at a Milwaukee Admirals game. What an honor!


There was much waiting before the game, but once things got started we were pretty entertained.

Highlights - 

Just one fight between the players and just one fight between siblings about who sits where.

Tossing stuffed animals onto the ice for donation to local law enforcement and paramedics teams, to eventually be given to kids in scary situations.

We sat very near a teacher from the kids' school that was enthusiasticly (um, LOUDLY) cheering the whole time.

Countless trips to the concession stand for popcorn, sodas, pretzels, sodas, cookies, sodas, time for a trip to the restroom!

And then there was the long walk to the parking garage and the long drive home. We were wiped out after an evening of fun.