"My Crazy Kids"

Weekend Activities By Allan Olson It seems like nearly every weekend there is something to do either for work or play or both and this weekend was no exception. On Friday early evening just prior to my departure for the game in town, my nephew and niece arrived for the weekend, these two little toddlers both under the age of four are sure busier and require a lot more “immediate” attention than my older kids – who I also find needy at times.   However, even though the two little ones required a little more supervision than my children – it was my kids that did most of the supervising spending all weekend making sure their little needs were met. The next morning pancakes were on the menu always a great fare for morning, or really any time of the day. After a morning meal, I was ready for a morning nap, but the kids wanted to head outside and go sledding and my college niece decided that she and I should go out also. So instead of a nap – we headed out to enjoy the great ou...

A Cool Weekend By Allan Olson Winter is finally here, we got another good dusting of snow and that was followed up with several days of deep chill. Thankfully, it’s taken this long to get here as in previous years it will show up in early December and not leave until March – if we were lucky. So with the cool temperatures most peopl e stayed home – in the comfort of their warm home watching a movie, reading a book or some other warm indoor activity. Well, I didn’t. I currently don’t have any books on my list I really feel like reading – I have some on reserve but since they haven’t arrived yet, I didn’t feel like reading anything. On Friday evening I braved the cold elements to help cheer on the hometown wrestlers – apparently I didn’t cheer loud enough as our team didn’t fare well. On Saturday morning Marcus and I headed into town – a new geocache type had published during the week and I promised him that he could go get it with me – so even though the temperature was so ...

A weekend with kids By Allan Olson Alivia with a geocache we found Sat.  It’s my annual weekend/weekday with the kids and it seems like it came upon me with no warning.   My wife left the house I think just prior to Midnight on Friday night – I use the words “I think” because I wasn’t waiting up – it had been a long week, a long day and I was tired. She was waiting up for her ride to the North country so she could go on her annual fishing trip with her mom and sister. The normal plan – with two good working vehicles, would be her driving up there and back – however, insurance as usual is dragging their feet a nd I still have no idea if my vehicle will be fixed or not. So – with only one running vehicle and my schedule complex – it was arranged for her to get transportation to and from rather than me being the taxi. The thought was tempting – as an alternate route – one out of my way would have me finding some geocaches, but instead she left for and arrived at her de...

A New Year Beginning’s By Allan Olson A New Year brings new challenges, new goals, new ideas and for many a reflection on the prior year. I really don’t have much in the mind for new goals or new ideas – I have some goals I would like to set, like most people – be a better parent, a better spouse, better with finances or other such things, but I’m not one to set new resolutions at the end of the year, hopefully I will get better at all such things as I set forth on another years journey of learning. As for challenges, well 2015 had some highs and lows – but mostly it was pretty kind to me – for which I’m grateful. I still have my health and family, work and friends and I had plenty of laughs throughout the year as raising a family of four great kids will provide. The last week of the year was probably the most challenging with Marcus breaking his thumb on Christmas day – but it hasn’t slowed him down any and he is adapting well to being a left handed little man with his a...