Tennis

Got Reece out of bed this morning, asking him if he wanted to go play tennis with mommy. He was ecstatic. Never has diaper and clothes changing been so easy.

Grabbed a snack bar and headed out.The train was a little distracting at first, but once he got going...(above is my fav)He got a little discouraged when he missed. After a while, he just wanted to watch me hit the ball, and instructed me to do so. He chased down the balls on the other side of the court and was an excellent ball boy.

Our morning seemed to make an impression. Later, we saw Tara and Bailey. In the middle of playing, he stopped and said to Tara,
"I played tennis with my mommy".

After a nap

After his nap, I come into get him and he usually asks immediately to go outside. Again and again and again. Today he was quite content to hang out, jump, and climb in his bed while I sat and watched. Then later, he still asked to go outside. ; )

A toll

I'm having a rough week. Some of it is personal and some of it just feels that way. For example, my boy, who has been quite the angel at school, has been quite the opposite with me.

With an already emotional mommy this week, it's taking a toll.

Reece ran to my arms after school, but a few minutes later insisted he 'stay' and I 'go!'. He was ornery in the car on the way to the park. And then, hurled a closed bowl of cheerios, hitting me in the head. As he saw tears from his mommy's face come streaming down, he said "I'm sorry" a few times.

We got to the park a few minutes later. I was thinking I probably should have taken him home. We discussed expectations before getting out: sit at the table and eat lunch, then you can play; otherwise we'll have to go home.

He did well sitting on the bench with Grayson and his mommy. And when it was time to play at the playground, do you think he wanted to swing or slide? Nope. He wiggled his way into a small fenced in box and there he wanted to play. I need one of these at home! ; )We checked it out and it has a little box and opening underneath that likely controls the sprinkler park or something. But Reece didn't mess with that part, so we just let him hang out in there. There was no one else at the park, thankfully, or I probably wouldn't have let him play in there.Seriously, he loved it. Crazy boy.Upon request, I got two balls from the car. Reece threw them up and over, while Grayson threw them back in.I was so thankful the morning ended so much better than it had started. It still has been a long week.

Demem

Desi memed me. Man, if it had been in email, I could have blown it off without people knowing. Darn these public blogs!
Desi seems like the coolest chick ever. She's very real and honest and I LOVE that about her. I know we'll be close friends if we can get to spend more time together somehow.

1. My maiden name is Eednus Nilknarf, which I think is hilarious and clever. I have this thing with reading words backwards (semordnilaps) and palindromes. I'd like to think it's b/c I'm a genius, but it's probably more likely that I have some learning disability. A street near my house is named Trammel, but I always see it as Lammert. I met a little girl named Neveah when Reece was just a baby, and as soon as her mother told me the name, I knew that it was heaven spelled backwards. One of my favorites is STRESSED, which is DESSERTS spelled backward. Ah, yes, sweets usually work for me!

2. "Hi, Sundee, I'm Mondee", is my least favorite phrase people say when they meet me for the first time. I've stopped counting how many times people have said that. People usually ask, "as in the day of the week?" Nope. I'm a product of the 60's, people. Some of my favorite phrases that people use are "Hot Fudge Sundee" (mmmmm yeah!) and "Sundee, Mondee Happy Days". Cinnamon was one of the other names my folks were considering. Bown-chicka-bown-bown. Yikes. I'll stick with Sundee.

3. I like to dress up as a man. Went for shock value on that one. In speech class, I volunteered to be Giraldo, even though there were guys on our team. Although I couldn't do the impression justice today, I was pretty good in a fake mustache. I also dressed as a man for a frat/sorority party, at least once. (Yes, I was in a sorority and thank you to those that are surprised. I take that as a compliment!) I thought it was hilarious and it made the party pics of me and my gal friends pretty darn funny. Although I didn't get as much attention as the Malibu Barbie costumes, it was more me and more fun.Just to slightly redeem myself, this is one I used for rush.
I guess that's what college can do to a gal. ; )
4. Drove a '67 Chevy Malibu in high school and all through college. Mom got this car when as a college graduation gift from her father. When I was ~17 mos, she put my name on the license plate. I drove it in high school and all 4 years in college. I love the history and the nostalgia of it. Sometimes the air didn't run well and my legs got a workout from the no-power brakes. But, I loved that car and it really felt like part of my personality. Then, I graduated and bought my first car...a Toyota Camry. I think I lost a little of myself in that purchase.

5. Fractured my hip in the 6th grade. I was at a sock hop at my church, kicked my leg up high in the air and then straight down to the floor in the splits. I heard it crack and then broke out into a cold sweat. It was just a sliver off the bone, so just a little hospital time and really nothing more. That's the only bone I've ever 'broken'. My left side is still more flexible.

6. Was puppeteer of the year. In 5th grade - junior high, I served in the puppet ministry at church. They were muppet-like puppets. We told bible stories in the church service and more importantly to groups of children around the city. I loved seeing their sweet, excited faces. I was puppeteer of the year a few times, but it was just within our church. Hey, I'm running out of material here, people. I was also in the clown ministry, always dressed as Raggedy Ann.

Ok, I'm kinda with Anne about being overwhelmed to think of 6 things about myself. But, I will write back with names to tag. Right now, I'm going tag Kirsten, mostly to annoy her. ; ) Love you big time, girl!

The Rules
(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let them know they're tagged by leaving a comment.

Out of the bubble

We're out of the bubble and back in the pink.I love his concentration face.
He was obsessed with Aidan's bubble blower, and thankfully Aidan was an excellent sharer.

Pink

Clearly Reece has been deprived. Deprived from the color pink.
It started at Tara's. He found Bailey's new pink sandals and INSISTED he wear them.Then, for lunch she offered him several color choices of plates, listing each option. He chose, 'pink'. And got a matching pink spoon. He played with (and horded) the pink ball, and even found Bailey's pink magic wand if I remember correctly.He was stinker, too. He hit Bailey with not just a swat but perpetual motions a couple of different times on Wednesday. And...when she was doing something he didn't like, he opened his mouth and nearly made it to her hand before Tara stopped him.

WHAT! I was really upset about the biting. Later in the day, he tried to bite ME. I got teary when I had time to reflect. Am I going to be one of those moms? Is HE going to be one of those kids? I felt embarrassed by his behavior. Logically, I know it can just be a process of learning to deal with emotions.

He was pretty much a terror that day, and the shoes weren't the only thing on his body that was a little pink.

His behavior, little appetite, and major fussy pants made me start to wonder if he was sick. This morning, he seemed fine. I fully expected Major Fussy Pants again. Instead, he was happy, changed clothes, ate his breakfast bar, walked straight into school and started playing. I was tickled pink. I talked to Ms. Shepherd about the biting, and she assured me that she has not seen that behavior from Reece. She also said that he likely learned it here. Hopefully, he'll unlearn it too. ; )

When I picked him up, no pink eye, but he had sick eyes. Mommys know what I mean. We hugged and then I knew for sure. He was a hunk, a hunk of burning love.

Came home, ate applesauce, tossed it back up, played a little, had juice, took medicine, and then a nap.

Although his symptoms are more obvious today, you wouldn't have known he was sick by his attitude. My sweet boy was back today. Hopefully, he'll be back in the pink very soon.

Hostess with the Mostess

Hosted dinner tonight for Lisa, Olivia, Michelle, Julia and Sophie. John is busy all week, so I thought it would be a good time to try dinner for 6 (+2 toddlers).
Somehow that seemed manageable. Last night I thought about it and figured out a menu that was do-able for me: bbq chicken (yummy and easiest recipe ever), baked beans, corn-on-the-cob, and garlic bread, with grapes as a snack. Oh and Shelley's cream cheese croissant for dessert. It was a simple and easy menu, but if I had tried to take on any more, I would have been completely overwhelmed and stressed.

Lisa called me, "the hostess with the mostess". I certainly wouldn't go that far, but I am so proud of myself for taking these steps forward (like hosting New Years Eve) in creating the kind of home I yearn for.

I want our home to be a place where people are always welcome, comfortable, fed, and loved. Tonight was a great step.

1, 2, 3....

Jumping on the trampoline in Phoebe's yard this afternoon (what a beaut, btw), Reece was counting. One, Two, Three. One, Two, Three. One, Two, Three.

I asked him, "What comes after three?".
You guessed it; he said, "ONE!"
Amy and I both cracked up. Good one.

Trash Truck

Just about every time we go to get in the car, Reece asks to see the trash truck. He asks over and over and over. There's a pretty narrow window of opportunity to catch the trash truck in action, but Monday morning, we saw it.Actually, we didn't catch it in front of our house. We heard it and then stalked it like an old girlfriend up and down the alley, VERY conspicuous!

If you ever wonder why your neighbors trash can is always turned over in the middle of your alley when you are in a hurry trying to get out, now you know.See ya Thursday, Trash Truck!
Reece will be asking for you.

Flying blind

Sunday afternoon just before naps, Reece and Darren were playing outside. A little chilly, D came in to get a hat for Reece. A few minutes later he came to get me.

Reece had the hat pulled over his face, and was running around the yard. He would run around the yard (as if he could see) and then back to Darren's arms. Sometimes he had to follow his voice to find him. Both boys were giggling.

After I got out there, Reece ran between mommy and daddy, finding our open arms. He'd peek every now and then. You are my silly, sweet boy.

Danijela and Kiley's 3rd

What a crazy day.
Mel was in the hospital with Cole, while the party was happening at her house.
I came over early to help Angela, who admits that party hostess is not her thang. When I got there, it was already a beautiful setting for two darling little girls to celebrate their 3rd.I stayed until the guests started to arrive, and then I had to go. Angela was quite busy and yet I gave her another thing to keep up with: my boy.

When I got back, cupcakes had been decorated as pigs and someone had pinned the tail on the piggy. Danijela clearly wasn't feeling well, and Kiley and Reece seemed pretty sugared up. People came up to me telling me how he much loved pancakes and cupcakes. I found pig remnants all over him and began to wonder if he was the pig in the story. ; )

We played for a little while longer and I snapped just a few before we left (few of which are in focus). There were many friends there, I just didn't catch them. I look forward to seeing the other pictures of the pig decorating and the cupcake chowing.Short story: When we got home from the party, Reece was really wired. He got soooo upset about taking a nap that he worked himself up into a fit, crying like crazy. I already knew what was going to happen next. It was the yummiest smelling ralph ever, and a beautiful pink color. ; )Kiss, Kiss, Kiss Danijela and Kiley.
Happy, Happy Birthday Girls!
You and your mommas mean so much to Reece and me.
We love you so much.

New King Cole

Kaiser Cole was born tonight (2/15) at 9:39pm. 7 lbs. 13 oz. and 20" long. Curly hair. It looks reddish to us. He is beautiful.Kaiser means king and they plan to call him Cole.
What a privilege it was to be there tonight.
What a lucky boy he is to have this woman as his mother.
She is amazing.

More later. Night night to all.

Playgroup

Haven't been to playgroup in quite a while. Gosh I can remember a time when that was the absolute highlight of my week. My how times have changed. Thank you God for all the friends you put around me. They are lifelong.

Friday was fun. The kiddos had a great time, but the babies were the cutest. Sweet Henrietta fell asleep while the kids played, and was precious.Max was asleep in the snuggliest carrier.
I wanted to crawl in there and sleep.Stayed for a while with Tara and Bailey. When we left, Bailey and Reece held hands tightly, giggling and running through the church grounds until we got to the parking lot.

Valentine Party

Really felt like a mom yesterday as I made Valentines for my little boy's school Valentine party. Reece added the sparkly heart stickers. I was proud of our personalized, hand-crafted Valentines, rather than just buying one off the shelf (although VERY tempting). This feels more old school. That's me. ~~~The party was fun. It was nice to see the moms and kids together for longer than drop off and pick up. I'm still working to get everyone's names, but they are cuties. I realized today how many boys are in Reece's class. I'm glad. He needs his man time, since so many of his other friends are chicks. ; )

One of the moms made heart-shaped sandwiches and another brought Chex Mix with Valentine hearts. Roman had a big pile of Chex Mix.
Love that moppy hair. Cutie pie! We made Valentine picture frames with foamy sticker hearts.
Some didn't make it on the frame. ; )The kids reminded us when it was about time to go.
Some wanted their mommys to hold them.
My boy on the other hand, was rambunctious!

After the party, Kirsten and I took the boys to the park
to run off their sugar high just before naps.
Happy Valentines Day, everybody!