That saying makes about as much sense as our life sometimes. Our last family update was December 2012 so we are only a year behind. As the kids would say now, "A year behind? Don't you mean a year butt?"
From pre-school to Kindergarten, the kids' daily routines have changed as much as they have in the last year. Half day schedules in pre-school to all-day-every-day weeks in Kindergarten. Here are our little Kindergartners:
2014 started with some spectacular reading exploration. Liv has been reading for about half of her life, and the boys started catching the bug in preschool. Now Captain Underpants is a favorite book series. In only 12 months, the boys progressed through first reader books to little kid comics and puns.
Liv and chapter books are now well acquainted. Sisters Grimm, Box Car Children, and various fairy tales are all favorites. The digestive system is also a favorite subject matter.
In the adult world at the Norris residence on Madison Ave, mom and dad finally got to the window seat project. Kelly had wanted one since before we moved in. The upstairs hallway bisects the house and the east end provides a view of no less than four windows not counting the window at the east end. In other words, a perfect location.
As if we needed more storage space, there is storage space under the seat.
The stages of progress:
Unusually large amounts of snow hit Burlington in February, 2014. Fortunately we had many hands to clear our driveway and sidewalks. We had some fun, too.
In nearly the blink of an eye, spring was near. Our cabin fever was satiated with a trip to Des Moines for a family reunion of sorts for the Kelly's side, the Webb's. The meeting place was the Wildwood Lodge, now a favorite of the kids. Why, you ask? They had cookies, long hallways for running and a pool.
Des Moines has so much more to offer than the Wildwood Lodge, however. We explored urban art downtown and took in the new (to us) Science Museum of Iowa, also downtown.
Kelly and Mike both went to the old Science Museum as kids a long time ago, so coming full circle with the kids was very cool.
Since the kids were young, they have been fascinated by dad's motorcycle. I have also had a life-long fascination with motorcycles. Logging about 46,000 miles since college, riding has been a source of release and exploration. Times changed, and it was time to get out of the hobby. My beloved 2001 Moto Guzzi Quota 1100 went to a new home in Maryland. Goodbye, old friend.
Warmer spring weather brings green grass, flowers and YMCA soccer. The kids started their second season of soccer, an had a lot more fun than the first.
Nearly as soon as we were accustomed to the idea of our kids being preschoolers, graduation was upon us. Messiah Lutheran Preschool was amazing, and we thank Ms. Margie for the top-level instruction and structure she provided the kiddos.
Like every warm blooded kids, ours love fire. Mike decided to leverage that into convincing the kids to sleep outside for the first time. Hello backyard camping! They did all the great things - cooked over an open fire, looked at the stars, and were really hot in the tent.
One camping trip begets another. We were able to attend the annual Norris Family Camping Trip - our first with the kids. The destination was Bead's Lake State Park in Hampton, IA, about a four-hour trip from Burlington.
The drive was made so much better with cousin Acadia, who was in town from points beyond. We actually didn't camp, but stayed at the AmericInn where there was another long hallway for running and a pool for swimming. Seeing our aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas and cousins was definitely worth the trip.
For those who have never visited Villa Norris, we have a barn. A really old barn with tree branches for rafters. And toilets in the back. Unfortunately, its white oak timbers have fallen on hard times and a project is imminent. A little bracing is getting us by.
The Norris family never experiences a slowdown, not even in the dog days of summer. The chillins kept up with T-ball, YMCA camps, the Des Moines County Fair and a visit from their Kuhlenbeck cousins.
The kids got a little taste of machinery at home, too. Uncle Reynolds' skid loader played a starring role in the summer landscape project. Demolished or removed were: old garden, compost pile, 13 bushes, 1,000+ lb limestone slabs and a huge dirt pile left over from the septic system install.
A new fire pit was built for those times you want a lot of people over for a big fire, on cousin Alex's advice.
As soon as it started, summer was over and the first day of school lay ahead. What would the kids make of Kindergarten? Would they like it? Would they get along with the other kids?
They like it, they get along great with the other kids, and everything is fine. Although the first day wasn't without its reluctances.
As Labor Day approached, the new routine was beginning to be routine. Each night brought rejuvenating sleep and each day was a new experience. Now, they are seasoned Kindergarten vets.
Speaking of Labor Day, no Labor Day in southeast Iowa is complete without a visit to Old Threshers in Mount Pleasant. The kids and dad made their second annual trip along with grandpa Steve.
We rode everything that moved and sampled nearly every food for sale. But the star of the show was the sandbox near the tractor display. The equipment must have brought inspiration to their play.
As school continued, mom and dad found another project to do on the old house. A welcoming front porch is a part of every well-maintained old house. Unfortunately ours was telling people to go away more than 'Come on in'.
Professionals re-framed parts of the floor and repaired the posts, while Mike and his dad laid reclaimed flooring.
As Christmas and winter break approached, a fantastic Winter Program was performed by K-2 students at Grimes Elementary. Mom was so impressed by the kids singing the lyrics to all the Christmas songs Mike couldn't remember the words to.
As another year comes to an end we feel like the most fortunate family around. We love the kids, our home, our careers and our family. What will next year bring?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
All the best from Team Norris
