Quick Trip

We made a (not so quick if you were counting the hours in the car) quick trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa Roeder this weekend. And although Hugh didn't sleep a wink on the way there and cried when I set him down when we first walked in the door, he quickly warmed up to everyone and asked for "cookie?" many times.  

And although it is always special to see all the cousins, this time around it was just us and Uncle Matt and Aunt Erika (and Baxter).  This made the time one on one and each boy got a lot of special moments with each grandparent (and I think they enjoyed this too!).  

-Eli got to play in the basement with both grandparents multiple times

-Books were read
-Cookies were eaten
-Games were played
-Toys were shared and built
-Oooold high school friends stopped by!
-Parks were explored
-Finally some fishing with Grandpa Roeder (And daddy and uncle Matt)
-"A-pad" was played with Aunt Erika
-Tomato plants picked and gardens explored

Don't forget that Hugh got a chance to talk to Grandma on the phone while he was standing right in front of her (see below)

Hugh is holding his "phone" in his left hand!

Don't forget the adults had some fun too.....chatting, eating, sleeping (napping and sleeping in a little!), sharing a glass of wine, fishing, trying out the park and even playing some wild games where you have to hold a pencil in your arm pit and start each sentence tsk and end it with izzle (you had to be there).  

BLESSED--completely.  

Watch out for Brotherly Love

A few weeks ago Andy and 3 of his brothers played in the Gus Macker 3 vs. 3 basketball tournament.  This was my first opportunity to really watch Andy play basketball as he stopped playing just about the time we started dating.  I was so excited to see him in his element.  His number one love after the boys, me and family is the sport of basketball.  I think it made up his whole world up until his Junior year in college.  And since all of Andy's brothers played basketball back in the day-they joined together to give it a go. 

I'm not sure who created the team, the team name or the shirts.  I did secretly smile at the team name they came up with "Brotherly Love" but let's be honest. These guys DO love each other.  I won't go into much detail about how they did not win didn't do as well as they had hoped but I will defend that they were in the top bracket for men because Andy and one of his brothers played college hoops.  AND the fact that his bro is 6'8".  I guess experience and height put you in the top category.  But they didn't take into account that one Bro is over 40 which makes for tough competition when you are playing 20 year olds.  

I had a hard time focusing because Hugh didn't always want to be in the stroller and Eli just begged for snacks.  Neither boy took the time to see the love, passion or determination in their dad's eyes.  There was loud music playing, cousins around, and hot sun beating down.  And if you know Andy, when he doesn't win-it's tough to talk to him.  And the games were short and fast.  

Watching them play was one of my favorite moments of the year.  They did amazing, despite what the score board said.  (One of their opponents ended up winning the dunk contest at the end of the weekend.)  PLUS a lot of the family came to watch and hoot and holler for these guys. 

 It all made me feel like I could understand what growing up as a Roeder must have been like---spending hours watching game after game (Andy also had 2 nephews and a niece playing in the tournament, often at the same time or overlapping games).

So maybe it's a funny team name for 4 grown men, but if you looked around there was a ton of love bouncing around!  I'm terrible at taking action shots and I'm sad I didn't get a few good ones.  But at least I can use this as a new goal for next summer when (these boys have already decided) they want to compete again next year-together. 

And he's off...

Sigh. Deep breath. More deep breaths.

That is how I have felt in the last week.  I know it's only 4K but it's a big deal to me. I mean-he goes every day. He has a back pack with a binder.  A weekly behavior report.  He had to pack 18 glue sticks and 24 pencils. I mean...that's the real deal right?

I built up the first day just like any Mom usually does.  And it ended up being traumatic....for me.  He fell, and I mean totally wiped out, 30 seconds before he was supposed to line up. He was bleeding from his forehead, under his nose and on his knee. He was screaming.  All the other moms and dads were playing paparazzi and blowing kisses. I was sweating through my work clothes (I left early to take him) and screaming "oh no!" in my head.  We brought him to line up with the kids but they were all in the classroom. Eli handed his flower to the teacher and I said "he needs a band-aid" and she responded with an upbeat "there is always 1 wipe out on the first day".  And then he was gone. The door was closed. He was off. No picture of him walking in. No hug. No kiss.  I turned around and stared at Andy with wild eyes and then just cried (probably nerves and hormones taking over) but for real- "That was AWFUL".   Andy pointed out that all the other parents were peering in the window.

  So I did too.

 I couldn't see anything but I could hear the teacher saying each kiddos name and telling them where to put their backpack. I stayed until I heard her say "Eli, you are cubby #11".  Deep breath.  Walk to the car and dial my mom and sister.  They would understand.  Text my friends who have been there-they would get it.

Good thing I took pictures the night before.  Eli had taken a bath and I asked him to put on his 1st day of school outfit and take pictures by the front door.  Mom's intuition I guess.

He was excited to go to school but he wasn't obsessed with his backpack or interested in what would really happen there.  He only knew what he had read in books and what his little mind created and luckily that didn't cause many nerves.  I thought he'd look better when I picked him up but he actually looked worse-like he had gotten beat up. His face was puffy and swollen and his forehead abrasion was red with a huge bloody scab under his nose.    Poor kiddo. 

Here is Eli with his teacher after his first day. I stood far back so you can't see his battle wounds.

And here he is (with me attempting to edit out the "beat up face" look)

Tonight we had an open house.  I finally got to step into the classroom and snoop look around. 

  I saw the cubby where he hangs his backpack and Eli showed us the bathroom and the books and and and.  It was just what a mom needs.  I got to speak with the teacher who told us that Eli was very bright.  In school he is reserved, quiet but getting better from the first day.  He chooses to do his work at the table where only 2 can sit (this school encourages kids to find the best type of learning-and that means no 1 spot they have to sit) but follows all the instructions well.  She didn't seem to have any concerns about him.  I got to see the raccoon that he made (and I'm quite proud of it-look at how well that tail was cut.  I wouldn't be a mom if I didn't brag that it was the best cut tail. PLUS----he actually drew a face.  He  is not much into drawing people or faces or anything. I was surprised).

We have given him his wings and off he goes.

(Andy said "Only the dietitian's kid eats the salad before the pizza-thus the salad dressing is all over his face)

I'm so excited for this munchkin.  More adventures to come.  

Reunion 2013

Last year after meeting with my soccer gals I posted about Back in the Day.  This year went by so fast, and SO much has changed for all of us.  The biggest change was literally the size of our lil tykes; they have all grown and moved on quite a bit. There were trips, job changes, a new house and even a new addition for one of us (and another on the way...wow that mom is and will be busy with 3 under the age of 3 come February).

The trip was well planned but the time went so fast.  I sucked in every moment we had together. Watching my gals be a mom is a blessing as I realize that we are all different but all so much the same.  We respected each others routines, reminded each other what was age appropriate for each of our children and laughed at each struggle and stage we were in.

We spent nap time with a bottle of wine, a bowl of m&ms and a whole lot of chat.  The sun was welcomed by one but not the other.  Oh and we wore hats.

We let the kiddos play, scream, fight, laugh, pop bubbles, fall, get wet and jump. (Oh and we noticed how old we were when we couldn't get out of that trampoline).

So back in the day we used to wear our Blue Devil's uniform with pride.  We stood together in the backfield or passed to each other up the field.  We endured words from our coach, forced team activities and pasta dinners.  But we because sisters out there.  And as we now defend each other on the battle field of motherhood instead of the soccer field-that is exactly what I see these girls as- a sister to me.  We are in the trenches together.  There are no judgements being made and it's pure ease to just talk about life, the past, the future and how it would be nice to just be closer all the time.

The next 2 shots are my favorite-these are some beautiful kiddos.

My soccer song in college was by Tom Petty but here is a remake of my song that makes me think back to those days-when we lived in the mustard seed and formed this friendship that will have us getting together for years and years.

Big things around here....

This kiddo went from this:

To this big 18 month old:

More to come on his craziness.


This little man:

our lil fighter

our lil E-bug

Is off to his first day of school tomorrow. GULP.

Our mini-Andy

Eli has always gone to day care since he was 3 months old.  And even though going to school should feel the same, it just isn't.  I can't explain it.  It's exciting but frightening.  This baby is going to keep becoming MORE of himself.  I feel so sad to know he will have parts of his life that I'm not really any part of.  But that is expected and normal and I wouldn't really want it any other way.  So yeah....GULP.  More to come on this.

And lastly---tomorrow night, after we give Eli as much special attention for his big brave day, Andy and I get to go on a date.  A triple date with 2 other couples.  We scored (thanks to some awesome friends) tickets to see Mumford and Sons.  This is one band that I think was on a few of our bucket lists.   And I plan to soak it all in.  I have a list of songs that I'm hoping they play but this one I know will give me chills.