Our Weekend in Pictures

Dressed in kroj and lookin' mighty fine.

Chip playing his bass for a crowd.

Dill waving hi to us.

This bird just sat in it's nest watching people walk by.

A balloon caterpillar.

A balloon hula dancer.

A Maypole.

The Cedar River. The Cedar Rapids City skyline is behind the bridge.

Sweet doing a cartwheel for on lookers.

Meeting the Gov

The picklets were invited to meet the Governor of Iowa this weekend in the grand opening of Sykora Bakery in Czech Village. So they dressed in kroj and we headed to Czech Town. It was busy and there was the wonderful aroma of Czech pastry in the air.

We were standing in the bakery when I looked outside and saw the Gov talking to one of the Czech School Teachers. She is such a sweet lady and has the most wonderful smile.

The next time I looked over the Gov was shaking hands with Cool. (I missed the picture of course but got this one of him talking to him) Cool informed me that the Gov asked him how he was doing and Cool replied with, "Hi Chet." Good thing the Gov is a good ole Iowa boy and can accept being called Chet instead of Governor.

He shook hands with each of the picklets. Here is Chip shaking hands with him. Dill and Sweet looked on.

After talking about how he is happy that Czech Village is starting to reopen and the usual political hubub, the Gov posed with the picklets and their friends for a picture. I had to chastise Dill for the way he was smiling and got a big laugh from the Gov. Please read the update on this picture. Thank you.

We were standing outside talking about leaving when Sweet decided she needed to talk to the governor. She went to his aide and asked if she could talk to him. His aide said yes but to make it quick and just say, "hi". Sweet had other plans. She went up to him and asked him to please attend the gymnastics competition next week at Sokol. He said he would if he had time in his schedule.

He then shook her hand and told her good luck.

I don't think we will ever forget the day Sweet invited the governor to see her compete. It just makes me smile to think about it.

(c) 2008-2009 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
All Rights Reserved

St. Joseph Day Dance

Sunday we went to the St. Joseph Day Dance. It is a fundraiser for the Czech Youth. Through this some of the youth are sent to the Czech Republic for a month to learn the customs and see the country. It is very successful. This year Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchman performed. They were very good and played many Czech songs and polkas. And yes, she was barefoot...lol

Sweet and a friend from the Folk Dance Ensemble the picklets belong to danced alot to the dances. They also sold raffle tickets together.

Chip and a friend from the Folk Dance Ensemble also danced together. They were in skaters position.

The last dance belonged to Sweet and Cool. My heart melts each time I see them dance together.

At the end of the dance was a raffle. We won a little bear swing that plays music. I was really hoping for anything but that but I guess beggars can't be choosers.

© 2009 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines

For 30 Fingers

The kids have the best piano teacher. I mean the best. She loves them, they love her. It makes for a great situation.

She asked if they would play a piano piece for the Czech School Program as their "piano recital". They tried and just couldn't get it. The notes were different, the positions were different, the music harder. She sat down with each of them and helped. They only had one week to get the song or they would not be able to play during the program.

They worked their butts off. Before Czech School, after Czech school, when we got home; they practiced, practiced, practiced. By Friday they were ready. They nailed it! Hard work, perseverance, cooperation and dedication to a great teacher...what a great learning experience!

© 2008 The Homefront Lines

My Middling Child

12 years ago today a little baby (well not so little he was almost 9 lbs) was born. He was born exactly 1 week after my grandpa died and was named accordingly. He is my Middling Child. He can't be 12 already, but he really is. My baby isn't a baby anymore...he growing up, into a man. What a priveledge it is watch him grow, to guide him, to watch him make mistakes, to watch him do the right thing. I am honored that he is my middling, my baby. (He'll always be my baby)

He blew the candles out just like a 12 year old would. That isn't really a 7...it is really 1...the 7 is a figment of your imagination...I really was prepared for the candle lighting and blowing...really I was.

That is really birthday wrap...it isn't Christmas wrap (not that there is anything wrong with Christmas wrap)...it is really birthday wrap because I really was ready to wrap the presents for my middling child...really I was.That isn't a graham cracker box...I don't conseal presents in graham cracker boxes...exspecially graham cracker boxes that still have graham crackers in them...really I don't.And that isn't really a bag full of things I picked up free from the county fair...it isn't a free backpack, or a free piggy bank, or a free water bottle, or a free frisbee...and that definately isn't a free advertisement for real estate loans...because first of all I am not that bohemie and 2nd of all I definately would have taken that out of the bag before giving it to my middling son...really I would have.This isn't my middling son pointing his new Nerf at me...really it isn't...he has too much respect for me, the one who gave birth to him 12 years ago...he wouldn't empty the entire clip in my direction...really he wouldn't.And this isn't my dear husband trying to sneak up on me, trying to empty a clip of Nerf darts at me...really it isn't.

Happy Birthday Bud...We Love You...Really We Do!

© 2008 The Homefront Lines

World Lunch

We went to a celebration called World Lunch this weekend. The idea is experience different cultures through song, dance, stories, pictures and taste. We had a really good time and look forward to the next one.

We listened to a Greek Singer.

Watched a Czech Youth Folk Ensamble. (Can anyone guess why this was my favorite?)

Watched Filipino Tinikling.

Watched a Kung Fu demonstration.

Listened to an Irish Ensamble...no step dancing though. :(

Watched a Tunisian Water Pot Dance...

...an Egyptian Stick Dance....

...and a Pharonic Candle Dance.

We also watched (and tasted) a Danish Cooking Demonstration. YUM!

It was a beautiful day weather wise making it a great day of school!

copyright 2008 The Homefront Lines

Sokol 4 Weeks Later

I mentioned a while back Sokol, the gym where our kids take gymnastics, was flooded out. After doing some initial cleanup, the project was hired out to professionals. They removed the objects we didn't, removed the mold, drywall, and wood that was touched. They also sprayed Serum1000 to remove the harmful bacterias that collected on the structure still left.

Yesterday we visited to see the progress. It is just a shell of a building.

Our gym.

Our clubroom.

One of our hired hand. Notice the full hazmat.

What happens next is anyones guess. Summer gymnastics have been cancelled. Fall gymnastics are looking bleak.

copyright 2008 The Homefront Lines

Being Czech comes with a whole set of responsibilities in itself. Being part of Czech Iowa Royalty really has it's responsibilities. One of them being in every parade possible.

So, we left the campground about 5ish on the 4th and headed to the freedom parade, C in full kroj.She sat on her "thrown" to throw candy at those watching the parade. One downside to being royalty--always the candy thrower, never the candy picker upper. Luckily she had her big bro V and her friend N to help in that regard...
Lacking in candy we weren't.

We honored our flag....saw some cool cars...
some very old cars...

and we can't forget Shadow and Sophia.

We hope your 4th was as fun as ours!

copyright 2008 The Homefront Lines

Adventureland

Last Wednesday we went to Adventureland for our yearly visit. We usually have fun but this year we had a blast. There were just a handful of people, virtually no waiting for rides AND the weather was beautiful! Couldn't ask for much more. :)

My husband and all my children, who have clearly taken their lives into their own hands, being whipped upside down.

DH (in the yellow shirt) and V (to his right) hanging on for dear life on the Sidewinder. My poor middling, my baby, the second fruit of my loin. He was so scared, frightened, unable to stop shaking....oh wait...that was me...I actually think my heart stopped beating at one point while watching this.

Going up, up, up at the speed of 4 G's, all my family risking their lives once again.

For lunch we toted our cooler to a picnic area beneath a wonderful shade tree. Of course we had to constantly cover our food because these three decided to keep an eye on us.

After lunch we went to Kokomo Kove, the new water park at Adventureland. Even though DH and I didn't have the required swimwear (the kids thought ahead and brought theirs), we found ourselves under the big bucket as it emptied. We were all soaked!

DH and the kids were in the first two cars of the Outlaw. The closeup picture shows all their arms up! Boy they are brave.

While the other two kids rode a fast, circly ride, J decided to watch the geese and goslings.

At about 4ish we took another break at the picnic area to have a snack and a cool drink. This little fella just sat there looking up at us with sad wide eyes. We soon found that he likes Oatmeal on the Go bars.

The kids had a blast on the log ride. I think they went on it 3 or 4 times.

The kids and I rode the raging river 4 times. We were completely soaked! I don't think we have ever laughed that hard before in our lives...lol

And lastly, what do Bohemies do after riding the raging river and their feet are all wet?

They go to the picnic area, hand up their socks and watch the people riding the train point at the Bohemies who hung their socks on Adventureland's fence.


copyright2008 The Homefront Lines