Better than a girl

Conlan got a phone call from this Buffalo Bills player today.    Mike Caussin dad is one of the fire chefs that works with Ray.  He heard Ray had a tall son that loves football and hooked them up.  He talked to Conlan for almost 15 minutes and gave him his number and told him he could call or text him anytime.  Afterwards Conlan said his heart was racing and that it was way better than talking to any girl.

That is what Mommy's do

Last night I threw a complete Farine fit, and poor Donavan was the one to set it off and unfortunate for him the only big person in the house. After I yelled and screamed,Sierra came out of hiding and sat to eat dinner with me. 
She said 'You mad mommy?"
Yes Sierra
You mad at me
No just Donavan
You need to tell him sorry
but it was his fault
You say sorry, that is what mommy's do

I did tell Donavan I was sorry for getting so mad and he said he was wrong, so all was well again..Well after he cleaned his room;)  He even gave forewarning to Colleen and Conlan, when they came home, to do whatever I said and to eat their dinner without complaining. 
   

day 15

These hills are killing me.

Sierra artwork

Colleen has long eyelashes and you have hair mommy.

Rain

Sierra's favorite weather!

Running Rebels

Donavan's AAU team. Donavan has been practicing with this team for over a year and a half. He is now officially on the team! These boys are some serious ballers. Donavan doesn't get to play much, but he is learning and we can see improvement every practice.

Day14

Battlefield Hills

New Rain Boots

Sierra LOVES her new boots.

Day 12.and.13

River walk on Sunday and Ray and I took a nice 'hood walk today

My favorite girls

Traded in the cat

Conlan loves Cece, almost 8 years of friendship.

Hair day

Spent hours getting straight blonde  hair today.

Dominos

Ray is making me and the boys play for our Saturday night entertainment. Ian hurry up and come home so you can take my chair;)

Cat Lover

Rascal loves sleeping with Conlan.  Conlan does not care for the cat wanting to be so cozy with him. As Sierra says "That cat is a MEAN cat."

Team Iphone

Colleen last month started the I need a new phone.  I told her she could have one but she had to pay for it.  It took almost 4 weeks, but today she decided ahead would part with HER money for a new phone.  She also decided she didn't need the Iphone 5..she could get the older model cheaper.  Funny how she has a different attitude with her money.  I do feel hopeful that she thought about it and research the cheaper option.

Still walking

I am still at it..Tuesday and today were neighborhood walks.  Yesterday I walked in the battlefield with Colleen.  I feel like I am walking a bit faster.

GREAT VBALL DAY

This is an example of the exciting play that went on all day

day 5

cold DC walking..wind chill 15 degrees..Ray found these nice stairs to go up.and down.

Day 4

Early morning walk in Chinatown. Day 3 was the neighborhood and lots of steps

40 days

I am not going to walk lost in a desert for 40 days, but I am going to try and walk for 40 days. Day 1 I walked the canal path. Today was the battlefield.

Building Relationships

This week a friend complimented me on something I do everyday and I take for grant that it just happens.

  We were talking about trusting teenagers and I said I was blessed with kids who talk to me and don't outright lie.  (They have been known to omit information).  My friend said "Susan you have to work twice as hard to build those relationship. You spend the time to understand their side but still instil the discipline. You listen and you respond to them in a way they will still talk to you.". We continued to talk about how fragile parent/kid relationship are and it doesn't take much to make it crumble. It made me think that all the time I spend in the car with them, I am doing more than being a taxi driver. I am getting the chance to be a better parent.

When I grow up

Sierra was telling us her life plans at dinner

I going to be a doctor, then a cowgirl, then a firefighter...and a what is the word? I can't think of it

Mom:  electrical engineerer?

Sierra: No

Mom: Physicist?

Sierra: MOM

Mom: Accountant?

Sierra: NO MOM..it has a barn and animals

Mom: Farmer?

YES I am going to be a doctor , a cowgril, firefighter and then a farmer so I can take care of animals.

Old Rag Snowy Icy Climb

Old Rag

Rare

Conlan and Donavan bonding time

Two in a row

Daddy's girl

She is her father's child!

Senior Year

Helped Colleen schedule her classes for her last year in high school.  The struggle of still having college level classes with the balance of a couple of the easy A classes. 

Donavan has to be a princess

Sierra wanted Donavan to play princesses with her.  Donavan, needless to say was not on board with this game.  After trying to talk her into jumping on the trampoline, drawing with chalk, swinging on the swing..he finally agreed
part of the conversations;

Sierra:  Mommy Donavan won't be a princess
ME: Let Donavan be the prince
Sierra: But I don't have a boy crown I only have a princess crowns

Sierra MOMMY Donavan isn't playing right
Me: Let Donavan be the dragon and you be the princess
Sierra:  Okkkkkaaaay

Sierra: MOMMY  Donavan is trying to leave
Donavan: Sierra quit telling on me
Me: Sierra you need to put the dragon back in its cage

Bless Donavan's heart for playing with her, even though he is not a good princess.

Donavan and Nik

Nik is one of Donavan's best friends.  Nik is as small as D is big.   They have a lot in common both love sports, playing chess and  are tortured with  baby sisters.

Feeding the goats

It took her a little while but she likes to  do it by herself.

getting closer

Ray trying to convince her to feed that goat.