Gavin's Prayer

After being a spectator at another one of his brother's games, Gavin told me his wish as he fell asleep tonight.

"Mommy? I want God to give me my own soccer team. We won't be the Sharks. We'll be called the W's [his favorite letter]. And I'll be a really really good soccer stud."

Here he is pictured warming up with Ethan's basketball team. My hands were to full trying to keep him off the court during the game for more pictures.

Side note: he's pictured wearing 3 capes, a superman t-shirt with a cape, a superman sweatshirt with a cape, and a superman cape on top. Of course he's also wearing superman underwear and his superman light up shoes. He's sleeping in the superman shirt right now. Thank God there's swim class tomorrow to motivate him to take it off.

Meltdown City

Click here if you want to laugh at the morning hell I was in today: http://youtu.be/zu-EXewKkFg

No, I didn't kick their puppy. Gavin's crying because I gave him the "wrong" cereal bowl. Ethan's crying because I noticed what shirt he put on before he could tell me I could look at it. They don't make coffee strong enough for this.

Face palm

We sing a song accompanied by a little dance.

"Gavin's got his poopy n the potty! Gavin's got his poopy in the potty!! Yaaaaaaa!" 

Finish with jazz hands.

I'm feeling pretty great, both of my boys are done with this miserable slog called potty training.

Then Ethan steps up to the plate, er, bowl.

I notice out of the corner of my eye that he overshoots! Half of it has missed the bowl!!

"Ethan! There's a mess of pee on the floor behind the toilet!"

Taken aback at my disgust he reassures me.

"Oh don't worry Mommy. I do that ALL THE TIME."

"Look at my wings Mommy!"

Game Day- Lots of Heart, Little Height

Today was another Falcon game day.  Ethan started the day with breakfast as Flash to channel his speed.

As you can see in the picture, Ethan wasn't going to get anywhere with his height. So he was ALL heart.

If you watch the video linked below, you can see him happily trotting up and down the court. Arms outstretched hoping for a pass.

Watch "Ethan basketball" on YouTube
Ethan basketball: http://youtu.be/8Z0tUWHiCXY

Heartbreaking for me to watch, NO one would pass to him. Still he eagerly danced up and down the court, ready.

Finally he got the ball.

And he successfully dribbled it all the way down the court. (A feat at 5!)

The wrong direction.

Luckily, the refs intervened before it was a complete cinematic moment with him scoring an against the odds point for the wrong team.

Gingerly he continued to hop and dance up and down the court hoping for a pass. Finally, he was passed the ball a couple of times. And he successfully dribbled and passed it the right direction.

All heart that kid.

We Each Made a Mini-Me!

Just today the boys drove home how much each takes after one of us.

First Ethan. As I find every night, he fell asleep amongst a pillow and blanket made of books. The book lover in me rejoices at this sight!

Gavin is devastated Cowboys season is over. He brings up a terrible call that ended our season still.  I'm serious, falling asleep this week he said, "Mommy, remember when I was mad the Cowboys didn't win? And I had to go take a break and calm down? I'm still sad Mommy."

He's been begging for the Cowboys to play again. So we stream old full games to the tv via YouTube. Don't dare think a highlight reel will cut it. Nope, this boy wants the commentary. I keep catching Chris captivated by the game, even though he knows how the game ends.  Yup, he made a mini-Chris.

Oh, and that football shirt, Gavin wouldn't change and is sleeping in it.  We'll see if I can convince him in the morning.

Sure you can stay up past bedtime...

Since spontaneous family coloring is happening!

Quick, Chris! Take a picture! No ball or science, arts and crafts with mommy finally!

(It's easier to push back bedtime a little when it's at 7pm ;-)

I suddenly love worksheets!

I was going through Ethan's schoolwork the teacher sent home. I flipped through the worksheets until I find the cutest drawing EVER he did on the back. "I LOVE MOMMY" with a stick figure opening arms "this much".  Swoon.

We <3 Science!

Maryland Science Center saved the day again! Cold day off from school (professional development day, see my post wondering how people keep their jobs managing their kids days out of school!).

Anywho, I digress.  They hit all their favorites.  Every strength test possible, Ethan sending love notes to me via the bank tube thing, and a circuit board activity at the Shed. 

They had the right amount of fun for a peaceful ride home!

Belated Pennsylvania Christmas

Best part of warm(er) weather waiting for us back home is playing with the Christmas loot! Thank you Brenington Family and Grandma!

Basement Bash

Seven kids total playing nicely for two hours. Win.

Little Letter Lover

Gavin's suddenly passionate about learning his letters. His favorite is "w", maybe because he always goes for the win? Who knows!  I'm just following his lead on interests. But letter practice is great practice for me as I'm tutoring Ethan's classmates who are being on letter identification.

Ugh...again.

Another school delay today. My defroster melted any and all ice on my windshield within 5 minutes and roads were clear.  Groan.

So they joined the errand to Home Depot. Funny enough there were tons of parents with their kids doing the same thing.

Oh...And don't worry.

The forecast is clear tomorrow.

But Gavin won't be at school or anything. Yup. He caught his brother's pink eye.

Weekday Warriors

You know those home improvement commercials that celebrate the "weekend warrior"?  Well I can't get ANYTHING accomplished on the weekend with both boys home solo. I have to save big jobs for when one is gone. And Gavin finally had school today.

Ethan did not, but I figured we'd give it a whirl.

Putting up a new backsplash in the kitchen went great, he was the cutest helper ever!  He encouraged me for three hours straight until Gavin returned. Telling me it wasn't crooked (when it was) and a mistake wasn't visible (when it really was). And even asking for hug breaks. I didn't realize how much he'd bask in the attention of having just the two of us doing an adult project.

Here's some previews of how it looks so far!

I'd have lost my job by now

After about two weeks off of school where I'd likely have used all my leave, there's been 6 scheduled school days.

Out of those 6, there's been 1 snow day and 2 delayed openings (2 hours).

And when I picked up Ethan from school today, Hellllooooooooo pink eye. One doctor appointment later, one prescription eyedrop later, and one more day of missed school tomorrow for the books.

How do families of elementary school children do this when both parents work, and no family in the area?  REALLY, I want to know because I'll be returning to your ranks one day and this question keeps me up at night.

Grateful for the opportunity to be here to handle all of these unexpecteds but anxious about the future.

Better luck next year

Today the fam gathered to cheer on our favorite team, the Cowboys, in the playoffs. Expressions went downhill as our lead disappeared :-(

After a terrible call that ended our chances, Gavin went into a corner and pouted.

"What's wrong buddy?"
"I just need some space Mommy."
"What's bothering you though?"
With his bottom lip out, "I don't want the Cowboys to play like that!"

He was upset for a good 15 minutes.

That was less time than his Daddy though...

Basketball + Birthday Party = EASY Bedtime!!

Today was Ethan's basketball team's first game, with their Coach Chris as their fearless leader. Ethan's shirt says it all!

His Assistant Coach Gavin was never far from his side.

 

 

 

When it was game time and our turn to watch from the stands, I pulled out the big guns.

Daniel the Tiger.

Yeah...that didn't cut it. A couple tears seems to be a tradition every sports season's first game when Gavin has to go to the sidelines. :(

Ethan on the other hand had a ball! This seemed to be a sport that he REALLY enjoys!!

 

 

 

Great game Falcons! (As the coach's son, he got to pick the team name. Ethan's pick was the "Paragon Falcons" fastest animal land or sky.)

Afterwards was their buddy Thane's 6th birthday party!

 

With fun like Twister...

 

and a remote control car mash up!

After putting napless Gavin to sleep at 7pm, I went to check on Ethan.

Sound asleep by 7:30 with his superhero books.

Now I'm off to follow his lead, whew!