Soccer Mom

I think it's interesting to look back at the things that make you feel old. I thought I was old when I turned 25. It was a terrible birthday for me. I thought my life was halfway over. That sort of thinking just goes to show you how naive one is when they are 25. My life had not even started yet...my life with kids that is; this life. I felt that perhaps I was really getting old when I turned 30, or when I sent my "baby" to kindergarten. I definitely felt old when I turned 32 even though the day came and went with not much more than a thought. I will admit that being in Disney World for your birthday surrounded by all things "kid" definitely help ease that one a little.
I also think it's interesting to think back on the moments that you really realized that you were a mom. My first memory of this was shortly after McKenna was born. I remember peering into her crib, still shocked that I had a daughter. I was even more shocked to realize that I really was her mother. Other moments for me were not so glamorous. They include things like cupping my hand under a puking baby's chin like my grandmother had once done with my brother. As my own hand filled with...well, I'll spare you those details...I remember thinking that performing such an act was surely a rite of passage or admission into the coveted "Mom Club."
Tomorrow night I fear will be a night that I will really realize I'm a mom and I'll feel especially old. Tomorrow night I will officially join a new club. I will officially earn the title of "Soccer Mom." I will buckle the kids into the proverbial "SUV" and drive my oldest child to soccer practice. For an hour I will attempt to entertain a two year old while at the same time trying to keep him clean enough to ride home in the car. It undoubtedly will not be long until am asked to sign my name to a list promising that I will provide the team with carefully sliced oranges and water as my mom did SOOOO many times during her soccer mom tenure.
It's important to point out how much has changed since my very own days as a left forward. The most striking to me is the fact that shin guards, soccer cleats and soccer balls now come in shades of pink. I'm still trying to picture how that will look with a black and green uniform. But I guess it's important not to ruin your girly image while romping around on the soccer field. Soccer for 6 year olds also entails an hour and a half soccer clinic with the Bucknell girls soccer team. Wow, they really start recruiting early, huh? There's a lot about soccer that still feels great like dribbling the ball around the backyard with McKenna. But, my old sore knee has quickly reminded me that I'm not as young as I used to be. Yes, even my body is beginning to tell me that I'm no spring chicken anymore.
McKenna is thrilled for practice to start tomorrow. This is the first sport that she has ever asked to play and her very organized team sport. We are excited to see how she does, if she likes it and what she learns from the whole experience. If her enthusiasm tonight is any indication, I think it's going to be a great season for one little girl and one new soccer mom.

"Constant"

Every day after school we go through the "what did you do in school today" routine. I don't hold out much hope of hearing many details because really what kid does give you the whole run down every day. I want McKenna to know I'm interested though.
Yesterday she surprised me. Soon after we came in the door and sifted through the papers in her yellow folder she relayed the following story:

"Mom, guess what word we put on the word wall today?" Umm, really I'm thinking that I have absolutely no idea. The last time I there was Valentine's Day and I didn't spend much time checking out the word wall. "It was 'constant'," she says. And literally without taking a breath she continued with, "And Mrs. Jamieson asked if anyone could use the word 'constant' in a sentence and I said I could and then I said - my mouth runs constantly."

I'm pretty sure my mouth dropped open. I'm really sure that I stopped dead in my tracks like when you're not really sure that you heard something correctly but maybe if you stand still and be really quiet you'll hear it again. Yeah, she really did say what I think she said. I turned to face her just as she said, "And then Mrs. Jamieson asked me if my mom told me that and I told her yes." Ugh, I felt so bad at that moment. Except for the fact that I'm not the only one who has told my delightful little daughter that her mouth runs like a ducks behind. And I would feel worse, but oh McKenna, sometimes it's so true. From the minute she began to babble it has been non-stop. But now, in the back of my mind I'm suddenly worried that she's going to be scarred for life. Almost as if McKenna can read my mind she laughs and says, "Mrs. Jamieson thought that was funny." Oh good! I think!

Sometimes I wonder what Mrs. Jamieson knows about our family. And then I stop myself because the truth is I don't want to know what Mrs. Jamieson knows about our family. I secretly hope she doesn't slap the words 'lazy' or 'couch' or 'can't you just turn that basketball game off and help me' up on the word wall because I can only imagine what might come of that. So to all of my friends who are still living with toddlers - enjoy it while you can because soon you will be living in a world of full disclosure too.

Just Checking In

Just checking in to say hello! We've been busy playing outside, enjoying the beautiful spring weather. It hasn't left much time for blogging and I've even been slacking in the picture taking department too. Who has time for pictures when you're chasing a two year old through mud puddles!

Enjoy these shots from yesterday!

Sweet and Sour

This afternoon I stood on my front porch, shaded my eyes from the sun and watched my two adorable kids walking beside one another, picking up rocks in the field beside our house. "This is fun," exclaimed Cooper, as he deposited a rock into the small blue plastic pail that McKenna was holding. "I know, this is fun," responded McKenna, "We can do this a lot this summer."
I couldn't help but take in the sweetness of that moment. Seeing them play together, listening to them carry on an actual conversation. It did my heart good.
Too bad it didn't last. A few minutes later as Earl and I stood in the backyard with a tape measure between us, desperately trying to decide on the right spot for our new swing set, the kids began their wrestling match. I'm not sure what it is about the backyard that makes them want to role around on the ground like pigs. "We're fighting," said Cooper as he wrapped his arms around McKenna, shoved the full weight of his body into her and much to her delight (oddly enough) dropped her to the ground. Soon they were up and at it again in another part of the yard. I hope the neighbors could hear their laughter because I'm sure just the sight of it probably would have made them wonder a bit.
But the real icing on the cake happened just a few minutes ago in the bathtub. The kids wanted to play and soak for a little while. So, I headed just across the hall to the laundry room to fold a few towels. Within seconds I heard wails coming from McKenna. When I asked her what on earth she was crying about she responded with the following statement which must be recorded : "Well, he was just splashing me and it's not my fault but he made me slap him two times"....(insert high pitched sobs here).
You can imagine what I was thinking while effectively trying to contain my own laughter....he MADE you slap him not once, but two times. I'm trying to picture that. Like, did your hand just fly up and land on the side of his face...not once, but twice. Because hey, if that really happens I'm going to try that the next time I'm at work and someone really peeves me off. I'll just tell my boss, "Hey, he made me slap him two times."
So folks, there is no sweet ending to my blog post tonight. No cute little saying or picture for you to conjure up in your head. Unless of course the vision of "he made me slap him" makes you laugh like I did.
And by the way, I should probably clarify that I'm not exactly sure what she meant by "slap" because Cooper just looked at me bewildered as if to say, "Mom, has she finally lost it?" Oh, my poor sweet boy, you ain't seen nothing yet!

Flashback Friday

Tomorrow we are headed to State College for Easter Pictures. It's something that I've done religiously ever since McKenna was a few months old. Only we used to do it closer to home. But we found a great new place in State College a couple of years ago. It gets us out of town for the day, sometimes affords us time to see old friends and there's always a great meal to end out the day. We're hoping tomorrow is no different.

This morning as I walked past last years Easter picture I was amazed at how much the kids have changed. Even more amazing are the changes that have taken place in our lives since last year. We've definitely settled into our house, made new friends, spent more time together as a family now that I'm not working so much. McKenna has excelled in school, is about to embark on her first soccer season and Cooper continues to make us laugh every day.

(Spring 2009)

Life is different almost every day, but it's just as sweet as ever.

Twinkle Toes and Bowling

What a beautiful weekend! I am so happy to see the sun shining! The thought of spring of course brings about thoughts of shopping, especially for new sneakers for the kids. I normally would hold out a little longer for a nice white pair of shoes but McKenna's toes weren't cooperating. We left the store with not one, but two new pairs of sneakers. I'm sure this won't be the first time she talks me into multiple pairs of shoes (although it didn't take much convincing). How could I say no to Twinkle Toes??



Later that afternoon McKenna had a birthday party to attend. It was her first bowling experience. Suffice to say I think we've found her talent. I couldn't believe how well she bowled. Probably all the practice she's had on Wii!

At the end of the party Cooper had a chance to try it out too!

Today on the nicest day yet this year McKenna's only wish is to go ice skating! It's probably the last thing on most people's list for today so we're hoping we'll have the place to ourselves. Anyone willing to place a wager on how long she will actually last at the ice rink?

We are looking forward to next weekend and a trip to State College on Saturday for our annual Easter pictures. Earl has requested dinner afterward at Texas Roadhouse and really, who can argue with that? I can't wait to see how the pictures turn out and to see how much the kids have grown and changed since last year.

I hope everyone has a great week! And I hope the sun continues to shine!

Cabin Fever

How do you cure cabin fever? In our house it goes something like this : bake yummy (yet fattening) food, eat, eat, eat, play bingo and Wii Dance Party. And when all else fails we pull out an old favorite and we paint ceramics.









It was a bit daunting taking Cooper to a shop filled with fun, breakable items on every shelf. But he did just fine. I think he even enjoyed himself. He knew just what to do to paint his dinosaur, but he was a bit confused about the whole hair dryer thing.

McKenna loved every minute as she usually always does. She would spend the entire day there if I had enough money and shelf space for that many ceramics. By the time we were done we were the proud owners of a pig, a bunny, a dog and a dino.

It was so nice to get out of the house for the afternoon and spend some time together. Not to mention make a mess that someone else has to clean up!