Overheard

….in the car in the way back from the pep band/basketball game tonight.

Colby:  “Reagan, you need to stop talking”.

Reagan:”No I don’t”

Colby: “Yes. You do. I’m your older brother.”

Reagan :”So?”

Colby: “Uhhh, I’m four years older than you!”

Reagan: “so?”

Colby : “ That means I’m older and smarter than you”

Reagan: “so?  I’m not following the logic”.

Colby: “.......”

I was having a hard time following the logic of that argument myself.

Swing Dancer

Quinn has joined the Swing Dance club in high-school.  He LOVES it.  Here's some of his latest moves.  (p.s.  don't ask me why Angus is dancing with a chair in the background.  I can't explain 14 year old boys).

14 Year Old Stats

For Posterity:

At 14 years, 1 month old, here are Colby's Stats:

Height: 66 inches (65th%) - but not yet taller than mom!

Weight: 106 pounds (35th%) - triple digits for the first time!

BMI: 16th%

And Quinn:

Height: 66.3 inches (69th%)

Weight 106.8 pounds (37th%)

BMI: 16th%

This is probably the closest in height and weight they've ever been.  Age 14.  The great equalizer.

The Old Man

Tonight at dinner, Colby made an observation about his brother.

Colby: "Quinn, you have a zit on the side of your nose.  When I was your age, 5 minutes ago, I didn't have any zits at all."

HA.

Now and Then

It amazes me how Google Photo can tell the boys apart accurately, AND track their (supposedly identical) faces over time.  Face recognition technology is impressive!!  This was Google Photos "Now and Then" photo of Colby - from 2012 and 2018!  They got it right...

The Music Studio

Colby got a new MIDI for his birthday, and Rob moved his home office from upstairs to downstairs, which means that the little room off the boys' bedroom was available for their dream MUSIC STUDIO.  Which they've been wanting to have in there forever, but the stars aligned just right so that it ACTUALLY HAPPENED!  They are thrilled with their studio, and have spent endless hours in there writing and mixing song after song after song.  They're getting good, these boys!  I'm impressed with what they come up with!!

His New Hangout

As I was parking the car in the driveway, I happened to look up (which I obviously hadn't done in awhile).

Mom: "Colby, why is there a towel on the peak of the garage?"
Colby: no answer
Mom: "Colby, why is there a BED on the roof?????"
Colby: sly smile.

Apparently, this is where he's been spending his free time lately.

I THOUGHT Colby was being awfully quiet upstairs lately!

The Birthday Cake

The boys decided that they wanted an ice-cream cake this year for their birthday, and I aim to deliver (no baking in summer!  YAY!).  Quinn's on a camping trip with Dad, so Colby was in charge of picking things out.  For wording, he decided on "Happy Birthday, Colby and Other".  Uhhhhh.  HMMMMM.  I pointed out to him that it was MY birthday, too, and so he modified the order to read "Happy Birthday, Colby and Others".

Thanks.

The Darwin Awards

Mom: "Colby?  Why are you wearing snow pants, a snowboarding helmet and goggles in June?"
Colby: Runs outside.
Mom (looking through the window) :"Rob?  Why is Quinn walking around with a BB gun?"

WAIT..........................................................

UGH.

They really are trying to kill each other.

Conversations in the Car

On the way home from soccer practice this evening:

Mom: "SO.  Just so we're all clear and on the same page.  The house is currently clean.  What is the consequence if you do not pick up after yourself??"
Quinn: "DEATH!"
Mom: "Correct.  Or the denial of going to a certain birthday party this weekend.  Whichever is more painful."
Quinn: "I prefer DEATH."
Mom: "I can accommodate that."
Colby: "Just a nice Christian family driving home.  Nothing to see here."

Diary of Anne Frank Journal - Quinn

Here's Quinn's write up:

Act one scene five

Option 2

    In Anne Frank there are many characters, some good some bad, in my opinion. In this journal entry, I will tell you which are my favorite characters and my least favorite. My favorite character, (which shouldn't come as a surprise) is Anne Frank. The reason I like her  is that she has many sides to her and tons personality.  She can be calm and quiet, and then immediately be angry and rebellious. I like that, it shows that she has emotion and quirks like us.  She shows us that she's not simply one sided but has depth. My least favorite character is Mr. Van Daan. I don’t like him because throughout the play, he's  really bitter and one sided, selfish and only worried about himself. An example of this is when he spent some of their money to buy cigarettes for himself. Additionally he took bread out of the safe in the middle of the night for himself, even though everyone else was starving, especially Peter.

Act one Scene 3
Option 2

Throughout the play Anne Frank has been speaking her mind and speaking out against the adults. Is that a good trait or bad trait? Some people could go either way. I say it's a little bit of both. It's good to tell your point of view on something to provide a second opinion and or view on a topic, but if you  start to either yell at the adult and/or just say they’re wrong, you don't want do that. That just shows that you are rude, disrespectful and self centered. If you don’t want to do what an adult tells you to do, don’t say such things.  You have to remember that you’re locked in a building with the people inside, try to get along. If anything, try to get along, stay positive and hopeful.

Act 2 scene 3

Option one

    During the families’ time up in the annex, they all went through a shortage of food. Everyone was hungry; Peter was groaning in his sleep he was that hungry. One day, Mr van Daan couldn't take it. In the middle of the night, he snuck down the stairs and opened the food safe and grabbed a loaf of bread, and got caught. Mr. Frank was going to throw Mr. van Daan ou,t but his wife defended him. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I think it is good.  My reasoning is because no matter what, any good person with a loyal bond with a person would defend their friend no matter what the accusation is. If they where to kick Mr.van Daan out, no doubt he would instantly be sent to a concentration camp and most likely die. All that for just a loaf of bread? That doesn't sound quite worth it to me. Even in my own life I have had the experience of defending someone. Mainly my brother. There have been constant times where I have defended him, sometimes even taking the fall. The point is that it's not bad to stand up for someone you trust. No matter what they did.

Act 2 scene 4

Option 2

In Anne Frank's play, there is a quote that outstands them all which is “I believe, in spite of everything, that people are good at the heart” and I have come to believe that that quote is true. I also believe that no matter how terrible the person is, they always a little good in them. There are always some good intentions. This quote also shows that Anne Frank is a positive and loving person. To believe in that must be tough at times, especially living in those conditions, but she pulls through anyway. This shows that Anne Frank is tough and courageous. Anne Frank’s quote is a role model for our generation. It is a role model of perseverance. Maybe someday, we could strive to be like Anne Frank.

Act 2 scene 5  

Option 2

Anne Frank is a powerful story and is published in fifty countries, has been turned into a movie, and received  the pulitzer prize, but why did it receive so much attention? I have an answer. I think the Anne Frank story is very popular for a multitude of reasons. One of them includes just how powerful and how brave Anne, a thirteen year old, is. She lived through these desolate times, and how she survived is fascinating. Another reason is the sheer lack of stories to be told. Over half of the Jewish population died, and not many wrote anything down. There are only few stories of the horrible times of world war 2 from her perspective. My final reason is how they survived for two years without being caught by the green police. Barely anyone did that, let alone write about it. It's also one of a kind, no other people we know of lived in a secret annex. In this cramped living spaces during world war 2, we hear only about Anne Frank and her family. Like I said, Anne is  one in a kind.

Diary of Anne Frank Journal - Colby

The boys just finished their "Diary of Anne Frank" journals.  Thought I'd share, because it was insightful, what they wrote.

Here's Colby's:

Act 1 Scene 1

Option 1
Today I will talk about Anne Frank and her story. In Act 1 Scene 1, we learn that Anne and the rest of the people living in the annex have to stay completely quiet throughout the day until the workers below them are done with their shift. If I was in this situation, I would probably lose my sanity. If you know me, I am a pretty loud person and I don't really like to be to be so cooped up all of the time. I don't think I would really mind sharing a room though; I have a twin so I guess I'm used to it. The other thing Anne and the rest of the guests deal with is food, and I eat a lot of it. From these things, I don't think I would last long in that annex. I would probably bump a lamp like Peter did, except multiple times. In conclusion, If I was one of those 8 people living in that secret annex, I would not last long.

Act 1 Scene 2

Option 1
In this scene, Peter cuts off the Star of David (a traditional Jewish symbol) from his clothing. This comes as a shock to Anne because now that there hiding, the Nazis aren't there to force them on. I think the reason he feels this way is because at that moment, the Star of David has both a positive and a negative meaning. The positive meaning is that it's a symbol of his religion, it represents tradition and happiness. Although it causes happiness and joy, it also causes great despair. Despair because all of people being persecuted for wearing that symbol. Some other symbols I think have a positive and negative meaning is our government. It runs our great nation, but causes also a lot of arguing and fighting. There is a common belief that there is only good and there is evil, but the truth is things are more complicated than that.

Act 1 Scene 3

Option 2
Throughout this play, if there is something that Anne thinks is unfair, she will say something about it. Although the rest of the people living in the secret annex thinks it’s annoying, I think It is a good thing to stand up for yourself. Let me explain this through an example. Let’s say you’re a guest at the annex, food is scarce there, and everybody is always hungry. Now let’s say Mr. VanDan takes a half a loaf of bread and you get a tiny slice of bread. Does that seem fair? I think not. If it were me, I would say something about it. I don't care if that makes me annoying because I am the only one standing up for myself, I am doing what's right. If that makes me annoying and irritable, well then let them think that. 

Act 1 Scene 4

Option 3
At the very end of Scene 4, the guests in the secret annex talk about what they are going to do when they finally get out of there. They have been cooped up there for so many months, by that time I would have been dying to get out. If I was in that situation and I finally got out of there, first thing I would do is get actual good food. By that time, it had been years since they last had a good meal. All it has been is a slice a bread and an annual cake. So I would find the best restaurant in town and buy everything off the menu. After that, I would do everything I wanted to do in life, like skydiving and going to places I have never been before. I would start a family and actually live a little and forget all of the suspense and fear in that annex.

Act 1 Scene 5

Option 2
In the annex there are a lot of guests; there are really great ones and some not so great. My favorite guests are Anne Frank and Peter Van Daan. The main reason I say this is because they are kids, and I am also a kid, so I relate to them more. There is also Margot, who is a teen but I left her out because we don't really share the same personalities. You might be wondering why I picked two people instead of one. I did this because I have a combination between Peter’s shyness and Anne's extrovert-ness. My least favorite character is Mrs.Van Daan. This is mostly because of her rudeness. Some examples of this is when she insulted Anne on how she dressed when she was heading to Peter's room. This just makes her an unlikable, really undesirable person. Don't get me wrong, she isn't the worst person in the world. She defended her husband when he got caught stealing bread, like a good wife should. All in all, Mrs. Van Daan isn't necessarily bad, she just happens to be the least desirable person there.

Act 2 Scene 1

Option 1

 When the war started, Anne Frank quickly fled to annex and in the process met Peter Van Daan, a boy about her age. Although they were both kids and were stuck in the same apartment, they didn't become friends until later. I think if the situation wasn't so stressful, they wouldn't had taken so long to become friends. To better show you the reason I think this is to imagine yourself as Peter when he heard the news that he was he had to move into the annex. You have just been told that you have to leave all of your belongings behind and the house you spent your life in. After a long drive, you come to the annex and see how small and cramped it is there.  Then soon after, the owners say you have to stay completely quiet throughout the whole day. Then they also tell you if you make too much noise the workers below will hear it, and if they do hear it, they will probably report it. When they report it, the authorities will come and take you away from your family and you will be sent to a concentration camp where you will probably die. All of this information is just loaded on you, I don't think you would be in the mood to make friends. So those are the reasons why I think it took Peter so long to become friends with Anne.

Act 2 Scene 2

Option 2

In the little cramped apartment that your guests have to live in, there are 2 motherly figures, Mrs. Frank and Mrs. Van Daan. These mothers are both great in different ways, but I do have a favorite. My favorite mother out of all of them is Mrs.Frank. The reason she is my favorite is because she is kind and gentle, but she does know when to bring the hammer down on somebody. One example of this is when Mr. Van Daan stole the a half loaf of bread from the bread safe. Mr. Van Daan was caught red-handed and that's when Mrs. Frank blew up. I think the main reason she blew up is not because she was hungry, or any of the other adults were hungry; she blew up because the kids were hungry. That's what I love about her, she cares the most about the children. It doesn't have even to be her kid, she’ll fight for anybody. Those are the reasons why I would choose Mrs.Frank as my mother. She is kind, generous and willing to fight for her kids. That's what I look in a mom.

Act 2 Scene 3

Option 1

In the Secret Annex there is not much food, or any for that matter. Everyone Is tired and hungry, on the brink of starvation. That is why when Mr. Van Daan is caught red-handed stealing a half loaf of bread from the bread box, it is such a big deal. When this happened Mrs. Van Daan  acted quickly to jump in to defend her husband. Although many people criticize her for doing this I think it was the right thing for her to defend her husband. I know there is no excuse for stealing food,  especially in a time of hopelessness and fear, but they were basically trying to execute Mr. Van Daan by kicking him out of the Annex. The reason why is because there is no place to stay out there, it's basically the apocalypse. There are Nazis everywhere, and if they find you, you will be sent to a concentration camp and probably die. Also, if they kick Mr.Van Daan out,  they will probably kick Mrs.Van Daan out to, thereby killing two people instead of one. All of that for stealing a half-loaf of bread.

Act 2 Scene 4

Option 2
Anne's diary holds many inspirational quotes, but there is one more talked about then the rest. The most famous quote from her diary is “I believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart”. This quote caused a lot of disbelief and confusion on how a girl can have everything thrown at her, and still be good at heart. Some people might not agree with this quote, but I do. I believe everybody is good or can become good if they just try. Even the most angry, enraged person can still be good, if you find the source of that anger and release it. Everyone can be good, you just have to find the courage and will-power to try.

Act 2 Scene 5

Option 1

The Diary of Anne Frank was a story about a young, optimistic, happy girl that just happened to be a Jew in World War 2. After she died, her diary was published, and sold in more than 50 countries. Then it was transferred into a play, which then won a Pulitzer Prize, then became a movie. The story of Anne Frank was passed down from generation to generation and finally to me. After finishing the play, I was confused, sad and happy all at the same time. Confused because that's not how stories are supposed to end, it's not supposed to be sad. I was sad because the optimistic, extroverted, go-getter girl we all know and love did not survive the concentration camps. She was like millions of other Jews at the time. Another emotion I felt was happiness. The reason I think I felt this way is because according to Meip, she wasn't sad or in despair when she got there, she was happy. Happy because she finally got to get out of that cramped little Annex, and got to breathe fresh air. She was happy, and when she was happy, I was strangely happy too. 

Colby's Art Work

Colby's a doodler.  He's constantly drawing on any scrap of paper he can get his hands on.  Mostly, he draws cartoon figures.  Usually they have weapons.  

Semester Honor Roll

Two Aho boys at the front of the list for the 8th grade!

He's going to be RICH!

My 13 year old son emailed me today, and told me he'd already earned $20,000 mining bitcoin.  He swears this is true, and said that he will use his earnings to pay for his college education, after spending a tiny fraction on a computer program.    I'll believe it when I see the cold, hard cash.  But wouldn't that just be par for the course?  I'd have to work several months to bring home that amount of money, and a 13 year old kid can hit a button on his computer and let it run.... WHAMMO.

If that's all it takes, then maybe we can retire to Bermuda by next month.  Sounds good to me!

A Miracle on a Snow Day

It doesn't happen often, but everyonceinawhile I catch the kids being nice to each other.  School was cancelled today, and I caught Colby teaching his sister how to read music.  Be still my heart!!

Anti-Valentine's Day

In subtle protest to the holiday of love, my 13 year old sons wore all BLACK to school today (which is actually more in keeping with Ash Wednesday.  But that wasn't why they wore black).
I did notice that Colby, however, wore RED SOCKS... which means he has a secret DESIRE for love, somewhere deep down near his toes.  Hope is not lost.

Solo and Ensemble Prep

Both boys will be participating in Solo and Ensemble competition next weekend - Colby will be doing a drum solo, and Quinn will be doing both a solo and a duet.  Here's a sneak peak of the practice session!  They're sounding good!

13 Year Old Stats

At 13 years and 6 months old, Quinn is 5'4" tall, and weighs 98.6 pounds.  I  know this because we had to take him to the doctor's office because of an infected wound that he got at Halloween, that took entirely too long to heal because he reopened it in gym class.  It went from this in October:

to THIS in January.  Not good.  

Luckily, after 10 days of antibiotics, we have this, which makes the mama feel MUCH better about things....

We may not have to amputate.  Good.  But there's going to be a big ol' scar to remember this episode by!

Sweepstakes

We've been watching a lot of HGTV as a family recently, now that we actually HAVE television.  ALL those channels, and there's really not much decent on, with the exception of home remodeling shows.  HGTV is doing their dream home sweepstakes at the moment, and this year's home is in Gig Harbor, Washington.  The kids are POSITIVE that this is OUR home, and that we're destined to win it.  They have their bedrooms picked out, they've done research on the area, they've looked into schools and colleges, and Quinn sends me 15 emails a day, reminding me to enter.

Mom: "Quinn, you know we're not REALLY going to win a $1.8 million house and move to Washington, right?"

Quinn: "You don't know that, Mom!  We have a really good chance!  Who watches HGTV anyway?  I don't know a single other person who watches that channel."

Dad: "Then you don't know many middle-aged women, Quinn."

Mom: "And there's ALOT of us!"

Quinn: "Do the math.  We get to enter TWICE A DAY!  No one else is going to make the effort to do that!" 

Reagan: "We NEED that house!"

Mom: "No, we WANT that house.  We don't need a house.  We have a house already."

Quinn: "This house is terrible.  I will never have my own bedroom.  We NEED a new house, on pavement, near a town where there are things to do.  I am sure that there are trampoline parks near Gig Harbor, Washington!"

Reagan: "We'll be close to Aunt Pat and Aunt Kathy, and closer to Grandma and Grandpa, and only 10 hours away from Aunt Kelli!!!  And we'll have neighbors, so I can have playdates EVERY DAY!"

Quinn: "Mom, we don't know how many entries there will be.  I can't imagine there will be that many, so we have an excellent chance."

And on and on and on it goes. 

Would I like to move into a beautiful house on the Puget Sound?  SURE.  I'm sure I could talk myself into it, if someone handed one to me.  But Rob's worried that the kids will be really disappointed when we DON'T win, because they're just SO POSITIVE that we will.  So, I decided to bring up some cold, hard facts.

We googled how many entries there were for LAST YEAR'S HGTV sweepstakes.

The answer?  100 million.

The odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in 700,000. 
The odds of having identical quadruplets are 1 in 11 million.


So... north of there.  The odds of us winning a house and moving to Washington: 1 in 100 million.

I won't update my resume just yet.