Soccer Snacks

Tonight marked the end of spring rec soccer, and Team Galaxy celebrated the winning season with cupcakes and trophies.
You'll remember that when we lived in Virginia I took fruit as the after-game snack, and I experienced a mini-revolt led by small children. There seems to be some unwritten rule about eating a healthy snack post game, and I was not made privy to this rule.
Because I am now well versed in this rule, I was prepared for this season's upcoming snack day. When April 14 arrived, Keagan looked at me and said, "Mom, please don't tell me you plan to take fruit to this game, too."
There was no doubt I was on my way to winning the "best-soccer-mom" award when I found Keebler's box of 48 individual snack bags that included several varieties of cookies. I have no idea why I bought such a big box for a team of eleven, but I didn't want anyone to have to take a snack that they did not prefer. God forbid any child skip a snack and actually eat dinner. So after last week's game, I popped open the array of "good" snacks, and I experienced yet another mini-revolt led by small children. This is what I was asked: "Hey, Miss Keagan's Mom? I don't eat chocolate. Do you have any fruit?" 

DIY Easter Weekend

The Easter Bunny did make an appearance, but we didn't have any traditional Easter Egg Hunts in the yard, pictures with the bunny, or even Sunday morning photo shoots in the yard before we headed to church. Instead, we spent Saturday and Sunday afternoons on this DIY project. 

A couple of weeks ago, Evan asked me why we always have my dad fix things around the house. Every time he visits, he is given a list of chores to complete during the visit. Evan wondered why Wes didn't do it. So I told him a story.
I told him about the day when we were still in college and Wes came to Mount Pleasant to pick me up to take me back to Sherman, and in the back of the truck was a structure that I was certain Wes planned to make his permanent dwelling place. I later learned it was a dog house - a dog house that could have housed Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Just a couple of years ago there was also the "toy box" that was to house all of the boys' sporting equipment in the garage. When we got that thing in position, the Jeep no longer fit in the garage, and Keagan even found himself trapped in it on several occassions.
So this weekend Evan and I were both dubious about Wes doing any handiwork in the house. I even called my sister to make sure my brother-in-law would be available to handle any emergencies via long distance.
Oh, me of little faith. What was I so worried about? Our new backsplash is beautiful, and nothing was super-sized in the weekend-long project.

SOAR Student

Today Keagan was chosen as the SOAR student of the month for his kindergarten class, a reward given to students showing good citizenship skills. In December, after five months of school and after five students had been named, I asked Keagan why he hadn't been chosen yet, and he said, "Don't worry, Mom. Ms. Banks has to get through all the good kids first. I'm sure I'll be next!"

That kid! Unlike the earlier post about his speed, I do know where he gets his sense of humor, and no, that did not come from me either. There's no doubt he is a hand full in the classroom, but with those big blue eyes, who could not love him? 

He told us today that it was the best day of his life because he got to sit at a special table at lunch, got free ice cream, and got a bag full of treats.

Crowns in Heaven

We have a wise and dear friend in Virginia that often tells us how he believes our actions on Earth are rewarded in heaven with crowns. He believes that the Saints will be adorned with crowns that will be a reflection of the good deeds they performed on Earth. I don't know if it’s true, and quite frankly, it is not something that I would ever debate as truth. However, I have adopted this standard of thinking as truth, and I sometimes, when the boys do something that is just extraordinary, I will say, "You will get a crown for that in heaven." The boys know that although they may not receive immediate rewards for good deeds here on Earth, it is something that God sees.

Keagan was given four dum-dums at the barber shop on Tuesday. He ate the first three and saved his favorite for last. When we picked up Evan from soccer, Evan saw the lollipop and asked if he could have it. Keagan did not want to part with the candy - it was blueberry flavored and it was his favorite - but he gave it to Evan.

As soon as Evan popped it in his mouth, Keagan regretted his decision. He started to cry. As much as I tried to tell him that he had done the right thing, he still longed for the candy. Then I said, "Keagan, you will be rewarded in heaven with a crown for that kind act."

This stopped the tears and he began to rethink his decision. That is until Evan piped in. His mouth blue; his tongue painted almost purple. He gave these encouraging words. "Well, good job Keagan. You just got your first crown. You know I have three crowns, right? Keep trying and you might catch up with me."

I have decided to ask our dear, wise friend if he has any ideas for teaching humility to an eight year old boy.

One Fast White Boy

Keagan is fast; really fast and neither Wes nor I have any idea where this speed came from. Whereas Wes can run and get a pretty good time, he is a big guy and isn't a sprinter. My genes shouldn't even be introduced at this point, but I'll mention that my run to the top of the street just about does me in. It is a mute point, but Keagan's speed has nothing to do with me.

In March he wanted to run track on post, but the age requirements are strict: no one under seven. When I told Keagan he was too young to register for this year's track season, he looked at me with the most serious look and asked, "Did you tell them that I am one fast white boy?"

Needless to say, Keagan can't wait to run a race, and last weekend he decided he would begin training for next spring's season. He began with sprints around the house. He made the lap in 17 seconds. When that was too "easy" for him, he decided he would add a hurdle to the run. Of course, we all know that a good long run and some interspersed hurdles makes for great Saturday night fun. I'm breathing hard just thinking about all the energy needed to do that.

So guess what I found in the backyard on Saturday evening?

I immediately envisioned a big fall and broken bones so I suggested to Keagan that he stick to laps. Just as I told him to put the lawn furniture pillows away, he made his first jump. I swear he touched the clouds. My mouth fell open and I said, "Evan, grab another pillow. We got a gold medal winning hurdler in the makin'!"

It seems our hurdle jumping got a little out of hand, though, because Wednesday morning at 5:56, when I was getting out of the shower and Wes was on his long run, the septic tank alarm began to sound and the red warning light began to flash. I think every family on our street was ready for war with the Tooles. If it isn't the boys having a spittin' contest in the neighbor's yard, we find other ways to endear the neighbors.

We later learned that Keagan accidentally unplugged the septic tank sensor with his Saturday night hurdle jumping. Even though the 10 high stack of pillows frightened me, I told him pillow hurdles are the only materials he is now allowed to jump.

Even if he is one fast white boy.

Friday Night

It is Friday night and we have big plans in this house: dinner and television. I know you’re jealous of our fun. Don't hate.
For dinner, I made breaded pork chops with asparagus in a hollandaise sauce and Keagan was so excited with the asparagus, he proclaimed, "That green stuff rocks my world." I have to admit, though, that this was said after a clip on America's Funniest Home Videos and the statement, "Now, that's what I call comedy."
It makes me wonder how hard the asparagus really rocked his world if he finds AFHV true comedy.
Tonight I plan to re-introduce the boys to Friday Night Lights. The new season debuts tonight, and because it is one of my all time favorite television shows, I will probably be overheard saying something like, "Now this is what you call television drama." I have been waiting for this night for six months, and because I even scribbled the event onto my calendar right between soccer game: bring snacks and soccer game: wear green uniform, I think my life might be even more pitiful than originally thought.

Tell Me a Story

Today we attended an event on post for military children that highlighted Operation Vittles and the true story of a pilot that dropped candy and bubble gum to German children living in Berlin during WWII. Maybe if I had mentioned bubble gum and chocolate before the event, the boys would have been more eager to attend. Instead, they were infuriated that I pulled them away from their Sunday afternoon rest and i-Carly. Nevermind the fact that they had seen this exact episode no fewer than a dozen times. After a slight struggle and maybe a threat or two, we made it to the event with both boys still living.

The story was read by guest reader Tanya Biank, the author of the book Army Wives; it was a wonderful story about the friendship between a German girl and an American pilot created through Operation Vittles. We sat down to hear the story and the boys immediately spotted baskets of candy. This lifted their spirits. When sticks of bubble gum were handed out, the boys were convinced this was the best place to spend a Sunday afternoon. They were over-the-top excited when they heard the craft activity included gliders modeled after World War II planes.

It was a great event that was, unfortunately, not attended by many, but we are already looking forward to the next Tell Me a Story Event.

He Said It

What would you like for dessert tonight, Evan?
Fruit cottontail.

Keagan, if you do that again I am going to tan your hide!
Keagan's response, "Tan? Mom, don't you know I get lots of sunburns?"

While walking in the woods last week, Keagan said, "Mom, you gotta be careful walking in the trees and tall grass. You might find a cornbread snake."

Me: Guys, I am going to run down to the lobby of the hotel. I'll be right back.
Keagan: Don't worry, Mom.....Hey, Evan! Let's throw a party like P Diddy while she's gone. 

The Fire Shoes

I never thought I would ever use these two words in the same sentence: fashion and boys, especially not at this young age. However, it seems that Keagan has some pretty strong opinions when it comes to shoes and what is "cool." I should have seen this coming, though, because when Keagan was three, he often dressed himself, and he would ALWAYS select a pair of yellow rain boots - even when the thermometer read 95 degrees and we had full sun. His little feet would sweat like crazy, but he had to wear the yellow rain golashes.

This past weekend Keagan was in need of shoes. We went to the first store and he picked out a $60 pair of bright aqua Nikes. I said no. There were so many things wrong with this choice.

We went to the second store, and he didn't find anything in his size. He was despondent. He just couldn't go to school on Monday without new shoes.

We went to the third store, and I selected a pair of Z strap Sketchers. He told me that was "too much like everyone else". I selected a pair of Nikes and he said, "I have worn that kind before."
And then he selected these.

The ugliest pair of shoes on the shelf.

I argued that they wouldn't match his school uniform. I argued that they should be worn with jeans - a wardrobe item not worn in Georgia after the month of February. I argued they wouldn't allow him to run fast. It didn't matter what I said. He wanted "THE FIRE SHOES!"

After several tense words on my end and sad puppy dog eyes on Keagan's end, I had a flashback to June 2005. I remembered returning home to Texas with a pair of shoes I LOVED only to hear my mom say, "Really, Kacey? Those are the ugliest shoes I have ever seen."

I bought Keagan the fire shoes.

I think they were the absolute best choice. Yep, the absolute best choice - for Keagan anyway.

The Island

I could live here, forever. The trees, the moss, the ocean, the azaleas in bloom... it was beautiful and very peaceful. Of course, we would have to purchase a boat if we were that close to the water, and I would probably have to bathe in Off Deep Woods to keep the sand gnats at bay. Don't forget the mosquitoes - they are probably as big as the flies that swarm Hinesville in the summer. I am certain I saw wild hog tracks in the mud.

Hummm, I think I could totally overlook all of that if I got to wake up to ocean breezes, the smell of salt water, and moss covered trees every day!

Especially if I had a tree of this size in my front yard!

First Day of April

You will need some background information to understand today's post. A few weeks ago I was at school when I received a call from the school nurse stating Evan had been involved in an altercation in the lunch cafeteria and Evan required medical attention (ie: ice packs). The nurse couldn't go into many details, but Evan was currently with the principal giving his side of the story. Just with the spoon situation in kindergarten in Virginia, I was horrified to receive such a call from the school. However, as it turns out, Evan had done nothing wrong. He was in the principal's office reporting the situation, and the other kid was given ISS.

This morning I had only been awake a few minutes when Evan found me sitting on the couch, and in his most quiet voice he admitted, "Mom, I was the one that really twisted T's arm. I lied to everyone about it - even the principal, but everyone believed me because I make good grades and I follow the rules. I should have gone to ISS - no T."

Just as I was debating punishments, the possibility of enrollment in a military school, and sending him to a boarding schools in the far reaches of the Northeast, he gave me a huge smile, and said, "April Fool's Day!"

He got me again this year. This makes two years in a row. It scares me that he is so good at deceiving me.