Stay on Your Toes

Owen is playing soccer. He really enjoys it, especially defense. He tries hard to follow all of the advice of his three coaches. At the last game he was on defense and one of his coaches said, "Owen, stay on your toes." Of course as adults we know he meant to be alert but poor, obedient Owen was out there in his cleats standing tip-toe.
While I am talking about Owen, I have to say I am so proud of how he is adjusting to a new school. I was worried it would be too crazy in a school with 600 students but he loves all the socialization. He is working hard and making friends and happy so what else could I ask for?

Advice Anyone?

I love my daughter. In fact most days I like the traits I see in her more than what I see in myself. Laurel is creative and smart. She is a hard worker and somehow she has this amazing fashion sense that cracks me up since both mom and dad are greatly lacking in that area. BUT... her messy room drives me INSANE. I have tried everything from emptying her room into the attic to filling bags with garbage to banning all purchases. She does not seem to get it that the floor is not an acceptable storage area for ear rings, books, craft supplies, and toys. Anytime I mention the word clean-ups I know I can count on Laurel to find a quiet spot to disappear to. Then when I do find her I have to hear how everyone hates her. I am at my wits end- I find myself wishing that we lived in a one-bedroom home with 2 outfits a piece. Then we would not have to spend precious energy fighting about STUFF. You wonder why I pack up every summer? That's because when you sleep in a tent and pack a laundry basket per person there is not a whole lot of time and energy spent on clean-ups. I hope someday I will look back at this blog entry and laugh. But for now it is driving me crazy.

Happy Birthday

I remember when I was little and I would ask my mom what she wants for her birthday and her answer was always some variation of: All I want is for everyone to be happy and healthy. As a 7 or 8 year old who always had at least 10 things on my mind that I wanted, I could not imagine not wanting a THING for my birthday. But I guess I am starting to mature because I sound just like my mom when my children ask me what I want for my birthday and my kids sound just like I used to when they hear my answer. But like it or not, here's hoping I get what I want and everyone is happy and healthy today.
Not only is it my birthday. But I am also very excited because L has her first cross country practice, O has his first soccer practice and both have their first day of school at their new school. I can't wait to hear how it all goes.

Life's a Bear

There are many occasions that I am convinced that it takes more than just mom to keep her kids safe and my likely guardian angels may be my dad and sister. Here is my most recent story: This morning I was upstairs in my bedroom. I heard Laurel and Owen go outside. While I normally do not like them to be outside unsupervised I was so happy that there were not staring at TV garbage- I figured that it is time to loosen the leash a little. Within three minutes of them being outside I hear Laurel exclaim, "Oh my God. Oh my God." Not only were the words odd but the tone perked my ears up. Then I heard Owen crying and I thought to myself- He got hurt AGAIN! But when I looked out the window I saw him on the tire-swing unharmed.... Then I saw the bear! First Laurel had come face to face with the bear and when she yelled, it ran to the backyard where Owen was relaxing and eating his cereal on the tire swing. As he spun around he then came face to face with the bear. He later told me, I knew I could die but I thought positive and slowly backed away. (As a side note, this whole concept of positive thinking is a wonderful change in my formally negative Ned.) Once we were all safe inside I just knew that somehow we were all kept safe, Thank God and probably thank Dad and Denise too!

Do you have the look?

Sometimes I feel like my kids are smarter than I am. L & O have been taking Martial Arts Classes. It is a great place and they love it. Each class the instructors pick one or two students to get a star card. O got it 2 classes in a row. L was very dissapointed not to get it. I explained that learning is the best prize and as long as she learning, that is what counts. (BLAH< BLAH BLAH to her ears) At the end of our talk she said. "I just don't have the look." I asked her what she meant and she went on to say that some kids just have that look that always get noticed. She came up with this plan that she wanted me to give her a special hair do. I told her I would only do it if she wanted it just to want it, not to try to earn the star card. Sure enough that class she was picked.

If I Don't Laugh I Will Cry

I know it is not funny but here I am two days away from the big family reunion and this is my night: First the "new" van is leaking SOMETHING so I have to bring it to Firestone. They say engine trouble- go straight to the dealer. We get to the dealer and drop off the van. Four hours later they say the repair can wait until after the reunion so we can pick it up. So we make another family outing BACK to the dealer. (First of all, why is it that no matter what brand we buy, the dealer is always 30 minutes away? Secondly- anyone with kids knows what an ordeal it is to pile everyone into a car every time you need to bring one car in for service.) So anyway- back to the story: Laurel has the big idea to drop me off and go get a table at a Mexican Restaurant. So the plan sounds good. I get to the place and see the whole family walking out with sullen faces. As soon as L,O and J get seated Owen throws up blue Gatorade all over the place. So the short of it is, I bring O home and J goes to another place to eat with L (too embarrassed to return to the same place.) O seems to be on the mend until he wakes me up with ear pain at 12:45AM. After a couple hours we are back to sleep until the painters arrive at 7. Well- one way or another I will get ready for the big family reunion! Speaking of which- gotta get packing.!

Kids of Summer

Tonight was one of those nights you want to "freeze in time." I just love this age. First we collected wood for a backyard campfire. Then we told spooky stories while we waited for the perfect roasting coals. After that we worked on our marshmallow roasting technique (there really is an art to it). Then our neighbor offered us a nice basket of sticky rice. Finally, we finished off the night with a round of collecting fireflies. I wish I had the literary gifts to put in words just how wonderful this night was.... maybe practice makes perfect.