The boys

Tonight I have stories to share about all my boys, even Mike.  My first story is about Jay.  One of the big changes that has taken place in just two weeks is the GIRLS!  It's like a freight train and it came out of nowhere.  All of the sudden girls are texting, calling and writing him notes.  It's ridiculous.  Tonight he told me he was exhausted by girls and in the next minute he was on the phone talking to another girl who was telling him the girl that he likes actually likes another boy.  Middle school craziness!   And so it begins.
On to my sweet 7 year old.  I think deep down he has missed his brother but he won't admit it.  Today he made a friend a paracord bracelet and his friend "paid" him with a deer antler so Nick could give it to his brother.  Nick is so thoughtful that way.
We had a moth on our wall all day today.  That darn moth never moved.  Finally by tonight I was sick the ugly thing.  So how did my husband get rid of the moth?  He decided to shoot it with an air gun while I was making dinner.  Just another typical day in the Siebert house.  Never a dull moment, that's for sure.  My day today was filled with girl drama (something I am never exposed to but getting a taste with from Jay), deer antlers, air guns and moths.  Can it get any better?  I think not.

The meltdown

In reading the title of my blog one might think I'm referring to a meltdown one of the boys had but Oh No, not this time.  This time it was me.  I'm not proud of it but it happened and now I must confess that it did as it was witnessed by Mike and Jay.  I was thrilled when school started......finally a quiet house to work in, no more fighting between the boys, the list goes on and on.  But since school has started I've felt a slight tug at my heart and adjustments have certainly been made.  I've had to adjust to the fact the boys aren't in the same school together anymore, nor will they ever be again.  I am not seeing Jay nearly as often as I was used to.  He's involved in cross country (which is wonderful) which requires 2 hours of practice after school.  His friends have always been important to him but even more so since starting middle school, all of which is very normal.  Then it all hit me last night.  I went to Nick's parent orientation at school.  Nick has the same teacher Jay did in 2nd grade.  Second grade was really a pivotal year for Jay and it truly seems like he was in second grade yesterday.  Sitting in that classroom last night I could close my eyes and see Jay as a second grader.  I remembered the whip cream project we did for Valentine's Day that year and I remembered the struggles he had which turned out to be very positive by years end.  Then I laughed when Nick's teacher told me that talking to Nick is like having an adult conversation (so true). I know Nick will have a great year too.  The part that lead to my meltdown is how fast it's all going.  Yes, the end goal is to raise my boys and make them into Godly men who are productive in society.  Mike and I often joke over the fun we'll actually have when they finally leave.  Ha!  But that's just it, we are just joking.  We are having the time of our lives right now and what a ride the boys are giving us.  By the time I got home from parent orientation I was in major meltdown mode, so much so that when I walked in the house I was so hysterical that Mike thought I had run over the boys when I pulled in the drive.  I was ridiculous!  But I needed just that one quick moment to have that meltdown.  After all it had been brewing all last week and finally erupted last night.  My husband hugged me and always being the voice of reason that he is told me to pull myself together.  I quickly obeyed as I knew I was over the top in my lunacy.  About that time Jay walked in and I did get a hug from my 6th graders so perhaps the meltdown might have been worth it.  Needless to say that was "my moment" and I don't succumb to those moments often but I did last night and for that moment it felt good.  I'm moving on today and watch out Nick..........I'll be sucking the life out of you this year in second grade!

Nick's man crush

 These are the final four of our TN pics.  We learned rather quickly in TN that Nick was obsessed with John's muscles.  John is a professional body builder, a personal trainer and he went to culinary school.  Nick was only interested in his muscles.  One night we were finishing dinner when out walks Nick, reaking of cologne and no shirt on.  He walked up to John, patted his abs (Nick's abs) and asked John, "So what do you think of these bad boys?"  He was always trying to impress John.  It was hysterical.

 Nick and Mary messing around.  Mary loved to tease Nick and Nick loved to remind her constantly that she was just a "city girl," after all.

 I just threw this picture in because I thought it was funny.  We were about 1 hour away from home on our drive from TN when Nick wrapped his blankie around him like a turban.

Jay was all smiles to finally get his dog back.  He really missed Copper and I think Copper really missed us.

The first week of school

We got through the first week of school with no major catastrophes.  Ha!  I remember when I started middle school I dropped my lunch all over - major drama to a middle school girl.  The worst thing that happened to Jay was his locker isn't working and as of Friday it still wasn't fixed.  But other than his locker, all is good.  Jay came home on Monday after school and announced he thought 6th grade was going to be his best year ever!  He made a new friend this week, is catching the bus at the elementary school out to the middle school each day, staying somewhat organized (Yes, improvement is needed in this area) and attending cross country practice after school for 2 hours everyday.  On Thursday he ran his mile in 7 minutes and 21 seconds - quite impressive if you ask this momma.  This entire week has really been more of an adjustment for me than Jay.  I just don't see him as often as I'm use to and I miss him.  I know, I know........I was the one who couldn't wait to see the boys back in school but it was more due to the fighting between the two of them than anything else and speaking of the fighting, it's a lot better but mostly because the boys just don't see each other as often which makes me sad as I write that.  Moving on to Mr. Nick and how he is doing.  His first week went really well.  He likes his teacher and tells me that Math is really, really fun!  He has flag football practice twice a week and the plays that come along with football might take a little longer for Nick to get the hang of.  I still think his heart is with soccer but we'll see how the season of football plays out.  Once again though I see Nick's big heart shine through in everything he does.  I noticed during practices that if he sees one of his teammates down he gives them a hand up each and every time.  The really nice thing when Nick gets home from school I have 2.5 hours with him, one on one.  We get his homework done and then he usually heads outside to play with his neighbor friend, Mason.  I remember I was so aware last year that it was the final year my boys would ever be in the same school together again.  All things change and my boys are just getting started with the changes that will take place through the years.  It's a good reminder to use my time with them wisely and cherish the moments we have together as a family of four.

The hike

Yes, this is more TN.  This is also the post with the most pictures, sorry.  We went for a great hike on the first full day we were in TN.  It was in Cades Cove - a national park and so beautiful.  It was also 5 miles but it was wonderful.  It was something our entire group enjoyed.

                                                     Love this picture of Jay, completely in his element

                                                   Love this picture of Nick too

This is one of those pictures where the rest of us took a bridge but Jay went through the water.  Bridges are apparently for city folks, according to Jay.

                                                           Mary & John - one of the cutest couples ever

                        After we hiked 2.5 hours we made it to this glorious water fall.  It was beautiful.

And my final picture.  If you look close you can see Mike up on top of a cliff.  Only Sieborg would have climbing gloves in his back pack.

First day of 2nd and 6th grade

 Here is my 6th grader......hanging from a tree.  I told the boys last night each of them have something that is very special about them.  With Jay it's his sense of adventure.  He has the most adventurous spirit.  I love watching him as he's often fearless which can be scary but I'm aware of how he craves adventure so I try not to hold him back very often.  Last week we went on a hike in TN.  This hike consisted of several bridges that had to be crossed over water.  Jay didn't use any of the bridges.  His adventurous spirit took him through the water to explore the rocks in the creek every time.  He loves to hang from trees and explore.  He really is one with nature.  I know he'll do great things in life but one thing is certain, whatever he does he'll be doing it outside.

Here is my 2nd grader.  How can Nick be in 2nd grade?  He has the same teacher as Jay did and I know I'll see wonderful things come from Nick this year.  The thing about Nick that makes him really special is his big heart.  If he thought you needed it, he'd give you the shirt off his back.  I'll blog more about this later but during a hike last week in TN I had packed him a sandwich.  Everyone was hungry by the conclusion of the hike especially all the kids.  When Faith and Curtis found out Nick had a nutella sandwich he hadn't eaten Nick didn't hesitate and gave up his sandwich to his friends.  He admitted he was hungry but wanted Faith and Curtis to eat.  That's the kind of heart Nick has - big and full of kindness.

And here they are, ready to start their first day.  Jay's position in the tree just validates what I wrote about him above (ha).  Nick had a great day.  We have some challenges with Nick that I know we'll face but his attitude is good and that's half the battle.  Jay loved 6th grade.  He told me tonight he thinks it will be his best year ever.  Things are a changing though.  Jay leaves the house in the morning, goes to school and then goes to Cross Country practice.  We don't see him until around dinner time.  I'm so thankful he has cross country as an outlet for him.  It really seems to be a good fit for him and he's most excited for the first race he has through the corn fields, imagine that?  Nick is playing flag football.  I'm excited to see both my boys in their sporting activities this fall.  Go Spartans!

More of TN

 The Smokey Mountains are simply breathtaking.  Never mind the boys (ha) check out the view behind them.  We try to get a pool pic of the kids every year but this year Nick wanted to go to the military surplus store (oh yeah) with Mike and Mike Ausili.  He was in his element.  Not only was it military stuff galore but he had his dad's and Mike Ausili's complete attention.  Nick came home dressed head to toe in camo that he got from the military store (see pic below).

 The three kiddos.  We are one short here.  The first day we were there we went swimming and the weather was beautiful.  Jenny and I sipped a margarita pool side - what a life.

 And here is military/camo boy.  He's had his boonie hat for awhile but recently Mike tied paracord around it.  This was basically Nick's "uniform" while we were in TN.

 Us adults.  I am looking pretty rough but Jenny and I have a pact in TN, No make up and we wear hats.  I am so blessed to have these girls as my dear friends.

 The big highlight for my boys in TN - riding in the truck bed on the road, a big NO NO in Illinois (coarse what isn't against the law in IL, geez).  The boys love riding redneck style.  And Nick is in this picture but I think he's laying down in the truck, probably on John's lap.  Nick had a big man crush on John.  LOL.

Our favorite restaurant in TN is called Campfire Grill and it's connected to a gas station that sells ammo.  Need I say more?  My husband can go out to eat, eat a delicious burger and then go next door and buy ammo.  Seriously it doesn't get any better in Sieborg's world.

Tennessee 2013

 We just got back from the Smokey Mountains - again.  This is our 3rd time going as a family.  It was somewhat planned on the spur of the moment.  It was a mini vacation right before school starts.  This trip, however, my dear friend Mary joined us and we so enjoyed Mary and John's company.  This year we stayed in a cabin down the street from the Ausili's and we loved being so close to them but this was not our favorite cabin.  Our cabin last year, The Owl's Hoot, still remains our favorite.  But this cabin had a pool table, a huge hit with the kids and a hot tub on the deck, another score for the kids.

 The view from our deck.  It was breathtaking.  This trip went off without any problems except for one (it wouldn't be a Siebert family vacation without at least one glitch).  Nick got dehydrated the first day we were there and got a migraine headache and threw up.  It was actually quite scary but we quickly got things under control and got him hydrated and he was ready to roll the next day which was good because we took a 5 mile hike (more pictures to follow).

 A view of our living room from the loft area.  It was a really spacious cabin.  The loft had a private master bedroom (below) and that is where Mary and John slept.  There were two other bedrooms on the main floor for Mike and I and the boys.  Everyone had their privacy and space which was nice.

The front of the cabin.  Sitting on the front porch drinking coffee is my all time favorite thing to do in TN but this trip we just didn't do it very much.  Again it was a quick trip and it seemed like both days we had to get up early to hike and then the following day to fish.  But Mary and John make a mean cup of coffee.  My coffee won't taste the same tomorrow.

Summer thank you party

 You will never hear me complain about working from home (ever) but working from home during the summer does pose its challenges - mainly my two boys!  Even though I work from home and my job is flexible, it's still a very full time job.  In order for things to run smoothly during the summer I depend on my friends and family and they come through for me every summer.  This summer, however, was better than the others.  This is my 3rd summer working from home and I guess it's true what they say, the 3rd time is the charm.  This summer Jay went to my friend Amy's house on Monday and Nick went to Aunt Mimi's.  On Tuesday Jay got tutoring with Leslie and Nick went to my mom's.  On Wednesday and Thursday my sister found me two fabulous teachers who came to my house to tutor the boys and then do fun stuff with them the remainder of those days.  It was a nice schedule and things went a lot smoother this summer.  I wanted to thank my mom, my sister, Amy and John and Linda with a thank you party.  What better way to have a party than a pool party?  The pic above is of Jay, Aaron and Nick.

                                     All the silly boys.  Luke couldn't get enough of the diving board.

                                                            Miss Lauren

 Laura, myself and Kim.  Laura is my friend who has invited me and the boys over to her pool so many times I've lost count.  She has fed me and the boys every time we come over and she always has a cocktail waiting for me.  Now that's a true friend.

This picture just made me laugh.  This is Nick and a friend of Laura's who was at her pool.

There's no place like home

As I mentioned in my previous blog Mike and I went to Cinci for four days.  This was the longest time the two of us have left the boys and it's not because we haven't wanted to leave them and take a trip for ourselves, it's because our boys are let's just say energy sapping & we haven't really wanted to ask family to keep them for very long time periods.  We know how draining they can be, we live with them day in and day out.  They aren't bad kids.  I know every parent says that about their kids but seriously they are good kids - they just need to be in motion constantly.  As I tell my mother all the time.......that is why we live where we live, on 2 acres of wide open property.  Ha!  Anyway, Jay is my "mother" hen.  Truthfully that phrase probably isn't exactly the right phrase I should use but it's early and it's the only phrase that came to my mind. He doesn't have a need to take care of anyone (least of all his brother) but he likes all his "chickens" around, those chickens being me, Mike and Nick.  When Jay's chickens aren't around he gets a little bent out of shape.  Nick handles the change a little better.  Usually when Mike or I are leaving for a trip Jay paces around the house for days leading up to trip.  After Mike or I have left he continues to ask the parent that stayed behind when the other is coming home.  This trip to Cinci was a little different because Jay has a cell phone now and the texts just kept coming all weekend.  One night right when we were ready to go to sleep Mike's phone beeps and sure enough it was Jay.  It was cute.  We enjoyed corresponding with him all weekend over text.  One day Nick called me and left me a voicemail that said, "Hi Mom, how is Cincinnati, this is Nick, Jay is being mean to me."  As soon as Jay got up on Sunday morning his first text to us read, "When are you coming home?"  So although my boys may be a handful and full of it (at times) and even though they were spoiled rotten by my mom and Mike's parents for the four day weekend they still realize there is no place like home and because of that they have been good as gold this week!  I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Cincinnati

 My company has a bi-yearly get together in Cincinnati - they call the event "August Meetings."  Spouses are invited and on Friday when we are in meetings the spouses get pampered.  Seriously!  Mike had a list of choices to choose from and he picked a glass blowing class.  He really enjoyed it and met another spouses who he connected with and enjoyed the day with.  I have to admit the meetings aren't too painful.  They are informative and truthfully it's so nice to get away.  I'm very blessed to work for the company I do.  Mike and I enjoyed each others' company and the boys (and nana and grandma and grandpa) survived without us for four days.  On Saturday at noon we are let lose in the city.  Mike and I went to a museum.  Mike is sitting in an old 1940 Trolley car (above)

 Here's me with Cinci behind me.  After our museum jaunt we went to a nice restaurant right by the river and the Cincinnati Reds ball park.  Did I mention there was a game on Saturday night - crazy busy.  But we enjoyed it just the same.

Here we are enjoying our Saturday night.  We have completely reached a state of calmness in our relationship and I mean that such a good way.  We don't have to talk constantly to each other and I don't have to worry that Mike is bored with me or vice versa.  We've been married for 15 years.  We just enjoy being in each others' presence.  Our walk last night consisted of maybe 10 words between us but it's such a comfortable quiet.  Maybe that sounds boring, it's certainly not meant to.  I love my children but we spend so much time talking to them and about them that sometimes it's nice just to be with your spouse and no words have to be spoken.  I'll be looking forward to our next August meetings in 2015.