Happy Halloween!

I have a hard time handing out trick or treat candy to teens, but I have an even harder time doing it when they don't bother to wear a costume and they use a purse as their treat sack. So when the eighth grader wearing sweats and carrying the fake Gucci purse just rang my bell, I gave her a pixie stick that I found in the pantry from a birthday party we attended months ago. She saw my chocolate, she saw me bypass it, and I caught her questioning look.

The pixie stick seemed like a good decision at the time, the perfect "that'll get her", but I am now fearing retaliation.

As I lay awake tonight waiting for the sounds of eggs hitting my windows, I will take comfort in knowing I have these guys watching over me.

Evan as Captain America, Keagan as a Storm Trooper, and Ian as a Ninja

Happy Halloween

I have a hard time handing out trick or treat candy to teens, but I have an even harder time doing it when they don't bother to wear a costume and they use a purse as their treat sack. So when the eighth grader wearing sweats and carrying the fake Gucci purse just rang my bell, I gave her a pixie stick that I found in the pantry from a birthday party we attended months ago. She saw my chocolate, she saw me bypass it, and I caught her questioning look.

The pixie stick seemed like a good decision at the time, the perfect "that'll get her", but I am now fearing retaliation.

The boys hit the streets tonight eager for their own candy collection. Evan went as Captain America, Keagan as a Storm Trooper, and Ian, our neighbor and third child, went as a Ninja.

As I lay awake tonight waiting for the return of the teenagers and the sounds of eggs hitting my windows, I will take comfort in knowing I have these guys watching over me.

Beach Weekend

Boardwalk Outside the Hotel We don't ever need a reason for a weekend at the beach, even if the temperature requires jeans and sweatshirts. However, this weekend, after our soccer games in Savannah, we drove to Disney's Hilton Head Resort to celebrate Evan's birthday. It was perfect, if for no other reason than I got to sleep for 10 hours straight and then nap all the way home.

Beach Weekend

Boardwalk Outside the Hotel

We don't ever need a reason for a weekend at the beach, even if the temperature requires jeans and sweatshirts. However, this weekend, after our soccer games in Savannah, we drove to Disney's Hilton Head Resort to celebrate Evan's birthday. It was perfect, if for no other reason than I got to sleep for 10 hours straight and then nap all the way home.

Skating

Apparently I am the only Marne mom that didn't know it was a requirement to teach your kids to roller skate while stationed at Stewart. Although I was a regular at the skating rink in good 'ole Mount Pleasant, I don't think roller rinks even existed in Northern Virginia. We celebrated the end of the football season, though, at the post's skating rink, and no one could believe that the QB who scored all but two of the season's touchdowns had never been roller skating before and spent the majority of the night on his backside. 

The same could be said about "The Punisher". After one go around, he decided skating just wasn't his thing, and he spent a good half hour in a chair laughing at his big brother as he fell legs sprawled like a newborn colt. Needless to say, we felt under-prepared when the other players walked in with their own personal pair of skates while we wore the disinfectant sprayed skates from the rental window.

With trophies, pizza, cake, and a pinata full of candy, though, we quickly left the new found of skill of skating behind.

                                                                                     
It's tough celebrating a 2-10 season, but we sure did. Someone has a really big decision to make next fall: U12 select soccer or football. I think Thursday night's game ending TD might have influenced his decision. 

Operation Pumpkin Decoration

1. Trace the design onto a "big and smooth pumpkin." Keagan wanted to make sure I understood the defining characteristics of the perfect pumpkin.

2. Paint by number, and add fierce eyes with a smile.

3. Pose with the finished product.

Skating

Apparently I am the only Marne mom that didn't know it was a requirement to teach your kids to roller skate while stationed at Stewart. Although I was a regular at the skating rink in good 'ole Mount Pleasant, I don't think roller rinks even existed in Northern Virginia. We celebrated the end of the football season, though, at the post's skating rink, and no one could believe that the QB who scored all but two of the season's touchdowns had never been roller skating before and spent the majority of the night on his backside. The same could be said about "The Punisher". After one go around, he decided skating just wasn't his thing, and he spent a good half hour in a chair laughing at his big brother as he fell legs sprawled like a newborn colt.

Needless to say, we felt under-prepared when the other players walked in with their own personal pair of skates while we wore the disinfectant sprayed skates from the rental window.

With trophies, pizza, cake, and a pinata full of candy, though, we quickly left the new found skill of skating behind.

It's tough celebrating a 2-10 season, but we sure did. Someone has a really big decision to make next fall: U12 select soccer or football. I think Thursday night's game ending TD might have influenced his decision. 

Pure Joy

Who needs milk jugs or cow bells when you have my squeals of pure joy? That's what the Steelers had tonight when we captured win number two of the season. I could give you the play by play, but really all you need to know is that Evan had the winning touchdown with only 12 seconds left on the clock. At this point, that's about all I can remember about the night. That and Keagan's textbook tackle on the five yard line. He celebrated with a move that we call The Ratliffe, in honor of the the Dallas Cowboy. I think it was lost on the Georgian crowd,  but  he has waited all season for an excuse for that move. He performed it perfectly. Despite my near coronary in the last minute of play, I think this was probably the best day of my life.

Evan and Coach Merritt plan the big play

All that I said Tuesday night about how happy I was to say good-bye to football was a lie. I am saddened to say good-bye to legitimate first downs, scrambles right down the middle, and last minute wins. It is unfortunate that we decided to do all of this the last game of the season - very unfortunate because I know that I could muster the energy to cheer the boys on one more time. After tonight's excitement and confirmation that God is a Steelers fan, I don't know if I can wait nine months to begin the next season.

Perhaps it goes without saying that the search for summer football camps has been moved to the top of my list of priorities.

Pure Joy

Who needs milk jugs or cow bells when you have my squeals of pure joy? That's what the Steelers had tonight when we captured win number two of the season. I could give you the play by play, but really all you need to know is that Evan had the winning touchdown with only 12 seconds left on the clock. At this point, that's about all I can remember about the night. 

That and Keagan's textbook tackle on the five yard line. He celebrated with a move that we call The Ratliffe, in honor of the the Dallas Cowboy. I think it was lost on the Georgian crowd,  but he has waited all season for an excuse for that move. He performed it perfectly. Despite my near coronary in the last minute of play, I think this was probably the best day of my life.

Evan and Coach Merritt plan the big play

All that I said Tuesday night about how happy I was to say good-bye to football was a lie. I am saddened to say good-bye to legitimate first downs, scrambles right down the middle, and last minute wins. It is unfortunate that we decided to do all of this the last game of the season - very unfortunate because I know that I could muster the energy to cheer the boys on one more time. After tonight's excitement and confirmation that God is a Steelers fan, I don't know if I can wait nine months to begin the next season.

Perhaps it goes without saying that the search for summer football camps has been moved to the top of my list of priorities.

It's Just Unacceptable!

Football season is coming to a close, and I couldn't be happier. There's been no need for pinto bean laden milk jugs with our team's slow demise. We lost the backup QB to a move to Korea; we lost another player to stitches, and we lost several more back in week three when we put on pads. Our team of four, one of those weighing in at the colossal weight of 43 pounds, never had a chance. I think our cheerleaders have even given up on cheering for us. They have resorted to spending the last two quarters on the playground because there are just so many times you want to yell, "Let's go defense. Let's go!"

Tuesday night our frustration levels were maxed out. It was apparent the football gods had deserted us because we had only one play with any yards gained, and it was due to a penalty. In the second half of the game, Keagan had had enough. After getting pulled to the ground by his face mask, the tiniest guy on the field looked up at the ref and fired back, "Are you going to call that, Ref? He's face maskin' me and holdin' me. This is just unacceptable!"
I think I might have said that a time or two myself.

Thursday is our last game. Forget winning. Forget scoring. My single prayer is to survive another loss and the guaranteed bad calls.

It's Just Unacceptable

Football season is coming to a close, and I couldn't be happier. There's been no need for pinto bean laden milk jugs with our team's slow demise. We lost the backup QB to a move to Korea; we lost another player to stitches, and we lost several more back in week three when we put on pads. Our team of four, one of those weighing in at the colossal weight of 43 pounds, never had a chance. I think our cheerleaders have even given up on cheering for us. They have resorted to spending the last two quarters on the playground because there are just so many times you want to yell, "Let's go defense. Let's go!"

Tuesday night our frustration levels were maxed out. It was apparent the football gods had deserted us because we had only one play with any yards gained, and it was due to a penalty. In the second half of the game, Keagan had had enough. After getting pulled to the ground by his face mask, the tiniest guy on the field looked up at the ref and fired back, "Are you going to call that, Ref? He's face maskin' me and holdin' me. This is just unacceptable!"

I think I might have said that a time or two myself.

Thursday is our last game. Forget winning. Forget scoring. My single prayer is to survive another loss and the guaranteed bad calls.

M's Across the Board

Keagan received his first honor roll certificate today. I know it means nothing to most, but I am a teacher, after all, and I live for those neat rows of data, the standards' checklists with the big Ms (that means mastery for all of you non-teachers out there), and the never ending battle to bring up my scores all day, every day. I couldn't allow such an exciting day of mastery in my own baby's life go undocumented.

M's Across the Board

Keagan received his first honor roll certificate today. I know it means nothing to most, but I am a teacher, after all, and I live for those neat rows of data, the standards' checklists with the big Ms (that means mastery for all of you non-teachers out there), and the never ending battle to bring up my scores all day, every day. I couldn't allow such an exciting day of mastery in my own baby's life go undocumented.

Festivals, Food, and One Lost Balloon

It is the weekend of festivals here in coastal Georgia. Of course, everything happens this month because in October we are supposed to experience the season of fall. It isn't supposed to be hot, but it was 89 degrees today and hot.

Friday night we went to the Greek festival in Savannah, and we had some awesome Greek food. I had the best spanakopita ever, and the baklava was to die for. Evan now believes gyros are sandwiches from God, and Wes is trying to figure out how to find lamb meat in the state that believes that if it isn't deer meat or fish, it can't be eaten.

Today, after our soccer game in Savannah, we went to the seafood festival in the next town over. The Low Country boil was excellent, and at only $5, it was a steal. While walking around the fair grounds, Keagan was given a balloon. Before I go any further, I might need to tell you that Keagan has a special place in his heart for balloons, and the only explanation I can give is that he can pretend, as the ball floats up above his head, that he is the star receiver for some football team, and he can jump up just at the right time to make an exceptional catch. So as we left the fair today, he was already imagining the great plays he would make in the front yard with his new prize. He was scared to death of losing it. Even after we made our way back to the car, he refused to let any of us roll down a window for fear it would be sucked out. I might have mentioned it was 89 degrees. It was hot, but we knew how attached he had become to the yellow medical group balloon. 

On the long drive back home, Wes decided to jokingly hold the balloon out of the sunroof of the car. "Keagan", he taunted, "Look what I am doing." And just like that the balloon was sucked out of the car and into the sky. We watched out the back window as that yellow balloon got smaller and smaller and smaller. Keagan's face contorted in shock. A great big tear rolled down his cheek, and then he was bawling. Bawling over his yellow medical group balloon.

Wes felt horrible. He made all kinds of apologies. All kinds of promises. After hours of crying (what seemed hours, but was probably only 9 minutes), and when we finally made it back to Hinesville, we had to stop at the dollar store to replace the prized balloon. Keagan chose a set of handcuffs, and all was right with the world once again. Keagan's first bit of advice to Evan as we rounded the corner into the neighborhood, "I suggest you run, Evan." His plans of star player football catches were replaced with the image of handcuffing his big brother to the toilet.

I had no idea my afternoon eating shrimp and corn on the cob would involve the tragedy of a lost balloon, but as my mom always says, nothing in our house ever goes as planned.

Festivals, Food, and One Lost Balloon

It is the weekend of festivals here in coastal Georgia. Of course, everything happens this month because in October we are supposed to experience the season of fall. It isn't supposed to be hot, but it was 89 degrees today and hot.

Friday night we went to the Greek festival in Savannah, and we had some awesome Greek food. I had the best spanakopita ever, and the baklava was to die for. Evan now believes gyros are sandwiches from God, and Wes is trying to figure out how to find lamb meat in the state that believes that if it isn't deer meat or fish, it can't be eaten.

Today, after our soccer game in Savannah, we went to the seafood festival in the next town over. The Low Country boil was excellent, and at only $5, it was a steal. While walking around the fair grounds, Keagan was given a balloon. Before I go any further, I might need to tell you that Keagan has a special place in his heart for balloons, and the only explanation I can give is that he can pretend, as the ball floats up above his head, that he is the star receiver for some football team, and he can jump up just at the right time to make an exceptional catch. So as we left the fair today, he was already imagining the great plays he would make in the front yard with his new prize. He was scared to death of losing it. Even after we made our way back to the car, he refused to let any of us roll down a window for fear it would be sucked out. I might have mentioned it was 89 degrees. It was hot, but we knew how attached he had become to the yellow medical group balloon.

On the long drive back home, Wes decided to jokingly hold the balloon out of the sunroof of the car. "Keagan", he taunted, "Look what I am doing." And just like that the balloon was sucked out of the car and into the sky. We watched out the back window as that yellow balloon got smaller and smaller and smaller. Keagan's face contorted in shock. A great big tear rolled down his cheek, and then he was bawling. Bawling over his yellow medical group balloon.

Wes felt horrible. He made all kinds of apologies. All kinds of promises. After hours of crying (what seemed hours, but was probably only 9 minutes), and when we finally made it back to Hinesville, we had to stop at the dollar store to replace the prized balloon. Keagan chose a set of handcuffs, and all was right with the world once again. Keagan's first bit of advice to Evan as we rounded the corner into the neighborhood, "I suggest you run, Evan." His plans of star player football catches were replaced with the image of handcuffing his big brother to the toilet.

I had no idea my afternoon eating shrimp and corn on the cob would involve the tragedy of a lost balloon, but as my mom always says, nothing in our house ever goes as planned.
 

Boys at Beach

Evan at Jekyll

Keagan at Jekyll

Wes and Boys on Jekyll

We had a wonderful long weekend, a weekend to include a tear free night of miniature golf. It was miraculous really for us to experience 18 holes without a single break down.

I might not like living in Hinesville, but I LOVE the Georgian beaches. There's nothing better....the sand, the waves, and mouth watering shrimp dinners with my boys

Boys on the Beach

Keagan at Jekyll

Evan at Jekyll

Wes and Boys on Jekyll

We had a wonderful long weekend, a weekend to include a tear free night of miniature golf. It was miraculous really for us to experience 18 holes without a single break down.

I might not like living in Hinesville, but I LOVE the Georgian beaches. There's nothing better....the sand, the waves, and mouth watering shrimp dinners with my boys.

He Said It

On Friday, I was at work. The boys were at home. Don't even get me started about the unfairness of it all. I was fully aware of it all when my alarm went off at 5:30, and I spent the morning getting ready for work without Sports Center or Ben10 blaring from the living room.

When I got home, though, Wes said he overheard Keagan say this.

K: It's only $9.99 plus you can handle it.
W: What are you talking about, K?
K: It's only $9.99 plus you can handle it.
W: Do you mean $9.99 plus shipping and handling?

Luckily, he doesn't have $9.99 plus you can handle it. Otherwise, that silver bracelet that is supposed to center your inner chi and increase you energy levels, would be arriving in the mail next week. 

Weekend Travels

When we found out that Wes was going to deploy, we knew we needed to take a mini-vacation before he left for training. We chose Jekyll Island because nothing says relaxation and family time like the beach. We arrived and immediately hit the beach. We rented bikes and rode through the downtown area. Every time we visit the island we find something new. This weekend was no exception.

We went swimming in the heated pool that isn't really heated, and we took several naps. It was just what we all needed.

Dare we try a game of miniature golf? That's what next. Guess who got partnered with me? Pray that I survive another round of putt-putt.

Weekend Travels

When we found out that Wes was going to deploy, we knew we needed to take a mini-vacation before he left for training. We chose Jekyll Island because nothing says relaxation and family time like the beach. We arrived and immediately hit the beach. We rented bikes and rode through the downtown area. Every time we visit the island we find something new. This weekend was no exception.

We went swimming in the heated pool that isn't really heated, and we took several naps. It was just what we all needed.

Dare we try a game of miniature golf? That's what next. Guess who got partnered with me? Pray that I survive another round of putt-putt.

He Said It

On Friday, I was at work. The boys were at home. Don't even get me started about the unfairness of it all. I was fully aware of it all when my alarm went off at 5:30, and I spent the morning getting ready for work without Sports Center or Ben10 blaring from the living room.

When I got home, though, Wes said he overheard Keagan say this.

K: It's only $9.99 plus you can handle it.
W: What are you talking about, K?
K: It's only $9.99 plus you can handle it.
W: Do you mean $9.99 plus shipping and handling?

Luckily, he doesn't have $9.99 plus you can handle it. Otherwise, that silver bracelet that is supposed to center your inner chi and increase you energy levels, would be arriving in the mail next week.

Silent Family Tree

Two weeks ago I screamed so loud at the football game that I lost my voice. I went two full school days without talking above a whisper, and I then spent another weekend trying to speak as little as possible so that I would be prepared for some full-on playground yells of "Mrs. Toole's class Line Up!"

Now that I think about it, I just might have a silent day tomorrow, too, because although I cheered when Keagan made TWO tackles in the back field, and I jumped and squealed when Evan ran right up the middle for a touchdown, I spent a good portion of the evening reminding the refs of their job. The job description does not include taking a phone call during 4th and 2, and if he hadn't taken that phone call or the call after that or the call after that, he would have seen the opposing team grab my baby's face mask. Twice.

I just might have had a few things to say about that.

Two weeks ago when I was in the middle of one of those silent nights, the phone rang. Evan answered the phone. This is what transpired.

E: Hello.
(Voice on the other end.): Who this?
E: Evan
V: Who?
E: Evan. Who's this?
V: What do you mean??? This is your grandma. Who this?
E: It's Evan..... Oma????...... Is that you?
And the phone went dead.

Evan looked at me with the strangest look in his eyes, and asked, "Since when did I get a black grandma?"

Winning Goal

He's so little his feet don't touch the ground. 

He's so young he can't tie his own cleats.

But he is playing with the big boys this year and holding his own.

He's even taking shots on the goal.

On Saturday, he scored his first goal while playing U10. The parents went wild. The players went wild. Wes went wild. I was out of control.

After the game, Keagan said, "Mom, I scored the winning goal."

The score was 6-0. It was not the winning goal, but even after I tried explaining it to him he said, "What do you not get, Mama? I scored. It was the last goal. We won the game. That's the winning goal."

I couldn't argue with that logic.

Grandparents Visit

Evan, Moo (my grandmother), and Keagan

Evan, Oma, Keagan, Opa, and Moo

Watching the boys play their Steelers Football Game....Check

Sharing chocolate cake and wine....Check

Playing a baseball game with Opa and Oma....Check 

Having lunch at Mrs. Wilkes.....check

Eating pecan pralines and wine.....check

Cheering for the boys at their Gator Soccer Game in Savannah.....Check

Watching A&M lose yet another football game....Check

Eating a fried shrimp dinner on the water.....Check

Sharing another bottle of wine....Check

It was just another typical week with my family!
Family, food, wine, and sports!!

Playground Deals

Friday night we attended the Military Police Ball in Savannah. We haven't attended an Army formal event in ten years, and I really didn't want to go this past weekend. However, after Wes asked me three times and then finally begged me to go, I conceded.

After I took the boys with me to find a new formal dress and then drug them all over town looking for a clutch to match my new shoes, the boys understood the event was a big deal. Last week, Keagan came home with a  trinket wrapped in a plastic bag and tied with a rubber band. He proudly said, "This is for you to wear to your important dinner, Mom. I got it today when I traded my Pokemon cards for it." I opened my gift bag to find the most beautiful fifty cent bracelet you have ever seen.

I wore it Friday night with my two hundred dollar dress, my pair of Nina shoes, and my $50 up-do. You can bet it was the most precious thing I wore - even if it turned my wrist green.