In this season...

This is a season for us... FALL SOCCER.  It is all we do and we love it... sadly, my posts end up with the same photo "look".  We've had our ups and downs with wins and losses, but in the end my kids continue to grow and grow in all ways.

Joey has been picked as one of the captains for the fall season... he's working very hard.

Joey's team photos (I took these!)

 They are learning how to lead... sometimes the are successful and other times they are not.  All of my children are learning responsibility... what a lesson.  It's is a constant battle... some days I feel like I'VE FAILED.  Other days, I feel like I've done my job. 

Daisy playing at the soccer game... she is the life of the party!

I'm getting prepared to host my little sisters baby shower... she's due with her first baby in December. It's hard for me to believe that she's having a baby... she's been married for 10 years, but my first memories of her are visiting her in the hospital when she was born.  There is only 4 years between us, so I was little, but I remember pressing my face up against the glass to get a peak at my new baby sister and then I saw my mom walking down the hall to see us... she was in a robe and slippers (in those days we weren't allowed to go back to her hospital room.)

Emmi playing goalie.

 My baby girl is growing up... reading Junie B. Jones, enjoying her friends, making new friends, joking with her coaches, etc.  It is so much fun to watch her come into her own.  She REALLY wanted to try an afternoon program at school, Mad Science, so she's taken it on and LOVES it.  I love watching her try new things... the other night she came down in her version of a karate outfit and asked if she could take karate classes.  She also wants to begin piano lessons... I'm sure her life will continue to be full!

Showing her skills.

I really love this boy...

His BBF (I know it's BFF, but it's a joke at my house... Joe can never get the letters right when he says them... hysterical) is in town.  He was invited to go to the beach, but because of commitments he could only go for a couple of days... so I drove him to Tillamook (with the other kids in tow) and then turned around and came home (don't worry, I had a chocolate/peanut butter icecream cone before I turned around)!  And... I get to do it all again on Thursday.

I really love this boy!

No other way to say it... my children were {{bad}}!

I had one of those parenting days.  The days when you just want to through your hands in the air and declare your demise.  It was bad... it was the boys... BOTH of them.

It started with an adventure to go swimming... but first let's tidy up, put away laundry etc.  Ack... it took forever.  They kept declaring their work finished and I was dumbfounded.  {{Your work is not finished if I can not walk in your room without walking on something!}}

We finally headed to the pool... my boys screamed and fought with each other forever.  I was the ref... I made them get out of the pool, I made them go eat {{because surely they were misbehaving because they were hungry, right?}}, my girlfriend finally lit into them... and it helped, for a second.

Some days we all end up on our "bums"

By the time I got home, I was done.  I looked at Joe and said, "Our boys were bad... even the friend I brought to the pool was dumbfounded.. she'd never seen them behave like this!"  Joe talked to the boys and made them scoop the yard.

Then, all was quiet.  I heard the tv on and thought {{good}} a little peace.  And then I realized that both boys were asleep and it was only 5:30... but I let them sleep because I was spent.  Baby girl, Joe and I ate dinner and the boys slept.  We had icecream and the boys slept.  I finally tried to move them upstairs for bed {{at 9pm}} and they woke up and they were hungry and then I was up until 10:30 with them and then I declared bed time again 'cause Mommy was tired.

Lesson learned: sometimes big kids are really rotten because they are tired and they need a nap.  I should have just made them go lay down.  In hindsight, Pepe had a long, exhausting weekend of soccer and he was tired.  When Pepe is tired he enjoys bugging Phinneous; which then turns into chaos.  Didn't I learn this when they were 2 and 3 years old?!?!?!?

Random...WHY?

Sometimes life is just random... so here are random thoughts...

1.  Why is it that when you clean/organize an area of your home you make an absolute disaster while in the process?  And furthermore, why does the rest of your house look like a tornado when you're focusing on a said particular area... WHY?


2.  Why after 3 trips to the doctor (over a 1 month period and an air-flight) does the doctor finally decide to believe mom and try antibiotics... WHY?


3.  Why do I have a child obsessed with porta-pots... WHY?


4.  Why do your child's feet grow after buying new shoes one month prior... WHY?


5.  Why is it your sister's fault that you spilt the coffee creamer on the floor because the apple juice was behind it in the refrigerator... and furthermore, Why after mopping does the floor still look like something spilled on it... WHY?

WHY?

Shoulder Pain

So, for the last month or so I've been experiencing shoulder pain...especially when I sleep.  

It didn't improve while on vacation, in fact, it worsened.

And then we came home and it was terrible.  Couldn't move my left arm at all without wincing... I was on massive ibuprofin every 4 to 6 hours... I was miserable... considered seeing a chiropractor.'

And then... all HELL broke lose at soccer this weekend.  Terrible games, watched one child suffer in a way I've never witnessed and the other have the ultimate success... and my shoulder continued to give me massive trouble.  

And then... we did the ultimate... we quite the soccer team of the struggling child and joined a new team and withing 24 hours my shoulder is fine.... did you hear me... it is fine?

Does that mean I have mental issues?  Or is it a testament to carrying stress and the need to let go of it...

Always follow your {Mom} heart!

Parenting from Maui

We're home now... but I had to share this!

Pepe and his buddy were texting and being a great mom, I always check texts.  I see that he has a text that says... "I'm just checking out a chick with a great butt in daisy dukes." 

So.... what do I do?  I ask him about it... he's embarassed as I tell him its not an appropriate text.  Then, I add, "What are daisy dukes?"

He replies... "I don't know."

I say... "Don't let it happen again." as I walk off and chuckle that my son has no idea what "daisy dukes" are... hysterical (is that wrong that I'm happy he has no idea, yet amused.)

The next night I check his phone and his friend is apologizing and says, "It won't happen again... sorry." 

And then I'm a proud mama that my son passed along my concern... instead of just deleting his past messages.

Mom's Day 2011

Mother's Day began with an alarm clock blaring at 4;30am... another drive north for a soccer game with my boy!


After 2 days of driving up and down the free at ungodly hours of the morning I was sick by the time I got home Sunday afternoon.



That didn't stop baby girl from celebrating! She create posters, place cards (for dinner), letters (5 of them), confetti and she gave me a mini pedi (hee, hee... it was actually a manicure, but I love her words for a mani/pedi). Phinneous picked out white roses and asked that I catch for him outside... unfortunately my body wouldn't cooperate, so we took a rain check on that. Daddy also picked out cards... his gift was... 2 bathroom remodels... yay me!

Conversations with a First Grader

Another adventure in the suburban...

Baby Girl: Some girls told me that a boy likes me. (Please remember she's 7, so as my heart skipped a beat and I wanted to scream, "NO boys!")

Me: You're too young to like boys (still panicking).

Baby Girl: I know... but if he likes me HE should tell me. (How does a 7 year old get this... will she remember this in high school?)

Me: You're too young to like boys (... panic continues)

Baby Girl: (confidently) I'm not into boys... I'm into hair, horses and bling!


Me: Smile, chuckle and again remember another reason why I adore this first grader :)

What to do...

Baby girl has a sore throat.

She has a cough.

She does not have a fever.

She plays at home, wrestles with the dog and her brothers.

She called me twice from school yesterday... "I'm sick."

My response... "I can come and get you so that you can take a nap or you can participate in school... your choice."

She chose to stay at school.

This morning... no fever, froggy throat... I told her she could stay home in.her.bed.

She was in her bed, until I got back from the bus stop... she thought she could rest on the couch and watch a show.

{NO}... "I'm sorry, you're sick. Back to bed you go."

Called the school... informed them that she would be in bed... "sick"... they all chuckled... I think that means I'm a good mom in their eyes!

Giving it ALL

This kid gives it ALL each week.

His determination, intensity and passion speak loudly.

He's struggling right now... not with the game of basketball but with the move of his best friend and his coach (of two sports).

I see the frustration. It manifests itself in pure crankiness and often tears (about something totally unrelated).




He's taught me a large lesson. I need to give my ALL each day when parenting. It's not acceptable to not be intense and determined and focused.

I need to think outside the box with this kid... I need to know how to get out of sticky situations with him. He's an extremely sensitive kid and he often tells me to "not yell at him"... and I shake my head... {I'm not yelling.} But, in his eyes and ears anything stern is yelling and he shuts down.

Oh, the joys of parenting... It's a daily struggle and joy to parent.

Stay focused, be determined, have intensity...


Give it ALL.

He's 9!

Phineous is 9! My Thanksgiving (born a month early baby is 9!

This year is a year to celebrate with family... which the kids are skeptical about. But it proved to be a great birthday celebration.



We surprised him with the chance to watch Oregon vs. Duke on Saturday. He went with his two buddies and the three Dad's. He had no idea he was going... we told him to get ready to head to the store (he put on his Ducks shirt... cause he always wears his Duck shirt) and we stalled for the friends to arrive. He kept asking if his buddies could come and play and we kept putting him off. Finally the door bell sounded and his buddies had arrived... he and Joe got in the car and the friends told him where he was going. So cool! (He loved the game!)



The second surprise was an ipod touch. I know, I know... he's only 9. What do you do when it's the only thing he wants, you get a great deal, he's very responsible and it's the only thing he wants?!?!!? He LOVES it. He has even shared with his brother without.being.asked!

It was a great celebration! Which wasn't complete with out plain cheesecake :)


I can't believe he's 9! I'm trying hard to enjoy this year because I keep thinking... I'm going to have two kids in double digits next year... aaaagh! Enjoy this season :)

Parenting -- ick!

My son had a total break-down about school last night... broke my heart.

• playground -- specifically the soccer field -- kids are mean, telling him "he sucks". If you know my son you know that he is an athlete... are they just happy when he makes mistakes? He is not my boastful child... he does well and lets it be.
  
• classroom -- hates where he sits, was moved from his friends (because he's the kid that can sit with the kids who won't behave). He feels ousted from the group.
• just plain bullying -- "I can break your wrist... I'm in karate."
• I'm mean -- I don't like play dates during the school week. Occasionally is fine, but we are busy with practices and homework and they don't get home from school until 4 and I like them in bed by 8:30... doesn't give us a lot of time for play dates. I squelched that one... told him that we do not have play dates on a school day, but I told him I would work harder to set things up on the weekend.
  

What do I do? My first reaction was to call all the parents of the children he mentioned and "give it to them". Knowing that was not the right thing to do I waited... I calmed down. I chatted with Joe...

We both agree that...

• this child of ours has most likely been experiencing these things for awhile (he tends to take a lot and then burst) and for whatever reason it all came out today.
  
• He is also VERY sensitive... wears his emotions on his sleeve. We are always working with him to let things "roll" off of him.
• He doesn't understand why people would be mean... he's not a mean spirited kid

So... I can counsel most parents through this issue, but when it comes to MY kid I'm at a loss for what to do.

Advice? (I already emailed the teacher and asked for her observations.)

Time

This little girl is a gift. She is sweet (with a bit of sour). We comment regularly at home about how she is our easy child... the one who smiles, makes us smile, is cheerful and helpful. She is very independent and will spend hours playing in her room or in the sandbox. However, there are times when she is very dependent and wants her mama. In the recent past (during that Masters degree) I found myself putting her off, having few patience with her. I've vowed to change that. I could feel myself pushing her away and didn't want to, but didn't have the effort to put into her needs. (sad, very sad) So I'm on a quest to meet her needs (and mine) in a loving manner.

She loves our nightly reading together... we snuggle up on the couch and read from her American Girl books. She puts on her little glasses and we sit together. I still squirm at times (it's like I get claustrophobic or something), but I'm learning to set my boundaries.... lovingly.

To pay them, or not (allowance)!

The issue of allowance is always staring me in the face... what to do, what to do, what to do?

I do believe that my kids need to earn money AND spend money at this age to learn to be responsible for the future.

I do not believe they should be paid to help out in the house that they live in... isn't that part of their responsibility... they should just pick up their own undies and socks (I'm just sayin').

I did get tired of hearing, "Mom, can I get the new lego, sports card, littlest pet shop, NFL jersey, lipstick, baseball/soccer ball, _______ insert annoying request."

I caved... Allowance... it's alive and well.

Here's what we're trying and it seems to be working for us...

1. Children do normal jobs... just because (brushing teeth, making beds, etc are not a paid job)

2. Children willingly help with jobs when mom and dad ask (without eye rolling or huffing)

3. Some of my children have figured out that if they ask for a job at least once a week they make their mom REALLY happy (and she may or may not think that they are the golden child for the moment).

4. The giving of allowance is heavily weighed upon the childrens behavior for the week (I LOVE THIS)

5. Allowance is given on Friday AND the children must ask me for it. They may not ask on Thursday and if they wait till Saturday (that's a bummer). It's given on Friday. (Note... you should have cash on you on Friday... ugh... that's embarrassing)

6. Some portion of the allowance must be put into Long-term savings. The parental unit will match the amount put into long term savings (like a 401K). Some portion of money should be put into short term savings (i.e. saving for the new lego set, ipod, etc). And children should have a couple of dollars for WAM (walking around money -- love that acronym)

That's it... that's the plan.

The results...

Week 1... Children asked for allowance (mommy was out of cash... still paying them... pathetic... note to self... go to the bank)

Week 2... Children forgot to ask... remembered 2 days later (what a bummer)

Sunday Night Movie -- Take 2

The first movie night was a success, so let's give it a whirl again!

Everyone was excited and everyone voiced their opinion on the movie.

In the end, Joe had really wanted to share an older movie with the kids... enter Back to the Future.

Great movie, funny... ugh... the language... ugh... the inappropriate conotations... ugh... the kids loved. More than once the volume was muted and more than once I yelled... ick kissing... close your eyes.

Isn't it funny how a movie we loved can have such a different feel when you watch it with your children.

Another success AND a lesson learned... PREVIEW the movies before you watch them with your children!

Everyone to the green room...

As our weeks and weekdays become more and more busy with kid events, it has become important to us to spend time together. We spend a lot of time together as a family... but I'm talking about time to just sit together... the snuggle time. We were with some friends this weekend and they were excited about their Sunday night ritual... what was it? Movie Night. The boys were so excited and Mom and Dad said that it really helped to set the tone for the week.

Kids love it... set a tone... were in!

Sunday Night...
Dinner is taking a little longer to prepare than expected.

Both boys still need to do homework (don't even get me started on that.)

The kitchen is a disaster.

Couldn't find the movie I wanted to rent (Back to the Future, settled for Ghost Busters with a thumbs down from the peanut gallery.)
We will have movie night.

What's a mom to do? Divide and conquer. Boys... homework. Mom... kitchen. Baby Girl... pjs

I decide to go for something on TV... NOTHING... it's a wasteland. I hit the DVD cupboard and see Kung Fu Panda... jack pot!



Kids, darling husband.... Kids, darling husband... Kids, darling husband... EVERYONE TO THE GREEN ROOM!

With eyes rolling, sighs and general disdain... everyone appears. I begin the movie. More eyes rolling and signs.

LISTEN... WE ARE GOING TO WATCH THIS MOVIE TOGETHER AND WE WILL LIKE IT!

5 minutes in... all eyes on the screen. Snuggles happening. Satisfaction from everyone in the room.


I think we've found our new tradition (although somebody needs to be a little more prepared with the movie selection.)

10 years ago...

10 years ago tonight I was in awe... I was in full labor with my first child. I was young, nieve and didn't know what to expect. As I progressed through the night I just kept thinking I have no idea what is around the corner. From the pain, the strength of those around me, my nerves and then my final joy of ... It's a boy... I became a Mom.



My baby turns 10 today (4.23). I so vividly remember turning 10... double digits and preteen! I am so excited for his new adventures... for our new adventures. He is not a baby anymore (nor has he been for quite some time), but there is just something about 10. I am so proud of who he has become and so excited for who he will become.

Here's to you Pepe... your mama loves you tremendously! I hope you have not only a wonderful day, but a year full of adventure and growth. There will always be struggles, but remember who you are and what you believe in. You are an amazing child. Your talents continue to inspire me...

Love,
Mom (tears streaming down my face... I love this boy)

The things we do...

1. play soccer for my kids
It was Juventus 98 vs the parents... again. Joe played goalie, I played defense (kind of). We are so sore that everything hurts!


Pepe against his coach from England.

Joe, the goalie...

Warm-ups...


2. go to fantasy movies
I don't like fantasy, but my son does. So, I was off to see Percy Jackson and the Olympian Lightning Thief. I went with both of my boys and we picked up a friend (a girl that we've known forever). It was a good experience and my boys were happy. Pepe did tell me that they didn't follow the book -- he was a little bummed about that, but he still liked the movie.


3. Attend and Volunteer at the school carnival
YUCK! Not a carnival fan -- but the kids had a blast. They won candy and plastic toys and were just happy.


4. Stay up late to drive and get child from a late birthday party


But it it those other moments that make it all so worth it... like when I hear Phinneous reading to Baby Girl or Pepe teaching Baby Girl about math... those moments are priceless.

I ~HEART~ Michael Jordan!

Not because he's an incredible athlete,

Not because he's talented,

Not because he's wealthy,

Not because he's handsome,

Not because he's Michael Jordan...

I ~HEART~ Michael Jordan because he helped my son to read. Phinneous is a good reader, but he doesn't enjoy reading. You won't find him curled up with a book, but you will find him on the computer researching basketball players, stats and viewing basketball footage.


I'll never forget the day when he asked with all seriousness, "Mom, have you ever heard about this Michael Jordan guy?"

Chuckling, "Um, yes dear... I've heard of him."

"Yeah, he was REALLY good."


Back to the point -- my preschool class went to the library today. I started searching for books for Phinneous (I'm always looking.) After brainstorming with a few moms/teachers I looked in the sports section and YIPPEE a plethora of choices. I brought a home a small selection.

After dinner, I mentioned that I borrowed some books for him today -- he found Michael Jordan and has been reading it all night.


So, thank you Michael Jordan -- and by the way -- Happy Birthday! (Phinneous has been feeding me facts all night!)

Favorite Pictures of Pepe

I only have six months of pictures on my laptop, but I thought I'd share a few of my favorite photos from each of the kids over the next few days.

Pepe is a great kid. He has his own thoughts & ideas, is very curious and loves to learn, is a bookworm, an athlete, a leader and a follower. He hates to be put in new situations, even if it is something he can't wait to do. He suffers from migraines at times; which makes this mama very sad. I feel as though the relationship that I have with him has grown this year... we understand each other just a little more. I will always be "the mama" -- my job is to guide and direct. Those big brown eyes and that smile make my day. He is a lot of fun to be around.

Basketball :: playing defense

Basketball :: point guard

Soccer :: He joined the world of premiere soccer this year -- he is easy to spot with all of that HAIR!
:: a powerful left foot


:: Takes time to think

:: The silliest goof-ball ever!

:: He is JUST like his Dad. They snorkeled together in Maui after the rest of us were finished.

:: He tires and will still fall asleep, just like he was a baby -- in a chair -- for a little snooze.

:: Those big brown eyes and that smile.

:: So young, yet becoming so grown up and independent.

:: Hanging with his Dad -- talking, sitting, watching

:: This is the look -- the look of I don't want to do this, I don't like this -- I see it less often, but this is the look.

Pepe