Father Christmas has come...

Some women might be nervous when their husband comes home with a bag of berries and bows and proceed to assemble a wreath on the ottoman. They might be concerned about their husband's... orientation. Oh, no. Not me. I LOVE the balance of yin and yang in my husband. How beautiful is the Hoosier Hickey Home all decked out for the holidays? Can you see the carefully illuminated trees through the windows?

The end of an era

The time has come. We have reached the end of the first trimester. No more eating granola bars in bed before getting up. No more 3-sip an hour rules because too much liquid on my stomach won't work. I still insist that the only way to eat is like the hobbits: breakfast, second breakfast, levensies, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper.

Still working on finding a midwife. I'll be interviewing midwives in January as soon as the holiday things quiet down. I can't wait to have the team in place.

Today, out shopping, Isabella made friends with the cashier when we were checking out. She asked Isabella if she had been good and if she thought Santa would bring her anything. The cashier was really amused by Isabella and finally asked her how old she was. She quickly got silent and looked at me. She whispered, "I don't want to tell her how old I am." The woman behind us in line began to laugh hysterically. She asked, "Isn't she a little young for that?"

The Princess and her Prince Charming

Let's go back to the beginning. John and I got married on Halloween weekend. I originally had the idea to have a masquerade wedding. Visions of a huge ballroom with crystal chandeliers... me in a white gown encrusted with jewels... guests dancing late into the night in ballroom gowns and masks. So, apparently that's not easy to accomplish. We threw the costume wedding idea out the window early on and ended up putting on what turned out to be a really great wedding/ceremony. (If we do say so ourselves...) But I never fully gave up on the image.

When John and my mom started asking what I had in mind for my thirtieth, I started to allow the images to float around in my head again, realizing that there wasn't really enough time to do all that. But, the idea of having a medieval dinner sounded pretty cool, not to mention it would be a good kickoff for the holiday season. Linda and John had a dinner at their house a few years ago and had some connections for jugglers, caterers, etc. I knew I wanted to see if Greystone Hall was available, because I wanted to have our wedding there, but it wasn't completely restored yet. We made the call to Greystone, but the Saturday we wanted was not available. At some point in the conversation, somehow the question got asked: "What is happening in the ballroom that night?" Turns out, they were sponsoring their own Madrigal Dinner that night. So, long story... long, we decided to buy out half the tickets and come in costume to their event.

Knights and Men in Tights

Humperdink, Humperdink, HUMPERDINK!

My dad came downstairs at his house dressed to leave for the party. Our kids were there with the babysitter (thanks, Laura!) observing all the comings and goings of the evening.

Maddie: "Grandpa, I know who you are!"
Grandpa Ken: "Who, Maddie?"
Maddie: "Remember the movie with the princess and the farm boy? You're Humperdink!" (The Princess Bride)

The VIPs!

VIP day at school was yesterday. Thursday night, Grandma Dot picked up Chelsea and Cameron after school and they took the long drive in. Friday morning, Liam took buddy Cameron into class. Maddie had tea with cousin Chelsea and Isabella introduced Grandma Dot to everyone in the entire school. A great time was had by all.

The school made nice arrangements for each child to have a VIP in class with them. The VIP had the opportunity to see the way the class works and what the kids do at school. The kids also made a tote bag for each of their VIPs. They turned out really darling.

We took Cameron out for his birthday (he turns 7 next week) last night. He had never been to a Japanese Tapan restaurant (where they cook the food hibachi-style in front of you). His expression was worth every penny. We sat right by a full wall of fish tanks, so the kids were in heaven. After a relaxing breakfast and lunch and some outside playtime, Chelsea, Cameron and Grandma headed back home. It will take our kids a few days to recover from the withdrawal, but we all agree it was better to have them come and then miss them than not have them come at all...

Weekend post

I must apologize for my lack of posting. Apparently my wit was fueled by either caffeine or alcohol. I'll let you know which once I narrow it down. So, although I am no longer funny, on the bright side, I've developed a taste for eggs over easy, which I could never tolerate before, but can't get enough of now. And the occasional Steak and Shake burger. Seriously - you must try. Fresh romaine lettuce, a freshly toasted bun... this is the best burger you can get without getting out of the car. Hands-down.

The kids have their VIP day next Friday at school. They can bring a "special guest" into the classroom. Cousin Chelsea and best bud Cameron have the day off school, so VIP Grandma Dot is bringing them into town for the event. There is a major countdown in progress for the moment they get their rooms and their lives ready for their friends to visit. Liam will take Cameron, Maddie will take Chelsea, and Isabella will take Grandma Dot into their classrooms. I can't wait to see what they have planned for the VIPs!

Five years?

So, for those of you counting, today is our fifth anniversary. The one thing that I am constantly reminded of on this day is how wonderful our families are. "They" say love is not enough to keep a marriage going. I agree that the love between two people can be hard to maintain through the day-to-day chaos of life.

But, love is enough. Love is a many splendored thing, Love lifts us up where we belong, All you need is love! (Moulin Rouge) And in those times when marriage and compromise seem difficult, it is the love of our parents, our children and our family that drives us, supports us, surrounds us. And the truth is, I love my husband more today than I can ever recall. Thank you to all our family who reminds us what life and love are all about.


Anniversary dinner at Joseph DeCuis

The Guide Lies...

That's right, I said it. The guide on the cable box does not tell the truth. It says "Blue's Clues" and you know what comes on? Dora the Explorer. After two previous episodes of "Dora" and one of "Go, Diego, Go", which is (are you ready for this?) a spin-off of Dora. Seriously. A spin-off.

I tell Isabella to be patient, wait for the commercials to pass and she will be rewarded with a much-anticipated episode of Blues Clue's. The opening for Dora plays minutes later. Know who's to blame? ME! She gives me that look. The one that says "were you lying, or are you not all that smart?" I flip channels, looking for the blue-highlighted shows that are rated for kids. I see no Blue's Clues, just Dora on two other channels. Don't get me wrong, I love Dora as much as the next girl. The kids pick up a little Spanish and no one gets killed, captured or called "stupid." I'm a big fan.

So, we switch to something else. The teaser says, "Go, Diego, Go" is up next! Isabella is excited! "Great! Go, Diego, Go!" I ask if she likes that show. She says, "yup!" And at the top of the hour, guess what comes on? "Dora the Explorer." Isabella has had it. "Not Dora de splorer! Ugh!"

And... it's the episode that was on earlier. Which I thought was cute the first time because Dora's mom has a baby and there are no obstetricians or machines that go beep. But upon further investigation, I don't like the fact that the surprise Dora is waiting for "drinks from a bottle" and "sleeps in a cradle." Apparently she's never met the bottle-despising, heat-seeking missiles we produce.

*Note: pardon the cynical tone of this particular entry. Lack of caffeine and alcohol changes you.

THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT (and Isabella's Intuition)

Funny story. Isabella was right. (see blog date: October 5) We found out this week that the Hoosier Hickey family is growing (as is my waistline). I did start to get suspicious after Isabella CONTINUED to tell everyone that we were having a baby soon. People kept calling me and asking me if I was pregnant because Isabella said that I was. I kept telling her that we were NOT having another baby and she had to stop telling people that, but she was determined. I don't really want to think too deeply about how Isabella knew before we did. I think we'll just leave it at that.

So, we're expecting the fourth Hickey baby to arrive around June 26, 2006,**thanks to Kim for pointing out my poor math skills**give or take a few days. The kids are thrilled. When we told Isabella she was going to be a big sister, she replied, "and Maddie can be the little sister!" We had to explain that they would both be big sisters. Isabella responded, "Okay, Maddie can be the LITTLE big sister and I'll be the HUGE big sister!" Maddie was so excited when we told her that she was literally speechless, probably for the first time in her life. You'd think we gave her a pony. Liam and John pray nightly that it will have a Y chromosome. John and I are thrilled too, but I miss red wine already...

Pumpkin Carving in the Hoosier State

We finally got around to carving our pumpkins. We all took on very challenging pumpkins for our respective skill level. Left to right is Johnny's, Kat's, Liam's, Maddie's and Isabella's. They make "Mr. Potato Head"- type pieces for pumpkins, but Isabella would not have any part of that juvenile version of pumpkin carving. Maddie's pumpkin was so thick, it was like carving cement. She deserves first prize just for being able to push a saw through it.

All children grow up. Except one.

Peter Pan and Wendy Darling

Our Liam and Maddie have planned for weeks to portray Peter Pan and Wendy for Halloween. Liam has been practicing saying, "Oh, the cleverness of me!" Maddie has been speaking with a British accent and calling me "Mother." Seriously. Even the smallest of us take our roles seriously. Liam is holding his homemade telescope. Maddie's arms are up and out because she is flying.

Seriously, if you haven't seen the live-action Peter Pan movie from 1998, you must. It is beautiful and I love the scene after Tinkerbell drinks the poison. Maybe none of us ever really grow up...

Baby Ballerina

Bella Dancerella

We tried everything, and I mean everything (even bribery), to get Isabella to join in with the Peter Pan theme for Halloween. What could be more perfect than Isabella with a ponytail in the middle of her head and some fairy wings? She's already got the Tinkerbell attitude! She was briefly interested in playing Nana, the canine nanny, but her interest waned quickly. Doesn't she understand that we got 23 people to dress as Lord of the Rings characters for Halloween 2002!?

So, we finally agreed on a ballerina on Friday. We came home from shopping and she settled in to watch Dora the Explorer so I could unpack some things without "help". A commercial came on for a doll dressed as a dancer who came with a video to teach ballet. Her name was (I am not kidding), Bella Dancerella. Not Bella Ballerina. Not Bellarina. Bella Dancerella. The theme song is playing, "Bella, Bella, Bella Dance-er-el-la." So, Bella was thrilled. And I was disappointed in what marketing to kids has become.

Either way, she had a great time dressed as a ballerina.

Merely a flesh wound...

The kids were playing outside last Sunday - the usual plan here on Sundays - kids outside, grownups watching football and yelling at the TV. But, things changed and the yelling was coming from outside.

Maddie: "Liam fell off his bike and his skin is missing off his face! He needs your help!"

Liam comes in yelling and crying. Turns out, he took a sharp turn and the handlebars didn't quite do what he expected. He didn't have a whole lot of marks on his hands, so it didn't seem like he tried to break the fall with anything but his cheekbone. We discussed the fact that his helmet probably would have protected his face a bit more, but it can't do much from the floor in the garage.



Here's how it looked Wednesday, the 19th. A bit better, although we did have to have the talk about NOT picking off the scab. This was also school picture day. :( The photographers offered an "airbrush" option for the pictures. (Intended for children with acne, but I thought it was a great idea!) John insisted we leave the picture as-is to forever remember him at that moment.



Here's how it looks today. Much better. Lots of high-doses of Vitamin E oil on his face. It's almost healed. Our Liam is back to his beautiful self.

Asleep on the couch

We were all cozied up tonight with a fire in the fireplace, watching the tail end of "Grease." (John's actual quote, "Maddie, remind me to tell you a funny story about this song when you're older...") Liam fell asleep on the couch first. Maddie and John were all cozied up. Isabella looked at Liam and said, "Awwww, Mom. Liam's sleeping! I'm just going to cozy up right here with my baby Liam." And so she did.

Back online....

It's sad. I hate to admit it, really. I haven't written in the blog for over two weeks and I have only one excuse. And it's not even a very good one. Here it is: TV is really good this season. Seriously! That's all I've got! Arrested Development, Kitchen Confidential, My Name is Earl, Medium, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Alias... I could go on and on. There's even shows I don't have time to watch and wish I could! Alias and Smallville are on at the same time and Lost and Veronica Mars are on at the same time! And I keep hearing about Commander-in-Chief from someone (you know who you are) and I know there's other things out there that are good. Enough. Really. I'm embarassed. I am not a TV freak, but I have just gotten out of control these last two weeks. I must refocus. So, here we go.

I got a call from the neighbor yesterday. I don't think she's ever called before, so I just assumed one of the kids did something inappropriate. Here's how it went:

Francine: "Hi, Kat, this is Francine*."
*name changed to protect the innocent

Kat: "Hi, Francine. What's up?"

Francine: "Well... I was just wondering how you've been feeling."

Kat: "Ummmm... I feel great. Why do you ask?"

Francine: "Well, a little birdie told me that you were going to have a baby!"

Kat: "Um. Not that I know of."

Francine: "Oh! Well, Isabella** was just over here and she was just chatting away and she said something about you having a baby really soon. I knew it couldn't be really soon, but I thought you might be expecting."
**name NOT changed to protect the not-so-innocent

Kat: "Nope. Unless Isabella knows something I don't. We're not really in the market for another baby right now."

Francine: "Well, I just thought I'd ask. You never know what's truth out of all the stuff the kids in the neighborhood say!"

So. I had to get to the bottom of this, of course. Later, Isabella comes in from playing.

Kat: "Isabella, were you talking to Shelly's* mom?"
*again, name changed to protect the innocent

Isabella: "Yep."

Kat: "Were you telling her stories?"

Isabella: "Nope."

Kat: (getting to the point) "Did you tell Shelly's mom that we're having a baby?"

Isabella: (excited) "Yeah! We're having a baby soon!"

Kat: "Isabella! We're not having a baby!"

Isabella: "Well, not yet."

Kat: "When, then?"

Isabella: (smiling) "When you grow up!"

Potty Break!

Kat: "Isabella, it's time for a potty break. If you can go pee and stinky, we can have a treat!"

Isabella goes in and sits on the toilet. After a minute or so, I go in to check on her. She is still sitting on the toilet.

Isabella: "Great news! I went pee!"

Kat: "Can you go stinky, too?"

Isabella: "No stinky now."

Kat: "Can you just wait a minute and see if you can go?"

Isabella: "I already asked my belly and he said, (she puts on a deep voice) 'Not now, kid!' "

The clubhouse decorated for the party

Birthday Girl 2

Birthday Girl 1

The Toast

The fairies sat down to a lovely tea party with crackers and flower-shaped cheeses, apples and caramel (you know how those fairies love their caramel), pumpkin and banana muffins. They chose between juices and lemonade and all ate daintily at their places. One sweet fairy decided to propose a toast to the birthday girl, so after making sure all fairies had full glasses, they had a toast to Maddie. Maddie the fairy was in her glory.

Birthday girl with her crown

The Birth Day Begins...

They've come a long way from that bathtub in Barberton!

The birthday morning began at school. John and I were invited in to watch Maddie's "Walk around the Sun." She carried a globe (representing the earth, of course) and walked around the circle with a candle in the middle (representing... anyone? That's right, the sun...) At the end of each walk around, we discussed what Maddie did when she was one, two, three, all the way to six. She beamed proudly and walked tall around the circle. We sang "Happy Birthday" to her and she passed out the snack we brought to her friends. It was lovely, and as usual, I was teary-eyed through the whole thing. What a nice beginning to her day.

Jella?

Everyone takes turns telling about their day at dinner. Today, Isabella was very eager for her turn, despite the fact that she didn't have school today.

Isabella: "At school, we have snacks at the carpet. We have muffins and pretzels. And we have jella!"(she slurps her tongue across her top lip)

Johnny: "You have Jell-O?"

Isabella: "No. Jell-LOVE. It's taste-tay!"

Isn't she a little young to know that song?

Grandpa Ken and Grandma Dot are in town for the weekend. They arrived today around 1 pm and we went to lunch. It was just Isabella - Liam and Maddie were at school. On the drive to the restaurant, Isabella began singing a song. Perhaps you'll recognize it.

Isabella: "Grandpa and Grandma, sittin' in a tree. K-M-F-S-Y-N-G. First comes marriage, then comes... marriage. And a baby in a ba-by carriage. Ummmm... I don't remember the rest of the words. I learned that from Katie." (the 10 year old neighbor two houses down.)

The Liam and Maddie Show

Liam had soccer practice last night. Johnny says he's looking better and better each time he plays. On the way home, he wanted to stop and get a "treat" because the first night he had practice, Johnny stopped and got him a Gatorade, so he thinks he should have a treat every time. Johnny didn't want to stop and his practice ends pretty late, so they just came home. Johnny told Liam that if he really wanted a treat, he could have a popcicle at home.

When they came in the house and Liam discovered that there weren't any popcicles, he had a major meltdown in the middle of the kitchen. Once I translated "I-I-I wanedtoged a-a-a treatbudaddywouldntget a-a-a treatantherrrsssnopopcicles..."sniff...sniff.... I tried to be helpful. I explained why Daddy was in a hurry to get home. I explained why he didn't need to have a treat right before bed every week after soccer. It didn't work.

He was being unreasonable and I was ready to put him in bed- he was obviously overtired. Maddie, always the peacemaker and doer of good, remembers the half of a broken popcicle left in the freezer. She offers it to him kindly and he growls at her. She goes to get it for him and sweetly says, "Here, Liam. You can have this treat." He scowls at her and sticks his tongue out. I look at him, amazed that he would do that to her when she was trying so hard to help. I get angry and send him to his room for disrespecting her and generally being an unresonable pain.

Maddie starts yelling at me. "Why did you send him to his room? Why won't you let him have the popcicle?"

Kat: "Maddie, I'm not going to let him be rude when you were trying to help."
Maddie: "But, Mom! Can't you give him another chance?"
Kat: "Mad, I already gave him two chances. He doesn't want the popcicle, anyway."
Maddie: "Can't you give him three chances? Because there's three of us kids?"
Kat: "Maddie, if he wants to say he's sorry and eat the popcicle, he can."

She storms upstairs and I go up a few minutes later to see if Liam's in the tub. He's arguing with John about the bathtub, his treat and anything else that ever pissed him off in the history of his existence. I go into Maddie's room and I am surprise to find her sitting on the bed, crying.

Kat: "Maddie, what's wrong?"
Maddie: "I just wanted to help Liam and he didn't want the popcicle and (sob, sob) I really wanted to make him happy and (sob, sob) you wouldn't let him have a treat and now he's yelling because he doesn't want to take a bath."
Kat: "Maddie. Liam is very tired. Sometimes people just want to be mad about anything and nothing you can do will make them happy. We can not please Liam right now. But it's very sweet that you tried."
Maddie cries softly. It's tough being an empath.

Be Calm, Everyone...

Yes. It's true. I did it. I got Maddie's hair trimmed. You see, ever since the Father's Day 2003 Fiasco, Maddie has been TERRIFIED to even go near hair shears of any type. We put the fear of who knows what in her. After she cut at least 10 inches off the front of her amazingly gorgeous hair that day, we forbid her to even be in the same room with any type of scissors. Some family members (you know who you are) have even whined at the idea of trimming her hair. Fret not, dear family. There was barely enough hair on the floor to be visible. But two-plus years of dead ends are gone and the hair is... good. Scroll down to see.




Maddie's first real shampoo

Maddie has to stand up to have the ends trimmed because her hair is so long

Maddie's first blow dry

The finished product

Isabella and the Unruly Bangs

Isabella got her hair trimmed today also. Once I heard her referred to as "that pretty girl whose hair is always in her face", I was determined to get to the bottom of this child's crazy hair pattern. The stylist and I decided that the left part will work well for Isabella, and we did trim those few long hairs that always migrate to the middle in front of her eyes. Since she's willing to wear a ponytail and barrettes now (ah, more beneficial school peer pressure), it's not such a big issue, but it will be nice to see her eyes at breakfast! :)



Isabella: "Me, too! Me, too!"

The Maddie Show

It seems like I'm telling a lot of stories about Maddie, but she's just in the news a lot right now. I just don't want to forget some of these things, so I put them down for the sake of posterity.

On Saturday, we were all just working around the house. Maddie was working on something intently. She had a shoe box that she was decorating and collecting things in. I saw my name written on the side of the box. A few minutes later, she brought me an empty notecard and envelope. She asked me to write something for her. This is what she dictated:

"Dear Kat, I got you this present because I am sad for you because your mom and everybody lives in Ohio." And then she took the pencil from me and signed it, "Maddie."

She then gave me the gift: a small green book and a wooden treasure chest with my name on it. One of her hair ribbons was carefully tied around the box with the notecard tucked underneath.

What We Look Like Normally

All these pictures have the kids looking their best: hair combed, smiling faces, dirt airbrushed out of their clothes. That, of course, is not how they really look. Here is how they really look.


Bella with belly hanging out

Maddie's first thing in the morning crazy hair

Liam wearing Maddie's pink robe at breakfast

The Hickeys have a reputation already...

Maddie: "Mom, I help the teachers."
Kat: "Really, Mad?" She pauses and looks around.
Maddie: "Can I talk to you in private?" She gestures toward the music room. We walk in there and sit down.
Maddie: "Today, when we were in line to go to the Grey House and the other teacher wasn't there, Miss Angie asked me to go from the middle of the line to the back of the line. One of the kids wasn't staying with the line and she needed my help."
Kat: "Wow, Maddie! It sounds like you are a big help to your teachers."
Maddie: "I also do the dishes. And sometimes, if my teacher is too busy, she says, 'Excuse me a moment (to the imaginary child the teacher is talking to).... (calls across room) Maddie? Could you please help Bhavani?'"

I am so proud at this moment, that I can hardly stand it. After being at this school for only two weeks, she has already made a name for herself. She is known as being kind, compassionate and helpful.

Since I was working until 12:30, we had arranged for Isabella to stay after 1/2 day dismissal (at 11:30) and eat lunch in Maddie's classroom with the kindergarteners. She loves it, so we're going to keep doing that through the next six weeks, even though I'm not working. The assistant in Isabella's class takes her to the kindergarten and assists with lunch in there. She was telling me how "motherly" Maddie is toward Isabella, to the point that she almost forgets to eat her own lunch, she's so busy caring for Isabella.

Liam was telling a story about being a little too loud in the hallway. The teacher asked him to sit in the chair and practice being quiet. After only a moment, she came back out and said, "Liam, you're being very quiet now. Would you like to come back in?" He has such nice things to say about this teacher. He says, "She always has really great ideas and I can always count on her." She, in turn, always has incredible things to say about him - how well he's focusing, how hard he works.

It feels good for my kids to have a positive identity at school. I know they're not really mine to be proud of - these achievements are truly their own - but I am proud nonetheless.





This is Isabella yesterday, eating her "laptop lunch." For those of you who've heard me rave about the infamous "laptop lunch," here it is in all its waste-free, reusable glory. Notice Isabella has already eaten all the fruit out of the two little containers. She will then go on to pick the salami out of the sandwich and leave the bread. Ah, the preschool Atkins diet.

Kat

I'll tell you when I'm ready to get up.

Monday, September 12, 6:50 AM

Johnny goes up to wake Liam. We've gotten in the habit of waking up Liam first - he tends to take the longest to warm up in the morning. It may be genetic. Liam comes wandering down, bleary eyed. He gets to the living room and looks at the kitchen table, disappointed.

Liam: "Where's everyone else?"

Kat: "Still sleeping. We woke you up first."

Liam: "But I thought breakfast would be on the table. Breakfast isn't on the table."

Kat: "The bowls are out. The spoons are out. The cereal and milk are out. The oatmeal's done. What do you want?"

Liam: "You're supposed to wait for me to wake up on my own. I'm going back to bed."

And he did. For 10 minutes. Until HE decided he was good and ready to get up.


Update:
Liam brought home some work from last week. They have a "work plan" for each week. It is a chart, listing the 5 days across the top and the 5 categories of work down the side. The idea is to give them a guideline for what needs to be done each day and a way to mark it off as it gets done. The second day they worked with the plan, Liam completed every task required of him. The teachers were THRILLED as this was really unusual for a first year student, especially one who has never attended a school with this philosophy. He is also doing four place math. He's doing problems such as 2431+5262. It's amazing to see him suddenly writing words and numbers and dating his work. Amazing.

Maddie is pretty stoic, so it's sometimes hard to get out of her what she really thinks about school. I know she loves having lunch with Isabella on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It seems like the afternoon kindergarten does some really neat things: playing soccer, going for nature hikes, baking their snack. Last week, they took care of the goats.

It was nice to have the day with just Isabella today. Every morning, once the kids are gone to school, Little Jeremy next door knocks on our door. Every morning. I open the door. "Can Miss Abella come out to play?" Isabella yells from the kitchen, where she is undoubtably eating, "Is that Little Jeremy?" (Ironic, because 'Little Jeremy' is older than her, but smaller) And she runs out to swing on the swingset with him.

That's all for today. Early night in for the babies - Monday night football starts an hour earlier, here in the Hoosier state. Did you see that brawl!?!

Kat

Blog This!

So... in an effort to update our "Quote of the Day" to a higher technological format, I will attempt to join the Blog world. Look for more quotes, random thoughts and ramblings. Maybe if this goes well, we will do that reality show my mom's co-worker suggested. But for now... baby steps.

I will, little by little, be adding the previous "Quotes" to the blog. Feel free to mark this page as a favorite so it's easy to return to and check. Also, feel free to share the link with others. You can also make comments on individual blogs that will be seen by anyone else who looks at our blog.

Happy viewing! (and commenting)

Maddie's First Soccer Game

Yes, it's true. Maddie is a "Bumblebee." (team name, compliments of Daddy - AKA 'assistant coach if the coach has a work emergency')

She played tough. She played hard. She played for four minutes at a time.

She drove the ball all the way down the field and almost scored the first time her foot touched the ball in the game. The ball bounced off someone and the smallest girl on the team (far left) toddled over and kicked it in. Maddie's first assist!

It's tough for Johnny and me since both games are at 11 A. We have no idea why the powers that be would schedule their games at the same time. So, we ran back and forth from one field to the other, trying to catch some of each game. Can't wait until the next two weeks when our cheering section will be bigger and take some of the pressure off us!

Click below to play the video of Maddie. Listen as she tells the other members of the team, "Go that way! Go that way!" Needless to say, their team did score for the other team at least once.

Liam's First Soccer Game

Liam's first game was today at 11 AM. He's in a U8 team, so everyone on the team is 6 or 7. His team had only 6 players (6 play at a time) at the first practice, but the coach said two more had been added since then. Unfortunately, only 5 showed up for the game today. So, they played 5 on 5 and Liam and his teammates all played the whole game with no break. In the beating down sun. It was hot.

Liam played defender for a while and even got a turn at goalie. (Liam: "It was fun, but I only stopped one ball!") He seemed to really like playing. He did his best to pay attention to the game. The other team had several previous seasons of playing together, so they were pretty unstoppable. And one kid had to be at least 9, from the looks of him!

He is eager to play again next week, especially because the grandparents are coming up the next two weekends.

Play below to see Liam kick off and then wait for the perfect moment to set up the perfect kick.

The world according to Liam...

I gave Liam a disposable camera for his birthday. I thought it would be fun to capture the world through his eyes. There were some shots of him on his birthday. There were several nice pictures that he took in our old house. One of Isabella, Maddie and I. One of his reflection in the mirror in Maddie's old bedroom. One in the kitchen of the old house.

After I picked them up, he and I sat down and went through the photos together. We oohhed and aahhed at the pictures. When we got to the ones in the old house, he got quiet. I asked if he like the pictures. He said, "Are these from our old house?" I said, "Yes! Isn't that great?" He looked at me with that look whether you're not sure if he's being a smart-aleck or being sincere. He was being sincere. He says, "Mom? I think I'm almost gonna cry."

When two act up, one has to take the high road...

We sit down to the table for supper - Dean Martin playing, candles burning. Suddenly, Liam and Maddie are whining in harmony about dinner. "I don't like this kind of chicken." "The potatoes are too salty." (which they were - oops) "The skin on the chicken is too crispy." "I don't want to eat this." "I only like one thing you made."

I look over at Isabella and she is happily eating amidst the chaos. Suddenly, all is quiet for a moment. Isabella looks up expectantly. "Sooooo....who made the carrots?" I look at her and say, "I did." She leans over and hugs me and makes that face where she squishes her face up. "Thanks, mama!"

We are carpooling with Daniel, a 2nd grader in Liam's class. The kids went over to his house to play after school. Johnny is reading Liam "The Hobbit" at bedtime and he loves it. We are all excited for the first soccer games on Saturday.

Finally, the girls can be girly

Johnny helped Liam get ready this morning, so I actually had a minute to do something cute with the girls' hair. I hope this doesn't set everyone's expectations too high...