Conor's 8th Birthday

On Tuesday, our little guy went to bed as a 7-year-old and on Wednesday, he woke up as an 8-year-old. Actually, if you ask him, he was still 7 when he woke up because it was before 6:13, which is the time he was born. (OK then, Mr. Specific!)

 A couple of weeks before his birthday, Conor decided that he wanted to bring lemon meringue pie cookies to school for his classroom celebration. (I can't imagine too many 2nd grade birthdays have involved lemon curd and a kitchen torched meringue! You do you, kiddo! Love your culinary prowess!) He also chose pasta carbonara for dinner and grasshopper pie for dessert. (Cousin Robert is very proud of Conor for these choices!)

The birthday celebrations started last weekend when we went up to Whidbey to celebrate the Bestefar, Eric, and Conor's birthdays. This is an annual tradition and one we always look forward to. Eric's sister and brother-in-law were supposed to join us there, but the pass got hammered with snow, making it unsafe for them to make the trek from Eastern WA. 

Conor had a great day at school and as soon as he got home, asked if he could open presents. Ummm.... not so much, buddy. AFTER dinner, we had our family celebration, which included his grasshopper pie (Auntie Suzanne's amazing recipe) and presents. It was yet another reminder of how generous and creative our family members are. (Thank you note will be mailed soon, but in the mean time... THANK YOU!)

Conor's 8-year-old Interview

Favorite TV show: Wild Kratts

Favorite thing about school: PE

Thing you do best: Running

Favorite color: Tangerine

Favorite toy: Spot 1 (DUH)

Future career goal: Professional racer (runner)

Favorite toys to take to bed at night: Spot 1, Spot 2, Spot 3, Spot 4, Hug-a-Bear

Favorite book: The Book with No Pictures

Favorite song: The Leader

Favorite cereal: Cap'n Crunch Oops All Berries

Favorite movie: Star Wars the Force Awakens

Favorite season of the year: Spring

Favorite food: Carbonara

Favorite animal: Ocelot

Favorite ice cream flavor: Mint chocolate chip

Favorite sport: Foot racing

Best friend: Theodore Jack Thomas

Favorite holiday: Easter

Dream vacation spot: Hawaii

If you had $1000 to spend: I'd buy a house made of Pokémon cards

If you had a wish: I'd take care of my family well

What do you like to do with your friends: Play pretend

What do you want to do before your next birthday: Play with my new catapult game

Favorite thing done as a 7-year-old: First Communion

Baking Recap

My very sweet husband just point out that I've been a bit of a slacker when it comes to posting photos of my baking projects. So, here you go, Hon!

Are they current? Nope! Are they seasonal? Yup! Are they now included in our blog? Yup! :)

Halloween 2017 ghosts and bats

Halloween 2017 trying out my new cookie stamps

When Eric's longtime coworker Joanne (also my former manager ... she hired me,
which enabled Eric and me to me to meet ... fall in love ... get married ... have kids ... and so on ... thanks, Joanne!)
left the company at the end of December, I made these for her last day of work.

More cookies for Joanne

Christmas snowmen and snowflakes
(look closely to see the sparkly sugar ... presen - freakin-tation, baby!)

Unicorn cupcakes for my friend's daughter's bday

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dry and ready for the kids' class parties

Snowy Weekend Getaway

A number of weeks ago, my brother and his family suggested we plan a weekend getaway together in the mountains. A fun chance to get away, hang out, and play in the snow (assuming the weather cooperated). For the record, BOY! Did the weather cooperate!

Eric, the kids, and I packed up the car Saturday morning and trekked east on I-90 to the cabin my brother's family had rented for 3 days. (We caught the tail end of their long weekend.) The drive was easy, even though Snoqualmie Pass was rather snowy and there were some crazy semi drivers along the route.

Much of the weekend was spent playing in or admiring the snow... sometimes both at the same time! The kids had snowball fights, built one heck of an igloo, and made sure to construct quite the snowman in our time at the cabin. By the time it was getting dark yesterday, the kids were pink-cheeked, rather wet, quite tired, and smiling from ear to ear!

Annika cuddling up with a snowball

Annika and Ian planning out their next snow-based project

Digging, digging, digging

Yup! Pretty sure he's having fun!

I kid you not - he tried to bury her alive.
Their mom is NO fun and put an end to that without any further discussion. (I suck!)

Even Buca got in on the snow action!

Constructing the igloo

Yup - there's a little snow out there

Conor the igloo model

That's MR. Snowman to you!

While the younger set took advantage of the wonderful snow outside, we older folks enjoyed catching up and even pulled out some cards and poker chips for a bit of 5 Card Draw. Thank goodness we had Internet access, because we needed cheat sheets to remember which hands were better than the others. When then kids weren't outside in the elements, they busied themselves inside playing games, watching movies, and enjoying a slower pace of life. Catching your breath is critical now and then!

Cousins playing video games together

Poker party!

Good buddies!

Kat says "You kids have fun in the snow...
I'm going to stay inside where it is warm and watch The Sound of Music!"

Troy making Sunday morning pancakes

We wrapped up our fun day with a wonderful dinner and then family movie night. We all curled up on a couch or chair with a loved one (or more!), snuggled up under blankets, and had fun just being together... often jumping out of our skin at the loud crashing sound the snow made whenever it slid off of the roof. (Quite the experience!) Aside from those crashing moments, the snow was quiet and tranquil ... and plentiful!

Before we headed home this morning (amid quite a snowfall!), the kids and Eric headed back outside for a little more snow fun before returning to civilization. What's the point of being in the mountains if you don't get as much snow time as possible?? Conor and Ian even invented a new game - Snow Shovel Ball! (See video below for demonstration) The kids also realized that the igloo they built the day before was structurally sound enough to double as a small sledding hill. Bonus!!!

4th Grade Auction Project

Each year, our kids' school hosts an auction and class projects are auctioned off (in addition to other itemms!). For the past number of years. we have volunteered to help one of our kids' classes with their project. This year, we helped the 4th grade (aka Annika's class) with their project and I am proud to announce that we finished it this weekend. (insert round of applause here) It was an all-hands-on-board project for the Olson Four.

I take no credit for the initial idea; I found a similar cross on Pinterest. That said, we put our own spin on the project. I had the 4th graders identify words or phrases found in the Bible that meant something to them. Last weekend, Eric cut 3x3 blocks (curly maple, cedar, and padauk) and came up with the overall design. After Eric and the kids sanded the blocks, I used a wood-burning tool to write the kids' Bible references (or excerpts from them) onto the blocks. (In all honesty, I expected the burning to be an easier and faster process.... major props to people who burn designs into wood as a hobby!) This past weekend, Eric glued the blocks together and got them mounted onto a piece of plywood. Last but not least, he and I put teak oil on it to bring out the grain, color, and words. Today, the cross went to the kids' school and is in the very capable hands of the auction coordinators.

CKS Talent Show 2018

Each year during Catholic Schools Week, our kids' school has a talent show on Student Appreciation Day. Each year, our kids want to participate in the talent show.

Conor's original idea for an act was to do karate moves that he made up himself. I officially won "World's Worst Mom of the Year" when I told him that wasn't an option, and he needed to keep thinking. After a couple of days, some sulking, and a few tense moments, Conor decided to tell a couple of jokes using my puppet (Wilson) as his sidekick. He practiced very hard and even gave Wilson his own voice.

Conor's act:

Initially, Annika wanted to sing a song while standing on her head. I suggested she try it out first because that can make breathing really hard. Half way through her song, she was asking me for ideas on other things she could do. We kicked around a few ideas and came upon THE plan... a banana bread making demonstration. She even worn her "Annika's Kitchen" apron that Bestemor made for her! Talk about taking it to the next level!

Annika's Act:
(In multiple parts due to video size restrictions)

Side note: The recipe calls for 1 1/2 c flour, not 1/2 like she said

Annika's banana bread recipe/script.

Conor's Two-fer Funnies

This afternoon was a true treat for me. Why? Because Conor said not one, but TWO, highly entertaining things within only a few minutes apart. It's like seeing a double rainbow up in the sky ... except funnier ... and cuter.

As I was tying Conor's shoe when I picked him up from school, Conor's buddy Theo decided to try doing the splits next to us and wanted Conor to notice how well he was doing. I told Theo he was doing a great job and Conor said, "You get that stretchiness from me. I'm your best friend, so it makes sense, you know." (I was beyond grateful to be looking at his shoe at that very moment so he couldn't see my smile and the tears in my eyes caused by the pain of holding in my laughter.)

The kids and I have been playing a car game lately called The Great Out-of-State License Plate Game. (Clever rhyming, eh??) We inherited a wooden map of the US (thanks, Hall family!) that has a small wooden block on each state with its name. On the flip side of the block, is a picture of the state's license plate. As we see an out-of-state license plate while we are out and about, the kids get to flip over that state's block. It passes the time and helps them learn a little geography. Today, I was behind a car with New Hampshire plates. When we were in the car after school, I mentioned to Conor that he could flip another block. I told him the state name and approximately on where on the map to find New Hampshire. (We saw a Maine license plate recently, so was able to use that as a reference point.) When he found the state on the map, Conor exclaimed, "I found it! New Hampster!"

Yup, I'm still smiling! :)

Conor's First Communion

This weekend was a big deal for our little boy. After months of preparation and hard work, his big day finally arrived. (A few days prior, Annika turned to me and said, "I can't believe Brother is going to be able to go to Communion with us soon!" I agree, kiddo!! You two are speeding through childhood and I can barely keep up with your pace.)

It was a no-brainer that we'd have Fr. Fred involved in the whole thing. Fred provided the same curriculum that he had Annika follow, so we knew Conor was ready and knew what he needed to know. The fact that Conor received his First Communion in the same chapel he was baptized in is beyond special to me. And the fact that the same priest ... OUR priest ... did the sacraments fills my soul with joy. Before mass, Fred and Conor stepped to the side of the getting everyone settled chaos so Conor could receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. (That night, I asked Conor what he thought of that experience and if he felt good talking to Fred about his spiritual mis-steps. He replied, "Oh yes! I like talking with Fred." We went on to talk about how special it is to have someone like Fred in our lives ... someone who is a true friend and spiritual guide.)

The mass was wonderfully personal. The only attendees were the four Olsons, the four Nelsons, Nana,  my best friend Kate, and the three "aunties" (Joann Roberts, Mary Ann Seiwerath, and Sheila Linggi). Oh, and Fred.... but that was a given, right?? One thing I cherish about mass with Fred is he never stops teaching. He'll often throw in a question, tidbit of info, or random insight here and there throughout the mass. He turns mass into a welcoming, comfortable, personable, thought-provoking experience that is sprinkled with humor... 

My brother (Troy) read the first reading and gave a hilarious nod to his wedding joke (ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death) before reading the correct Bible passage. Annika followed him by reading the responsorial psalm, (She practiced her little heart out to make sure she had all of the words down pat and maintained a good speaking pace. Kudos, Annika!) 

Troy reading St Paul's Letters to the Corinthians (11:23-26)

Annika leading the responsorial psalm (Ps 147:12-15, 19-20)

 Fred returned to the helm after that. During the preparation of the gifts, he invited the kids up to the altar so they were part of the experience and closer to the action. As a side note, I have never seen Conor stand so still as he did when he was next to Fred at the altar. Pretty sure the boy didn't shift a single inch the entire time! Before long, it was Conor's big moment.... his first communion. He was nervous but didn't let that get in the way. (Fred giving him quiet little reminders also helped!) It was quite apparent from the look on his face that Conor was less than impressed with the taste of the sacramental wine. Pretty sure his face would screw up less if he bit into a lemon! Ha ha!! This turned into a bit of a special day for our nephew (Ian), too; Fr. Fred had him take on the role of Eucharistic minister and offer the chalice to the mass participants. Ian was composed and took on the role with marvelous maturity and focus. It was fun to see him in such a "big kid" role.

Eric and Conor listening to Fred 

Troy and Ian giggling at one of Fred's jokes

Ian, Kat, Annika, Fred, Conor at the altar

Fr. Fred and Conor

Conor receiving his first Holy Communion

Conor receiving the wine

Annika congratulating Conor with a big hug

After mass, all of us poured into a conference room for a small reception of sandwich platters, a veggie tray, and cake. Everyone was chatty, smiling, and in a grand mood. We are incredibly blessed by our family, friends, and faith community.