I don't care. I'm not here to be their friend...oh, no. I'm here to be their parent. I'm here to scare them into submission if necessary and show them I mean business. Yes, there's definitely a level of mutual respect that has to be maintained for any household to be successful, and I do respect them as individuals, but when they start trying to talk to me as if we're equal, well, that's when it really hits the fan.
Today, I had made plans to meet one of my friends from my Texas high school days (I spent all of middle school and 9th grade in Kansas and transplanted back to my home state right before my Sophomore year.), and I was pretty excited about it. We haven't seen each other in 15 years, but we keep up fairly regularly on Facebook, so it's almost like we've never been apart. (Insert eye roll here) We always say we're going to get together when she's here visiting her mom/dad/sister/niece/nephew, or when I'm in Houston visiting dad/sister/brother-in-law, but it just never works out. This weekend, however, we were determined to make it work.
So, we did. And much to the dismay of my boys, we headed to Starbucks. Okay, so they actually tend to LIKE Starbucks (it's a rare thing for them...slightly less rare for their mom who often forgets to push the button on the Keurig, thus ruining her day), but the idea of sitting there for at least 30 minutes while I caught up with a friend was not really high on their "to-do" list. Not only that, but N had two baseball games scheduled for that afternoon, the first games of the season since the game last week was "rained" out without any rain, lightning, or soggy fields. We got there first and got drinks and cake pops ordered (I am NOT above bribery for things like this), and they were sitting outside when my pal and her hubs showed up.
What a site for sore eyes, seriously. Although there have been monumental changes in both of our lives, it was like we saw each other last week. I love friendships that stand the test of time. She teaches AP Human Geography in the Houston area, so we had a lot to talk about since that's what I'm working towards these days. It was a wonderful session of catching up and getting to know her husband (who is as sweet as can be) in between a series of interruptions from my blessed 8 year-old show stealer. We made plans to meet up in Houston on my next trip down there, sans children, and for me to observe her class for the day, too! I'm super excited to be able to reminisce a little bit more. For those of you who don't know me personally, I have a mind like a steel trap. I remember everything, even the most insignificant details...it makes tripping down memory lane really entertaining sometimes!
When we went our separate ways, I thanked the boys for being mostly patient while I reconnected with my friend. I reminded them that our lives are so busy with what they have going on that it was really nice to take an hour and talk to someone I haven't seen in...well, longer than either of them have been alive. N replied, "Mom, you really do do a lot for us, and it wasn't our favorite thing to do, but you never do much for yourself, so it was fine. I was just bored and B was annoying." B took a slightly different approach when he said, "You're welcome, Mom! What's our prize?" Um, how about just knowing you did a nice thing for your mom, there, kiddo? He wasn't impressed.
On to baseball...
I knew it was going to be rough. This team has only practiced together one time, and the gap in maturity levels as well as ages makes it tough. The first game was against the special needs team, and I don't know what I was expecting, but in some ways, I was very pleasantly surprised. They fielded the ball and threw it to each other and cheered the players on as they ran the bases. That part was awesome...and the reactions of those kids when they batted and started running? Totally priceless. I always spend those games (they're an hour at most) with a lump in my throat. It's just such an amazing experience. HOWEVER. When our team was up to bat, it all went downhill. When the players hit the ball, they wouldn't run to first base, they'd practically walk so they could get thrown out. Some of them never even made it on base, hitting against our OWN pitcher, and they were actually trying...I think. On the other hand, some players (or maybe it was just mine) took the opportunity to bat opposite, not because they are super successful at it, but because when they do connect, they hit the ball shorter distances and with less speed. Overall, it was a good experience, but the walking to 1st base thing really hacked me off. Hopefully the next time we play them is better.
During the 2nd game, all the stops were supposed to be pulled and we were supposed to play some serious baseball. The other team run-ruled us in the first inning, so spirits were pretty low. In the 2nd, N was behind the plate. After warming up around the field, he yelled, "Balls in, coming down!" which means that everyone needs to throw the balls to the dugout, and when the pitcher throws his last pitch, N will fire it up the middle to the second baseman who will then return it to the pitcher. Only, when N yelled it, nobody went to cover 2nd. I started to giggle silently, as N yelled "That means somebody cover 2nd!" and then that giggle got a little louder as three boys ran to cover 2nd, prompting N to say, "I only need one of you!" By that time, I'm laughing, so is my friend (from the opposing team), and the ump behind home plate? Well, he's DYING laughing. It was hilarious...and that pretty much set the tone for the evening. We lost by 4, and it would have been a whole lot less (we might have won, even) if there hadn't been a ton of wild throws and cut-off throws to 2nd that actually ended up in left or right field depending on who was throwing and from what position. There were pitchers who balked (right after I reminded the coach that they call balking in this league) and indignant "I didn't know you called balking! Can we have a warning?" coaches who blatantly...well, anyway. If N wanted to quit, I'd consider letting him, but I think it's a good opportunity for him to be a leader and an example.
To his teammates and to his coach, apparently.
Aubs
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