I have to write this-but this can't get back to Martha for a few days. I found out today that she learned (from her Grandpa) how to ride a scooter all on her own! I am so excited about this!!! Anytime I see my children learn something new it just makes me so happy! She is blessed to have her Grandpa!
The kids are getting spoiled. Hodge Podge's Friend, too. I think they will be in shock when they get home (Monday). I have all their school books ready, assignments ready, etc. They will have to go back to making beds and doing their chores. The only thing they will be happy about is seeing their friends again. (maybe mom and dad, too) We have had a couple of phone calls and knocks on the door for Martha and Buddy.
I have spent almost the whole day cleaning this house. The basement is all clean and ready for kids to play. The toys are all lined up ready to be dumped out. I am just taking a quick break before tackling this messy utility room. (yes, I am sitting in it again with this computer!)
The Labor Day weekend is here and I hope you all have a great one! We don't know what we will be doing, but we will make the most of our time together (Steve and I ). These opportunities only come around a couple times a year. The kids are easy to find homes for- Hodge Podge's Friend is a little neurotic and more difficult to leave behind. He continues to sleep under the bed at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Before I end, I must also share how happy I am to welcome a new baby into our church family. Sister-to-twins was born on Monday and is recovering from difficult circumstances. God has blessed our fellowship. We are not short on beautiful children.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Oh, Brother!
I am back after a week long adventure. I had the opportunity to spend almost 5 days with my siblings, their families, and my parents. It was awesome. I was able to spend time with my dear brother, his lovely wife, and their adorable 3 children who live out in Washington. The last time I saw them was 2 years ago. It was such a joy. Well, it was a joy to see EVERYONE.
We stayed up late, played games (yes, I did!), and talked about everything. Steve thought I would come home needing some therapy after a week of relatives, but I came back with a very healthy and happy perspective.
Martha and Buddy are still visiting their cousins and grandparents. They are "livin' la vida loca" (living the crazy life). I couldn't keep up with them, so I had to come home. Swimming, trips to stores, candy, pop, noise, silliness.....too much for Hodge Podge to handle.
Hodge Podge's Friend is also livin' la vida loca. He gets to play with Otto dog, run around the El Rancho without a leash, eat a treat here and there, and max out Grandma on attention.
Poor Grandma and Grandpa. I think they will need therapy after these happy hooligans leave!
I have a couple days to get as much done as possible, so I best getting "up and at 'em". Blessings on your day!
We stayed up late, played games (yes, I did!), and talked about everything. Steve thought I would come home needing some therapy after a week of relatives, but I came back with a very healthy and happy perspective.
Martha and Buddy are still visiting their cousins and grandparents. They are "livin' la vida loca" (living the crazy life). I couldn't keep up with them, so I had to come home. Swimming, trips to stores, candy, pop, noise, silliness.....too much for Hodge Podge to handle.
Hodge Podge's Friend is also livin' la vida loca. He gets to play with Otto dog, run around the El Rancho without a leash, eat a treat here and there, and max out Grandma on attention.
Poor Grandma and Grandpa. I think they will need therapy after these happy hooligans leave!
I have a couple days to get as much done as possible, so I best getting "up and at 'em". Blessings on your day!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
French Bread and Gerbils
The days are still cloudy, rainy, and foggy. Not much different than my rainy day on Monday. I have the windows open, but feel sort of sticky. The temps. don't justify the air conditioner, but I think the humidity does!
This week has been quieter than most. Wednesday has been our busiest day. Martha went to her orthodontic appointment in the morning and we had our usual co-op in the afternoon. The goal was to identify flowers, but the kids ended up goofing off and wanting to play. They did a small amount of flower identification, a lot of playing with rabbits, and made frequent trips down a zip line. All the other lenient mothers helped the kids tear down my "let's learn" fortitude.
Martha is at home today under the weather She has been running a temp. around 100. She has an upper respiratory something-or-other. Slight cough, lethargy, and fever. As the day has gone on, I find myself suspicious of having picked it up. I will find out. Martha played Rummy-O by herself, but other than that has lain around most of the day.
Buddy has been just the opposite. He probably will not get sick because he has been out and about and away from sick Martha. I am amazed at his energy level- and oh so thankful for neighbor boys that live a few doors down. If they weren't around, I don't know what I'd do. They provide my Buddy with a constant source of entertainment They burn all that drives that boy. Some days, he only comes home for food- which is eaten hurriedly.
Hodge Podge's friend has been doing well. He is looking more fit. He has been doing pretty well on his diet. If I break up his ration into 2, he seems less driven to eat other things such as socks, paper plates, and Kleenex. For a while there he was so very hungry I almost quit his diet. I thought he was going to die, for sure, from a blocked colon- and a diet just wasn't worth that. I figured he might just as well be fat and at least die happy- and with a full stomach. Such is the life of a Wiener dog. He is a little wiener.
I am feeding my faithful Bluebirds their final worm meals until they have to leave our area. I am hearing constant chirps from my Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers. Somehow, I am able to sense changes in the bird population and know when to provide the right food for the right bird. I noticed when the Blackbirds left, and as soon as they were gone I took out the good food. Now, my favorite birds (Cardinals, Downys, Chickadees, Nut Hatches and Sparrows) are showing up and trying to determine if I am going to be a faithful source of food or not- for the winter. I am. Who else will trudge out in the blizzard, clear off the feeders and fill and refill as needed? Birds, I am so sorry I also attracted that pesky Hawk. I will try my best to save you from him this winter.
Buddy went to a sleep over last night. He loves those sleep overs as much as Martha. His friend has 4 Gerbils which they tortured for hours. (being sarcastic) They held them and put them through Grad Student Psychiatry mazes until they were able to "learn" their way to the sunflower seed. As added motivation for the Gerbils they stationed their pet dog nearby.
I can't forget to mention that Martha made her first loaf of French bread. It was delicious. I told her I wasn't going to help her, and I didn't. She followed the recipe and it turned out! (I wasn't surprised..she is good at following directions, which is most of what baking is) We finished the loaf off with a "natural" hamburger helper meal last night.
Time to welcome Steve home from work. Hope you all had a good day.
This week has been quieter than most. Wednesday has been our busiest day. Martha went to her orthodontic appointment in the morning and we had our usual co-op in the afternoon. The goal was to identify flowers, but the kids ended up goofing off and wanting to play. They did a small amount of flower identification, a lot of playing with rabbits, and made frequent trips down a zip line. All the other lenient mothers helped the kids tear down my "let's learn" fortitude.
Martha is at home today under the weather She has been running a temp. around 100. She has an upper respiratory something-or-other. Slight cough, lethargy, and fever. As the day has gone on, I find myself suspicious of having picked it up. I will find out. Martha played Rummy-O by herself, but other than that has lain around most of the day.
Buddy has been just the opposite. He probably will not get sick because he has been out and about and away from sick Martha. I am amazed at his energy level- and oh so thankful for neighbor boys that live a few doors down. If they weren't around, I don't know what I'd do. They provide my Buddy with a constant source of entertainment They burn all that drives that boy. Some days, he only comes home for food- which is eaten hurriedly.
Hodge Podge's friend has been doing well. He is looking more fit. He has been doing pretty well on his diet. If I break up his ration into 2, he seems less driven to eat other things such as socks, paper plates, and Kleenex. For a while there he was so very hungry I almost quit his diet. I thought he was going to die, for sure, from a blocked colon- and a diet just wasn't worth that. I figured he might just as well be fat and at least die happy- and with a full stomach. Such is the life of a Wiener dog. He is a little wiener.
I am feeding my faithful Bluebirds their final worm meals until they have to leave our area. I am hearing constant chirps from my Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers. Somehow, I am able to sense changes in the bird population and know when to provide the right food for the right bird. I noticed when the Blackbirds left, and as soon as they were gone I took out the good food. Now, my favorite birds (Cardinals, Downys, Chickadees, Nut Hatches and Sparrows) are showing up and trying to determine if I am going to be a faithful source of food or not- for the winter. I am. Who else will trudge out in the blizzard, clear off the feeders and fill and refill as needed? Birds, I am so sorry I also attracted that pesky Hawk. I will try my best to save you from him this winter.
Buddy went to a sleep over last night. He loves those sleep overs as much as Martha. His friend has 4 Gerbils which they tortured for hours. (being sarcastic) They held them and put them through Grad Student Psychiatry mazes until they were able to "learn" their way to the sunflower seed. As added motivation for the Gerbils they stationed their pet dog nearby.
I can't forget to mention that Martha made her first loaf of French bread. It was delicious. I told her I wasn't going to help her, and I didn't. She followed the recipe and it turned out! (I wasn't surprised..she is good at following directions, which is most of what baking is) We finished the loaf off with a "natural" hamburger helper meal last night.
Time to welcome Steve home from work. Hope you all had a good day.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Yesterday, Piano Man, and more
Last night Buddy and I sat up until almost 11:00 and watched music videos together. It was a wonderful experience. My boy loves youtube. He remembered hearing Piano Man some time ago, and did his own research and found a video playing Piano Man. Steve and I did not help him with the title, song, etc. He figured it out. While doing the dishes, I heard the song playing and decided to pull up a chair and listen/watch with him. He asked for some other Billy Joel songs and Beatles songs (I don't know how he knew so much about the Beatles). We listened to Yesterday and She's Always A Woman To Me. ( I changed it to She's Always a Mommy to Me!) He enjoys all kinds of music. He listened to Piano Man and said, "That was sad". He then proceeded to listen to it over and over again. I think he finds music to be very special- it speaks of life. I am blessed by this child who has such profound, adult thoughts and feelings. He can relate to the immature friend and to any adult with sincerity and kindness. He sees the world with all its complexity and confusion. He carries a bigger burden knowing and understanding so much. I can see it in him.
Martha is blessed with ingenuity and simplicity- an intersting combination. She can find new ways to do things (like her math), and take something complex and make it simple. She doesn't get caught up in the complexity of life, like Buddy. She doesn't get lost in girlish behavior- jealousy, mind games, competition, manipulation, or favoritism. She is conscious of fads and fashion, but isn't controlled by them. She is sensitive to the needs of others. She loves the mall, loves laughing, loves talking, and loves silliness, like most tweens/teens, but she doesn't feel it is necessary to follow the crowd. She is not a sheep. She is strikingly independant and self-confident, also unlike Buddy. She is different than most girls.
Who can ever imagine having children like that? I move through motherhood with seriousness and a little trepidation...knowing that raising these two children will require much more than simple formulas, yes and no answers, and rules. It will require much love, of course, but also a lot of time. They long for my time and also long for me to share all that I know with them. There are times when I sit and simply talk about many topics, and they listen and ask endless questions. They prefer me to their textbooks. I am privileged to be able to share life with them. I know this time requirement may change, but I plan on being available for as long as I live.
The spinning of schedules and activities is just not important to me. So much is so worthless, when looked at closely. Details are also endless...what is accomplished by talking about baking cookies or putting up new curtains?
Today, my mind wanders to philosophical matters, and the gray cells of seriousness are alive.
It is cloudy and gray, which causes me to look inward. Tomorrow the mist will roll away and I will go back to talking about all the unessentials that fill up each day....today, I want more than that.
Martha is blessed with ingenuity and simplicity- an intersting combination. She can find new ways to do things (like her math), and take something complex and make it simple. She doesn't get caught up in the complexity of life, like Buddy. She doesn't get lost in girlish behavior- jealousy, mind games, competition, manipulation, or favoritism. She is conscious of fads and fashion, but isn't controlled by them. She is sensitive to the needs of others. She loves the mall, loves laughing, loves talking, and loves silliness, like most tweens/teens, but she doesn't feel it is necessary to follow the crowd. She is not a sheep. She is strikingly independant and self-confident, also unlike Buddy. She is different than most girls.
Who can ever imagine having children like that? I move through motherhood with seriousness and a little trepidation...knowing that raising these two children will require much more than simple formulas, yes and no answers, and rules. It will require much love, of course, but also a lot of time. They long for my time and also long for me to share all that I know with them. There are times when I sit and simply talk about many topics, and they listen and ask endless questions. They prefer me to their textbooks. I am privileged to be able to share life with them. I know this time requirement may change, but I plan on being available for as long as I live.
The spinning of schedules and activities is just not important to me. So much is so worthless, when looked at closely. Details are also endless...what is accomplished by talking about baking cookies or putting up new curtains?
Today, my mind wanders to philosophical matters, and the gray cells of seriousness are alive.
It is cloudy and gray, which causes me to look inward. Tomorrow the mist will roll away and I will go back to talking about all the unessentials that fill up each day....today, I want more than that.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Mid-week update
Good morning, everyone. I just realized that this blog hasn't been updated since Friday! We have been so busy- and not with Back To School preparations.
We have had some rain....Hallelujah!! We have also had some rain in our basement....ugh!! It is almost completely dried out now. We know what the problem is and how to fix it. We better do it. We had about 2 inches of rain that fell very quickly. No normal rain causes us problems. It has to be a deluge.
We made a special trip to see my friend's new baby on Monday. (I'll call her lil' miss) She is adorable- with a dark complexion and dark hair. She has her dad's looks..now we'll see whose personality she has. That should be interesting!!!!!! I think I looked like that when I was born. She truly did just eat and sleep almost the whole time. Martha was in baby heaven! She either did the holdling or glared at me until I let her hold the baby. The trip down was as much for Martha as it was for me! I had to get it done or I would have been in serious trouble.
Buddy's foot is healing nicely now. It will be completely healed very soon. He has returned to playing basketball and using his scooter.
Steve has a tough week- it is a week of evaluation. I may have to do a little pampering to take the stress away.
I have officially started my column and am glad the first one is published. Yeah! Now, I have to move on to the next one. The nerves are back. I probably won't relax until September's is done. This could be interesting. Deadlines do some nasty work to this overly careful and sensitive first-born.
Hope you all get over this mid-week hump with energy to spare.
Blessings!!
We have had some rain....Hallelujah!! We have also had some rain in our basement....ugh!! It is almost completely dried out now. We know what the problem is and how to fix it. We better do it. We had about 2 inches of rain that fell very quickly. No normal rain causes us problems. It has to be a deluge.
We made a special trip to see my friend's new baby on Monday. (I'll call her lil' miss) She is adorable- with a dark complexion and dark hair. She has her dad's looks..now we'll see whose personality she has. That should be interesting!!!!!! I think I looked like that when I was born. She truly did just eat and sleep almost the whole time. Martha was in baby heaven! She either did the holdling or glared at me until I let her hold the baby. The trip down was as much for Martha as it was for me! I had to get it done or I would have been in serious trouble.
Buddy's foot is healing nicely now. It will be completely healed very soon. He has returned to playing basketball and using his scooter.
Steve has a tough week- it is a week of evaluation. I may have to do a little pampering to take the stress away.
I have officially started my column and am glad the first one is published. Yeah! Now, I have to move on to the next one. The nerves are back. I probably won't relax until September's is done. This could be interesting. Deadlines do some nasty work to this overly careful and sensitive first-born.
Hope you all get over this mid-week hump with energy to spare.
Blessings!!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Feelin' Hot, hot, hot..again
Why would anyone want to move to Texas? There is enough heat here to share. Our relatives are at the Fair today. We hope they enjoy all the food, rides, and hot cement! I be people on the pavement will feel the temps near 100!
Steve and Buddy are also going to take in a little summer fun at a local park. There are batting cages, Go Karts, and a waterslide. Buddy has been feeling left out of all the fun (not included in all of Martha's sleep overs), so dad is going to have some special one-on-one time with him. I forced my already dark brown boy to put on 50 spf sunscreen....crazy, but in my mind I am fighting cancer! ;o) Die, skin cancer, die! Steve is a lost cause. He likes his 15 spf (even with his fair skin) and thinks his glasses of grape juice will protect him. It brings up the point: Is skin cancer better fought from the outside or inside? What do you think?
I did some lawn sprinkling yesterday and attracted a whole flock of finches who were flying through the water. If my kids won't run through the sprinkler anymore, I have finches that will! So there.
I'm going to start reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. It is the 2nd book by the same author of The Kite Runner. I haven't read a book in a while and must make an effort to read this one! If anyone wants to read this with me, let me know. I would be happy to dialogue on this. I will try to post a little about it. The last book enlightened me on life in Afghanistan..I think this one is more of the same. We aren't done there, yet, folks, and it helps the mind understand our political situation to read books like this. This book is a fictional story, but so full of factual tidbits. You can easily pick them out.
My time here is done. In order to limit my internet time, I have forced myself to sit on a very uncomfortable stool. When the butt is sore, the computer time is done. Things are going numb...time to get off.
Love to all friends and family.
Steve and Buddy are also going to take in a little summer fun at a local park. There are batting cages, Go Karts, and a waterslide. Buddy has been feeling left out of all the fun (not included in all of Martha's sleep overs), so dad is going to have some special one-on-one time with him. I forced my already dark brown boy to put on 50 spf sunscreen....crazy, but in my mind I am fighting cancer! ;o) Die, skin cancer, die! Steve is a lost cause. He likes his 15 spf (even with his fair skin) and thinks his glasses of grape juice will protect him. It brings up the point: Is skin cancer better fought from the outside or inside? What do you think?
I did some lawn sprinkling yesterday and attracted a whole flock of finches who were flying through the water. If my kids won't run through the sprinkler anymore, I have finches that will! So there.
I'm going to start reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. It is the 2nd book by the same author of The Kite Runner. I haven't read a book in a while and must make an effort to read this one! If anyone wants to read this with me, let me know. I would be happy to dialogue on this. I will try to post a little about it. The last book enlightened me on life in Afghanistan..I think this one is more of the same. We aren't done there, yet, folks, and it helps the mind understand our political situation to read books like this. This book is a fictional story, but so full of factual tidbits. You can easily pick them out.
My time here is done. In order to limit my internet time, I have forced myself to sit on a very uncomfortable stool. When the butt is sore, the computer time is done. Things are going numb...time to get off.
Love to all friends and family.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
A little violin music, please...
Steve, Buddy, and I are in a solemn funk after Buddy's team's loss last night. They played their hearts out and lost in an extra inning by one run 5-4. It was close and exciting. I, Hodge Podge, only threw one fit during the game when a player from the other team missed stepping on 2nd base and made it to 3rd without any calls being made. (I also had smaller moments of outrage scattered here and there.) I was a good Mama Bear defending her cub...and all the other cubs out there. It was a good game to end the season. We did sign Buddy up for Fall Baseball, but that is only for 5 Saturdays. Buddy told me that he was most sad over the fact that he won't be able to play with his teammates again. I am sad about that, too. Good bye 'ol #13, Coop, Boy-with-no-swing, A-J, Burn Rubber Boy, and Crazy Catcher. We'll miss you.
Martha had a sleepover with her cousin last night. They talked Nancy Drew 'til the wee hours (not soooo wee). We also have had baby cousin to take care of today- which has been a blessing. He is so cute and the friendliest little fella. I have squeezed months' worth of hugs and doting pats out of him. What a trooper. He acts like he has known us forever.
The second round of relatives arrives tonight for a quick overnight. The sheets are in the dryer. All this activity has been so fun. I know we won't have visitors for a long time after this, so I am cherishing it. Everything seems to go in streaks.
Well, that is my Wednesday post-game update. I hope your Wednesday has been a good one. Steve has the next two days off, so we are going to enjoy some family time. Buddy's foot is coming along, so thanks for thinking of him. I am trying to be a mean nurse Betty, but that is hard.
God bless the rest of your week!
Martha had a sleepover with her cousin last night. They talked Nancy Drew 'til the wee hours (not soooo wee). We also have had baby cousin to take care of today- which has been a blessing. He is so cute and the friendliest little fella. I have squeezed months' worth of hugs and doting pats out of him. What a trooper. He acts like he has known us forever.
The second round of relatives arrives tonight for a quick overnight. The sheets are in the dryer. All this activity has been so fun. I know we won't have visitors for a long time after this, so I am cherishing it. Everything seems to go in streaks.
Well, that is my Wednesday post-game update. I hope your Wednesday has been a good one. Steve has the next two days off, so we are going to enjoy some family time. Buddy's foot is coming along, so thanks for thinking of him. I am trying to be a mean nurse Betty, but that is hard.
God bless the rest of your week!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Play ball!
We are past a nice, relaxing weekend. Steve and I took it easy. It was nice to have some cooler temps. these past few days. Everyone else seemed to appreciate them, too, as our neighborhood was "abuzz" with walkers, runners, etc. I am trying to maintain a little patch of green around our house. It probably looks funny not to have the whole lawn nice and green, but I am not up to watering an acre+ with sprinklers! Even with all my sprinkling, it is pretty dry, part green-part brown, and patchy with some weeds. I know I'm not the only one with a lawn like that!
Poor Buddy got a "talking to" last night. He has been playing hard these past couple of days and it has slowed the healing of his foot down. In fact, it really didn't look any different from Friday- which is bad news. He is going to stay off his feet today (except for the game) and off them tomorrow and the next day until it is healed. I didn't realize before how hard it can be (with a child) to recover from a foot injury. He begs me to play...and it has been hard (obviously I have failed) to say "no". My lack of discipline with him has been the problem. At least this has turned out to be a real lesson- he said last night how much he wants to have his foot better and that I can count on him staying off it. Good!
Steve and I took Buddy out last night for practice. He pitched, played in the field, and did some batting practice. It is my job to chase all the balls- which I did successfully! It is a great way to work up a sweat and get some exercise. I chase balls, Steve plays catcher for Buddy's hard pitches, and Buddy can bat like Barry Bonds without steroids!
Martha is in her happy place with the possibility of going to 2 sleepovers this week. She is having cousins sleep over and a sleepover with friends. It is the big thing, I guess!! I remember going to sleepovers, but they were when I was younger. I didn't do any high school sleep overs! Martha is much more of a socialite and will probably live a normal teen life with movies, the mall, and sleep overs- sans rebellion (?!!). She will worry about her hair and her clothes. She is all girl and very aware of what a fashionable girl should look like- whether or not we can attain that or endorse this fashionable look is another thing. While I was ignorant of the world around me, I am happy to see Martha functioning with girls around her and not a fearful, shy child.
I decided early on that I was going to force them to do things for themselves. So, I have them make phone calls, order their own food at restaurants and sometimes pay, ask adults for help and directions, etc. I think this has really helped them gain confidence. Martha was 3 when she first started getting her own breakfast!! I wasn't lazy- she just wanted to do it on her own. She would pour the milk into a glass and cover it and put it in the fridge the night before and she would have her cereal bowl all ready to go. SHE thought of it. Then, when she got up (which was earlier than I liked), she would just open the fridge, take out the milk and pour it over her cereal. She would sit and eat her cereal and be happy until I got up. She was sooooo funny!!! I think if children ask to do something on their own (barring the risk of setting themselves on fire) they should be allowed to try. I have given up some of my controlling tendencies-not all- just some. :o)
Well, it is time to get going this morning. We have family coming to stay today and overnight. Martha gets to babysit her baby cousin tomorrow- she is so excited!
I will provide an update on his tournament game tonight or tomorrow. He plays at 6:00 tonight. It will be a tough win, if they pull it off.
Have a great day!
Poor Buddy got a "talking to" last night. He has been playing hard these past couple of days and it has slowed the healing of his foot down. In fact, it really didn't look any different from Friday- which is bad news. He is going to stay off his feet today (except for the game) and off them tomorrow and the next day until it is healed. I didn't realize before how hard it can be (with a child) to recover from a foot injury. He begs me to play...and it has been hard (obviously I have failed) to say "no". My lack of discipline with him has been the problem. At least this has turned out to be a real lesson- he said last night how much he wants to have his foot better and that I can count on him staying off it. Good!
Steve and I took Buddy out last night for practice. He pitched, played in the field, and did some batting practice. It is my job to chase all the balls- which I did successfully! It is a great way to work up a sweat and get some exercise. I chase balls, Steve plays catcher for Buddy's hard pitches, and Buddy can bat like Barry Bonds without steroids!
Martha is in her happy place with the possibility of going to 2 sleepovers this week. She is having cousins sleep over and a sleepover with friends. It is the big thing, I guess!! I remember going to sleepovers, but they were when I was younger. I didn't do any high school sleep overs! Martha is much more of a socialite and will probably live a normal teen life with movies, the mall, and sleep overs- sans rebellion (?!!). She will worry about her hair and her clothes. She is all girl and very aware of what a fashionable girl should look like- whether or not we can attain that or endorse this fashionable look is another thing. While I was ignorant of the world around me, I am happy to see Martha functioning with girls around her and not a fearful, shy child.
I decided early on that I was going to force them to do things for themselves. So, I have them make phone calls, order their own food at restaurants and sometimes pay, ask adults for help and directions, etc. I think this has really helped them gain confidence. Martha was 3 when she first started getting her own breakfast!! I wasn't lazy- she just wanted to do it on her own. She would pour the milk into a glass and cover it and put it in the fridge the night before and she would have her cereal bowl all ready to go. SHE thought of it. Then, when she got up (which was earlier than I liked), she would just open the fridge, take out the milk and pour it over her cereal. She would sit and eat her cereal and be happy until I got up. She was sooooo funny!!! I think if children ask to do something on their own (barring the risk of setting themselves on fire) they should be allowed to try. I have given up some of my controlling tendencies-not all- just some. :o)
Well, it is time to get going this morning. We have family coming to stay today and overnight. Martha gets to babysit her baby cousin tomorrow- she is so excited!
I will provide an update on his tournament game tonight or tomorrow. He plays at 6:00 tonight. It will be a tough win, if they pull it off.
Have a great day!
Friday, August 3, 2007
On to the second round!
Hooray! We are on to the second round of games. Buddy won his first tournament game last night. The final score was 13-8. The twins came to cheer Buddy on (Martha was so happy to have them there!) . The team hit well. Buddy got 2 hits and 1 RBI. The coaches held him back from pitching because of his foot, but they said they want him to pitch next Tuesday. The team they are going to play is very good. They won almost every game this season. I hope they give them a good run!! His game starts at 6:00 on Tuesday-next week.
Buddy's foot is healing up. He had a slight fever yesterday, so we had to take him in and get an antibiotic. Boy, was that interesting...... It doesn't look infected, but the cut occurred in a very dirty place, so who knows what got in there. He is going to take it easy today.
Martha was able to go to the fair yesterday with one friend, Lollie, and a few others. We ran into another family (Violet's family), too! It is always fun to see people you know at these events. The girls loved the petting zoo and all the animals. We also saw a rocket demonstration and a 4-H exhibit. There were some very nice 4-H projects! It gave my daughter some ideas for this next year. We ate at the 4-H building- they served awesome burgers and pie! We brought a burger home and some cotton candy for Buddy. That was all he wanted- cotton candy.
We are going easy today and staying home (as much as possible). Everything that can get dirty (dishes, laundry,etc.) IS dirty. Someone needs to clean that stuff! I suppose I better do it. :o) I think we are going to have another sunny, warm day. Enjoy your Friday and weekend!
Buddy's foot is healing up. He had a slight fever yesterday, so we had to take him in and get an antibiotic. Boy, was that interesting...... It doesn't look infected, but the cut occurred in a very dirty place, so who knows what got in there. He is going to take it easy today.
Martha was able to go to the fair yesterday with one friend, Lollie, and a few others. We ran into another family (Violet's family), too! It is always fun to see people you know at these events. The girls loved the petting zoo and all the animals. We also saw a rocket demonstration and a 4-H exhibit. There were some very nice 4-H projects! It gave my daughter some ideas for this next year. We ate at the 4-H building- they served awesome burgers and pie! We brought a burger home and some cotton candy for Buddy. That was all he wanted- cotton candy.
We are going easy today and staying home (as much as possible). Everything that can get dirty (dishes, laundry,etc.) IS dirty. Someone needs to clean that stuff! I suppose I better do it. :o) I think we are going to have another sunny, warm day. Enjoy your Friday and weekend!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Final game and Tournament
Here is an update on the events of yesterday: About 2 hours before his game yesterday, Buddy stepped on something (glass or metal) and cut his foot. He was playing at a pond and his shoe got stuck in the mud, so he pulled his foot out and tried to get his shoe, but ended up stepping down in the mud onto something sharp. Not smart, but not unexpected.......
Anyway..we went to a Podiatrist who said that he had to stay off the wound. He was awesome (I wonder if he does housecalls?!! Teehee)...Buddy and I almost fainted, but the doctor cleaned the wound and took care of everything. We went to the game in order to watch his team play (without Buddy), but it turned out that there weren't enough boys to play- for the game to count. They need 9 boys to play a game. The coaches did some talking and asked me if Buddy could just stand in the outfield so they could put a game together. Buddy made player #8 and they borrowed a player from the other team to make 9. They played their game and Buddy's team won 9-7 even with many of their good players gone, Buddy injured -just standing in the outfield, and 2 pitchers who walked A LOT of boys. The win didn't count, but it was still nice to play. They ended up in 5th place for the season.
Their tournament begins this Thursday at 6:30 for anyone interested. E-mail me and I will send you the name of the field they are playing at. Buddy has to do a bit of healing before Steve will let him play on Thursday. He is to stay off his feet until the game. He is going to miss a lot of fun activities this week, but I can guarantee he will take care of himself better in the future!!!!!
Anyway..we went to a Podiatrist who said that he had to stay off the wound. He was awesome (I wonder if he does housecalls?!! Teehee)...Buddy and I almost fainted, but the doctor cleaned the wound and took care of everything. We went to the game in order to watch his team play (without Buddy), but it turned out that there weren't enough boys to play- for the game to count. They need 9 boys to play a game. The coaches did some talking and asked me if Buddy could just stand in the outfield so they could put a game together. Buddy made player #8 and they borrowed a player from the other team to make 9. They played their game and Buddy's team won 9-7 even with many of their good players gone, Buddy injured -just standing in the outfield, and 2 pitchers who walked A LOT of boys. The win didn't count, but it was still nice to play. They ended up in 5th place for the season.
Their tournament begins this Thursday at 6:30 for anyone interested. E-mail me and I will send you the name of the field they are playing at. Buddy has to do a bit of healing before Steve will let him play on Thursday. He is to stay off his feet until the game. He is going to miss a lot of fun activities this week, but I can guarantee he will take care of himself better in the future!!!!!
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