Got to share 'em!

The Kern family has two "got to share them" moments!

First there is Karly and her calculating mind. With a birthday party for a close friend just moments away, Karly deemed it necessary to let me know that her pal told her that the family has the flu. The key factor here is that the party is at the family home where these two family members will be. Karly said, "it just seemed right to tell us". How fabulous is that--I've got a daughter that seeks to be honest, even if it is the last minute. Right here I am impressed. But it gets better. Karly is soon in tears, unsure if attending is a good idea. Kent and I have decided she can--but she is not herself convinced she SHOULD. Why? What kid passes up a party? Our Karly--she doesn't want to miss school. She doesn't want the flu and she can't even think about missing her 3rd grade Solar System play practice. Tryouts are coming soon! All of the sudden, she's thinking so grown up. She's weighing pros and cons and seriously considering the costs. Karly is also so worried about her special friend and how disappointed she might be if Karly doesn't show.

We were very impressed with her internal debate--where her two passion clashed--people and learning! She did decide to go after guzzling a round of Airborne (which she didn't care for) and vowing to wash her hands as much as possible. So far no flu for now! I do think we're at a crossroad with her--I think her mind moves much faster than Kent and I put together!

Kyle's story begins over a dinner discussion about reading. It's no secret that he's not exactly a book lover (maybe the apple didn't fall far from the tree--neither Kent nor I read for pleasure), and we were trying to encourage Kyle to do some more "real" book reading--not the sports page, or his Pokemon guide. Karly, thinking she'd help, told Kyle that when he gets to third grade he has to read at least one book a week and take a test on it. Then it happened. Kyle didn't skip a beat and said with sincerity, "I think then that I'm going to flunk 3rd grade". Absolutely just a matter of fact to him.

Ha! I didn't know he knew the word flunk. He also hasn't received anything but the highest possible marks on a report card yet, but just the idea that he "had" to read a book each week has him convinced. We are still giggling about it!

Party for Karly

I write this as six little girls bounce and giggle above me! Our game room is overflowing with stuffed toys and sleeping bags--a slumber party to celebrate Karly's 9th birthday. Kyle was rescued by Grammy's last minute offer to take him for the night. As Kyle headed out the door with Grammy-- energetic little girls were in busy conversation over their cheese pizza. Kyle remarks, "TOO much talky talky!" Daddy was soon to follow, too much talky talky for him as well, off to poker night with the guys--all this just fine with the girls. Boys were banned from the "party zone" anyways!

As for the gift of the year, it's webkinz in case you hadn't already heard. We have a whole zoo represented via six little girls. Karly was thirlled to find a few gifts that were webkinz focus. Instead of cake, Karly wanted a giant cookie with frosting. Add some licorice and M&M's and it's bound to be a late night!

It's a New Year--Welcome 2008

The Kern kids toasted in the new year with some sparkling cider and the east coast ball dropping (so convenient for parents on the west coast to be able take advantage of this). In the end we let them stay up a bit longer to watch as Austrailian daredevil Robbie Maddison broke the world record with his motorcycle jump. He made it look all too easy!

Life is beginning to find a little more routine again around here. While the kids still do not go back to school for a few more days, our eating/sleeping/everyday habits are somewhat returning to normal. Kent went back to work this morning. With the winds howling and the rain falling sideways he said "it is fit for neither man nor beast" outdoors and into his car he went. He called twice in route to tell tales of shade structures and even a large trampoline rolling down the street. He said it was like playing a video game as he dodged what the wind had tossed. It at least kept him entertained with his commute!

Quickly approaching for the Kern team is Karly's 9th birthday (unbelievable) and Kent's 40th close behind. Little league season will be upon us shortly as well and Karly can't wait to start another theater class. Add standardized testing and a trip or two to Almanor and our spring will be full! Kent and I are also anticipating our 15th wedding anniversary in July (also unbelievable--can't believe I'm old enough to be married that long) and we are actively planning our one week get-away to the Riviera Maya (Cancun) area. Half the trip is in the anticipation for us!

As for the rest of 2008, we'll just have to see what life has in store for the Kern team! Working together through it all!

What a week!

In the end we had an amazing week! We took it all in, played and rested. Kent and Dad went fishing (bringing back ice to show the kids that the lake was iced over at the launch). Mommy sat in contentment amazed with how sweetly snow seems to fall. The kids and the dog played about the outside (and the inside) with endless energy. Of course we also ate too much and exercised too little! Our last evening at dinnertime the vote was unanimous--warm brownies, ice cream, and chocolate syrup (the good stuff). I commented that we had already eaten so poorly and Karly piped up... "well that's the spirit of Christmas", without missing a beat. We all just laughed, and brownies I made.

The month of January, you can find Kent and I at the gym--working off "the spirit of Christmas".

Oh yeah...Christmas!

Even with the lure of the snow, the kids were still itching for Christmas!

The kids had marked a tree out behind the cabin in November, so our Christmas tree hunt was no hunt at all. It took Kent minutes to chop down our Christmas tree and drag it up the hill. We had fun decorating it with homemade ornaments and colorful lights.
We went to Christmas Eve services at the local church and the kids opened gifts that they got for each other that evening. We saved the rest for Christmas morning and the kids had great attitudes even with their anticipation. Ah, we have great kids!
Of course we didn't forget cookies and milk for Santa! Only once did the kids express concern as to how Santa would come down a chimney that was truly a wood burning stove. We remembered the magic key and even laughed that maybe Santa would use the basement instead. It was a clear night so the kids put out carrots for eight reindeer--seeing that Roudolf would not be necessary on such a beautiful night. Both kids also proudly put out reindeer food that they made a school as well. The magic of Santa is (still) alive and well for the Kern kids!
Christmas morning Karly was pleased to open a present that included a dress for her American Girl doll Kit, and then a matching dress for her as well--thanks be to Grammy's sewing skills.
Among the legos and the stocking fun, Kyle was pleased to find a box filled with Chargers this and thats!

The Play!

Now for the sledding, the snowmen and the nerf tag wars! We just can't get enough!!

The neighbors yard made for a great sledding run with a short walk back uphill. Kent helped build a jump for the kids mid-run and sank all too close into the snow for the perfect shots!


Karly's snowman was a hit, though he lasted only a day. Gilligan ate his nose the next day and he fell victim to head trauma via one of Mommy's snowballs meant for snowball extreeme sports star, Kyle.
Kyle received a nerf tag set for Christmas. Kent set out right away to build the perfect forts, window included to station their fire exchange from within. The neon darts showed great in the snow making for easy ammo runs. The boys were boys--be they 7 or pushing 40. Game on!

The calm!

Ah...the peaceful moments! Simple, fresh, pure!

Catching snowflakes! Yummy!
Kyle wanted to know if snow flakes, really looked like the snowflakes they make at school.
Gilligan wouldn't miss a moment of being outside. He's a sledding maniac! Literally chews apart sleds and/or rides them if you let him. Go out without him and he whines like a baby at the door!
Karly just loved being out in the snow. We'd find her out and about eating snow and singing songs all by herself--and as pleased as can be.