May Memories - 2016

May was memorable ... ducks played a huge part! But there was quite a bit of family stuff and basketball of course.  Hubs had several derbies, but Meniere's and pinched nerve problems continued to really make things difficult and miserable this month. School is slowing down and almost out ... that will certainly shift up schedules. Here comes summer!

• Family: K&J were in town (they'd come in for Pammy's Party) so we had all the Blackhams over for a Sunday breakfast. That same day there was a Westra "Cookies and Cousins" in the evening. Visits to both moms for Mother's Day, and we got "the call" from our missionary. Hubs/Maga and the littles hit several cemeteries for Memorial Day. An impromptu BBQ for my dad's birthday. We went to Maga's to see the new kittens.
• Basketball: While not quite as many games as last month, there was still plenty of play going on. Happy to have Colton finish up the TwoxTuesday league, and Maga came out to see Cal play. A meeting for summer plans. 
• School: Shakespeare Day at school, a field trip for Coop (I don't have anything in my notes as to where they went), a "Fun Run" at the elementary for the littles (and then Keaton did the neighborhood 5k, even in the rain). Colton had his end of year program.
• Six Derbies
• Dinner & a Movie: We had a family Tepanyaki run, and Red Robin for Mother's Day.  Hubs picked up some Marco's Pizza after Keaton/Colton had it with friends and raved about it ... our experience was ehhhh. Hubs took the littles to see "Civil War" and he and I watched "The Martian" on DVD (it was really good). 
• Medical: Gray had an MRI and still struggled with spinning and sciatica. Another dentist appointment for Keaton.
• Hobbies: Jen still Zumba-ing, subbed a few times and got in a Saturday class. Generally going five days a week, but missed a few here and there. 22 total for the month. Hubs is still smoking up a storm. Yummy!
• DUCKS: Eggs were in the incubator last month, and this month they hatched! Well, one did. There was one or two others that were so close but didn't make it out of the egg, which was heartbreaking! Also sad for our solo baby, who didn't stay alone for long. Hubs picked up five additional ducklings. Then wild momma duck who had been visiting us all last month showed up with 13 babies! They were so fun to watch, but again, stressful as they would wander (a couple fell down a neighbor's window well, but we rescued them). After one wander, there were only 12 :(  A cat tried to get them (Hubs and I ran out in our jammies to chase the cat away and round up the babies and reunite them with momma). She finally made her way to the local canal ... good luck ducks. We still had our six, growing like crazy!

Shakespeare in School

Ah Shakespeare ... I have to admit, he's NOT my favorite author. A few months ago, Cooper's class was putting on a Shakespeare play. All the 5th grade classes at Terra Linda were. There was "The Tempest"  "A Comedy of Errors"  and "The Merry Wives of Windsor" ... Cooper's class did "A Midsummer Night's Dream". 

Yes ... the boys had to wear tights. 

Leggings were acceptable as well, and Shakespeare completely changed up Cooper's winter wardrobe. Cooper fell in love with leggings (sport leggings) and wore them the rest of the winter under his shorts.  Some good came from Shakespeare I guess ...

Parents were invited to come watch the productions. Some of the younger classes were invited to watch too. I did overhear this funny conversation on the car ride to school ...

Cooper: You better not have told your friends to laugh during my Shakespeare play today!

Colton: Naw ... I DID tell them to mock you at the science fair, but then the teacher said if she caught anyone teasing she would pull four cards! So I was like "abort plan, abort plan!"

In included the above conversation in my "Cute Quotes" page, but felt like it belonged here too.  I went and watched, and caught the play on video (much to Cooper's chagrin) ...

Here a a few highlights

Yes ... Cooper's play happened back in February, but I'm only getting to the blog update now? What's my impetus? Well, today was Shakespeare day at Keaton's school. All the 9th graders had to dress up Shakespearean style, and to make a mask. Probably a bit easier for the boys than the girls. It's fun to look around at carpool drop-off and see the kids in costume. I told Keaton to take pictures of him and his friends, but I guess I should just feel luckily he allowed me to take these ...

Keaton had donned the knickers (just some sweats pulled up to the knees) and an oversized white shirt. He didn't look quite costumed up enough, so I said I'd look for a "drape" we'd used for Callahan a couple years ago. Happily it was easy to find and did add a more authentic look.

Just for a little Throwback Thursday ... 

Callahan HIS 9th grade year!

Wild Duckies

Last year we raised ducks (Daddy's Duckies 2015). As the three birds tested their wings at the end of the summer ... they flew away. We wondered if they would return (they had been spoiled with yummy treats, food and a pool), but we didn't see them again.

Spring of 2016, there was a pair of ducks hanging around. Now that's not unusual at all, at the canal, but we're about a quarter mile away. This pair was in the front yard (our home and a couple of the neighbors). I pulled out some of the feed from last year, and they seemed to like that. I filled up the pool in the back yard ... and they seemed to like that too. They'd stay for a couple hours each day. Eat some food, take a swim, then they would fly away to spend their time somewhere else. We wondered if it was one of OUR ducks from last year, coming "home" to roost.

One morning in early spring, I was sitting at the computer with the blinds open to the backyard when I saw Momma duck and 13 babies! THIRTEEN! They were so fun to watch. They would swim, eat, and gather under Momma ...

... even as they got a little bigger, Momma would still snuggle and shelter them. 

They would wander a bit. We'd come out in the morning and they would be gone. The first couple times, they had only made it to the next door neighbor's yard. Stopped at the window well, as a couple babies had fallen in. Keaton climbed down and rescued them (as I tried to protect HIM from Momma, being protective didn't understand we were trying to help). 

She was a very good Momma!

Swim Time!

This is the view right outside my bedroom window.

A post shared by JenB (@jenblackham) on May 24, 2016 at 12:03pm PDT

It was mostly in the mornings when they would wander, although sometimes at dusk too. 

But then Momma would bring them back to the backyard.

One time though ... only 12 babies came back. The boys and I did a search of all the nearby window wells. Tried to listen for the chirp of a lost baby, but no luck. We have no idea what happened to it. If it got taken by a dog or cat, or there is a fairly open gutter grate that a baby could have easily fallen into. We were so sad!

Another time, around 4:00 in the morning Hubs and I were awakened by a commotion. Frantic quacking by Momma Duck. We ran out back in our PJs ... it was a cat! We chased it off. Momma had jumped into the safety of the pool, but there were only three babies with her! We knew that cat couldn't have made off with nine babies, so we got out flashlights and searched the yard and found them huddled in a far corner. Happily, all nine. We reunited them with Momma. One of the babies did look like it had been hurt. It walked with a limp for a while, but finally seemed to work it out.

One time I was watching the ducks out the window when ... Momma flew away! Ummm, Momma? You coming back? She did. I guess she just needed to stretch her wings. Then it happened pretty much every day. I then noticed that most of the time ... the Mr. had flown over calling to her. She would take off and join him for some big circles in the sky before she'd fly back into the backyard. The babies would just stay huddled together while she was gone (and we'd always try to keep an eye on them if we noticed she was gone. Chase off any magpies or other dangers). 

Then one morning ... the duckies were gone and they did NOT come back. I took several walks to the canal that day and the next, hoping to see that they had made it there safely. I was rewarded on one of my trips! There was Momma and her full dozen ducklings (while there are other momma/baby sets at the canal, in all the years we've been here, we've never seen a momma with a dozen ducklings, so we were pretty certain it was "our" family). 

I really thought I'd make more trips to the canal to check on them, but we had our own duckies in the backyard (ones we had hatched and were raising) so I was getting my ducky fix without the walk. At the end of the season, the boys and I were talking a walk along the canal when we saw a big group of ducks.

It looked like it could have been our wild backyard babies. Seemed to be a momma and quite a few babies, bigger now, but about the right size, allowing for growth in the time that had passed.

2016 will be remembered as the summer of the ducklings! 

We're glad you stayed with us for a while.

(stay tuned for a post about OUR babies!)

April 2016

April 2016 ... lots of basketball. Lots of derbies ~ 10 of them! Jen was doing Zumba four days a week in addition to other exercise, and Callahan was working at KFC, in addition to basketball and school stuff. Keaton and Colton were busy with basketball too.

• Basketball: Colton's Wolves were playing in a Saturday league, and a Tuesday league. The Tuesday league ended up only having three teams, so each week, we'd play the same two teams, over and over. Cal had his CHHS end of season banquet. It was held at Gardener Village this year (which I prefer to downtown). The team had some games in the spring season. Keaton was back to balling after getting his cast off. He got bumped to the B team, which was a disappointment. He not only didn't care if I videoed his games, he actively did not want me to. 
• Gray: Still struggling with sciatica and Menerie's moments. Had a few doctor's appointments this month. Still managed to hit Wendover with work friends, and he bought a smoker ... this would become a huge part of life. #graystartssmoking  and would make trips out to eat (we went to Texas Roadhouse this month) not so special ...
• Group Gatherings: Got together with the Blackham side a few times. The annual conference brunch, gathering at Gordy's Grave and then a HUGE party for Pammy's 70th birthday.  We missed out on the baby blessing on the Westra side, which Jen felt super guilty about.
• Ducks: We have eggs in the incubator (catching up to Maga's Menagerie, with her cats, new hamster and chickens) AND a pair of wild ducks that have been visiting every day. Will they nest nearby?
• School Stuff: Cal and Keaton both got registered for next year. The "arena scheduling" is great because you can sign up for the classes/teachers you want, with friends. Or, you can TRY anyway. It's a crazy couple of minutes as the best classes fill up super quick. #stressful!
• Passport Prep: Gray is getting passports for the boys, planning an upcoming Canadian vacation.

A Party for Pammy

It was someone's 70th birthday this year, and Grayson decided to throw a party for Pammy to celebrate! All the other siblings really stepped up, and Kolby's family even flew in from Seattle for the event. There was a lot of planning (it was a surprise though) for weeks on end, and then it was the big day.

It was a really nice set-up. Grayson's derby tables come in handy for more than derbies! Courtney had pieced together two big #70 displays of photographs (and created the invitation) and I'd put together a slideshow to play in the background (posted below). There was a birthday cake and a chocolate fountain, and Jami and the girls had made sugar cookies and cupcakes. Clay made pulled pork, and there were chips and veggies too. Aunt Judy brought a nice display of Pammy products and there were tons of pictures everywhere.

It was held at the old Cottonwood 1st ward church gym. All the family was invited, all the friends we could get a hold of, and all the neighbors ... it was quite the reunion. Lots of catching up after many years.

... and plenty of new pictures taken too!

Here's the video that played at the party.

It is long ... 70 years worth of pictures!

I also took video AT the party, and combined with the pictures Courtney took, here's a video recap of the party itself. Thanks to all who helped out and who came to wish Pammy a happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Pammy!

Blackham Bunnies and Other Easter Activities

Easter fell in March this year ... it seemed awfully early! We celebrated on Saturday with the Westra side of the family, Sunday with the Blackham side ... and a little Easter prep all week long at home.

As always around Easter ... I made meringue nests. 

Cooper, Callahan and I LOVE them.  

The Westra gathering was quite small this year. Shane's family in California, Wendy's family in St. George, Chris and company were helping with a move ... so it was just us, Scott's family and D&D and their girls. Ani and Layla were our only "finders" for eggs this year! As usual, our family brought the eggs, but we didn't prep as many, knowing they wouldn't be needed, so it wasn't as big a job as usual.

Our Easter at home was pretty low key this year too. Admittedly, some years it's been more like Christmas. No overabundance this year. The boys got some candy and Nike socks. Keaton got a backpack (which he'd been needing for a while), a new soccer goal for Cooper, some compression shirts for Colton. Even the kitties had a bucket.

We went over to Maga's for an Easter brunch. An egg toss ensued. It was quite a bit of fun (to watch!) Instead of a traditional egg hunt for candy, Maga had prepped a pinata.  Here's a little clip of Colton having a go at it.

Instead of candy in eggs ... Maga provided a piñata! Colton's turn ...

A video posted by JenB (@jenblackham) on Mar 27, 2016 at 6:46pm PDT

Of course I brought at the bunny ears and we took pictures at both family gatherings. I even sent a set to Elder Blackham, but the package got help up and didn't make it to him before Easter. I sent him some favorite candies ... the "FavorReds" jelly beans, Reeses Eggs, and peanut butter M&Ms (I only found ONE package this year, so I didn't get any for myself ... I did indulge in lots of Reeses Eggs though). The Whoppers Robin Eggs are another favorite for me. I sent Landon some Cadbury mini eggs, and bought some for Callahan and Keaton. Those are ONE treat that doesn't tempt me. 

What are YOUR favorite Easter treats?

My Little Man Ran (First 5k)

For the past several months, my Cooper (12 years old) has been a step-crazy kid! Often with weeks averaging daily steps of 30,000 or more. When it's too cold to play outside, he started jogging on the treadmill to up his step count. He mentioned casually to me "I set it at 6 (6mph), so that's one mile in 10 minutes, and three miles in 30 minutes." Ummm ... I don't think I could do that (admittedly, I'm a wimp when it comes to running)! I haven't hit the treadmill lately, but back when I did, I was more at the 12-minute mile range. 5mph. I'm not even sure how long I could keep that up at this point, three miles would be pushing it!

I mentioned the statement to Hubs, and he looked up a local 5k this past weekend.  We wondered if running in a race might appeal (this is my anxiety child, who has dropped out of team sports because they are too stressful and competitive.) Cooper seemed willing to give it a try, and Keaton said he would too (even with a cast on his arm/broken wrist). If Colton had wanted to run too, I would have done it myself (I even updated and charged my ipod shuffle just in case), but the little guy wanted to save his energy for his basketball game later in the day. So off Daddy and the two boys went. Maga met them at the race!

Ready to Race!

Daddy's original plan had been to start closer to the back of the pack, so the boys could pass some people and get that rush. The boys however didn't like the "back" idea and wound their way to the front. They were off and Hubs couldn't quite catch up! We were both a little afraid the boys might push too hard, and then need to stop, but they ran the whole thing. Cooper came in just under 24 minutes (2nd in his age group, 19th overall) with Keaton right behind him. 

 

I think it was an excellent experience for both boys. They had been with us years ago when we did our Family 5k, but CooperMan was in a stroller then, and Keaton had been on a scooter. This was the first time running a 5k for both of them. I don't think it will be their last though ...

Update ...

Our stake has an annual 5k in May. After the success of the first race, I thought this would be an easy one ... and maybe I'd even participate this time. I was planning on it, and so was Cooper and Keaton. The morning of the race, it was POURING rain. Cooper and I opted out, but Keaton was still game. He did get soaking wet, and slipped a time or two.

They got these nice t-shirts! 

Not bad for a free race (we did donate a couple cans of food). 

The Last Pinewood Derby - 2016

It was many years ago, when Grayson looked at his oldest son competing in a Pinewood Derby race, that he decided it would be worth it to invest in a track and timer, to make sure all the Blackham Boys would have a great Pinewood Derby experience. Through the years, he's run so many races! All the races for his own boys. And this past Tuesday, March 15, 2016 ... was the final Pinewood Derby for a Blackham boy. Colton, now 10, will age out of cub scouts later this year. This, was the last derby. Of course, with track/timer/tables/trailer ... Gray will continue to run them for our ward and others, but he won't have HIS son as one of the racers. 

Due to dwindling numbers in the scouting program, three wards (the Jordan Oaks 1st, 2nd and 7th) came together in a single night. There were 23 racers. In the weeks prior to the race, as in years before, Grayson opened up our garage, his tools, and his knowledge, for a derby workshop. Helping parents and boys complete their cars, passing on tricks and tips to make them faster.

Colton, having taken first place last year, said he didn't care about making a fast car ... just a cool car. He had basketball games on the same Saturday as the derby workout (and Gray would have been too busy then to help anyway) so they worked on the car in the week afterward, barely finishing it up in time. For decor, a neighbor helped create custom cutouts (Gray thought they were totally awesome and is wondering about adding a Silhouette vinyl cutter to his gadget list).  There was already a #23 ... thus the extra little (1) there at the front (Colton's car was #123 on the official roster). 

Colton and his car.

Grayson and Keaton went over early to set up ... it was drizzling rain. 

It's been nice to have the covered trailer!

Colton came in 6th, and he was just fine with that.

Here's a highlight reel from the night. 

Another Broken Bone

February 22 ... I got a call around 2:00 from the middle school saying Keaton had fallen hard in gym, and that his wrist was most likely broken. A badly bruised knee as well. I went right in, and they had his arm splinted and he was in a wheelchair because he couldn't walk with his knee. 

We drove straight to the Urgent Care. I was again able to find a wheelchair to get him into the office. But it felt anything but urgent there (GrangerMedicalWJ) ... it took forever for them to even check us in.  There was only the one receptionist handling the urgent care, plus the pediatrician's office and an ear/nose&throat doctor. I'm never going there again. 

Once we finally got back, the nurse and doctor were very nice. We got x-rays on both the wrist and knee. Wrist is broken, but the knee is just badly bruised. They splinted the arm, and after 3.5 hours we finally made it back home. I'd had to reach out on Facebook to neighbors to find someone to pick up my littles from the elementary school. I had to make another run out to pick up a painkiller prescription so that #3 could get some sleep. What a day.

This was just the initial exam, and the wrist would need a cast once the swelling had gone down. They recommended the Dr. in that office ... but I took Keaton to the Riverton Granger Medical, where Colton had his wrist treated. We got the cast on, and it was just a few weeks before it was off and the boy was back to basketball.

Keaton and his West Hills Middle team had been playing in the district finals ... Keaton had to miss the last games, and then the State season, where he'd been invited to play on the elite team. He was SO bummed to miss out on that! We perhaps pushed it a little on his return to the court, playing in a Spring league, but he was back and all went well. 

March Memories 2016

March 2015 miscellaneous memories ... took the kids in for haircuts and Gray said "bye bye" to the beard. Colton had a couple birthday parties, but I wrote one down wrong, so he missed one (it had been on Friday, not Saturday). Instead of the monthly "Westra Waffles" we had "Scones at Scott's". We changed the clocks for Daylight Savings, and there was a big voting day. Some TV trouble ... but it will now turn on. Gray got me some cordless headphones after the cord caught as I listened to audiobooks while working around the house. Lots of derbies, but that wasn't the only racing going on, as Coop (and Keaton, and Gray and Maga) did a 5k!

• Doctors and Dentists: Keaton was in a cast for most of March. A couple doctor visits, and I went ahead and scheduled him for some visits to the dentist (pulling him from school/gym). Jen had a final doctor visit, and Gray did not go to the doctor, but had a bad Meniere's attack and has been struggling with sciatica. 
• Basketball: CHHS Varsity played in the state tournament, and Cal sat the bench with the other JV cheering them on. They made it to semi-finals, but lost to Bingham. Colton's Grizzlies were playing in a Junior Jazz tournament and had several games, then won the whole thing! Keaton's crew had a team dinner, presenting awards.  Keaton also went to watch a Jazz game with friends.
• Derby: Gray hosted his derby workshop, helped Colton finish up his car, did our derby (that was the last one with a Blackham Boy in it!) and had three other derbies this month.
• School: Elementary was out a few Fridays, and then all the kids were out for Spring Break. Parent/Teacher Conferences for the littles (rave reviews) and Grandparent's Lunch. Sophomore orientation at CHHS ... because whew! Keaton's permit got approved. Gray also took Keaton in to get his learner's permit.
• Dinner and a Movie: Gray and I had three dinners out, Tepanyaki with the family, Braza Grill with my folks and Scott&Amy, and then Archibalds (just us). At home we watched The Imitation Game, Mission Impossible/Rogue Nation and The Intern. 
• Easter: Small Westra gathering on Saturday (Grayson jogged halfway there), and a Blackham Bash (literally, with pinata) on Sunday.