Happy Birthday, Will!

  I'm a few months late, but as the saying goes (and the new motto for this blog): Better Late than Never!

Happy belated Birthday, William Thomas Buschelman!!

 

Wow, that year+ happened quickly.  In the last year, you have traveled to Philmont (which I covered last year, but the pictures are broken so...), 

And who wouldn't want another Philmont pic?

 

 served as Senior Patrol Leader for Boy Scouts, 

He gave a beautiful benediction written by our good friend, Deacon Tom, at Dom's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. 

 

 

Ran cross country and track, 

Look how fast you are in the picture.  Man, that is a really good picture.

 Visited Germany with Grandparents (and a mom that only got lost a couple of times, but mostly did a really good job finding the locations/trains we were looking for)!

 

L'Opa taught William first year German last year! Wunderbar!

climbed in the Alps (And, by climbed, I mean he basically ran up the trail to the Eagle's Nest  Kehlsteinhaus while I huffed and puffed behind.)

 

and the Great Smoky Mountains, (This time he had a willing party to speed hike ahead of the parents huffing and puffing behind)

 

visited Universal with Grandparents!

 

and have kept us all on track listening to Bible in the Year (nearly...but, we have a plan to finish by the end of the year, plus this year there is that extra day #ThanksLeapYear).  

 

 

And, best of all, you have been a member of our family and first to sit down when there is mandatory family fun time (especially if it is a puzzle or a really complicated board game..that you might have made up on the spot for John).  

 

I love to see you smile.  The really genuine smile that comes out when you see the mountains or a bowl of ice cream.

You bring such joy to our family.  We are immensely proud of your academic achievements. (Let's just say that after this most recent AP season, Will's new nickname is "Fives")

Yet, I love most watching you interact with every member of the family.  The week you went to camp was hard on all of us.  Everyone's favorite sibling was missing.  Dom didn't have anyone to watch Seinfeld with and laugh, Molly didn't have anyone to talk Fantasy with, and John didn't have anyone to set up army men battles with...it was the worst!  Plus, Dad and I had to read the Wall Street Journal all by ourselves.  Schade!  Not to mention, we fell even further behind in Bible in the Year.  (But, thank you for helping us get almost caught up)

While greatly belated (and forced a bit by the pressing date coming up for another sibling), A MOST HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY, WILLIAM!!!  We thank God for your life.  I look forward to all the next 3/4 year has in store for you.  You are just getting started and I'm so glad I get to be along for the ride (don't worry, I won't try to navigate)!  

Now, I can't offer mountains because we live in Ohio...but, how about some ice cream?

Love,
Mom

Happy Birthday, John!

 Two weeks two and a half months ago, we celebrated John's 10th birthday.  An event he had been counting down to for a few weeks.  And definitely from the beginning of April.  (Note to self, start making Happy Birthmonth quarter posts, it won't feel so late when you don't post on the date)

But, without further ado:  HAPPY BIRTHDAYQUARTER, JOHN!!!  Your patience in waiting for this post is not surprising, as you show the most patience of anyone in the family.  You wait all day to finally have a sibling to play with you.  (Fact check: False, he regularly pounces on at least two siblings if they even give the appearance of not doing work to fight a quick Lego battle or make up a story with stuffed Mario characters or...play Dr. Mario (this one is me))

You have had quite the year.  We spent a month in Kansas.  Highlights included Nana Bootcamp which came with a lot of donuts, kayaking with Aunt Katie (where they sang the chorus of "Living on a Prayer" at the...wait for it...halfway point), slumber parties with Oklahoma cousins, and eating the largest pizza we have ever seen.  This year you also were introduced to the magic of "Grandpa Time"...something you and Dom lament when it's over and you are stuck with "Mom Time". aka :"No Time".

In January you joined the ranks of Trail Life.  We elected to go this route for a few reasons, but the biggest being his meetings are at the same time and place as Molly's AHG meetings.  AND he gets to spend time with kids that will be in his classes next fall at Co-op.  He has loved these meetings.  How can we tell?  He never complains about getting ready to go, and then proceeds to not say a word to Eric for the duration of the meetings/events.  Anyone who is familiar with John's propensity to quickly be 'done' with anything outside of the house will appreciate the magnitude of this situation.

John and I have had several "John and Mom" activities over the last year.  Recently, he and I have started shopping at various Warehouse Stores together (Sam's Club and Costco...you can't beat those sheet cake deals).  I love spending this time with him, if for no other reason than we come home with large quantities of salty snacks.  The second I don't say an immediate no to that 42 pack box of Gardettos, it is in our cart and there is nothing I can do.  #YoungestChildPerks #DomKnows #HeDoesn'tGetThem #MowTheLawn

When John isn't helping me shop, pestering Molly and Will to play minecraft, building legos, or sitting quietly hoping no one will find him to do chores...he is doing chores with Eric.  In the last year, he's helped fix a dryer, fix the traverse, and fix the roof.  By the way, he's also fixed dinner.  He's actually pretty handy to have around.  He fits into small places...at least for now.

John still needs a nap from time to time.  He also will let me know when I should head to bed...because we are both tired.  Fact Check: Always True

I had been a little concerned about John's reading.  I went a different direction with some of his schooling.  He could read wonderfully, but I allowed graphic novels to be the bulk of his reading.  If you haven't discovered the Science Comic and History Comics, I highly recommend them as a source for learning basic information.  BUT! It does keep a kid from opting into chapter books when given a choice.  

However, I happily discovered that if I asked him to read for 20 minutes (after a complaint of "There is nothing to do"), he frequently would sit for an hour or more.  And when it came to Harry Potter...much more.  As a homeschooler, I had zero issues with him reading the entire day.  And once he completed the series, we knew we had to get back to Universal Studios!  For Butterbeer! (And several rides through Hogwarts Castle)

John is the only child lately that offers to help cook (and is actually helpful).  Here he is making Mutzenmandel

. 

A couple of good looking guys

Finally, John has taken a bit more interest in playing sports this year.  And not just the virtual versions found on video systems.  He tried both basketball and baseball this year (and an occasional run around the block).  I'm so proud at how hard he has practiced to be better for his teams.  This becomes a family affair and we have all enjoyed learning a bit more about these sports.  Well...not Dom, he's our resident expert and one of John's biggest cheerleaders.

Happy Happy 10th Year JOHN EUGENE ANTHONY!!  A decade with you has flown by and we've enjoyed every day of it.  You give the best hugs, tell the silliest jokes, and remind us all that home is the best place to be (accept on Saturdays which are chore days).  Why would we ever want to go anywhere else?  

No seriously...why.would.we.ever.leave.the.house...ever?

I do apologize this post took so long to get up.  And I know I missed a few things that are core memories.  But, I hope what wasn't missed is how much we love you and are so thankful that God intended you to be a part of our family.   

Do you think we should have another cake to celebrate?  Maybe from Costco?  Will did finish the last bag of Gardettos yesterday.  That might just be a sign.

Love you, John!

Mom

Happy Birthday, Molly!

  'Tis once again the 12th Day of Christmas (ok, 12 + a few several days), which means one thing in this household:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOLLY!! (belatedly at this point)

It is Molly's 13th Birthday Year (fixed it).  How, oh how has this happened?  Well, the obvious answer is one day led to another which led to weeks and months and years and here we are.  On the precipice of a household containing three teenagers.  And though those words might strike fear into the hearts of other parents...it does not in mine.  Because I wouldn't trade any of these teenagers for any others in the whole world.  

 Narrator: This is technically impossible to say with certainty.  There are a lot of teenagers out there. But, I can say with certainty that mine are my favorite so far. 

I used an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote for Molly's month of the family calendar: "It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light, it scattered the night, and made the day worth living."  I do not know what work it is from, nor the context of the writing, but it fit Molly's smile and her personality...

Narrator: Her brothers might beg to differ, but they can keep their mouths shut.  Particularly the brother who I have the hardest time finding smiling pictures for. 

I have come to enjoy seeing what outfits Molly puts together.  She reminds me a lot of myself at times...except for her hair doing ability.  That surpassed my talents years ago and continues to leave me in the dust.

In the last year, Molly has reached two milestones: Contacts and Ear Rings.  Though, she actually rarely wears either.  Just like me!  But, when she does: Showstopper!  (Just like me!)

Molly has continued to jump at just about any opportunity to act or sing.  She also helped with the drama unit of last summer's VBS.  She is currently rehearsing for her spring play (In which she has 48 lines. including a long monologue) and singing in the Kettering Children's Choir.  And when neither of those are options, she is quoting various Star Wars spin-offs or singing Taylor Swift songs in the car.  (Though, she has kindly made a second playlist that is 'not Taylor's Version' for her mom...)  Look, I can only take so many times of listening to 'Bad Blood', 'Blank Space', 'Anti-Hero'...and whatever other songs that I used to not know, but now do.  Can I get a 'Let it Go?'

For those that remember Molly as fearless...you'll be happy to know she is the same only more so.  I love that she never backs down from a challenge.  I can ask her to do some crazy origami creation I saw on an Instagram clip, and she gets a spark in her eye, disappears for an hour, and brings back a work of art.  For Christmas, she received a drawing a day book and her creativity is something I'm so proud of as she follows the prompt with unique twists.  She is NOT just like me.  I suppose she gets this particular aspect from her Father.  What a wonderful mix of the two of us she is!

Huh..this picture reminded me of something...

*

 

Well, while I think about it...Let's continue.

She and Eric took home a trophy for best dancers at the Father/Daughter Dance last spring, and then way overdressed for a Father/Daughter Dance this last fall.  But, it was awesome! (See above photo of Molly in a formal)

Last summer, Molly and I got new (to us) bikes with the plan to ride to the library regularly.  We accomplished this...let me see...um... once.  Ok, in fairness, that one time was before Molly got her new (to her) bike and those hills are rough!  I suspect, this coming summer will be totally different.  I better we can ride twice as many times!

Around the time of Molly's birth (or several years before, I'm not exactly known for being up to date on the latest pop culture craze) there was an expletive filled, but hilarious video about Honey Badgers.  After discovering a ripped open box of Reese Pieces with a 15 month old Molly...we nicknamed her the Mollybadger and her tenacity has made that name stick for a dozen years.  Molly definitely lives a bit more by the mantra: "'Tis better to ask for forgiveness than permission" than her brothers.

After singing and acting and eating chocolate, Molly's favorite activity is reading.  To the point that she is pretty sleep deprived...well, she would be if we had to stick to a brick and mortar school's schedule.  She goes through a book a day sometimes.  I can't keep up (it's not even close), though I am enjoying Fablehaven after several months of her asking me to read it.  Granted, she has estimated my time of finishing the series in the decades.  (Fact Check: Mostly True)

A snowy Halloween with an awesome witch costume (Thanks, Thrift Store!)

Molly was Babe the Blue Ox in her fall play in which she sang a solo about wanting pancakes.  Which we now sing regularly.

We have re-started our game tournament.  It will take all of 2024.  I already have missed taking pictures of most of the games, but want to the thank Molly for actually looking up!

Happy Belated Birthday, Molly-Girl!  What a pleasure it is to have you in our lives!  We are thankful that God added you to our family to give it just a little more sparkle and wit (and mischievousness  (Is that a word? I think it is a word.  At least for today, let's make it a word.  This post is late as it is)).  You bring our creativity up a whole octave!  And, I also want to state: Thank you for introducing me to Fablehaven.  I did enjoy it and will continue the series.  I apologize for taking so long to read the first book...but, you know...Christmas, laundry, dinner, family task managing, birthday blogposts...they just got in the way!  But, now: You can do the laundry and cook for the family so I'll have hours to read.  Just. Like. You!! I always said I wanted to be like you when I grow up ;)!

 

We love you, Molly-girl!  For many reasons, but most of all for just being you!!  Now...how about another chocolate cake?  With Nutella Frosting??  

 

Love,
Mom

*Yup...there it is, same Molly