At some level I feel bad about telling another funny story about my dear wife but some stories are to good to pass on. As many of you already know McKenna started playing soccer this fall. Now McKenna can be pretty timid and knowing this we had spent some time in the backyard practicing with her so that she would be a little more comfortable when she had to go out for her first practice/match. When we showed up to the game she did great with the 1st 1/2 hour which was practice, but when it was game time she froze. She just stoood there in the middle of the field and watched the game go on around her. After just a minute she walked off the field. It was sad but not entirely unexpected. Jenny was not ready to allow her to give up so easily so she took her by the hand and escorted her back onto the field (or the “pitch” as her brittish coach calls it). Deteremined to make sure McKenna gave it an honest try Jenny asked if it was ok if she “helped” McKenna a little. She then pulledd Mckenna from one end of the field to the other and made sure she was in the middle of the action. It got a little serious when Jenny hip checked a 5 year old and knocked him onto his backside. McKenna started having fun and before halftime was playing on her own.

The adults may have had a good laugh at this but McKenna is sure she has the coolest Mom in the world. Plus, Jenny had three goals and propelled thThunder to a hard fought victory! MVP!

Categories: Family
2 Comments »

It was a big September in the Dahl house. With McKenna starting kindergarden and Kyla staring pre-school emotions were running high.

McKenna started Elementary School. It is a lottery school and we were pretty happy that McKenna got in, although you might wonder why if you were just to drive by it. It happens to be in a “less than desirable” part of town and looks old and run down, but it has a good reputation and is one of the better schools in the area. It was quite the adjustment from preschool. Not only does school not get out until nearly 4 pm but she is also in combined kindergarden/1st grade class. McKenna has done great of course but I didn’t know if Jenny was gong to make it.

We had agreed that I would pick her up on her first day of school since I couldn’t be there to drop her off. Well, Jenny spent the day driving slow circles around the school in the Suburban to try to spot McKenna on the playground. When I showed up at the end of the day there she was parked on the street, staking out the school yard. I shoo’d her away and went to get McKenna. The teacher said that she was glad to see me because there had been reports of a possible child predator circling the school in a white Suburban all day. I told her that next time someone sees that white Suburban thet should really call the police because I was fairly certain that the driver was a nut job.

For some reason Jenny didn’t seem to have nearly the problem taking Kyla to school. It probably has a lot to do the fact that Kyla had been threatening to boycott school all together and up until the start of class we had know idea if Kyla would go or not. Fortunately, Jenny was parent helping the first 2 days and that eased Kyla into it. She loves it of course and is doing great. She is quite the painter and always wants to contribute her two cents. I think she comes by that honestly. I only hope her teacher doesn’t have to limit her to 3 questions/day like mine did me, but what can I say, enquiring minds want to know.

I am really grateful to have kids that love to learn and even more grateful for a great wife that nutures this love. They all teach me a thing or two on a daily basis.

Categories: Family
1 Comment »

Many of you may think that it was Jenny that did the triathalon but I am here to set things straight. Sure Jenny swam 3/4 of a mile, but I got all the THREE kids up, dressed, fed, and to the transition zone on time to cheer Mom on as she sprinted from water in just over 21 minutes.

And yes, Jenny may have biked 18 miles, but it was me that had to entertain the kids and keep them out the lake during that gruelling 1:03 minutes.

And it is true that Jenny finished her 5 mile run in 41 minutes, putting her total time at an impressive 2 hours and six minutes, but let’s not overlook the true accomplishment of having all three kids alive and gathered together to cheer her on th the finished line.

Needless to say we were both exhausted at the end of the day. We are all so proud of Jenny finishing her first triathalon so well. She ended up 15th among all women and 4th in her age group. She is quite the stud. Now McKenna is wondering when she gets to do her triathalon. Way to go Jenny!

Categories: Family
No Comments »

We have been busy wrapping things up for the year. Kenna did a great job at her spring dance recital! I haven’t figured out if she really loves dance or if she just does it for the twice a year performances. She loves to dance on the stage, and even more than that, wearing all the stage make-up. Their class was darling and danced to “Sho Sho Baby”. Kyla again was on the edge of her seat through it all. She loves to watch the dancing. Next, Kenna finished up another year of Preschool. Kindergarten here she comes! The school put together a little graduation ceremony for the kids which of course brought tears to my eyes. She is growing up too fast. Miss Kemble was a fantastic preschool teacher and we are really excited that Kyla gets her next year. Somewhere in the midst of all that has been happening, Ellie started crawling(8 months) and saying her first word “da da”. Kenna got a loose tooth, and learned how to do the monkey bars by herself. Kyla can spell her name and thinks yellow popsicles are the greatest thing known to man. Matt tried his luck in the kitchen and nearly burnt it down. (Happy Mothers Day Jen). Its no wonder I’m always tired. It makes me tired typing all that goes on around here. I must admit I am glad it is summer. I’m looking forward to not rushing off to school and such every morning. A little more sleep, and a lot of swimming sounds good to me!

Categories: Family
No Comments »

Each of the kids have had some events take place recently. To start McKenna is feeling larger than life now that she is officially legal for Kindergarten. She had to go get kindergarten shots. I’m not sure who was dreading this day more, me or her. She really didn’t want to go but we had talked and decided McDonalds if we survived 3 shots! She was brave throughout the visit until the nurse walked in with the needles. She put up an impressive fight and just before she got stuck she made eye contact with the nurse and yelled “Don’t even think about it Dr.”. I was slightly appalled at her behavior but I couldn’t hold back my laughter. I hope the nurse wasn’t offended but it really was funny. Kenna survived her shots and even gave the nurse a hug before we left.
Kyla’s big bit of news is that somehow we lost her final remaining “Obby”. I can’t imagine how it lost itself at the top of my closet. It might sound mean but it was time. She was tearful about the failure to find her blanket but a couple days went by and it was a thing of the past. At first she didn’t suck her thumb so much but over time she’s figured blankie or no blankie I’m keepin the thumb. When you see her cuddling up on the couch she almost doesn’t look complete without being wrapped up in her obby. Clearly we have gotten too used to seeing her drag that thing around with her everywhere we went. Before I go on to Ellie I have to give Kyla some props. She seems like she is really coming into her own. She has settled down just a bit. We still have fits, and they are big ones but she’s turning into a really great kid. We have all labeled her as the “funny one”. She’s got a knack for getting peoples attention!
OK, little Ellie, who isn’t quite so little is doing awesome. She weighs in at an impressive 16 lbs. these days. She developed a fake cough to gather attention of her own. It just doesn’t take them long to figure out what works on us. Also, finally after a long time of chillin, Ellie has decided that indeed she can roll over. But first she learned to sit up by herself. Maybe it was out of necessity that she learned to roll after toppling over from the sitting position one too many times.
Matt and I are good. We are trying to get out house put back together after the big storm that hit a couple weeks ago. Besides needing a new roof, new siding, some replaced windows and a new swingset, the ole house held up pretty good. Its not anything bad, just a headache to get fixed. You all know how it goes.
Hope all is well with everyone
Jen

Categories: Family
No Comments »