Homework

 Ramsey has had Zoom calls twice per week for the last half of school.  Afterwards, one of his teachers emails a workbook page to fill out.   We just had to chuckle at Ramsey's answers on the last question.

Yup, you're right, little buddy.... life goes on.  ha!!

Rock-Picking

 Rock-picking, when I was a kid, is a LOT different than the rock-picking Ramsey does.  Back in the day, someone drove a farm hand with a bucket, driving very slowly down a field while the others (this is where I fit in) walked along, spotting rocks.  Then, we had to load said [horrifically heavy] rocks into the farm hand scoop.  When the farm hand bucket was full, the rocks would be dumped into rock piles.  (Thinking of this now, I wish we had those rock piles - it'd make great rip rap for the lake shore!)   This would be an all-day scenario.  Good times.  ;-)

Ramsey was coerced by Eric into picking rocks from our yard so avoid lawn mower debacles and ruined blades.  He would be financially reimbursed by how any bucketfuls he would turn in.  The goal was at least one full bucket.

I spied on him at first (quite curious to see if he was actually completing the task).  He was!  I was a little shocked.  I figured he'd have thrown the bucket and started playing with sticks.

After a while, he proudly came in with a half of a bucket of river rock.   Eric asked if he was "ready for inspection".  He nodded.

He didn't pass inspection with flying colors, but he did pretty well.

He picked up more that he had found.

After a short while later, once he started rolling around on the ground and playing with the rocks, I knew the actual rock-picking was done for!  ha!   He continued to play with the rocks, then moved onto sticks.  

Chilly April Soccer - GAME 1

 BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!  Not gonna lie... I had nearly forgotten how chilly and oddball Spring Soccer weather could be.    As it was in the 40s with a "breeze", Ramsey had to get bundled up for the morning game.   I will reiterate that I am very thankful that he's young enough to have the LATE morning games!

Eric and I sort of "cheated" as spectators this game.  The field Ramsey played on was directly in front of where we parked, so we sat in the vehicle with the heater on and rooted him on from there.   I felt a little guilty, but he knew we were there!

As this is Ramsey's first year, all we ask from him is that he tries his best, doesn't roll around on the ground (yes, that was a thing), and has fun!

He's improving with every game and practice and he's enjoying himself immensely. 

But seriously... BRRRRRR!  

Lego Compound

 Ramsey completed both of his new [Easter present] Minecraft Lego kits. Immediately, he added them to his existing "Lego Compound", as he calls it, connecting it to his other biomes and landscapes.  He's pretty darn proud of himself.

Many of these Lego sets have been sitting on the kitchen table since Christmas.  I have recently ordered a special tiered coffee table for him to use in the downstairs family room; a designated Lego crafting table!

Late April Snow

 The weather has been all over the board this past year. Mainly, it's been VERY windy, but temps have been more tepid and snowfall has been a lot less than normal.

Just posting this because last week it was in the high 60s (maybe even the 70s actually), but today... today's huge flakes fell from the sky.  Much of it melted quickly, but I'm guessing we got 3 inches.

So weird.

Spring Soccer is Here

 Due to COVID (wow, soooo many posts this last year seem to start out like that - GOOD GRIEF!), Ramsey wasn't able to play Spring or Fall soccer last year.   He was only able to go to a 3-day camp.

But... this Spring... we're BUSTING OUT and getting back to normal.   Ramsey is starting his first season of soccer.    It's a little CHILLY and WINDY, but, that's Spring soccer, so we're going to deal with it.

Ramsey is the little guy with the pom-pom topped stocking hat (and gloves!).  Brrr!

Games start soon.  I PRAY that we have a Spring warm-up!

Late Family Easter #2 - Up North

 We had counted the months it'd been since we had been to Nana Vicki and Bumpa's house.  It had been since Christmas 2019.  CRAZY!

We didn't really consider this an Easter celebration, per se, but we hadn't been together as a big group/family for FAR too long.   And... ham was on the menu, so.... it's automatically considered Easter.  Just sayin.

The drive up was "interesting".  For the first 45 minutes, Jango, whined most of the time.  He did seem to like watching the boys play their games though.

When we arrived, I was happy to see everyone... and get to hug everyone!  It was so good to have so many of us together in the house again.

Jango tried to make friends with Nana and Bumpa's dogs.  It didn't go so well!! ha!   The older doggies just weren't into playing with a newbit pup.  Jango was relentless most of the time.  He gave up intermittently.

It was strange to realize how the kids have grown.  Here's Connor... at 19.  And... Sadie - she's 18!

And "Little Isaac" is not so little anymore and is 15!  

Isaac got along with Jango rather well also.  :-)

Isaac was still the target of Ramsey's attention.  Airplane rides and tickle fights were plentiful.  Ramsey loves his cousins so much.  :-)

Connor showed off his push-up and planking with Ramsey on his back.  An extra 50 lbs on your back is quite a load.

I had to laugh at this view that I had.  After a big supper, everyone, to include the dogs, were pooped.

A trip up North wouldn't be a trip without getting a picture of the kids all together in front of the [now new] fireplace.  

Late Family Easter #1 - at Home

 Mom/Nana Karen hadn't been to our home in FIFTEEN MONTHS... until this past Sunday, when we celebrated our first family Easter.   That is a record I hope we NEVER see again!

I cooked a ham and all the fixins (enough to feed a small army) and Connor picked Mom up to visit us.

After we gorged ourselves and snarfed a French silk pie, it was time for some Easter egg dying.  

Nana Karen was more interested in eating a hard-boiled egg than actually dying one.   

We were both quite impressed with the way Ramsey took to dying and double-dying his eggs.  He did a great job!

Just going to note that Eric will be eating deviled eggs and egg salad sandwiches (with low carb bread) for probably the next WEEK.

Ramsey also showed Nana his "Minecraft compound" which consists of every Lego Minecraft set he has completed to date.  He is anxiously looking for a time when he can build the two he got from The Easter Bunny... to add to this collection.

...couldn't resist getting a picture with bunny ears.  :-)  

Week 1 with Jango

 Week 1 with Jango has been a time for "settling in" and bonding.   We know the "puppy stage" doesn't last long.  Though there are frustrating times (chewing on the legs of furniture and tennis shoes), there are more blissful times (puppy snuggles are the best!).

Connor stopped out to meet Jango (and also get his Easter treats!

He's such a good sport... he wore the ears for me! ha!

We made a conscious effort to get a lot of puppy pics taken.

Those sweet eyes melt our hearts!  What a little doll!

Sidenote: We took him to the vet two days after we'd picked him up.  He weighed 20 lbs!  That means he gained 6.5 lbs in two weeks.  Crazy!

Eric, who will be continually noted as "The Puppy Whisperer" has been the host of many a nap for Jango.  

Aww!!

The weather happened to be GORGEOUS this week, so we got to be outside quite a bit.  :-)

Eric had taken Jango to the shore line at one point, where he dipped his little paws into the water.  I think this little guy is going to be a good lake dog!  (I love this picture so much!)

Snuggles often turned into a threesome of Duven boys!  So sweet!

Jango met "Roomba"!  

And, during one of Ramsey's baths, he snuck in and wanted to play.  I nearly let him get in, but figured that could go wrong on so many levels!  And, Eric wanted to "keep the puppy smell" just a little while longer.  :-)

Other notables/milestones:  

Jango only had two poop accidents in the house (both on Day 2 - and we were literally 2 seconds too late putting on our shoes to get him out of the house).  Luckily, they were both on the hardwood floor  (good dog!!) and, since then, he goes to the door and whines when he needs to do his business.  

At night time, since Night 2, he does NOT whine to go outside in the middle of the night.  He SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT for over 8 hours (unlike Riggsy and Ramsey - God must've thought I deserved a break from all of that!).

Also since Day 2, he has fetched successfully and repeatedly.  Nice!

And, he "sits" on command.  :-)  Smaaaaaaaaart!

Love this little turkey!