2015 … Brought to you by The Linskeys

·         Entering the 4^th year of a drought, we decided to remove some of our grass to conserve water.  Because of this, we are now expecting the strongest El Nino in recorded history. 

·         Todd started his new career as a Delta Air Lines pilot.  It’s like the military, but with flight attendants. 

·         Kelly found new and mostly not-exciting ways to work and not get paid.

·         Julia got her driver’s license.  So far, she has not sideswiped any dumpsters.

·         Allison decided to do cross country.  And basketball.  And track.  And band.  And maybe swimming.

·         Amanda graduated from high school and is now a full-fledged college student.  We know this because she sleeps past 8am.

·         Matthew finally got to see the Blue Angels.

Amanda - Freshman

Has learned that you can stay up until 2 am every day at college.  We’re waiting for her to learn that this is not a good idea.

Thinks dissecting anything is really cool.  (Don’t worry – it’s part of the curriculum – she’s not a serial killer or anything)

She and her roommates discovered they can easily entice weak-willed young men into letting them dress them up as women.

Still a huge Pokémon nerd. 

Julia – Junior

Is the only living teenager who had a driving instructor actually call her “grandma” when referring to her inability to accelerate.

Likes to make “Vroom, vroom!” sounds when driving.

Is trying to figure out how many AP classes she can take and still have time to get in her 12+ hours of sleep. 

Surrounds herself with half-filled containers of water, possibly in anticipation of a “Signs”-like invasion where only water will save us.

Allison – Freshman

Survived yet another year of not eating any fruit. 

May be the only kid in high school without an iPhone.  Except for her sister.

Had to demonstrate to kids in her class how to use a flip phone to text. 

Only had to use crutches once this year.  So far. 

Matthew – 6^th grade

Matthew is in middle school.  We’re not sure how this happened.

After years of begging, he FINALLY got a phone.  And almost never uses it. 

Is learning karate, but still hates to do any kind of exercise (his version of push-ups is banned by most gyms).

Has actually decided that Scrabble is sort of fun, especially if he accidentally misspells a word that is actually a word.

Bucky – age 8 ½ - “Bumpasaurus”

Has started to announce the arrival of any vehicle parking within 100 feet of our driveway by howling.

Has added all green vegetables to his list of “works of Satan.”

Likes to sleep on any plant in the garden that has any chance of successfully producing a vegetable (possibly related to the above fact).

Has added air mattress inflators and storage containers to his list of “things that must be barked at.” 

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and happy 2016!

Todd, Kelly, Amanda, Julia, Allison, Matthew and Bucky

Does anyone blog anymore?

I'm not sure if anyone blogs anymore.  I mainly do it as a vehicle to embarrass my kids (okay, maybe not intentionally, but hey they usually deserve it).  Hopefully I will post more stuff soon - too busy right now.  Funny, I remember thinking I was busy when the kids were little (bwahahahahahaha!)

It's Spring!!!

What's new?  So, Todd is flying the friendly skies with Delta Air Lines.  Mom is still crazy and volunteering too much.  Amanda is getting ready to graduate.  Julia is learning to drive (which is partly why mom is crazy).  Allison is planning to try to do 3 sports in high school (cross country, basketball, and swimming).  And, Matthew has begun his karate training. 

Bucky, the world's laziest dog, continues to not catch lizards. rats, or bunnies. 

Christmas 2014

2014 … Brought to you by The Linskeys

·         Overconfident in our success with gardening, we moved on to breeding things.  Unfortunately, we only succeeded in breeding termites and bunnies.    One destroyed the garden, the other ate our house. 

·         Bucky, the world’s laziest dog, had to have TWO more surgeries to fix his torn ACL.  He has now returned to pulling my shoulder out of joint while walking and drinking ditch water with reckless abandon.  

·         Todd began the wonderful interviewing process undertaken by many college graduates….twenty years after graduation.  Next time you get in trouble on a Delta Air Lines flight, be sure to ask if Todd is your pilot.

·         Helping Amanda slog through college applications has made the thought of teaching Julia to drive sound appealing.

·         When faced with repeated mandatory signatures, Todd decided our official titles are “Duke and Duchess Linskey.” 

·         Julia is now in Driver’s Education.  Julia, who gets lost a block away from the house and in grocery stores…

·         Amanda has proven to be a good driver…unless you are a large, stationary, neon green dumpster loitering on our street.  Then, she’s going to sideswipe you.  You’ve been warned.

 

Amanda – Soon-to-Graduate Senior – “Troll”

Has already adjusted her diet to reflect her future collegiate poverty by consuming copious amounts of ramen noodles.

Did not burst into flame when getting a makeover for her senior picture.

Refuses to wear anything but sweat pants and pajamas.  Also in preparation for college.

Has started getting used to the idea of roommates by letting the dog move in with her. He loves the arrangement.

Routinely screams at small children to stop running, but has a great excuse (she’s a lifeguard).

Will be studying biological sciences in Fall 2015 at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.  Go Mustangs!

Julia – Sophomore-about-to-drive – “Troll 2”

Thinks band is harder than sports.  Ask her to do a pushup or catch a ball to prove this.

Infected Matthew with her sass.

Still not trusted around fire.

Often asked if Amanda is her younger sister or twin, much to Amanda’s chagrin.

Things that will get her to move:  Food, SuperWhoLock, and sarcasm. 

Considered becoming a doctor, but now prefers medical examiner so she doesn’t have to worry about killing anyone.

Allison – Almost-a-Freshman – still “PGP” (Princess Grumpy Pants)

Is frequently mistaken for Amanda, much to Amanda’s chagrin since Amanda also gets mistaken for Allison.

Reinvented term “sports nerd” by balancing a French Horn, Clarinet, cross country bag, and basketball on her bike.

Survived another year of not eating fruit. 

Has the technological savvy of a 94 year old shut-in.

Frequently adjusts her crutches in anticipation of her next potential injury. 

Matthew – Almost in Middle School – “The Boy”

Believes that “trying new foods” only requires being within a 5 foot radius of the food and/or maybe smelling it.

Lobbying for the title of “Sassmaster Supreme.” 

Could live with only a deck of cards, his DS, chicken noodle soup, and his dog.

Learned it takes less than 4 minutes to melt chocolate chips in the microwave…and that chocolate can start on fire.

Successfully drove gymnastics and swim coaches insane.  He will now turn his attention to running coaches.

Bucky – age 7 ½ - “Bumpasaurus”

Disappointingly ineffective against the scourge of termites and bunnies plaguing the neighborhood.

Much like the wicked witch of the west, he is afraid of rain.  In his mind, for the same reason.

Thinks carrots are the work of Satan.

Did absolutely nothing when a 40 foot pine tree fell into our backyard during in a windstorm except rescue his ball.

Occasionally has to be physically dragged outside in order to get back to nature.

 

2015 Graduation Dates:  Amanda  (June 9^th), Matthew (June 10^th), Allison (June 11^th) – Graduation Party (June 13^th)

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and happy 2015!

Todd, Kelly, Amanda, Julia, Allison, Matthew and Bucky

Spring 2014

I'm posting to this because I'm afraid it might disappear if I ignore it for too long.  I mainly throw stuff on facebook now.  What's been happening?  Swimming, basketball, band, more swimming, gymnastics, more basketball, even more swimming, and probably more band.  Add to that SAT/ACT/AP stuff, a driving teenager, a kid playing 2 instruments, and the other insanity that goes with having 4 kids. 

Included are a few random pictures.  I'll try and update a bit more often :) 

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays 2013!

2013 was an incredibly exciting year for us!  Okay, not really, but we’ll just pretend it was.  Here are a few highlights:   

·        Todd successfully grew a garden and, in related news, became an adept rat-slayer.

·        Bucky, the world’s laziest dog, somehow managed enough activity to tear his ACL.  

·        Kelly spent a few months recovering from foot surgery directly attributed to being what is medically termed “old.”

·        Julia discovered Marching Band.   Allison plans to yet again copy Julia by also joining when she is in 9^th grade. 

·        Allison decided to try French Horn.  Did you know you could buy a small country for the cost of a French Horn???

·        Kelly & kids enjoyed a vacation at Wilderness Lake with family and nearly all the mosquitoes and biting flies in the Northern Hemisphere.  Todd enjoyed two exciting excursions to Bahrain (motto:   “Better than Qatar!”)

·        Matthew started gymnastics and swim team, most likely in an attempt to drive as many coaches insane as possible.

·        Kelly finally got to go to Lambeau!  The Packers WON!  And the Wisconsin Band was there!  And the Bears LOST!

·        Amanda got her driver’s license.  Our insurance bill could now buy us a small country .  Or a French Horn.

Todd took an extravagant 2-day trip to Phoenix to become a certified “ATP.”   What that means is after flying for nearly 20 years in the military he took a test given by the government that says he MIGHT be able to fly airplanes.

Amanda – 11^th grade – “Troll 1”

Developed The Six Degrees of Anime - where she relates ANY subject in ANY conversation to an episode of anime.

Her food pyramid is more like a large, doughy ball consisting of pasta, bread, cheese and any other food devoid of color.

Although she doesn’t like to finish last, she’ll tell you to keep the  12^th place ribbon.

Is officially the hardest person to shop for or with in the entire world.

Puts on bandaids to prevent wounds.

People with OCD think she’s crazy.

 

 

 

Julia – 9^th grade – “Troll 2”

If she were an animal, she’d be a hyperventilating giraffe.

Wants an Australian Possum.

Aspires to be a motivational speaker (example:  “Congratulations on sucking!”).

Is petitioning the IOC to make Jazz-Running-with-a-Sousaphone an Olympic event.

Any activity you do can be compared to marching band, and it will be found lacking.

Is considering moving to England to watch Dr. Who since mom is too cheap to spring for BBC.

 

 

Allison – 7^th grade – “Princess Grumpy Pants” (“PGP”)

Likes to confirm gravity by continuously dropping her phone and/or falling down.

Injures herself every place she goes.  Example:  She got a black eye doing sit-ups.

Has never actually brushed her hair out completely.

Loves fruit.  Except for apples, bananas, berries, melons, apricots, mangoes, oranges, and any other fruit-shaped food.

Loves puppies and polar bears.  No, seriously, she says that on her Pinterest account.

Will carry on conversations with you while she’s completely asleep.

Matthew – 4^th grade – “The Boy”

His notes to family and friends are a special kind of demented, misspelled, and strangely poignant poetry.

Prefers to smile in a way that makes everyone think he’s being electrocuted.

Has been named the next backup for the Packers if this Flynn guy doesn’t work out.

Will disagree with himself just for extra practice.

When verbal sarcasm fails, he will employ visual sarcasm.  (See below)

Thinks nude statues are “inappropriate” and will let everyone within earshot know it.

 

Bucky – age 6 ½ - “Bumpasaurus”/”The Tongue”

He will show disapproval in all from a comfortable distance.

His “can do” attitude often mistaken for clinical death.

Prefers the mucky bouquet of ditch water to all other beverages.

Protects all from the terrorist threat posed by lawn ornaments.

Believes that every human carries treats in his/her pockets and is not afraid to check.

Was forced to wear a bra by his older brother and sisters and yet still loves them unconditionally.

 

Recent Random Weirdness

Here are some more recent escapades...the pictures speak for themselves.

Why you should hide scissors until kids are at least 10

Thinking we were home free and no longer had to hide the scissors, we were proven wrong by one of our children. Again.

The scary thing is, it took us most of the day to notice it. We just thought he slept weird.

Notice the expert random cutting technique commonly only seen in drunk teenage girls (think "16 Candles") and cheapskates...

 

Can I make this as painful and difficult as possible for Dad? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

 

See, I didn't have to go get a haircut. Mission accompished!

 

This is what happens when dad cuts my hair. At least he didn't use a chainsaw.

 

 

Christmas 2012

2012 was really a very boring year for us.  We didn’t move, we aren’t planning on moving, and other than a few new scars there are no family additions or wild excursions in the works.  But, boring is good for us as we continue to enjoy good health and have much to be thankful for. 

So, what was new this year?  Well, we attempted to grow a garden.  This was great until the rats figured out we were having success. As it turns out, rats (like our children) don’t like vegetables so we were able to enjoy the carrots and cucumbers of our labor (just not the apples, apricots, or tomatoes).   Bucky, the world’s laziest dog, did little to deter them.  We all tried new ways to improve our fitness.  Todd discovered Crossfit.  Allison and Kelly swim with Amanda on the local team (yes, they let old people join too!)  Matthew tried soccer, but found it was ‘boring and stupid’ because everyone kept taking the ball from him.  He is planning to try swim team or gymnastics in just a few months… and maybe basketball.  If there is ever a sport involving light sabers, he’ll be all over that.   And, until sleeping becomes a competitive sport Julia has decided that she really likes volleyball.   Below are a few factoids about the kids...

Amanda – 10^th grader – call sign “The Troll”

Never ask her about Pokemon.  Just trust me on this one.
Slaughters the English language on a routine basis.  It’s epic.
Believes Speedos could be used as a weapon in the war on terror.
Wastes more time on Pinterest than the government does on, well, everything.

Chuck Norris will soon be afraid of her driving.

Julia – 8^thgrader – call sign “Whovian Princess”

Petitioned Congress to change the name of the sport of “Bowling” to“Boring.”
Believes every problem can be solved by shooting it. Unless it’s a zombie or Matthew.
Is sorry for all the Doctor Who references. More sorry because you don’t understand them.
Laughs uncontrollably while watching The Walking Dead.
Could sleep through a Zombie Apocalypse.

 Allison – 6^thgrader – call sign “Princess Grumpy Pants”

Willing to go anywhere at any time and do pretty much anything that isn’t sitting around. She’d even watch the Vikings.
Her athletic exploits are the basis of the term “drama jock.” Best known example is Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears.
Really, really, REALLY wants her very own phone.
Wants to be like her grandma and jump out of a plane and is quite mad that she has to wait until she’s 18 to do it.
Carries home enough beach sand in her swimsuit to fill half of a sandbox.

Matthew – 3^rdgrader – call sign “The Sock Jedi”

Carries home enough school playground sand in his shoes to fill the other half of a sandbox.
If lightsabers were real, he would kick Yoda’s butt. He’s that good.
Still finds girls boring, but (for some reason) thinks babies are awesome.
Knows everything. Learned it on the Internet.
Can fit an entire blanket into his underpants.

 Bucky – age 5 ½- call sign “Bumpasaurus”
Can fit THREE balls in his mouth at the same time. Try it, it’s not easy.
Has never found an object or animal he will not at least try to eat.
Perfected his “hound dog” attack bark.
Is so lazy snails frequently mistake him for a plant.
Vowed to always protect his family from plastic bags stuck on bushes.

Best quotes of the year:

While picking out flavor snacks dog treats, Julia says, "Is it bad that I want them too?"

Upon leaving Sequoia National Forest, Matthew uttered the following declaration:

"Never ever take me to another place where all we do is look at trees!"

"Matthew just stuck a straw up his nose and blew bubbles in his soda." (Text from Julia

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and Happy 2013!

Todd, Kelly, Amanda, Julia, Allison, and Matthew

 

Dad and Grandma go SKYDIVING!!!

From the ground...

 

From the air...

More recent weird quotes...

Took Matthew to get his hair cut yesterday. When it's all done, I notice red marks on his forehead. Worried he might have been cut, I look closer. As I do this, Matthew says, "Ohh, yeah, that's my Harry Potter scar. I drew it on at school with my correcting pen." (At least it wasn't sharpie!)



"Mom, please turn on the heat conditioning!" (Matthew after his swim lesson tonight)



"Matthew just stuck a straw up his nose and blew bubbles in his soda." (Text from Julia while we were at a swim meet)




You know you're having a tough morning when you utter a phrase like this: "Yes, Matthew, you can shoot your sister. But, you have to brush your teeth and put on your shoes and socks first."

Learning to cook

Amanda puts chicken in the oven to cook. She sets the timer and leaves. Three minutes later, the timer goes off and she is shocked that the chicken is not cooked. Todd and I can't stop laughing because she vehemently insists she read the directions...and after way too long realizes she read the MICROWAVE directions.