Cheer Happy

I alluded on Saturday that Maddie is cheering for the same Storm team that Zack is playing football.  So, not only am I a football mom now, but I am also a cheer mom.  This is the first year that Maddie is not doing dance in 5 years.  I want my kids to be happy, but this mom unfortunately just can't do it all.  So she had the choice of something new or dance?  She chose to try cheer.  On Monday during their cheer practice they did their first attempts at stunts.  This girl did an amazing job.  Since she is one of the older girls on this team (this is rookie cheer ages 6-8), she was a base.  Look at the smile that was on her face when she realized she could do this stunt!!  One proud mom here!!  

First Day of Second Grade

It is that time of year again...first day of school!!  Maddie and Zack are all ready for 2nd grade.  They have Mrs. Martin and they are super excited to start the school year.  Notice in the doorway we had a butterfly photobomb us...that has to be good luck, right?  Happy first day Maddie and Zack!!  You two are going to rock it!!  Love you both!!

Boys of Fall

Well, it is official...I am a football mom.  Today there was a Jamboree for all the leagues in the area.  Zack scrimmaged two teams, both who are from the Troutman association.  Zack is playing rookie football for MYA on team Storm. Maddie will be cheering for them on the same cheer team, but since this was a scrimmage, there were no cheerleaders today.  During both games, they play 20 minutes of offense and then 20 minutes of defense, no matter how many downs, touchdowns, etc, during that 20 minute time you keep playing the O or D that you are scheduled to play.  The first team Storm played our team did amazing!!  Zack played for a while on D.  Then on O, he got to carry the ball once, but had a loss of yardage.  Storm dominated!!  They didn't let the other team even gain 10 yards in their 20 min period.   I think we ended up scoring 3 TDs in 20 min.  

The second team Storm played was really good!!!  We struggled to move the ball.  Finally about 15 minutes in we threw a pass for a TD. Mike was out of town so I was texting updates when our team rushed it back to snap another play and of course that is play he got the ball. ( I filmed every play before that one.). I looked up and there he was with the ball.  He ended up running it for 10 yards before he was hit.  He went down hard though.  All the coaches ended up coming on the field to check on him. I had Maddie sobbing hard because she was worried about her brother. (Funny how she only cares if he gets hurt is when she isn't the one inflicting pain.)  I was uncharacteristicly calm.  I kept an eye on what I thought it was, talked Maddie down telling her that in football there will be some hard hits, and also kept texting Mike to keep him in the loop.  I didn't want to go running on the field because I'm trying to walk the line of being a concerned mom and an over protective mom.  He eventually got up and walked back to the bench where we watched 3 coaches tend to him for a while.  He didn't play D during this game because they never put him back in due to his injury.  After the game I went to get him and asked what happened.  He said that they hit him in the ear.  So, the reason for all the coaches on the field was for concussion protocol.  No worries, he's fine and all is well.  His first official game will be September 9th and every Saturday after that until mid November.

Confession Number 1

So, I have a huge confession.  I, April, am a hoarder!  Hahaha, for those that have ever taken one step into my house, you know that right away!  My poor, wonderful husband puts up with it.  I get it honestly, as both of my parents are also hoarders.  Sorry mom and dad for outing you, but I had to blame someone, (insert cute winking emoji here).  

This coming Christmas, my husband will be thanking his lucky stars that he married a hoarder.  Why you may ask???  Well, Maddie, has told me what she wants from Santa.  (Side bar conversation...yes, my kids still believe in Santa.  Yes, I know it is only August.). Mike and I believe that this is probably the last year these two will be believing in the old man in the red suit, so we try to let them have one big gift from the big guy and the other items on their wish list goes to us and the rest of the family.  So just what is Maddie's request this year???  It is an American Girl Doll house.  Now let me just tell you for those not in the know.  American Girl (AG) dolls are very expensive.  Target has their own version which is My Generation (which we love) and even Walmart has their own with My Life dolls and accessories.  This doll house that she wants is NOT small, not by a LONG shot!!  No, no, no.  She wants one with 6 rooms AND a terrace.  Each of these rooms are 2' (yes that is a foot symbol not inches) deep and at least 2' high.  We are looking at a house that will be 6' wide and 6' tall and 2' deep.  MASSIVE!!  Not only does my precious girl want the house, she wants it already decorated.  I started looking at the cost...the smaller ones (not 3 stories tall) are over $300.  That is just for a plane white 4 box house.  Not including the cute and very expensive furniture, and I'm not even looking at the AG namebrand.  The laundry set from Target is $50 and the Kitchen set is $50-80 (not including table and chairs).  So I said to myself, "self, we need to come up with a cheaper solution, but one that Maddie will be ok with."  So I do what I always do when in crisis, I turned to Pinterest!!!  And, thank the Pinterest Crafty gods that there are SEVERAL posts about how to make, decorate and craft AG houses.  Yay!!  So over the next four months I will be sharing a lot of my solutions and my spins on creating AG stuff.  So why is it a good thing I'm a hoarder?  Well, for just one of soon to be many examples, I have lots, I mean LOADS of fabric from projects over the years!!  I have already made bedding for 2 bedrooms from scrap materials I have on hand.  I also plan on making couches and other furniture from all the cardboard and foam boards I save.  So hubby, I'm already saving us  hundreds of $$$!!  Isn't the bedding cute?  One is for a single and the other is for bunk beds.  Lots to come, stay tuned!

Back to Blogging

Well, I am happy to report that Nowell Family is still alive.  I know with the complete lack of posts for over 365 days that you probably thought we were gone, maybe even lost down some black hole.  But, low and behold, we are still kicking.  I completely apologize for the longer than expected sabbatical.  I was thinking today..."you know self, I miss my creative outlet.  I miss sharing my crazy life.  I miss sharing my crazy family."  Now, please do not expect me to be posting daily.  It will NOT happen.  However, I will be sharing some of our family adventures and some of my crafts, or at least I think I will be sharing crafts on this site.  I haven't decided if I should just keep everything in one location, or have multiple blogs.  Let's face it, I'm not the best at keeping up with things and having more than one blog is just exhausting.  So, more than likely, all things will be shared on this location.  For those that come to look for crafts, you will have to suffer through my family drama, adventures, and well, just pure craziness.  For my family that is logging in to read up on M&Z, sorry there will be some boring craft projects that you will have to see.

Now, since I have taken a 2-3 year hiatus...blogger has changed quite a bit.  The app used to be free and I used it to write most of my posts.  It was so much easier that way to share pictures.  I just discovered that it is a paid app now, so I have to decide do I spend the $2.99 to make my life easier?  HAHA!  Yes, I am cheap, but I think I will be ok purchasing it, but just give me a few days/weeks to learn how to use it.  Stay tuned on several things happening with the Nowells!!

Zack at 8

1. What is your favorite color? Light blue
2. What is your favorite toy? my wrestlers

3. What is your favorite fruit? watermelon
4. What is your favorite tv show? Home Improvement
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken Tenders
6. What is your favorite outfit? My sports jerseys
7. What is your favorite game? Candy Land
8. What is your favorite snack? Chips
9. What is your favorite animal? zebra
10. What is your favorite song? 5150
11. What is your favorite book? Mr. Macky is Wacky
12. Who is your best friend? Adam
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cookie Crisps
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play basketball
15. What is your favorite drink?  water
16. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? my pillows
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A basketball player

Maddie at 8

1. What is your favorite color? pink
2. What is your favorite toy? puppy that I sleep with

3. What is your favorite fruit? strawberries
4. What is your favorite tv show? My Little Pony
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pizza Bites
6. What is your favorite outfit? Dress that matches my doll
7. What is your favorite game? Princess Cupcake Game
8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit Gummies
9. What is your favorite animal? Cat
10. What is your favorite song? Can't Stop the Feeling
11. What is your favorite book? Owl Diary Books
12. Who is your best friend? Lyla
13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with my friends
15. What is your favorite drink?  Juice
16. What is your favorite holiday? Easter
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Puppy
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? muffins - Chocolate muffins
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Singer