Day 76: Fresh Cuts

 The boys got MUCH needed haircuts today. 

I had been putting it off because I knew we were heading to vacation and wanted a fresh shave, but gosh, it was so overdue. 

Calen opted to keep his hair a little longer (you can catch him pulling down the car mirror and fixing his hair often), but cleaned up the sides and trimmed the top. And good Lord, if the girls won't come swooning soon. 

Camden asked for a signature "Hockey Mohawk", to get ready for State, of course. (But still looking good enough from the front to make Hawaiian photos look nice. 

I think now we are officially ready. 

Day 75: Party Hardy, Teenager Style

 Today was Calen's 14th birthday party. 

My gosh, how did we get here. 

The older the kids get, the easier birthdays are. We started with first and second birthdays, when literally the entire extended family and the population of Connecticut wants to be there. 

Then they get a little bit older and you try to make super fun action packed themed parties. Complete with favors and games and all sorts of things because they require entertainment. 

Now we have this older kid/teenage group. And let me tell you, They. Are. Easy. 

You know what they want? They want to hang out. They want video games. They want nerf gun battles. They want to eat. And they don't want adults to micromanage them. 

Done, done, done and DONE. 

We told all the boys coming over to bring a nerf gun. And no worries if you don't because we have 292810 nerf guns. The moment the kids all came over, an epic battle began. They picked teams, they had house rules, and I sat on the couch and had nothing to do with it. They figured it out on their own. 

On the kitchen penninsula counter, I laid out a chili dog bar (Calen's request, for like the 3rd year in a row). Hot dogs, hot chili, cheese, toppings, salsa, chips of 100 different varieties, and a fruit tray, for nutrition, you know. Throw in some soda and they are completely and totally satisfied. 

And upstairs? Mario Kart. Smash Brothers. Minecraft. 

I sat on the couch and chatted with adult friends for 3 hours. I didn't need to intervene. Or break anything up. Or do anything. They even decided to open presents when they wanted to. I got to step back and just watch, and it was perfect. 

I hope he had as much fun as he seemed to.  

Day 74: Cake Day

 There have been a LOT of Cake Days over the years. 

It might as well be a national holiday. At least in my house. 

If you don't know what Cake Day is, it is the celebrated day before one of the kid's birthdays, or birthday parties, where I dedicate some or part or all of the day making the most epic birthday cake I can possibly think of. 

The kids ask me to make a cake every year, even though cake isn't necessarily their favorite. But the themes are their favorite, and each year they either give requests and theme ideas, or ask for a surprise theme. I've asked many, many times if they wanted cookies or brownies instead, but they love the idea of a cake so much that they ask for every year. Calen said last year "It's so special because you make it so special for us every year and it's tradition."

Well who am I to argue with tradition?

Calen's birthday isn't for another week but since we will be out of town for his birthday, we planned his party for this weekend. His one request was to have a car themed cake. 

Done, done and done. 

Luckily for him, I had already done some research on car cakes prior, since he is so obsessed with cars. His favorite cars are sporty/muscle cars, specifically Corvettes and Camaros. 

I made a simple chocolate fudge round cake covered in red fondant. Fondant has been my medium of choice over the years, even though no one likes to eat it (but it's easy to peel off). I split the cake in half and laid an upside down paper plate (painted black and glued yellow road strips on it) in between. The lip of the plate was perfect to hold up a brand new camaro matchbox car. Then some easy black frosting tire treads on the sides, all sitting on top of a cake pan that I wrapped in black paper and a handmade "Corvette Logo" with Calen's name in the middle. 

All art comes with mishaps. Whoops. 

The best part of the cake (in my opinion) was the wheels, or the aquiration of the wheels. I went to Walmart and bought the cheapest toy dirt bike (with the biggest wheels) I could find, and then ceremoniously dismantled it. Then I stuck toothpicks through the spokes and stuffed them into the cake. Then a brand new Camaro on the top (Fast and the Furious style), and two new Hot Wheels Corvette's (old and new style) on the sides. 

It was very simple, but it was elegant, sleek, and just as classy as the cars he loves. 

Day 73: Ice Circles

 It snowed today. 

I mean what else is new.

Listen. I love snow. I really, really do. But it's March. Very, very March. It's so March it's almost April. Yet another blizzard blew through, and we have a new foot of snow. 

This tropical vacation couldn't come soon enough. 

We are wrapping up the hockey season in the next week. Practices are now only for the two remaining teams that are waiting for their State tournament: 12U, and the girls tournament. 

We were the first ones to arrive at the rink today. Mind you, the rink is "outdoor", but it has a roof. 

A completely, absolutely useless roof. 

Especially when it's snowing sideways, because Kodiak and it's wind, you know. 

The benches were completely covered in a layer of snow, and when Camden popped on the ice, he was dumbfounded that there was half an inch of snow sitting on top of the ice. 

Those benches and wall tops are red, just so you know. And the floor is black. 

Instead of snow angels, we have ice circles. 

And as I stood on the bench, inside the rink, it was snowing on my head. If this isn't the most Alaska thing you've ever seen. .

Snowing. On my head. Inside the rink. 

Day 72: If I Was From The 1900s

 Leading up to our Hawaiian vacation, we've been watching every movie that even slightly resembles the tropical islands. Lilo and Stich, Moana, and then Camden begged to watch Jurassic Park. 

I mean, it's tropical, and they filmed part of the movie in Kauai, the actual island that we are traveling to. So, fair play. 

So we are sitting and watching the movie and eating popcorn happily, and the scene where the self-powered Jurassic Park Ford Explorers (not the classic Jeeps in the beginning of the movie) pull up in front of the guest center. Calen, my car obsessed teenager, goes "ooooooh!" at the cars. He swallowed his mouthful of popcorn and proclaimed. 

"You know, if I was from the 1900s, I would probably pick an SUV like that."

There was no snark, no side eye, no snide humor involved. It was a general statement. I shot him a LOOK. 

"What do you mean "from the 1900s?!" I demanded. 

"Why are you so offended?" He asked. It was an honest question. (And for the record, I wasn't actually offended)

"Calen, I'm from the 1900s."

"I said the late 1900s." he retorted. 

"It doesn't make a difference!" 

And then it dawned on me, this how kids these days actually think in honesty. The generation gap has officially split between the ones "From The 1900s" and then the younger "normal kids".

You know like, when I used to think about people born in the 1890s, like you'd have to time travel to get all the way back to the 1900s. 

Gosh. I feel old. 

Day 71: Beggars Can't Be Choosers

 There's always company in the kitchen when breakfast is being made. 

Cam is still not feeling great so this is really the highlight of the day. We skipped practice and stayed home all day. 

Day 70: Armed And Not So Dangerous

 The base "Teen Center" had a Nerf battle event that Calen begged to attend, and how could I say no? Camden was also old enough for this event, but he was feeling sick today so he stayed home and Calen got some much needed "him" time with his peers on base. 

There's something to be said about pulling up to the gym of a military base and letting a teenager out of the car looking like Rambo meets Rufio, with a red headband, fingerless gloves, and multiple Nerf guns. 

Pretty fitting actually. 

Day 69: Draw and Disney: Moana

 Now that the cat is out of the bag (or the pig? Or the chicken?) about Hawaii, we've been delving into all the Hawaiian preparations. Food, movies, you know, the works. 

We hadn't done art for a while, I decided we should do a Draw and Disney day! We learned to draw Pua, the adorable little pig, and watch his starring movie: Moana. 

Moana is one of my favorite movies. I love the music, the adventurous spirit of the leading lady, Hei Hei (I mean come on), and the grandma passing on as a beautiful glowing sting ray makes me tear up every.single.time. 

Be careful or you may catch me humming Moana songs to myself on occassion. 

Day 68: The Ice Field Campout Hangover

 You know, it would be good if these kids listened to me once in a while. 

Or you know, used their common sense. See also: forgetting your shoes when leaving the house (a memoir of how Calen forgot to put on shoes two days ago when going to Swim practice). 

The boys had a campout last night for Boy Scouts. It's Alaska. It's still very much winter here. And, instead of their normal camping location, they're camping a little further inland, in a valley under Pyramid Mountain (i.e. colder), on the frozen ice wasteland of the golf course driving range. 

Sounds like an adventure, right?

Solid. Ice. No boots. Sigh. 

The boys know how to pack for cold weather campouts. It's not that difficult at this point. But apparently, it is. 

Calen chose not to pack his ski jacket, and instead packed a way cooler looking Carhartt jacket that is absolutely useless in freezing temperatures. 

Camden didn't even pack boots, and wore Converse. Yes, Converse. To an ice field. And no, he didn't pack a heavy jacket either. 

When they stumbled into the house came back this morning and I asked how it went, Camden declared "BAD. It was so cold." And I'm over here like, well no duh it was cold, you were wearing canvas shoes. 

Which, considering the track record my kids have had the last couple days, I guess I should be thankful he remembered shoes. 

Post-campout days are celebrated video game days, so they had a great, albeit tired, day today. But they didn't get out of Sunday Family Game night! We played 5 Minute Dungeon and had Calen's favorite - kung pao sliders, on our snack board. 

Day 67: Secret Subway Runs

 Sometimes you have to break the "Fair" rules. 

Like, sometimes it's really is fair that one kid gets something that the other doesn't. 

For example. After hockey today, Cam and I snuck off to Subway. Why? Because we can. 

Shhhhh. Don't tell Calen. 

Just kidding. We brought home Meatball Marinara for him. 

Day 66: When Teenagers Forget Their Shoes

 Calen had swim practice today. 

I was not the adult in charge, because I was with Camden at hockey practice, earlier in the afternoon. 

Calen was home alone, with his phone, with specific instructions to leave the house at 4:45 to go up the street to our neighbor's house, who would drive him to the pool. Then I'd pick him up at the end of practice. 

But Calen is an almost 14 year old teenage boy. 

Which means he's basically an idiot. 

No no no, not really, of course I don't think my precious baby is an idiot. But teenagers are idiots. Teenage boys even moreso. 

Brad got home at 5pm and promptly texted me. "Is Calen supposed to be at swim?"

Gosh. Can't anyone remember things on their own?

Yes. Yes he is. 

The story, as recounted to me later, was that Brad said "uhhh you're supposed to be at swim!" And Calen literally threw himself out of the house in 0.65 seconds. Our neighbor hadn't left yet, so he made it to swim, great, fantastic, crisis averted. 

I picked him up at 6:30 just like I was supposed to. 

Calen came out of the lockerroom, dressed, holding a pair of socks, but no shoes. 

Pay attention to that detail. No shoes. 

Me, pointing very obviously to his bare feet: "Where are your shoes?"

Calen, looking down at his feet as if he didn't know. "I uhhh, forgot them."

Me: "Well go get them!"

Calen: "No I mean, I ran out of the house so fast, I forgot to put on shoes."

Me: silence. 

He ran out of the house so fast he forgot his shoes. 

He ran out of the house, all the way up the street, on the road, in Alaska, in barefeet. 

Calen: "No, not barefoot. I was wearing socks."

Oh because that makes all the difference. 

As we left the pool, he exclaimed how cold the ground was and ran as fast as he could across the parking lot to the car. In bare feet.

Had I known of this ridiculous endeavor, I would have parked half a mile away and had him run tip toe to the car. 

Teenagers! I might not survive these years. 

Day 65: Weekly Library Run

 We needed to leave the house today and do something that wasn't swim or hockey practice. 

So we went to the library! It's fun! It's free! And it keeps them entertained for two whole weeks. 

Cam had to tag along to swim practice (see, we couldn't really escape practice of some sort) and brought some of his libarary books into the stands with him. Calen had a few minutes to wait and so he sat and read too. 

Sporty and nerdy? Well rounded and awesome more like. 

Day 64: Sno-Dinos

 It may still be nice out but that doesn't mean that there isn't snow on the ground. 

Forever. Snow on the ground forever. 

Camden came blasting into the living room with a snowman in his hand. Not just a snowman, a snow-tyrannosaurus rex. 

Because of course it is. 

Then as he excited held it over my hot coffee asking if I wanted to hold it, he accidentally squashed the bottom of it and snow spluttered all over my sofa and into my coffee. 

My 11 year old crashed into the house in a helmet, roller blades and a flight jacket, and brought a snow T-Rex into the house and exploded it all over the sofa and mom's coffee. 

If that sentence doesn't declare "Boy Mom" in capital letters, I don't know what will. 

Day 63: When 40 Degrees Feels Like A Heat Wave

 It's been a long winter. 

I mean, that goes without saying. We ARE in Alaska. 

But after months, and months, and months, of darkness and rain and snow, you get completely and totally over it. 

The sun came out today, and it hit a balmy 44 degrees. 

I mean, we might as well pack up and go to the beach!

The boys took this is a verified "short sleeve" day, and delightedly ran outside in short sleeves shirts and no jackets, thanks anyways. 

And off they marched, Cam, Calen and their buddy Silas, off into the neighborhood, armed to the teeth with Nerf guns and no jackets. 

Day 62: The Hawaiian Bucket List

 I woke up this morning to both boys awake and chattering away excitedly about Hawaii. 

Camden already had written an entire, at length, Hawaiian bucket list. Complete with extremely important details listed below:

1. Drink out of a coconut with a straw and a little umbrella. 
2. See a shark while snorkeling
3. See a bottle nosed dolphin while snorkeling
4. See a sea turtle (edited to: RIDE a sea turtle)
5. Try out surfing* --- *(Duh, it's Hawaii)
- See Big crabs (crossed out)
6. (in all caps) "MUST GET HAWAIIAN SUNGLASSES
7. Get Hawaiian souvenirs.
8. Eat a Hawaiian pineapple. 
9. Have a Hawaiian breakfast, lunch and dinner. 
10. (my personal favorite): Get good smelling Hawaiian deodorant. 

Why the last one? Who will ever know, but at least he has his hygiene on the priority list. 

I think he's excited. 

 

Day 61: A Tropical Surprise

 We've been keeping a secret for a long time. 

Like, since November. Maybe October? I can't even remember anymore. 

Today we announced it to the boys. We blindfolded them, brought them down the stairs to sit in front of a closed suicase, with Grammy and Papa on Facetime. On the count of three they had to open their suitcases. 

We. Are. Going. To. Hawaii!!!!!

In THREE WEEKS. 

The boys were stunned! Calen's first question was if we could still go to Disney in November or if this was instead. Fear not Calen, we are going to Disney also. 

Phew, was his response. 

In their suitcases are all the essentials. Hawaiian shirts, Disney t-shirts of Stitch and Pua/Hei Hei, snorkels and fins, new towels, collapsable sand buckets and a Kauai guidebook. 

It is also Sunday and that means snack board/family game night! So OBVIOUSLY we made a Hawaiian themed snack board with Masubi (spam rolled in rice and seaweed), pineapple, hawaiian rolls and Hawaiian chips. 

And now for the excrutiating 3 week wait for Hawaii!

The game of the day? Jungle Cruise! Because Hawaii is almost like a jungle cruise. Hahaha!

Day 60: Bash Brothers and Shamrock Shakes

 It's Gameday Saturday! At least for the State teams, that get to battle it out amongst each other. 

Cam and his buddy Thor (who we had again today) had a double header against 12A and 10A. 

Thor is a center and Cam is at defense, but that's where the differences ended today. 

Cam and Thor each had a goal and an assist, and they each had a hooking penalty. 

Literally chilling in the box 

Goals in our house mean McDonald's runs and milkshakes! Milkshakes in March mean SHAMROCK shakes (mint chocolate chip). 

It was a great day. 

Day 59: Conversations As Deep As Pickles

 We had an extra kid in the car for practices this week. 

Thor and Camden are fantastic buddies. They just "get" each other. 

They had an entire 7 minute conversation (the time it takes to get from my house to the rink) on pickles in sandwiches and burgers. 

Camden does NOT like pickles. Thor loves pickles. Cam offered to give all his pickles in every cheeseburger he ever ordered to Thor, in which he was delighted to receive. Then they talked about pickle sandwiches (much to Cam's horror), and how Thor was going to have his mom make one because it sounds delicious. 

These are the pre hockey practice conversations that matter, you know. 

Then a race across the parking lot to the stairs, to see who can make it without slipping and dying on the ice. 

These are the moments I don't want to forget. When hockey is still fun and conversations go as deep as pickles. 

Day 58: Classroom Time

 Practice today was for Camden's State team only. 

They took a good amount of time listening to strategies and position placement.

The best part of this photo is the assistant coach in mid sneeze. 

Day 57: March Madness, volume 2

 Apparently, the snow storm yesterday was the predecessor to an exceptionally wicked wind storm today. 

I mean, we get wind storms here and they're generally pretty intense (compared to the rest of the USA). But, this was bad even for here. 

Sustained 40+ and gusting 70. I'd put that in the Intense To the Point of Ridiculous category. 

My wind app. Not even a "warning", just another breezy day in Alaska!

There we were, trying to mind our business and do school, and our car rooftop carrier (Skybox), which has been contently stored against the wall of the leeward side of the house, suddenly dislodged it self from the ice and went flying past our dining room/school room window. 

Ummmm....

The kids ran out and rescued it before it ended up in the Bering Sea. 

Definitely in the category of Ridiculous. 

Day 56: March Madness

 It snowed like, 8 inches today. 

Don't they know it's March??

But it sure is pretty.