The Freedom Trial

We braved the narrow, one way streets of downtown Boston to take the Heinisch crew on the Freedom Trail.  The weather was gorgeous this morning, which added to the enjoyment of our adventure.  Along the red brick path we visited many historical sites important to the start of the American Revolution.  The home of Paul Revere, the Old North Church, Boston Common and the State Capitol building were just a few of the ones we saw.

Since we introduced everyone to Cheers on the way out, lunch at Bull & Finch Pub (the inspiration for the show) was a must.  As we enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere after the three mile walk,  I asked each person what they valued most about our morning.  They all agreed at once - the cemetery.  It may seem strange, but I felt the same way.  As we walked along the graves, searching for the tombstones of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, the parents of Benjamin Franklin, and even Mother Goose, it  felt as though we were part of history.

The afternoon was spent touring the USS Constitution and the battle sites at Minuteman National Park.  We were all impressed that Cameron made it up the 294 stairs to look out the top of the Bunker Hill Monument.  That was 244 more stairs than his mother!  As we sit relaxing in our hotel before dinner, I have to say that day three of our non-Florida vacation was exhausting, but well worth it!

Salem Witch Trials

                                             

The second day of our non-Florida vacation was spent first at Salem, Massachusetts.  Brett had read The Crucible, but the other three did not have a lot of knowledge about the events of 1692.  It was interesting to hear their questions and comments as we toured the Salem Witch Museum, the house of Judge Corwin, and the memorial benches of the victims - "What is a Pagen?" (Meg), "Why didn't Giles Corey confess rather than be pressed to death" (Cam), "I need to read more about George Burroughs" (Brett), and my personal favorite, "Why would they listen to 14 year old girls?" (Cal).

We then headed to the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum.  It is a new museum and was highly recommended by a friend of Meg's.  We were not disappointed!  We all became Patriots and were caught up in the excitement of Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty.  We donned our "costumes" and cried "Huzzah!" as the tea went into the Boston Harbor.  The highlight for Cam was being picked to ring the bell and crying, "All ashore that's going ashore!"

The final historical stop of the day was the JFK Presidential Library.  A trip to the Lego Store and dinner at Tavern in the Square made for a great end of the day.  Now if we can talk Doug into a late night run to Coldstone Creamery, we can all sleep well!

Boston

As we discussed Spring Break plans this year it was evident that Doug and Cal had no interest in going to Florida. I can't say that I blame them.  We have been to Disney World ten times and last April it was very crowded.  Doug and I talked about several ideas.  We wanted a place that had something for everyone, especially Brett since this will probably be his last Spring Break trip with us.  So while everyone else headed South, we packed the van for a trip east to Boston.

A road trip with the Heinisch family is always interesting.   The fourteen hour drive was a great time to introduce the kids to WKRP in Cincinnati (a new favorite.).  Cam was banned from drinking lemonade to avoid having to stop every twenty minutes.  As always, Meg had more things piled in front of, to the side of,  or under her seat than the rest of us combined.  Cal slept quite a bit, catching up from the early morning basketball games, after school rounds of golf practice and late night exercise routines.  Brett read, quizzed us on historical facts and enjoyed the 1960s Batman Series we "borrowed" from my Dad.

Our first stop was the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - not enough history of basketball for Doug, but a lot of fun activities for the three youngest Heinisch's.  Doug and Cal then spent the evening at the Boston Celtics game - a must see for the Kevin Garnett fan!  The rest of us enjoyed the Coco Key Water Park Resort in our hotel.  With an indoor lazy river, body slides and smoothies to drink, who wouldn't.  During this time, Brett and I spent a lot of time talking about Pope Francis, rap music, texting and all sorts of great things. What a wonderful way to start our non-Florida vacation!

Spring Break

Today is the last day before Spring Break begins and I have noticed over the years that it is a day of mixed feelings for the students.  Those who are spending the week traveling to vacation destinations with their family are excited and can't wait for the day to end.  Some that are staying home for break share the wonderful feeling of sleeping in, visiting relatives, playing video games, having sleep overs with friends, etc.

The ones that always catch my attention are those that express feelings of sadness about the week long break from school.  For many of them, school is the only stable part of their life.  So, today when a student asked if he could share what he is doing over Spring Break, I hesitated.  I know it is hard for those who have never had a vacation to hear about the plans of those who are traveling to Florida, Vegas, the Dominican Republic, Washington D. C. and more.  I decided to tell them that we could share our Spring Break plans if all shared.  Some looked at me funny and others panicked.  They did not want to say, "I'm not doing anything." Or, "I'm babysitting for my siblings while my parents work."  Or, "I hope I get to see my Dad."

I then went on to explain to them, that if they weren't going anywhere to try and think of one thing they are going to do that they love, or one thing about school that they will not miss.  After brainstorming a little bit, I called on the first hand up.  "Mrs. Heinisch, I am not going anywhere, but tonight I am going to watch the Hoosiers win."  Some clapped and others booed, but thankfully Josh set the right tone.  Immediately, Gabe's hand shot up as he exclaimed,  "I am doing nothing over Spring Break, but I am glad that I do not have to see Mrs. Heinisch for a week!" Everyone laughed and soon other students shared where they were going or some fun thing about their life at home.  We moved on to a game and class seemed to end well with everyone excited about their week off.

As the students filed out, one of the girl's came up to me and said, "I'm not just saying this Mrs. Heinisch.  I really mean it.  I just love this class and I wish we didn't have Spring Break."  I smiled, gave her a hug, and told her I would think about her every day over break.  (I did not tear up, but I sure wanted to.)  She agreed to take a notebook home and write about this great character she had created in her fantasy story.  I can't wait to see what she has done with this, and I hope she can tell everyone that the best part of her week off was writing a story to share with Mrs. Heinisch.

Grandpa Cutes

Happy 70th Birthday to my Dad aka Grandpa Cutes.  In honor of your big day the Heinisch children have made a poem just for you.  All four contributed and I will let you guess which one said what.  Thank you for all of the time you spend with them!!  Enjoy your birthday card!!  Doug thought it was perfect for you!

Greatest Golfer
Ready to be a Villain in any Story
Awesome Grandkids
Never Dunked
Dufus
Pool Shark
Alf Watcher

Happy Birthday Grandma

Tomorrow my Grandmother would be 91 years old.  I would have loved to spend that day with her.  She died 5 years ago and the Heinisch family misses her greatly.  You do not have to know me long to realize that my grandparents meant the world to me.  They loved their family very much and for the last 7 years of their life left the warm weather of Florida to live in Indiana to be closer to all of us.  I appreciate that they did this or my children would have never gotten to know them, but what I admire most about my grandparents was their devotion to one another.

I was very close to my Grandfather growing up and spent many hours listening to his stories of World War II.  He was my hero growing up and my safety net after my brother died.  My grandmother felt the same about him and on the last night of his life I spent several hours with her listening as she praising him.  She told me stories that I never knew and I cherish them to this day.  He married her after he returned from the war and instantly became the father of four.  They went on to have two children of their own and I never grew tired of listening to their struggles raising six children and his devotion to family.  During the roughest times economically, my Grandfather worked four jobs to support all of them.  It was obvious from his actions that he loved all  his children and grandchildren even if he never spoke those words.

When my CrapPa was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer I was devastated.  I know my Grandmother was too.  I visited him everyday for five months with a Heinisch child in tow.  I cherish those visits and I love that my children remember him and the fun they had listening to the same stories I heard.  A week before he died, with little voice left, he was even able to tell Brett and Cal a baseball story from World War II that I had  never heard before.

On the week he started slipping in and out of consciousnesses we had tickets to the IU football game in Bloomington.     I decided that we would still make the four hour trip even though he might be gone by the time we got back.  We had visited him and loved him and I know he knew that.  As his final night arrived my Grandmother called her children to let them know that this was probably it and if they wanted to see him they needed to come visit.  No one told me that I had to cut my trip short, but I just knew that he was waiting for me.  I arrived close to midnight and my Grandmother was not suprised to see me.  I listened to her stories and we both listened to his erratic breathing.  After several hours I realized that I didn't want the night to end, but I knew that she was growing tired and I must let him go.  As I walked out of the bedroom I let him know that Purdue lost.  He could not speak and I love that I got the last word in on our long running IU-Purdue debate.  I woke up the next morning to find out that my beloved Grandfather had died about fifteen minutes after I left.

Six weeks later my Grandmother joined him.  They were together again as it should be.  As I spoke at her funeral I could not talk of sadness.  Instead I retold the story of  the night she and I had spent together, the night of Grandpa's death.  I thought that evening was about him, but it wasn't.  It was really about her and I spending time together.  She spoke so passionately about him and she could have never found a more willing audience.  Just as she did, I believed that Paw Paw (or as I called him CrapPa) was an amazing man.  Grandma and I created a memory late one October night that will last a lifetime.  I miss her and on the 27th of March I will take time to wish her the best birthday ever.  I know her and CrapPa are enjoying the Heinisch family from afar and that we still love them both very much!

Spring Cleaning

Over the past several years I have done all of my "Spring Cleaning" in the fall.  I find that to be the perfect time as the Heinisch children are all back in school and the house could use some attention after summer break is over.  This year was different, however, as I became a contracted teacher again!  Before this school year I had spent the last sixteen years at home with my children, substitute teaching as we could fit it into our schedule.

I was offered the teaching position in July and since then my life has been crazy.  I had not realized how little attention I had been paying to the house.  We were able to keep up with the typical cleaning (bathrooms, kitchen, dusting, etc.), but not the deep cleaning that all homes with children need from time to time.  Since I am only teaching four hours a day this trimester, I thought I'd had better catch up on my cleaning in March.  Brett graduates on June 8th and we plan to have his open house in our home.  

With cleaning supplies, paper towel, trash bags and the like in hand I started the adventure in Cal and Cameron's room.  It took me a while to sort through the clutter, the dust and the stuffed animals.  I have noticed over the years that Cameron's stuffed animal collection has grown as each of his siblings has passed on their cherished "friends" to him with the understanding that he is never to get rid of them.  He stays true to his word and as we sorted through the pack he would say to me, "I have to keep that one.  It is a memory."

Cal is not a keeper of memories.  Instead he is the water bottle king.  I appreciate his thoughtfulness to the environment, but would have been a lot happier had he put the 21 plastic bottles I found under his bed in the recycling bin. 

Feeling a sense of accomplishment I moved on to Meg's room and my jaw dropped.  I have never seen so much stuff scattered in one room in my life.  She is not a hoarder as you see on TV and has no problem getting rid of her "memories."  However, Meg's ability to organize seems to be lacking.  Thus, I decided to bring her in on the project.  After my eight hours and her four hours, Meg was proud to show off her room to her grandparents via Face Time.  She promised all of us it would never look that way again and true to her word it is still clean several weeks later.  

Compared to his siblings, Brett's room was a breeze.  He is a keeper (especially of books), but has them all organized. He is also very helpful, so a quick dusting and reorganizing led to the end of the upstairs.   We were having guests over to watch the Big Ten Tourney, so I had a reason to get the basement in order as well.  I quickly polished that off the list as well.

I was happy to have this part of our Spring Cleaning done, but I noticed last week I was very anxious.  I realized Friday that this anxiety was coming from the thought of finishing the last room in the house - the toy/storage room.  I decided I had to call in the Big Dogs for this - so this weekend all six of us spent some time in that area of the basement.  All told it took 15 hours of combined effort, but it was so worth it!

The Heinisch children will tell you that I am a clean-freak obsessed with organization.  They may be correct, but it felt just wonderful today to wake up knowing everything was in its place.  I will worry about my obsession tomorrow!!