I can never take my little kids with me to the store when I am in a bad mood. The first reason is obvious, who wants to drag kids through a shopping trip when you are already dragging yourself? The second reason is that I am in danger of being cheered up by some kind person who wants to get a smile out of my children. It's hard to be grumpy when complete stranger is making a funny face, asking silly questions, or is generally acting in a way that would be considered insane if it were directed toward an adult. What is it about little kids that can help complete strangers share a smile or a conversation or even just a knowing nod of understanding? Honestly, I can't help waiving at a little cutie passing by in another shopping cart either.
Today as I pushed a grocery cart with my twins in it out of the store we were approached by a lovely elderly lady. She looked at the kids in the cart and said with a grin on her face,"I never got a ride like that when I was a handsome young boy!" Surely she was telling the truth! We both laughed as I pushed on; I think she realized her mistake and that made us both giggle a little more.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Wrapping Up Soccer Season
The end of March through April are the busiest six weeks of the year. It ranks right up there with Christmas, maybe even busier. Its soccer season. This year my four oldest all played; my two boys who are one grade apart got to play on the same teamfor the first time. They were excited abput that and I was relieved to not have to try to juggle a fourth soccer team.
A couple fellow "soccer mom's" and I have asked ourselves why we do this every year: rush the kids out the door shortly after they get home from school, getting three kids to two different practice locations at the same time, struggling to fit in a nutrishous meal that we don't really have time to cook, keeping shin-guards, jerseys, socks, etc, clean and in a place where we can find them in a snap, keeping track of treat rotatoins, keeping the little ones happy as they are toted along to game after game after game . . . We know why, becuase the kids love it, and frankly, inspite of the hustle and rush and carpooling, we love it too. We love watching our kids racing accross the field, or picking dandilions when they sould be paying attention. We love seeing them beam as they get in a good kick, steal, or breakaway with the ball, or watching them stomp their feet in frustration when the other team scores. We love cheering for the teams, laughing with the other parents, and spending time with our family as we support whoever's turn it is to play.
A few highlights:
Left: Gracie playing goalie. Her team of five through seven year olds drove the refs and coaches crazy taking forever to decide whose turn it was to do a throw-in or kick off. They wanted everyone to have their fair turn.Right: Charity pondering her next move.
The boys' team kicked the ball out into the road during one of their games and it was instantly hit by a car and flattened with a loud bang! They also had a couple of games they had to forfeit because some of their teammates didn't show up, but they got to play just for fun with family members and off duty refs joining in. Dad jumped in for half a game too. It added a whole other element to see the kids mix it up with the big guys! The competition level was lower because it wasn't an official game, but in a way it was higher as old(er as in teens through guys in thier thirtys) and young wanted to get into the action and show thier stuff! Here is Dad mixin' it up with the boys:
What a stud.
We have one more game tomorrow and then we will be done for the year. Next up is softball for the girls!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Varieties of Gross, and More
I thought I'd try my hand at cleaning out the pipes under the bathroom sink so my husband would have one less thing on his "to do" list for the weekend. I totally underestimated the grossness of that job. Let me tell you, there is much more slowing the flow than just hair in the drain at our house. I wasn’t sure which of the two jobs I did this morning ranked higher in
gross-out factor, cleaning gray slime from the pipes or trimming fat off of raw chicken. At least the chicken didn't stink. Ewwww.
Our caterpillars, at last glance, are still alive. The very afternoon we brought them home my 10 year old son was telling me he thought the caterpillars were about to start “pupatating”. I don't know how he could tell but, lo and behold! One began to spin its chrysalis that very evening. I am not sure the others are going to fare so well, they don’t seem to be eating the fresh leaves from our yard we have been putting in. They must be picky eaters. Unless I can fit in another trip to the park where we found them to get leaves, I fear their picky palates will do them in.
Our caterpillars, at last glance, are still alive. The very afternoon we brought them home my 10 year old son was telling me he thought the caterpillars were about to start “pupatating”. I don't know how he could tell but, lo and behold! One began to spin its chrysalis that very evening. I am not sure the others are going to fare so well, they don’t seem to be eating the fresh leaves from our yard we have been putting in. They must be picky eaters. Unless I can fit in another trip to the park where we found them to get leaves, I fear their picky palates will do them in.
The white fuzzy thing at the bottom center is a cocoon. I don't think you can see it in the picture, but the caterpillar to the top left appears to be in the process of spinning as well. Maybe there is hope for that one!
Friday, April 18, 2008
A Sure Sign of Spring
My plans of shooting some pictures of the kids for a project I am working on today were foiled. I took the kids to a park to play and hopefully get them to pose for some head shots. As they headed to the playground I searched for a place with the right lighting and background. I was excited to see some big boulders in under a tree that would be perfect. However on closer inspection we found the whole area was crawling with these:
Who can sit still when there are fuzzy things wiggling past your fingers and toes? I didn't even try to get the pictures; instead I joined the kids in spotting caterpillar after caterpillar. My four year old son was ecstatic when he picked one up with a stick. The kids soon joined forces with some other children and by the time we were ready to leave they had collected over twenty. We ended up bringing home four. Hopefully the magic will continue and we will be able to take them back to the park and release them as butterflies or moths.
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