Happy Easter

Our Easter weekend was delightful!  We spent the weekend in Baltimore with my parents and enjoyed some fabulous home cooking and an egg hunt.  On the drive home, everyone seemed antsy to stretch their legs, so we took a 40-minute stroll at Longwood Gardens.  I'm glad we stopped by since the tulips were in peak form.

Happy Easter!

Tulips at Longwood  in Full Bloom

Stunning!

Ferns Unrolling

Soccer Season x 3 = Soccer Mom??

Soccer season started a couple weeks ago.  All three kids are trying soccer this spring.  Initially, only Abby wanted to play soccer, but then Caroline asked if she could play too -- and I'm really glad she spoke up, because so far she LOVES it.  And then, a little preschool program, Soccer Shots, came to Ben's school and started a fun kiddie program for the hour of lunch-and-play he attends on Mondays.  Initially, I recycled the Soccer Shots paper immediately without much of a glance. 

Prior to the season starting, the Soccer Shots had a little demo for their gym class, and Ben came home begging for me to sign him up.  Ben generally only begs for snacks and items from the most recent Lego catalog.  So, I thought, "Why not?" So, Ben, Caroline and Abby now all have varying amounts of soccer through the end of May. 

Caroline has played in two games thus far.  For those of you that know Caroline well, she played exactly as you would expect.  She put her head down and ran after the ball for the entire game, in front of the pack, paying no attention whatsoever to little things like boundaries or people falling on the ground around her.  She's rather focused.  It was fun to watch her use her intensity as a force for good.  

Here are some pictures that make her look like a future soccer star (note that I didn't include any of the larger percentage of photos that would suggest otherwise):

I haven't gotten to watch Ben's soccer yet, but he's absorbing the lessons. On Sunday he showed me how to "squish the grape" (hold ball tightly with foot on top; "HARDER Mom!") and also said that "after you kick the ball, it's someone else's turn" while everyone was discussing soccer at breakfast. It's strange to hear all this soccer talk. I'm definitely a lacrosse gal and Scott is Mr. Baseball, so this is a new world for us.  I have to admit, grudgingly, it was pretty fun to watch Caroline play kiddie soccer last night on a glorious spring night in my foldable chair.  And, then, I realized it.  I have a mini-van and 3 kids playing soccer, which means I'm now a suburban Soccer Mom.  Aaaaahhhhhh.

New Smile and Other Observations

1)  Caroline has a new smile!  She lost her first tooth on Sunday.  It had been pretty "wiggly" for a few weeks, but finally reached a state of disgustingness on Sunday that I told her she had to pull it out or I was going to pull if for her.  Before you think me completely heartless, my comment came after a demonstration of  "Look Mom, I can push my tooth down all the way flat! It's not even connected in the back anymore!!!!"  This observation completely thrilled her, but since we were at a restaurant at the time, I wasn't as enthused.  Caroline lost her first tooth with me in the bathroom at Bucca di Beppo in Allentown (I am sure it is totally sanitary in there, right?) while celebrating Grandma's birthday.  Then I sat holding her bloody tooth while the waitress found us an envelope.

Close-up!

Caroline was ecstatic that the Tooth Fairy would finally be visiting her since she's had to jealously watch the TF visit Abby an unbearable 8 times.  Now, I'm not sure what the TF does in other parts of the world, but for Caroline she left a trail of glittery fair dust on the windowsill and her pillow, a Sacajawea dollar coin, a tiny note, and since it was her first tooth, a headband with pretty pseudo-crystal beads.  She also stopped by her siblings and left some glitter on their pillows for good measure. Caroline heard that some tooth fairy visits in the area were leaving up to $10 (????!!!!) from other kindergartners, but I told her I'm sure she's mistaken.  On the second and future visits, the glitter, dollar coin, and tiny note will have to suffice from the TF.

2) Lacrosse.  The season is in full swing, and last week featured four days of cold, cold, cold lacrosse. My week in summary:  a) Tues -- 45 deg and pouring rain; b) Wednesday -- 2 games at 50 degrees and pouring rain; c) Friday night -- 2 games in 50 and 20 mph wind; and d) Saturday, my personal favorite -- a college game at 48 deg with 40 mph wind gusts and 20-30 mph sustained wind.  It was so windy on Saturday that the timer couldn't hear the officials' whistles to start and stop the clock (which was problematic in a close game and one of the coaches flipped out when the clock didn't stop right away) and players standing 15 feet away couldn't hear me directing them to their positions when I was yelling as loudly as I absolutely could.  I really should be writing about how 3 of the 4 days were really competitive (Tuesday -- game was tied at halftime; Friday - game decided by one goal; Saturday -- game decided by 2 goals).  However, officiating really isn't as fun when you are freezing your a$$ off.  Surely it has to warm up soon, right? 

3) Dreaming.  (While reading, be sure to be impressed with my immediate recollection of toy names.  It's not as impressive as my neighbor Jill's knowledge of Pokemon characters though.)

(A few days ago)
Ben:  "Last night I dreamed I was fighting with the Lego Nijitsu guys."
Ben:  "Their teacher was there. What is his name again?"
Mom:  "Sensei Woo?"
Ben:  "Yea, Sensei Woo."
Mom:  "So, you actually dream in Legos, Ben?"
Ben:  "Sure! I always do."

(last night)
Ben:  "Mom, last night I dreamed I was fighting with GI Joe."
Ben:  "First, I fought Cobra Commander, then I fought Destro, and then I fought the lady with the long claws.  What is her name again?"
Mom: "Pythona?"   
Ben: "Yeah, Pythona."
Mom:  "That is a lot of fighting, Ben, you must be pretty tired."
Ben:  "I'm not tired at all. I was sleeping."

4) Why so few blogs lately?

There are lots of reasons (lack of ideas, higher level of chaos than usual, and my general level of crabbiness), but, one of the biggest reasons is because Caroline and Ben have been all over me for weeks -- physically and verbally. In the short span of typing the first few paragraphs of this blog (15 minutes), Ben has climbed on and off of my lap at least 8 times. He has asked me for at least 10 different things (juice, crackers, cheese, milk, hugs, help with a puzzle, etc.). And, Ben and Caroline have fought over at least 3 things. Unfortunately, I'm not exaggerating at all.

The constant interruptions are making me CRAZY. I had a few groundwater files I needed to finish up yesterday morning, and what should have taken me 30 to 45 minutes took almost 4 hours. It has been difficult to complete a thought, much less a paragraph. Of course I don't want to deny Ben giving me hugs, but he's constantly attached to me -- more like a leach than a son. Also, Ben is a tiny guy, only in the 10% percentile for height. So, I do want him to eat. But, I want him to eat meals, not snacks in 15 minute increments. So, basically, the kids are driving me crazy. And, not crazy in a "Here's a cute little anecdote" way. More like a "I'm ready to run away" kind of crazy. I know all mothers (honest ones anyway) feel this from time to time. And, I know it will pass. Probably even soon when it's warmer and everyone can play outside more.  But, the days are long here right now. I can't say I'm really looking forward to the 50 or so hours I'll be spending alone with my three kids over Spring Break. And, when I have a few uninterrupted minutes to reflect, I know it's a shame that I feel that way.  The idealistic part of me wants to enjoy all of our time together.

(Abby joined me on my chair for the last paragraph.  She's reading over my shoulder and would like me to note that she has been very nice to me lately.  OK Abby?  She's nodding her head yes.  Now, I'll let her hit the 'Publish Post' button.)

What a Difference a Week Makes!

Last Friday I believe I was whining about how spring was never going to come.  Well, of course I was being melodramatic and was wrong, because (finally!!!) there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary.  I am officially announcing that spring has arrived at our house (can you hear the trumpet fanfare playing?).

Evidence includes big daffodils:

And small daffodils:

And happy children (Ben saying "YES! I can play outside after breakfast!"):

Sidenote: Doesn't Caroline have great style?

I know I couldn't pull off hearts, stripes, cowboy boots, and print and still look adorable.

AND....there is more of a spring in my step too, after umpiring a couple of back-to-back fabulous high school lacrosse match-ups:  close games, big crowds, screaming fans, and excellent contests.  It's really quite fun to be a part of it.  Kind of a weird combination of nervousness and calmness and intense concentration and sprinting.  

What I finally accepted at yesterday's hotly contested ChesMont league game, is that lacrosse fans have really no idea what they are screaming about.  Seriously.  First, many fans do not know difference between men's and women's lacrosse.  (Note to loud father in row 3, we do not have "face-offs" in girl's lacrosse. Also, a good percentage of checks are actually legal. Shocking, right?).  Second, as umpire, you know actually standing on the field, I usually have a better look at the play.  For example, I do probably have the better look at an out-of-bounds call at 3-10 feet away compared to you sitting 200 yards away on an angle. 

While I had always understood that I am better at umpiring than those sitting in the bleachers, I still somewhat paid attention to what people were saying out there.  Thoughts like, oh, you think that was shooting space?  Hmmm, maybe I had better watch for shooting space more.... Yesterday, though, the fans were completely screaming about EVERY foul called by an umpire who I know to be top of the game -- one of our International umpires (like she umpires the World Cup in foreign countries International umpire).  And, she was calling a great game.  I know she was. 

So, I had an epiphany, mid-game, that if the fans are even going to scream and heckle someone like that, of course they are also going to scream at me.  And WHO CARES what you all think.  And, then it happened, the wave of total calmness washed over me. The wave I've been hoping and hoping for -- I knew it was out there because you can see it in the body language of some officials and you can hear it in their voices.  The game slowed down even more for me.  Well, the game was still moving at the same pace.  But, a wave of clarity washed over me.  I knew where to be and what to look for. And, I settled further into the game, and enjoyed last every minute of it.  Even when there was only a one-goal difference with one minute to play -- total calmness.   Zen umpiring. 

Bummers, Bunnies, and Bleeaaaaa

1. Bummers -- Actually, it's just a bummer (singular).  But, I feel like it is bummers (plural).  Today was supposed to be my big game of the season.  But, it has already been canceled due to bad field conditions.  I guess a few colleges out there still have grass fields with bad drainage, or at least the school where I was scheduled does.  I know the actual lacrosse wasn't going to be world class, but I was going to get to umpire a college game with the gal who officiated the NCAA Division I Finals last year -- college's biggest game.  Little did she know it, but today was going to be a huge lacrosse learning day for me.  I was going to watch her passing the restraining line, restarting play, and active trail positioning in 'C'.  Also, I was hoping for some tips, maybe an autograph. I was planning to wear sunglasses so she couldn't see the stars in my eyes.  Alas, I will now be sitting at home.  Normally I don't love rain, but I'm hoping for a lot more rain today to really make me feel like this game should be cancelled.

2.  Bunnies -- I've been trying to find some new snack food that does not contain food dye.  Over the past few weeks all my kids want to do is EAT.  EAT EAT EAT.  Everyone is "starving" all the time.  I've tried explaining the concept of starving and true hunger.  But, my lectures have been met with deaf ears and more requests for granola bars, fruit sticks, cheese sticks, goldfish, popcorn, and pretzels.  I've re-instituted the "You must eat some more fruit or carrot sticks before a snack policy." And, they are hungry enough to want to eat fruit. Abby was so hungry after school yesterday, I convinced her to eat a whole sandwich.  She did, then she ate her whole dinner too. I guess they really are growing.  Fine.  I'll feed them.  I found some dye-free bunny-shaped graham crackers at Wegman's over the weekend.  I tried a few and they were very pretty tasty, but have a heavy dose of cinnamon.  So, I asked Ben what he thought the crackers tasted like.  His reply, "Dead Bunnies."

3.  Bleaaaa --  I took Ben and Caroline to the dentist yesterday.  Caroline's appointment went fine as usual.  The dentist's prize box really motivates good appointments for her.  Ben was quite willing to open his mouth and have his teeth scraped, which I think is really impressive for a 3-year old.  However, all his dentist good will is now gone.  After the scraping, the hygienist started to polish his teeth with that gritty toothpaste.  Although none of us are quite sure what happened, we're thinking he might have swallowed a bit, which caused him to throw-up.  All over the dentist's chair.  And floor.  And tools.  And himself.  It was right after lunch.  And, it was absolutely disgusting.  Dead bunnies everywhere.

April Fools

The joke is on us:  Spring is not coming.

It is snowing today. It's April now. Seriously, people, I need spring now.  I know it's not a foot of snow or anything, but it's cold enough that the snow is sticking on the ground.  I'm ready for pretty flowers and warmer days. 

Aside from the fact that I'm just plain sick of being cold and wrapped up in a blanket, almost every high school and college team plays their games on turf fields. So, nobody ever cancels their lacrosse games anymore. When I first started umpiring 12 years ago, I could count on most of my March games being cancelled due to bad weather or wet field conditions.  But, with all the turf, I've had more games this year than I can ever remember in March, and with one warm day exception, I have been absolutely FREEZING by the end of all of them.  Like yesterday, when not only was it only 35, but it was pouring rain.  Great combination for standing outside for 3 hours.   (Yes, I do know I'm whining.)

One other drawback to super cold, moist weather is that the kids do not play outside.  Which means they play inside, sometimes getting into things they shouldn't -- like make-up.  You should probably zoom in the photo for the full effect (white eyeshadow on the chin was an interesting touch).