What?

This morning before I dropped Brooks at "school", he had taken the new Bingo game out of Chance's room and was tearing apart each tiny little circle that you use to cover up your space.  He had made a mess all over my bedroom floor and I just let it happen cause I was busy trying to get his lunch made and us out the door. 

We leave, I think nothing of it, and just a few minutes ago I was back in my bedroom cleaning up and saw 2 little circle pieces on the floor where, last I had seen, the whole game was strung out all over the floor.  I think to myself, huh, this is strange. 

I mean I have been losing my mind lately and doing things I can't remember doing.  Like putting the windex in the fridge.  Or the fish food in the freezer.  Poor fish didn't eat for a while.  But that's another story.  I really couldn't remember picking up the game, in fact, I knew I DIDN'T pick up the game.

I ran in to Chance's room, and there it was.  All put back in the box, and the box in it's place. 

My jaw is still on the floor.  I mean the child is TWO.

Hide Your Tracks, Brooks

CHANCE: "MaaaaaaaahM!  Why does Brooks always go in my room when I am at school?"
ME: "Huh, What?  What do you mean? I don't think he goes in your room?!?"
CHANCE: "Well then, why are my games all over this house?"

The Elf Returns

Santa sent his helper Elf for a second season of mischief and behaviour watching.  He showed up on December 1st, sitting on the back of Chance's kitchen chair, holding a note.  Apparently he's back so that he can watch over the house and report back whether our house has boys that are naughty or nice. 

Take a guess at what the report might just be.  Well if you were in my house on a frequent basis, all you would hear would be words like FART, TOOT, BURP, Jingle Bells Mommy Smells, NICE UNDERPANTS, and the list goes on.  You would think it would only be coming from the almost-8 year old's mouth, but NO.  It's both of them, and it's bad.

Chance spots it first as he is always the first up for school.  Moments later Brooks is up and Chance is telling Brooks all about it.  Brooks has the half squinched eye, like YA RIGHT will this stupid elf change any of my behaviour?

Later in the day after Chance returns home from school, I over hear him telling Brooks:  "Now Brooks, you can't sing that song any more.  The Elf will hear and you will be put on the naughty list.  Do you want to be on the naughty list or the nice list?"  Answer: Naughty List.

At least for an hour or so, I thought it would at least work with Chance until at dinner the Elf falls straight off the chair and nose-dives on to the table. 

Chance pauses for a few moments of concentrated staring and proceeds to say to me: "No offense or anything mom, but our elf kinda looks like a stuffed animal".

And ever since that, apparently the need to be on the nice list hasn't been so strong!



Quote of the Day

My field trip was really great mom.  We got to see a log cabin.  And I almost made friends with a grasshopper.  I sat down, and he was on a rock next to me, just looking at me.  Then Nathan threw a stick at him and made him jump away.

Quote of the Day

"I heard Middle School is really awesome.  You get 7 periods and get to go to different classes.  And you know the BEST part?  You get all the hot chocolate you want, for FREE.  That's what I'm most excited about."

Communication

Me: "Chance, how is Katherine?  Is she still your girlfriend?"

Chance: "Well sort of.  I don't know really."

Me: "What do you mean, how do you not know?"

Chance: "Well you see mom, we aren't exactly communicating."

The Question

Now what I am about to tell you is TOP SECRET.  Do not mention this or I will be dead meat.  REALLY.

First, Read 2 posts down........  then come back to this one.

Day after I wrote that Quote of the Day, Chance tells me that he took ole K. aside after school, behind the propped open door in the corner to be precise, and whispered into her ear, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

He told me that Lavinia might be jealous.  I said, no worries, Lavinia is thousands of miles away, but to keep in mind that marrying an Italian/German lady might have it's advantages one day.  Keep your options open.

K apparently told him, "Yes, I think you are the kind of guy for me".  And so it was.  And apparently still is.  I may get to meet this broad at the park tomorrow if she shows.

My Angel

Brooks was in bed for about 20 minutes, and then starts yelling out, "Daddy, Daddy! Daddy!" which really isn't all that uncommon. 

Ryan goes in there and says, "Yes, Brooks, what do you need?"

"Mommy"

"Well, Brooks, Mommy is busy in the kitchen right now.  Can I tell her something for you?"

"Tell Mommy, love her."

Now if that doesn't top the cake, make your heart overflow with warmth, turn my horrible pouty day and make it all feel better again, I don't know what does. 

Quote of the Day

"Mom, Katherine even likes to sit next to me in class.  I think she will make a pretty good girlfriend."

QUOTE OF THE DAY, DUDE

We were at Nanny and Pappy's having dinner with the fam.  All the cousins were in the backyard playing baseball, when Chance comes inside with a long, pouty face.  Ryan asks him what's wrong:

"Cavan's been calling me names," he says.  "What was he calling you?" asks Ryan.

"He keeps calling me DUDE."

Happy Birthday Brooks

"I'm TWO" is what you hear a lot of lately around our house, as Brooks hap-hazardly holds up 2 fingers to show his new age.  Sometimes the 2 fingers make it up, sometimes it's a mix of 3 or 4 fingers twisting and turning.  Two.  I can't believe it.  Seems like yesterday I was holding my little ball of total joy in my arms.  With two, many of those hugs and lovey moments get greatly diminished.  I mean, who needs hugs when there's so much to see and do and tear apart!  I've even been allocated to the floor for bedtime book reading......"No, Brooks sit there" he tells me while pointing to the rocking chair, and then directing me to sit beside him on the floor.  My little man is growing up.

Brooks has this overwhelming love for animals.  So much so that we have to hug pictures of animals as we see them in books, bend down to kiss the little beetle crawling across the sidewalk, or blow kisses to the lizard that has escaped in to the house. 

I had to do something for this little animal lover on his birthday.  So we called in the farm animals and had them come to the house!  We invited all the neighborhood kids and a handful of Brooks's little people friends and had our very own petting zoo in the front yard. 

I had done some serious researching of farms, and found one that offered to bring quite a variety of animals.  And boy did they.  The trailer arrived and off jumped the miniature horse and her 2 week old foal mule.  

Then came the miniature cow......I didn't even know miniature cows (called Zebu) existed.  They do.

Then off jumped the pig, who immediately found a cool spot in the grass and was never heard from again. 

They say pigs are smart, and I can see why.  This little dude knew just how not to get any attention by hiding......he should have informed the poor chickens who were being chased around like crazy.

Or the bunnies who I am sure felt like the hour long petting zoo was NEVER GOING TO END.

I didn't really think through the whole goat thing.....my first problem was that I really thought there was going to be only 2 goats, but when an entire herd went flying off the back of the trailer in to my yard, I was soon regretting the fact that a.) we had the yard mowed BEFORE the party and b.) that I allowed the goats to be on my yard at all.....at least now we don't need mowers at all cause all the grass is practically gone!

My favorite was the alpaca, with his pointy teeth and aloof attitude.  He has to be a relative of the camel, and I was just waiting for some poor kid to get spit on or stepped on, but luckily it didn't happen.

So all in all, I hope this is one that the little man will remember, he sure seemed over the top happy, and is still talking about how "animals come to Brooks's house".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKS.  YOU ARE SUCH A BLESSING IN OUR LIVES. 

CRY BABY

First week back to school had some rough spots, but all in all we got off to a good start. 

Wednesday, however, Chance got off the bus with slouched shoulders and said it was the WORST DAY he's EVER had.

Nathan stole his nice pencil, and made him use his not so nice pencil.  And the teacher basically just said deal with it.  This was heartbreaking and I got to hear all about it.  As soon as the story was over, little man pipes in, looking straight at Chance in the most appropriate moment he could have possibly chosen and says CRY BABY.

This sets off a severe reaction, clearly hurts Chance's feelings.  Makes him get up from the couch and run to his room in tears, with the little toot chasing right behind chanting CRY BABY CRY BABY CRY BABY.

I'm sitting there, having to cover my mouth cause really it was just timed so right, and I'm still puzzled how Brooks knew to say it at the most appropriate time, and with the most appropriate dagger-in-the-side tone.  I'm puzzled how he knew that phrase at all.  Maybe Chance is getting a taste of his own medicine.  Needless to say, I cleared that laugh off my face, told Brooks he hurt Chance's feelings and consoled the poor boy.  I have a feeling this is just the beginning.  I need a parenting book and fast.

The "Gift"

This past weekend marked the big ole thirty-three for Ryan.  He woke up Saturday morning and proceeded to tell me that his birthday was actually a gift to me, to make me feel not SO old and alone in my MUCH older age.  He's just intimidated that I am wiser.  Nonetheless, THANKS for that honey.

We kicked off the weekend to a big birthday bash on Friday, picking up a dozen helium balloons and distributing them throughout the house.  The kids ran through their strings like a bunch of crazy loons, so excited to clebrate. 

The next morning once they had deflated, Brooks proceeded to see if they would enable him to take flight.

Saturday morning, on the actual day, we got up and went to the batting cages so that Chance give it a whirl.  Don't think 40 mph fast balls are really the best thing for him yet.  But ole birthday boy decided to give it a try. What I like best is the helmet.

Later in the day, the long awaited Treasure Hunt began.  Chance and I had been working over many nap times to come up with the best clues and places to hide the MANY gifts Ryan got on his birthday.  I wish I had that whole thing caught on tape.  I can't tell you how many times we went over this past week, how Saturday is DADDY'S day, let's be well behaved, let's make the day all about DADDY.  Ya right.  The treasure hunt ended first in high anxiety over the fact that Daddy was finding the presents too easily.  To make things worse, we hid one in Brooks's room - I should have known better, cause out walks Brooks with the present in hand......"Here Daddy" with the biggest grin on his face, like he's doing the right thing.  Next Chance screams at Brooks on his way to pout in his room cause Brooks "has ruined the whole thing".  Of course then Brooks starts crying, and you can see where I am going with this.  We end up in the hall way and recompose ourselves and Ryan gets to open his loot.

Now is that the face of a meltdown?  I know, you couldn't possibly believe me.  At least birthday boy kept his composure.

Next day we ended the weekend long celebration with the fam coming over.  Hope the birthday boy felt celebrated.  Sure am glad he is turning one year older.

A LITTLE LOVE BACK FROM BIG BROTHER

We're working on finalizing Brooks' Book for AGE 1......the boy's about to be 2 here in the next couple of weeks.  I can't believe my baby is about to be 2.  How did that happen?  As part of the book, I asked Chance to write something to Brooks and this is what he did. 

LA LOO BUH-BUH

Schools out for summer.  And really who needs a break at all?  Apparently not baseball.  We just jumped right in with out first summer league game today.  In the 102 degree heat, but who's counting.  It is nice to see some color back on my skin though after 4 years of summering it in Switzerland.  I forgot how much I like being tan. 

Chance got a couple rocking hits, and as usual his trusty fans were in the stands: me and Brooks, while Ryan is helping to coach.  I think his fans go a little over board sometimes though: today Chance was playing first baseman and Brooks had a clear shot of him from the stands, screaming BUH-BUH!!!!!! BUH-BUH!!!  The first 10 yells got a look from Chance over the shoulder with a very patient but somewhat shy smile.  That reaction set Brooks to the LA LOO BUH-BUH mode, screaming it over and over until finally Chance looked back and said: SHHHHHHHH Brooks!  You are distracting me!

I mean the little guy just lives his life for his big BUH-BUH, following him every where, wanting everything he has, wanting to be just like him.  And what does he get?  He gets allocated to the cheering section.

But despite his yelling distractions, he did get his one moment of glory, when at the end of the game he ran up to Chance while he was in the team huddle.  Chance reached out with his arm, brought him in close and let him participate as if he was one of the team.  Now that is brotherly love, and I was watching it all from behind kicking myself that I didn't bring my video camera!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

CHANCE: "Mom, do you have a million dollars in the bank?"

ME: "No, but I wish we did!"

CHANCE: "Maaaaaaahhhm, if you would just listen to me!  If you go play Minute to Win It, then we could have a million dollars in the bank.  Why don't you just listen to me?"

WHERE HAS A YEAR GONE?

This post has been in the works in the back of my little head for the past month, or two.  Not sure where the time goes really, and why since moving back I absolutely struggle with content. I looked down the other day and completely appauled myself.  I had to grab the camera and capture the moment.  This pretty much sums it up and puts all my lack of blogging in to perspective.  I mean if I can't even maintain my toes......

 

I think I've been somehow processing content since our Swiss friend Siro came to visit way back in April. 

Now that is a true friend, who promises to come and visit and actually sticks to his word.  I mean, we live in DALLAS of all places.  I kept cringing at the fact that this guy was coming from Zurich to Dallas......what in the world do we have to offer him here? 

I was reminded of the fact that it took me several months not to drive down the road of concrete hell to the gym and cry.  Or cringe at the scenery as I drove over the lake.  Now I've realized that it's not that Dallas is all that ugly, it's that Switzerland is just THAT beautiful, and once you've seen such beauty for 4 years, it takes awhile for the eyes to adjust back.  A year later and I find myself driving over the same damn going, ah, how pretty!

His visit was a constant reminder of how far we've come in a year since our move back to the US. Let's just say it wasn't a cup of tea this past year, so many adjustments, so much resistance to be here.  I remember a couple months in to it, telling Ryan, you have to take me back there......we can't still be here in a year.  I won't make it a year.  I refuse.  And then one Sunday night a month or so ago, we were retiring for the night and it hit me. It was May 1, 2011.......it had been ONE YEAR. 

Siro helped us to laugh at ourselves, as Americans, and to see why it has been so hard to adjust to the American way of life once again. 

Like Drive Up ATMS.....or actually driving at all. 

Or weather systems that leave you wondering, why do I choose to live in constant fear of being thrown in to the Wizard of Oz?

Or as American parents, do we really need to be THAT concerned about where our SEVEN year old is in the batting order?

It did however make us appreciate our roots.  Like good ole Bull Riding

And REAL margaritas

And the fact that we still have each other, and that we still really like each other :)

I guess you can say it's taken a year to really blossom.  For all of us to put our feet down.  I mean I finally planted that damn garden.  Now if that isn't a sign.....

And the boys, finally I can take them off my worry list.  Chance has become an incredible ball player.  He was named most improved at his last end of season awards ceremony.

And Brooks wont be too far behind him.  We're making Brooks practice daily so he can be assured first place in the batting order when he starts his T-ball a year from September.

 

We'll see where another year takes us.  Happy 1 year anniversary, honey.  We made it even though I didn't believe you that we would.

A Day at the Farm

In addition to putting down roots, literally, in our newly planted garden, I decided to start participating in this MOMS Club I joined awhile back.  Today the group was going to Nash Farms for a little outing and so Brooks and I decided to join.

Let's just say the kid was ecstatic when I happened to mention we'd be going to see chickens on a farm. He took off running down the street, so fast it wasn't long before he fell and scraped up his knee, but he got up, wiped his tears and said "Farm, Chitens, All Better".......Some how chickens will make boo-boo pain immediately go away.

We started out slow with just a gaze at the "Chitens".

And then a call to the cow......"Hug Cow"!  But that darn cow just wouldn't come.

Next was a hay ride around the garden patch.  All the little kids sat so nicely at the request of the old lady who was a little TOO proud of her farm.  She talked and talked and taaaaaalked, and ole man farmer wasn't about to start the engine until she stopped.  So at that point, Brooks wouldn't stay in my lap and the ride hadn't even begun.

After the wagon ride was the watering hole......Brooks filled himself up a watering can and fed the vegetables.  With all the kids there, I think the veggies were drowning in water.

Next up, throwing rocks.  

And then the grand finale, HOLDING the "chitens"....

It was a totally cool experience watching him so happy to hold the "chiten".  I was snapping away until the lady took him off Brooks's lap and I happened to see 3 or 4 little "chiten" fleas or lice or something gross now crawling all over my kid.  Let's just say I was immediately brought back to December, the month from hell where lice invaded our house.  And then my head immediately started itching, and really it hasn't stopped, even as I write. 

As we drove away, tears for Nash Farms accompanied our goodbye......."More Chitens, More Chitens"

QUOTE OF THE DAY

As Chance was writing in his journal, he asks:

"Mom, do you spell "2011" as "TWO, ZERO, L, L?"

Because "I Now So Muck"

Although I've gotta say the school year has drastically improved, and I no longer worry on a daily basis about Chance.......this common theme seems to remain:

Let Loose

In the spirit of the Royal Wedding today, which NO I did not get up to see...... I loved this recap of what I missed.  We should have done our wedding like this.

It's All Baseball, All The Time

That pretty much sums it up.......it's ALL baseball, ALL the time around here.  No need to call up and ask what we're doing, cause we are going to be outside, with our gloves on, or bats in hand.  If we're not at a game, we're practicing for one outside

Evenings lately usually entail Ryan and Chance throwing the ball, and "Boop" (as he calls himself) at the T-ball stand, hitting that ball OVER and OVER to the point I begin to ask myself.........does the kid tire of hitting that ball? 

And if we aren't outside with real bats, Brooks is either swinging the air, or finding something to use as a replacement bat.  I found him using a spatula to hit a balloon.  At least the kid is self entertained!

I've gotta give Ryan all the credit, he's out there with the boys day in and day out, playing for hours until they want to quit.  I knew I picked my boys a good daddy!

As for the real games, I think we have an ALL STAR in the making (spoken by a true mother).  Chance has really given it his all. 

If you were to ask him his season highlights so far he'd tell you, "I've hit a triple, tagged a guy out on second, and I hit the balls ALL THE WAY TO THE FENCE."

We've been bringing the T-ball stand to the games so Brooks has something to do, and I often wonder if the other parents think we are making him do it.

 
He is Chance's number one fan, and when he's not at the T, he's at the fence cheering "Go Buh-Buh!"