Camp Mimi

Mimi set the standard high last year when she offered to take Chance for several nights for "Special Mimi Time" as Chance calls it.  Some how it's just not the same now that little brother is always around stealing precious time away from him and his Mimi as it used to be.  So this year, Camp Mimi was in full swing again.  Chance headed to Austin the day after school got out for lots of stay-up-late nights, a trip to Uncle Drew and Aunt Andrea's river house, Sea World, Miniature Golf, swimming, you name it.  Most importantly, undivided attention and probably as many secret cokes as a boy could want.  Cause mom doesn't allow those at home :)  See I am sure there was a coke on that table somewhere. 

OK, here's real proof.

I haven't been yet, but I hear the River House is a real gem.  I'm looking forward to seeing it myself in July.  What boy wouldn't love fishing, skipping rocks, finding shells, wading in the river, and having splash fights?

The next day they headed to Sea World.  Chance said it was the best day EVER. Our little dare devil rode lots of roller coasters and soaker coasters.  And best part, he got to pet a dolphin!

Back at Mimi's, more fun ensued......

And then it was back to reality!

FINALLY It's Done!

It's been in the works for 2 years now.  I finally was able to complete it without crying or having a small panic attack that comes with seeing a place we hold so dear. 

We are so proud of our masterpiece.  It's a memory of a lifetime.   A take away from a check mark on the list of completed dreams.  Thank goodness for Ryan's uber-expensive camera that I initially objected to.  He was right, as usual. 

Check it out in the right hand column: Our Swiss Adventure Book.

Spring is in the Air

It's baseball season again, that's right.  It's all baseball, all the time around here.  2 practices a week and 2 games a week can make even the biggest mommy fan tired, and I'm not even playing.  Good thing it consumes 90% of our life, or we'd have nothing else to do.

Besides telling everyone that he's a big boy now and not a baby any more, I was surprised to find Brooks touting at our first game that the Baby Mascot had returned. In full force I might add, sporting the team colors and setting up post with all the mandatory gear.  And never failing to scream "Go Buh-Buh" from the sidelines. Boy will he be excited come September when he too gets to play.

Of course, Chance is cuter than ever.  He decided to keep his lucky number 11 to keep up his so far 100% batting average.  He's been working on sliding, which I hope to get a video of soon.  In Saturday's game he actually did make a successful slide in to second to save himself. 

And Ryan, he's assistant coaching again.  Seems to really be loving it this season.  So much that he's even been out secretly scouting the competition.  And now we see how little league in the Mound get's its competitive reputation!
Go Astros!

Look Who's Getting Some Curlies

GOING BONKERS, ME or YOU?

You've gotta wonder about a place called GOING BONKERS, if they named it to represent the kids bouncing around inside, high on sugar and nasty American fare, or if they named it to better represent the state of the parent upon leaving that place. 

No school today brought me to think it might be a good idea to take the kids for some fun, along with all the other 8000 parents in Flower Mound with the same predicament as me.......where do we take the kids on a very cold day? Mine refuse to wear jackets, or sweatshirts, or anything more than a thin layered shirt, so anything outside is out of the question. Not that there would be a plethora of options if they did wear a jacket.  It's days like these when I sit around and I ask myself, what DO people around here do for fun? Eat twinkie bars and Little Betties? Ok that's not nice.

Mine for sure had the sugar fix.  10 minutes in to climbing, Chance comes running up to me and says, "Mom, we REALLY need a Rootbeer."  Cavan just stood there shaking his head in agreement.  Then little man hears the idea and starts shouting "Rootbeer, Rootbeer".  So, I figure, let's indulge these kids, I mean just let them have some fun, right?  So we get our beers, sit down next to the candy machine, and it's not 2 minutes after that the boys learn the candy machine is broken and they can get unlimited tries to scoop up the candy.  I text Ryan telling him of the boys findings, and I am immediately told, "honey, that is stealing".

Brooks is no fool either.  As soon as the boys left, he took up where they left off.

The kids loved Going Bonkers, and I sat there and dreamed of Starbies and a cappuccino.  Just as I sometimes have to turn the outline of the clouds in to mountains, if they lay low enough on the horizon. 

About 20 minutes prior to leaving, Brooks must have gotten too high on sugar cause he soon was complaining of not feeling well.  Which lead to a 100 degree fever.......no trip to Austin now.  Now we'll be here all weekend asking ourselves, what is there to do?

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.