VALLEYFAIR and STATE FAIR

The week before school starts is always an interesting time. This year, there just wasn't enough things to do. The days got kind of long for all of us. What could be better than a day at an amusement park and an afternoon at the fair? Well, ALL of the Morks (except Bernie) made the trip to Valleyfair for a final family get-together. It was a GORGEOUS day and the lines were relatively short. (I suspect that most of the people decided to go to the State Fair!) At any rate, it was a fine day.

I used to love to go on rides! Not so much now. I do it because I want to be with my kids, but boy...it just about kills me sometimes. I bowed out quite a few times on this particular day- taking on the role of the token "mom" who holds all the stuff and tries to get a picture. The picture-taking is usually futile, but I gave it a shot. For the rides that I chose to sit out on, I didn't mind NOT riding, but I did mind not sharing the experience with the rest of the fam. I hate missing stuff. Well, anyway, I had fun watching everyone, keeping track of all the "stuff" and have a few minutes of quiet.

I find it so interesting how each child reacts to wild rides. One of my children would just as soon sit and read a book. A couple of them love that feeling when your stomach drops out of your body. I have a screamer... and a couple of kids who just kind of go because everyone else is going. Who knows if they like any of the rides or not? I love the thrill, but hate the sick, dizzy, "I think I am going to be sick" feeling. And Allen, well, he is just a good sport and seems to be ok doing just about anything (including the POWER TOWER!).

Bjork was the rebel/hero for the day. ALL of us decided to take a ride on HIGH ROLLER, the oldest roller coaster at the park. He and Lindsay were in the front car looking back at the rest of us. Thinking it would be a cool picture, Bjork pulled out his camera phone and started snapping pictures as we made our way up the very first ramp. The intensity was building as we got nearer to the top of the first "hill" when suddenly, we came to a complete stop. This ride is old and quite rickety so my first thought was...malfunction. The loudspeaker came on and the ride lady said, "PLEASE, PUT YOUR CAMERA AWAY!!" The guilty party quickly shoved his camera in his pocket..and the train started up again. Whew, no malfunction! After the ride, we all made a quick exit as to avoid further scolding. Another Mork Family memory. We were all there to witness and remember it! Thanks, Bjork for the comic relief and the highlight of the day!

Lastly, Rigo was the lucky one to get a day at the STATE FAIR with Grandpa and Grandma. It was his first time, so you can imagine all the great things he saw and did. The best thing from the day was not the animals, or the food, or the water ride that they got soaking wet on. It was the BIG GREEN HAT that Grandpa and Grandma bought for him. Go figure! Life is good when you are 8-years-old. :)

WEEK OF FIRSTS

School has officially started and it has been a week of FIRSTS.

Tuesday was Romeo and Rodrigo's official FIRST day of school. Steph was in school but not in class. She was at the high school as a mentor to incoming Freshmen on their FIRST day. (Notice the LINK CREW t-shirt in the picture.) Roselyn was at home with me on Tuesday...and still in bed when the other three started off for the day. Rigo and I made our FIRST batch of chocolate chip cookies for the school year.

Wednesday was Steph and Roselyn's FIRST day of classes. It was my FIRST day at work. It was Steph's FIRST day of her last year. Our baby is a senior! The FIRST homework assignments came home.

For me, today feels like the FIRST day of school. Everyone is gone and it is very quiet around here. These FIRST few days of school always seem to be long at first, but it doesn't take long before they will become a blur.

3 o'clock will come around before I know it. Rigo will walk home by himself for the FIRST time today. (He's been begging since his first day of kindergarten!) Later today we have a tennis match, football scrimmage and an away swim meet. That is a FIRST too! It's divide and conquer for Allen and me, but it is a lot of fun, to be sure. Hope you are enjoying the FIRST week of the school year! It's exciting stuff! :)

VICTORY!!!

A couple weeks back, we had a little family ball game in our backyard. The challenge was between our family (Mork) and my brother's family (Robertson). We played regular softball last year and unfortunately for us...the Robertson family came up on top. This year, we decided to play whiffle ball instead. The game was fun, and quite competitive. We (the Mork family) were geared up to make a better showing than we did last year. The stakes were high. The dignity of our family was hanging in the balance.

We were down by three runs as we entered the bottom of the last inning. We were beginning to lose hope when Rigo hit a single home run. We managed to get two runners on base when I stepped up to the base. I really, really wanted to hit a home run. I really, really tried. I swung with all my might and hit the ball... right to the pitcher. Not too impressive. One out. Bjork stepped up to the plate. He positioned himself behind the plate. I have always liked this young man, but never really knew what a powerhouse hitter he was until he CRUSHED the ball out of the yard! It was a three-run walk-off home run!!! Our team went wild with excitement and the game was over! It was a proud day for the Mork family and Bjork was indeed the hero. Boy, am I glad he is on our team!! I am already looking forward to our annual ball game next year. It'll be sweet!

QUIET

Today, I had most of the afternoon and evening to myself. It doesn't happen too often these days and I loved it! As much as I love my family, I recharge when I have time alone. Here is what I chose to do on this day.

1. I made jelly (from plum juice my mom gave me). It's been in my fridge for a few days so I took the chance to get it done - by myself. (Sorry, Rigo!)

2. Dishes, by myself, of course.

3. I wasted some time on Facebook.

4. Scrapbooking. I rarely have a chunk of time to do this and I have a graduation coming soon!! It was very fun and relaxing for me.

5. Watched the end of the Twin's game - by myself.

6. Listened to the radio - by myself.

7. OK, I broke down and made a trip to DQ - by myself. If you must know, I ordered a dipped strawberry Blizzard!

8. I watched a movie - by myself.

9. It is 9:30 and Roselyn will be home soon. I think I will pop some popcorn and watch some TV.

10. Oh yeah! I actually WASN'T alone today. I spent the day with Bernie. It was AWESOME. By the way, he is much, much better. Hope YOU had a quiet day!

NEW RECORD!

Last fall, Steph was part of a relay that set a new Girls Medley Swim record. They finally put the board up today! We have been involved with Cambridge-Isanti Girls swimming for the last 10 years and it was so great to see Steph finally get the MORK name on the record board! Good job, Steph!! We're proud of you!!

FYI - Mork will be changed to MORK...The man who delivered the board noticed the mistake on his way to the school.

DISCONNECTED

Most of the books I read these days have to do with parenting. Raising Boys, Raising Teens, Boundaries, etc... My most recent book is called DISCONNECTED - Parenting Teens in a MySpace World by Chap and Dee Clark. It is very interesting and quite helpful as I try to stay connected to the teens under my roof.

According to these authors, "the period of adolescence has grown over the last few decades. When adolescence was first noticed, it took only a couple of years. When today's parents were kids, it lasted about seven or eight years. But today it is a long, drawnout passage that for most kids takes about fifteen years." Wow! I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that. Seems like a long time to me and frankly, it makes me kind of tired.! They go on to separate the years into early adolescence, midadolescence and late adolescence. I have children in each of these defined time periods...and some days, I am so overwhelmed with the choices and decisions that have to be made ...both for them and for me. It is a priority for me to stay connected with them which is why books like this intrigue me.

I understand the necessity of cell phones, Facebook and internet access in our world. However, these things have drastically changed teen culture even in the last decade... even since our first teenager came on the scene! It has definitely added to the challenge and complexity of parenting at our house. THAT is why I read books like DISCONNECTED so I can have a clue to what is going on and how I can be a better mom.

This books talks about the "world beneath". "The world beneath refers to the lone safe relational place midadolescents believe that have left --other kids. It is in this world where loyalty to each other is (usually) the greatest value they have. It is their own world where they do not feel they will be hassled or judged. It is the world where they have their own language, style, music and, for most kids at least during the midadolescent years, worldview. ...The best possible gift you can give your children as they move through the last decade of adolescence is the willingness to let them guide you, at least in understanding the world where you can never go." Interesting, and something to think about.

I get so consumed with the day-to-day business of running a household that I often don't take the time to learn about and really listen to my kids. It is an area I need to work on, no doubt. It takes time, energy and humility on my part. I am a work in progress, just like they are.

I would highly recommend DISCONNECTED if you have teenage children living in your home. It has made me rethink a few things about my own parenting. One last quote that I loved from the book... "Parenting is hard these day; perhaps it truly is, as the saying goes, today's most competitive adult sport." I would agree.

UPDATE ON BERNIE

Bernie is doing better today, but is still not his perky self. He has had little drinks of water during the day and a little bit of food tonight. It seems to be going quite well. His eyes look better too. Thanks for your concern!