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.
Monday, May 20, 2013
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
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