Category: Family Life

The day-to-day juggle: kids, marriage, and everything in between.

Queen of the Juggle > Family Life

1st grade? Really?

Posted on by Sherri
I cannot stand it anymore.  I must rant.  The hubs thinks I need to get over it, but I can’t.  The boys start 1st grade on Monday.  There are many reasons why I’m excited about school starting.  However, I am really pissed off and I haven’t even met their teacher yet.  Perhaps I’m overreacting but I was disgusted with the supply list that we received.  I’d love to know your thoughts.  I am inserting some of my own comments on the list as well. Everything is per kid.
1.  Plain white t-shirt to paint at school (me:  cool, fine awesome)
2.  $35.00 class fee to cover costs for special art projects, weekly reader, folders, treats and in-class activities (me:  seriously?  You’ve got to be kidding!  Um yeah.  So not excited about this one)
3.  A Ziploc bag containing baggies with 20 pennies, 10 dimes, 20 nickels and 4 quarters (we will use them for math).  Please label with your child’s name (me:  Ever heard of play money?)
4.  24 SHARPENED pencils (me:  last time I checked our classroom had a pencil sharpener)
5.  3 boxes of 24 count crayons to last us through the year (me:  wow, when I was in school one box was plenty)
6.  1 pkg. basic markers (no pastels).  (me:  Finally! Something reasonable!)
7.  1 black sharpie FINE point pen and 1 black sharpie ULTRA FINE point. (me:  OK fine, whatever)
8.  1 box of kleenex (me:  another reasonable request.  Cool.  I like those.)
9.  1 container of Clorox or Costco disinfectant wipes (me:  Ya know what?  Lysol is cheaper and that’s what you are getting!)
10.  1 pump bottle of sanitizer (me:  cool)
11. 2 boxes of ziploc bags.  One gallon and one sandwich (me:  seriously?  if there are 20 kids in the class there will be 20 boxes of gallon and 20 boxes of sandwich bags?  WTH are they doing with all of that plastic!?!)
12.  (me:  This one is my all time favorite) 15 OR MORE glue sticks  You can get a good deal at Costco for about $6. (me again:  WTF!  15 glue sticks times 20 kids?  What are they going to do with all of those glue sticks?  The audacity to say Costco has a good deal1?!  Wayyyy unbelievable to me.)
13.  1 yellow highlighter (me:  I’m still stuck on 15 glue sticks and $35)
14.  4 or more Expo dry erase markers (me:  You’ll get any brand I decide to pay for)
15.  1 set of earbuds/headphones to use at computers.  Put in a baggie and label with your child’s name (me:  whatever.  Still bitter about the ridiculousness of this list)
The teacher, at the bottom of the list, also wrote:
Wish list and optional items: Recess equipment for our class to play with (balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, etc.) (me:  Really?  Doesn’t the school have ANY equipment?  Lady if this is your list you must have at least one or two items from last year.) 1 or more packages of reward stickers Water bottle (small 16 oz. – sport top only)
She goes on some more to say: Thank you so much for taking the time to provide these extra materials for our classroom. (me:  Yeah, uh-huh, optional?  I think not.  Wonder exactly what the school district pays for.  Paper.  Yes, paper.  That wasn’t on the list. I’m sure we’ll be hit up for other items throughout the year).
I know teachers are not paid well and often buy things out of pocket. I can also appreciate asking parents to help.  I seriously cannot, for the life of me, get past the BS on this list.  I can’t wait to hear thoughts from my community.  Am I the crazy one?

10th Anniversary

Posted on by Sherri
Reflective…yesterday was my 10th wedding anniversary.  I wanted to wait for the day to be over to be able to put my thoughts together.  10 years…it has flown by.  In fact I cannot believe it.  To think that back in the day (2000) Chip and I met online at Yahoo personals.  Back when it was free.  LOL. I had to sift through a lot of toads before he sent me a note.  I knew on our first date that …it was different, special.  He brought me carnations.  Now he knows better.    “Our” proposal was unconventional and I almost fainted when he put the ring on my finger.  Our wedding in Kauai, by ourselves, was perfect.   Over these 10 years we’ve both had experiences we never thought we would.  Many of you know about or have been a part of our joys, sorrows, failures, successes, trials and tribulations.  There have been many and we can’t ever give enough to those who have supported us.  We’ve managed to be solid and committed through all of it.  Now here we are.  As Chip posted, yesterday was busy like every other day and we really did not celebrate in any way or have a chance until late last night just talk about what these years have been for us.  Chip McVey you are the love of my life, truly my soulmate, the yin to my type A yang.  You make my heart full.  I feel so lucky that you picked me.  Happy Anniversary to my love.  I look forward to the next 10 years.
My husband’s comments:
10 years. No fancy dinner, no fancy vacation, though we did manage to acquire an RV trailer…  Reflecting on 10 years with my soul mate is sort of strange, because 10 almost seems too small, since we’ll be together forever, yet so much has happened in 10 years. It’s the usual night, putting the boys to bed, plus putting Kaitlyn Frihse on a plane & talking to Gillian Frihse about her plans in the…next few years. Us? Reliving the past 10 – trying so hard to have kids, trying so hard to deal with having so many kids (lol), moving, houses, landlording, buying Quiznos, failure, recovery, putting down roots in Sparks, and plans for the future. 10 is but a hop with the woman I love. Instead, we opened a bottle(s) of wine, and recalled what we’ve been through, including all the stories, especially those of the dads that we loved so much or wish the other could have met.  Hats off to Gary & Mac.  Thankful to friends & family along the way so far in our journey.  I love my family, and of course love my wonderful wife!

And yes…we acquire an RV

Posted on by Sherri
Soooo the official news is that we purchased a travel trailer.  The first “toy” for us.  We are so excited to be able to get up and go!  It was like other things in our life that I have just had a sense about.  I saw it online and knew it would be perfect if the online representation was accurate. It was “the one”. The people at Sprads RV were great to work with.  The experience wasn’t all about t…he sell.  Yes their was the element of sales.  I’m in sales and totally get it.  It was a lot more low key, lower pressure than I expected.  Ron walked us through the entire place and talked through what everything did, etc.  Talked to us about the process of taking in and selling of a pre-owned RV.  Very clean and ready to go.  Next post will be funny, I assure you.  Anyway, it is a great day at the McVeys.  Cannot wait to pull that 31′ thing around.  I’ll post some pics of it soon.  Bottom line is that we now can take our family to enjoy great places all over the Western US.  Who knows?  Maybe we’ll even venture farther

Carter Turns 3!

Posted on by Sherri

Happy, happy birthday to our sweet littlest man.  3 years…boy the time flies!  It’s all about Thomas the Train, just as last year.  Later we will celebrate with cake and presents.  Can’t wait to see his little face light up.  One of his favorite episodes on Netflix of Thomas is “Day of the Diesel”.  We told him this morning that it’s “Day of the Carter”.

What a fabulous day!  Carter had an awesome birthday. It’s so funny that his birthday dinner choice (we let them all choose their meal on their birthday) was “noodles and chicken nuggets”.  One would think it would be pizza or something.  Nope, not the Carterbug.  His is is own little man.  Sweet beyond sweet and sharper than a tack.  We did make him eat some fruit too so I felt a little better about it.  Pictures of the celebration to come.  Wish more family near and far could have joined us.  Our FL fam joined in via Skype.  Technology rocks!

These monkeys of mine!

Posted on by Sherri

Dinner table discussion…no it’s not a joke.

Gary: How do you kill a chicken?

Me: You can cut their heads off. That’s what grandpa used to do.

Chip: See this funnel? You can put the chickens in here and then cut them off.

Gary and Carter: When I grow up I am going cut heads off of chickens.

Ryan: Yeah, we can cut the heads off.

Ben: I’m gonna cut the rest of the parts, wings, legs and all the rest.

Gary: Can you shoot chickens?

Me: You could but their heads are small and you don’t want to blow away the body.

It’s the Alaskan in me with memories of my dad killing turkeys. I hated those things. They sh*t everywhere! Marlas Prevo you know! Meanwhile I am trying to contain my laughter. These guys crack me up. As an afterthought they asked what part of the chicken we ate for dinner. I told them it was all “chicken chests”. Only at the McVey house.

Our “New” Sofa…

Posted on by Sherri
So our new sofa.  Long post.  I have been, off and on, searching for a sofa to replace our 13 year old totally trashed family room sofa that has seen it’s day.  I found a great deal for $100 brown leather sofa.  I picked that one up and then we still needed another to replace the 13 yr. old loveseat that went with the trashed sofa.  Today I just happened to see a Craigslist post for another leather sofa for $100.  I texted and called a woman about it and decided to head over and see/take it.  Well the experience was one that made quite the impression on me.  Some of you know we have a big Dodge diesel truck.  I have to pull myself in.
Not believing that a leather sofa was $100 that looked like this, I jumped in and headed on down to apartments behind the Peppermill here in Reno.  Some are nice and some are not.  This happened to be at the Sherwood Forest Apartments that was less than nice.  This neighborhood was not one that I felt like I would be uber safe in.  I didn’t feel scared to the point I wouldn’t go, but it caused hesitation.  Once I arrived I met the husband of the woman I spoke to.  I backed my big ass truck up to the STAIRS of their 2nd floor apartment.  I have pepper spray in my pocket and hands on my keys.  Being from AK I never really think about this, but my hubs puts the fear of god in me.  So I meet the wife who I had spoken to today.  I peek in the apartment and see the sofa.  It really spoke volumes to me.  Spoke to me about my past in AK and living without running water and taking showers at my elementary school and then doing a little better with an unfinished house and how my life has changed since that time.
I peeked into this apartment today that was very small and sparse.  A little family of 3 with a 2 yr. old boy.  I see that the sofa I am buying is the only adult furniture in the “room”.  No matter what the condition would have been I would have bought it.  This little family needed the money.  I wondered what the story was.  Me, the wife and the husband struggled to get this sofa that turned out to be a VERY heavy sofa bed (bonus for us).  We did it and scratched the sofa even more.  Meanwhile Chip McVey was at home wrangling 3 of the 4 monkeys since I decided I, and only I,  could go get this sofa.
I called him when I arrived and kept my phone on while all of this was happening.  About 1/2 hour later we managed to get it in the truck.  Another man came about and helped us maneuver around to get 2 pieces into the short bed truck.  The 2nd man had been scouring the parking lot for change to get something to eat.  The little family thanked me again and again for buying their sofa.  I left them nothing in their tiny living room.
I had no more change for the helper so I dug through my purse and gave the good guy who helped about 2 dollars in quarters.  He was so appreciative.  As I drove away and viewed more of the neighborhood I just felt so much emotion.  I wondered how the people I saw in the parking lot got to the apartment building.  What was the story of the family that sold me the sofa?  What are the stories of the other sights and sounds I experienced this afternoon?  For me it was a lesson in gratitude.
There are days when I struggle with busy and stress and more.  My FB friends have heard it.  I struggle with my weight and am off and on depressed about that.  I was thinking to myself today that I am grateful that me being fat is my biggest complaint.  There are many dynamics in my family and ugly habits and things that come with it.  I love my family but some things are not pretty.  Despite that, I am grateful.  Seriously grateful.  Taking this trip down to buy a sofa has turned out to be so much more.  Please know that this isn’t foreign to me.  When I get wrapped up in flights, business trips, preparing food and all of the other things in my life, I forget.  I forget that it could be different.
I always try to give back but wish I could do more whether it be financially or practically.  Then the thought is whether or no people want help and whether or not they had control or were out of control of their circumstances.  I told Chip that I couldn’t articulate exactly how I felt about the experience.  The best thing I can come up with is that it 1) took me back and 2) made me stop and think.  really think.  I wish the best for this family and still wonder how they were in the not-so-nice neighborhood with a small child.

Happy Holidays 2011

Posted on by Sherri

Welcome to a glimpse into the last year at the McVeys.  This year our letter is still Happy Holidays but more on the end of Happy New Year since I’m finally finishing it on 12/31/11.  Of course long winded like Sherri tends to be.  Time flew and while we’re getting our cards out, it’s certainly later than planned.  Par for the course the year has been a busy one. There was a ton of stuff that we experienced in 2011.  Reflecting on that, the things that come to mind are all of the new experiences that the kids had.  Sweet things that lit them up with wonder.  It makes us smile to know that we have and continue to make the effort to give them these experiences. We thought we’d share a few and hopefully they’ll bring a smile for you too.

The boys met Santa for the first time, roasted marshmallows, cut with scissors, had haircuts in at a “haircut store”, made a birthday cake, painted pottery, acquired a first Nerf gun, took a first RV trip, went to Grandma’s twice in the same year, had frozen yogurt and chose their own toppings at “the yogurt store”, saw a parade on the 4th of July, Carter learned to walk and talk, experienced their first pig roast, visited a fire station, ate in a sit down restaurant, got a new, real swing set, picked corn, rode a mechanical bull and petted the animals at the pumpkin patch, visited Apple Hill, ate a caramel apple, discovered Angry Birds (they are still obsessed) and Zombies, became iPod Touch experts, decided “Despicable Me” is their favorite movie, visited the Discovery Children’s Museum, fired their first firearm, had an Advent calendar, hot chocolate in Christmas mugs, drank a Root Beer float and finally… moved to “big boy bunk beds”.

A huge part of creating these experiences were all of the people that visited and help us.  Our Florida family helped us get the year rolling ringing in the New Year with us.  It was great having them here to kick it off.  Right away in January Chip and I both had to travel for work.  For the first time ever it was at the same time.  Sherri’s mom came and helped for the week which was great!  Colvins jumped in from there and took on the kidlets for a couple of weeks in January as well.  Fast forward to May.  We headed to Winnemucca in the Colvin RV to see family.  Sherri’s grandparents made the trip from Montana.  The weather wasn’t awesome but it was good to see them.  The months just seemed to fly by.  Before we knew it we were in the middle of summer.  Kaitlyn and Gillian were with us for five weeks which is always really fun.  One of the highlights was Kaitlyn getting her driver’s permit.  It’s hard to fathom that she’s 16 now!  Chip and Sherri celebrated anniversary #8 in Tahoe.  Our first overnight for just the two of us in 3 yrs.  As a treat to ourselves we took a sunset yacht cruise.  It was fantastic!  We also took the Colvin RV out again to Fernley, a very small town about 30 minutes outside of Reno.  After an overnight at the RV park we headed downtown to take in the 4th of July parade.  The kids were troopers considering there was no shade and 90 degrees outside. Again fast forward and September and October were upon us.  Sherri’s friend Bonnie visited Reno for the first time since we moved which was awesome.  Gary, Ben and Ryan turned 4 in Septmeber as well.  We celebrated in style with the Girls and then after.  It’s hard to believe it’s been 4 years.  As well, Fred, Celia and ‘Nina (Colvin) arrived back in Nevada just in time for fall. We packed everyone up and went to Apple Hill.  We had been hearing about it since our move to Reno in 2008 and finally thought it was do-able and would be blast for the kids.  We visited several places up there and had a ball trying cider, some local wine and beer, toured a few of the orchards as well as buying apples, pears, caramel apples and pies.  It was a fabulous trip but requires more than 1 day.  If you have a chance to visit you should!

Halloween was so fun too! Sherri made the boys costumes this year.  It was purely due to the budget and what costumes cost.  She had creative input from her mom, Celia and ‘Nina.  In Nov. Colvins left us and headed to exotic places so we packed up and headed to Winnemucca for Thanksgiving.  All of us had a good time, especially the boys sleeping all four of them on the air mattress watching

Winnemucca with Sherri’s family.  Grandma and John bought the 3 boys and Gillian a .22 rifle. Both of us were almost mortified that at 4 they would be handling a gun.  Each boy and Gillian went, individually, with John and Chip and shot the guns.  More training is required.  We’ll be working on that.

Christmas crept up on us far more quickly than we thought.  We did a lot last minute but managed to get the most beautiful tree we’ve ever had.  Fred and Celia joined us for the holidays as well.  Per the tradition, Celia baked up a ton of treats and cookies.  All the kids jumped in to decorate and taste test all of the delightful yummies.  Kaitlyn and Gillian went back to Las Vegas on Christmas Eve so we celebrated a little early with them.  Everyone enjoyed the gifts.  Christmas morning was a blast in the McVey house.  The boys came down the stairs and were full of excitement, wonder and surprise.  Santa was kind enough to leave new bunk beds made for three.  Very cool.  Fred and Chip spent almost a whole day putting them together.  Now it’s just the nightly battle of who gets to sleep on top.  We don’t have a system yet.

On to the kid updates…Kaitlyn and Gillian still primarily reside in Vegas so that continues to be a challenge for all of us in Reno.  Kaitlyn is doing well in school and is a sophomore this year.  She’s into softball and really involved in church.  Her dad just bought her a car so she’s very excited about that.  Gillian is in middle school and plays the Viola in orchestra.  Gilli is one of the few 6th graders in the advanced orchestra.  She just had her winter concert and I was lucky enough to be in Vegas and could attend.  Those are the moments that are bittersweet.  Glad I could attend but sad that it has to be in Vegas and not Reno.  Every time the big sisters come for a visit the boys are so excited.  They’re also sad when they leave.  Not easy.

Gary, Ben and Ryan are just crazy growing!  They take everything in, want to touch it all and often ask why, what and how come about anything and everything.  TV is big them too.  These days it’s all about Super Why on PBS along with Calliou and Wubzy.  At least there’s variety.  They are so good with technology too.  It’s all about Angry Birds and Zombies.  We put both games on our old laptops as well.  It didn’t take long from a touch screen to maneuvering a mouse and keyboard.  It’s hard to believe that in less than a year they will go to kindergarten.  Over this last year as their personalities are becoming more and more evident.  All three are total extroverts.  Gary is as stubborn as they come.  The red hair fits!  He is the one who always asks why.  More often than not they are great questions.  Ben is still the quieter boy but is smart and funny.  Just recently we learned that he needs glasses.   He looks so cute but best of all we’ve improved his 20/200 vision in one eye.  We felt like bad parents!  I’m sure everything is much clearer for him.   Ryan is our keeper of the rules Chip says he inherited Sherri’s type A.  He gets so excited when he talks that he almost can’t get the sentence out.  It’s so funny.  Ryan is the most sensitive and a little sneaky.  He’s very close with Carter bug.  They are special buddies.

Pulling up the rear is little Carter Bug.  Never has it been more evident that he has left being a baby in the dust and wants to be 4 years old like his big brothers.  At 18 months he’s talking away and on the run to keep up with Gary, Ben and Ryan.  He has the sweetest little laugh.  He’s definitely a ray of sunshine as we hear him giggle and discover how to talk.  He tries to say everything.  I especially like his “peas” when he says please.  His favorite thing lately is Calliou and cars.  We’re a little sad that the baby has moved on to toddler/preschooler.  Carter is also big on books.  He often demands that whoever is around read to him.  It’s a great start!  Between 12 and 18 months it’s almost as if he has awakened.  In the last couple of weeks he’s figured out how to put too words together.  Now when he gets up in the morning he says “Hi Daddy”!  He’s curious and an independent soul.   Last week he had his 18 mos. checkup and he’s officially the size of a two year old!

That’s about it for 2011.  Overall pretty stressful but when we step back it’s OK.  We’re grateful that we have a happy, healthy family and wish the same for our friends and family.  We’re excited to welcome 2012, optimistic for continued good health and prosperity.  Be sure to keep in touch either via email at smcvey707@gmail.com or chip@metaforge.net .  We also have new cell numbers which are:  Sherri:  775-737-3032 and Chip:  775-772-3024.  Of course those of you that are Facebook friends with either of us know that we will continue to post pics and updates often.  Until next year, all the best to you and yours.  Take care and be well.