Or are we already in the middle of it? With the announcement on June 15th (at 12:02 a.m. I might add) that Alec made the 10/11 All Star team, it began the whirlwind of daily practices, minimal swimming, exhaustion, a cold (for Alec), lots of sleeping in (for Alec again - not us), piles of unreturned phone calls, emails etc (for me) and passing the other 3 kids back and forth with my husband in the evenings.
With the added task of my uniform duties with the league (remind me again why I'm on that committee (of 2!)!) and attempting to satisfy the 49 parents (kids are far easier to please!) - I'd say I'm actually at my END.
As I have one season of All Stars under my belt from last year, I went into this endeavor with open eyes and a (somewhat) clear understanding of what the expectations would be. I even conveyed to the parents at the team meeting - attempting to instill in them the amount of energy this was going to require and commitment we thanked them for in advance!
Still, I sit here wondering when I might be able to sneak a nap in :-)!
I am definitely not geared for multiple late nights over 2-3 week periods. I have 2 early birds who require my attention (and culinary skills)!
And, now, the fun begins! GAMES! All the hard work put in by the players. The endless planning and execution by the manager and coach. The extra time given by other parents on the field helping or on the side supporting. We are ready to start games.
We hope.
Here it is:
Tues: 7:45pm
Wed: 7:45pm
Fri: 5:30pm
Tues: 6:00pm
If we can win 3 or 4 games, we should be able to move on to the single elimination tournament.
Either way, the kids are having the experience of a lifetime. A bond shared by this group of players that no one can ever take away. A desire to win and the strength to carry the team thru a loss.
Kids
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Photo Software
I have lots of photos - too many to count. I really enjoy great pictures and I like to tweak photos to become something more than a snapshot. My creativity is stunted by the humungous brick wall in my brain that impedes innovative funtions.
However, here is what I did with a few pictures today in some very limited spare time (we are talking very limited).
After a water fight at Grandma and Grandpas
Hangin' by (on) the pool!
Hangin' on the other side of the pool!
Chillin' on the porch
However, here is what I did with a few pictures today in some very limited spare time (we are talking very limited).
After a water fight at Grandma and Grandpas
Hangin' by (on) the pool!
Hangin' on the other side of the pool!
Chillin' on the porch
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Those People....
Those people...you know the ones I'm talking about.
The ones that you see at the grocery store with kids that are whining, screaming, hanging on or off the cart, throwing stuff or adding stuff to the cart unbeknown to the shopper. The ones you either pity or wonder why they are even there.
Those people, the ones you see at restaurants with the ridiculous mess under the table and smeared food and whatnot all over the top of the table - the ones you want removed from the joint so you can enjoy your nice peaceful dinner. Where did they come from anyway and why don't their kids sit down?
What about those people at church and that just can't keep their kids in their general vicinity and you see them wander all over the place? Can't they just make them behave?
Have you seen those people before???
Boy I sure have. More than once and in a lot more places. Actually on a daily basis. Every time I go somewhere I see them...or I am them. I fear WE have become THOSE people!
But give me a moment to defend some of those people. I AM of the people that attempts to keep kids in *check*. I do not let them run aimlessly around (usually), I do not let them bother others (with intent), and I do not loose them (for long). I do care. I just can't control everything they do! Believe me I've tried unsuccessfully!
It is not an easy task to get to the grocery store with a 4 yr old and 19 mth old twins. Let's back up. It's not an easy task to get a shower each day and look like I actually did something that constitutes "getting ready". That said, when I have to get groceries with my 3 younger kids, it is not always pretty and we don't always get what we need.
In order to accomplish this before snack and nap at 10:00am a lot has to be done. 3 kiddlets have to be fed and then cleaned - check. All 3 in clothes and shoes (thank goodness the 4 year old can do this on his own!) - check . Diaper bag and stash of tricks packed - check. Reusable grocery bags - check. Me ready - check (wait, did I eat? I'll do that later)! All this by 7:30am - check.
Stores have not come up with a good solution for shopping with kids (Basha's actually has - they have a babysitting area, really, I swear, but I can guarantee they will ask me to come get my kids). The only cart I can use is those carts with the annoying *car* in front 2 can sit in the car - 2 can sit in the top seat. Lately I have had 1 in the car, 1 in the seat and 1 walking (yes, Wyatt, not the twins)....not the best option, but no one is touching anyone else...mostly. The turning radius is that of a large garbage truck, and I have been known to knock over a display case or two :-). And, yes, midway I have discovered some unneeded items tucked in the *car* partially opened.
The twins (now 19ish months) recognize food. Yogurt, goldfish, fruits...and this is where it can get tricky (read LOUD). I have one taking things off shelves and 1 pointing and wanting very adamantly. I have found that to be swift is the best solution. I cannot even mark things off my list for fear of someone taking my pen. I try not to stop and dawdle or legs start climbing out of the car (with buckle on).
Yup, I'm afraid I have become those people. I am aware of the stares, I hear the comments (because they say them out loud to me), I get it. But next time you see one of US - have some compassion. We need to eat and our banshees need fresh air! Just walk up to them and say "don't forget your Starbucks on your way home, you deserve it!". I promise, it will make all the difference in the world!
The ones that you see at the grocery store with kids that are whining, screaming, hanging on or off the cart, throwing stuff or adding stuff to the cart unbeknown to the shopper. The ones you either pity or wonder why they are even there.
Those people, the ones you see at restaurants with the ridiculous mess under the table and smeared food and whatnot all over the top of the table - the ones you want removed from the joint so you can enjoy your nice peaceful dinner. Where did they come from anyway and why don't their kids sit down?
What about those people at church and that just can't keep their kids in their general vicinity and you see them wander all over the place? Can't they just make them behave?
Have you seen those people before???
Boy I sure have. More than once and in a lot more places. Actually on a daily basis. Every time I go somewhere I see them...or I am them. I fear WE have become THOSE people!
But give me a moment to defend some of those people. I AM of the people that attempts to keep kids in *check*. I do not let them run aimlessly around (usually), I do not let them bother others (with intent), and I do not loose them (for long). I do care. I just can't control everything they do! Believe me I've tried unsuccessfully!
It is not an easy task to get to the grocery store with a 4 yr old and 19 mth old twins. Let's back up. It's not an easy task to get a shower each day and look like I actually did something that constitutes "getting ready". That said, when I have to get groceries with my 3 younger kids, it is not always pretty and we don't always get what we need.
In order to accomplish this before snack and nap at 10:00am a lot has to be done. 3 kiddlets have to be fed and then cleaned - check. All 3 in clothes and shoes (thank goodness the 4 year old can do this on his own!) - check . Diaper bag and stash of tricks packed - check. Reusable grocery bags - check. Me ready - check (wait, did I eat? I'll do that later)! All this by 7:30am - check.
Stores have not come up with a good solution for shopping with kids (Basha's actually has - they have a babysitting area, really, I swear, but I can guarantee they will ask me to come get my kids). The only cart I can use is those carts with the annoying *car* in front 2 can sit in the car - 2 can sit in the top seat. Lately I have had 1 in the car, 1 in the seat and 1 walking (yes, Wyatt, not the twins)....not the best option, but no one is touching anyone else...mostly. The turning radius is that of a large garbage truck, and I have been known to knock over a display case or two :-). And, yes, midway I have discovered some unneeded items tucked in the *car* partially opened.
The twins (now 19ish months) recognize food. Yogurt, goldfish, fruits...and this is where it can get tricky (read LOUD). I have one taking things off shelves and 1 pointing and wanting very adamantly. I have found that to be swift is the best solution. I cannot even mark things off my list for fear of someone taking my pen. I try not to stop and dawdle or legs start climbing out of the car (with buckle on).
Yup, I'm afraid I have become those people. I am aware of the stares, I hear the comments (because they say them out loud to me), I get it. But next time you see one of US - have some compassion. We need to eat and our banshees need fresh air! Just walk up to them and say "don't forget your Starbucks on your way home, you deserve it!". I promise, it will make all the difference in the world!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
My Adorable Ainslie
I hope this is working for you all - using the Blog, not my web page. It seems easier to keep people up on the kiddos without feeling overwhelmed and needing to do ALL the kids at the same time!
Ainslie 18 months
Anyway, today is Ainslie's day! Ainslie is very different than her brother in so many ways. She loves her sleep and she loves her food and boy does she ever LOVE to talk. She is up to about 20-25 words now and comprehends A LOT. Her brain has a lot more words than she is able to enunciate so when she talks to us it is often NOT understood...by anyone. My feeling is that we should stop agreeing with her and nodding and start putting our foot down. I think we are making deals with her we may not be able to fulfill!
She is very independent and that may be understating it. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to use the ear piercing scream to get it. Ever. This scream will deafen anyone with in 20 feet no joke. I wish it was just a girl thing, but she has convinced her brother it works so he tries it too.
Lucky me.
She likes to sit down with her books and flip thru each one (and toss aside when she is done), build (knock down) blocks, play on Wyatt's Leap Frog laptop, play outside, go on wagon rides and be held while I cook (very efficient!). She's a busy little girl!!!
She can feed herself with spoons and forks near every type of food. I was on the fence about allowing self feeding with utensils until at least 3, but here we are. I was intimidated by the amount of mess that 2 could do and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. She actually demanded it and ironically is very good at it. She can get rice on a fork and in her mouth with minimal spillage!! While the smaller of the 2 (by 2.5lbs), she can out eat even Wyatt and usually doesn't care what it is. At least someone is eating what I cook!
One of my favorite things about Ainslie is her laugh. She will outright giggle sometimes, but mostly she just belts out "HAHAHA". Honestly, that's what it sounds like. You can tickle her and she will actually giggle, but usually it's just "HAHAHA". She is a happy girl, and has a coy little smile. While addicted to her blankie as well, she tends to suck on the tag (I agree - eewww). Neither of them suck their thumbs or a "binkie", so if that's what she must do, so be it. I don't really recommend touching it though...
Most recently she has been copying her brother while he...how shall we say...'hits the dirt' instead of the toilet. For a couple weeks she had been taking her shorts/skorts off and I now understand why.
But what do you do?
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Ainslie a bit :-)
For those that were following the Dodgers...they lost their last game 13-7. The kids just blew it. Alec had a great game tho with a single, a double and a walk with 3 RBI's. He was happy how he ended his season and that's what matters!
Ainslie 18 monthsAnyway, today is Ainslie's day! Ainslie is very different than her brother in so many ways. She loves her sleep and she loves her food and boy does she ever LOVE to talk. She is up to about 20-25 words now and comprehends A LOT. Her brain has a lot more words than she is able to enunciate so when she talks to us it is often NOT understood...by anyone. My feeling is that we should stop agreeing with her and nodding and start putting our foot down. I think we are making deals with her we may not be able to fulfill!
She is very independent and that may be understating it. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to use the ear piercing scream to get it. Ever. This scream will deafen anyone with in 20 feet no joke. I wish it was just a girl thing, but she has convinced her brother it works so he tries it too.
Lucky me.
She likes to sit down with her books and flip thru each one (and toss aside when she is done), build (knock down) blocks, play on Wyatt's Leap Frog laptop, play outside, go on wagon rides and be held while I cook (very efficient!). She's a busy little girl!!!
She can feed herself with spoons and forks near every type of food. I was on the fence about allowing self feeding with utensils until at least 3, but here we are. I was intimidated by the amount of mess that 2 could do and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. She actually demanded it and ironically is very good at it. She can get rice on a fork and in her mouth with minimal spillage!! While the smaller of the 2 (by 2.5lbs), she can out eat even Wyatt and usually doesn't care what it is. At least someone is eating what I cook!
One of my favorite things about Ainslie is her laugh. She will outright giggle sometimes, but mostly she just belts out "HAHAHA". Honestly, that's what it sounds like. You can tickle her and she will actually giggle, but usually it's just "HAHAHA". She is a happy girl, and has a coy little smile. While addicted to her blankie as well, she tends to suck on the tag (I agree - eewww). Neither of them suck their thumbs or a "binkie", so if that's what she must do, so be it. I don't really recommend touching it though...
Most recently she has been copying her brother while he...how shall we say...'hits the dirt' instead of the toilet. For a couple weeks she had been taking her shorts/skorts off and I now understand why.
But what do you do?
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Ainslie a bit :-)
For those that were following the Dodgers...they lost their last game 13-7. The kids just blew it. Alec had a great game tho with a single, a double and a walk with 3 RBI's. He was happy how he ended his season and that's what matters!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
My Sweet Micah
Micah 18 monthsSince I have been a real slacker when it comes to updating my website (http://www.freewebs.com/azlowefamily/ if you want to check it out), I thought that I would take the time here to do mini updates for our long distant family and friends. That is, if they are even reading and keeping up! LOL!
This is the sweetest boy in the world (next to his brothers of course...)! Lately he has been showing his, um, shall we say, "stubborn side". We all have it, some more than others and the ones that don't admit it are the worst - haha!! By far, he is the most easy going of the kids - unless you try to take his blanket or favorite truck. I don't know what truck is the favorite, he has a few, but believe me, you will know it!
This is a day where the blankies had to be washed and I TOTALLY got caught. Honestly, I take the blankies and put them in thru the "speed wash" which is about 25 minutes and then dry them as fast as I can. I try to be sneaky and do it while they are eating breakfast or sufficiently distracted. On this particular day, for some reason, he was in the laundry room (probably emptying out the shoe drawer, pj drawer, clothes drawer - that is where one of the dressers resides...and doubles as a changing table). He stayed in there and cried for about 15 minutes -sobbing and crying and drooling and carrying on. Finally I took the half dry blankie out and all was good. Look close - see the wet spots on his shirt? Drool from crying. Nice huh?
So, we've established he has a slight addiction to his blankie. He also LOVES trucks - any vehicle with a wheel really. He is all boy and will sit and spin the wheels, vroom them on the floor and make car sounds and drive them all over the furniture he is not supposed to drive them on. Without a doubt his favorites are the semi trucks with detachable trailers. Let me clarify tho, these are NOT our favorite, just his. We spend A LOT of time re hooking them, A LOT of time.
Micah doesn't speak as much as his twin sister, but what he does say is actually very funny and I'll almost be sad when this stage passes, again, I said almost. Whenever you talk to him and ask him questions he will look at you and say "WHUT" or "WHY" or "YA". I don't know if it's the tone of his voice, the smile that comes with it, or the fact that he's a male and that's the best he can do. Hard to say - lol!! And for a kid who despises going to get professional photos, he loves my camera and has learned to say "cheese" when I take pictures. His only other words are "Hi's" (Hi), "dada", "bub" (bubba - Alec), "mama" (very rare)...I think that's it. In the end, I bet he will be our biggest talker!
He absolutely loves to do Patty-Cake, play cars, play with blocks and shape sorters. He is not so sure about the pool yet and demands to be held close by someone when he's in the water (verses ride in the floating car or play in the water like his sister does. He thinks he likes to color, but always ends up just biting off the tip of the crayon.
Sleep? What can I say. He has always been the last to sleep and the first awake. We've started letting them take a book to bed, not sure what the do with them but whatever. This morning, I heard him at 4:20am talking and singing to himself. I rolled over and turned the monitor off. Too early for me and since we really don't get up with them anyway (unless extreme crying occurs which is nearly never), we let them talk and sing until WE are ready to get them. Thankfully his sister has learned to sleep thru it!
He continues to be our picky eater, hard to believe since he weighs only 4.5 lbs less than his 4 year old brother, but it is true. Although - he will eat any dessert. Cheesecake, ice cream, cake, cookies, rice crispie treats..you name it, he'll eat it. This week: lasagna - no, sloppy joes - no, mac and cheese - no, the list goes on. Pancakes, bagels, breads are always a hit and most fruit. We are usually just moving food from one twin to another until it is gone :-)!
Micah and Wyatt - I just love the way he's looking at his big brother. I don't know what Wyatt is doing with his hair...probably needs it cut!!!
Well, there you are - what I can think of in my Micah update!
***Dodger update for those following along***
Dodgers beat the #4 seed team last night in another gut wrenching game with a final score of 5-3. There are only 3 teams left now! Next game tomorrow.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Dodgers move on to Game 3
It is double elimination tournament time in our soon to be ending baseball season. I did not post about Game 1 (#6 Dodgers vs #3 Cardinals) because it was devastating. Heartbreaking. Frustrating. I could go on. They were winning the entire game and in the bottom of the 6th - score is 5-4 Dodgers - 2 outs, 2 strikes, 2 runners on...Cardinals hit a ground rule double ending the game 5-6. I told you, it wasn't good. Our kids were so devastated. They played the game of their lives and just couldn't walk away with the win.
Game 2 was last night against the #5 White Sox. White Sox had the 'upset' after our game the other night and beat the #4 team. No one saw that coming :-)! However, they lost the next night, putting them down in the losers bracket with us.
It was one of those "perfect nights for baseball", cool breeze with some clouds, lots of spectators buzzing around the park - just a nice night. Both Dodgers and White Sox were trying to make it one more game - who ever looses, ends the season for that team. A tough way to go.
Unfortunately, it was another one of those close games. Passing the lead back and forth and never more than 1 or 2 runs. It was painful to watch as both teams battled. I enjoy a game that is tight and competitive, I really do, when it is someone else's team. Not mine. I keep the score book so I always know what is going on (what each batter did, where we are in the lineup etc). It also keeps me focused on the game and maybe that's not such a great idea...
So here we are, back in the bottom of the 6th inning. Let me side track a second and say CAN WE EVER BE THE HOME TEAM ON CLOSE GAMES??? Ok, there, sorry, but boy oh boy, it would be nice to have last bats! Anyway, where were we? Oh ya, bottom of the 6th. 1 out and 2 runners on - score is 7-6 (we are ahead by 1). Out 2 comes with a hit to the pitcher - threw him out at 1st. Now we have 2 outs (feeling like we've been here before because we were...just a few nights ago). This time he swings at the first pitch and hits a grounder to 2nd base and gets thrown out at 1st.
DODGERS FINALLY WIN!!!!!
I am really not sure how many more of those games I can take. I know kids on both teams and I don't enjoy watching a team loose like that. However, after a 7 game loosing streak - they deserved the win. The last 4 games were all '1-Run' games - with only 1 of those being on a win. That's not easy.
So, on to our game 3 on Monday.
For those interested in stats - Alec batted 3 times last night. 2 walks and 1 strike out. In the field he caught 2 fly balls, has 1 put out at 2nd on a grounder and sat out the 6th inning for the first time in 15 games. :-)
Game 2 was last night against the #5 White Sox. White Sox had the 'upset' after our game the other night and beat the #4 team. No one saw that coming :-)! However, they lost the next night, putting them down in the losers bracket with us.
It was one of those "perfect nights for baseball", cool breeze with some clouds, lots of spectators buzzing around the park - just a nice night. Both Dodgers and White Sox were trying to make it one more game - who ever looses, ends the season for that team. A tough way to go.
Unfortunately, it was another one of those close games. Passing the lead back and forth and never more than 1 or 2 runs. It was painful to watch as both teams battled. I enjoy a game that is tight and competitive, I really do, when it is someone else's team. Not mine. I keep the score book so I always know what is going on (what each batter did, where we are in the lineup etc). It also keeps me focused on the game and maybe that's not such a great idea...
So here we are, back in the bottom of the 6th inning. Let me side track a second and say CAN WE EVER BE THE HOME TEAM ON CLOSE GAMES??? Ok, there, sorry, but boy oh boy, it would be nice to have last bats! Anyway, where were we? Oh ya, bottom of the 6th. 1 out and 2 runners on - score is 7-6 (we are ahead by 1). Out 2 comes with a hit to the pitcher - threw him out at 1st. Now we have 2 outs (feeling like we've been here before because we were...just a few nights ago). This time he swings at the first pitch and hits a grounder to 2nd base and gets thrown out at 1st.
DODGERS FINALLY WIN!!!!!
I am really not sure how many more of those games I can take. I know kids on both teams and I don't enjoy watching a team loose like that. However, after a 7 game loosing streak - they deserved the win. The last 4 games were all '1-Run' games - with only 1 of those being on a win. That's not easy.
So, on to our game 3 on Monday.
For those interested in stats - Alec batted 3 times last night. 2 walks and 1 strike out. In the field he caught 2 fly balls, has 1 put out at 2nd on a grounder and sat out the 6th inning for the first time in 15 games. :-)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Gone for the summer....
Or at least I WISH we were gone for the summer! Here is where I wish we were....
That is my collage of some of our Maui trip. I am pretty sure that I have not acclimated from our trip in March. I missed the twins, but being in Maui was amazing. I day dream of the beach and the surf and the sand...and I'm afraid my above ground oasis just may not do the trick! To kick off my flops and walk along the beach, to catch a wave sounds much better than gingerly stepping across the yard avoiding (dog) land mines, stickers, rocks and ants....to climb in the pool.
Don't get me wrong, the painstakingly ridiculous task of putting up an above ground pool for the kids will be well worth it (thanks honey for re leveling it ONE MORE TIME). And I'm pretty sure I could get a job now putting them up since we have done it 3 times in 10 days. But it is up and full of water and last check it was nearly 80 degrees (without a cover to help us along).
But, really, I'd rather be on the beach in Maui. Plain and simple. Sad and true. Don't worry, I'd take the kids :- ). Do you think anyone would really notice that we were gone??? Let's hope not!
That is my collage of some of our Maui trip. I am pretty sure that I have not acclimated from our trip in March. I missed the twins, but being in Maui was amazing. I day dream of the beach and the surf and the sand...and I'm afraid my above ground oasis just may not do the trick! To kick off my flops and walk along the beach, to catch a wave sounds much better than gingerly stepping across the yard avoiding (dog) land mines, stickers, rocks and ants....to climb in the pool.
Don't get me wrong, the painstakingly ridiculous task of putting up an above ground pool for the kids will be well worth it (thanks honey for re leveling it ONE MORE TIME). And I'm pretty sure I could get a job now putting them up since we have done it 3 times in 10 days. But it is up and full of water and last check it was nearly 80 degrees (without a cover to help us along).
But, really, I'd rather be on the beach in Maui. Plain and simple. Sad and true. Don't worry, I'd take the kids :- ). Do you think anyone would really notice that we were gone??? Let's hope not!
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