Happy Birthday, Dom!

 

Happy 17th Birthday, Dominic!  I first started writing these posts around your 5th birthday.  I think I had two pictures?  I really should have stuck with that.  Over the last few years, it has become more and more difficult to get pictures on to this site.  I thought I cracked the code with Will's post by using photos from Facebook and now several have been deleted for reasons I do not understand, nor do I remember what photos were formerly there. 

However, enough of my tiny violin solo!  It has been an incredible 12 months for you!  The highs and lows of World Cup Competition and the excitement of the Panini World Cup Sticker book completion started it all off with a bang.  What a fantastic way to start the holiday season.  Soccer games three times a day! 

This has been a year of pushing yourself beyond what you are comfortable doing.  And realizing you can do it.  For example, running a 5 minute mile.  Are you kidding me?  And that is just the floor, your ceiling is much higher.  Just shave another minute.  How hard could it be? (Narrator: It was, in fact, very hard)

We have reached a bit of a compromise on the amount of sports we watch.  And, by compromise, you have won.  We NEVER watched professional football 5 years ago, and now I'm in a fantasy football league (currently 5-1, thank you very much).  And you convinced others to join as well.  Your enthusiasm for sports has not lessened in the slightest, but even you recognize that we can't watch every game...right? Right?  Wait, what are you watching on your phone?!!

Moving back to Dayton has had many positive experiences.  Not the least of which was attending the two games of the First Four (one of these teams went on to beat the overall Number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament).  Which just feeds into your latest mantra as you tackle new goals:  Why not me?

Plug for thrift store here (which I know you hate)...that suit he is wearing and looking like a million bucks?  $1.50!!!  You mock me good-naturedly now, but wait until you see our first insurance bill after you become a licensed driver in the next few months...

Back to Dom and his amazing year. Between watching sports, running faster than ever,  the random school assignment, and passing AP exams...Dom also got approved,  spent the summer asking local business for funds, and completed his Eagle Scout Project!   With two parents pushing him and not raising a finger to do any of the hard work (ok, I did sit on hold with Lowe's for a while for him and I was also the comedic side kick when he went knocking on business doors.  You are welcome!) 

His Eagle Scout Project was building a Gaga Ball Pit at the community park.  We'd encouraged him to complete this before we left Virginia as we had quite a support network there and just didn't know how many people would come out for a new kid...turns out, as with most things, our worries were unfounded.  Dom had 20 scouts, friends, and neighbors support him on a cool Saturday morning in August.  I mean, we did offer donuts... so it wasn't just because Dom asked.

While I'm on the subject of Boy Scouts, along with fundraising and organizing for his Eagle Project last summer, Dom joined Will and Peter and Uncle Robert at Philmont High Adventure Camp where he earned a reputation for never getting tired.  Note the state of the rest of his crew.  The dad that posted this picture captioned it with: The crew is exhausted except for Dominic.  I do not believe this was staged...

As much success as Dom showed with cross country and spring track (Current PRs: 5K: 17'23", 1600: 5 flat, 800M: Um...2'15"?..it's faster than I can do, that's all I know), he also excelled in his classes which turned into success on the Academic Team where he received District 2nd Team honors.  It's good to have our home school experiment validated.  Phew!

And, most importantly, he continues to always work at being a good son, brother, and friend.  While he has had a cell phone for the last 5 months, we have not noticed a decrease in his interaction with the family.  He is generally the first to suggest a game in the evening or a family movie or to initiate our Divine Mercy Chaplet or Rosary and has internalized that family time is priority.  I am so grateful as I watch these days fly by.  Man, I've come a long way from crying because I wasn't ready to be a mom...now I cry because I'm not ready to not be a full-time mom...and I still have a solid 10 years left!  

Happy Birthday, Dominic Joseph!  I hope you know how well you are loved.  Dad and I hold you to high standards because we know you have such great ability.  You also have a great heart that is on display with your quick smile and easy laugh.  Young kids LOVE you!  You have a competitive spirit that is unmatched by many, yet you are never a sore loser.  I don't get it.  Instead, you always ask for a quick re-match.  No matter how many times I beat you at ping pong...

Today (and the last 14 days...as this post is just slightly behind...hey, how's that paper going???) we Thank God for your life and how great our lives are for having you in them.  It gets pretty quiet around here when you are on a camp out.   Though, fortunately John has figured out how to work the various movie watching devices...that was a close call!

We are looking forward to all the next year has in store...including college applications!!  (too soon?)

Love,

Mom

Happy Birthday, Will!

 

Happy Birthday, William! 15 years and a few weeks TODAY! I saw this picture as I was attempting to find some from the last year and thought I would add it.  This was near the beginning of your science journey (raisins in Sprite)...you still get that smile when experiments work out the way they are suppose to or you are explaining something you find fascinating. Like entropy.  Glad some things haven't changed! (as opposed to entropy...amamirite?) (Didn't get that hilarious joke?  Click the hyperlink provided...you are welcome)

And this has been a year of changes, but fundamentals stay the same.  Like the willingness to put off work for games or snacks.  It is good to be able to count on that.  Speaking of which, you of all my children will not judge me for the lateness of this blog.  Especially with your propensity to put off work you find unnecessary...like paper writing.  Have you finished that history paper, yet?  Asking for a friend.

 (Narrator:  He had, in fact, finished that paper three months ago)

We continue to be inspired by how seriously you take your faith.  Whether it is in reading about it, preparing to serve Mass, or in how you consciously slow down your decade during evening prayers (much to a certain younger sibling's chagrin), you are setting a wonderful example and reminding us daily to do the same.

Being outdoors continues to be where I find you happiest.  (Unless it is solving a particularly interesting Algebra equation, playing Axis and Allies with friends or drinking a Sprecher's Root Beer.)  While training to go to Philmont was a chore because of all of the prep work involved, I don't believe you ever complained about actually hiking.

You also have embraced Cross Country.  More or less.  While you don't relish going for a run on your own, you also appreciate that one needs to do so in order to actually improve, and you do love improving and seeing the splits go down.  Particularly after you spent way more time calculating those splits than you did actually running the race.

 

 

 

This year we took part in decorating the block in front of Emmanuel for our Corpus Christi Procession.  It was such a fantastic opportunity for these kids to really take the lead.  Will was part of both drawing the original outlines and then filling in with the wood shavings.  While wearing a shirt he is becoming known for...

Case in point

As with most parents, in many ways, I wish time could slow down...but, man, now that you and Dom can seriously help with yard work...I wish it could slow down MORE!!  It will only be a few short years before I'll need to start mowing again.  But, I'm grateful for the time I have now to watch you from the window.  While drinking an ice cold Sprechers.

Another area I count on you in is helping with puzzles.  At the very least in those early stages when it can be overwhelming to start.  You, of really all of us, seem to have the patience to stick with it until it gets to the point that finding individual pieces becomes much easier.  Or what we like to call "Dom's time to shine".  The winter is coming, and I have three or four puzzles I'm looking forward to starting with you and letting John and Dom nearly finish before Molly places the last piece that she swiped and hid for just that occasion.

(Fact Check: True)

One of those moments that rivals being outside: A box of Pringles all for you: Jackpot 

By the way, full points to Aunt Mitzi for discovering the best gifts for young men pass the age of 12 is food.  All the food.  This also works for certain moms of certain young men...it's me: Dark Chocolate Caramels for the win!

Last year, you took a literature class that introduced you to many wonderful works including Tale of Two Cities  and Dante's Inferno.  Also, you discovered an interest in poetry.  Something that I really did a poor job of covering in our home lessons...and by 'poor job' I mean:  I never covered it after Dr. Seuss.  I loved discovering you on the couch reading this book that was gifted to us from my Oma's collection.  She had a love of poetry as well.  Naturally, you did very well in that class as well as your math and sciences.  You really could choose anything to study and find something interesting in it.  What a gift.  Man oh man!

And, while The Wall Street Journal has been a staple of your morning routine for a couple of years, I really think the last year it took on a whole new place as you would surreptitiously swipe it as soon as possible from a parent getting up to grab a coffee refill (Fools!).  You read nearly all of the articles and have a solid knowledge of all current events whether domestic or international. If Dom covers most of the sports trivia in the house, you can probably cover just about all the rest.  Except Pokemon or Tear of the Kingdom.  John has a monopoly on that for now.

(Note the shirt)

Happy Birthday, William Thomas!!  We are so proud to call you our son and Thank God you are part of our family.  While you tend to stay in the background at public events, your wit and intelligence shine at our family times where you can make all of us laugh with a quick remark, clever observation, or a pause before an affirmative yes or hard pass on some crazy notion of Dom's.  You always seem to have time to play with John whether it is making hot wheel tracks, marble runs, complicated train routes, or creating battles between army men and dinosaurs (huh..no wonder that paper was never worked on in a timely fashion).  And, the special times when you and Molly can talk about fantasy and sing songs together are not lost on us as we pass by closed doors.  You are a wonderful sibling that has managed to find something of interest and in common with all of your family.  And, I want to document here that you are rarely, if ever, the cause of discord in our home.  One simple example: William NEVER fights over a specific seat in the car.  Ever.  God Bless You, Son!

In the coming year, I hope you continue to study everything that interests you and share the cliff notes with me.  I hope you don't shy away from challenges, but embrace them knowing that you are more than capable of doing hard things (like writing papers).   I hope you will always know you are loved and appreciated by those that know you best.  I hope you always see me as a threat in some board games (and Dr. Mario) and solid ally in others.  And, perhaps most of all, I hope you find another shirt to wear.  I mean...come on!  I buy you loads of shirts.   I even see yellow under your jacket in the above photo.  Seriously.

I love you and like you!  Have a wonderful 16th year, Will!  Looking forward to all of it (even your complete dominance in Tetris)!

Mom

Happy Birthday, John!

    Happy Birthday, John!

 

And Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

And Happy Half-Birthday, Dom!  

Man oh Man!  What a year you have had.  I realize I say that with every birthday blog post, but it is true.  Particularly when you grow up in the military.  You started the year in Virginia, 

 

and then moved to Ohio for the first time. 

Where you experienced the train museum, Boonshoft Museum, our house and many other places your siblings spent many hours at over a decade ago.  You are no longer missing out!

Summer brought planting seeds and watching cucumbers grow in our backyard.  I received a phone call from a very excited son discovering the first cucumbers on the vine.  If you haven't received an excited phone call from John...you are missing out!

Fall brought playing in the leaves and enjoying the beautiful weather and Halloween excitement.

And Winter brought some epic snow falls which turned into snow days.  Always with plenty of hot chocolate (with marshmallows and whipped cream)

This was also the coldest in your memory, Florida Boy...but, we persevered with plenty of blankets and space heaters to go around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now, with your birthday, Spring is here and we can spend more hours in the great outdoors with walks, sports, fires, and being on digital devices while technically obeying Mom by being outside...huh...

While experiencing many things your siblings did when they were younger, as the youngest, it is just different.  Everyone else is involved in activities that take them out of the house for hours at a time.  But, you have done a good job of finding your own activities to occupy yourself until they return.  Generally while listening to piano versions of video game soundtracks.  (Didn't know this was a thing, but it is actually kind of relaxing)

Napping...in order to keep up with teenagers (A well rested John is the best John)

Seasonal decorating.  I don't know if Halloween or Easter decorations would have happened without him.

In the Fall, we took several walks and collected an array of pinecones from various yards in the neighborhood. 

Racing cars over and over and over...and frequently distracting a sibling or two in the process.  Something tells me they actually might be seeking distraction.  Just a hunch.

And in the last year, he has learned how to make some of his favorite foods.  Culminating in ramen prepared in the microwave.  Watch out Top Chef!  Though, he also learned how to scramble eggs, make mac and cheese, and is always up for helping me prepare dinner should he wander into the kitchen at the right moment.  Did I mention he knows how to do the laundry?  He really is a pretty handy fellow to have around!  Though as far as dishes go...his siblings definitely do not think he holds up his end of things.  He's not perfect, but who is?

And, finally, the king of solitary exercises: reading. He is a Buschelman afterall!

ahem

 

 

But, you are the happiest when you are involved in the activities with everyone else (even reading).  At Christmas, you were always reminding me it was time for Mandatory Family Fun Time.  Something that everyone did enjoy, but didn't necessarily prioritize as you did.  

Pi Day!  John was first one up...after me, of course

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that you have continued to serve our church and that you are growing in your faith...even if it is a struggle.  Welcome to the club, pal!  However, you helped our family pray together daily during Lent, and I hope you will help us to continue to do so in the year ahead.  We are all better for it. Thank you!

Dear John, 

 We are so thankful you are a member of this family!  You remind us regularly of what is most important:

VIDEO GAMES!! ...Uh, I mean, time together!  If that happens to be while playing video games?  Who are we to judge?  Dr. Mario anyone?

We all tend to baby you as the youngest, but you are growing up awfully fast.  9 years old is halfway to 18!  #math 

But, we are going to enjoy all of the time we have together.  Mandatory Family Fun Time for the win! Dad and I love your hugs and desire to be near us. And I enjoy the quiet of our Thursday Mom and John time.  (even if it is me napping on the couch while you watch Mark Rober)

Dom and Will appreciate that you know how to do laundry and generally can get a pass from Mom if they are playing with you.  Though, maybe this year you can work on keeping your part of the room a little tidier...for that matter, let's make that a goal for all of you boys.

And I know Molly loves having someone to bounce creative ideas off of.  You are always complimentary and up for a lemonade stand.  Also, Molly...see above goal.  #FamilyGoals

Man oh Man! Are we lucky to have you in our lives.  Here's to a wonderful year of outside adventures pretending you are Link.  Indoor races pretending you are Mario.  And as much fun and love as we can squeeze into our days.  (Is there a Video Game character that epitomizes that?? I thought I was doing pretty good with knowing two...Toad?)

Happy Birthday, John Eugene Anthony!!  We love you to the galaxy where Mandalorian is set and back!  Your birthday is the perfect excuse to take it a little easier and have some cake and popcorn.  Today we  Thank God for your life and how much better our lives are for having you as a part of our family.  I hope you will always find ways to bring us together in the same room.  Those memories will be the ones we keep forever.

 Time to bake a cake!

Love,
Mom