Battalion Christmas Party

Tonight the boys and I attended the unit's office holiday party. I knew one person in attendance; this was not my idea of Friday night fun. I was imaging PJs and sleep. Evan was peeved that he had to walk in front of an entire room of people to receive a present from Santa, and Keagan was upset that he had to spend his Friday night on post when he'd rather have been playing with the neighbors. We were one happy bunch.

Then Santa made his appearance! He greeted us with the customary HoHoHo.

And without missing a beat, Evan and I both said, "Santa got some tats!" Then we were laughing; laughing so hard we were crying. 

Christmas with the Army! It doesn't get better than this!

Basketball Season is Here

Keagan is playing basketball this winter. Evan is not and for reasons that we are not even certain. How can my 5'8" sixth grader not want to play basketball? It makes me sick - literally - to go to these games and have my older son sit in the bleacers as a spectator. But we are very excited to watch Keagan, or as the African American play-by-play announcer refers to as Key'on, play his heart out.

He is playing in a middle school league and played Evan's middle school's JV team today. He was playing against a kid today that is the center for the varsity middle school football team. Keagan didn't even bat an eye. Sol lost that game, but only by four points. Game two was just a couple of hours later.

Keagan's wearing number one, but perhaps, it would be easier to look for the white boy.

What Keagan lacks in height, he totally makes up for in heart. He is one heck of a defensive player.

He's the youngest and smallest kid on the team, and yet, he is one of the starters. So proud of our little Key'on!

St. Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas found his way to our house! The combat boots are stuffed with a few German treats, but

I am sure very few German kids are waking up to a flag football kit. Keagan came home last weekend from playing football with the neighborhood boys with a black eye. I'm certain big E was responsible for the elbow that caused the black and blue, but this is the second time this school year that he has gone to school with a black eye. To prevent any future markings (or questioning looks from the teachers), St. Nicholas thought it wise to invest in a flag set.

Fun Fact

Fun fact: No one can rope a plastic bull like our three year old nephew, and no six year old girl can make pop-up birthday cards or beaded jewelry like our niece.

We are roping cows, target shooting, and drinking Big Red in the warm Texas sun. In other words, we are making sweet family memories East Texas style. 

Our time in Texas is coming to a close, but we are so thankful for the memories made with our families this past week. 

Happy Thanksgiving

We will find out in a month or so our next assignment. This year we can be thankful that we still live so close to "home" that we can make it back to Texas for the holidays. 

The boys are on day two of playing cops and robbers among the trees and endless games of baseball in the front yard of Oma and Opa's house. Texas is perfect this time of year for playing outside; the boys will find it hard to return to true winter weather in a couple of days. 

Just Call Us Crazy

Another weekend of soccer and another set of wins. This time Oma and Opa made the trip to Alabama to watch the boys play. (They have now traveled to every state in the Southeast to watch soccer.) We huddled together wrapped in blankets and under tents in torrential rains, we drank hot chocolate and hot tea to stay warm, and the boys were layered in mud and grass after the last game. 

Just call us Crazy. 

Then look at these smiles! We're making memories, people! Wonderful memories!

This weekend I only had to be told once on the sidelines to quieten down. Baby steps I tell ya. Baby steps. 

Both boys played up, both boys played excellent soccer, and this last picture proves upgrading to a new phone has just moved to the top of my must-dos. It makes me sad to say good-bye to outdoor soccer, but hello , indoor!

Ratting Out Big Brother

When Keagan came home from school today, he couldn't wait to tell us his juicy gossip. He heard from another kid at the elementary school that Evan had been seen at the middle school hanging out with black girls. Gasp! Evan doesn't hang out with any girls, and Keagan was itching to catch Evan in a secret liaison. This is how it unfolded when Keagan made it home.

Evan! Come here!!

Yeah?

Dallas told me you were at lunch today hanging out with a bunch of black girls!

Yeah? So?

Then it's true? You were with these girls?

Why?

Because they're funny! It's entertaining for me to sit back and listen to them. Yeah, they said one boy was acting crazy and then "Ooh-Wee! That boy need him some Jesus." 

Do they know you are listening to them?

Yeah, they know. 

Keagan was a little disappointed that he didn't unravel the story of a secret girlfriend. He thought for sure he had caught his big brother in some drama. Next time, Mr. K, next time.