Dazed and Confused

Dear Chatty:
Yesterday I had a lovely parent teacher conference with your Kindergarten teacher Miss Johnson. She couldn't say enough sweet things about you. Miss Johnson said you are a born leader, transition from one activity to the next in an appropriate manner, willingly participate in all activities, is always happy and greets her with the biggest smile everyday, plays with everyone in the class, helps her peers, intelligent (at or above levels in all subjects/areas), to name a few. According to Miss Johnson you are a pure joy to have in class. Wow - I was so proud!

Fast forward to this morning when you were in major meltdown number 29 (or 59, it has been so many I have lost count) this week. What happens to you when I drop you off? Do you turn into another child? I mean seriously, the Chatty that was at my house this morning could not possibly be the same Chatty who is a prized pupil in Miss Johnson's class everyday. What do you do with her at 3:00pm every weekday, stuff her in your backpack and not let her out until you get back to school? What can I do to make sure she appears at my house during non-school hours? Your Dad and I are willing to try almost anything (within reason) to get prized pupil Chatty to make a regular appearance at our house. Let me know ASAP! Thanks.

I Love You,
Mom

Support and Mom of the Year

Thanks for all of the sweet comments. Just so you know (here I go thinking about what other people think of me) I don't write stuff to get people to say nice things to make me feel better (not that I don't appreciate it, because I really do) or for a pity party. I just write what I feel as I am sure most of you do as well. Generally I am a pretty happy kind of person and secure in my place in this world ... well most days! Anyway - thanks for the support ladies!

Update on Mom of the Year Award: At the end of last weekend's soccer game, Chatty comes running off the field shouting "Mom, I scored a goal!" I look at her and say "You don't mean the one that you kicked and then stopped going after (just like the week before) and the kid from the other team accidentally kicked it in?" "No mom, I scored another goal and you weren't even paying attention" Mr. ESPN walks over and confirms that she did score one herself. Me - "Great job Chatty I am so proud of you." Then I turn to the two moms I was chatting with during the game and told them I am not allowed to talk to them during the games anymore because between watching Bia and talking to them I couldn't pay attention and see Chatty's first goal. To top it off Mr. ESPN and I forgot to bring the camera too ... lucky Chatty was so excited about scoring and the after game snack that she didn't get mad at me for missing the goal. Hope you are are fairing better in the Mom of the Year Award category!!

Phone Calls and Friends

This is the post I didn't want to write but I knew it was coming. Godfather's (Chatty's Godfather) dad passed away yesterday. He called yesterday afternoon and told Mr. ESPN. All afternoon I kept thinking about things and feeling guilty that I hadn't talked to Godfather as much in the past few years. I used to be the one he called when something bad happened (i.e. when his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer - she is in remission now). We have laughed and cried over many things during our friendship. But lately (the last five years or so ... do you see the correlation? Chatty is 5 1/2 ) it's Mr. ESPN who listens to him and takes his calls and so many times I am relieved because I am in the midst of doing three different things (like most moms). But as I look back I feel guilty and know I should have stopped what I was doing and made time for some of those phone calls.

Last night I asked Mr. ESPN to call Godfather and check on him (because I was getting the girls ready for baths and bed) .. they spoke for a few minutes and then Mr. ESPN handed me the phone. Godfather and I finally had a chance to talk. He is doing well, is at peace with his father's death and knows it is God's will. That gives me so much comfort. We laughed a little and I cried a little (a lot to Mr. ESPN after I got off the phone). So later this week we will see him and his family at the services. I haven't seen his mom in several years, prior to that time she and I had lunch almost monthly (those of you who know me personally know the story behind this .. it is long and I am not going to go into it here). So needless to say it will be a bit awkward and I am nervous and sad.

I am going to try and make more time for those phone calls now ... from Godfather and my other friends and family too.

Momma's Girl

Do you ever have those mornings where you just can't seem to get out of bed? That happens to me just about every single day. I hate getting up in the morning. To be fair I get this trait from my mom. My mom is not a morning person at all! Chatty is a total morning person - happy, talkative (big surprise huh?), etc. Generally Bia is a little more subdued than her big sis, but she is usually pretty happy in the mornings. Yesterday I heard Bia wake up so I went in her room to get her up. Usually she gets up willingly with a big grin and her puppy in her arms. But yesterday she refused to get out of bed and kept yelling, "No, my bed". I checked to make sure she wasn't sick and knew she had gotten plenty of sleep the night before. This little discussion with Bia went on for about ten minutes with the same answer from her "No, my bed!" Finally I had to pick her up and carry her into the bathroom screaming "No, my bed!" I looked at her and said "Sweet Bia Momma wants her bed too!". If I didn't have to go to work I would have climbed back into Bia's bed with her! So yesterday at 6:30 am it was confirmed that Bia is indeed my child, not that it wasn't already obvious with the 9 months of pregnancy, delivery, brown eyes and stubborn personality!

Tuesday Night Thoughts

I was thinking about several things last night, you know the normal stuff like questioning if I am a good mom or not (especially after reading this post), the hectic pace of my life after reading this post (yes I am way over extended most days and it comes out in my parenting) and how I am always concerned if I offended someone or wonder what they think of me. I have a habit of being pretty honest with people, which isn't always a good thing and has gotten me into more than one predicament in life. Needless to say because of that, I have a tendency to worry if I offend someone. I often wonder why I can't be more like Mr. ESPN (or most other men) who don't really care what other people think (within reason). Ahh the joys of being a woman! Anyway to add to my already hectic schedule I am attending a women's bible study tonight at my church geared toward young moms. They are offering it once a month in hopes that we can make the time to attend. I am really looking forward to it and think it will be good for me but .... it meant in order to work out today I had to get up at 4:40 am at the gym by 5:15 am ... rush out of work to pick up Chatty ... rush home and meet Mr. ESPN and Bia ... eat a quick bite (good thing I have leftovers from all the cooking this weekend) ... and rush to church. What was it I was just saying about being over extended?

A Few More Things ...

I forgot to mention that my Cous is having a birthday today! I know a few of my readers read her blog too so go over and wish her a happy one (even though it is a little late in the day - hey I am on the west coast!). Cous - wish I could be there to celebrate with you ... we need to plan another girls trip after Baby C arrives!

So Chatty's Poppa got some photos of the almost goal ... see below

I am not sure what she is telling them - but she likes to talk with her hands

Look at her go ...


Last person to beat ....

Then she stops and does some little hop while the goalie picks up the ball! UGH!

Hotter than Heck Soccer

So Chatty had her first soccer game on Saturday. October and it was at least 100 degrees. It was insane. I was melting and the ants were biting my feet! Chatty almost scored a goal - she got the ball ... dribbled it down the field super fast .... and then decided to stop when the goalie came out so she wouldn't kick him! I told her she has to keep kicking until it is in the goal - who cares who gets in the way! Yes I am one of those moms that screams loudly! The next period she played she wanted to play goalie. She did OK but she is much better on offense because she is pretty tall and fast (or supa fast as she calls it). We had a discussion after the game about using out talents and playing the positions we are better suited for ... i.e. offense. You would think since Mr. ESPN is an assistant coach he could make sure she doesn't play goalie but obviously he doesn't always listen to me!

So both girls are back at school today. I think they were fine yesterday but I wanted to make sure they were both fever free for 24 hours. I don't know how all you stay at home moms do it - they drove me absolutely NUTS yesterday! It didn't help that my computer was having issues yet again ... piece of junk ... I even told the help desk I was ready to throw it into the wall - so I couldn't get any work done. So instead I re-organized my linen closet.

I'll be goalie!

And this is what Bia did while Chatty was playing soccer:

Chillin on Poppa's lap


OK - if you insist, I will smile!


I'm the goalie Mom!

Waiting for the ball

I will post tomorrow about the Soccer Mom ruckus ....