The Kassel Family Project Life 365

With the help of Laura, we finally picked out a frame at Michael’s for Oscar’s picture that will sit next to his box and pawprint.  He’s now really at home with Smokey and Sammie.  They were the best pets.  I know they are all young and happy basking in the sun in Heaven.  It’s still hard because we all miss them, including Newman (who I always thought just tolerated the other three).  They really do leave their little pawprints all over your heart.  I looked at the shelves tonight and just smiled thinking of all the memories.  I love you three and you are very missed.  Thanks for all the love and laughter and for always making me smile.

Before you panic, I am *not* discussing the issue of abortion.  I have my own personal thoughts regarding that subject, but that isn’t what this is about.  Columbia has a Planned Parenthood location that does, in fact, perform abortions.  Laura’s school is very close to the Columbia Planned Parenthood location.  Nearly every day, there are protestors outside supporting both pro-choice and pro-life.  These protestors are not the violent sort, though they do occasionally have shouting matches with each other.  Both Laura’s bus and Andy and I when we pick her up drive right by those protestors.  Being Laura, she’s curious and has begun asking questions.  She has mentioned it before, but I immediately changed the subject.  Today, when I attempted to do that again, she said, “Mommy, just answer my questions!”  Given her level of frustration, I attempted to answer her questions.  I explained that the protestors were out supporting their personal beliefs about an issue that causes strong feelings for both “sides.”  Due to an occasional police presence, I also had to explain that sometimes good people go too far supporting their beliefs.  She asked me what they were protesting and I had to say that she didn’t need to worry about that because it was an adult issue.  Really, how would you explain abortion to a five-year old anyway?  To my surprise, she said, “Mommy, just cause I’m five doesn’t mean I won’t understand.”  I never dreamed I would be having a conversation about this type of thing with her at the age of five.  She’s a very observant child and I’m often surprised by the things she notices and understands.  I’m guessing that one of these times, she’ll see the protestors while riding her bus and ask one of the older kids.  So, eventually, Andy and I will have to address the subject.  I hope it’s later rather than sooner.

Until now, taking our kids to any nicer restaurant was a bad idea.  They couldn’t sit still or be remotely quiet.  We spent most of our nights out at McDonald’s, Culver’s, or Shakespeare’s.  Places where kids could run around and be loud and no one would care.  Tonight, that all changed.  I wanted to go to Olive Garden and so we went.  We told the kids ahead of time that they had to be “super great kids” and “be patient.”  To my amazement, they followed what we said.  It was quite a pleasant dinner.  Laura declared the meal delicious and John was the last one to finish eating.  I think we’ll be going back again sometime!

Oh, Laura tried some new foods tonight.  She ate the salad and said that was great.  The breadsticks were also a hit.  However, the BIG surprise of the night?  Laura tried Calamari and the kid LOVED it even after we told her it was squid!

John ordered a cheese pizza for dinner and it came with a side of either steamed broccoli, garlic mashed potatoes, or grapes.  He chose the mashed potatoes (as did Laura) and proceeded to plow through his entire serving along with half of Laura’s.

The school lunch menu is a fixture on our refrigerator these days.  At the beginning of each month, I sit down with Laura and she chooses which days she will eat school lunch and which days she will take her lunch.  She always chooses to eat school lunch on Tuesdays because it’s Chicken Nugget Day.  Also, she eats school lunch on Monday and Friday because they have pizza.  I generally make her lunches on Wednesday and Thursday.  Tomorrow, I don’t have to make her lunch because it’s Chicken Nugget day.  Laura will tell me exactly how yummy the Chicken Nuggets were when I pick her up from school just as she does every Tuesday afternoon.

We had the annual Super Bowl gathering today.  Really, it’s about hanging out with great friends, eating some food, enjoying some drinks, and watching some commercials.  We moved our bedroom television to our upstairs living room for the night so that we could watch while we ate.  We had quite the food spread and we snacked most of the night.  The kids played the night away and the adults enjoyed the time.  All in all, it was a fun evening!  It’s too bad the Super Bowl is always on Sunday because making it to work the next day isn’t always much fun.  Thanks to everyone who came over and we’ll see you next year!

Laura returned again to FlipzUSA Gymnastics for a classmate’s birthday party.  Today was to celebrate Sophie’s 6th birthday.  Most of Laura’s class and her teacher were there.  Laura had a great time despite being reduced to tears two different times.  The first time she twisted her ankle and I thought maybe it was actually sprained.  She recovered quickly, but it was sore after the party when she stopped moving around so much.  The second teary incident was when she got hit in the eye by one of the foam pit cubes.  The second incident was ironically ALSO her favorite part of the party…..  She thoroughly enjoyed whipping those foam pit cubes at all her friends!  After an hour of playing, the kids had pizza and cupcakes and then it was time to head home.  All in all, it was a fun party and she was happy to be invited to Sophie’s 6th birthday party.

The Tigers play the Jayhawks in basketball tomorrow night in possibly the last “Borderwar” game.  MU/KU has always been a huge rivalry, but tomorrow night’s game is very important.  First, both teams are ranked in the Top 10.  Second, Mizzou moves to the SEC next year and KU will no longer be in our conference.  To support our Mizzou Tigers, Laura’s school is having a Mizzou day.  The Kassel Family translated that into “we will all get decked out in Mizzou gear” for the day.  I had to get new Mizzou shirts for the kids and ended up going to something like 5 different stores yesterday, but it was worth it in the end!  (Not to mention that I also picked up a new shirt for myself!)  Laura was so excited to wear her new shirt and her new Mizzou bow!

Quote of the day is from John:  While the kids were showing off their new shirts to each other, I said, “Look at my Mizzou shirt.”  John said, “That’s not a Mizzou shirt, Mommy.  There is no Tiger on it.”  Well, there you go!