July 27

Checking in mid-crazy week.

As predicted, Two is loving the humane society camp.  He is a lover of all animals, that Two.  He has a long list of pets he wants to acquire.  Unfortunately (for him), we are at our max of one dog, so he'll have to wait until he grows up and lives in Las Vegas, which is where he just declared he wants to live.  I told him Las Vegas was the city of sin.  "What's that?" he asked.  "Inappropriate things," I replied, wondering if this would just attract him all the more.  "Ewwww," he said, and curled up his lip in disgust.  "OK, I'll live in New York City instead."

One has been giving our nanny a hard time, and it's been an interesting few days.  He has decided to challenge her authority (as expected, since he challenges our authority on a daily basis), and her first reaction was to dig her heals in and fight back.  I have had many talks with her to "disengage" from the power struggle.  I think she's getting it, or perhaps the novelty wore off for him.  Either way, today was a better day with no emergency phone calls to me at work.  And for that, I am thankful.  Just 3 more weeks, people.  Work with me here.

In brighter news, One has also been going to football camp this week, and he has been positively, absolutely loving it.  Which is sort of a miracle, since he has become a sullen (pre) teenager who doesn't love anything.  He is smiling.  He is enthusiastic.  He seems (dare I say it) happy.  What a joy to see.  His good vibrations have translated into some cocky behavior on the Rugby field, which I am anticipating getting an email over.  I plan to chat with the head of the program briefly at our end of the season picnic this Saturday and explain that, although cocky isn't good, neither is morose and ill-tempered.  We will continue to work on this, but I am a bit relieved to see some self-confidence on the field, no matter how annoying it is to the coaches.

Three has been enjoying more one-on-one time with the nanny this week, with Two and One busy with their activities.  He has been a puzzle-putting-together fool.  He also is spending lots of free time at our neighbor's tree swing.  He's really a delightful little one.  He rolls along to his big brothers' activities with little fuss and makes his own fun.  So grateful for that.

One made a sweet comment to me today.  We were calculating how much overlap he and Two will have  in this football camp he's doing (it's for kids entering grades 4-8) and he said, "Good, we'll have a chance to do another thing together.  We don't get to do too much together."  I looked at him with surprise.  "Really?  You mean it?  You actually like him?"

That was a nice surprise.  I was worried all this together time this summer would drive them farther apart, but generally speaking, these boys of mine seem even tighter than ever.  It's been a busy week full of sweet moments.

summer weekend

We had a fun weekend, chez mooncrawl.  Friday started with us going to Dick's to get 2 2-person rafts.  They are 50% off - so only $15 apiece.  We gathered our favorite neighborhood boys and headed over to Bernies, our neighborhood beach.

Boys on the Bay

After sufficiently getting our fill of lake water fun, we went to the Goodman Pool for their first ever "float-in" movie night.  They opened the doors after 8 pm (which is normal closing time - which, years ago, with littler kids was perfect.  Now?  It's not open nearly late enough for us) and, for a small fee, invited anyone in who wanted to float in the pool on a floatie and watch Despicable Me.  The sky got dark.  The lifeguards looked cranky.  The snack bar was open.  We swam and floated and chatted with neighbors.  It was a lovely night.  

Saturday, I was surprised by a fun phone call from my bro and his wife in Palestine.  Have you read his blog yet?  You should.  Now.  Stop reading this drivel and go there.

Back already?  Alrighty, I'll continue on.  The next night, we went to a barn dance, hosted by our friends/neighbors who have been living abroad for the past 4 years (2 in Dubai and 2 in China).  Two decided to get ready for the barn dance by getting a mohawk.

what you looking at?

I wish I would have taken pictures of the night.  It was so. much. fun.  I am not kidding.  There was a potluck full of great food.  The barn, which is where auctions are normally held, was delightful and quirky.  A little ragtag band of old timers played folk and square dance-type music, and we were all directed in how to dance.  Bob jumped in right away - to my surprise and pleasure.  I felt a little self-counscious but soon enough joined too.  The boys were much more reluctant, but after some good parental guidance (bribing with the promise of a sleepover that night with the friend we dragged along), we all danced.  Bob and I even waltzed for one song and didn't do too badly.  We left just as the professional band was going to start, which was before Bob and I were quite ready.  But the boys were being such good sports, we wanted to leave on a good note. 

So, after the sleepover on Saturday night, we s-l-o-w-l-y got up and faced Sunday.  After lounging for quite a bit, we finally pulled ourselves together to head out to Governor Dodge State Park.  We brought one of the boats and a floatie and enjoyed the (relatively) clean and warm lake.  Good family fun.

Add caption

After swimming, we worked up quite an appetite.  We ate at an old fashioned A&W drive-in.  I thought the kids would get a kick out of it, but they were too hungry and cranky to really appreciate the blast from the past.  I was able to catch Three in a rare moment of good cheer:

can I take your order please?

And that was that!  Weekend over!  Chalk a good one up in the books!  (is that even a saying?)

I'm off to my busiest week of the summer.  We are being pulled in many different directions this week, but it's all good stuff, so I'm looking forward to it.  Two has a week-long camp at the humane society which he is tickled about.  It feels like a bit of a splurge, with paying for the nanny and all, but my boy will totally love it.  One has football camp every afternoon this week (from 4-6 pm - really?  what a sucky time).  Three has t-ball and a little school rec dept class he's been taking.  One and Two have rugby two nights this week.  On Friday, we will head over to the Lands End sale (local people - if you don't go to this, you are missing out!).  On Saturday, I will collapse in exhaustion...

...like my boy below.  I couldn't resist an extra shot of a supercute car sleeper.  

Have a great week everyone!

things I love

1. lazy Saturday afternoons
2.  Erykah Badu
3. the Goodman Pool
4. a cold beer on a hot (and lazy) Saturday afternoon
5. biking with my dog
6. these guys, who keep me on my toes

6. sausage
7. flip flops
8. talking on the phone

July 13

So very bone tired tonight.

This summer schedule is sort of whipping me.

Monday and Wednesday nights - rugby (and usually a dip in the pool).

Tuesday nights - t-ball (and usually a dip in the pool).

Thursday nights?  ahhh.... nothing..... (except for a dip in the pool).

So, some things are the same.

Our love affair with the Goodman Pool has not ended this year.

Last week Bob and I "celebrated" our 20th anniversary.

Yes, as in married.

I "quoted" that word because we had a big ole fight that night.

sigh...

Fitting, I suppose, as that is how marriage goes.

Some days good.  And, others?  bad.  very bad.

Do I reach expert status now with 20 years in?

We had a fun cousin visit last week.

My brother's 3 youngest came for 3 nights.

One of those nights, I took them to a fundraiser event where Packer's football players were promised to attend.

However, due to the strike (lock out?), only alumni players were there.

It was a sorry looking group of 7 former players, but

Ahmad Green (One's favorite player) was there

and they all seemed to be having fun and in good spirits.

Last weekend, I went up north for a girls' weekend

with my 2 aunts, 1 cousin + her girlfriend, and my mom.

And a dog who thought he would fight a raccoon under a shed.

The weekend was filled with lots of laughter and good times.

And a few silent tears here and there

(shed by me)

because I found myself so missing my grandparents,

especially my grandma, who accompanied us on this weekend 2 years ago.

There was a sweet group of old folks trying to dock their boat where we had landed for a moment.

I leapt up to help them.

Wanted to keep talking to them.

Even a little bit wished for a hug from them.

They reminded me so much of my grandparents

(just because they were old and friendly)

and I had to wipe away a tear or two to compose myself.

We're not a big crying family - or, at least, they aren't.

Obviously, I am.

Summer is going by way too fast.

A big heat wave is coming our way.

House projects are getting done.

Bob and I are talking again.

I have water lodged in my ear from the pool.

I am reading a fun and easy book - perfect summertime read.

I'm off to bed to that,

and Two, who just asked if he can sleep in my bed tonight.

How much longer can I expect that to happen?

Yup, still gone

My chickadees are still gone.

Now down the street and playing dodgeball with some bigger neighborhood kids.

What a thrill.

To be acknowledged by the big kids.

Anyway, on to photos...

Here we are on the first day that pool opened.  

Yes, we are the only people at the pool.

It was chilly (mid-60's) and cloudy, but that did not deter us.

or, maybe I should say, it didn't deter them.

I wisely stayed dry and warm(ish).

I am really enjoying my newfound ability to not have to be in the water at all times with them.

Yes, I've become one of those moms, who reads books at the pool.

(or, at least I try to.  I'm still too nervous about one of them drowning to really sink into a book.)

(see how clever I was in that last sentence?)

Here's a photo from last week's tournament.

This is the team that beat the Packers.

The Packers are in the white and green (duh).

The Rams are in blue.

Do you see how much BIGGER they are than our team?

We wanted to see birth certificates.

There is NO WAY those kids were only in 3rd grade.

And, here's a cute little photo of Two and DashyDog from today.

They are still the best of buds.

addendum

Just had to pop back in.

For the first time of my life as a parent, I had THE realization.

You know,

How life will be so quiet around here when they grow up and move away.

How I will miss them so much.

How I will worry about them when I can't tuck them in at night.

That's what a quiet house in the middle of a summer afternoon will get you.

These sudden, sad realizations that as much as they drive you insane

on an hourly basis,

you will miss them when they move away.

And one day?

They will.

June 24

Lots to report on in these parts.

Two's football team (the Packers!) had a marathon of a spring tourney last Saturday.  Kids started at 8:45 am.  Double elimination.  They won the first game handily.  Got creamed the second game.  Had to keep fighting to stay alive, and fight they did.  They ended up making it to the championship game and played the team that creamed them earlier.  By this time, Two's team had played 5 games, non-stop.  The Rams (opposing team) had only played two and had plenty of time for breaks in between.  It was a decent fight but in the end, the Rams were the victors.  The Packers got medals for their effort and lots of pats on the back and congratulations from all of us parents (who were also exhausted by cheering and running back and forth to the nearby Walgreens to buy popsicles, ice, gatorade, water, etc).  I was very proud of the whole team, including the coaches.  They played an entire season (6 games) on one very hot Saturday, and no one wanted to quit, no one cried when they lost.  They were good sports and learned lots about determination during that day.

I learned something too.  I'm still an idiot, because at age 42, I haven't figured out that I will sunburn when sitting outside for several hours even if I'm not at a pool.  I was lobster red by the end of the day, thanks to no sunscreen.  Dumb.  But!  It has developed into a nice tan (and possibly skin cancer too - I need to get a skin check soon).

We have had a very cool and wet summer so far.  Despite that, we have been to our pool 10 times, and that is not counting trips for swimming lessons.  The kids yesterday had their lessons while it was 59 degrees and raining.  What?  Yeah, that's right!  We are HARDCORE!

In other news, I rearranged my family room and living room.  In the process, I vacuumed and dusted and put all the miscellaneous crap away.  Love a clean, fresh house!

Also?  I mowed!  Love a freshly mowed lawn!

Kids are busy with their plans for a neighborhood waterpark they've developed with their best friends/neighbors.  It's called Slip Away (though one considered, then tossed out, name was Slip and Die - my favorite - isn't that the greatest thing you've ever heard?) and opening day is July 1.  There will be a slip and slide, sprinklers, a bodyguard, some live entertainment.  Admission fee is 50 cents on the first day, 75 cents every day thereafter.  They distributed fliers today to nearby kids, and they are hoping for a good turn-out.  I'm totally tickled by all of the effort they've put into this.

This is spearheaded by One, whose dream is to own and manage a hotel when he grows up.  Maybe it will be a waterpark hotel.

Our nanny is working out well, thankyouverymuch.  Bob and I had a "how do you think she's doing" talk last night, and while there are some things we'd like a bit different, overall, I totally trust the kids with her and know they are safe.  She has been great at getting them out of the house.  She is managing behavioral problems well as they pop up.  She feeds them and has even offered to help make dinners on those nights where we have stuff going on right in the evening.  So?  Nothing (really) to complain about.   I'll chat with her about my thoughts, and I'm sure it will be even better next week.

Tonight, we plan to go to the Drive-In to see Cars 2.  It's not the greatest weather (cool and damp) but I don't think the mosquitos are too bad yet.

The house is so quiet right now.  Kids are scattered playing - some here, some down the street.  I can only hear a mower in the distance and birds chirping.  No tv.  No video games.  No fighting.  Lovely.  I am breathing in and enjoying this moment.