It's Time For Lauripalooza!

Well, the weekend is upon us and that can only mean one thing...loud music and mad dancing! I'm not talking about my new Foo Fighter CD (well, come to think of it, that will be played as well!) but rather the kids' favorite musician/band of the moment, the Laurie Berkner Band. Back in the day when I went to Lollapalooza, could I have envisioned myself rocking out to "We Are The Dinosaurs" or "Victor Vito"? Could I have foreseen I would sing said songs throughout the week? I highly doubt it. BUT, I must say her simple songs are pretty darn catchy and I am forever amazed at the variety of colors in her clothing choices (such a girly observation--he he!). Anyway, if you're not familiar with the Laurie Berkner Band, go to www.twotomatoes.com; you can also catch them on Noggin regularly and they'll be on the Thanksgiving Day Parade as well...catch the fever!

So, I'm way delinquent in my updates on the Ribclan family. Instead of going back in time, I'll give you some snapshots into our lives here...

Kdee is quite the reader! Last weekend she read 10 chapters by herself in a level 2 chapter book...she was so proud of herself. I am constantly amazed at how fast the learning process goes at this age. Her teacher is impressed by her academic abilities and that is going so well. We're working on a couple of social skills right now (following directions promptly vs slowly and not being so intense/serious/focused on the negative)...but, she's being making progress on these, too, and doing well overall. Last weekend we had a playdate at our house with a new friend, Izzy. She and Kdee had a great time and by the end of the evening, there was lots of laughter and screaming (initiated by Little B during dinner). Funny story from the playdate: Izzy is, in Kdee's words, "a tomboy, like me" and when Kdee asked her if she wanted to play Barbies, Izzy said "no" and Kdee later told me, "I offered her the boy Barbies and everything!". Funny. Izzy and Kdee almost did a bike ride down a hill in our yard, which nearly gave me a heart attack! Little B and I were making our way up the yard from the playset and there they were poised, ready to send Kdee down the hill on her bike (and she's still mastering the 2 wheels). They had a very adventurous time, including climbing our trees (which Kdee loves to do) and making ladders for said trees out of small logs. Kdee also started her own "group" at school, the "Clean Up The World" group, with 2 of her friends. They meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays during recess and pick up the playground. She started the group to: 1) because she wanted to be a leader 2) she wanted to do something good and 3) because she wanted to make sure things were done right. Seriously, this is what she told me, and it was hard not to giggle. I don't know if the group is still "meeting", but it sure was fun to hear about it.

Little B is growing so quickly. Yesterday he said his first 4 word phrase, "my coat is up". Despite his many 3 word phrases, he stubbornly refuses to say his name, though, which is crazy. (it stems back to a game we use to play when he was an infant, where I'd say "Ben Ben" and he'd say "Momma!"...now he always says his name is Momma...) He is very outgoing and humorous. Around Halloween he did his first #1 & 2 on his potty--a fluke, but still exciting. It's obvious he's been paying attention to the older kids at daycare who are potty training. He is truly all boy--last night when I picked him up from daycare he was playing with a sword and along with Jan's son (Jan is our provider) they were whacking at each other with Ben yelling "fight! fight!". Yikes...we may have our hands full over the next few years. Kdee is so great at playing with him and they have a lot of fun together--running around, making forts "bed!" with our couch cushions and singing together in the car. They are a good duo! Over the last 2 weekends, Little B has been a big helper with the yard work..."mowing" the lawn with his toy mower and "raking" with me. The kids also helped wash the windows, taking turns holding the hose/Windex outdoor spray. Little B is big into picking up/cleaning--let's hope this continues! He will put things away without prompts, including sippy cups into the sink...it's obvious this is done at daycare and I'm so grateful to Jan!

Hunting is still the name of the game for ribB. There's only 2 weekends left, and he's still hopeful for a big buck! Besides hunting, he's been busy helping family and friends get their stands ready. He loves doing that and is looking forward to the gun opener next weekend where all the guys will be up north together. Last weekend he had a lot of time with his Dad, Uncles Bart & Bob and Cousins Mike & John, and he was in heaven. Getting time with this special people, especially his Dad, is very meaningful to him and he came home very happy and full of stories about their time together. Outside of his family time, one of his other big stories was that he saw a cougar on the way home. Cougar in WI, you ask? Yep, it's true...the DNR just doesn't publicize it too much. I think this cougar will be part of many jokes and family stories from here out...anytime the men's eyes glaze over with girl talk, we'll throw in the cougar as part of the story (it worked well with Uncle Bart the other night...he he!). A few weeks back, ribB and I had a double date with my coworker Heather and her husband Jason, which was a blast. We went to an Apple dinner at Bayport Cookery together and had 5 courses of apple-inspired foods...besides the awesome conversation and fun of being with H & J, the food was (as always!) amazing. It was nice to have a date out.

And, onto me! With all of the hunting, I've been busy on the weekends with entertaining the kids and doing household chores. It's honestly been a bit exhausting, so I won't lie...I'm looking forward to having our normal weekends back! Work has been intensely busy, and that's drained me as well. Heather and I get fits of giggles sometimes because it's so ridiculously busy, and working with her has made this hectic time bearable and still fun somehow! I've been working many nights at home to try to keep up, and coming in early when I can. I think I'm starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, which is motivating. I was lucky enough to have my dear friend, Linnea, visit the weekend before Halloween. We had such a great time. We did dinner at Bayport Cookery since she's such a Foodie, which included time hanging out back in the kitchen with Chef Jim. It was a blast. The big highlight, though, was going to the Foo Fighter/Bob Dylan concert. The Foo came out with an acoustic CD this past Tuesday (which is awesome) and they're on tour to promote it. Linnea had gotten the tickets as a birthday gift for me, and it was perfect! We had such a blast--from our crazy dinner beforehand, to people watching (what an eclectic mix of folk--including folks in Halloween costumes like Jesus and Abe Lincoln--bizarre!) we loved it. The Foo were as excellent as ever, and truly stole the show from Bob "80 year old Eric Cartman" Dylan. Can you guess that we left during Bob's set? I know it's somewhat wrong to leave a legend's show, but it was terrriiiibbbble. We endured 5 songs and then left in giggles. We were not alone, though, as many other folks were leaving as well. In fact, another couple walking next to us said, "What happened in there? The Foo Fighters were so good and then Bob was SO BAD!". We felt validated in our opinion of the show, that's for sure. As always, though, Linnea (aka Milly) makes times like these just as much fun. I've attached a sweet photo of Linnea and her family--isn't her son adorable? I'm his honorary "Auntie Ethel" and he's just the best.

This past Wednesday night I had the honor of attending my cousin Ana's NHS initiation ceremony. She's the daughter of Uncle Bart/Aunt Donna and is a very fun and cool gal. I was lucky to be chosen as her "special person"--each inductee had to choose a person who's meaningful to them. I'm still in disbelief she chose me, and I am so, so, touched. She is such a great & smart person and I know she will achieve great things in her time. Thanks, again, Ana for allowing me to join you for your special night....I know you will "DOMINATE!!!" he he...inside joke!

I hope you are all well and that you have a super weekend!
Photos: Laurie Berkner Band, Foo Fighters (my fave) and the new Foo Fighters album cover....