Tom&LynnRickertFam

We've moved

2010-04-05T02:15:00.001-07:00

I know - it's so rude to move just when you've gotten used to driving to this location~!!

Here is our forwarding address: www.lilts.wordpress.com

lilt - a spirited and usually cheerful song or tune.

See you there!

We've moved

2010-04-05T02:04:00.000-07:00

I know - it's so rude to move just when you've gotten used to driving to this location~!!

Here is our forwarding address: www.lilts.wordpress.com

lilt - a spirited and usually cheerful song or tune.

See you there!

Recent travels

2010-03-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

It's always important for boys to have as much adventure as possible at every single outing. A team effort prevented certain death in the hot lava just below the bridge. Okay, cold water. Still. Yes, they did retrieve multiple golf balls!

Casey Jones railroad museum netted some fun especially looking at the model cars. How that goes together I have no idea.

A visit to Metropolis and we encountered a Superman that looked A LOT like one of our kids. Not surprising given the genetic heritage in our families. hahahahaha bwahahaha!

Next is a bicep comparison. This is Seth's cousin Adam and DiLara, a Turkish AFS student. She is delightful and yes, we all agreed that everything the Greeks claim they invented was actually invented by the Turks. And don't you forget it!

Natalie became the cat maniac since the pool was covered! She LOVED the cats! and they tolerated her if you don't count that one scratch on her right arm.

and then of course there was Tulip the Superdog!

We had a great time in Tennessee! The weather was much warmer than Illinois!

A new Setter in the family

2010-03-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

He did SO WELL setting - especially for only having been at it for a week.

And he has great timing for blocking (just needs to put his hands together)

and the other teams do NOT enjoy his serve.

she wants MORE horses??

2010-02-16T17:55:00.000-08:00

Little Miss Dreamy has been sitting here talking to me, reminiscing about different movies, fun things, her best-friend-of-the-day (today happens to be Emily - yesterday was Monica. ) She becomes exceeeeeeedingly starry-eyed and says, as though this is a new idea: "Mom, you know what I want???"

Obvious answer here is No, but I have a feeling….

"Mom, I want a pony !"

Really??!?! When did this interest in horses start????

Lately she has been saying she and Emily are going to train 100 horses. At the same time.

Today's plans are different: "Mom, I'll keep

the pony downstairs!" (She's aware of my allergies.)

Me: No, Nat you can't keep horses in the house.

Nat: Why not?

Me: Because they'd poop all over the place. (Yes, I'm aware there are more, many more, and very valid reasons. The poop thing works though.)

Nat: Okay, I'll keep her in the car!

(See? Not another thought about having that horse

in the house!)

Me: She wouldn't fit in the car.

Nat: Well, she'd fit in the van then! It'd be fine Mom. You'll see! I'll sit by her and keep everything smooth.

Smooth?!?!? Where does she pick up these words anyway?

I have a picture of her in my mind, strapped into a seat in the van, with this 1200 pound horse sitting next to her. I just don't see it working.

Maybe they could ride with her in the bus…

Nat: I want a WHOLE LINE of horses! Just lined up in a big line! Yay!!!

Yep. Our girl is still horse crazy!

Of course, it COULD be worse!

Our Sailor!

2010-02-14T19:49:00.000-08:00

Our Sailor just told us he is working FOUR TIMES AS HARD in his current courses as he was in the previous 6 month courses…. and THEN he was working 60 - 70 hours a week!

I'm grateful to our military! They work hard!

her first DELIBERATE joke!

2010-02-13T17:09:00.001-08:00

Little Miss Natalie comes walking upstairs from the family room and throws her arms around me. Since it is 7 pm, I ask (hopefully): Are you tired, Sweetie?

LMN (smiling): No, I just want my Mommy!

Me: OH! I LOVE THAT!

We hug and I ask her: I have to take your big brother somewhere pretty soon, do you want to drive along?

A moment’s hesitation is followed by her leaning back to look me in the eye… I spot a TWINKLE

in her eye as she says, “NO! I’m not old enough to drive yet, Mom!”

Guffaws all around!

Horses May be Losing the Race!

2010-02-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

Horses, horses, everywhere.

Foals, Colts, Fillies and mares.

Stuffed ones, hard ones, ones that move,

Large ones, small ones, all with hooves!

In her dollhouse, in her bed,

She sleeps with one under her head!

Something's changed, it's plain to see,

no horses in her bed, you see…?

What's happening? Someone tell me!

Look! On the floor! A little baby!

I check on her bed, right next to her head,

babies, babies, babies on the bed!

I don't know about this parent thing….

2010-02-04T16:56:00.000-08:00

Earlier tonight when I was out of the house, Tom and a certain 11 year old girl came to loggerheads over something. She got angry….

Girl: That's it! You are NOT my father! You'll have to find a new place to live!

She then spent some time in her room, at her father's suggestion. After nearly an hour she acquiesced and offered this by way of apology:

Girl: I'm sorry I was mean to you Dad. I still love you, but I just don't know about this whole PARENT THING.

what's a mother to do….???

Teeth

2010-01-25T15:47:00.000-08:00

For nearly 5 years, Natalie has had a lone upper big tooth. She's cute no matter what, but we keep hoping that other tooth will pop through!

Unfortunately it is fused to her canine tooth (she has no incisor there) which isn't due for a couple years yet....

Our recent trip to the dentist gave us some great news though - the two teeth are only a smidgen away from joining her smile! We are so excited!

The dentist also said Nat has six, SIX!, loose teeth. The other day she began complaining of tooth pain. Tylenol and an ice pack were no help whatsoever. She moaned and paced and then gagged twice. Immediately she *SIGHED* and grinned! Huh? What is going on here?

We recalled hearing a little skittering sound on the floor after the second gag so we looked around.... haha! One of the loose teeth was on the floor!

Tooth extraction by gagging. Never heard that one before! One down, five to go!

Music

2010-01-17T11:03:00.000-08:00

How many people do you know that have an electric guitar on their kitchen island and an amp on the floor?

Okay, then how many people do you know that have that PLUS a drum pad and 2 drumsticks on their kitchen island?

Well, then how many people do you know that have ALL that PLUS a piano in their dining room?

THEN add another electric guitar and an acoustic guitar less than 15 feet away in the same room.

It must be music day. Let the rock 'n' roll begin!

Rain

2010-01-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

"Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings your glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain"

Mercy Me, "Bring the Rain"

Our Five

2009-12-29T15:31:00.000-08:00

My Three Sons

2009-12-25T01:20:00.000-08:00

From the floor, to the sofa, and back again. Marker wars or just general wrestling. You can see why I have to keep sewing the cushions back onto the back of the sofa!

Now that our Navy guy is home, here is what goes on when all three are in the house:

It makes Natalie very nervous, but I love it!

Shhhhhhhhh - Don't tell Natalie!!

2009-12-25T00:49:00.000-08:00

Here are the guys hard at work on Natalie's Christmas present:

See what I mean? Seth is HARD AT WORK!!!!

Ah yes, here as well:

And you can see whose hands are busy here....

I think she'll love it!

Winter is beautiful....

2009-12-09T14:17:00.000-08:00

The deck behind our house - with our heated birdbath and Christmas lights.

Christmas Photo(s) - Some of our favorites for 2009

2009-12-06T09:20:00.000-08:00

Kari smiling at the airport after Sean's NAVY ceremony. And NOT because she was surrounded by men in uniform. Really.

The two big brothers!

self-explanatory - (mother-wrinkle maker also)

well now ain't that attractive. When you have sons joining the military and jumping out of perfectly well-functioning airplanes, it tends to wear on a mother. ;D Good thing I have a dog to keep me relaxed!

Kari and Kurt dancin the night away!

Grammy and Nat

Seth feeding deer out of the van

canoeing in the grass

One of our handsome guys!

I need one of these contraptions at home. Definitely.

dancin in the streets of Williamsburg!

horses of courses

more horses - well same horses. More kids with horses.

...we're on a boat.

...we're still on a boat.

MORE dancin' in the streets.

This time in Dollywood.

ready for the next round of excitement...

... or for relaxing on a porch swing.

Laughing with Grandpa Rickert - always easy to do!

riding Twister...

What a fun year we've all had! Hope you have too! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

He shoots, He scores!

2009-11-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

Seth is enjoying basketball...

with cousins and with his school's team.

Number 22...

Hmmm.. something went wrong here. Got his number, not his head!

Halloween "Horsey"

2009-11-06T08:11:00.000-08:00

Halloween party at Nat's school - she insisted she was NOT a zebra, thank you very much. She is a black and white HORSE. Just so you know.

Names and Words

2009-10-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

Natalie has a new classmate this year. Her name is Suzi Clay. As the kids recite their names, interesting thoughts occur to Natalie. I hear the question she brings me and try to answer it, thinking about how much I am teaching her, and happy about that!

Nat: Mom, why is Suzi's last name Clay?

Me: That is probably her parents' last name. Just like you are Natalie Rickert because Dad and I have the Rickert last name. Grandpa Russ has the last name Rickert, too. Did you know that? And Seth's last name is Rickert. When a baby is born it gets the parents' last name, so that is why Suzi's last name is Clay.

Nat: But why Clay?

Me: (Hmmmm, how else can I explain this?) Well, uh.... last names... and uh,

Natalie: Why Clay, Mom? Is that like playdough clay?

oh. i get it now. why do some peoples' names sound like the names of objects. guess I missed that on the question end. good thing she understood it better than i did! So, here I go again:

Me: Well, Sean used to have a teacher named Mrs. White, like the color. and remember that teacher at your school, Mr. Brown? Sometimes people have last names like that. blah blah blah. Wonder if I'm making any sense to her now!!! Haha! Kids.

Seth Rocks

2009-10-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

Right here is where there should be some awesome photos of Seth running. However, since I not only forgot my camera, but got to his last cross country meet AFTER HE WAS DONE RUNNING, there are no photos of MINE. However as you can see, BestDadEver got a photo with his phone! Seth is the first guy with a gray shoulder and green jersey/green shorts.

Seth had a great season, cutting an entire minute off his best time by the end of the year.

Yeah Seth!!!

no, there is no meaning to this photo. Her name is Opal.

Dance class

2009-10-08T10:12:00.001-07:00

Dance class #2 was a major success because we managed to GO to it and sit in the car, watching the class through the window. Nat wouldn't go any closer.

Class #3 was last night. My expectations were: "we have to go inside the classroom, but you do not have to dance." The early signs were hopeful:

Then her very fave instructor (who used to be an Irish Step Dancer) came over to greet her:

Next came some cautious participation exactly ONE STEP from Mom's chair....

and then she broke loose! (They were playing the High School Musical soundtrack, after all - who can hold still for that?!)

There goes our little ballerina!

Happy Mommy. =D

Nat's First Dance Class

2009-09-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

One of Natalie's favorite things in the entire universe is DANCING! One sure way to get her out of an anxiety funk is with music and dancing. So, when a class was scheduled with the special needs park district group, I signed her up!

Here are some photos which make you think the class went well:

Au Contraire!!!

Little Miss Anxiety began melting less than half way through the class. Crocodile tears streaming down her face. So I went in to watch and she came to hide on my lap, promptly took off her ballet slippers and didn't utter a sound.

On the way home, she repeated these phrases over and over:

"I'll just call the dance teacher and tell her

I'm not here to learn, I'm here for dance class.

Just to dance and get it over with and go home."

Maybe next week will be better! We'll see....

I looked in the window from outside and saw this sad little face.... and then it was Mama Bear to the rescue! She was very glad to see me. Maybe she'll have less anxiety next week now that she has seen the room, teachers, etc.

How My Oldest Spent His 30th Birthday

2009-09-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

Oh to be 30 again....

High School is just around the corner for Seth....

2009-09-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

Whew! How can it be that high school is just around the corner for Seth??? Last night he and other 8th grade band members played with one of the local high school's marching bands at their football game. Not great pictures, but.... the future is always blurry. He's in the green shirt.

and of course you want to HEAR it!!! or at least 16 seconds of it. which is really kind of a perfect amount, if you ask me. Look for his blue-green t-shirt to the right of the conductor - you'll see a glimpse of him at about 11 seconds in. And of course it is such fun to see people walking back and forth in front of the camera. What can you expect? I am an amateur. Ke garne.

2009-09-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

Now that both kids are back in school, I (OF COURSE) am sick. Oh well. This too shall pass, and (hee hee) they'll still be in school!

Feeling better....

2009-08-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Natalie is NOTHING if not BUSY!!!!

Nat's Companion While She's Sicky-Sick

2009-08-26T15:13:00.001-07:00

Our faithful friend who is here for us in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer, for better and worse:

Natty's been pretty sick with fever, headache and vomiting. Her favorite spot is the top bunk in the den. Tulip stays up there with her and keeps her company.... so sweet! She was squinting for the flash - funny!

the Horse Barn - Seth

2009-08-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

The noise you hear isn't Seth hitting the barrel as he goes by - it is me clunking the camera on the fence!

CHECK IT OUT - NO SADDLE or STIRRUPS!!!!

Who's been sleeping in my bed??

2009-08-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

I went in to make my bed this morning and this is what I found! Where is that Goldilocks who left her bears in my bed?!

Navy Pier in Chicago

2009-08-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

We went down to Navy Pier with Nat's friend David and his mom. First was a train ride - always fun, then taxi on the underground streets in Chicago - where Dark Knight andmany others were filmed - prompting many questions. Then the Children's Museum, walk along the Pier, look out at the lighthouse and go home tired! Lots of fun!

on the boardwalk.

looking out at the lake. sorta.

Not much compares with playing in water!

I'm a gonna change my flat tire...

so I can drive my car.

The latest LMN quote

2009-08-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

Natalie has been saying funny things since she could talk.

This one cracked us up...

After wrestling/playing around with Seth she yelled this to me,

"MOM! CAN YOU HURT SETH FOR ME??? HE'S BEING ANNOYING!!!"

Fortunately, we were all laughing too hard to follow through on her request!

the flag he designed and painted for his division

2009-08-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

Actually, his flag is much cooler than this. This is the image screen-printed on a t-shirt. We couldn't get a good close-up of the flag and they had removed it by the time we could go out on the drill floor. Now he is down at nuke school for a couple years being schooled. Long days, he says.

Time with our guy

2009-08-01T10:14:00.000-07:00

Our Sailor!

2009-07-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

Here is our sailor!

and the flag he was asked to design and make!

"Old" Family Photo

2009-07-29T09:45:00.001-07:00

When I was little....

2009-07-28T19:38:00.001-07:00

Nat's full of crazy sayings these days. Sometimes the whole concept is funny. Sometimes the words she chooses make it funny. I find myself trying to hold in chuckles pretty much daily! She tends to come off as a silly and benevolent dictator (even when she's angry):

"Mom, when I was little did I grow up with you?" (Yes, pretty sure it's me that's been here since you were born.)

Annoyed with her big brother: "I'm replacing you for a new brother that I want!"

With her bigger brother off in the Navy, she talks a lot about the recruiting office for some reason: "Mom, I think YOU should stay at the recruiting office." Seth: "Wow." Nat: "Yes she's going to have a busy day at the recruiting office. Seth someday YOU are going to be an officer at the recruiting office. But not today. Today you are going to stay home with me and keep me company while Mom's gone. Because YOU are my brother."

Seth spends some time at math.com every day, leading to this comment:

"I like math dot com, but I don't know if you prefer it.

I'm just a kid.

If you go to Nick Junior, you can see it from there and you can prefer it if you want to."

I'm sure we'll have more soon!

Sean's latest achievement. His Division set a record.

2009-07-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

Battle Stations 21

Battle Stations 21 is part of an $82.5 million facility at the Navy’s Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Ill. It is the culmination of all training received, a grueling 12-hour test of a recruit’s skills that marks the final rite of passage.

Entering a 157,000 square-foot building, recruits will find themselves on a pier, gazing at a 210-foot-long replica of a guided-missile destroyer. The pier is complete with a facade that replicates an actual pier in Norfolk, Va. Realism is added thanks to special effects lighting, sea and diesel scents, surround audio and 90,000 gallons of water splashing between the pier and the ship.

USS Trayer also feels, smells, sounds and looks like the real thing, with the incorporation of the latest in virtual reality, entertainment technology and modern construction techniques. Once they are in this totally immersive environment, recruits will proceed through 17 different shipboard scenarios that will test problem-solving, communications and other essential skills, with realistic consequences for their actions.

Mission

Battle Stations 21 addresses a changing war fighting environment. As the Department of Defense’s most cutting-edge trainer, Battle Stations 21 will send a better trained Sailor to the Fleet. Its realistic training will save lives & ships.

Multiple events can occur in various spaces simultaneously, many of which must be reset several times within a night so that all participants can experience each event.

Operators: 67 (63 facilitators, 4 staff)
Scenarios:
1. Mission Brief/Move Aboard
2. Stores on load/off load
3. Line handling
4. Main/Auxiliary Watch
5. Roving security
6. Bridge watch
7. Lookout
8. Casualty Control Station
9. Prepare for General Quarters
10. Firefighting
11. Flooding
12. Mass Casualty
13. Emergency egress
14. Man overboard
15. Compartment Check-off List
16. Ship maintenance
17. Capping Ceremony

Cutting-Edge Simulator
Cutting edge, multi-sensory technology, seamlessly integrated with architecture and engineering produces a state-of-the-art simulation facility. Sophisticated control systems allow for facilitators to control each scenario with a wireless PDA.

Controllable elements include:
Realistic scenery
Flame Effects
Water Effects
High-definition Projection
Custom Video Media
Computer Animation
Animated Props
Surround Ambient Audio
Point Source Sound Effects
Sub Woofer Vibration
Defined Ambient Lighting
Strobes and Lighting Effects
Fog, Smoke & Air Effects
Scent Machines
Ambient Temperatures
Hot Objects

A half-dozen special-effects firms collaborated on this simulator. Through set design, props, lighting, and a variety of special effects, including piped-in aromas, recruits will experience horrifying realism, from mass casualties to a burning ship. Among the touches, built-in MP3 players, triggered by infrared technology, make “injured” dummies scream, moan and make faint breathing sounds. Thousands of gallons of water flood the ship’s compartments. Flames jet from fire fighting areas. Floors shake to mimic the ship’s movement.

Sean's division set an

all-time record in one category of the test and passed everything!

Watch CNN video of Battle Station 21.

Fun times

2009-07-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

Seth had a weekend away with his youth group - probably a couple hundred kids and they played outside when they weren't sleeping. He was mad it had to end so soon!

When we dropped Seth off, Nat had a good time on the zip lines and swings at the park:

Trying to get a good photo of these three.

2009-07-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

All I wanted was 3 faces looking at me,

3 smiles and

3 pairs of eyes open.

We tried!

Packing

2009-07-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Natalie just had a phone conversation - imaginary - with 2 of her friends. She is "going" to their houses to play so she is PACKING to get ready! She has a backpack on, with LITTLE Blue and Magenta in it. She has been pondering how to carry BIG Blue and Magenta since they will not fit in her backpack.

She is a container girl! She has MULTIPLE tote bags, plastic containers, etc. and everything is in some kind of bag or container. MY limitations are that she cannot use LARGE containers like a suitcase, big box, etc.

So she comes walking back to the kitchen saying in a happy voice, "Well Mom, I found something SMALL to put the dogs in!" and she is pulling a rolling SUITCASE behind her.

I ask her: Are you trying to trick me??

Her reply: Yes Mom.

What a nut. I love it that a direct question gets an honest response! Hope that lasts a LONG time.

yesterday's activities

2009-07-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

Notice there is no saddle - only a blanket!

Safari photos

2009-06-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

Driving into the safari in our van, Nat spots her favorite wild animal!

Hey Zebra! HI!

The van door is open and guess who peeks in:

You guys gotta any food in there???

Seth's got a bucket of food....

oooohhhhhhh yeeeeeahhhhh this is good!

slurp!

Birthday!

2009-06-28T15:41:00.000-07:00

Today is Tom's birthday! Birthday breakfast included hash browns, bacon, scrambled eggs, o.j., and fruit smoothies. Then he and Seth went to see "Transformers" For lupper (lunch/supper) we had carmelized scallops with tomatoes, basil leaves, balsamic vinegar, etc. Yum.

Here is how "we" eat birthday dessert:

Lynn

They are on vacation and so am I!

2009-06-27T06:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Tom has the kids on vacation - I'll post photos later (they aren't home yet) - to Virginia to visit Grandpa, Grandma Jane, Aunt Beth /Uncle Marlin +1, Aunt Lisa, UncleMark/AuntDana, UnclePaul/AuntMichelle/Jake,Sophia,Chloe. LOTS OF FUN! Now they are in Dollywood and having a great time. Nat even rode a water roller coaster! Seth made a couple new friends from Grand Rapids, MI.

I, on the other hand, have sore arms, shoulders and hands from digging, planting, hauling, mowing, weed whacking, and then regrouting our island. MOST of the time I've been chilling though... time with friends, reading, visiting mom, etc.

Have to test the grout sealer right now to see if it needs another coat.

Pretty, huh? I love it!