Cookies, that is. His favorite flavor is the Samoa kind. (you know with coconut, chocolate & caramel) Sadly we won't be seeing the Girl Scouts or their cookies until next year. sigh.
It was Conrad's turn to make the treat for Family Home Evening and so he wanted to make Samoas. We went on the internet and found a copycat recipe that wasn't impossible to follow, tasted fantastic and looked slightly more decadent than those in the box. Conrad has been wanting to dabble more and more in the culinary arts and this was a perfectly delicious way to get him started.
Conrad has an eye for finding things. His code name is "Eagle Eye" because of his ability to find anything anywhere. Here's a prime example, while in Guadalajara at a huge outdoor market/swap meet, Conrad was looking around and found a carat and a half diamond. (a perfect cubic zirconia, still not too shabby.) He then in the US found another one. Crazy right? What an eye. He's also been the hero of many lost keys, earring, cell phones, etc. His most recent discovery was an unopened jar of Nutella. All I can say is lucky.
Conrad has this jar under lock and key times 3.
His diamonds are in a safe with only one lock.
He trusts no one in the house. Only Conrad holds the 3 keys. Thus the shackled jar of Nutella sits exposed high on a shelf taunting the passersby.
There's a new girl in town and Conrad is smitten. She has curly blond hair, hazel eyes and she loves to be outside in the sunshine, she even owns a bunny, (they already have so much in common.) "Lanie is an energetic girl who discovers the world in her own backyard." Lanie is the 2010 Girl of the Year for American Girl and Conrad wants her. Actually he wants her so he can give her to Amelia for her birthday. Every year American Girl holds a contest to win their doll of the year. "Many children (mostly girls) will enter, few will win." This year they have to write an essay (1000 words or less) on "I'm inspired by nature when..." and take pictures of nature. The winner is randomly selected, so I figure Conrad has as good a shot as any and he thought so too. Such a sweet brother, right? Okay he's entering the contest to win the doll for Amelia and the grand prize loot he's going to sell and keep the money. I had to convince him that he had to give the doll to Amelia, otherwise he was just being greedy. I wanted to share the essay he wrote. It is truly from a boy and it is truly Conrad and if the essays were being judged, I know that the people in charge would find his words amusing and refreshing.
My name is Conrad Nikolas Rawhouser and I’m 10 years old. I am entering this contest so I can win Lanie for my little Sister Amelia Jane.
I am inspired by nature when I climb trees. The higher I go the more wind I can catch. Up there, I can spy on people and animals. I also collect pine cones and leaves up in the trees. When I climb down, the branches are like a ladder and I can swing, hang and balance on them. (My mom does not like the balancing part.)
I’m inspired by nature when I take my bunny, Lizzy on walks outside. I like to watch her hop around in the snow, on piles of leaves, grass, and rain, but sometimes she doesn’t really like getting wet, so I hold her. Lizzy full name is Elizabeth and she is an orange lion head rabbit.
In the summer when there is mud, I take the hose and put lots of water in the mud and that makes a perfect mud bath. The mud and cold water feel great in between my toes and I like to squish it in my hands. At the end of the day I’m covered in mud and I have to hose off before I can go inside to take a bath.
I think butterflies and dragonflies are very pretty. I am really skilled at catching them with my fingers or my net. I pinned a Monarch and Mourning Cloak. They are two different species of butterflies. Last Summer I caught ten butterflies and one dragonfly, but my mom would only let me keep two. I am inspired when I see a butterfly because I want to catch more and more every year.
I made my very own bows and arrows out of leather, bird feathers and sticks from trees that I found outside. I have a lot of fun chasing rabbits and squirrels.
I love animals and I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up. I have saved eight baby rabbits, three baby squirrels, and one baby robin and it made me feel happy to see them grow up and have babies of their own.
I want my family to be inspired by nature as much as I am.
Thank you Conrad for keeping it real and for your willingness to put yourself out there for your little sister. She will love you forever if you win. Now if you lose...
My kids totally crack me up! They were crazy this Halloween or should I say fierce?
Conrad originally wanted to be a mad scientist again, but then he remembered that he had an authentic Arab head dress, from Saudi Arabia, (a friend of ours went to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.) so with a little shoe polish and sunglasses he became a Saudi. (I think he looks like my brother Mason.)
No Arab would be complete without a white sheet and camouflage Birkenstocks.
My friend Stacy Miller (Noah's mom) painted all four of the army guys faces. She said while she was painting each of their faces, they had their game faces on. (see above) When she finished, they ran to the mirror, admired their reflections with an "Awesome!" and told her that she was their official camouflage expert. (now that's awesome.)
Riley originally wanted to be Concussion on the movie Zoom, but we couldn't find red, burgundy or maroon sweats anywhere. (go figure we live in maroon and gold U of M country.) He remembered that some of his friends were going as army guys and since he had every piece of clothing in camouflage, he decided to work it. (even his Converse and socks are camouflage.)
These are the very serious army guys with their camo and Nerf guns: Riley, Noah, Marvin, & Emil.
Amelia was going to be a butterfly and I had visions of her being a magnificent monarch with huge hand painted wings. I almost had her convinced until she wanted to be Fancy Nancy to go along with her birthday party. For a split second she wanted to be a princess, but Fancy Nancy was going strong and then on Halloween day she wanted to be a butterfly again. I had no amazing wings or black and orange tutu, but she knew what she wanted and what a butterfly ought to look like. She found her pink butterfly headband, (no she didn't want antennas), pink fuzzy wings, pink tutu, pink galoshes and some pink hair spray. Of course no butterfly would be complete without tons of glitter and a black velvet unitard. It was a little chilly that night, so of course she donned her denim jacket and toted her gold trim purple leopard print treat bag. (She rocked it like the fashionista I knew she could be.)
Quinn has admirer of all ages. A friend from church gave him this oh-so-adorable pumpkin sleeper complete with beanie.
He stayed home with me and slept all of Halloween, while I passed out candy.
The Mighty Quinn is growing like a weed. He smiles all the time, (except for pictures) he giggles when tickled and has a whole new batch of nick names. Amelia calls him "Little Quinners" and tells me that "Baby Cakes is cryin'!" Riley calls him "Jiggly Puff" & "Magmortar" after 2 of his prized Pokemon cards. And Hans (in a high pitched voice) calls him "Quinny Quinny!"
I must admit I was worried that the Conrad & Riley would be ambivalent about Quinn's arrival and that Amelia would be jealous, but they are all madly in love with their littlest brother. So much so that when they come home with their friends they say to them, "Come look at Quinn. Isn't he so cute? Do you want to hold him. You can kiss him if you like." It warms my heart that they adore him as much as Hans & I do.
Quinn at 3 months giving peace a chance
Conrad wearing Quinn (3 1/2 months) in our zebra sling
Conrad [fake sleeping (his idea) for the picture] and Quinn (4 months and real sleeping)
Fall has hit Minneapolis with all the usual gusto of turning leaves, cooler temperatures, windy nights and illness. Our family seems to have a stuffy, drippy, sneezing sort of illness. We've tried to guard against the cold, flu and the ever popular H1N1 swine flu, but last night poor Conrad suddenly came home with an upset stomach, cold sweats and then minutes later, massive puking. My first thought was, "Oh great. Time to pull out the Clorox disinfecting wipes. " Conrad took a bath and I began the questioning, "what did you eat? You haven't been sick earlier today, so what happened?" Come to find out that he and his friend, Crystal, (a fellow bunny enthusiast) had been playing, running skipping, laughing and then she accidentally stepped on the tip of a shovel. It was like the cartoons, with the whole "shovel handle to the face" gag. Apparently, the handle hit her mouth so hard that it knocked one of her adult teeth loose, with blood and bruising to go with it. Conrad came home soon after taking Crystal to her parents and the nausea started as he was coming home. I had to laugh a little that my fearless, carefree, 9 year-old future veterinarian became a little squeamish at the sight of blood.Come to think of it, he did look a little green when he came home. Poor guy.
Summer has been lovely this year. I've seen Cardinals,Blue Jays and Golden finches. When I first saw a gold finch, I thought someone's pet bird had escaped from it's cage, but then I noticed they were all over the place and that these oh-so-stunning birds were God's gift for us Minnesotans to enjoy.
Conrad loves nature a lot more than me and he has become quite excited about the butterflies that visit our community. So far he has caught a 2 Mourning Cloaksand 2Monarchs. He begged and pleaded to pin and frame them and so we framed one of each. He's hoping to catch a Swallowtail next. Apparently they are gorgeous.
Amelia is such a sweet little lady. Whenever she sees flowers she wants to pick them for me. (She learned from her brothers.) Sometimes its a dandelion, but her most recent pick was this puff of hydrangea. Funny thing happened yesterday, while she was handing me an extremely large freshly picked dandelion, I looked and noticed their was a fat and fuzzy bumble bee still pollinating the flower. Amelia dropped the flower and alas I did not get anymore flowers that day.
In my life, when something major happens, like having a baby, it seems that time stands still waiting for me to recuperate. But it doesn't, and my friends and family continue to live and change. So as I have been trying to hold on to the last glimpses of Quinn's birth, my children have said and done some very funny things.
Our community is all a blur with boys (including my two) between the ages of 5 - 11 zipping around on their bikes. They generally ride in a group, (I won't call it a bike gang) with my lovely Amelia trailing behind them. These are good boys and they are not trying to get away from her, rather she just can't keep up. But Amelia is a smart little girl and not easily daunted, so she finds short cuts and back ways so as to be with them as much as possible.
Amelia: I want you to take the training wheels off my bike.
Me: Oh really, do you want to go faster like the boys?
Amelia: No.
Me: Hmmm. (slightly perplexed) Then why?
Amelia: Because then Kinzie won't be able to ride it anymore.
Let me explain. Kinzie and her family just came from Egypt to live in our community and they are all very nice, but Kinzie only speaks Arabic. Ergo it is impossible to explain to her that Amelia has had a new brother come into her life and, although she doesn't know it, she is feeling displaced and needs normalcy in her life until she adjusts. AND she doesn't want to share her bike because it's her new toy AND she loves it AND if you keep taking it away from her, she's already made plans to push you off of it etc., etc.
Conrad's dream is to live on a deserted island and live off the land (definitely not my dream). And for a while he was not a big fan of Cub Scouts, but as more adventures are happening and outdoors skills are being learned he is discovering that Scouting will be his ticket to surviving on the island in LOST.This is his 2nd year of Cub Scouts and this past activity they went fishing. Well Conrad was happy to report that he was the first one to catch a fish and that it only took him 1 minute and it was a "Delicious Bass." (Actually it was about 6 inches long and he didn't eat it. I just wanted to quote Napoleon Dynamite.)
Hans & I have been busying Riley and Conrad with summer school, soccer and archery. Wednesdays are pretty long for everyone because of school, soccer and cub scouts, but Riley being the peacemaker and a cup half full sort of guy takes it all in stride.
Me: Sorry this has been such a long day. Riley: That's okay. I like long days. Me: Really, why's that? Riley: Because that means I'm doing lots of fun things.
As I look out the window, I can see so many signs of Spring. Not only is it warmer and my allergies are flaring up, but the trees and flowers are in beautiful bloom and all of the animals and insects have come out of hibernation.There are massive amounts of tent caterpillars. I don't have a picture of these little sweethearts because they make me want to vomit. The boys (including Hans) enjoy stepping on them and Conrad especially likes to step on one end and watch their guts splirt out the other. It is so gross.
This year these caterpillars are so prolific that they fall from the sky onto unsuspecting mothers and they lazily crawl up ones shoe and just keep going up the leg. Eewww. They eat the leaves on our beautiful trees and poop all over the sidewalk and in people's hair. Many a picnic has been ruined because of ill placed tables. It is so gross.
Apparently I once called them jerks and a few of my friends and husband thought that was funny. Tent caterpillars arejerks; pooping on someone's food or hair and touch others who don't want to be touched, is prettyjerkyin my opinion.
My boys and several of their cohorts have taken to filling buckets full of them and filling those buckets with water, in hopes of drowning them. Unfortunately they are pretty hardy and they just crawl out of the bucket which is disgustingor I think the adjective I've been using is gross.
One morning Hans and I were watching videos posted on Facebook and came across a Christian comedian/singer, Tim Hawkins. He sang a song entitled "Fire ants"That rings all too true to our boys and their "wonders" with nature.
All year long, Conrad, Riley & Amelia spend a lot of time outside. The boys busy themselves by building forts, trenches, weapons of mass destruction, traps, etc. from things they find around our community. For the past 9 months Conrad has been sharpening his bow and arrow making skills and practicing his aim. Hans and I have tossed around the idea of purchasing a "real" bow and arrow for Conrad, but our friend Brian told us not to because it would spoil the creative juices that are flowing through him all the time. So being good parents and not wanting to ruin our oldest child, we haven't bought him one. I think one can say Conrad is craftier and our community and the small animals that live near us, are safer because of our restraint.
Hans & I want to start new traditions that don't involve food. Not that there is anything wrong with making memories while eating at the same time. But traditions that leave us feeling healthier and focused are the ones Hans & I are trying to make and keep with our family as well as the Thanksgiving Turkey, birthday cake,St. Patrick's Corn beef and Cabbage, Valentine chocolates, and Christmas pies. Anyway... so for New Year's Day we went to Red Rock Canyon. We had hoped to get there as the sun was rising to make for a poetic watching the dawn of a new year, but it was new years day, so we got up a little later, because of the night before. but the view was fantastic!
I remember thinking as a teen, how ugly the mountains looked with out trees on them. (teenagers...)
Although Amelia was pretty sad about not being able to scale the rocks with her big brothers, she did enjoy her own personal photo shoot.
The boys (Hans included) climbed up the red rock too high for pregnant women or 3 year olds.
I can always count on Conrad to strike a sweet pose.
My boys are so fearless. It's a good and bad thing for a mother to watch.
I'm surprised that Riley wasn't wearing his light saber or rubber band gun. (I think there might have been a law forbidding weapons.)
I finally bought a new camera and after this trip realized that I need to read up on lighting, focusing and the whole SLR thingy.
We had a fantastically busy summer and as of Sept. 2nd, my boys are finally back in school. They were not exactly excited to get back on a sleeping (7:45 p.m.) and waking (6 a.m.) schedule or having to do home or school work of any kind, but the free juice, doughnuts & espresso, (offered by our student housing community) Tuesday morning helped them to get energized at least for one day. (Please note that neither Conrad or Riley had a shot of espresso, that would have been pretty funny, but I'm sure their teachers would have thought otherwise.)
Riley & Conrad's First day of school wouldn't be complete without tie dye, jeans & new shoes.
Sunday after church is pretty lazy at our house, if we're not napping, we lying around reading or posing like supermodels ready for a candid.
Ever since Riley found out that he could get a dollar for a tooth, he has been diligently wiggling & yanking at his chompers & finally it "paid off." I pulled that puppy out just before they had to go to school.
My little Riley is growing up.
I had to take 10 pictures & most of them came out blurry because I was laughing at all of his silly faces. what a ham.I love you Riley!
Amelia wanted to get in on the picture taking action
It's nice living in Minnesota, state of 10,000 lakes because if one gets bored there's always a nearby lake that is naturally beautiful and entertaining. We took Mason to Lake Calhoun and the boys brought their bikes. The weather was lovely and it was a fabulous mix of everything. Bottom line everyone went to sleep happy and early. :)Unlike Conrad, Riley is not a ham and does not like his pictures taken. He won't put on a smile and is generally too busy to stand still for a posed picture. Above is a stand still, no smile, no pose, shot. Hey, I take what I can get. (Riley & I both love his galoshes.)Funny story here. Conrad & Riley were riding on the side of a bike path and Riley was going full speed and fell over into the Lake! Just kidding.... There was a 3 foot ditch by the lake he slid into, didn't even get wet and he was stuck and had to pose for me.Again, because he was stuck, I got to pose him looking as if he were trying to pull himself up from the very jaws of death. The smile totally gives is away.
Here is the proof to my accusations that Mason & Conrad are a ham & cheese sandwich when it comes to photo opps. Mason-poser. Conrad-poser. Riley-what would one call that?
Mason got a nice point and shoot camera for his graduation and He took some sweet pictures while he was here spending time with his niece and nephews. Below are just a few of his many fantastic pics.
Mason was a wonderful guest and came baring gifts which made him an instant favorite at our home. The boys were suited up in their Nerf gear the second they came home from school and with coordinating Velcro Nerf guns they ran around the house chancing & shooting at their uncle. Of course this can get tiring, so they would stop and play a rousing game of Pokemon to catch their breath. Here Amelia is standing in front of a man made waterfall at Como Lake. I love how Amelia's hair naturally flips in the back.
At Como lake the dandelions were in full bloom and Amelia was in flower picking Heaven.
Mason took this shot of Conrad as he was coming home from school. Oh... I can't get over how handsome my little 8 year old is.
I know, this picture is gorgeous! These little purple pansies were growing by the sidewalk where the boys bus stops.
Riley had a field trip to the Como Zoo and he wanted his very cool uncle to chaperone.
Mason thank you for being such a great uncle and brother. My family & I truly loved every minute of your visit. I love you. -monica
(This is one of our favorite pictures of the boys. It was taken over 3 years ago, in Wyoming, at a cattle auction. Obviously they loved it.)
Conrad and Riley. I like to think of them as loving, caring, sensitive siblings, but in reality they are merely allies. Oh they love each other of course, and would kill anyone who ever hurt the other, but if I could liken them unto anything, it would be the United States and Russia. They were allies, then enemies, allies again, enemies again and as of today they are both "friends," in a very loose sense of the term. The US and Russia can sit down to dinner, discuss the affairs of the day, and laugh and smile in public, but they both know they have nuclear missiles in their back pockets, they just don't know how many either of them have. But because they are allies, if anyone were to starts a war with Russia, the US would be there to fight for Russia's cause. Sometimes there are spies or double agents and the fight can go sour and then you see the US backing the enemy instead of the it's ally, Russia. and so it goes with my boys, bless their hearts. Conrad and Riley have no problem sticking together if the enemy is a gaggle of unruly biker boys, a neighborhood bully, a teacher, or mom or dad (You know I'd like to think of Hans & myself as diplomats: people who are tactful and skillful in managing delicate situations, handling people, etc., but I think we would be viewed as terrorists). But when Hans and I use certain devices of torture (like no bikes, computer time or playing with friends) or interrogation (The "who did it" question), Conrad and Riley will rat each other out without fail. In spite of all the shenanigans they pull and the emotional roller coaster they ride and make Hans & I ride with them, they are loyal and at times, truly at peace with one another. I suppose the term I should use to best describe them is not Allies, but Brothers.
Cookies, that is. His favorite flavor is the Samoa kind. (you know with coconut, chocolate & caramel) Sadly we won't be seeing the Girl Scouts or their cookies until next year. sigh.
This is Conrad's "Dr. Cinnamon Fruitcake" impression
