Jingle Bell Run--5k

Embracing a brisk-- but beautiful-- 40 degree morning, the Kern team headed out early to participate in the Parks and Rec annual Jingle Bell Run. Each year Kent runs this 5k dressed as Santa and finishes at the bottom of the Aquatics center water slide. This year brought Kent's best time yet--a big feat sporting a red suit and scratchy beard! The water tempature at the pool was a heart stopping 46 degrees, nonetheless Kent and a dozen others made the plunge.

Karly and Kyle also participated this year in the kids run. Karly ran a half mile and came in with complaints. She didn't like it at all. (I can empathize, mom prefers all other forms of exercise before running.) Kyle decided to go for the full mile and surprised us all by coming in second place. He didn't prepare at all to run. We explained to Karly and Kyle prior to the race that it's not who wins, but that you finish--and finish they did! Both kids quickly recovered with mom's hot cocoa in hand and friends by their sides. This Christmas season 5k is a fun little tradition and a healthy one as well!

My Literal Child!

As we drove through Roseville yesterday with Christmas music playing on the radio, Kyle pipes up out of no where with the following:

"Ugh! I don't like this singer. She's asking too many questions!"

Kent and I were in conversation and I wasn't aware of what song was even mingling about the car. We paused to listen and laughed. Here's the song. While I like the song, he does have a point! That's my literal child for you--he calls them as he sees (hears) them!

Right Up Her Alley!

It was right up her alley--a nonsense theatrical presentation about fainting goats and eggnog -- sprinkled with hints of a Don Juan theme. Months of practice brought Karly to the stage in her first Magic Circle Theater appearance. Our week was full of dress rehearsals and extended practices, but she was energized by it all. She just twinkled with delight during a week where many would feel stressed or have some performance anxieties. It's who she is--silly drama with a little song and dance. This weekend was spent directing her neighborhood friends recalling the lines, songs and dance choreography. The show lives on-- in our living room!

Cream Puffs and a Hound!

The Kern kids had two highlights at Thanksgiving this year. Auntie Kathy's cream puffs and a basset hound named "Jake". No ill will to the fruit pies and extended family-- but those chocolate topped puffs and compelling droopy eyes won the Kern kids affection. I'm guessing neither puffs nor dog made it to the first Thanksgiving, but they were a welcome addition to 2007!

Sleepovers

The Kern kids love to have sleep-overs! Not the kind where a friend is invited and we have extra kids for a night. Instead, it's simply a "sleep-over" with each other. They plan their opportunities wisely and look forward to them. One kid joins the other in their room along with all their bedtime stuffed friends. Karly makes up jokes, and Kyle encourages her. Kyle offers silly endings to stories, and animals dance in the night light shadows. There is little end to the silliness until well past 9:00 and some nights even later. Kent and I get a kick out of their camaraderie with each other.

Recently one of Kyle's friends heard the kids asking me for a sleep-over. The friend instantly said that he couldn't sleep over that night. To the friends dismay, he wasn't the desired guest. The kids quickly let him know they wanted a sleep over by themselves. The subject has come up a few times with this friend since then and he just doesn't get how you could have a sleep-over--as siblings. Karly and Kyle just smile. Kent and I do as well, knowing the treasure it is--for this time in their lives--to be such a team!

Back in Black

I don't even have the words. After three weeks and a check-up--I'm BACK and IN BLACK for another three weeks. That's all I can say for today! I'm pouting for now.

Signs That I'm Getting Old...okay, Older?

Last nights conversation over dinner between Kyle and a friend:

Friend: Some people say that if you swallow a black watermelon seed, it will grow in your stomach.

Kyle: Huh?

Friend: Yeah, silly huh?

Kyle: What's a black seed?

So it occurred to me that my children are not familiar with spitting black seeds like generations before them. Today's child has the privilege of (genetically altered) watermelons without black seeds). I might be getting old....

............Then last night we played Monopoly as a family. Kent started telling stories of playing board games with neighbor kids when he was young (he carefully told me later about the fist fights over them) so today we purchased "Life" and "Payday" as well. The kids wanted to know all about the games before we even got home and opened the box. "Mommy hasn't played these games in 20 years", I said-- "We'll need to look at the directions". Gulp--20 years? Am I old enough to say that? So after my text happy daughter read over the directions, the games began. The kids and I played Life for two hours today, and tonight is the big Payday debut. The kids wanted a Monopoly rematch as well (no surprise Daddy was the Donald Trump of last evening) but Kent was quick to let the kids know that three games in one day was not likely going to happen. Game overload might destroy all patience cells left.

I love it, but it is kinda weird. My kids are growing up, living in a different world, and having a blast doing so. All the while I am pondering, not quite in a rocker yet, but my computer chair swivels from side to side!