I really do have some of the best friends a girl could ever hope for... They build me up, even when I don't deserve it. They tell me all the time how they don't know how I do it all by myself all the time, how they could never do it, and how it takes a really special person to be a single parent. I don't really know how to respond to that, aside from saying something sarcastic or rolling my eyes. Because it's totally hard. And it makes me a hard person to really get, and even harder to love. Just ask my kids or anyone else who cares about me. Here are some of my favorites that are completely and totally untrue.
1. You're so patient.
This one makes me laugh every single day. I always joke that patience is the virtue that skipped over me, and I find it to be entirely true. My patience is very limited...with my kids, with adults who don't have commonsense, and slightly less so with other peoples' kids. Prime example: N was starving tonight...way after dinnertime, but we hadn't eaten. Most people would be understanding...that he was cranky because he was hungry. Me? I was irritated because the kid didn't eat a snack after school. Yeah, I know. It's lame.
2. You're such a fun mom.
My kids would beg to differ. While I do hang out with them from time to time, I tend to stay in my own little bubble in my room or the living room or the kitchen while they play video games in their room or go outside. We do have game nights sporadically, but nobody ever agrees, and that's when rumor #1 comes back into play. We've had some fun park/pool days lately, but I would argue that those have been successful due to the company we've been keeping. It's definitely not me.
3. You're so creative/organized.
Hahahahahahaha, yeah. I'm not creative/organized...I just play one on tv. In theory, I am both of those things, but to bring the ideas in my head to fruition? It takes a lot of effort. Case in point: I've had the pieces from B's first grade class to make a book for their teacher. Initially, it was meant for her birthday, but I was finishing finals, so I opted for Teacher Appreciation Week instead. I compiled the entire thing this afternoon. Can we say "Wait until the last minute" much?
4. You're a really good mom.
I'm not...or at least I don't feel like it the majority of the time. My parenting is easily influenced by my mood. If I'm stressed about something, it comes across to my boys. If I'm happy, they wonder what's happened to their normal mom. If I'm sad, they're scared I'm going to cry forever. Instead of me parenting them, I retreat into my own head until I'm back to me, which may or may not be better than whatever mood I was in previously.
5. You're so supportive of your boys...they totally know how much you love them.
This one makes me wonder. I have one boy who doesn't want me to acknowledge him at his own baseball games, and another who only wants to be around when his brother isn't here. Oh, wait...that's both of them. I swear, I keep telling them they'll like each other at some point, but I just don't know when that will be. Maybe by college...when one can legally buy the other beer. Sigh.
My point is, I play a decent version of the me I want to be. I have my moments, and I'm making progress. I've come a long way even from where I was a year ago...and who knows where I'll be if I keep moving forward. I wish I could figure out why I'm frustrated, and where it's stemming from, because that would really make my whole life much easier.
I guess it's the fear of the unknown, the fear of putting your faith and trust in something or someone other than yourself...other than God. Because I'm trying to, and the ebb and flow of it all is something I'm not used to. I'm not sure if I like it. I've grown accustomed to being by myself. To consider other possibilities is exciting and terrifying all at the same time.
I'm sure tomorrow I'll go back to being thrilled, but tonight? Tonight I just have an overwhelming sense of dread.
Aubs
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Why Me Wednesday
This has not been my day. After I took N to school, I came home to close my eyes for just ten seconds or so before I went to meet B's class at Kid Kountry at 9:30. I woke up after 10:00 and jumped out of bed like a ninja, only to realize that my phone was not only not pushing texts/emails through, but apparently the alarm function wasn't working anymore.
After I showered and got ready, I ran out the door to make part of the park time, and that's about when I felt the rain. So, I opted out of the park and went to Sprint instead. After explaining my issue, they said it would be 90 minutes, so I agreed and took off to pick up a couple of things at Sam's and then I went home to send a couple of emails since that was my only way to communicate.
When I went back to get my phone, I waited for an additional 30 minutes while they did who knows what besides draining my battery without thinking to plug it into a dang charger. It doesn't seem like rocket science. Anyway, I still have the same issues, although it seems that messages come through more often than they have for the last 24 hours.
When I called Sprint to request this little signal booster thingy, which they said (in the store) that I could obtain easily if I just called to request it, things got a little intense. The guy was a super jerk, and I got annoyed really fast. Long story short, he claimed the inventory was too low for them to send me one for free. And he stuck to it. Even though his supervisor said it would be fine to override it. He refused.
When N came home, I dragged him to the store for a few things. It was less than pleasant. Know what was less pleasant? Trying to fix his motorized water gun by taking it apart to see why the motor wasn't working, not paying attention, and having no idea how to put the dumb thing back together again.
I also inadvertently semi-dyed my bathtub purple while washing a dress that was...you guessed it...purple.
I feel like I'm missing something important.
Oh. Exes? They suck. That pretty much sums it up.
Aubs
After I showered and got ready, I ran out the door to make part of the park time, and that's about when I felt the rain. So, I opted out of the park and went to Sprint instead. After explaining my issue, they said it would be 90 minutes, so I agreed and took off to pick up a couple of things at Sam's and then I went home to send a couple of emails since that was my only way to communicate.
When I went back to get my phone, I waited for an additional 30 minutes while they did who knows what besides draining my battery without thinking to plug it into a dang charger. It doesn't seem like rocket science. Anyway, I still have the same issues, although it seems that messages come through more often than they have for the last 24 hours.
When I called Sprint to request this little signal booster thingy, which they said (in the store) that I could obtain easily if I just called to request it, things got a little intense. The guy was a super jerk, and I got annoyed really fast. Long story short, he claimed the inventory was too low for them to send me one for free. And he stuck to it. Even though his supervisor said it would be fine to override it. He refused.
When N came home, I dragged him to the store for a few things. It was less than pleasant. Know what was less pleasant? Trying to fix his motorized water gun by taking it apart to see why the motor wasn't working, not paying attention, and having no idea how to put the dumb thing back together again.
I also inadvertently semi-dyed my bathtub purple while washing a dress that was...you guessed it...purple.
I feel like I'm missing something important.
Oh. Exes? They suck. That pretty much sums it up.
Aubs
Tired Tuesday
Man, a long weekend of nothingness intermingled with fun totally wore me out. Call the nursing home and tell them to get my room ready...I'm on my way!
After a morning of just hanging out and recovering from the weekend, I ran a couple of errands, then came home to watch one of my favorite movies: "Tora! Tora! Tora!" Yes, I know. I'm strange. It's why I'm so darn precious.
Anyway, I fell asleep right as N walked in the door after school, and he climbed onto my bed to watch it for a few minutes, then asked if he had to keep watching. I'm pretty sure I mumbled "No" because he asked to go to the playground, and I think I mumbled something like, "Be back by 5:30." And, he was. He woke me up to tell me he was back because I was still fast asleep.
After I dragged myself out of bed, I fixed him dinner, and then I noticed my phone had been pretty dang silent. THAT is when I realized that there was a serious problem. No service. At all. Dropped calls that would only connect for a few seconds if I was roaming. I got a few texts, but their date/time stamps are 5/31/13, which obviously hasn't happened yet.
Fantastic. I ventured away from my apartment to see if that would fix the problem, and although I was able to connect more easily, my calls were still dropping every few seconds and my emails/texts wouldn't push through. Great. No, really. On the upside, I was able to have a conversation (although broken at times) that I really needed to have...and that (hopefully) made all the difference in the world.
So, tomorrow, I'm headed to Sprint. Because this just isn't going to work for me.
And it also proves my dad's point. Me and technology? We just don't get along. Ask my laptop that was refusing to post Facebook posts earlier, or the 42" television in my living room that decided to stop working last week.
If you value your electronics, keep them the heck away from me!
Aubs
After a morning of just hanging out and recovering from the weekend, I ran a couple of errands, then came home to watch one of my favorite movies: "Tora! Tora! Tora!" Yes, I know. I'm strange. It's why I'm so darn precious.
Anyway, I fell asleep right as N walked in the door after school, and he climbed onto my bed to watch it for a few minutes, then asked if he had to keep watching. I'm pretty sure I mumbled "No" because he asked to go to the playground, and I think I mumbled something like, "Be back by 5:30." And, he was. He woke me up to tell me he was back because I was still fast asleep.
After I dragged myself out of bed, I fixed him dinner, and then I noticed my phone had been pretty dang silent. THAT is when I realized that there was a serious problem. No service. At all. Dropped calls that would only connect for a few seconds if I was roaming. I got a few texts, but their date/time stamps are 5/31/13, which obviously hasn't happened yet.
Fantastic. I ventured away from my apartment to see if that would fix the problem, and although I was able to connect more easily, my calls were still dropping every few seconds and my emails/texts wouldn't push through. Great. No, really. On the upside, I was able to have a conversation (although broken at times) that I really needed to have...and that (hopefully) made all the difference in the world.
So, tomorrow, I'm headed to Sprint. Because this just isn't going to work for me.
And it also proves my dad's point. Me and technology? We just don't get along. Ask my laptop that was refusing to post Facebook posts earlier, or the 42" television in my living room that decided to stop working last week.
If you value your electronics, keep them the heck away from me!
Aubs
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Memorial day was...well, memorable.
I am a friendly person by nature. I will talk to almost everyone about any variety of topics. I'm the one who will walk up to a parent and child I don't know at the practice fields, not only to introduce myself, but also to find out if they belong to our team. I can hold my own in a conversation about almost any topic, even if I don't have an opinion one way or the other, and seem like I'm totally knowledgeable.
It's something that I find very easy to do. It's also really easy to make friends that way, only they aren't really friends...more like really good acquaintances. I can count the number of solid, true-blue friends I have on one hand, my second hand because my right hand is comprised totally of family. There are several friends that I've thought were those true-blue, always there when you need them, never wavering types of friends, but, as with everything else, life is full of surprises and disappointments.
All that to say that I haven't really made friends with anyone who lives in my apartment complex. I'm just not interested. I keep to myself, because let's be honest...wrangling these two yahoos that I call my children takes a lot of time and effort. I know most of the kids in the complex because they come to collect one/both of my boys, but their parents? I've only met a couple.
On Monday, right before lunch time, B and I ran to Market Street to grab some fruit and a Lunchable because he was only with me for one more day this week. When we meandered over the produce section, we literally ran into one of my friends and his two boys. His boys and my boys have become inseparable, it seems. They ask to play together all the time, and it doesn't work out very often due to scheduling conflicts, but it was almost like it was fate that we ran into each other. So, while we chatted, the boys caused a ruckus near the peaches and oranges, and people gave us a ton of weird looks. Suffice it to say...we probably won't ever be allowed in Market Street simultaneously.
At some point, N's dad dropped him off at the grocery store to meet me, which sounds totally bizarre, but it's normal. I promise. He joined in, begging to be able to play together. We decided to give in and opt for a Kid Kountry play date. We met a couple of hours later, and had the greatest afternoon. The boys played tag and had an impromptu water fight with water bottles drained, filled, and refilled at the water fountain. If you were at Kid Kountry on Monday afternoon and trying to use the water fountain, I sincerely apologize. They were extremely territorial.
After that, we wandered to the cars to get soccer balls, scooters, footballs, frisbees, and anything else that was in there. The boys got treated to ice cream by the other boys' dad, and then we headed to the open fields. The older boys played soccer, the younger boys played frisbee or rode scooters, and I got to hang out reading a book...until the soccer ball and frisbee started flying at me, and then it was on. There were audible gasps when I connected with the soccer ball, then again when I punted it back to them. I can catch and throw a frisbee, too. I'm multi-purpose.
I'm not sure who started the ice fight, but I have my suspicions. All I know is that I ended up with ice in my shirt, both front and back, and down the back of my shorts. I wasn't the only one, but as the only female, I'm pretty sure I was the only intended target. Later, we ended the day with a cherry seed spitting contest.
Good times were had by all...and I take great pride in the fact that I hit the intended target on my first attempt.
Pretty good for a girl and all...
Aubs
It's something that I find very easy to do. It's also really easy to make friends that way, only they aren't really friends...more like really good acquaintances. I can count the number of solid, true-blue friends I have on one hand, my second hand because my right hand is comprised totally of family. There are several friends that I've thought were those true-blue, always there when you need them, never wavering types of friends, but, as with everything else, life is full of surprises and disappointments.
All that to say that I haven't really made friends with anyone who lives in my apartment complex. I'm just not interested. I keep to myself, because let's be honest...wrangling these two yahoos that I call my children takes a lot of time and effort. I know most of the kids in the complex because they come to collect one/both of my boys, but their parents? I've only met a couple.
On Monday, right before lunch time, B and I ran to Market Street to grab some fruit and a Lunchable because he was only with me for one more day this week. When we meandered over the produce section, we literally ran into one of my friends and his two boys. His boys and my boys have become inseparable, it seems. They ask to play together all the time, and it doesn't work out very often due to scheduling conflicts, but it was almost like it was fate that we ran into each other. So, while we chatted, the boys caused a ruckus near the peaches and oranges, and people gave us a ton of weird looks. Suffice it to say...we probably won't ever be allowed in Market Street simultaneously.
At some point, N's dad dropped him off at the grocery store to meet me, which sounds totally bizarre, but it's normal. I promise. He joined in, begging to be able to play together. We decided to give in and opt for a Kid Kountry play date. We met a couple of hours later, and had the greatest afternoon. The boys played tag and had an impromptu water fight with water bottles drained, filled, and refilled at the water fountain. If you were at Kid Kountry on Monday afternoon and trying to use the water fountain, I sincerely apologize. They were extremely territorial.
After that, we wandered to the cars to get soccer balls, scooters, footballs, frisbees, and anything else that was in there. The boys got treated to ice cream by the other boys' dad, and then we headed to the open fields. The older boys played soccer, the younger boys played frisbee or rode scooters, and I got to hang out reading a book...until the soccer ball and frisbee started flying at me, and then it was on. There were audible gasps when I connected with the soccer ball, then again when I punted it back to them. I can catch and throw a frisbee, too. I'm multi-purpose.
I'm not sure who started the ice fight, but I have my suspicions. All I know is that I ended up with ice in my shirt, both front and back, and down the back of my shorts. I wasn't the only one, but as the only female, I'm pretty sure I was the only intended target. Later, we ended the day with a cherry seed spitting contest.
Good times were had by all...and I take great pride in the fact that I hit the intended target on my first attempt.
Pretty good for a girl and all...
Aubs
Monday, May 27, 2013
Laundry is the best Sunday activity
...of all time. Seriously. I adore doing laundry. I did what felt like 18 loads today, but really, I think it was maybe 6. I piled it all on my freshly made bed, turned on an episode of the Gilmore Girls (while waiting for the Rangers/Mariners game to start) and got down to business. B was my hanger lackey, and it was finished in no time.
I always joke that IF I ever end up in a relationship again, I'll barter for laundry duties...even if I do have to do laundry for stinky, smelly boys. I'll trade any other duty for laundry duty. I know...it's a wonder I'm still single.
Anyway, after several loads of laundry, B was really bored, so he asked to go to the pool. It was intermittently sunny, so I told him to put on a swimsuit, and off we went. It was hoppin! There were a ton of people there, hanging out and playing water volleyball. B armed himself with water guns and went into battle. The problem is that nobody else realized they were in danger of attack.
It might've made it that much more entertaining.
I sat there, watching him attack while checking the updates on the Rangers game. I made friends (surprise, surprise) with some of the other residents, and as I sat there, I thought to myself, "It makes way more sense to have an end of season pool party than a laser tag adventure."
See, as the team mom (self-proclaimed, obviously), it's become my duty to set up a something for the boys for their hard work. And I've been thinking laser tag for forever...but now I'm thinking pool party because it's an undetermined length of time. People can come and go as they please...and that sounds way more fun.
Okay, then. Thanks for helping me make my decision easier.
After the pool, B and I rinsed off and then decided we were going to work out. Oh man...I don't know who was more zapped after the attempt to make my thighs skinny: me or him.
It's never a dull moment when he's around, that's for sure.
The good news is that I can see differences...in all aspects of my life, really. And that totally has to be a good thing.
Aubs
I always joke that IF I ever end up in a relationship again, I'll barter for laundry duties...even if I do have to do laundry for stinky, smelly boys. I'll trade any other duty for laundry duty. I know...it's a wonder I'm still single.
Anyway, after several loads of laundry, B was really bored, so he asked to go to the pool. It was intermittently sunny, so I told him to put on a swimsuit, and off we went. It was hoppin! There were a ton of people there, hanging out and playing water volleyball. B armed himself with water guns and went into battle. The problem is that nobody else realized they were in danger of attack.
It might've made it that much more entertaining.
I sat there, watching him attack while checking the updates on the Rangers game. I made friends (surprise, surprise) with some of the other residents, and as I sat there, I thought to myself, "It makes way more sense to have an end of season pool party than a laser tag adventure."
See, as the team mom (self-proclaimed, obviously), it's become my duty to set up a something for the boys for their hard work. And I've been thinking laser tag for forever...but now I'm thinking pool party because it's an undetermined length of time. People can come and go as they please...and that sounds way more fun.
Okay, then. Thanks for helping me make my decision easier.
After the pool, B and I rinsed off and then decided we were going to work out. Oh man...I don't know who was more zapped after the attempt to make my thighs skinny: me or him.
It's never a dull moment when he's around, that's for sure.
The good news is that I can see differences...in all aspects of my life, really. And that totally has to be a good thing.
Aubs
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Nothing beats doing nothing all day long
Honestly, I'm pretty sure my boys wanted to kill me almost as much as I wanted to kill them today. Nobody wanted to do anything, but everybody was bored. There was a lot of Nerf gunning and army playing.
At one point, B and I went outside so he could ride his scooter and I could supervise (per an email from the management company to all residents about scooter riding), but as soon as I got out there and settled into my new hot pink chair, it started to rain.
Bummer.
That's probably how B and I ended up in my bed watching episodes of "The Unit" on CLOO. Yes, I know. That show is entirely appropriate for a 7 year-old. But, y'all? He was fascinated. And who can blame him? The Allstate guy's voice is pretty dang hypnotic.
I mean...if you ask me.
N went over to Justin's for the night, which was probably a good thing because he really wanted friends to come over, and I knew they couldn't. Sometimes it really sucks to have to be a grown-up and deny your child and yourself what you want simply to keep the peace.
You know what I'm talking about...
At dark o'clock, B decided he couldn't sleep in his room. He freaked out. Loudly. And frequently. For no real reason, honestly. He did it last night, too. He freaked out, came into my room super early to wake me up, I growled at him to go eat breakfast, and 20 minutes later, he was in my bed...fast asleep.
Let's hope he does that again tomorrow morning. You know...if he decides to freak out again.
Aubs
At one point, B and I went outside so he could ride his scooter and I could supervise (per an email from the management company to all residents about scooter riding), but as soon as I got out there and settled into my new hot pink chair, it started to rain.
Bummer.
That's probably how B and I ended up in my bed watching episodes of "The Unit" on CLOO. Yes, I know. That show is entirely appropriate for a 7 year-old. But, y'all? He was fascinated. And who can blame him? The Allstate guy's voice is pretty dang hypnotic.
I mean...if you ask me.
N went over to Justin's for the night, which was probably a good thing because he really wanted friends to come over, and I knew they couldn't. Sometimes it really sucks to have to be a grown-up and deny your child and yourself what you want simply to keep the peace.
You know what I'm talking about...
At dark o'clock, B decided he couldn't sleep in his room. He freaked out. Loudly. And frequently. For no real reason, honestly. He did it last night, too. He freaked out, came into my room super early to wake me up, I growled at him to go eat breakfast, and 20 minutes later, he was in my bed...fast asleep.
Let's hope he does that again tomorrow morning. You know...if he decides to freak out again.
Aubs
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Friday Fun-Day
Let me preface this by saying this: Today was one of the best days I've had in a long time.
Since I didn't have school, I spent almost the entire day just hanging out with a friend of mine. We talked, grabbed lunch, talked some more...and then split up to go pick up our respective kids.
An hour and a half later, they knocked on our door, ready for some pool fun. The water wasn't too cold, and it was sticky, humid and overcast(ish). N's birthday is in August, so he always asks for water guns for his birthday. We have quite the arsenal of Super Soaker items, so there were plenty of weapons for all. A battle between four kids, quickly turned into a battle between four kids and one adult, and finally (after I'd already been soaked while sitting on my chair), I joined in on the action.
It was three plus hours of pool-time fun! There were very few issues between children; in fact, everyone got along...even though almost every single kid ended up being a traitor to their team at least once. I had a few human shields, I won't lie.
Once it started to get dark and everyone started to shiver, we headed back to my apartment to change and order pizza. Enter the use of the iPads. Our friends brought their iPads, N had his iPod, and B's was at his dad's so he got to borrow an iPad to link up to play Minecraft and something called Boss 2, whatever the heck that is.
These boys played without incident for HOURS. Hours. And the grown-ups got to watch baseball uninterrupted. In fact, it was so peaceful that, when I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost midnight, I was shocked. There's no way it could've been any later than 10:00.
Neither of the boys wanted to leave, and begged to stay over, but it was late and everyone was tired, so we promised that we'd do it again soon and have both of them stay over. It was a really fantastic time with some great friends, and I was so glad it went so well. My boys were asking, as soon as they left, if they could come back over on Saturday or Sunday or Monday or even all three.
And that? That's saying a lot!
Aubs
Since I didn't have school, I spent almost the entire day just hanging out with a friend of mine. We talked, grabbed lunch, talked some more...and then split up to go pick up our respective kids.
An hour and a half later, they knocked on our door, ready for some pool fun. The water wasn't too cold, and it was sticky, humid and overcast(ish). N's birthday is in August, so he always asks for water guns for his birthday. We have quite the arsenal of Super Soaker items, so there were plenty of weapons for all. A battle between four kids, quickly turned into a battle between four kids and one adult, and finally (after I'd already been soaked while sitting on my chair), I joined in on the action.
It was three plus hours of pool-time fun! There were very few issues between children; in fact, everyone got along...even though almost every single kid ended up being a traitor to their team at least once. I had a few human shields, I won't lie.
Once it started to get dark and everyone started to shiver, we headed back to my apartment to change and order pizza. Enter the use of the iPads. Our friends brought their iPads, N had his iPod, and B's was at his dad's so he got to borrow an iPad to link up to play Minecraft and something called Boss 2, whatever the heck that is.
These boys played without incident for HOURS. Hours. And the grown-ups got to watch baseball uninterrupted. In fact, it was so peaceful that, when I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost midnight, I was shocked. There's no way it could've been any later than 10:00.
Neither of the boys wanted to leave, and begged to stay over, but it was late and everyone was tired, so we promised that we'd do it again soon and have both of them stay over. It was a really fantastic time with some great friends, and I was so glad it went so well. My boys were asking, as soon as they left, if they could come back over on Saturday or Sunday or Monday or even all three.
And that? That's saying a lot!
Aubs
Friday, May 24, 2013
Apple Bottom Jeans
This song has been stuck in all of our heads for weeks. I don't even know who started it, but someone was humming it, and it caught on like wildfire. And it really drives me crazy. This is how I know my children belong to me:
Me: Hey, what do you want to wear today?
N: Hmmmmmm...how about, "Apple bottom jeans and the boots with the fur?"
B: "Low low low low low low..."
Me: Um, okay then. Thanks a lot guys.
And I leave to go make breakfast. Three times so far this week.
There's been a lot of arguing at my house lately. N has a crush on a girl who lives a few buildings over, and she was "dating" his best friend, but now she isn't anymore? Or something. I don't know. N used to tell me everything, but now he tells me that he hates when I know his business.
You know, until the next time he wants to confide in me.
Anyway, B knows N likes this girl, so he constantly asks him about whether or not he likes her. In public. In front of other kids. And N gets so super mad. I can't blame him, but sheesh! Nobody listens to me when I tell them not to attempt to steal his best friend's girlfriend.
And speaking of B...he's had some crazy mornings this week. He just keeps melting down for no reason, and holy crap on a cracker. That kid eats slower than anyone I've ever met in my life, and I know a ton of people who eat slowly. Heck, I eat slowly, usually because I'm talking, but I still finish way before he does. And it's not like there's a ton of time at breakfast.
And then? Then it was time for baseball. Rematch: Giants vs Marlins...win or go home. Would it be a game similar to our win against them earlier in the season, or like the loss we had later in the season? After the top of the first inning, the outlook was good...
And then, the next thing we know, it's 8-0 in the top of the 4th inning. Oddly enough, this is when we rallied last time, too, although it still ended up being a loss. All of our boys were having a hard time hitting against one of the Marlins pitchers, and their super-star pitcher/catcher was playing shortstop instead. Nothing got past him.
Unfortunately, things did not go well when our team was fielding. N had an exhausting game as catcher, and was literally dripping sweat by the time the game was over. He was so frustrated, as always, trying to carry the blame on his shoulders for throws he threw to third or second that were missed by their intended targets. We explained countless times that it's not his fault if the other person doesn't catch the ball...especially if it's a throw that could be easily caught.
Angela and two of her boys came to the game to cheer on both teams: her N has friends on both teams, and R came to play with B. It was so much fun to catch up with her and her perfect hair. After the game was over, I went into the dugout to untie the blankets that I'd grabbed from the trunk of my car to block the sunlight in the dugout. You know, because our players aren't spoiled or anything.
I met Angela at the entrance to the ball fields, where she was standing, waiting for her children to meander over to her. R was the missing party, and as I walked to my car, I noticed him jumping up and down in front of her vehicle. It was hilarious, watching him jumping up and down, waving his arms, while yelling, "HEY MOM! I'M OVER HERE!"
N had already requested Fuddruckers, win or lose, so off we went...and on the way, we discussed going to see the Marlins play the Cardinals in their championship game on Tuesday. And once we got to Fuddruckers, N consumed an entire 2/3 lb burger. And then he said he thought he might die.
Because, well...let's just say I'm glad I talked him out of the 1 lb burger.
So, our baseball season is over, which is actually kind of perfect because we have lots of plans for friends and fun this summer.
Aubs
Me: Hey, what do you want to wear today?
N: Hmmmmmm...how about, "Apple bottom jeans and the boots with the fur?"
B: "Low low low low low low..."
Me: Um, okay then. Thanks a lot guys.
And I leave to go make breakfast. Three times so far this week.
There's been a lot of arguing at my house lately. N has a crush on a girl who lives a few buildings over, and she was "dating" his best friend, but now she isn't anymore? Or something. I don't know. N used to tell me everything, but now he tells me that he hates when I know his business.
You know, until the next time he wants to confide in me.
Anyway, B knows N likes this girl, so he constantly asks him about whether or not he likes her. In public. In front of other kids. And N gets so super mad. I can't blame him, but sheesh! Nobody listens to me when I tell them not to attempt to steal his best friend's girlfriend.
And speaking of B...he's had some crazy mornings this week. He just keeps melting down for no reason, and holy crap on a cracker. That kid eats slower than anyone I've ever met in my life, and I know a ton of people who eat slowly. Heck, I eat slowly, usually because I'm talking, but I still finish way before he does. And it's not like there's a ton of time at breakfast.
And then? Then it was time for baseball. Rematch: Giants vs Marlins...win or go home. Would it be a game similar to our win against them earlier in the season, or like the loss we had later in the season? After the top of the first inning, the outlook was good...
And then, the next thing we know, it's 8-0 in the top of the 4th inning. Oddly enough, this is when we rallied last time, too, although it still ended up being a loss. All of our boys were having a hard time hitting against one of the Marlins pitchers, and their super-star pitcher/catcher was playing shortstop instead. Nothing got past him.
Unfortunately, things did not go well when our team was fielding. N had an exhausting game as catcher, and was literally dripping sweat by the time the game was over. He was so frustrated, as always, trying to carry the blame on his shoulders for throws he threw to third or second that were missed by their intended targets. We explained countless times that it's not his fault if the other person doesn't catch the ball...especially if it's a throw that could be easily caught.
Angela and two of her boys came to the game to cheer on both teams: her N has friends on both teams, and R came to play with B. It was so much fun to catch up with her and her perfect hair. After the game was over, I went into the dugout to untie the blankets that I'd grabbed from the trunk of my car to block the sunlight in the dugout. You know, because our players aren't spoiled or anything.
I met Angela at the entrance to the ball fields, where she was standing, waiting for her children to meander over to her. R was the missing party, and as I walked to my car, I noticed him jumping up and down in front of her vehicle. It was hilarious, watching him jumping up and down, waving his arms, while yelling, "HEY MOM! I'M OVER HERE!"
N had already requested Fuddruckers, win or lose, so off we went...and on the way, we discussed going to see the Marlins play the Cardinals in their championship game on Tuesday. And once we got to Fuddruckers, N consumed an entire 2/3 lb burger. And then he said he thought he might die.
Because, well...let's just say I'm glad I talked him out of the 1 lb burger.
So, our baseball season is over, which is actually kind of perfect because we have lots of plans for friends and fun this summer.
Aubs
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
It's not the best idea to fall asleep poolside...
Trust me on this one. It was such a beautiful day...not too hot when I was out there, with a breeze. As I was walking over there, I was thinking it almost felt like I was in California, only it was way too humid. Bummer.
Anyway, I didn't get too fried (and, yes, Mom...I was wearing sunscreen), but when we went to batting practice, it was hot. And in the sun. With no shade whatsoever unless I wanted to sit on a side of the building where I couldn't see anything. And who wants to do that?
The coach was flying solo for batting practice, and all the boys came, which was impressive. Usually on Wednesdays, we have maybe half of them show up. It just goes to show you how serious tomorrow's game will be. We got there first because N has "that mom" who always gets him to places early. Also known as yours truly. B is with us this week, and he was super concerned that he wouldn't have anyone to play with for the whole hour we were there. So, he decided to walk on a fence.
Meanwhile, some of the other boys had arrived, so N went off to take a few swings in the cages. It warms my heart to see his face light up when his buddy, J, shows up to practice. The two of them ran off together to throw back and forth, and I followed them to take a picture so I could document it for when they get mad at each other. Also, J's dad is out of town, and I figured he would think it was adorable, too. (Please excuse the random girl...she's always there, and I'm not sure who she belongs to. Also, my child doesn't match. I give up.)
I heard a lot of shrieking, so I turned around and saw B and J's little brother, E, playing together, too. Those two make me tired just watching them. (Please excuse the empty baby carrier thing. The baby was nearby, exploring grass.)
I asked J how his day was and said it would be better if he could come over on Friday to hang out with N. Um, twist my arm. Not long after that, I went to rescue a baseball (one of many) from the parking lot. I told J to go get it, and I'd watch him since he missed it, and he looked at me incredulously, saying, "Me?! I'm just a kid!" So I walked out there to get the ball, and I looked next to me to see him walking with me. I told him he better stay safe so when I trade kids, I'll have one that isn't broken, and he said, "YES!!! Can we do it tomorrow?!" I just adore that kid.
And right about then, my friend Amy's dog decided to pee all over my chair. What's even better...two men were standing behind him, watching him do it. AND THEY DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING! They just laughed.
My chair in the trash can was quite the topic of conversation at the practice fields tonight.
By the time we got home, my back/shoulders were a lovely, unattractive shade of pink. Hopefully it turns tan because a sunburn doesn't work with my master plan.
And it'll clash with my orange Giants shirt tomorrow. We can't have that.
Aubs
Anyway, I didn't get too fried (and, yes, Mom...I was wearing sunscreen), but when we went to batting practice, it was hot. And in the sun. With no shade whatsoever unless I wanted to sit on a side of the building where I couldn't see anything. And who wants to do that?
The coach was flying solo for batting practice, and all the boys came, which was impressive. Usually on Wednesdays, we have maybe half of them show up. It just goes to show you how serious tomorrow's game will be. We got there first because N has "that mom" who always gets him to places early. Also known as yours truly. B is with us this week, and he was super concerned that he wouldn't have anyone to play with for the whole hour we were there. So, he decided to walk on a fence.
Meanwhile, some of the other boys had arrived, so N went off to take a few swings in the cages. It warms my heart to see his face light up when his buddy, J, shows up to practice. The two of them ran off together to throw back and forth, and I followed them to take a picture so I could document it for when they get mad at each other. Also, J's dad is out of town, and I figured he would think it was adorable, too. (Please excuse the random girl...she's always there, and I'm not sure who she belongs to. Also, my child doesn't match. I give up.)
I heard a lot of shrieking, so I turned around and saw B and J's little brother, E, playing together, too. Those two make me tired just watching them. (Please excuse the empty baby carrier thing. The baby was nearby, exploring grass.)
I asked J how his day was and said it would be better if he could come over on Friday to hang out with N. Um, twist my arm. Not long after that, I went to rescue a baseball (one of many) from the parking lot. I told J to go get it, and I'd watch him since he missed it, and he looked at me incredulously, saying, "Me?! I'm just a kid!" So I walked out there to get the ball, and I looked next to me to see him walking with me. I told him he better stay safe so when I trade kids, I'll have one that isn't broken, and he said, "YES!!! Can we do it tomorrow?!" I just adore that kid.
And right about then, my friend Amy's dog decided to pee all over my chair. What's even better...two men were standing behind him, watching him do it. AND THEY DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING! They just laughed.
My chair in the trash can was quite the topic of conversation at the practice fields tonight.
By the time we got home, my back/shoulders were a lovely, unattractive shade of pink. Hopefully it turns tan because a sunburn doesn't work with my master plan.
And it'll clash with my orange Giants shirt tomorrow. We can't have that.
Aubs
When it rains, it pours...No, really, it does.
Because I'm not on the ball this week, I got the boys up early this morning to go to the grocery store before school. The upside to this, for them anyway, is that they got Lunchables for lunch instead of a normal lunch. The upside to this for me? The insane look I got from the cashier when I bought a bottle of wine at 7:10 this morning.
Y'all. It was hilarious. I just shrugged as B loudly exclaimed, "I don't know why you didn't get Kendall Jackson...it's Christy's favorite. She and dad are in a wine club." Even now, I'm dying laughing, thinking of the look on that woman's face as she put our groceries in bags. I threw their Lunchables in their lunch boxes and dropped them at school, then went home to put away the rest of the groceries. I know. My life is fascinating.
It was so gray outside...it was easy to accidentally fall asleep while listening to music and willing your phone to beep. I've been in the middle of a "situation" for a couple of days with a man I've been testing the waters with. He's a really good person; he reminds me so much of my dad in so many ways...his kindness, compassion, and generosity, just to name a few. We're both recovering from issues in our most recent relationship, although mine was three years ago and I'm in a really good place with it. His is more recent, and it seems to kind of ebb and flow between surety and confusion, which I totally get. I've been there. I was there for a long time.
I adore him. I adore his boys. He's a great man who's made me open up to the idea of not only dating someone, but also considering helping him parent his boys who are 6 months younger than each of mine. But, he needs time, and I really want him to be sure. So often, men jump from relationship to relationship, and I definitely don't want to be anybody's rebound relationship.
Pass on that one, for sure.
It was pouring by the time he left, and I decided to go BACK to the grocery store to get a few things to make tacos...tacos that were never made because I fell asleep to the not-so-gentle pounding of the rain against the windows. Baseball got rescheduled for Thursday, due to weather, so I had a free afternoon to do nothing except take another nap. Oooooh, naps!
Meanwhile, my "one that got away" a jillion years ago and I have reconnected again. We do this fairly often now, especially since I was brave enough to look him up a couple of years ago, but nothing ever comes of it. It's to the point where I'm pretty sure we're so much better as friends. I know I'm one of only a handful (if that many) who can tell him what I honestly think about the stupid stuff he does, and he actually listens to what I have to say. It's empowering... Anyway, he's coming to Dallas in a couple of weeks, and since we haven't seen each other in a year, I figure we'll hopefully get together while he's here. Maybe.
Then, he text me to see if I wanted to go to the Yankees/Rangers series in Arlington in July. Um, duh? He's a die-hard Yankees fan (poor man) and I love my Rangers. It should be a lot of fun...because, hello! It's baseball. Not only that, we do tend to have a lot of fun together...there's a lot of laughing, and a ton of sarcastic banter. I'd say that our friendship is rare, for each of us to feel what we've felt and never be ready to act on it at the same time, but still remain friends despite it all really speaks to the depth of our friendship.
Either that, or we're both just super dumb.
It could be that...
Aubs
Y'all. It was hilarious. I just shrugged as B loudly exclaimed, "I don't know why you didn't get Kendall Jackson...it's Christy's favorite. She and dad are in a wine club." Even now, I'm dying laughing, thinking of the look on that woman's face as she put our groceries in bags. I threw their Lunchables in their lunch boxes and dropped them at school, then went home to put away the rest of the groceries. I know. My life is fascinating.
It was so gray outside...it was easy to accidentally fall asleep while listening to music and willing your phone to beep. I've been in the middle of a "situation" for a couple of days with a man I've been testing the waters with. He's a really good person; he reminds me so much of my dad in so many ways...his kindness, compassion, and generosity, just to name a few. We're both recovering from issues in our most recent relationship, although mine was three years ago and I'm in a really good place with it. His is more recent, and it seems to kind of ebb and flow between surety and confusion, which I totally get. I've been there. I was there for a long time.
I adore him. I adore his boys. He's a great man who's made me open up to the idea of not only dating someone, but also considering helping him parent his boys who are 6 months younger than each of mine. But, he needs time, and I really want him to be sure. So often, men jump from relationship to relationship, and I definitely don't want to be anybody's rebound relationship.
Pass on that one, for sure.
It was pouring by the time he left, and I decided to go BACK to the grocery store to get a few things to make tacos...tacos that were never made because I fell asleep to the not-so-gentle pounding of the rain against the windows. Baseball got rescheduled for Thursday, due to weather, so I had a free afternoon to do nothing except take another nap. Oooooh, naps!
Meanwhile, my "one that got away" a jillion years ago and I have reconnected again. We do this fairly often now, especially since I was brave enough to look him up a couple of years ago, but nothing ever comes of it. It's to the point where I'm pretty sure we're so much better as friends. I know I'm one of only a handful (if that many) who can tell him what I honestly think about the stupid stuff he does, and he actually listens to what I have to say. It's empowering... Anyway, he's coming to Dallas in a couple of weeks, and since we haven't seen each other in a year, I figure we'll hopefully get together while he's here. Maybe.
Then, he text me to see if I wanted to go to the Yankees/Rangers series in Arlington in July. Um, duh? He's a die-hard Yankees fan (poor man) and I love my Rangers. It should be a lot of fun...because, hello! It's baseball. Not only that, we do tend to have a lot of fun together...there's a lot of laughing, and a ton of sarcastic banter. I'd say that our friendship is rare, for each of us to feel what we've felt and never be ready to act on it at the same time, but still remain friends despite it all really speaks to the depth of our friendship.
Either that, or we're both just super dumb.
It could be that...
Aubs
Monday, May 20, 2013
Sometimes you just need a "do-over"
The highlight of my day was at approximately 8:15 this morning when I had a surprise visitor knock on my door, just to say "Hi" and brighten my day.
It all went downhill from there.
I took a nap because I didn't sleep very well last night, but woke up ready to go relax by the pool. Yes, I DO realize that it doesn't sound like a horrible day thus far. I'm getting there...just wait for it.
I had a chat with a friend of mine about life and baseball, which was lovely, and then...the boys came home.
They were both in horrible moods...N because of a friend issue he seems to make worse every chance he gets and B because, well...I have no idea. He doesn't ever really have a reason. I lie. The reason is that he's been with his dad for the past week, and when he comes back, he has at least two days where I wonder how I'm going to survive and mentally calculate how much wine I should consume to be able to overlook it.
I don't ever do that, for the record...I just think about it.
B had an elimination playoff game tonight: Rangers vs. Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks stomped the Rangers on Saturday, so before the game, the other B yelled, "This is your payback, Diamondbacks!!!" And the Rangers? They came out ready to play. I had to leave to take N to practice, but when I left, our Rangers were up 5-0. N fell asleep in the car on the way to practice, and when I got to the practice fields, the lightning sirens were going off, and practice had been cancelled. Canceled? Either way...we weren't practicing. And N slept on. Instead of going back to the game, I took him home, woke him up to go upstairs, and thought to myself, "He's only 10 and this cranky. God help me when he's 15."
I. Can't. Wait.
I started getting updates from my mom and B's stepmom about the game. They were up 10-7 going into the bottom of the last inning...and the Diamondbacks came back, but just barely. Final score: Rangers 10, Diamondbacks 11. DOH!
B really couldn't care less. He got a trophy, and he doesn't have to play baseball anymore for the season.
Meanwhile, I'm at home with N, who's still being moody, and I'm in the middle of dealing with my own frustrations in life. I'm really good at scaring myself away from potentially amazing situations...and it seems that the other person in this equation is equally good at it. So, there's that...
Freaking fantastic.
Do-over.
Aubs.
It all went downhill from there.
I took a nap because I didn't sleep very well last night, but woke up ready to go relax by the pool. Yes, I DO realize that it doesn't sound like a horrible day thus far. I'm getting there...just wait for it.
I had a chat with a friend of mine about life and baseball, which was lovely, and then...the boys came home.
They were both in horrible moods...N because of a friend issue he seems to make worse every chance he gets and B because, well...I have no idea. He doesn't ever really have a reason. I lie. The reason is that he's been with his dad for the past week, and when he comes back, he has at least two days where I wonder how I'm going to survive and mentally calculate how much wine I should consume to be able to overlook it.
I don't ever do that, for the record...I just think about it.
B had an elimination playoff game tonight: Rangers vs. Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks stomped the Rangers on Saturday, so before the game, the other B yelled, "This is your payback, Diamondbacks!!!" And the Rangers? They came out ready to play. I had to leave to take N to practice, but when I left, our Rangers were up 5-0. N fell asleep in the car on the way to practice, and when I got to the practice fields, the lightning sirens were going off, and practice had been cancelled. Canceled? Either way...we weren't practicing. And N slept on. Instead of going back to the game, I took him home, woke him up to go upstairs, and thought to myself, "He's only 10 and this cranky. God help me when he's 15."
I. Can't. Wait.
I started getting updates from my mom and B's stepmom about the game. They were up 10-7 going into the bottom of the last inning...and the Diamondbacks came back, but just barely. Final score: Rangers 10, Diamondbacks 11. DOH!
B really couldn't care less. He got a trophy, and he doesn't have to play baseball anymore for the season.
Meanwhile, I'm at home with N, who's still being moody, and I'm in the middle of dealing with my own frustrations in life. I'm really good at scaring myself away from potentially amazing situations...and it seems that the other person in this equation is equally good at it. So, there's that...
Freaking fantastic.
Do-over.
Aubs.
And the fun continues
I've had a moody 10 year-old since Friday, and it hasn't been fun. I realize that this is just a small taste of what's to come, and I am eternally grateful that my offspring are male and not female. Let's just face it...if I had daughters, I'd be locked up in a looney bin by now.
That is NOT an exaggeration.
I got an email from N's coach today letting me know that we have our first elimination playoff game on Tuesday. Our opponent? The Marlins. We've battled twice, each of us winning one game, so this one is a biggie. I mean, not only is it "Win or go home," but it's also a matter of pride. We didn't get a fair shake when we played them last time. Our coach made really poor coaching decisions and lost his temper, and our voice of reason coach was out of town. It was a nightmare. And it was hot. Like, so hot...I was wearing black yoga pants and it was eleventy degrees outside. I was sweaty and gross, and finally started standing up so it wouldn't look like I'd peed my pants.
I'm classy. I know. Aren't you so glad we're friends?
Anyway, I got this email while I was at the pool, working on my tan. Tan fat is way more attractive than white fat, and while I'm working to eliminate said fat (of either color really) from my body, I figure I may as well toast it just because. I tried to get N to come with me, and got another dose of the "Make Me!" attitude that I've come to know and love...except I don't love it, and I have no idea where it's coming from...just that it needs to stop, or someone's going to get hurt.
That someone? It's not going to be me.
After the pool, I was talking on the phone to a Mister who's become pretty important to me, when someone knocked on the door. Thinking it was a friend of N's, I walked to the door somewhat exasperated, opened it...and saw my mom. Surprise! She'd been working a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and was in the neighborhood. I only saw her for a few minutes at N's game on Saturday, so it was great to see her.
N and I spent a pretty low key evening at home, and now I'm doing my best to gear up for another Monday. You know...because Mondays are fabulous.
Okay, so maybe they are...in the summertime.
Aubs
That is NOT an exaggeration.
I got an email from N's coach today letting me know that we have our first elimination playoff game on Tuesday. Our opponent? The Marlins. We've battled twice, each of us winning one game, so this one is a biggie. I mean, not only is it "Win or go home," but it's also a matter of pride. We didn't get a fair shake when we played them last time. Our coach made really poor coaching decisions and lost his temper, and our voice of reason coach was out of town. It was a nightmare. And it was hot. Like, so hot...I was wearing black yoga pants and it was eleventy degrees outside. I was sweaty and gross, and finally started standing up so it wouldn't look like I'd peed my pants.
I'm classy. I know. Aren't you so glad we're friends?
Anyway, I got this email while I was at the pool, working on my tan. Tan fat is way more attractive than white fat, and while I'm working to eliminate said fat (of either color really) from my body, I figure I may as well toast it just because. I tried to get N to come with me, and got another dose of the "Make Me!" attitude that I've come to know and love...except I don't love it, and I have no idea where it's coming from...just that it needs to stop, or someone's going to get hurt.
That someone? It's not going to be me.
After the pool, I was talking on the phone to a Mister who's become pretty important to me, when someone knocked on the door. Thinking it was a friend of N's, I walked to the door somewhat exasperated, opened it...and saw my mom. Surprise! She'd been working a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and was in the neighborhood. I only saw her for a few minutes at N's game on Saturday, so it was great to see her.
N and I spent a pretty low key evening at home, and now I'm doing my best to gear up for another Monday. You know...because Mondays are fabulous.
Okay, so maybe they are...in the summertime.
Aubs
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Playoffs stress me out
At around 12:30 last night, while J & N were eating waffles and uncrustables instead of being fast asleep in preparation for their baseball game, I started to think I might've made a poor parenting choice...but then the three of us justified it by saying they were loading up on carbs in preparation for their game, which prompted me to make them more waffles.
They made a valid argument. They were asleep shortly thereafter, and I mentally prepared myself for a super-early morning, since J's dad claims he never sleeps past 6:30. Imagine how much fun I had texting him at 8:15, letting him know his sweet boy was still snoozin' away...and again at 8:30, and 8:45. Finally, around 9:00, I went in there, and both boys were up with Xbox controllers firmly in hand. I suggested Chick-Fil-A for breakfast, and well...I've never seen two boys move so quickly.
They put on their uniforms, and I have to say, they were probably two of the most adorable boys in the world, in the bathroom together, brushing their teeth in full uniform. It was totally precious. We went to grab breakfast, then some ice for drinks, and then we headed to Wagon Wheel. Thanks to a soccer tournament on the fields opposite of the parking lot, we had to park in the next county...possibly. It was far. Luckily, J's dad met us out there and helped with all of our assorted stuff. He took on N's catcher's gear bag, J's gear bag, N's catcher's helmet, and the cooler full of drinks. I carried my purse and my iced latte that I made in my Keurig before we left the house. I wasn't sure what to do with all my free hands. It was bizarre...but nice.
When we finally got back to the field at the very front of the complex, we got settled, and after a coin toss, we were the home team, so N geared up to warm up behind the plate. My mom showed up right after the game started with a HUGE surprise! My sister & brother-in-law came into town this weekend for a wedding, and while Seester was doing bridal party stuff all day, David was free, so he, JD, and Dan were planning to come watch N's game. David's been trying to come watch a game for two seasons now, and it never works out. N thinks his uncle is one of the coolest people in the world, so I knew he'd love it. When the guys got to the ball field, I ran down to the dugout to N and said, "You will NEVER believe who's here, dude...Uncle David, JD, and Dan!"
Y'all. My heart almost stopped at least three times as I watched a smile unlike anything I've ever seen stretch across his face. He was so thrilled, I just can't even put it into words. He was up to bat pretty quickly after that, and reached first on interference by the catcher. He stole second and third and slid into home in the prettiest slide I've ever seen anyone on the team do...and there have been some great ones. David was stomping his foot, and yelling "Yeah!" through clinched teeth, like only he can do, and then ran down to the dugout to talk to N.
When N said, "Mom! This makes my life!" he wasn't kidding. He was on cloud 9 for the rest of the game, and his teammates joined right in. Literally every single person did something fantastic during the game...and, to top it all off, we held the Reds to 4 runs in the 1st inning. And that was it. Final score? 13-4. It should've been 14, but we scored 5 runs and they wouldn't let us count it.
My "other" boy, J? He started us off with a full count that turned into a walk, and I practically blinked and he'd stolen 2nd and 3rd. He's so fast! He made some awesome plays, scored three of our runs, and man. I'm just so proud of him...proud of all of them! After the game, the four of us walked back out to my car to get J's stuff, and he begged to come back over. N was going to his dad's and J had a soccer game, so it didn't work out, but I hope we'll see a lot more of him in the future.
After N left to go to his dad's, I went to the pool to work on my tan. The water was perfect, and some residents were setting up for a graduation party, so there was music that drowned out the kids who really needed naps. It was a relaxing afternoon of just bumming around.
And although I'm ready for bed, I can't sleep. Because I know how to party when I'm by myself for an unexpected weekend night.
Aubs
They made a valid argument. They were asleep shortly thereafter, and I mentally prepared myself for a super-early morning, since J's dad claims he never sleeps past 6:30. Imagine how much fun I had texting him at 8:15, letting him know his sweet boy was still snoozin' away...and again at 8:30, and 8:45. Finally, around 9:00, I went in there, and both boys were up with Xbox controllers firmly in hand. I suggested Chick-Fil-A for breakfast, and well...I've never seen two boys move so quickly.
They put on their uniforms, and I have to say, they were probably two of the most adorable boys in the world, in the bathroom together, brushing their teeth in full uniform. It was totally precious. We went to grab breakfast, then some ice for drinks, and then we headed to Wagon Wheel. Thanks to a soccer tournament on the fields opposite of the parking lot, we had to park in the next county...possibly. It was far. Luckily, J's dad met us out there and helped with all of our assorted stuff. He took on N's catcher's gear bag, J's gear bag, N's catcher's helmet, and the cooler full of drinks. I carried my purse and my iced latte that I made in my Keurig before we left the house. I wasn't sure what to do with all my free hands. It was bizarre...but nice.
When we finally got back to the field at the very front of the complex, we got settled, and after a coin toss, we were the home team, so N geared up to warm up behind the plate. My mom showed up right after the game started with a HUGE surprise! My sister & brother-in-law came into town this weekend for a wedding, and while Seester was doing bridal party stuff all day, David was free, so he, JD, and Dan were planning to come watch N's game. David's been trying to come watch a game for two seasons now, and it never works out. N thinks his uncle is one of the coolest people in the world, so I knew he'd love it. When the guys got to the ball field, I ran down to the dugout to N and said, "You will NEVER believe who's here, dude...Uncle David, JD, and Dan!"
Y'all. My heart almost stopped at least three times as I watched a smile unlike anything I've ever seen stretch across his face. He was so thrilled, I just can't even put it into words. He was up to bat pretty quickly after that, and reached first on interference by the catcher. He stole second and third and slid into home in the prettiest slide I've ever seen anyone on the team do...and there have been some great ones. David was stomping his foot, and yelling "Yeah!" through clinched teeth, like only he can do, and then ran down to the dugout to talk to N.
When N said, "Mom! This makes my life!" he wasn't kidding. He was on cloud 9 for the rest of the game, and his teammates joined right in. Literally every single person did something fantastic during the game...and, to top it all off, we held the Reds to 4 runs in the 1st inning. And that was it. Final score? 13-4. It should've been 14, but we scored 5 runs and they wouldn't let us count it.
My "other" boy, J? He started us off with a full count that turned into a walk, and I practically blinked and he'd stolen 2nd and 3rd. He's so fast! He made some awesome plays, scored three of our runs, and man. I'm just so proud of him...proud of all of them! After the game, the four of us walked back out to my car to get J's stuff, and he begged to come back over. N was going to his dad's and J had a soccer game, so it didn't work out, but I hope we'll see a lot more of him in the future.
After N left to go to his dad's, I went to the pool to work on my tan. The water was perfect, and some residents were setting up for a graduation party, so there was music that drowned out the kids who really needed naps. It was a relaxing afternoon of just bumming around.
And although I'm ready for bed, I can't sleep. Because I know how to party when I'm by myself for an unexpected weekend night.
Aubs
Friday, May 17, 2013
Don't you just love when you're "good" child becomes the petulant one?
After a morning that can only be described as bizarre, but totally in a good way, I got dressed and ran errands. In 5" wedges and a dress. Why? Because it was Friday, and I like Easter eggs. I never said my logic makes sense. My shoes are Easter egg-esque. They're teal-ish with a hemp wedge, zigzagged with different colors.
Okay, now I realize it looks like my ankle might be broken, but it's not. This was the "before" shot. Anyway, my errands were just fine...until I got to Costco. I swear...Friday must be "Costco Creeper" day because they were out in droves. My "favorite" was the old man (probably 70s) who was leaving when I was walking in. He looked me up and down, then caught my eye, smiled, and licked his lips. It was all I could do to not laugh at him. Because I so wanted to...but I also wanted to throw up. Decisions, decisions. After picking up the two items I needed: Gatorade for baseball tomorrow and avocados because...YUM, I went to check out. The cashier rang up my two items, then started ringing up the items belonging to the people behind me. I said, "Oh, excuse me, those aren't mine." as nicely as could be...and he didn't apologize. Instead he started complaining about how he'd been there since 4 a.m. and he was tired.
So, what did I do? I told him, "Uh oh...Do you hear that? It's the whambulance!" He looked puzzled while everyone around us burst out laughing. When it finally dawned on him, he muttered, "Clever" and went back to his business. I then collided with another man with a shopping cart who was in front of me. I motioned for him to continue, but he said, "No, I insist..." which would've been quite gentlemanly, had he not been staring at my behind as he spoke. The sense of chivalry kind of gets lost in that gesture. As I walked past him, quickly, I felt his eyes. As I looked for something else to focus on, I noticed a group of 4 college-aged guys, hanging out at a table at Costco. You know...where all the cool kids hang out. One of them was talking, but looked up, and as he looked up, he literally hit his friend sitting next to him and gestured towards me. Well, I assume it was me. Otherwise it was a really fascinating stationary cardboard box behind me. I know. It's a toss-up. All of them turned in my direction in sync (or N*Sync, if you prefer) and watched as I walked away. I know, because I could feel it.
Or maybe it was just that dang cardboard box.
When N got home from school, he was a complete butt. He was visibly upset, but wouldn't talk to me about it. He wouldn't even say what it was about, although I figured I knew. I told him he better get over it really quick because J was on his way over. He did a fair job of getting over it...and when J got here, they disappeared to play video games for a while. They went outside to run around, then came back to get ready for practice. When we left for practice, J rode with me, and N rode with J's dad. Apparently, that's how we do things.
And N & J? They're hilarious. They were playing Xbox while singing the "Teamwork" song from The Wonder Pets...a show neither of them watched when they were little. J and I talked all the way to practice, and by the time we got there, he had decided that he and N were going to switch little brothers. See, N's 6 months older than J and B is 6 months older than J's little brother E. So, it's almost like they're interchangeable...only not. Also, it was decided that after practice, N & J would return to my house to sleep and I'd take them to the game. Why not? They're the good ones.
Practice was rough for N, too. He was just being a jerk to everyone, and especially disrespectful to me. A couple of the dads called him out on his behavior, but I think it might've made things worse. I almost nixed the whole "slumber party" thing, but decided it might be a welcome distraction for whatever was bothering him. J's school was doing something with movie night and dads only, so N tagged along for that, and then they both came here.
When I told N to shower, however, that's when he told me, "Make me." And it went downhill from there. So fast. While J was in the shower, I got the scoop from N. Long story short, his best friend was out of town today, so everyone started trying to find out if N liked his best friend's girlfriend. And because he's honest, he said, "A little bit." so that started this huge drama. The girl lives in our apartment complex, so everyone teased N about it all day. And he's the sensitive one.
No, that doesn't make it okay, but it sure explains a lot...
And now I should probably go make the boys go to bed so they can get up for their game in the morning without being cranky.
You know, because sleep is completely important when you're 10 and playing baseball...or in J's case, playing baseball in the morning and soccer in the evening.
That just makes ME tired.
Aubs
Okay, now I realize it looks like my ankle might be broken, but it's not. This was the "before" shot. Anyway, my errands were just fine...until I got to Costco. I swear...Friday must be "Costco Creeper" day because they were out in droves. My "favorite" was the old man (probably 70s) who was leaving when I was walking in. He looked me up and down, then caught my eye, smiled, and licked his lips. It was all I could do to not laugh at him. Because I so wanted to...but I also wanted to throw up. Decisions, decisions. After picking up the two items I needed: Gatorade for baseball tomorrow and avocados because...YUM, I went to check out. The cashier rang up my two items, then started ringing up the items belonging to the people behind me. I said, "Oh, excuse me, those aren't mine." as nicely as could be...and he didn't apologize. Instead he started complaining about how he'd been there since 4 a.m. and he was tired.
So, what did I do? I told him, "Uh oh...Do you hear that? It's the whambulance!" He looked puzzled while everyone around us burst out laughing. When it finally dawned on him, he muttered, "Clever" and went back to his business. I then collided with another man with a shopping cart who was in front of me. I motioned for him to continue, but he said, "No, I insist..." which would've been quite gentlemanly, had he not been staring at my behind as he spoke. The sense of chivalry kind of gets lost in that gesture. As I walked past him, quickly, I felt his eyes. As I looked for something else to focus on, I noticed a group of 4 college-aged guys, hanging out at a table at Costco. You know...where all the cool kids hang out. One of them was talking, but looked up, and as he looked up, he literally hit his friend sitting next to him and gestured towards me. Well, I assume it was me. Otherwise it was a really fascinating stationary cardboard box behind me. I know. It's a toss-up. All of them turned in my direction in sync (or N*Sync, if you prefer) and watched as I walked away. I know, because I could feel it.
Or maybe it was just that dang cardboard box.
When N got home from school, he was a complete butt. He was visibly upset, but wouldn't talk to me about it. He wouldn't even say what it was about, although I figured I knew. I told him he better get over it really quick because J was on his way over. He did a fair job of getting over it...and when J got here, they disappeared to play video games for a while. They went outside to run around, then came back to get ready for practice. When we left for practice, J rode with me, and N rode with J's dad. Apparently, that's how we do things.
And N & J? They're hilarious. They were playing Xbox while singing the "Teamwork" song from The Wonder Pets...a show neither of them watched when they were little. J and I talked all the way to practice, and by the time we got there, he had decided that he and N were going to switch little brothers. See, N's 6 months older than J and B is 6 months older than J's little brother E. So, it's almost like they're interchangeable...only not. Also, it was decided that after practice, N & J would return to my house to sleep and I'd take them to the game. Why not? They're the good ones.
Practice was rough for N, too. He was just being a jerk to everyone, and especially disrespectful to me. A couple of the dads called him out on his behavior, but I think it might've made things worse. I almost nixed the whole "slumber party" thing, but decided it might be a welcome distraction for whatever was bothering him. J's school was doing something with movie night and dads only, so N tagged along for that, and then they both came here.
When I told N to shower, however, that's when he told me, "Make me." And it went downhill from there. So fast. While J was in the shower, I got the scoop from N. Long story short, his best friend was out of town today, so everyone started trying to find out if N liked his best friend's girlfriend. And because he's honest, he said, "A little bit." so that started this huge drama. The girl lives in our apartment complex, so everyone teased N about it all day. And he's the sensitive one.
No, that doesn't make it okay, but it sure explains a lot...
And now I should probably go make the boys go to bed so they can get up for their game in the morning without being cranky.
You know, because sleep is completely important when you're 10 and playing baseball...or in J's case, playing baseball in the morning and soccer in the evening.
That just makes ME tired.
Aubs
Who brings a puppy to baseball practice?
A U7 baseball coach, that's who. Who gets irritated when the kids on his team are paying more attention to the puppy than to his instruction? Same guy.
Needless to say, several of the boys on B's team are total over baseball season. They've been over it since that kid on a different team got hit in the face by a coach pitch. B hasn't wanted to play since, and it's obvious in all that he does. N went to practice tonight too, and helped...simply because he didn't have anything better to do.
And on the way home, after B's stepmom picked him up, N told me that he felt like he couldn't relate to his dad. He said his dad is different: he doesn't talk like anyone else, act like anyone else, think like anyone else...and while N used to think that was awesome, now he feels like he has to act like a different person around him. He just wants to be himself.
Part of this is self-inflicted. He's primarily been around grown-ups for his entire life, so he's considered himself an adult since he was roughly 6. And he's not. He's 10. He's a little boy.
He goes on to tell me that he wishes he could just be himself like he is with his friends, with me, and with one of the coaches on his baseball team.
He's been asking to do a lot of stuff with this coach, even to join his family so he can be on his baseball team in the fall as a coach's kid. And it breaks my heart that he wants this so desperately, and I can't "be" that for him. Thankfully, his coach is an extremely kind and decent man...and he's been happy to help with N in any way that he can. I am so grateful that he not only understands the situation, but is willing to help because he genuinely cares about my kid.
They just don't "make" people like that anymore.
Also, N claims that anyone who's in his family gets an iPad, so that's also part of the appeal.
Kids and electronics. Imagine that.
This whole thing has just been weighing really heavily on my heart for a while. I know the boys would benefit from having a strong male role model around on a regular basis. I know I'm not enough as both a father and a mother, and I don't claim to be enough. But it's not enough to just find someone to fill that void.
It's not worth it. You know?
It's a big decision.
Aubs
Needless to say, several of the boys on B's team are total over baseball season. They've been over it since that kid on a different team got hit in the face by a coach pitch. B hasn't wanted to play since, and it's obvious in all that he does. N went to practice tonight too, and helped...simply because he didn't have anything better to do.
And on the way home, after B's stepmom picked him up, N told me that he felt like he couldn't relate to his dad. He said his dad is different: he doesn't talk like anyone else, act like anyone else, think like anyone else...and while N used to think that was awesome, now he feels like he has to act like a different person around him. He just wants to be himself.
Part of this is self-inflicted. He's primarily been around grown-ups for his entire life, so he's considered himself an adult since he was roughly 6. And he's not. He's 10. He's a little boy.
He goes on to tell me that he wishes he could just be himself like he is with his friends, with me, and with one of the coaches on his baseball team.
He's been asking to do a lot of stuff with this coach, even to join his family so he can be on his baseball team in the fall as a coach's kid. And it breaks my heart that he wants this so desperately, and I can't "be" that for him. Thankfully, his coach is an extremely kind and decent man...and he's been happy to help with N in any way that he can. I am so grateful that he not only understands the situation, but is willing to help because he genuinely cares about my kid.
They just don't "make" people like that anymore.
Also, N claims that anyone who's in his family gets an iPad, so that's also part of the appeal.
Kids and electronics. Imagine that.
This whole thing has just been weighing really heavily on my heart for a while. I know the boys would benefit from having a strong male role model around on a regular basis. I know I'm not enough as both a father and a mother, and I don't claim to be enough. But it's not enough to just find someone to fill that void.
It's not worth it. You know?
It's a big decision.
Aubs
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Tonight, we were NOT baseball ready...
I guess losing two games in the row counts as a losing streak, huh? Well, the U10 Giants are on a losing streak then, and to be fair, it's only partially their fault. Over the last week or so, so many of the boys have had major issues with attitude. Maybe it's the fact that the season is winding down, or maybe they're starting to burn out a little, but they just aren't feeling it...mine included.
Tonight, he played so hard. He made some good plays, was quick to stop the ball, and hit some screaming line drives. He did what the coach told him to do, and got yelled at. And that really has a huge impact on anyone, but especially someone who's already beating themselves up internally over errors.
I'm so proud of several of the players who don't usually get put in the spotlight like N and some of the others. These boys haven't played before or have only played very little or are just not as interested as the other boys. With the help of some of the most amazing volunteers (dads on the team), these boys are hitting, making plays, and hustling. And they're so proud of themselves. It really is so awesome to watch them achieve something and watch their faces light up.
There were some pretty bad calls made by the umps tonight...quite possibly partially due to the fact that it was raining on them, and they wanted to finish the game so they wouldn't melt. Several of our boys, including N's friend J, were just on top of things tonight. J might be one of the cutest boys in the world...his feet never stop moving when he's playing 2nd base, and watching him run the bases gives me crazy anxiety! He's super fast, and he almost dances when he's leading off to steal. I'm pretty sure I adore him. Okay, no. I know I do.
Most of the day was spent running errands (in the morning) and then just relaxing until N got home from school. Tomorrow will be a busy day, so I kind of wanted to enjoy the first day after my semester ended.
Now N's sleeping soundly, the rain's been pounding gently, although intermittently, and I think bed is the greatest place to be!
Aubs
Tonight, he played so hard. He made some good plays, was quick to stop the ball, and hit some screaming line drives. He did what the coach told him to do, and got yelled at. And that really has a huge impact on anyone, but especially someone who's already beating themselves up internally over errors.
I'm so proud of several of the players who don't usually get put in the spotlight like N and some of the others. These boys haven't played before or have only played very little or are just not as interested as the other boys. With the help of some of the most amazing volunteers (dads on the team), these boys are hitting, making plays, and hustling. And they're so proud of themselves. It really is so awesome to watch them achieve something and watch their faces light up.
There were some pretty bad calls made by the umps tonight...quite possibly partially due to the fact that it was raining on them, and they wanted to finish the game so they wouldn't melt. Several of our boys, including N's friend J, were just on top of things tonight. J might be one of the cutest boys in the world...his feet never stop moving when he's playing 2nd base, and watching him run the bases gives me crazy anxiety! He's super fast, and he almost dances when he's leading off to steal. I'm pretty sure I adore him. Okay, no. I know I do.
Most of the day was spent running errands (in the morning) and then just relaxing until N got home from school. Tomorrow will be a busy day, so I kind of wanted to enjoy the first day after my semester ended.
Now N's sleeping soundly, the rain's been pounding gently, although intermittently, and I think bed is the greatest place to be!
Aubs
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Aaaaaand, I'm done
This semester is officially over. I just pressed "submit" on my last two assignments, and now all I have to do is wait for final grades to be recorded to verify my 4.0 semester. Nerd alert!
This morning, after I sent N to school with Justin, I climbed back onto my bed and went over my notes for the final I needed to go take this morning. And then I got sidetracked. The next thing I knew, I needed to be at school in 20 minutes, so I took off.
Know what's really fun? Waiting in line to get into the exam center on the next to last day of the semester. You know, I'm so glad I had an extra 90 minutes to wait. Obviously, this wouldn't have happened if B hadn't been sick, but it's not like kids plan to be sick when you definitely do NOT need them to be. Then again...they just might do that, right?
I hurried through my final with surprising ease...well, that, and I already had enough points for an A. I just had to show up. When I got out to the car, I called Cree Cree and headed to Arlington to meet him for lunch. I also had an opportunity to catch up with Stella, and I talked to my dad, although either his phone or mine were having serious issues...or maybe he just didn't want to talk to me!
Lunch was fantastic! We went to Saltgrass, and had a blast with a waiter in training who was absolutely not personable at all. It was so awkward that we had to laugh. A lot. Conversations with Chris tend to cover a ton of topics, and are usually accompanied by a whole bunch of laughter, so it was a great way to end my semester. He's coming back to Dallas in the next week or so, so I'm hoping we'll be able to get together again. I told him I've seen him more times in the last 4 months than I had seen him in the previous 15 years. Sad, but true...and totally awesome that we've been able to reconnect. I'm pretty sure that I spent a good 5-10 minutes repeating his name over and over, admonishing him for some of his choices...like I have any room to talk, right? It was hilarious, nonetheless.
When I got home, N was already home. I'd dropped a key off at school for him, knowing I'd be running late, along with a note that said, "Don't get stolen." which is our little joke when he wants to be independent. We hung out for an hour or so...just doing nothing until it was time for a short practice in preparation for their first playoff game tomorrow (weather permitting). One third of the team was in Austin for a field trip to the capital and a museum, so I figured it would be a pretty small gathering. I did NOT expect four kids to show up. That was disappointing. The boys who showed up got some decent batting practice in, though, so hopefully they'll be able to lead the team tomorrow during our game.
After practice, I submitted my last two papers, and (like I said before) I am officially done with my semester!
Yay!
Aubs
This morning, after I sent N to school with Justin, I climbed back onto my bed and went over my notes for the final I needed to go take this morning. And then I got sidetracked. The next thing I knew, I needed to be at school in 20 minutes, so I took off.
Know what's really fun? Waiting in line to get into the exam center on the next to last day of the semester. You know, I'm so glad I had an extra 90 minutes to wait. Obviously, this wouldn't have happened if B hadn't been sick, but it's not like kids plan to be sick when you definitely do NOT need them to be. Then again...they just might do that, right?
I hurried through my final with surprising ease...well, that, and I already had enough points for an A. I just had to show up. When I got out to the car, I called Cree Cree and headed to Arlington to meet him for lunch. I also had an opportunity to catch up with Stella, and I talked to my dad, although either his phone or mine were having serious issues...or maybe he just didn't want to talk to me!
Lunch was fantastic! We went to Saltgrass, and had a blast with a waiter in training who was absolutely not personable at all. It was so awkward that we had to laugh. A lot. Conversations with Chris tend to cover a ton of topics, and are usually accompanied by a whole bunch of laughter, so it was a great way to end my semester. He's coming back to Dallas in the next week or so, so I'm hoping we'll be able to get together again. I told him I've seen him more times in the last 4 months than I had seen him in the previous 15 years. Sad, but true...and totally awesome that we've been able to reconnect. I'm pretty sure that I spent a good 5-10 minutes repeating his name over and over, admonishing him for some of his choices...like I have any room to talk, right? It was hilarious, nonetheless.
When I got home, N was already home. I'd dropped a key off at school for him, knowing I'd be running late, along with a note that said, "Don't get stolen." which is our little joke when he wants to be independent. We hung out for an hour or so...just doing nothing until it was time for a short practice in preparation for their first playoff game tomorrow (weather permitting). One third of the team was in Austin for a field trip to the capital and a museum, so I figured it would be a pretty small gathering. I did NOT expect four kids to show up. That was disappointing. The boys who showed up got some decent batting practice in, though, so hopefully they'll be able to lead the team tomorrow during our game.
After practice, I submitted my last two papers, and (like I said before) I am officially done with my semester!
Yay!
Aubs
Seesters
Do you have one? I do. I have the best Seester ever. EVER. But more about that in a second...
It's finals week. And I have a kid who's home sick with a bug. A kid who slept until 11:00, on the day that I have two finals: one at 8:00 and one at 12:30. So...that didn't go well. Luckily, I have one understanding professor who moved my due date to Tuesday. B's dad came to get him around 3:30, and I was going to go take one of the two finals.
But then, I checked the mail. And I had a package from my sweet Seester, Katie. I opened the box, and saw a small box that said, "Open first."
When I opened it, I saw this:
I put it on, then saw a couple of folded pieces of paper in the box, that said, "Then read this."
So, I did. And although I won't post the actual note, I will paraphrase. When I was in 7th grade, my grandmother died. My sister was in 4th grade. My sister was her namesake in a way...my grandmother's name was Helen Kate, and Katie was the first grandchild to have her name. When my grandmother died, she willed her rings to my sister, and since she was so young, my mom kept them for her.
Fast forward to a few years ago, when my mom was still in possession of the rings, and her house was broken into. Her jewelry box was stolen, but for whatever reason, she hadn't kept the rings in her jewelry box. In my note from my Seester, she said that she felt it was more fitting for me to have this ring of my grandma's...her "mother" ring, each stone symbolizing the birth of one of her five children. My dad's in the middle. And when I read those words, I started crying. She went on to tell me how proud she is of how I mother (and father) my children, and how I'm the kind of parent that grown children would be proud to have.
Y'all. I told you. My Seester is the best. And I got a little teary just typing that. I didn't have anything that belonged to my grandmother, and now I have something that I know was so dear to her heart...and it's something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
One of the sweet dads from N's team volunteered to come get N to take him to practice for me so I could go take my final, but it was getting late to get in to take the exam. I text him saying that I was going to skip it because it was too late, so I could handle practice...after I went to get a manicure. Do y'all know what he said? He said, "Aubrey, go enjoy your manicure. I'll take N, and you can come whenever you get done. Don't worry about it. It'll be fun."
So, he did. He text me to let me know that he took N and his son J to go get shakes before practice. I told him if N puked that night, he could come clean it up, and he said he'd be happy to. N and J are newer friends...and J is a really sweet kid. When we were leaving practice, they were goofing around and having a blast. I know N was reluctant to leave. And that made my heart so happy...because he's making real friends. Who wouldn't love to witness that firsthand?
Also, as we were leaving, my phone rang, and it was my pal, Cree Cree! He flew into Dallas for a couple of days, and suggested we meet for lunch tomorrow! Between lunch with Cree Cree, a baseball game for B, practice for N, and my stinkin' finals, I'm going to be a busy girl.
I wish I could go to sleep at a decent time.
Wow, that made me sound super duper old!
Aubs
It's finals week. And I have a kid who's home sick with a bug. A kid who slept until 11:00, on the day that I have two finals: one at 8:00 and one at 12:30. So...that didn't go well. Luckily, I have one understanding professor who moved my due date to Tuesday. B's dad came to get him around 3:30, and I was going to go take one of the two finals.
But then, I checked the mail. And I had a package from my sweet Seester, Katie. I opened the box, and saw a small box that said, "Open first."
When I opened it, I saw this:
So, I did. And although I won't post the actual note, I will paraphrase. When I was in 7th grade, my grandmother died. My sister was in 4th grade. My sister was her namesake in a way...my grandmother's name was Helen Kate, and Katie was the first grandchild to have her name. When my grandmother died, she willed her rings to my sister, and since she was so young, my mom kept them for her.
Fast forward to a few years ago, when my mom was still in possession of the rings, and her house was broken into. Her jewelry box was stolen, but for whatever reason, she hadn't kept the rings in her jewelry box. In my note from my Seester, she said that she felt it was more fitting for me to have this ring of my grandma's...her "mother" ring, each stone symbolizing the birth of one of her five children. My dad's in the middle. And when I read those words, I started crying. She went on to tell me how proud she is of how I mother (and father) my children, and how I'm the kind of parent that grown children would be proud to have.
Y'all. I told you. My Seester is the best. And I got a little teary just typing that. I didn't have anything that belonged to my grandmother, and now I have something that I know was so dear to her heart...and it's something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
One of the sweet dads from N's team volunteered to come get N to take him to practice for me so I could go take my final, but it was getting late to get in to take the exam. I text him saying that I was going to skip it because it was too late, so I could handle practice...after I went to get a manicure. Do y'all know what he said? He said, "Aubrey, go enjoy your manicure. I'll take N, and you can come whenever you get done. Don't worry about it. It'll be fun."
So, he did. He text me to let me know that he took N and his son J to go get shakes before practice. I told him if N puked that night, he could come clean it up, and he said he'd be happy to. N and J are newer friends...and J is a really sweet kid. When we were leaving practice, they were goofing around and having a blast. I know N was reluctant to leave. And that made my heart so happy...because he's making real friends. Who wouldn't love to witness that firsthand?
Also, as we were leaving, my phone rang, and it was my pal, Cree Cree! He flew into Dallas for a couple of days, and suggested we meet for lunch tomorrow! Between lunch with Cree Cree, a baseball game for B, practice for N, and my stinkin' finals, I'm going to be a busy girl.
I wish I could go to sleep at a decent time.
Wow, that made me sound super duper old!
Aubs
Monday, May 13, 2013
Nothing says "Happy Mother's Day!" like...
"Mom, help me! I don't feel so go..."
At 7:36 a.m. on Sunday morning.
2013: The year I spent Mother's Day cleaning up my sweet 7 year-old's vomit. All. Day. Long.
I'm sure every mom has one at one point in her life...and B was so upset that he was sick. As soon as he started throwing up, I called Justin to come get N, and he hung out with his dad all day. He was bummed about not spending the day with me, and he ended up having to sleep over there, since B was still going strong as the day winded down.
And once we hit 11:00 p.m., the fever started. My hot potato tossed and turned for almost 2 hours before I settled him on the couch, and he promptly fell asleep. I'm hoping he stays asleep for a little while at least. The kiddo needs some rest.
When N came home to grab some clothes, he presented me with this:
Yes, I realized after the fact that it was an extremely poor choice in judgement. It was doubly confirmed when I went in there after a frantic "Ding Ding DING!" and he asked for his bottle of water...that was sitting right next to the stinkin' bell. He brought home a card, but hasn't finished it yet because he decided to puke up his guts.
At 7:36 a.m. on Sunday morning.
2013: The year I spent Mother's Day cleaning up my sweet 7 year-old's vomit. All. Day. Long.
I'm sure every mom has one at one point in her life...and B was so upset that he was sick. As soon as he started throwing up, I called Justin to come get N, and he hung out with his dad all day. He was bummed about not spending the day with me, and he ended up having to sleep over there, since B was still going strong as the day winded down.
And once we hit 11:00 p.m., the fever started. My hot potato tossed and turned for almost 2 hours before I settled him on the couch, and he promptly fell asleep. I'm hoping he stays asleep for a little while at least. The kiddo needs some rest.
When N came home to grab some clothes, he presented me with this:
Y'all. I got all teary-eyed right around 6. I laughed at 8 & 4, and got really misty-eyed at 5, 3, and 2. And number 1? I was a mess.
That boy. That 10 year-old little man? He has my heart. And I'm so lucky to be his mom.
I'm equally lucky to be the mom of my sweet 7 year-old, who always keeps me guessing. I gave him a hotel front desk-style bell to ding when he needed something.
Yes, I realized after the fact that it was an extremely poor choice in judgement. It was doubly confirmed when I went in there after a frantic "Ding Ding DING!" and he asked for his bottle of water...that was sitting right next to the stinkin' bell. He brought home a card, but hasn't finished it yet because he decided to puke up his guts.
So look for that tomorrow.
And, to all the mama's out there, Happy Mother's Day! You're in a super-fantastic club!
Aubs
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Bounce!
The city we live in dedicated today to health and fitness awareness, so they set up a ton of booths and various bounce houses/inflatables for a day of fitness fun. After all the "fun" with field day yesterday (read: ruined running shoes and pink faces, despite sunscreen application), B was complaining of a "broken ankle" which is pretty interesting since one of the boys on his team is in a walking boot for a few weeks. He was hopping around on one foot, and when I mentioned/explained Bounce! it was a miraculous recovery. He was healed!
And then I told him to put away his laundry, and he was broken again. Go figure.
Anyway, this morning we slept in since nobody had baseball, and after a leisurely morning, I told them to get dressed and we headed to check it out. B was so excited...N? Not so much. He's obviously entirely too old for bounce house fun. Or something. We got in line for an obstacle course, and the boys and I were talking when I looked in front of us and saw one of the boys from N's baseball team. They're (obviously) the same age, but both have 7 year-old brothers, so it's kind of perfect...except N didn't want to have anything to do with participating. Eventually, he changed his mind and raced his teammate through the course, and he laughed the whole time.
Too old? Ha!
We hung out at Bounce! for a couple of hours, spending a lot of time with the other boys and their dad, and my ultimate goal was to wear B out. After we finished there, we went to get them new shoes since their others were trashed. On the way home, we stopped to get cards for my grandmother for Mother's Day...and Oreos. Because both boys know their priorities.
They played Xbox for a while, and I just relaxed. B was up at 4:00 this morning doing a breathing treatment, so I didn't sleep very well and was so sleepy...but I opted to take them down to the pool after a little rest. For two hours, they played and splashed, and stayed submerged so they wouldn't freeze. Because it was a little breezy.
Also, the dress I was wearing today gave me a really interesting "tan" (read: pink) line, so that's fun. After the pool, the boys showered, and then N went to spend a couple of hours with Justin. Now, I'm settling into bed to watch "Courageous" because I've wanted to watch it for a long time, and I've heard it's fantastic.
N's home, both boys are in bed watching a movie, and it's all peaceful around here.
Just the way Mother's Day weekend should be.
Aubs
And then I told him to put away his laundry, and he was broken again. Go figure.
Anyway, this morning we slept in since nobody had baseball, and after a leisurely morning, I told them to get dressed and we headed to check it out. B was so excited...N? Not so much. He's obviously entirely too old for bounce house fun. Or something. We got in line for an obstacle course, and the boys and I were talking when I looked in front of us and saw one of the boys from N's baseball team. They're (obviously) the same age, but both have 7 year-old brothers, so it's kind of perfect...except N didn't want to have anything to do with participating. Eventually, he changed his mind and raced his teammate through the course, and he laughed the whole time.
Too old? Ha!
We hung out at Bounce! for a couple of hours, spending a lot of time with the other boys and their dad, and my ultimate goal was to wear B out. After we finished there, we went to get them new shoes since their others were trashed. On the way home, we stopped to get cards for my grandmother for Mother's Day...and Oreos. Because both boys know their priorities.
They played Xbox for a while, and I just relaxed. B was up at 4:00 this morning doing a breathing treatment, so I didn't sleep very well and was so sleepy...but I opted to take them down to the pool after a little rest. For two hours, they played and splashed, and stayed submerged so they wouldn't freeze. Because it was a little breezy.
Also, the dress I was wearing today gave me a really interesting "tan" (read: pink) line, so that's fun. After the pool, the boys showered, and then N went to spend a couple of hours with Justin. Now, I'm settling into bed to watch "Courageous" because I've wanted to watch it for a long time, and I've heard it's fantastic.
N's home, both boys are in bed watching a movie, and it's all peaceful around here.
Just the way Mother's Day weekend should be.
Aubs
Field Day
Last night, after dinner, I spent a good 90 minutes making water balloons in the kitchen sink. Since I don't have an outside faucet (living on the second floor kind of makes that impossible), I had to get creative. And it was messy. So, so messy. I was making balloons, and the boys were wiping them off and putting them in this huge basket for us to drag to school this morning. When all was said and done, there were roughly 100 water balloons in there, so when I went to move the basket in the kitchen, I stopped because it was heavy.
And then I called Justin to see if he would take N (and the water balloons) to school for me in the morning, and I'd drop B when I was headed to school. And he agreed, which was helpful because there's no way I would have been able to get that basket down the stairs.
It was a rushed/hectic morning, but when I got to school, my professor announced that he'd updated grades, and everyone should look. He reminded us that we needed 180 points for an A in the class, so if we saw our point totals, we'd know what we needed to make on the final on Monday. My points total? 187. I still have to take it, but I don't actually have to do well...but why would I do poorly on purpose? That would just be plain silly.
When class was over, I took off...and rushed over to the elementary school to finish the rest of field day with B. I did my best to purposely avoid the 5th graders, because it's obviously totally not awesome if your mom comes to watch field day...especially if you're a 10 year-old boy who thinks he's 27. B, on the other hand, was thrilled to see me, as was his class. All of the boys in his class have started calling me "My Sweetie Pie" which I find completely hilarious. One of the cutest little boys I've ever seen started the nickname during a Friday reading session, and it's stuck. He's called me "My Sweetie Pie" almost all year.
As we sat, watching the older grades do the DCE Dash, I was talking to one of the dads in B's class about baseball. His son plays baseball for a different league, and they'll have some spots open next season. They just moved from Florida, and their son is still working on making friends...so I told him to send me the information, and we'd look into it as an option. After the races were over, I found my (destroyed) basket and went home to wait for the boys to ride the bus home.
Justin called on my way home to see if E could come over for a little while after school, so I agreed, and E helped me rip paper while I took a final. It was extremely useful. He hates toys, but give him a piece of paper or a napkin, and he's a happy camper. Weird. N opted out of family time to play at a friend's house, so B, E, and I headed over to B's make-up baseball practice. On Friday night. At 6:00. Not the smartest idea.
A whole 5 players showed up, and the other B's mom (who was also at field day) and I were exact twins: black shorts, gray running shoes, and purple field day shirts. B spent an hour rolling around in the grass. Fast forward to 3 hours later, at home, where we're on our second breathing treatment of the night because that's what happens when B rolls around in the grass.
Here's hoping tonight doesn't completely suck.
Aubs
And then I called Justin to see if he would take N (and the water balloons) to school for me in the morning, and I'd drop B when I was headed to school. And he agreed, which was helpful because there's no way I would have been able to get that basket down the stairs.
It was a rushed/hectic morning, but when I got to school, my professor announced that he'd updated grades, and everyone should look. He reminded us that we needed 180 points for an A in the class, so if we saw our point totals, we'd know what we needed to make on the final on Monday. My points total? 187. I still have to take it, but I don't actually have to do well...but why would I do poorly on purpose? That would just be plain silly.
When class was over, I took off...and rushed over to the elementary school to finish the rest of field day with B. I did my best to purposely avoid the 5th graders, because it's obviously totally not awesome if your mom comes to watch field day...especially if you're a 10 year-old boy who thinks he's 27. B, on the other hand, was thrilled to see me, as was his class. All of the boys in his class have started calling me "My Sweetie Pie" which I find completely hilarious. One of the cutest little boys I've ever seen started the nickname during a Friday reading session, and it's stuck. He's called me "My Sweetie Pie" almost all year.
As we sat, watching the older grades do the DCE Dash, I was talking to one of the dads in B's class about baseball. His son plays baseball for a different league, and they'll have some spots open next season. They just moved from Florida, and their son is still working on making friends...so I told him to send me the information, and we'd look into it as an option. After the races were over, I found my (destroyed) basket and went home to wait for the boys to ride the bus home.
Justin called on my way home to see if E could come over for a little while after school, so I agreed, and E helped me rip paper while I took a final. It was extremely useful. He hates toys, but give him a piece of paper or a napkin, and he's a happy camper. Weird. N opted out of family time to play at a friend's house, so B, E, and I headed over to B's make-up baseball practice. On Friday night. At 6:00. Not the smartest idea.
A whole 5 players showed up, and the other B's mom (who was also at field day) and I were exact twins: black shorts, gray running shoes, and purple field day shirts. B spent an hour rolling around in the grass. Fast forward to 3 hours later, at home, where we're on our second breathing treatment of the night because that's what happens when B rolls around in the grass.
Here's hoping tonight doesn't completely suck.
Aubs
Friday, May 10, 2013
It's raining, it's pouring!
I just love a gray, rainy day. My pillow was just calling my name for a nap, and I gave in pretty willingly. When I woke up, I got down to business on the last of my homework for my Friday class.
I received an email from my professor that basically said he really wanted to discuss "Zero Dark Thirty" in class on Friday, so would I please watch it since I'm the only one who participates? I've gone back and forth on whether or not I wanted to watch the movie, but then he mentioned "Extra Credit" and I decided I'd do it. Yes, I'm a nerd. I like it.
So, when the boys got home, we went to run a couple of errands. N needed a new swimsuit for field day tomorrow, and B needed a drawstring-type bag for the same reason. We struck out at Sports Authority...they literally had 5 boys' swimsuits. I did, however, find B a bag just like N's (only cooler, if you ask N), which caused N to try to barter with B for the new bag. It didn't go the way he wanted it to, and he still needed a swimsuit, so we ended up at Old Navy.
Y'all. I have a thing for Old Navy. I have for years. Oddly enough, I did NOT have a thing for Old Navy when I worked there during high school. Go figure. Actually, it was probably for the best. The whole goal of working at Old Navy was to make/save money. Now, I adore super soft t-shirts, and tanks...and their pj pants are super cute. If you looked in my closet, you would find a ridiculous amount of Old Navy. When I find something I like, I buy it in every color...like their vintage baseball tees. Oh, they're one of my more recent loves.
Anyway, we had swimsuit success, and we were getting ready to pull up at our apartment, when I realized I needed to Redbox "Zero Dark Thirty." So, off to Market Street we went. And after I got the movie (and "Red Dawn" to distract the boys), I remembered that N had asked for Cuties, so we headed to the produce section.
Twenty minutes later, we left with white and yellow peaches, cuties, lemons, limes, celery, cucumber, navel oranges, basil, and mint. And I'm super excited to make some of my own vitamin water.
Because.
Yum.
Aubs
I received an email from my professor that basically said he really wanted to discuss "Zero Dark Thirty" in class on Friday, so would I please watch it since I'm the only one who participates? I've gone back and forth on whether or not I wanted to watch the movie, but then he mentioned "Extra Credit" and I decided I'd do it. Yes, I'm a nerd. I like it.
So, when the boys got home, we went to run a couple of errands. N needed a new swimsuit for field day tomorrow, and B needed a drawstring-type bag for the same reason. We struck out at Sports Authority...they literally had 5 boys' swimsuits. I did, however, find B a bag just like N's (only cooler, if you ask N), which caused N to try to barter with B for the new bag. It didn't go the way he wanted it to, and he still needed a swimsuit, so we ended up at Old Navy.
Y'all. I have a thing for Old Navy. I have for years. Oddly enough, I did NOT have a thing for Old Navy when I worked there during high school. Go figure. Actually, it was probably for the best. The whole goal of working at Old Navy was to make/save money. Now, I adore super soft t-shirts, and tanks...and their pj pants are super cute. If you looked in my closet, you would find a ridiculous amount of Old Navy. When I find something I like, I buy it in every color...like their vintage baseball tees. Oh, they're one of my more recent loves.
Anyway, we had swimsuit success, and we were getting ready to pull up at our apartment, when I realized I needed to Redbox "Zero Dark Thirty." So, off to Market Street we went. And after I got the movie (and "Red Dawn" to distract the boys), I remembered that N had asked for Cuties, so we headed to the produce section.
Twenty minutes later, we left with white and yellow peaches, cuties, lemons, limes, celery, cucumber, navel oranges, basil, and mint. And I'm super excited to make some of my own vitamin water.
Because.
Yum.
Aubs
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Tonight, I wanted to call a whambulance to take me away
I so did. B's stepmom kept him for a couple of extra days because there were conflicting baseball games and N needed some space, so he came home today. When he comes home, I mentally prepare myself for whining and behavior that he knows is not allowed. And arguing. Oh...the arguing. I'm surprised when my ears DONT start bleeding.
To add to my physical and mental pain, I really needed to go to the grocery store this afternoon. I needed the boys to pick some fruit/yogurt because if I pick it, it will inevitably be the wrong one, even if it's the exact same flavor they would've picked. "Mom, you picked the wrong container! I wanted the one from the stack on the left." Seriously. It's happened. So, I bargained with them. I could've just said, "We're going. The end." but I was trying to be kind...first day back, sets a precedent, etc.
The deal was they get a snack, we grocery shop, put the groceries away, and then they play Xbox until baseball practice. And, for the most part, it went well. B acted like a moron at times at the store, but I was the moron who allowed him to have an Icee. Stupid idea on my part. Obviously.
By the time we got home, I was frustrated and annoyed, the boys were itching to play Xbox, and N willingly helped put away groceries while B flopped on the floor and pretended he had the hiccups to avoid doing any work. And that didn't go over very well. I sent them away to play, and after I finished reorganizing the freezer, I made B come to do his homework.
Y'all. You'd think I asked him to write a research paper with 16 sources instead of reading a 10 page book and writing three sentences about the beginning, middle, and end of the story. And each time I would redirect him back to the three sentences, he'd scream like I was murdering him instead of saying, "Hey! B! Focus!" I'm pretty sure my neighbors like it when there's only one kid here...
We went to practice, and one of the other boys' little brothers came along, too, so B had someone to play with. And I sat in my chair and drank from my grown-up sippy cup and read "Sparkly Green Earrings" by Melanie Shankle. Which you should totally read if you're a mom. Or thinking about becoming one. Because it's hilarious and totally true. And right now, it's available on Kindle for FREE dollars. Seriously. Go download it. Sparkly Green Earrings
You'll thank me. For life.
Aubs
To add to my physical and mental pain, I really needed to go to the grocery store this afternoon. I needed the boys to pick some fruit/yogurt because if I pick it, it will inevitably be the wrong one, even if it's the exact same flavor they would've picked. "Mom, you picked the wrong container! I wanted the one from the stack on the left." Seriously. It's happened. So, I bargained with them. I could've just said, "We're going. The end." but I was trying to be kind...first day back, sets a precedent, etc.
The deal was they get a snack, we grocery shop, put the groceries away, and then they play Xbox until baseball practice. And, for the most part, it went well. B acted like a moron at times at the store, but I was the moron who allowed him to have an Icee. Stupid idea on my part. Obviously.
By the time we got home, I was frustrated and annoyed, the boys were itching to play Xbox, and N willingly helped put away groceries while B flopped on the floor and pretended he had the hiccups to avoid doing any work. And that didn't go over very well. I sent them away to play, and after I finished reorganizing the freezer, I made B come to do his homework.
Y'all. You'd think I asked him to write a research paper with 16 sources instead of reading a 10 page book and writing three sentences about the beginning, middle, and end of the story. And each time I would redirect him back to the three sentences, he'd scream like I was murdering him instead of saying, "Hey! B! Focus!" I'm pretty sure my neighbors like it when there's only one kid here...
We went to practice, and one of the other boys' little brothers came along, too, so B had someone to play with. And I sat in my chair and drank from my grown-up sippy cup and read "Sparkly Green Earrings" by Melanie Shankle. Which you should totally read if you're a mom. Or thinking about becoming one. Because it's hilarious and totally true. And right now, it's available on Kindle for FREE dollars. Seriously. Go download it. Sparkly Green Earrings
You'll thank me. For life.
Aubs
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Sometimes a loss in necessary
I hate to say it, but I think our boys needed to lose a game tonight so they could regain a little of their previous focus going into the playoffs. Everyone came into the game without any kind of excitement. In fact, several of them were completely angry about how practice had gone the night before. There had been a race between two team members last night..and one tried to cut the other off which resulted in a push or an inadvertent trip and the loss of a shoe. I think the coach thought it would promote healthy competition. All it REALLY did was piss a bunch of exhausted 10 year-old boys off.
And several of them (my son included) had big chips on their shoulders when they got to the game tonight. And it was hot. And the other team was super prepared. Had our boys not been in a funk for 2/3 of the game, I think we would've done better. We came alive towards the end of the third inning, making some plays while we were in the field, and then FINALLY got on the scoreboard in the top of the 4th. Final score: Marlins 8, Giants 2.
It was a hard loss, but we're the two best teams in the league. We broke their perfect record...the one that's been running for two seasons, handing them their first loss...EVER a few weeks ago. And they didn't forget it. They came to play, and we didn't. We were also down a coach, and several parents were unavailable to help coach, so the main coach of our team didn't really have any help. He was frustrated, the boys were frustrated, and all of a sudden, they stopped functioning as a team. It was hard to watch.
For obvious reasons. And not-so-obvious reasons...like I wore black yoga pants, and I'm pretty sure they were wet with sweat. Poor choice, Aubrey. Poor choice. N had a rough game. He was trying his best to make plays from behind the plate, but he didn't have a lot of help from his pitcher. They still haven't realized that it's their job to cover home when N chases a wild pitch and there's a runner headed home.
He was angry and irritated and frustrated and sad. And he has every right to be each one of those emotions. He's had a lot going on in his little world lately, and I'm sure he feels like it's spinning upside down.
But a team where only a few of the players have played together in the past making it through the regular season with one loss? Well, now...that's pretty impressive. Post season games for seating are next week. We'll see how that goes!
Aubs
And several of them (my son included) had big chips on their shoulders when they got to the game tonight. And it was hot. And the other team was super prepared. Had our boys not been in a funk for 2/3 of the game, I think we would've done better. We came alive towards the end of the third inning, making some plays while we were in the field, and then FINALLY got on the scoreboard in the top of the 4th. Final score: Marlins 8, Giants 2.
It was a hard loss, but we're the two best teams in the league. We broke their perfect record...the one that's been running for two seasons, handing them their first loss...EVER a few weeks ago. And they didn't forget it. They came to play, and we didn't. We were also down a coach, and several parents were unavailable to help coach, so the main coach of our team didn't really have any help. He was frustrated, the boys were frustrated, and all of a sudden, they stopped functioning as a team. It was hard to watch.
For obvious reasons. And not-so-obvious reasons...like I wore black yoga pants, and I'm pretty sure they were wet with sweat. Poor choice, Aubrey. Poor choice. N had a rough game. He was trying his best to make plays from behind the plate, but he didn't have a lot of help from his pitcher. They still haven't realized that it's their job to cover home when N chases a wild pitch and there's a runner headed home.
He was angry and irritated and frustrated and sad. And he has every right to be each one of those emotions. He's had a lot going on in his little world lately, and I'm sure he feels like it's spinning upside down.
But a team where only a few of the players have played together in the past making it through the regular season with one loss? Well, now...that's pretty impressive. Post season games for seating are next week. We'll see how that goes!
Aubs
Sometimes people just annoy me
I've been working on wrapping up my semester, so I've let the household duties slip a little bit. So, this morning, after I sent N to school, I came home and decided to start with my room/bathroom. Usually my room/bathroom are the last to be cleaned because 1. I'm a girl and not that messy, and 2. I tend to clean up after myself.
The boys? Entirely different story. In fact, I got so wrapped up in my room and doing laundry, that I kind of quit on the rest of the house. Whoops! There's always tomorrow, I guess...
I also decided to be ambitious and catch up. I started a new squats challenge almost a month ago, then added a crunches challenge a couple of weeks later. With my Saturday being so busy and my Sunday being devoted to homework, I was behind. I opted to catch myself up instead of starting over or just skipping it. That said, I did 555 squats yesterday and 170 crunches. I can't wait to see how my legs feel tomorrow.
I had the bright idea to bring some of my textbooks with me to N's practice so I could study. In theory, this was a great idea. I'm usually the only parent who stays at practice who doesn't help (I AM a girl, after all...) so I figured it would be mostly uninterrupted time looking over my notes. Except, all of the parents stayed. Every single one. And they were loud. And they brought their animals, animals who were very interested in my text books that were spread across my blanket.
So, I finally gave up. And right about the time I gave up, my favorite mom walked up with her dog, Spike. I put my books away, and we spent the rest of the time talking and laughing and doing a lot of ducking and covering. There were foul balls flying all over the place. We also discussed what types of beverages would be tasty for our game tomorrow against our biggest rivals: The Marlins.
It'll be a blast. I can't wait...I really can't!
When we finally got home, N and I ate dinner and he showered and went to bed. Because practice goes until 9:00 on Mondays, it makes for late nights, which makes for difficult mornings on Tuesdays. I called B to tell him to come give me a kiss when he finished at batting practice, but he told me that his dad didn't take him to batting practice. I think that's stupid. They have a game tomorrow, too...and B is still semi-afraid of the ball. It makes me really angry that the one time he didn't go to practice was the one time his dad was expected to take him.
And there's no real reason behind it, and that's probably the most frustrating part. Being on a team is a commitment. Attending practice is like a job. And I really don't think teaching your child, "Oh you don't have to go if you don't feel like it..." is the proper learning lesson here.
Aubs
The boys? Entirely different story. In fact, I got so wrapped up in my room and doing laundry, that I kind of quit on the rest of the house. Whoops! There's always tomorrow, I guess...
I also decided to be ambitious and catch up. I started a new squats challenge almost a month ago, then added a crunches challenge a couple of weeks later. With my Saturday being so busy and my Sunday being devoted to homework, I was behind. I opted to catch myself up instead of starting over or just skipping it. That said, I did 555 squats yesterday and 170 crunches. I can't wait to see how my legs feel tomorrow.
I had the bright idea to bring some of my textbooks with me to N's practice so I could study. In theory, this was a great idea. I'm usually the only parent who stays at practice who doesn't help (I AM a girl, after all...) so I figured it would be mostly uninterrupted time looking over my notes. Except, all of the parents stayed. Every single one. And they were loud. And they brought their animals, animals who were very interested in my text books that were spread across my blanket.
So, I finally gave up. And right about the time I gave up, my favorite mom walked up with her dog, Spike. I put my books away, and we spent the rest of the time talking and laughing and doing a lot of ducking and covering. There were foul balls flying all over the place. We also discussed what types of beverages would be tasty for our game tomorrow against our biggest rivals: The Marlins.
It'll be a blast. I can't wait...I really can't!
When we finally got home, N and I ate dinner and he showered and went to bed. Because practice goes until 9:00 on Mondays, it makes for late nights, which makes for difficult mornings on Tuesdays. I called B to tell him to come give me a kiss when he finished at batting practice, but he told me that his dad didn't take him to batting practice. I think that's stupid. They have a game tomorrow, too...and B is still semi-afraid of the ball. It makes me really angry that the one time he didn't go to practice was the one time his dad was expected to take him.
And there's no real reason behind it, and that's probably the most frustrating part. Being on a team is a commitment. Attending practice is like a job. And I really don't think teaching your child, "Oh you don't have to go if you don't feel like it..." is the proper learning lesson here.
Aubs
Monday, May 6, 2013
Focus
My semester is drawing to a close, and I have a lot of assignments that I need to complete before the 18th of May. I think the due dates are actually before that, but the close of the semester is towards the end of next week. So, after delightful morning where I woke up at 10:15 on my own because I was home alone last night, I did what anyone else would do...
I procrastinated. How could I possibly focus on homework when there were episodes of Gilmore Girls on television, just begging to be watched? Exactly.
N came home mid-afternoon with a new catcher's mitt, and he was exhausted after a long day yesterday playing baseball. He asked to go to his room to relax, and I decided that I wanted to be a good example and work on homework, so we split up...until he remembered that we needed to go over a bunch of stuff for going into middle school, so we decided on his schedule and marked that off the list.
I hit my homework after that, and spent the next six hours of my life finishing every single thing for one of my classes except for the final exam, which I can't take until next Monday.
It was a long night.
It wouldn't have been that long if I'd simply worked on my homework earlier, but I was busy. Relaxing. Because I got up early on Saturday and stayed up super late...and then.
Wow. I'm debating whether to call a whambulance or book a room in retirement home around the corner.
Okay, then...
Yeah.
Aubs
I procrastinated. How could I possibly focus on homework when there were episodes of Gilmore Girls on television, just begging to be watched? Exactly.
N came home mid-afternoon with a new catcher's mitt, and he was exhausted after a long day yesterday playing baseball. He asked to go to his room to relax, and I decided that I wanted to be a good example and work on homework, so we split up...until he remembered that we needed to go over a bunch of stuff for going into middle school, so we decided on his schedule and marked that off the list.
I hit my homework after that, and spent the next six hours of my life finishing every single thing for one of my classes except for the final exam, which I can't take until next Monday.
It was a long night.
It wouldn't have been that long if I'd simply worked on my homework earlier, but I was busy. Relaxing. Because I got up early on Saturday and stayed up super late...and then.
Wow. I'm debating whether to call a whambulance or book a room in retirement home around the corner.
Okay, then...
Yeah.
Aubs
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Fired up
I will be the first one to tell you that life isn't fair. My boys hear it from me all the time, and they argue that it could be fair, I just like to torture them. Not true. It's part of life. Things will not always go your way, and you can do absolutely nothing wrong, and totally deserve something, but not receive it.
That's N. Today. Seriously. And I'm fired up.
We got to the ball fields this morning, and met up with the other Giant who was subbing in for the Marlins. Apparently, two of the Reds were also subbing in for the Marlins, including the tournament coach's son. Awesome. He refused to make eye contact, and any respect that I'd had for him completely went down the tubes. I'm not hostile, I'm not mean. I'm polite. I don't agree with his choices, but I can make polite conversation with the best of them, even if (deep down) I think you're the biggest douchebag on the planet. I'm not saying I think that of anyone, necessarily, but chances are...if I thought that about you, you probably wouldn't know.
Anyway, because Coach Chris was so short on players, N spent one inning in the outfield, another at 2nd base, and the last inning at 1st. He promised me, prior to the game, that he was going to run everything out, and when I saw the other coach was there watching his own son, I told N to have a good attitude and play his heart out. And one of the great things I love about his old coach is that he's super encouraging. He's N's biggest fan...even when they are playing against each other. Although it was close for a while, we helped the Marlins to victory, then rushed over to the other field for our game against the Reds...and the tournament coach.
Since two of our boys had already played a game, they were pretty warm already, and everyone showed up for the game. It was the first time we had all been together since the tournament team was posted, and I had a lot of questions to field about why N didn't make the team. One of the boys on our team who did make it was allowed to try out by his mother. His father and stepmother had said they didn't want him to try out because they were going to be gone for the majority of June. They were upset that their kid had made it because he wasn't going to be available for most of the season and N hadn't...because he was available for the whole season. Like I said, life just isn't fair sometimes.
N had something to prove in that game. He had to prove to this coach that he had made a mistake, and he did...prove it, I mean. He was playing with an inexperienced pitcher, so he was trying to be both the catcher and the pitcher when he was trying to tag runners out at home. He ended up with gravel in his elbows on at least two occasions. But you know what? He didn't show an attitude or get angry. He looked hurt, but he brushed himself off, and got back in there.
And then, it happened. While our team was up to bat, the other team's catcher got mad while waiting for the ball to get thrown in from the outfield, and runners were scoring. And scoring. So what did he do? He took off his helmet. And threw it. Hard. He threw up his hands in disgust and was totally ugly. And the coach on his team? Well, he looked embarrassed. So much so, that I ran over to the dugout on our side and asked the coaches who the kid was. When they told me, I. Got. Pissed.
The kid who threw the temper tantrum, a bigger tantrum than I've EVER seen N throw...EVER, made the tournament team. And it was mentioned to the other coach, more than once during and after that game that kids make mistakes and get angry with themselves, but one instance shouldn't keep them from something they want so badly. Ahem, N. Again, it'll never happen because he has to keep some semblance of his male pride/ego, but he knows he was a jerk. And so does everyone else.
And for whatever reason he has for not wanting N on his team, I know for a fact the results would have been different if any other coach were coaching. So N isn't giving up. He's going to play hard and get better and show him he made a huge mistake.
In fact, he did. When a Reds player was trying to make it home, N clotheslined him with the ball and tagged him out. He was a big kid...bigger than N, and N dropped him to the ground. Our side of the stands went a little nuts, and it took complete restraint for the coaches to not cheer, too.
Because, biased or not, my kid's an awesome ball player. And I can be fired up and proud all at the same time.
Aubs
That's N. Today. Seriously. And I'm fired up.
We got to the ball fields this morning, and met up with the other Giant who was subbing in for the Marlins. Apparently, two of the Reds were also subbing in for the Marlins, including the tournament coach's son. Awesome. He refused to make eye contact, and any respect that I'd had for him completely went down the tubes. I'm not hostile, I'm not mean. I'm polite. I don't agree with his choices, but I can make polite conversation with the best of them, even if (deep down) I think you're the biggest douchebag on the planet. I'm not saying I think that of anyone, necessarily, but chances are...if I thought that about you, you probably wouldn't know.
Anyway, because Coach Chris was so short on players, N spent one inning in the outfield, another at 2nd base, and the last inning at 1st. He promised me, prior to the game, that he was going to run everything out, and when I saw the other coach was there watching his own son, I told N to have a good attitude and play his heart out. And one of the great things I love about his old coach is that he's super encouraging. He's N's biggest fan...even when they are playing against each other. Although it was close for a while, we helped the Marlins to victory, then rushed over to the other field for our game against the Reds...and the tournament coach.
Since two of our boys had already played a game, they were pretty warm already, and everyone showed up for the game. It was the first time we had all been together since the tournament team was posted, and I had a lot of questions to field about why N didn't make the team. One of the boys on our team who did make it was allowed to try out by his mother. His father and stepmother had said they didn't want him to try out because they were going to be gone for the majority of June. They were upset that their kid had made it because he wasn't going to be available for most of the season and N hadn't...because he was available for the whole season. Like I said, life just isn't fair sometimes.
N had something to prove in that game. He had to prove to this coach that he had made a mistake, and he did...prove it, I mean. He was playing with an inexperienced pitcher, so he was trying to be both the catcher and the pitcher when he was trying to tag runners out at home. He ended up with gravel in his elbows on at least two occasions. But you know what? He didn't show an attitude or get angry. He looked hurt, but he brushed himself off, and got back in there.
And then, it happened. While our team was up to bat, the other team's catcher got mad while waiting for the ball to get thrown in from the outfield, and runners were scoring. And scoring. So what did he do? He took off his helmet. And threw it. Hard. He threw up his hands in disgust and was totally ugly. And the coach on his team? Well, he looked embarrassed. So much so, that I ran over to the dugout on our side and asked the coaches who the kid was. When they told me, I. Got. Pissed.
The kid who threw the temper tantrum, a bigger tantrum than I've EVER seen N throw...EVER, made the tournament team. And it was mentioned to the other coach, more than once during and after that game that kids make mistakes and get angry with themselves, but one instance shouldn't keep them from something they want so badly. Ahem, N. Again, it'll never happen because he has to keep some semblance of his male pride/ego, but he knows he was a jerk. And so does everyone else.
And for whatever reason he has for not wanting N on his team, I know for a fact the results would have been different if any other coach were coaching. So N isn't giving up. He's going to play hard and get better and show him he made a huge mistake.
In fact, he did. When a Reds player was trying to make it home, N clotheslined him with the ball and tagged him out. He was a big kid...bigger than N, and N dropped him to the ground. Our side of the stands went a little nuts, and it took complete restraint for the coaches to not cheer, too.
Because, biased or not, my kid's an awesome ball player. And I can be fired up and proud all at the same time.
Aubs
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Proud Mama
So. N and I talked last night about the whole tournament team, and he's still upset, but he's really trying hard not to show it. I wish there was something I could do to fix it, but I can't really fix this. It comes down to a pride issue. Even if the coach realized he made a stupid mistake (and, for the record, he did), he won't change his mind or the roster because it would mean admitting he was wrong.
And we all know how often that happens.
Anyway, I was sitting in class today, and my phone started blinking, so I checked it and discovered that I had new email. I checked my mail, and the first thing I saw was an email from N's old coach. It basically said that he was short players for his 9:00 game on Saturday, and how he would love for N to come play for him before our game at 10:45. Would he be interested? And then he congratulated him on making the tournament team...so I emailed him back and said it was the other N that was chosen for the team, and I thought that my N would want to play for him, but I'd let him know this afternoon. His response: "Ugh, that sucks. I just figured it was him. He really impressed me when we played against you guys last time."
And I was a proud Mama for the rest of the day. My boy is a hot commodity. Other teams want him to fill in for them when they're short players, and he would probably do it...for any team except the one the tournament coach is currently coaching. N walked home with a friend, so he called me when he got there, and I said, "Hey, Coach Chris emailed me and asked if you wanted to..." and he yelled, "I'll do it!" before I could even finish. That's how much he adores him. It's awesome.
B and I picked him up on our way to B's baseball game, and I reminded him that he'd have to play outfield for his old coach. Substitute players can't play infield unless there's a serious lack of players, and they can never pitch or catch. All of a sudden, N didn't want to do it anymore, but I told him he needed to be a versatile player. The more positions he can play, and play well, the more valuable he becomes to his coaches and teams. He saw the light.
And B? Well, B got over his fear of the ball and smashed a couple of balls into the outfield. He was so proud of himself, running the bases, and doing a little dance when he crossed home plate. He's a mess! They didn't win, but they played hard and they had fun, and this time, they even paid attention!
N and I went home to get some food, and then we spent a little time watching Happy Gilmore (he's never seen it) and playing Super Nintendo (Donkey Kong Kountry) before bed. Tomorrow's going to be an early morning.
Oh boy!
Aubs
And we all know how often that happens.
Anyway, I was sitting in class today, and my phone started blinking, so I checked it and discovered that I had new email. I checked my mail, and the first thing I saw was an email from N's old coach. It basically said that he was short players for his 9:00 game on Saturday, and how he would love for N to come play for him before our game at 10:45. Would he be interested? And then he congratulated him on making the tournament team...so I emailed him back and said it was the other N that was chosen for the team, and I thought that my N would want to play for him, but I'd let him know this afternoon. His response: "Ugh, that sucks. I just figured it was him. He really impressed me when we played against you guys last time."
And I was a proud Mama for the rest of the day. My boy is a hot commodity. Other teams want him to fill in for them when they're short players, and he would probably do it...for any team except the one the tournament coach is currently coaching. N walked home with a friend, so he called me when he got there, and I said, "Hey, Coach Chris emailed me and asked if you wanted to..." and he yelled, "I'll do it!" before I could even finish. That's how much he adores him. It's awesome.
B and I picked him up on our way to B's baseball game, and I reminded him that he'd have to play outfield for his old coach. Substitute players can't play infield unless there's a serious lack of players, and they can never pitch or catch. All of a sudden, N didn't want to do it anymore, but I told him he needed to be a versatile player. The more positions he can play, and play well, the more valuable he becomes to his coaches and teams. He saw the light.
And B? Well, B got over his fear of the ball and smashed a couple of balls into the outfield. He was so proud of himself, running the bases, and doing a little dance when he crossed home plate. He's a mess! They didn't win, but they played hard and they had fun, and this time, they even paid attention!
N and I went home to get some food, and then we spent a little time watching Happy Gilmore (he's never seen it) and playing Super Nintendo (Donkey Kong Kountry) before bed. Tomorrow's going to be an early morning.
Oh boy!
Aubs
Friday, May 3, 2013
The fateful day my child's hopes are dashed
Y'all. On Sunday, N tried out for the summer tournament team, and it is my (completely unbiased) opinion that he was one of the better players who tried out. On Saturday, however, he had a bit of an issue during his game. He hit the ball to the pitcher, and didn't even attempt to run it out. The coach of the opposing team (who is also the tournament coach for the summer) took notice of it, and that proved to be N's downfall.
When the list was posted this morning, I opened it and was excited to see his name...only, then I looked again and saw that it wasn't the correct last name, and the other N had made it. I will never forget the look on my boy's face. Ever. He put his head down on the table and just cried. I tried to console him, and he begged me, tears streaming down his face, to leave him alone. And my heart broke. Over and over, it broke, all day. I text his coach, who was as unbelieving as I was. He called the other coach to find out why my boy didn't make it (he's kind of invested himself in my kid, which I absolutely love because N has done so well this season), and the other guy essentially told him that N had a great tryout, but he just couldn't get the lack of effort on Saturday out of his mind.
I was really angry when he told me that, because I don't feel like it's right to penalize a 10 year-old boy for a mistake he made in ONE game...a game we weren't even originally scheduled to play. At the same time, I'm appreciative of it because my son has a horrible problem with his attitude. And he doesn't seem to think his attitude will impact his life on and off the field. When I told him it boiled down to his attitude, he got really upset and swore he'd never play baseball again. Later, we talked about it, and he admitted he loved the game, and was looking forward to playing against the tournament coach again on Saturday...and kicking their butts!
That's right, buddy. Be polite and respectful, but beat them into the ground. And he will. Because I've heard (from several sources...again, not just my opinion) he's the best catcher in the 10 year-old league, which is awesome...because he's only been catching since October. I think it's sad that this coach saw him catch the game of his life a couple of weeks ago, and even commented on how impressive it was, but only remembered a stupid mistake on his part because he was disappointed in himself.
Life lesson learned. I hope. When he got home from school, I took him to IKEA for a snack (which I realize is weird), and then we went to get my hair trimmed. One of the things I love about the woman who does my hair is that she loves to experiment with things, and I love to let her. Currently, my hair is blond, but it's still a little too "yellow" for me, so she's going to tone it down a little on Saturday. The process tonight, going from dark to light, was a lot longer than I anticipated. Thankfully, N brought entertainment, and bless him, he didn't complain once.
I love our time together. I really do. And now, I'm working on critiquing work for other students before I go to bed, because I seemingly have a knack for it.
Who knew?!
Aubs
When the list was posted this morning, I opened it and was excited to see his name...only, then I looked again and saw that it wasn't the correct last name, and the other N had made it. I will never forget the look on my boy's face. Ever. He put his head down on the table and just cried. I tried to console him, and he begged me, tears streaming down his face, to leave him alone. And my heart broke. Over and over, it broke, all day. I text his coach, who was as unbelieving as I was. He called the other coach to find out why my boy didn't make it (he's kind of invested himself in my kid, which I absolutely love because N has done so well this season), and the other guy essentially told him that N had a great tryout, but he just couldn't get the lack of effort on Saturday out of his mind.
I was really angry when he told me that, because I don't feel like it's right to penalize a 10 year-old boy for a mistake he made in ONE game...a game we weren't even originally scheduled to play. At the same time, I'm appreciative of it because my son has a horrible problem with his attitude. And he doesn't seem to think his attitude will impact his life on and off the field. When I told him it boiled down to his attitude, he got really upset and swore he'd never play baseball again. Later, we talked about it, and he admitted he loved the game, and was looking forward to playing against the tournament coach again on Saturday...and kicking their butts!
That's right, buddy. Be polite and respectful, but beat them into the ground. And he will. Because I've heard (from several sources...again, not just my opinion) he's the best catcher in the 10 year-old league, which is awesome...because he's only been catching since October. I think it's sad that this coach saw him catch the game of his life a couple of weeks ago, and even commented on how impressive it was, but only remembered a stupid mistake on his part because he was disappointed in himself.
Life lesson learned. I hope. When he got home from school, I took him to IKEA for a snack (which I realize is weird), and then we went to get my hair trimmed. One of the things I love about the woman who does my hair is that she loves to experiment with things, and I love to let her. Currently, my hair is blond, but it's still a little too "yellow" for me, so she's going to tone it down a little on Saturday. The process tonight, going from dark to light, was a lot longer than I anticipated. Thankfully, N brought entertainment, and bless him, he didn't complain once.
I love our time together. I really do. And now, I'm working on critiquing work for other students before I go to bed, because I seemingly have a knack for it.
Who knew?!
Aubs
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Prepare to be completely bored
I mean, to tears. Nothing interesting or exciting happened today. N's dad was supposed to take him to school, but he had something else to do, so I rushed N through breakfast and out the door to school. I met B's stepmom to get his gear bag for baseball practice, and then I went home to eat breakfast and watch a little news.
Because, apparently, I'm 76. And to continue along those lines, Golden Grahams are not as tasty as I remember. And the news? Well...I watched for a little while and then switched it to the XM channels because let's face it. That's way more entertaining. Who doesn't love a little "90s on 9" anyway?
Naptime was next, after I threw the trash down the stairs, started a load of dishes and sorted a load of laundry. I told you. Crazy exciting. I woke up, made a grocery list, and went to Target. Ahhh, Target. N and I were supposed to go to Target yesterday, but he agreed to eat semi-stale tortilla chips for lunch today if we could skip it, so we did. I hope those tortilla chips were the highlight of his day.
It was a short trip, and then I hit Costco for a few other things on my way home. And that's when I noticed my car smelled weird. When I got home, I unloaded everything and noticed the stuff in the trunk was wet. And that's when I discovered the 1/2 gallon coolers the boys use for games. Sideways. Partially open. In the trunk. I spread all of their baseball gear out across the sidewalk, took the groceries upstairs, and left the baseball gear out/trunk open to dry.
And then I was totally disgusting and smelled weird. Always a bonus.
The boys came home, and they played around a little bit before baseball practice, and even gave back the X-box power cord. It was like Christmas! No, really. It was. The yelling began almost instantly, causing me to yell, "I swear I'll take it away again. Don't argue anymore. Listen to my words 'cause I'm only saying it once."
And then I went into my room to curl up in a ball because I felt like I was channeling my mother. Sorry, Mom. I love you!
Baseball practice was hot. It was hot. Tomorrow, it'll be 30 degrees colder again. And the temperature is going to drop. Again. Thank goodness I have tortilla soup in the fridge!
B's practice was in the sun, so I watched it for approximately 30 minutes before I felt like I was going to melt, and then went over to the batting cages. I hung out and talked to a couple of dads for a little bit, then went to meet B's stepmom to give her his backpack. He's going to be over there for the next few days, so I wanted to be sure he had everything he needed.
Meanwhile, back at the U10 cages, the boys had moved to fielding. N had on his gear and was practicing catching. One of the other boys also practiced catching, and he was hilarious. The whole practice was fun. I'm going to miss them when the season is over. We may end up on the same team in the future, which would be super fun, but who knows!
And now, I must squat. Because these thighs aren't going to shrink themselves.
Aubs
Because, apparently, I'm 76. And to continue along those lines, Golden Grahams are not as tasty as I remember. And the news? Well...I watched for a little while and then switched it to the XM channels because let's face it. That's way more entertaining. Who doesn't love a little "90s on 9" anyway?
Naptime was next, after I threw the trash down the stairs, started a load of dishes and sorted a load of laundry. I told you. Crazy exciting. I woke up, made a grocery list, and went to Target. Ahhh, Target. N and I were supposed to go to Target yesterday, but he agreed to eat semi-stale tortilla chips for lunch today if we could skip it, so we did. I hope those tortilla chips were the highlight of his day.
It was a short trip, and then I hit Costco for a few other things on my way home. And that's when I noticed my car smelled weird. When I got home, I unloaded everything and noticed the stuff in the trunk was wet. And that's when I discovered the 1/2 gallon coolers the boys use for games. Sideways. Partially open. In the trunk. I spread all of their baseball gear out across the sidewalk, took the groceries upstairs, and left the baseball gear out/trunk open to dry.
And then I was totally disgusting and smelled weird. Always a bonus.
The boys came home, and they played around a little bit before baseball practice, and even gave back the X-box power cord. It was like Christmas! No, really. It was. The yelling began almost instantly, causing me to yell, "I swear I'll take it away again. Don't argue anymore. Listen to my words 'cause I'm only saying it once."
And then I went into my room to curl up in a ball because I felt like I was channeling my mother. Sorry, Mom. I love you!
Baseball practice was hot. It was hot. Tomorrow, it'll be 30 degrees colder again. And the temperature is going to drop. Again. Thank goodness I have tortilla soup in the fridge!
B's practice was in the sun, so I watched it for approximately 30 minutes before I felt like I was going to melt, and then went over to the batting cages. I hung out and talked to a couple of dads for a little bit, then went to meet B's stepmom to give her his backpack. He's going to be over there for the next few days, so I wanted to be sure he had everything he needed.
Meanwhile, back at the U10 cages, the boys had moved to fielding. N had on his gear and was practicing catching. One of the other boys also practiced catching, and he was hilarious. The whole practice was fun. I'm going to miss them when the season is over. We may end up on the same team in the future, which would be super fun, but who knows!
And now, I must squat. Because these thighs aren't going to shrink themselves.
Aubs
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