Moving at the Speed of Life

I am not ready for summer to end. While it is true that I am not a fan of cold weather, my sadness of summer ending has more to do with my children.

When my kids were really little, it seemed like that was how my life was always going to be.  I was so in survival mode (not getting enough sleep, getting the kids down for naps, bottles, etc) that it never occurred to me that someday we would grow up.  At the time, it seemed as if life would always be that.  Time moved sllllooowww.

I saw a couple of Moms one day on a walk with their kids.  Each Mom had a stroller with at least one baby/toddler in it.  There were a few other little ones on bikes.  I had just dropped my kids off at school and was walking to my car.  The Moms were walking up to school to let their kids play on the playground.  It occurred to me that to those Moms and kids, school was basically just a park to them.  They had no idea of bus schedules, cold/hot lunches, homework or anything that school now represents to me.  Just a few years ago, I was that Mom with Nancy walking up to play on those jungle gyms after the big kids were in school.  At that moment, it shocked me that we had grown out of that phase of our life and that the school playground was no longer just a park, but, well…the school playground.

My kids are funny.  They make me laugh.  They get my jokes.  They know how to soften me when I get crabby.  I know I am a lucky lady to have children that are growing up to be good people. They are going to be really good, fun friends to people.  But, every once in a while I get a feeling of panic at how fast life is happening.

It takes my breath away that they are growing up.  My oldest still has about 75% boy in him.  There is an older boy starting to take over.  I like that older boy, but it doesn’t stop me from missing the chubby little guy in the Baby Gap carpenter jeans dancing like a rock star to the Wiggles.  He still drops everything to go look for frogs with his brother.  He can be lured away with candy and still thinks the cake walk is awesome.  His still wants to participate in his 5 year old sister’s birthday party and more than likely will take out some of the younger kids if it means winning. But, soon enough there will be an edge that sets in that will set him apart from his brother and sister. He’ll start to hesitate and choose to watch instead of runoff with the younger ones. My husband is more ready for that than I am.

Summers are easier now.  All three of my kids generally wake up happy.  They can get breakfast on their own.  They do their “jobs” and can be off playing while I work.  The hardest thing for me is that next summer they will be different kids…still my kids, but slightly different.  They will be older and wiser...probably edgier. Molly probably won’t call me Mommy.  Daniel might not want me to hug him in public.  Calvin…well, all bets are off with Calvin.  He is my wildcard.

So, as I write this, I know I am blessed with creative, wild and happy children.  But, at the same time, once school starts we are moving at the speed of life and it goes by fast!  Schedules pick back up and every moment is filled with school, sports, and more making the days move so much quicker. With each win and loss this year they will grow.  With each new experience they will change.  But, I guess I will be along for the ride and instead of crying about how fast life is going by, I better suck it up and enjoy the journey. 

Ok, Molly just walked in and told me that she is very excited that she gets a real desk this year, not a table where everyone sits. She topped it off with “My own space”.  I guess we are ready.  Onward and Upward. 

So much has changed, but so much has stayed the same.

My Acceptance Speech

If I were to get an award for successfully making it through the day, this would be my acceptance speech.  Before I get too into my speech, let me explain that when I say “successfully making it through the day” I use the word “successfully” loosely.  I truly mean we basically JUST make it through the day.

This is what I would say…

I can’t believe I am being honored for making it through the day.  I didn’t think I would be awarded this honor, so I didn’t really have anything special prepared (remove my speech from my purse…after seriously digging and finding my acceptance speech crumpled together with a receipt that has a piece of one of my kid’s chewed gum stuck to it).

I would like to thank all of the little people.  Literally, if it weren’t for my kids I wouldn’t be a Mom. My daily life wouldn’t be a constant open mouth, racing to be on time, screeching roller coaster ride from one important sporting event to a birthday party to some sort of camp and so on. It continues to be quite the ride.

I would like to thank Super Target.  Thank you, I love you…and Starbuck’s. 

I would like to thank my sports Mom friends that make me feel ok with myself when I once again have forgotten snacks for whatever kid’s sporting event we are at. 

Here’s to my parents who had three kids themselves and get it.  Thank you for taking them while we let our hair down.  We don’t even mind if you spoil them…just don’t give them sugar or Mountain Dew.

I would like to thank the afterhours gym coordinator at school who acts like her calendar of events might be wrong and that she is glad that I am there talking to her, when deep down she knows that I am at the wrong place and that there is no way my kid has practice at her gym.

I would like to send out a big shout out to all of the babysitters out there.  If you need some extra cash…call me.  Call me.

I would truly like to thank all of those coaches (including my husband) that teach my children how to play the game, but more importantly teach my children to play fair, be good losers, have fun and to “be classy” when playing the game (famous advice from Coach Erickson). Whether you know it or not, what you teach them on the field/court translates to their everyday life.

Thanks to old friends who know me so well.

To new friends that automatically seem like old friends.

Nancy.

Red Wine.

Thanks to my husband, who is a Dad and a coach and a good friend.  Very, very solid guy.  He should get a similar award, but since there is only one awarded… ever…I will be accepting it

Thanks to Rush Creek Elementary.  You have blessed us with some very, very good teachers. Thanks for singing about new shoes, new haircuts, letting me volunteer to help with math to the 2^nd graders (I have already apologized) and especially…especially for telling the 4^th graders to wear deodorant.  You, having my back on that one is priceless.

Thanks to my brothers. I am stronger, sharper…always look behind an open door, know how to spit and don’t throw or punch like a girl because of you two.

To my Dad who taught me how to put a worm on a hook (huge with boys).

To my Mom who taught me how to be a friend to my daughter.

Good friends.  Sister and brother-in-laws. Nordstrom Rack.  Vodka.  Cool bosses. Flexible work schedules. Nieces and nephews that have game.

People that do random nice things that touch my soul and move me to be a nicer person to others.

And a big thanks to God for giving me a sense of humor.

Where is the post award ceremony party?

The Lawn Mower



As the 4th of July winds down, I am very sentimental.  I got to see my entire family, quite a few old friends and got to spend time in Des Moines and Clear Lake, which always leads me down memory lane. 

My family started the weekend in Des Moines.  We all came in from Germany, Omaha and Minneapolis. Our plan was to celebrate my Dad's 70th birthday.  He makes 70 look easy.  He is either a young 70 or just a funny guy whose personality is determined to outwit his age.  Either way, he doesn't seem 70.  He's just my Dad.  Funny.

Enter my "little" brother Craig. If you have met him once, you know him.  He holds nothing back.  He is an open book.  "Mystery" is not a good word to describe him.  He is funny, quick with a joke, wants to be your friend (unless you don't listen to his jokes) and definately demands attention.

The plan was that when we went to Des Moines for my Dad's birthday we were going to have a family picture taken. I went to Anthropology to buy something that I had my eye on. Family pictures...the perfect excuse to go to Anthropology.  While I was shopping, I started thinking about something and I just can't seem to shake it.

I was in my senior year at college at Loras.  It was Easter and I was going home to spend the weekend with my family.  Before I left for the weekend, I went to the Kennedy Mall in Dubuque, Iowa and bought a dress for Easter mass and brunch. 

I was so proud of my new dress that I bought with my own money.  I was so excited to show my Mom. I thought she would just love it. I drove the 3.5 hour drive from Dubuque to Des Moines with my Easter dress hanging proudly in the backseat window.

As I pulled into my parent's driveway, I saw that my younger brother Craig had beat me home.  In fact, he was halfway through mowing the front lawn.  He was hot, sweaty and was smiling from ear to ear.  My heart was so happy that he was smiling...he was so happy to see me.  In fact, he was so happy to see me that he just stopped mowing.  He was halfway through a strip in the front lawn and just stopped.  Half mowed...half not mowed.  It didn't matter.  We were together and we were going to have a fun weekend.

As I got out of the car, he came up to me...so happy, smiling. He gave me a huge, sweaty...stinky hug.  It was good to see him.  He asked if he could take my car down the street to the gas station to get something to drink.  It was hot.  Of course...grab me something while you are there.

He jumped in my car and off he went. Literally, the gas station was at the bottom of the hill...2 minutes away.

5 hours later, as my Mom and I sat in the living room watching out the window, we still believed that he would come back home with my car.  From time to time, we did laugh that he tricked me out of my car.  Yes, we did laugh.  But, still...

When all hope was gone, I called my friends and we rallied.  They picked me up and we went to our favorite gathering spot to see old high school friends.  Throughout the night I told old friends (who knew my brother) what had happened.  How my brother hugged me, took my car and never returned.  It was a little hard not to laugh at him.  One minute you want to kill Craig, the next minute he says or has done something and you are laughing like an idiot. 

My brother Craig has a rather large head of hair when it is grown out (think Kramer from Seinfeld).  When it is humid outside, it gets bigger.  The door to the bar opens up and above everyone's heads I see a large, fuzzy head of hair moving through the crowd, stopping occassionally to tell a joke...hug a friend. I bolted out of my seat and made my way through the crowd.  It was my brother (in the same stinky, sweaty clothes he had on when he was mowing the lawn) with a group of his friends.  Friends that I usually love to talk to, but now are the enemy.  Craig and I made eye contact.  As he saw me through the crowd, he smiled at me and somehow managed to make his way back out the door.  Gone, with my car...and my Easter dress.  Again.

The next morning when I woke up, my car was back.  I went outside to survey the damage. I passed the lawn mower, still sitting in the front lawn... half mowed, half not mowed.  My Dad would wake Craig up early to finish the job, as a means of torture for Craig who had been out until the early morning hours.  My car reaked like it had been packed full of college boys all night.  But, there hung my new Easter dress.  A little cock-eyed, but still hanging on the hanger.  All night they drove around in my car, with my Easter dress.  Careful not to make it fall off the hanger.

Life is weird and funny.  Family is good.  Old friends are so dear.  So, here's to Dads that give their sons their personalities and already know their next move and to brothers that pick on you, but don't let others pick on you and sweet Moms that laugh with you and want to see your Easter dress and old high school friends that will pick you up no matter what and don't let your Easter dress fall off the hanger. Here's to all of it.



The Notebook

One of my favorite days of the year...of any year, is the last day of school.  I loved the last day of school when I was in school and now I love it when it is the last day of school for my kids.

The only downfall of the last day of school is the amount of paperwork they bring home in a paper bag.  It can be stressful depending on the personality of your child.

Daniel is first born.  He responds to authority, schedules, lists and deadlines. We have to go through each piece of paper (each holding extreme sentimental value) and discuss, inspect and decide if it goes in the memory box or put in the recycling bin.  I learned early on never to assume anything goes directly into recycling without at least acknowleding it first (even if it is a spelling test from 3 months prior). Daniel is our rule follower...for now.

Calvin.  I will come back.

Molly is our youngest and just completed Kindergarten.  She is a very proud student and even though it is summer, she still wears her name tag. I love her teacher, Mrs Rigazio.  Each of our kids have had her as a teacher.  She is considered a rock star in our house.  She calls her students "my little friends" and sings about everything from new shoes to new haircuts to missing teeth.  She is also no-nonsense.  Molly only brought home about 6 items.  Each had sentimental value and I was 100% sure that we would keep each one for her to look back on when she gets older (a journal, her first alphabet book and other extremely cute, crafty memorable items).  Only 6 items, but 6 items that needed to be to be reviewed one page at a time, every day and shown to anyone that visits.

Calvin is second born. The middle child. Calvin is our easiest child.  His world consists of hand me downs and used toys.  He often takes back seat to his older brother or his younger sister.  He is easy going and is a very funny little man. The only person that can truly make Calvin mad is Daniel.  Calvin is a mess most of the time.  Messy hair, messy face, stuff on his shirt, etc.  He recently got his beautiful hair buzzed off so that he wouldn't have to comb it.  He prefers cargo shorts so that he can catch frogs and keeps them in his pockets until it is time to release them into the wild.  He likes to stare out his window at the trees blowing in the breeze.  He is not a fan of showers, washing his hands or flushing the toliet.  Calvin is salt of the earth.

Calvin's end of the school year paper bag was just short of disgusting.  It was a complete mess and he could care less what I kept and what I threw out.  All Calvin wanted was for me to take that bag and take care of what was in it so that he could get outside and take a look around.  I started sorting through the contents and easily tossed out most of the bag, which consisted of crumpled up papers.  Like my other two children, Calvin had a journal (there is not even enough time to explain what he wrote about in his journal) and then a few other notebooks.  The journal was basically the only notebook that had any writing in it.  As I put his unused notebooks on his shelf in his room, I did one last flip through.  All empty pages, except writing on one page within one of the other notebooks.  This is what it said:
Safety Tips
1. Never go to sea alone.
2. Never make somebody laugh while they are drinking lemonade.

Since Calvin has never been out to sea before, I asked where he learned such an important tip.  Apparently, my Dad taught Calvin safety tip #1.  This makes sense to me, as they have had quite a few man to man discussions.  And, I can only I assume Calvin knows #2 from experience.

Calvin might be a man of few words (being overshadowed by his siblings most of the time and empty notebooks and all), but at least you know he is thinking things through.

So, from all of us at our house have a good summer.  Enjoy the beautiful weather.  Enjoy baseball, boating and watermelon.  But, make sure to be careful at your neighborhood lemonade stands and use the buddy system when out at sea.  Other than that you, you should be fine.  Enjoy!

One Moment in Time...

Humans...not plants and animals.  I tell that to my husband when he talks about getting a dog or when our plants die.  I tend to not really excel when it comes to plants and animals.  The weird thing about this is animals are attracted to me.  I am told that they smell fear or they know that I am trying to keep my distance.  It is odd. 

My friend Alyce once had a blind cat and promised me that the cat didn't like people, so I shouldn't be scared of it when I went to her house.  I told her that her blind cat would find me and try and make friends.  Sure enough...as soon as I settled in to her extra comfy living room that blind cat was purring around my legs.

It isn't as if I don't like animals.  It is more like I am scared of them.  Sort of.  I truly like them from afar.  I love to take my kids to the zoo, which my friend Alyce finds very interesting...since I am so scared of animals.  I also like to take them to the pet store.  I am nervous at the pet store, but I love how excited they are to look at all of the animals, reptiles and fish.

We have fish.  I love fish.  We once had a fish that I called "Dog-fish" because whenever I would walk by its tank it would swim by me and wag its little tail.  I loved that fish.  My Mom pointed out that it just thought it was going to be fed and knew to swim toward me, but I just think I love that fish even more because it was so smart.  Well, when it died I cried.  So, I do like pets.  It is true that I tend to lean toward the pets that are in bowls a little more than the ones that jump on you, claw you or bite you.

So, Calvin (my 9 year old) struck it rich at his last birthday party and had a bunch of money to spend (like $12 dollars) and he wanted to buy a fish to go in his new room. It was super exciting news!  Our entire family went to the pet store to support Calvin and his fish purchase.

Buying a fish with Calvin is serious business and takes quite a bit of time.  Calvin has to belly up next to the tanks.  Consult with his 10 year old brother.  Weigh the pros and cons.  Take a break.  Go look at the turtles.  Go back to the tanks.  Talk to the store manager.  Stuff like that.

We all know the drill, so we tend to busy ourselves in other areas of the store.  I like to either hang out by the fish tanks, because I know I won't be attacked or by the front door in case something gets lose.  That way I know that I am that much closer to safety.

So, I am hanging out by the fish tanks when my husband yells for me to come look at something.  I know that my fear of the pet store animals amuses him, so I know whatever he wants me to look at can't be good.  He has a huge smile on his face and says "I would have never put those two words together". 

So true Jake, so true.  I didn't know anything named Fancy Rat even existed.  It absolutely sent shivers down my whole body and I was about to high tail it for the front door (knowing Jake could supervise our beautiful children...i.e. every man for themselves) when the Fancy Rat in the glassed-in cage caught my attention for a moment in time.  It was as if Dog-fish had come back to life in the form of a Fancy Rat. Like all animals before this one Fancy Rat, it was just trying to make friends with me. Just following me with its beady little gaze.

I repeat...Fancy Rat caught my attention for ONE MOMENT in time..just one moment and then I was running for those beautiful automatic front doors.