Welcome, Macey!

I am 35 years old--you would think I would know better.

Carson had a mid-morning soccer game on Saturday. After we left the game, we went to Brother's to grab some pizza and pasta for lunch. It was a great morning and we should have gone home to get a break before heading off to Laiken's afternoon game. Instead, we walked into the traveling adoption unit run by the SPCA which just happened to be parked in Market Street's parking lot next to Brother's. We were just going to look.....

As you can see, we did a little more than look. We adopted a 6 month old, pure bred Rat Terrier. The kids were ecstatic to say the least. They have wanted a dog for years, but Farrel and I have resisted, armed with really valid reasons: "we need a bigger yard....., you're not old enough to understand the responsibility....., Nolan is too little....." All of that went out the window when we saw our three kids with Macey. I really think we had the happiest kids in the world today and Macey seemed pretty happy herself!

A Smile only a Mother Could Love!

I think Carson was probably one of the last kids in his grade to lose a top, front tooth. I was fine with this since I think that it is one of the hardest things in the world to get used to your child missing one of those teeth. That gap changes his whole look. I hope that the other one comes out quickly so that both of the big boy teeth will come in together. Until then, I will enjoy his new lisp and funny grin.

Nolan was very worried when Carson's tooth came out and looked at us with wide eyes and said, "Nolan's tooth not come out!"

It's Broken...

For as much as I love watching baseball games, the statistics on how many kids get hurt each year playing baseball and softball are enough to make some parents think twice about letting their kids play the sport. Over 422,000 kids are seen every year in ERs with baseball and softball related injuries. That number doesn't include all the kids whose injuries don't appear to warrant a trip to the emergency room. That is where our story begins....

We found out this week at a routine well-visit that Carson has had a broken thumb since the first baseball game he played this season. The ball hit his right hand during warm- up and by the end of the game, it was a little swollen, but didn't look that bad. He had full range of motion and it wasn't black or blue. He played two more games after that before he had his yearly check-up and the doctor was concerned enough to run a scan. Yes, it was definitely broken and yes, we felt horrible that it had been like that for over a week. So, now it's in a soft cast until October 1. He will miss a total of 5 baseball games, but luckily he can at least still play his soccer games. He's been quite a trooper and apparently, has a higher pain tolerance than we knew!

To Grandma and Papaw's House We Go!

Yes, I know how lucky we are! I have friends who have no family in the area. Farrel and I are very fortunate to have both sets of grandparents living less than 20 minutes from our home. We are able to see them all the time. Our kids get to spend time with them, get to celebrate birthdays and holidays with them, get to have them at their school and sporting events and as a result of the close proximity, our children have never had to stay with a babysitter. Yes, we are lucky and I count my blessings every day.
We spent Saturday with Grandma and Papaw Cunningham on the farm. Every time we are there, I am amazed at how quiet and how green everything is. (Yes, it was like that when I was growing up, but after living in McKinney, I forget how peaceful that kind of environment can be.) They have grass and trees as far as you can see (literally) and no houses blocking the view. We were there to celebrate mine and my dad's birthdays and to visit with my brother, Joe, before he flies out yet again for another out-of-town business trip. It was a great day. We had a delicious lunch, wonderful chocolate cake (thanks, Mom), great gifts, and even better conversation. My dad got to show off his new storage facility (how long has he talked about buying it??) and the kids couldn't wait to get on top of it! You know, what else would kids want to do with it but stand on the top??

Baseball

I think that baseball has always been my favorite sport. My dad was a coach for my brother's team when we were young; Farrel played; occasionally, we would go out to watch the Rangers play; and while Farrel and I were stationed in Okinawa, the one sporting event that was broadcast in English on t.v. was the World Series.

There is something about baseball that at every level is more intimate than football, basketball, or soccer. There is the secret language of hand signs and the expectation that with a quick glance your fellow player will know exactly what move to make. The game moves at a pace that allows you to cheer for individual players and to intently watch the nuances of the pitch, the throw to first, the angle of the bat as it connects with the ball. When you watch your child at Little League games, you can sit closely enough to see his facial expressions as he approaches the plate, as he scores a run, as he makes an out. You can hear everything--the boys calling, "I got it," as a ball falls from above, the clink of the bat as it hits a ball, and the sound of the ball smacking into the leather glove. It's all of these things that I love and one of the reasons that I am so glad that Carson is playing baseball this season. He played one season of tee ball, but the rules said no one could get out and the teams couldn't keep score.... Boys know. They know when it's not really a game and they know who would have won if the teams had kept score.

So, he's come back this season into the age division that does keep score and does get out. Last night was his first game. His team lost 2-1 and he knew the score and he was disappointed, but not as disappointed as he would have been if they had played by lesser rules. Carson got a hit and made it to second and then went on to score his team's only run. He did great and played catcher, 2nd base, and 3rd base during the different innings. I sat in the stands, listened to the sounds that are baseball, watched the glances between the players, and cheered him on, relishing the moments of enjoying the game I love and the little boy I love even more playing it.

Scouting

Today begins Laiken's 5th year of Girl Scouts. She started in Kindergarten as a Daisy and then spent 3 years as a Brownie. Now, she is a Junior Girl Scout. Twelve girls, 2 co-leaders, and a lot of plans for volunteer opportunities and fun activities--it will be a great year.

Carson tried Boy Scouts last year and while he looked adorable in his uniform, he decided that one year was enough. When he was asked to make centerpieces for the tables at pack meetings and do cheers ("girl stuff" according to him), he lost interest. I think that this year probably would have held some more exciting, boy-friendly activities, but we couldn't convince him of that. Maybe he'll try it again when he gets older and maybe there will be arrows or obstacle courses involved!

Soccer, Soccer, and More Soccer

Growing up, Farrel played baseball and golf. In high school, I was a cheerleader and played tennis. Neither of us had ever played soccer or even watched an entire soccer game until Laiken picked up the sport a few years ago. Now, it seems as if most of our lives are spent on the sidelines of a soccer field--practices, games, more practices, camps--and when we aren't on the fields, Carson is watching MLS games on t.v. or begging us to go to yet another FC Dallas home game. This season, Laiken and Carson are on two leagues each--one rec and one club level. I never planned to be a soccer mom, but sometimes that's how life is...

School Starts

Despite my wishes for a few more weeks of summer, school started on August 27. Laiken and Carson were ready even if I wasn't. They have great teachers and I know that they are in good hands. Laiken is now a fourth grader--how is that possible???--and Carson is in second grade. With less than 1 1/2 inches difference in height and about 3 pounds difference in weight, people ask us all the time if they are twins.

Not to be left out, Nolan started preschool this year just like Laiken and Carson did when they were two. Two days a week, five hours each day. What a transition--for both of us! Don't let the smile fool you, he cried plenty after I left!

Summer 07

With temperatures still in the 90's it's hard to believe, but for all practical purposes, summer is over for another year. With the start of school, the lazy days filled with sleeping in, sun, and swimming are gone-- replaced now with the flurry of school activities, homework, and schedules that once again require a clock. I am not the mom waiting for the school doors to open. Every year I lament the start of school with the realization that someone else will be spending more waking hours with my children than I will. Of course, there is anticipation of all that my kids will learn and experience, but a little bit of my heart goes with them as they pass through the school doors and I start to count the days until our next summer together.

This summer began with Nolan's 2nd birthday on May 24.
What a big boy!

In the middle of the summer, we celebrated as Carson turned 7 on

July 7.

7 on 7-7-07. Not many people will ever have a birthday like that!

Here he is cheering on FC Dallas with some of his best friends.

We wrapped up the summer with Laiken's 9th birthday on August 19. Pedicures and dinner with friends made for an unforgettable evening.

Amidst all the celebrations, big fun was had by all and, despite the rainiest June on record, we still managed to pack in a full summer of laughs and memories. Here's a sampling of how we filled our days....

Camps! Laiken went to Brownie Camp and both she and Carson went to the FC Dallas Soccer Camp. But, the most anticipated camp of all was Camp Huawni. This was Carson's first year and Laiken's second. Think cabins without A/C, mud fights, swimming in the lake, obstacle courses, and athletic competitions of all sorts. A week of total kid-friendly fun. Needless to say, they weren't ready to come home!

Girl's Night at the Dallas Museum of Art with live music and hands-on exhibits. A night of art doesn't get much more fun than this.

Tons of fun with family and friends in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Lambert's, Lulu's, go-carts, and plenty of sun and sand. We're enjoying the last few years of it's quaint feel before it becomes so overrun with tourists that it looks like Destin.

Nolan's first Roughriders' Game.

The home team lost, but we had

fabulous seats and the weather was perfect!

High School Musical 2 Party! As far as all 'tween girls were concerned, the most important event of the summer was the premiere of this movie! Ten kids, tons of food and drinks, a private viewing room, and enjoying it in their most comfy p.j.'s....priceless!

Indoor soccer. Both Laiken and Carson played summer soccer in the comfort of a climate controlled, indoor facility. I'm not sure that I can ever go back to soccer outside in the elements!

Plenty of swimming at Lifetime. Nolan wasn't crazy about swimming at the beginning of the summer, but he finally got over his fears and by mid-July, we couldn't get him out of the water.

Farrel and I got to escape for a week to the J.W. Marriott resort in Las Vegas. Relaxation at its best! We both agreed that we don't think we can ever stay on The Strip again. Neither of us missed the gaudy replicas of famous places or the shoulder-to-shoulder people. Instead, we got to enjoy the serenity of this luxurious resort.

Highly recommended for anyone needing to get away!