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.

Spring Break: Must Get to Beach

For two months we have had 80 degree temps and sunshine. It has been beautiful and I have had one single thought: must get to beach. The one year we live close enough to go to the beach every single day without the traditional cost of spending spring break on the beach, and I experience the temps dropping thirty degrees and the streets flooding with inches and inches of rain. I've tried to reconcile my poor luck with my Kindle and Pinot Grigio. I have also remembered to be thankful for the rain, for the rain has put out the wildfire that just threatened our evacuation from our home and every single item we own. So while I am not on the beach, I do still have a house and everything in it, including my Pinot Grigio and my Kindle.

Yesterday, in between rain showers and brief warm ups in the house with hoodies zipped to the neck and jumprope drills, the boys played war. Our experience on the carrier last weekend has carried over into our backyard. The London Knight, complete with costume, sword, and shield, battled Europe whose soldier carried a huge tree branch, aka victory flag. When I reminded the boys that London is in Europe and that there are no factions in Europe, Evan said, "That is the past, Mom. We are fighting a battle of the future."

Today the fighting is not nearly as intense, and the guns have all been put aside. However, we seem to be engaged in more hand-to-hand battles.

Thirty nine more school days until summer vacation. I have just one thought: Must get to beach.

Galaxy Soccer

In addition to playing Gator soccer this spring, Keagan is also on a rec team through Fort Stewart. Look at this face. Is he intense about rec soccer or what? Kudos to my friend Maria who snapped this shot.

Patriot's Point

While in South Carolina for the soccer tournament, we spent an afternoon at the USS Yorktown, an actual aircraft carrier that was used in the Pacific during World War II. We toured "The Fighting Lady", climbed aboard planes on the flight deck, and learned about the day to day live of the crew members. The boys were intrigued by it - especially Evan.

This is my favorite shot from the entire trip. Love, love, love the precious salute, and the spontanity of it.

Upon entering the first tour, Evan immediately began imagining they were responsible for finding spies that had infiltrated the ship while at sea. Keagan was the commanding officer, and he gave the "marching orders" to the "Army men" working for him on the boat.

Oma and Opa left Mt Pleasant, Texas to meet us in Mt Pleasant, SC to watch the boys play soccer. They joined us on the tour of the Yorktown. This picture was taken after we toured the submarine. 

This was a great adventure for the boys. I highly recommend it if you are ever in the Charleston area. 

Piggly Wiggly Shoot Out

This picture cost me the bargain price of $2.00, or the price of two bags of Skittles from the tournament concession stand. I think it was totally worth it because who wouldn't want a picture of the Pig at the Piggly Wiggly Shootout? 

We began our spring break week with a trip to Mount Pleasant, SC with the Gators for the annual Piggly Wiggly Shootout. Nothing says soccer mom like washing four pairs of sweaty, stinky soccer socks in the sink of the hotel bathroom on a Saturday night. We won't talk about our lack of wins. I will skip over the huge mosquitoes that left hundreds of bites on my legs and arms. And I definitely won't relive the moment one of the opposing team's parents made fun of me and my cheers when I thought for sure Evan was about to take a shot at the goal. I have since vowed to tone down my sideline behavior, but I think I have tried that before and haven't found much success. Instead, I will focus on the positive: Evan had three assists and Keagan scored a goal. Evan's team won one game, a great victory considering our opposing teams' skills. Saturday morning games in Savannah continue until our next tournament in May.