In the Big Leagues Now!

Last night we took the baseball team to the El Paso Diablos.Before the game started, they got to head down on the fieldto the dugout and meet some of the players. Then came the main event. As the Diablo players were introduced, two boys at a time went out with them and were introduced also. Then they stood with then as the national anthem was sang. Folks, it was amazing! I wanted to be a tball player. I think these twodid too. It was THAT cool!
After the anthem, the team and their families got to sit RIGHTbehind the dugout and watch the game.

But...Lisa, Katy, Kylee and I rebelled a little. I know, I know, shocker. Do you know how many HOURS we sit in the baseball stands watching? Well, it's a lawt. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world to see my boy play. My boy wasn't playing. He was a spectator, just like the rest of us. So we left. We went to get something to eat in the air conditioning, with cold drinks, and food that was WAY better and WAY cheaper than at the ballpark. We thought. It backfired. We went to Applebees, 20 to 30 minute wait. We went to Chilis, didn't even go in because of the people waiting OUTSIDE the builidng. We went to Great American Land and Cattle, 20 minute wait. Okay. We're waiting. After 15-20 minutes, Kylee asked the hostess how much longer. When she said ANOTHER 20 minutes, we gave up. We rebeled, and it backfired on us. This is a great lesson for all you kiddos out there. When you rebel, it will bite you in the butt.

So we went back to the ballpark. By that time, the boys were beyond sitting still and were running around like maniacs. I guess they bothered one too many people, so they got a little lecture. Then finally it was over (I don't even know who won..hehe. Again, not my boy) and they got to go back to the field and run the basesand watch the fireworks

I'll tell ya, it was a great night, even for the girls who tried to rebel!

And for all my family readers who aren't bloggers, the blue lettering, you click on to see a video!

Picturesqueless

I have no pictures from this weekend. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. Not even a CELL phone picture. Nothing. Right then is when I should have known I was getting sick. But I didn't.

Friday night, we took our sweet friend Courtney and her sister and Dad out to dinner at Leo's (A picture I stole from Courtey's Facebook page, since I have none of my own!)
Courtney leaves for collegeThursday. It's going to be a great adventure for her, but we will miss her!

Saturday was typical t-ball and dance. Then we took the kids to spend the night at Papa and Nana's. When we left them they were in the pool, and we barely got a nod for a goodbye. So we went to dinner with the Hayes. Then Kylee called. Her eyes were "swollen shut", at least that's what she told me. Not the case. We picked her up. Blaine stayed.

Sunday morning, I did not feel well at all. There wasn't anything specific I could tell you. I just didn't feel well. I sorted my laundry, got two loads done, and just laid on the couch. At some point, Joey picked up Blaine and supper. By that time, the bug had taken over. I was so sick. For two days. Now you know why there have been no post updates. There have also been no updates to my laundry status or to my refrigerator or pantry. Seems like I have a lot of "updating" to do.

One Time at Band Camp....

Remember the drama of Kylee's schedule having band on it? She cried, wanted out. Then maybe she'd stay. Nope, wanted out. Well, I don't want it to change my WHOLE schedule if I get out. I want out! Ugh, I don't know. That's how the story went...for ALMOST two weeks. It is now resolved. Here's how:

Monday night the band directors had a meeting. The kids had to go in and try three instruments. Then the band director in charge of that instrument rated them on a scale of one to five, five being the best. Then the kids put their choices in order. Here's how it went:

She tried percussion first. She tapped her foot up and down, clapped when her foot was down (except she clapped when her foot was up), "ran" with their hands as fast as they could on their legs, and did some patting of their legs in a rhythm given to them, like right right left right left left....or something like that. The band director said, "Some of this was kind of hard for you, wasn't it?" She rated her a three.

Then we went to the flute. How excited was I, knowing she would NAIL it, because, well, I played the flute. Wrong. It was really hard for her! She hardly got any sound out of it. That band director told her, "If you REALLY wanted to play the flute, and it is your first choice, you can do it. But it's going to be a LOT of work." Kylee screamed said very loudly and with MUCH emphasis, "It's NOT my first choice!" The band director rated her a three, and wrote, Struggled, on the comments.

Then we went to the trumpet. Kylee had told me she wanted to play the trumpet, but I guess I ignored her a little. That director said, "We'll try, but the trumpet is hard for a lot of people." She showed Kylee what to do. Kylee did it. A loud, clear sound came from that trumpet mouthpiece. Then the director said, "Let's try the french horn mouthpiece." Kylee got an even louder, clearer sound from that one. The director said, "You can totally do this." She rated her a five and wrote, Did great, in the comments. Kylee walked away with a smile the size of Texas.

I might mention that while we were standing in these lines to try these instruments, we were talking about changing her schedule. She was very wishy-washy and noncommittal about it.

When we left the trumpet line, she wrote her choices in order. 1) Trumpet 2) French Horn 3) Flute (after which she turned to me and said, Just for you, Mom.

When we left the school, she said, "If I get to play the trumpet, I want to stay in band!"

Yesterday I had to check her out of school early for an orthodontist appointment. I decided to stop by the counselors office just to see what it would do to her schedule if we got her out of band, because, well, how many girls ESPECIALLY girls as girly as MY girl, have you seen playing the trumpet?! Just as I sat down to visit with the counselor, said girly-girl came RUNNING into his office, waving a piece of paper. "DON'T DO ANYTHING!! I GOT THE TRUMPET! DON'T CHANGE MY SCHEDULE! I GOT THE TRUMPET! WOO HOO!"

Stunned. I sat there stunned. Seriously?! My dancing queen, lip-gloss wearing princess, pedicure getting primp WANTS to play the trumpet? Seriously?!! Yes, seriously.

Meet Taliyea, the trumpet, the new member of our family. Yes, she has a name. That's comforting. At least there's something girly about her.

Back in Session

School is back in session. Summer is kinda lazy with the kids because, well, summer is meant for being lazy. Along with being lazy, though, comes less little funnies out of their mouths. With school back in session, the funnies are back in business.

Because they line up on the basketball court right outside of the school doors, Blaine has been taking his small basketball to school to play before school. He told us this weekend, "I'm famous at school! Since it's my basketball, everybody wants to play with me." Then he said, "But I really want to be the Celtics, and they all want to be the Lakers." Uncle Doak told him to stand firm; it was his basketball, and he needed to make them be the Celtics. Blaine thought for a minute and said, "Nah. I still want to be famous!"

He's had kind of had a rough week this week. Monday at lunch, he got up to throw something in the trash (so much for not cleaning up after himself..hehe) and somebody stole the uneaten part of his sandwich. He was hot!! Then yesterday a kid bit him at the Y. I'm told, not just by Blaine but the Y staff as well, that it was totally unprovoked.

He also got his first sad face of the year yesterday. Yes, I know we are only seven days in, but still! I was kinda proud of him, though. When I asked him why he got the sad face, we were sitting at Sonic getting a snack waiting on Kylee to get out of piano. He said, "Because I didn't finish my work fast enough." I said, "Why not? Were you talking?" And he said, "No -- well, yes, ma'am." Then he said, "And because I didn't follow the rules during carpet time." I waited. He stopped. I waited some more. He looked at me. I said, "Well, what were you doing at carpet time?" He shrugged his shoulders, then caught himself and said, "I was talking again. I just talk too much and got a sad face." I first told him I was VERY proud of him for not lying to me, because I saw him start to. I told him that because he told me the truth and because it was his first sad face this year, that this was his warning, but not to think that coming home with a sad face again was going to be this easy.

Then the phone rang. It was his Daddy. He wanted to answer it. I think it was so I wouldn't tell him. So they visited a bit, and then I was talking to Joey. Then Blaine said, "Oh, just tell him. He's going to find out anyway. Just tell him!" I paused a second (I was trying to keep from laughing), and he said, "Tell him, Mommy! He's going to find out, so just tell him now!" So I explained to Joey what he was talking about and Blaine said, "But this time is my warning. Next time is gonna be bad, but this time is just my warning!"

Happy Birthday, Uncle Doak

We had so many things going on this weekend!

After supper Friday night, Doak and his family came in from Midland. While Joey went out with a bunch of his high school friends for yet another reunion, the kids and I hung out and played with them.

Saturday really busy. Kylee had dance from 12 to 2. The plan was to pick her up at 2 and go to Blaine's t-ball awards ceremony. She called me in the middle of dance to see if she could go to Mom Mom's instead. Doak and Andrea took Gavin school clothes shopping, and Mom Mom and Dad Dad had Brodie and Faith. She wanted nothing to do with going to the park and hanging out with a bunch of t-ball players. Thisis ALLshe was interested in!!

I, on the other hand, went to the park with the boys. They were so excited
because they were getting big trophies this year because of their championship. It was so fun to watch them just keep looking at the trophies, and even more fun to see their faces light up as they were handed theirs.

After the awards picnic, the kids went and spent the night at Dad Dad and Mom Mom's with Doak's family while Joey and I went to Cattleman's for yet another night of his reunion.

Sunday morning, after watching Joey's softball game while the kids were at church, we went and had lunch at Mom Mom and DAd Dad's for Doak's birthday. After lunch and everybody leaving, it was back to the laundry grind for me...especially now that school is back in session.

I just had to post this great picture of three generations, Doak, Dan, and Brodie Dan.

How Quickly We Forget

We I forget things so quickly, which is one of the reasons I started this blog. I always think I will remember things forever, but let's face it...I don't, which is the exact reason for this post.

When I picked up Blaine on his first day of school, I forgot to mention the best part. When I looked at him, I realized his sock was a mess! It was hanging down and stringy. When I asked him what happened, he very innocently looked up at me and said, "I cut it with my scissors." I could tell just by the way he said it, he didn't see anything wrong with what he'd done.

I quickly established that if he did it again, I would take money out of his piggy bank to replace his socks. I tried to take a pictures, but he did NOT want me to do that. He said, "You put everything I do on your Classic Cuties!" He doesn't realize I don't need a picture to do it. I just prefer one!

Happy 29th Anniversary!!

1981


2010

Moving On Up Down

Blaine woke up Wednesday night complaining that the right side of his nose and up to his eye hurt, so I told him I would get him some Motrin. He told me he didn't think that would work because it hurt up, like to his brain, like his brain was going to shut off. When I started pushing around, I think he had a sinus headache. He woke up again in the night, still complaining that it hurt, and it hurt when I took him to school.

I was a little worried about him, because he just didn't quite right. He just wasn't himself. I called the nurse right before lunch to check on him, but she hadn't heard from him. I figured that was a good sign. When I got home, Kylee told me that she had asked him if he still had his sinus headache. His reponse was, "No, now it moved down into my leg."

Kylee is still enjoying middle school. Yesterday she had another new experience...changing in the locker room with all the other girls. I was pretty surprised, because she does take after me and her Mom Mom and is not modest, but she was embarrased. But then I found out why. All of her friends wear bras; she doesn't. She just doesn't need one yet, and I don't want her to have to wear one longer than she has to! But she said that all her friends looked like they had bikinis on, and she didn't, so she just got her friends to "cover" her because the coaches wouldn't let them use the bathroom stalls. She is really growing up!

First day of school! (plus an update)

***Update. I know it's Wednesday and I haven't up dated on the first day of school from Monday, but I have a good reason. Middle schoolers are so smart...just ask 'em! Kylee informed me she actually had two first days of school, so I should wait.

I'll explain. Our middle schoolers have "block" scheduling. She has four classes on A day and four different classes on B day, kinda like college. So Monday she had Science, Theater Arts, Health, and Band. That's her A day. Her second first day of school, B day, is Math, P.E., Social Studies, and Reading.

She loves middle school. There is somebody she knows in all of her classes. Her health teacher is awesome. Theater Arts is all she wanted it to be, except they won't have a show until the 4th nine weeks. Health is boring. Remember the drama about band? She might stay in. That's basically how her first day of school went.
Her second first day of school is as follows: Math and Social Studies are ok. Her P.E. teacher is, evidentally, ancient and says her name wrong. When I asked her how he said it, she said, "Like you say it with no teeth!" Then she curved her top lip over her top teeth and attempted her name. Her reading teacher is a fellow dancer and is amazing! She has three minutes between each class, and she does not have a locker. She will have to carry her books for each class on their respective days. She has not said this, but you can tell she feels totally grown up.

Blaine only had one first day of school. Bless his heart. (hehe) When I picked him up his first day, the first thing he said to me was, "I already know Ms. Sanchez is going to be a really nice teacher!" They got to sit wherever they wanted that day, but Ms. Sanchez wsa going to choose where they were going to sit for the rest of the time. His favorite thing about his first day? Playing with the blocks.

That night Kylee asked me to check the menu for the middle school cafeteria (middle school has two choices; elementary only has one) so she could decide if she was eating there, Blaine said, "Don't even check for me! I'm taking my lunch! If you eat in the cafeteria, you have to clean up after yourself. I'm NOT doing that, so just pack my lunch!" You see, he just shoves his trash back in the lunch box instead of throwing it away. I said, "Blaine!" He said, "What? I'm a boy, and I'm not cleaning up after myself! My Daddy doesn't clean up after himself, I'm not cleaning up after mine!" They are men from day one! UGH!
*******

Today is the first day of school, 2010. My firstborn is now in middle school (6th), and it makes me want to puke! My baby is a 1st grader,and that makes me throw up a little in my mouth, too!

I am so proud of both of them!
They got up this morning with no problems, despite not being able to get to sleep last night.

Since we had met Blaine's teacher,Ms. Sanchez, and knew were he was going, we dropped off Blaine first. He walked in like it was no big deal, got his picture made, and sat down. When I bent down to tell him goodbye, he looked at me like, Don't you DARE kiss me! So I said I hope he had a great day and I would see him this afternoon and walked away. I looked back, but he never looked at me again.

Then I headed over to the middle school with Kylee. We went straight to the counselor's office. Of course, we weren't the only ones there, so we just got in line. She ran into several kids she knew, including Jillian, who was wearing a little mascara. This middle school thing was making me WAY more nervous than it was Kylee. When the bell rang, the counselors sent the kids to class and let the parents wait for schedule changes. I walked Kylee to her class, was dismissed, and went back to the counselor's office.

I found out that they are not changing elective schedules for 2-3 weeks, in order to get the academic schedules straightened out first...which is totally understandable. I did ask what she would be doing in band, since I wouldn't be buying her an instrument in the meantime. The counselor was very sweet, said he loved Kylee's name, and would see what he could do. He also told me to leave a message for the principal, Ms. Marion, and that she would get back with me.

Kylee doesn't know any of this since she was in class, so we'll see how she reacts. I'm sure there will be plenty of first day updates this afternoon. Stay tuned....

The Last of Summer

The last week of summer, I let the kids stay at the house with Mat. He would come over in the morning and stay with them all day. From what I hear, Kylee slept most of the time, and Blaine pestered Mat. We ordered pizza for them the first day, and the rest of the days, Joey brought them lunch. They loved it!

Thursday was a big day. We got to go to Blaine's school and meet his first grade teacher, and we got Kylee's middle school schedule in the mail.

I think Blaine thought 1st grade was going to be like Kindergarten, where you go in not knowing anybody. When some of his classmates and friends from the playground started walking in his classroom, he was ssoo excited. He said, "Mommy, I know some of these kids!" After I explained to him that he a lot of these kids would follow him all through school, he just kept smiling! His teacher this year is Ms. Sanchez. I have no pictures because I didn't realize we would be meeting teachers, and I went straight from work to the school.

When Kylee's middle school schedule came in the mail, she screamed like...well, like a middle-school girl! Because she is in pre-AP classes, she gets two electives. She really wanted theater arts, and she really didn't want band. She got both. When she saw band, she fell apart. She does not want to be in band. She cried and cried! I told her I would call the school the next morning and see what I could do. When I called, they told me I would have to wait until the first day of school and talk to the counselor. After the drama, when I asked her if she was nervous about middle school, she said, "Not if I can get out of band!"

Saturday afternoon, Kylee had a dance performance at a little church who was having a fundraising carnival. The girls were pretty nervous about dancing on the asphalt, but they did a great job.
Wish Right Now
Hello Good Morning
Ice Ice Baby
She totally gets her moves from me! (hehe)

Then we headed over the Dad Dad and Mom Mom's to play some games on the last night the kids could stay up late before school started.

Sunday I tried to keep low key. The boys went swimming, and the girls went grocery shopping for school lunches. (And laundry of course.) I put the kids to bed at their regular school bedtime (8:30). I'm not sure when they finally went to sleep, though, because the both kept coming and telling me they couldn't sleep. The last I heard from them was 9:30. Bet after a full day of school 8:30 is an easy bedtime, though.