Oh no

Ok...so I pick up Brody from school today and he says "Mom...I'm almost finished with my book I'm writing for school."  So of course I ask him what it is about........here's the story line....

It's about a lonely Indian boy....why is he lonely?  Why?  Oh, that's because his Dad died and his Mom works all the time.  And, when the Mom is home she has a lot of work to do, so she can't play and the lonely Indian boy has to go and hunt the buffalo all by himself so they have dinner.


Oh.....my......God.

Really?  Ok, so of course as Mothers tend to do I immediatly start over analyzing.  I only work 6 days a month.  6.  So is this causing him some undo stress.....not to mention the Dad thing.  Dead.  Gone.  Kid has to fend for himself.  Brad laughed when I told him.  Of course he did.  He's a Dad.

On the bright side....the next time strange adults show up at my house I know it won't be the Jehovah Witnesses.....but C.P.S.

February....love!

 February has been a great month is the Kowieski household.  The men spoiled me rotten on Valentines day.  Cupcakes from Lola's in Wausau, Hank bought himself me a heart filled with Reeses peanut butter cups, or as Hankie calls them suction cups, and Brody picked out a cross necklace with a heart on it.  So...so sweet. 

 Friends don't let friends eat just one taco

Best part of February....Papa flew home for a surprise visit!!! Kids were so excited!!

Winter

 Winter is upon us, and the Northwoods has had a very warm winter thus far with little snow.  Until yesterday!  Here's the deal....if you live in a town where there is no Target, Hobby Lobby, Noodles, sushi....and it gets dark at 4:00 p.m....then you pray for snow.  Pray. For. Snow.  Why?? Because lets face it....even though it's 32*...you aren't going to go for a bike ride or to the park.  However, when it's 32* and snowing and looks like a snow globe outside you feel all Norman Rockwell and bundle up the kids to head outside.  My super fab husband shoveled off the ice in front of our rink for our own ice skating spot.  I asked him if he could string Christmas lights around it and play endless love on his Ipod and skate romantically with me.  I'll let you know if he does.  Fingers crossed.

The Kowboys had a ton of fun falling on their butts 823985 times skating.  Hank decided to play boot hockey.  That's where you wear boots not skates.  Smart kid.  And also....we quickly informed them this is the only kind of hockey they will be playing.

 B. Herb is such a good sport!

 He also had a swim meet today.  He was the heat winner in the 25 free and 25 backstroke.  He even did a FLIP TURN on his 50 free!!!!  It has been so fun watching him progress.  He is always willing to try new things and I have seen him grow so much in his independence this year.  I have mixed emotions about that....but try as I may they just keep growing.  Whaaaaaa

Frank

Hank/Frank.....isn't feeling so well today.  This pic is from his favorite restaurant, Culvers, gotta love some crinkle fries and custard.  He asked if he could have Culvers for dinner today and since he is about the cutest thing you every wanna see when he is sick I give him pretty much whatever he wants.  My apologies to my future daughter-in-law.  I am creating a fever monster.  

We picked up Culvers and brought it home.  He ate it like a champ.  After dinner I told the boys they needed to take their Vit. C tabs.  Let's just say Hank has a bit of a gag reflex.....

Nothing says fun like Hank putting a Vit C tab in his mouth....puking....all over the table...while Brody sings "this is serious" in his best Ming Ming Wonder Pets impression...while Brody continues to eat a butter burger because not even a pile of puke is gonna stop that kid from his human garbage disposal type appetite...while I gag and run....while Brad is on the phone with his Dad and yells "gotta go...Hank just puked all over the table".....while I throw a pile of paper towels over the puke because that's all I can do when I run back in the kitchen....oh and throw a bottle of vinegar water at Brad and say "I gotta go downstairs."

Now Hank is starving again.  And I am gonna flip off the Vit C. bottle every time I walk past it.

 This week was full of Christmas goodness.  Programs, cookies and egg nog.  See that kid singing his heart out in the green shirt and red sweater vest.  That'd be my Herb.  I cant even stand the cuteness level.

 The inn keeper and Mary. 

 Why my family is way more awesome than yours.  Matching Holiday shirts.

 Congratulating Hank on his awesome inn keeper performance.

 Nice face Brody.

B.Herb

Ok...so...I'm a total loser and did not post about super important things this year...like oh say...Brody starting kindergarten....loosing his first tooth....or his birthday....sorry...my New Years resolution is to be better on being on the ball with my blog.  Probably same resolution as last year....but try try again.  Correct?  So, here is some parenting advice.  Listen up.  If you are planning a birthday party for your 6 year old, and you decide to invite all the kindergartners from both class rooms, and you take a crazy pill and decide to do it at the bowling alley make sure you have lots of adults.  Lots.  And maybe a pediatrician.  And dentist.  And change of clothes in case 1 pees their pants.  And maybe a lawyer in case a kid gets his arm ripped off in the ball return.  And....of course some kick ass cupcakes.

I told Brody he could have a party, but explained why I wasn't comfortable asking 25 parents (most of which have never been to our house) to get Brody a present.  So, I explained different charities and he decided on Toys for Tots.  I was so proud of him!  He had 15 toys to donate and was so proud of himself.  He has such a kind heart.  Love, love, love the Kowboys.

Nice photobomb Hank

Viva Las Vegas

 My Mother-in-law turned 65 this year.  For her birthday my father-in-law/sister-in-laws planned a trip for she and all of us.  Vegas was the destination and lots of laughs were had.  Don't you think Aunt Heather and I would make super duper super models?  That's us.....I know....you thought it was someone famous.  Nope.  Us.  Trying on sunglasses that cost more than my S.U.V.  minivan.  Then, carefully setting them down and getting the hell out of there before we scratch them and have to donate a kidney to pay for them.

Swim you mighty Hoda

 Ok...now...isn't this just the most adorable thing you ever did see?  Yep.  B.Herb joined swim club.  In typical Brody style he was "interested" in swim club because he got a team cap and "speedies" otherwise known as speedos.  Not so much the tighty whitey style, more like the boxer brief style. (Not pictured here because we ordered them and much to his dismay they were not here in time for the first meet.)  He is doing so great!  He jumps off the blocks, belly flops dives in, and swims a 25 freestyle or backstroke like nothin' you've ever seen.  Ah-may-zing.  Future Olympian we have.  Plus he really likes subway...so watch your back Michael Phelps.

Daddy's got himself a new job

Daddy's got himself a new job!!!!  The night before Brad started his new job at RMM technologies, the kids and I had a champagne (sparkling apple juice of course) toast.  That morning I explained to the kids what a toast was.  I told them to think of something heartfelt to say to daddy.  I got some balloons and had the table decorated.  That night it was time for our toast Hank wanted to go first.

Hank: "Good luck and congratulations daddy.  I love you."

Brody" Daddy, I hope you loose this job to so you can stay home with us again."

Haaaaaa

Bless their little hearts!

Halloween

 Ok...so I'm a tad bit late on the Halloween post.  But, turns out I have this really super awesome hot pepper cream cheese dip and it seems to be calling my name when I put my kids to bed.  Not good.  Cream cheese is an evil little monster.  Evil.  But delicious.  Anyhoooo....here's what's been going on with the Kowboys and their trainers parents.  The kids went to the Y for their annual Halloween party.  Hank made it out of the car, saw a scary costume, freaked his freak and Brad came to pick him up. Brody and I had a great time.  Well, up until Brody had to pee and didn't make it back to the bathroom in time and ended up a steamy urine mess because it was all of  27 degrees outside.  But, whatever, didn't stop us from grabbing a brownie on the way out.  That's how we roll.  Move over everybody...pee pants coming thru...momma's in need of some chocolate.

 The lorax? Really? Not good.

Our lame attempt at Halloween costumes.  Whaa Whaa.

Huck Finn

Last night my in-laws treated themselves and my family to the play Huck Finn at the Grand in Wausau.  Huck Finn is one of the kids favorite books.  The play however was a major bummer.  The actors decided not to use microphones (against the wishes of the Grand), so it was impossible to hear them.  Hank got scared about 10 minutes into the play, clung unto Brad's neck and begged to go into the hallway.  Needless to say, we left at intermission.  However, the Grand got so many complaints and so many people left that they are going to give our family tickets to another performance of our choice.  Thank you!

Where's my debit card...oh, by the partridge foot

Have you ever been looking in your purse for your debit card, reached in and found a partridge foot?  No? Never? C'mon.  Chapstick, tampons, receipts, loose change....and a partridge foot.

Where o where did this come from you ask?

Hank.  That's who.

Brad took the boys "hunting" this weekend in Thorp.  Which, for the Kowboys is better than Disney.  He was super Dad and shot a delicious after school snack of partridge and let them keep the feet.  I mean..why not?  And, Hank, being a 4 yr old frat boy decided that he would put his in my purse. 

I had tears streaming down my face I was laughing so hard.  Good one Hankie.  Good one.

fixing up the ol' shed

Hank and Grandpa fixed up our shed with some spiffy new paint.  And.....the dog got some low-lights to match.  If you see Lila she has a new hair color called Ethiopia brown by Behr.  Hank did a little painting....then a little petting.  He stuck with the project and he and Grandpa painted our shed for about 2 hours.  Way to go Hank!

waterpark

 This past Wednesday we went to a water park in Wausau.  It was $2 for each person and sooooo much fun!  We met a bunch of friend there and the kids had a blast!  Brody and Hank are little fish and I am so proud of how Brody is swimming.  He's really come a long way this summer.

 Kowboys thought they were hot stuff ordering their own things from the concession stand.

Last day of golf

 Ever have one of those days where you feel like nothing you say as a parent sinks in?  I swear I spend all of my waking hours teaching the kids things like say please, say thank you, stop punching each other in the head during dinner, flush the toilet, wash your hands, go back and wash your hands with soap, do your chores when I ask you the first time, or the 5th time.  I know.  I know.  ALL moms have those days.  And Tuesday was "that" day for me.  The kids had their last day of golf and Hank was in a mood.  Let's just say Hank can be a little hot under the collar.  I realize that I am not going to change this in him....so I need to teach him how to try to control his temper and what is and is not appropriate behavior when he gets mad. 

Like....I don't know....for example....

HITTING HIS DAD IN THE LEG WITH A GOLF CLUB

just for an example...is not appropriate.

Hank wanted to ride in the golf cart (yes...I know...he's 4), however, part of golf lessons is obviously teaching them how to respect other players, the golf course...etc.  So...he needed to walk the 3 feet to his ball instead of ride in the cart.

CUE.....

Crazy meltdown, screaming, swinging his club at Brad.

Really?

So....we made him stop his lesson, sit in the van, and "cool" down.

Let's just say by the end of the day I was crying in the laundry room because I was so frustrated with his behavior.  I think I'm just going to get a shirt that says "I try."

 Oh...and....guess who was runner up in the little one holers?  Yes...after that behavior he wins a trophy.  Awesome.  But....he is adorable.

Nicole Doto is no longer a Doto......

 This past weekend one of my high school friends got married.  Her last name is Doto.  For real...not kidding.  She, her sisters and her mom are a HOOT!!!  It was such a fun wedding!  The bride and bridesmaids wore cowboy boots.  Isn't that just the cutest?  And.....isn't my hubs just the hottest?

 One of my besties.  Friends since we were 7.  I love her!

 Isn't she just gorgeous!!!!!! (The bride, not me)  And....me with my favorite.....lambrusco!

 Today we decided to play tourist.  There are so many fun things to do in our area.  We drove up to Eagle River with some family and friends and went to Kartway and out to lunch.  Kartway has this super awesome water balloon launcher.  Really...way fun for adults.  I think we should build one in our back yard.

 Roo and I on the Go-Karts.  He loved them.  Isn't he just the cutest?

Taking a break from life is something we should do more often.  We have lived here (as married folk) for 8 yrs.  We've never...ever done the tourist thing and it was a blast!  

4K grad

 Ooops....I don't know how, but I didn't add this MAJOR event to my blog.  See the kid in the blue grad hat??? Yup...that's my B.Herb.  4K graduate people.  On to kindergarten.  Kindergarten.  You know how people say "by the time your kids are that age you're ready for them to go."  Yeah..well...they're big fat liars.  I am NOT ready for him to go to school Mon-Fri all day. 

 Isn't he just the cutest little man you've ever seen.  I know.  Thanks.

 Daddy and Roo proudly watching the graduate

 How adorable is this?  Hank is so proud of his big bro.

 I have enjoyed watching this precious baby grow into the little boys he's becoming.  God bless you Herb.  You're a great kid.