Those darn "lasts"

For me, the "lasts" related to the kids growing and changing have to be handled a bit like ripping off a bandaid.  Just do it quickly and don't look back.  However, I do want to remember and document some of the lasts. 
Just the other night we stumbled on a "last".  We've been slowly changing Cooper's room over from a firefighter theme to basketball.  Truthfully the room has been bit of a mess since the summer.  When the big Pottery Barn box of new bedding arrived Friday, I knew what had to be done.  That night I tucked Cooper in under his firefighter quilt one last time. 

We talked about how we would wash it up and hand it down to Blake for use in his firefighter room.  Suddenly the tears started flowing.  Not from me this time but from my sweet little boy.  He tried with all his might to hold them at bay but he's my kid and we all know that never works.  So we both snuggled up and talked about the fun times with that blanket and how we want Blake to have those fun times, too.  That seemed to do the trick and before long Cooper was drifting off to sleep.
The next morning I swooped in and replaced the fireman blanket with the updated big kid bedding.  It wasn't long until I heard Cooper shouting, "Oh, wow, I love my new bed. Can we get the LeBron FatHead now?"  Hearing his excitement made this mama's heart feel just a tiny bit better.  But, boy, will I miss that little boy under the firefighter blanket.

Dating Again

I've been dating a cute guy for the past few weeks.  We've known each other for awhile but it's starting to get serious.  He's a little younger than me but he's fun!  We frequent places with kids menus and we prefer Friday mornings over Saturday nights. 

We love our time together but we also welcome the occasional third (or fourth wheel). 

I usually end up paying but that's okay because the conversation is great.   We love to discuss sports mostly.  And sometimes church, friends and video games. 

I've figured out his favorite food - these French toast sticks that he keeps going back for. I don't know what's so great about them, but hey, I love him despite his weird food choices.  

Yep, Cooer and I really look forward to our Friday breakfast dates.  We have a running list of places we want to try. Soon we will be able to write a restaurant guide! Our little hour together each week has been just what we needed.  It's fun to be dating again.  Now if I could hair get him to pick up the bill.  

A (Not So) Sick Day

Cooper has a note from the doctor declaring him signed off of school for today.    If she saw him today, she might rethink that decision.

In all honesty, he did wake up feeling pretty yucky and crying because of throat pain.   A little motrin and a second dose of antibiotics goes a long way.   Before lunch we had completed the Lego hospital.
I was fortunate enough to be canceled from work today.  Usually I would complain loudly about that but today I really wanted to be with my little guy.

We made a quick trip to Wal-Mart around lunch time and made a spur of the moment decision to get a his hair cut since we didn't have any other children with us to entertain or otherwise protest.   When we got home Cooper asked to make cookies.

Now, if you saw my freezer you would know that the very last thing we needed was more cookies.  I do believe that we still have at least two tins of Christmas cookies we are working on.   BUT, I could hardly say no and so we made a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Cooper declared today the "very best day ever" and said that I made his day.     He very rarely has me entirely to himself for the whole day, so despite being sick, today was a special treat for him.

We spent our last hour of peace and quiet drawing together.  This is our house as if it were sliced in half and you were able to see inside.  It turned out really well.   

Glad you're feeling better, buddy!  I had an awesome day, too!

Football Saturday's

The Mowry's (minus McKenna if I'm honest) are so excited that football season is back in full swing.  Our football Saturday's used to revolve around Penn State but this year we have another team to root for!

Cooper had his very first flag football game on Saturday.  It was hotter than  I care to think about right now but we all (including Mimi and Pappy) packed up and traveled to Hughesville to watch our guy play.  

Kinley was more interested in the food that I packed than the actual game, of course.  However, at one point she escaped my watch, only to be found hanging out over at the bench with the boys.  I hope that is not indicative of things to come.

Cooper played both offense and defense.  He got the hang of blocking part way through the first quarter.  I think it's odd for him to be pushing other kids around so to speak.  He's never been one to really rough house or get physical so this is sort of new territory.   At one point a boy from the other team knocked Cooper down and was lying on top of him.  Cooper looked to side lines as if to say what the heck is this kid doing?  At practice this week he had the chance to play quarterback, obviously a coveted position, and he loved it.  Earl said he did great handing off the ball, throwing the ball and "calling the play".  However, when they had him run the ball he ran backwards.   He's probably spend too much time watching the Brown's.

I can't forget a picture of my Miss McKenna.  She didn't especially enjoy her time at the game on Saturday and was a bit disappointed to hear there are 7 more where that came from. 
Our afternoon of cheering for the Lewisburg Dragons meant we missed most of the first half of the Penn State game, making it the first of many that we will be watching on DVR.   It's well worth it though to be able to enjoy watching our kids do something they enjoy.
Saturday evening was a special treat for Earl and I.  Our babysitter, Brigit, is back at college and came to watch the kids while we went out for dinner with two couples from our neighborhood.   We see eachother almost daily but have never, in three years, been out together without our kids.   We went to a fancy restaurant that had white linens and white chairs and we dined on seafood and lobster and drank grown up drinks.  It was amazing food and wonderful company. 
This weekend we will be back to football but this time enjoying it from our seats in Beaver Stadium.  It will be the first night game for the kids and we are extra excited!!!  More to come!

 

Lessons

I've recently been at battle with eight pounds that I would still like to shed from my body.   It's not much but it's not going anywhere.   At all.   Earl has been reminding me that when I'm working out I can't quit when I get tired because that's when the really good stuff happens.     He reminds me that when I want to give up is when it's really important that I keep pushing on.   I've decided that advice extends to just about all areas of my life.    This week, this summer, this season of raising small kids.   When I want to give up,  give in, raise the white flag -I just have to keep moving forward.  That's where the good stuff is.
If anyone were to ask what the theme of our week was we would all answer by saying, "CAMP".   We had not just one, but two camps this week - golf and field hockey.  Luckily (or perhaps not) one was first thing in the morning and the other over the supper hour.  Our days went something like this : breakfast, golf, lunch, field hockey, supper, bed.   Throw in there a birthday party, an unplanned trip to the doctor, a trip to Geisinger,  packing for the beach and the fact that every single one of our babysitters is away this week and I'm just about toast.    Keep moving forward, I remind myself.


This week was Cooper's last round of golf school.   The kids had the chance to go over to the course and try our their skills on one hole.   Here's Cooper reading the green!   We weren't even off campus before he was asking when the next lessons started.  Ummm...next summer?   Wrong answer apparently.   Later that day I found myself playing "golf school" in the backyard a number of times.   It was hot, I was tired and playing caddy wasn't on my to do list.   But over and over I dug bright yellow balls out of the thick brush beside our house and watched Cooper beam.  He was so proud and so was I.   Keep moving forward.  This is where the good stuff happens.
Wednesday evening McKenna was in her gear and ready for field hockey mini camp.   Cooper was even invited to participate this year.   Keep in mind,  mens field hockey is a big deal in Europe.   Earl and I didn't mind him participating if it meant he would burn off some energy and not sit for an hour and play ipad while we waited for McKenna. 

 

It was fun to watch them out on the field together.  I think I'll cherish this picture because it's probably the only time I'll ever see them both on the turf at the same time.  But what was really neat was watching the way McKenna took her little brother under her wing.   She had him all dressed and ready to go a half our before we left for camp.    I worried a little that as soon as we got to the field she would join her friends and let him fend for himself.   How wrong I was.   She stayed with him virtually the whole time.   She was his partner for drills and even stopped at one point to help him tie his shoe.    Cooper did his part and listened to the coaches instructions and participated in every single drill.   They both did this mama proud!

 

And Kinley, well God bless her, she was a trooper as she was shuttled from one activity to the next where her only directive was to wait patiently on the other kids.   The poor girl spent more time in the car this week in the name of her brother and sister than I care to think about.   If she was bothered by it you could never tell.  Keep moving forward - this is good stuff.    I think she would agree.

And in keeping with the camp theme,  I'm thinking maybe I should just start my own day camp since this is what my house tends to look like on days that we are home for more than an hour at a time.

Legos on the porch.  Crafts in the yard.   Neighborhood kids everywhere.   Laundry that needs done for the beach trip.  Dishes that are piled in the sink.   Dinner that has yet to be made.

Sand and water side by side.   I'll take it!

I read an article today that talked about being "in the sweet spot".  The author referred to the period of raising kids where life doesn't revolve around bottle feedings and changing diapers.   Where the kids can play together with a little less supervision and leaving the house doesn't require three years worth of planning.   I'm starting to realize that I'm almost there.   Almost at the sweet spot and I want to enjoy it.   So even though I'm bone tired and sometimes want to quit - I'm going to do what Earl says.  I'm going to keep pushing through the hard part because I can see the pay off is so worth it.

Dear Cooper

Dear Cooper,
In a few short hours you will turn six years old.   I asked you if you thought you would feel differently tomorrow.  You said that you definitely think you'll be a little taller.   I don't know about that but I hope it's true!
On the eve of your birthday I can't help but remember the day you came into this world.  You surprised us, coming four weeks ahead of schedule, on the heels of a hot summer weekend of amusement parks and baseball games.   Apparently you didn't want to miss out on any of the fun.   And fun loving you are !    I love your laugh and your smile and even the mischief you get into.  I can see it form behind your eyes before you even utter a word or make a move.   You have always loved to make people laugh - especially your sisters - although sometimes they get a little annoyed with your tactics. 
One thing that continues to impress me is the heart you have for others.   You are very thoughtful and you think about making things special for other people.   Just this past weekend, while we were visiting family, you colored picture after picture to give to people you barely even know.   And don't get me started on how sweet you were to Daddy on Father's Day.   You sure know how to melt my heart.  I pray that you will always think of others the way you do now. 
Yes, you have your moments where you have to be told to listen or to calm down.  There are lots of times that I shout, "Please let your sister alone!" more times in a day than I care to discuss.   I know we have trials and difficulties and days when we both have less than ideal attitudes.    But I think that it's part of how we learn and grow - you into a young man and me into the mom of a young man.   We stumble every once in awhile but I think we are doing a pretty great job.
This year you've grown taller and more mature.  You've embraced sports with such enthusiasm.   Basketball was a new and wonderful experience for our family and this week you start golf lessons.  Soon, I fear, I will loose you to Daddy and the golf course!  
The year that you turn six is going to be a big year for you.  In less than two months you will be starting school and my time with you each day will be cut a little bit shorter.   I will miss you being here with me during the day or being able to pick you up from school early for an afternoon of movies.     However, I will enjoy watching you make new friends and explore new things.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the six years you have been part of our family.    I, for one, can't imagine my life without my sweet boy. Thank you for making me smile, laugh, care and want to be a better person.   I love you to the moon and back - even when you wipe off my kisses with that silly grin on your face.

Love You!
Mommy

For When My Kids Have Kids

When McKenna was five weeks old we had a surprise birthday party for my Mimi.   It was the first time some of my cousins met our first born.   I remember it like yesterday when one of them held her for the first time and said, "Wow, you forget how small they are."   That comment struck me as so odd at the time.   In the trenches of being a new mom I couldn't imagine not remembering how my brand new daughter fit so snuggly in my arms.    Nine plus years later, I have lived that comment.  There are lots of things that unfortunately, you forget.   Sometimes I think it's a survival mechanism.  If we remembered all the bad parts like the miserable moments of pregnancy or the recovery from birthing children, I'm fairly certain the human race would cease to exist.    But in forgetting the not so good moments we sometimes lose some of the nice moments too.

But I digress.   This blog post is for my kids.  For when they have kids, I want to remember these times.   And I'm not talking today about the "oh, I love being a mother, this is so wonderful, my children are angels" days.  I want to remember the days like today.   I've spent the last six weeks nursing one kid or another through a variety of virus', ear infections,  and crud.   Just when I thought we were through it all and heading toward calm waters, Cooper graces us with a sore throat and fever.   I'll be honest,  I stayed in bed a few extra minutes this morning.  I just did not feel like facing another day juggling a sick kid and a recovering Kinley, all while trying to be a good mom to McKenna.   It came to my mind that it can always be worse.  Always.  Let's face it, my kids are super healthy and this is just part of raising a family.   The part I want my kids to know some day is that it's okay to be disgusted.  It's okay that you're tired.  It's okay that after spending two hours at the clinic for a well child check, you feel like you want to have a meltdown.   It's okay to literally pray for a drama free day.  Being a parent comes with some really crappy days - how else would you differentiate between the great days.   I just want to remember that.  I want to be able to look back and say to my kids, "Yep, I remember the day, when Kinley and Cooper and I spent 2 hours in the waiting room at the clinic.  I thought I was going to lose my mind that day."    I don't want them to think that I forget what it's like to have three kids.  I don't want them to think that I forget how hard it is to be in this season of raising small kids.    I want them to know that I remember the days when you're out of snacks and milk and almost out of patience but the thought of making a trip to the store with kids seems a little like climbing Everest.   I want them to know that even days when everyone is awesome and you couldn't ask for better behaved kids, you will still be bone tired and craving a 10 minute nap.  But you probably won't get it.    What you will get is more time to wipe runny noses and clean dirty bathrooms and cook another meal.   Thank goodness that at some point in the day you'll also get a smile, a laugh, and when you're really lucky, a big  hug from smallish arms.   Don't forget that!

A Special Surprise and A Snow Day!

Each year, our Elf Rudy, visits during the month of December.   He checks up on us and reports back to Santa if we are being naughty or nice.   Let's just say that Rudy had his share of naughty this year, pulling a few pranks and going through more than one bag of marshmallows.   But regardless, he's a treasured friends and the kids are always sad to see him go back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.  So, imagine their delight when they woke up Christmas morning and found Rudy still in the house.  He had written a small note telling us to check our email.   There we found a letter explaining that for his own Christmas gift, Rudy had asked Santa to lift his magic for one day.   During Christmas Day the kids were free to hold Rudy (which is usually a no-no), hug him and say their goodbyes.   This made for two very happy kiddos!

 

 McKenna was a little leery at first.   She was definitely afraid that touching Rudy would cause him to lose his magic.  But we finally convinced her that it would be fine.   So, she had her time saying her goodbyes and thank you's until next year.

 As an added surprise we got snow this week!    What more could a kid ask for than two snow storms the week of Christmas break!   As soon as the grass was covered on Wednesday they headed out with their friends!

 It's still not clear if it was the kids or the dog who was more excited about the fluffy white stuff.  Tucker has always loved the snow.   Even his old age doesn't stop his excitement.

 And Kinley continue to earn the award for best sport ever.   This cutie braved the cold temperatures on Wednesday evening and again on Friday.  I'm not sure she could move to protest but the fact that I literally had to drag her inside kicking and screaming is a good indication that she was more than enjoying herself.

 I had half a heart attack when Earl began sending her down our small hill by herself.  But I was in the minority as she laughed the entire way down.   When Earl would walk away and I would try to bring Kinley in she would emphatically say, "No.  Daddy.  Down."  Okay, got it. 

And so they made a few more trips and we all had a few more laughs.

What a wonderful week we have had.  We have certainly made a ton of precious memories.