Tuesday, September 17, 2013

XC Team Night

at the Olive Garden....
     Well, hey....they're kids.They like it.  It's all the counts.
     This is Caz's first team outing.  It's a big deal.  It's also a Tueday night and this thing is not exactly around the corner.  But it's what you do as a parent.  I want him to hang with his team.  I want him to bond with them.  I like that a third of the team are freshmen.  He gets to interact with upperclassmen but he will also have a core going through the ranks with them.
     I had pick up duty.  About 8:45 I was getting antsy.  I was so tired and all I wanted to do was to go to sleep.  Fortunately the timing worked, and I was able to go get him and return before 10.  He had fun.  Didn't sound like the waitress did.  25 kids.  25 separate checks.  I had to explain to Caz what a pain that is for a waiter/waitress.  Kids don't appreciate that.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Education and Creativity

I first saw the speaker on the TED talks series a few years ago.  He's not only an engaging speaker, he is a visionary.  I may not agree with everything but he makes sense and I tend to like a lot of what he has to say.  Check him out.  Sir Ken Robinson:

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

9/11/13

Twelve years later.  Never forget.  I will also never stop asking the boys if they have questions about this day.  Caz was a toddler and Coco was a newborn.  Every year, and in between, we talk about what happened twelve years ago.  We have had some really serious, good conversations about the events.  We have covered a lot of angles, first responders, terrorists versus religion, patriotism, the war that followed, etc.  That is one way I remember those events.  How they impacted me.  How they impacted others.  How the impact continues.  Honor their memory.
     I am sure for the boys, 9/11 is like Pearl Harbor is to us.  We weren't old enough to have those memories.  But it is important that we remember.  Important that we remember.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

K Train Starts Rollin'!

The 7th grade Dragons opened our football season today.  I was really anxious about how we would perform.  The team passed with flying colors.  Besides winning 20-6, they just played flat out hard.  Our boys wore them down.  It was hot.  We were down at the half.  But we kept going, full out.  And it paid off. What an effort!

Friday, September 6, 2013

So Far, So Good

Four full days and the house is still standing.  There is food in the fridge.  The kids' homework is done.  School lunches were made.  I think I have held the household together pretty well.
     Demi is feeling well.  She's really just needing someone to keep her from over doing it, and ditching the crutches.  I have to make sure she doesn't strain her hip.  The last thing she needs is a set back.
     The boys have been helping out.  They have shown genuine concern for her well being.  It has not been forced.  The family has rallied.  I am very proud of them.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

XC Season Opener

Caz had his first meet today.  I am extremely bummed, not be able to see it.  These start at 4 PM, which does not help me being able to see him run.  I really want to be there to support him.  This means just as much to me as his other sports ever have.  I need him to see that.
     At least my folks will be there.  Demi made it too.  She was feeling good and used the crutches to get up into the stands.
     Caz really seemed exhausted after the race.  He ran hard.  That is all I ask of him.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Are You Ready For Some Football?

It is that time of year.  The season started today.  Yes, we practiced the last two nights, but today was double sessions.  Full pads.  Team bonding.  It is really a good idea.  It brings the kids together.  We were in the sun from 8 AM to 2 PM.  Running.  Banging.  We actually got to run full plays.  We practiced tackling. We ran through the defense.
     In between sessions, the boys got to sit in the shade, eat & talk together.  This is the time that will bond them.  To go through the exertion of a double session together, is something that builds teams.  It builds character.  I really don't believe any other sport has anything close to that.  The boys will be better for it.  The team will be better for it.

Trials & Tribulations

That is likely an over dramatic title.  Lots of families have it way harder than we do.  We are very fortunate.  And we know it.
     Demi goes in for surgery today.  It's a hip scope.  Very routine these days.  Hopefully, she will only be down for a short while.  At least a week on crutches.
     The boys are really going to have to step it up.  Demi is going to need a lot of care.  The house is going to need a lot of care.  I am up for it.  I can cook.  I can do laundry.  I can clean.  I can parent.  The boys are going to have to be more self sufficient though.  The are going to have to get themselves up in the morning, brush their teeth, comb their hair, and get out the door to the bus.  They really should be able to do that on their own.  I know I sound like every parent, but I was able to do that at their age.  It is not unreasonable to expect that they can too.