May at the Hoffman House

Did I mention I've been busy, ok we've like been too busy to even download pics and sometimes even forgot to take them. This summer must have been project summer for us. You would have thought that Troy and I were holding our own personal 4-H contest. He had chickens, I started this idea that I would sew dresses for Shelby. Yeah... Mommy turned another year older in May and Shelby liked it so much she asked if she could have my birthday. Well honey of course you can. You can have all of the rest of my birthdays! I am including pics of the growing chickens. (we are down a few now) (yes, we invited them for dinner)Thanks to Troy's mom and uncle for all their help with the process. ( I couldn't have done it!)

The School Play

Cole announced as he was leaving the house this morning that by the way, he had a school play tonight and needed to be in costume for the event. Nothing like waiting till the last minute huh? So tonight, we get home I'm trying to get Cole in a pair of shorts, t-shirt and hat. He is supposed to dress like a tourist on vacation. I pick out a sombrero, and two pairs of mouse ears. He has a melt down. If Cole could blend into a wall he would. I think he would rather have surgery than sing in front of anyone ever. So, it wasn't hard to spot my precious boy in the play among all the kids. We was the one not smiling, singing or dancing. But he did deliver his lines loudly and flawlessly and Troy and I about fell over in shock!
So Way to go Cole! Please note that we seriously doubt you will ever see this kid on Broadway.

Little Bunny Foo Foo bringing Sheby Easter Eggs

Easter Time at the Hoffman house. 2 Dogs, 1 bunny, 35 chicks, 2 ducks, 2 kids and one really tired mommy. Cole by the way is done with swimming for awhile and Troy is working on the garden and planting potatoes and onions already. I'd like to say I am doing more than working and coming home, but right now that's just not true. We did get an entire half a cow, which is really yummy. When it was delivered Cole really wondered which half we got and I think he thought they were bringing the cow. So, included are a few of my favortie pics.

Old Troy Hoffman had a Farm with a chick chick here...

We, ok I say we but it's not really we. Troy Cole and Shelby have 35 chickens. Yeah for those of you who know me this can be the part that you fall down laughing. No, I have no intention of feeding, watering, housing or doing anything else with these things. Interestingly enough, there were delivered to our local post office in a box. Which started me thinking about other live things I could mail out. Aunt Eva and Uncle Eric please poke all boxes from now on.....
So, as these little things arrive one morning and Troy runs to get them at 6:00 a.m., to bring them home. Shelby looks at them lovingly and then looks at me and asks "Are we gonna cut their heads off mommy?" I referred her at that point to her daddy. Then she wanted to know what we were going to name them and Troy suggested delicious and dinner. So included are pics of chicks.

What I have learned in 9 years. (Happy Birthday Cole!)

Happy Birthday Cole!

In nine short years, I have learned some amazing things and been truly blessed by my special son. I thought to honor him today I would share some of those special things about him that I am so lucky to see everyday.
1. Starting with the obvious! How can you not love those blue eyes and blond hair! I just love the glimmer in his eyes and you know just what he's thinking every time he looks at you.

2. His heart of gold. Cole has more empathy than almost anyone I have ever met adult or child. He has this special way of knowing how others will feel and react. Even though I know his little sister just bugs him like crazy some days, he rarely shows it and can often be heard spontaneously telling her how much he loves her.

3. From Cole I have learned perseverance and inner strength. From swimming to football to basketball and school, I have watched him struggle to overcome his small size in sports to be successful. He never quits, always tries and is supportive of those working hard around him. I've been so proud to watch him congratulate others on their successes even as we celebrate his own. There are adults I know that are not as gracious as he is when something does not go their way.

4. Also from Cole, we have experienced the gift of having a true boy in the house. Lego's EVERYWHERE! Little half built projects in various stages of being finished, pocket knives, muddy shoes, papers crunched between the bed frame and mattress, papers half shoved in a backpack and the constant words of a son... huh? We have had hearing tested only to learn that boys have a unique ability to tune any female out of their brain.... but I have also learned that mom's, sisters and Nana's also get the best hugs and 9 year old boys still give really good hugs!

Happy Birthday to my precious boy. It's been an awesome 9 years and the next 9 will be even better!

Catching up!

Since the Tea Party, Cole's swim season has officially ended. He has SEVERAL ribbons on the fridge - which considering I thought he was going to drown for the first several weeks is awesome! He is looking forward to spring break and prepping up for the summer football season.

He's been helping daddy outside. I'll post some wonderful pics of the hole they dug together. Yes, he is officially his daddy's boy when he loves digging!

Shelby has been busy at school and has transitioned nicely to the three's room. She is sleeping in her bed thanks to Joy the wonder pet who now sleeps with her. Joy really stepped up to the plate for this! Joy is now the first kid in bed and the last one out! We have simply taken Shelby's pretty bedspread off and replaced it with old blankets because of the dog hair.

Troy and I are quickly joining the ranks of facebook addicts! Troy has his sent to his phone and uses his Itouch to connect. It has allowed us to connect with classmates and friends we have not seen in years and we're having a great time with it. So between the blog, facebook, email, and myspace I'm beginning to think we're pretty hip.

Cole has taken to playing games on Troy's Itouch. I can see this becoming a present soon if i wasn't so freaked out about him on the Internet.

I am now back in Tipton County as a supervisor, however the job has been posted so they will have their own. I do kinda like the hour drive back and forth and it gives me time to think! Stay tuned for upcoming posts about TROY THE CHICKEN FARMER. Yes, it's as bad as it sounds.

This pic would be Shelby waiting for her bubba to get off the computer and play with her.

Look dad, a hole!

A Day for a Princess

We were so inspired by the Tea Room, we decided to throw a birthday princess tea party.

God bless, Lauren, who served as our very own princess. I highly recommend borrowing a wonderful teenager when you can find them. They are truly rare!

Little finger sandwiches, quiche, scones, muffins, strawberries and pink lemonade.

The girls played dress up, the "princess read a story" and all had a lovely time. We were thrilled to have grandma, aunt Eva and Chloe with us!

Cole and the boys did a nice job staying away, however I did catch them sneaking down the stairs with Nerf guns and threatened to make princesses out of them if they even thought about crashing the party.

The beginning of the celebration!

My baby turns three.

My baby girl turns three this week. I can't tell you how impossible that feels. It truly seems like yesterday that we were bringing the precious bundle of pink home from the hospital.

In celebration mode, we decided that we would go to afternoon tea today. The Indiana State Museum has re-created the LS Ayres Tea Room in the museum. As a child, I can remember my grandma taking me there once. I am sure I bugged her to death to do it, but it was a very special place for me. Cole and Troy both put on ties and Shelby and I put on our dresses and after going to the top of the Indiana War Memorial and to the Civil War Museum, we went for afternoon tea.

Both Shelby and Cole were perfectly behaved, which let me tell you happens once in a blue moon! Cole even opened my car door! They both drank mint tea. (My grandma's favorite) They both got little presents. It was all I could do not to cry during the entire tea. Next up, Tuesday, the Birthday and next Sunday the Princess Tea Party at home! Stay tuned.....

Here are the pics of the special day out!

Go Cole Go!

In Shelby news, she has 2 ear infections and this morning woke up with a fever and said her tummy hurt. She literally slept all day long, which for her is unheard of! She still feels warm tonight. Local paper ran a story last week about the Norovirus, basically stomach flu. 3 people were out of the office today all with stomach stuff! I am so hoping I don't get this. I have washed my hands about 30 times today. It was a really good day to watch Princess movies (thanks Aunt Eva and Chloe)

In weekend news, Troy and I went out with friends (Friday Night)to see the Nace Brothers http://www.nacebros.com/ at the Shelbyville Casino. I would advise to all skipping the Shelbyville Casino. Not good food, and I NEVER complain about food. It was really awesome to see my friend from Kansas City! Greta is one of the most talented beautiful women I know! I miss her so! The Nace Brothers were awesome!

Saturday we drove to Cincinnati to go bowling for Cousin Nathanial's birthday. Kids both had a great time bowling. We then went to see Troy's grandfather, who is 98 years old. He is so wonderful to listen to and hear his wonderful stories! Troy and I bonded while shoveling several layers of ice on the driveway. I can say that in 15 years we have never shoveled together.

I know why we haven't now! We don't shovel the same way or direction. Let's just say I had to move to the top of the driveway while Troy took the end.

Above is Cole's back with the words "eat my bubbles" written by his coach.
Sunday Cole had a swim meet. He was awesome!!!!! He has improved so much from the first of the season. He knocked lots of time off the 50 freestyle. With practice 4 days a week, sometimes I know he would rather do other things, but I am really proud of him for sticking with this!

Shelby singing in the car on the way!

Cole/Jacob above and Chloe and Shelby on the bottom. Wow those kids are cute!

SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!!

Last night we had about 9 inches of snow on the ground and when we got home Troy and I took the kids out on the 4 wheeler and I ran Shelby around on the sled. By this morning, we had about 12 inches and school had been cancelled.

The news said we hadn't actually had this much snow in about 12 years. Troy and I both made it to work today thanks to 4 wheel drive, and Troy came home early to hop on the tractor and plowed both us and mom and dad out of the driveway.

I wore my boots and snow pants to work and had to actually shovel my way into the office (gotta love our landlord) I thought by the end of the day that they might have shoveled our walk. Nope. It was fun out in the snow today. Luckily we had very few calls today and had already heard the police officers were hitching rides with snow plow guys. They cancelled all court hearings and we stuck in the office and actually ordered pizza and had it delivered. It looks a lot prettier in pictures.

What we do to beat boredom in the cold!

Yes folks it's time again for that all time favortive Donkey Basketball. I'm sure PETA strongly objects, but it's really funny, I mean REALLY FUNNY. This is all done in the name of charity and what else are you going to do with the kids when it's 16 degrees out and they've been locked in the house all winter. My friend's husband was gracious enough to volunteer for this activity as a former FFA alumni. His donkey was not so gracious when at one point it took him out one Gym door and in through the other.

I am putting in a few pics and anyone feeling like this is just horrible, feel free to make a HUGE donation to PETA. Shelby got really excited about the donkey ride! For those wondering what PETA is no, it isn't People Eating Tasty Animals.

Ever wonder what the dog does when you're at work?

I got busy with running out the door this morning. Thursdays are Shelby's days with Nana and Papaw and that means she sits up in bed and immediately says Papaw's gonna make me eggs and bacons. Shelby would by far rather have "eggs and bacons" than "panie cakes". So.. as we have been trying to leave Joy out in the house more rather than in the laundry room, and I couldn't seem to keep up with Shelby as she was running out the door still in her pajamas and dress shoes, I left Joy out. She looked innocent, curled up on the couch in a ball. She had the look of "really, I can do this" She was wrong.

She could not and upon picking Shelby and Cole up tonight, we came home and Shelby discovered the first casualty. Diego was without legs and they were scattered all over the floor. Troy wanted to create prosthetics and little crutches for Diego, but I think he may just have too much damage. Shelby was NOT pleased. After the tears, she went to Joy- shook her finger in Joy's face and told Joy "That was VERY bad Joy." Joy laid down and put her head down, but I think it's more because she knows it's back to the laundry room. We'll bury Diego tomorrow and I suppose invite Dora and Swiper.

She has a nice bed. She really does.

Shelby has a beautiful bed. Pink Monkey sheets, monkey pillows, 2 night lights on, even music playing. She would love sleeping in her bed if she ever tried it. Troy even added the second mattress in the pull out trundle. He's excited about that because he may be on the pull out and I may be in her bed tonight because clearly she likes our bed more than she likes hers. I told Troy she should train Marines because she can hold out on sleep longer than any human we know. We aren't sure she requires sleep as others do. I think maybe I saw her second eyelids and a glimpse of her tail yesterday. So, if any of you are bored at 2:oo in the morning, feel free to call, we'll be up.

New Layout, New Year, New Goals

Troy's turn again.
It's time for a new blog layout with the new year. What'd do you think? I won't begin to tell you what it's taken to get here. Let's just say, we've learned a lot about blog design. Leave us a comment with any thoughts/suggestions.
On another note, we're going into our second week with the new Wii. What I thought was going to be just another video game (ala the XBox 360), has turned out to be a ton of fun (and exercise, right Eric?). Last night we entered the pinnacle of the Wii world. After drinking a late night coffee, my wife decided she couldn't sleep. Around 2:00 a.m. I woke up to a frenzied wife telling me that she was running to Walmart. She had apparently discovered a Wii Fit (one of three) and was on the hunt. For those of you who don't know, Wii Fit's are about as scarce as hen's teeth, and if you can find them, they are usually double the price. All of the big box stores got there shipment yesterday for today's release. By the time she got to Walmart (10 minute drive) the other two were gone.
So this afternoon, we cracked open the box, and started the regimen. Let's just say that neither one of us (except for Cole) has an appreciable BMI (Body Mass Index). It's really depressing when your little Mii character has a pooch.

Here's a picture of a semi-old guy trying to hula-hoop like a sixteen year old. No, it's not pretty, but really darn fun!