My Babies

It's not often this happens anymore. I'm glad I got it on film!

HG was able to come for her youngest brother's 16th birthday a couple of weeks ago. It's tough when she lives so far away and her brothers think she hung the moon. For the first few years since she got married we've been able to see her a couple of times a year since she lived in Colorado but earlier this year she and her husband moved to Mississippi. I'm afraid that we're not going to see her as often in the coming years which is a bummer because we really enjoy their company.  Another reason to celebrate her... She finished her Masters Degree in Healthcare administration last January. I just realized that makes her the most educated person in our family. Well done, Bug!!

I have loved my children at every stage, but I am really enjoying them as they grow into adults. We raised some pretty cool humans.

All That Jazz

As you may remember, my Headless Boy #1 got the music gene. He plays piano, saxophone (all of the common ones: soprano, alto, tenor, and bari,) clarinet, and dabbles in trumpet, flute and drums. He's crazy talented, but even more, he is driven to have a career in music. More on that later.

He's a senior this year and turning 18 soon. Moms, you know what that means! I probably have less than a year of him still living under our roof full time. Besides the fact that I really like the person that he is, I love to listen to the music that he creates. If you don't have a musical kid you'll never know the unique pleasure that comes from listening to him practice, write, and give concerts to an audience of one, (or two or three.) There is something magical about him sitting at our piano and making it sing, or sitting in his room improvising over a jazz backing track making it feel like you're getting your own, private concert. I am not wasting this time.

Recently we had the pleasure of being able to watch him perform twice in a week with local bands. For your listening pleasure......... Enjoy!

(If this one doesn't upload properly I'll come back and fix it. Promise!)

2017 JV Champs!

Picture: my son and his football team yesterday on the occasion of completing their 9-1 season.

(Yeah, I know it's not the greatest picture. We're not allowed on the field and since we're getting new bleachers we couldn't even get close enough to get good pictures. I'm sad!) This year and last year (as freshmen,) they won their league. Tonight the varsity squad will complete their season, hopefully as a 10-0 league champion as well, and will go on to the CIF-SS playoffs.

I'm super proud of my son. He is an 'up/down' player which typically means that a player starts on the JV squad and suits up as a back up player for the varsity team. This 'up/down' thing is NO JOKE, y'all. There are about 20 kids that did it this year and they work harder than any other player on any squad. They have double practices, double films, double everything. The amount of time that they have been at the school, starting last spring, is mind-boggling.

My son has worked so hard to secure his position on this team and it is paying off. He was not a starter at he beginning of the season but he is now, and yesterday he started as the center due to an injury for another player. My boy has never played center and he practiced this week to be ready to fill in and he did excellent. There were zero bad snaps. I'm so proud of him!

The Let Down

After the excitement of the last 4 days, today was a total let down. No HG to chat with over coffee, no other family members stopping by. No planes to catch. Y'all, I'm tired!

We kept the secret of her arrival from #2. She came in on Thursday, the day of his final freshman football game, against her alma mater. He hates secrets and surprises. Heh. Except he also didn't have much of a reaction. Jerk. Although during pregame warm ups, he did look at her in the stands and smile and laugh. I guess that's about as much as we'll get out of him. It was a fun game-his team won their league with a 9-1 season!

Friday was a lazy day, but a busy night. We had coffee and talked, and talked. Then in the evening we went to get #2, ate, delivered him back to his school for the varsity football game. Then! Went to #1's high school to watch his marching band play at the varsity football game. Then! Went to get #2 and his girlfriend, took them to get ice cream, then took her home. We were pooped.

Saturday started lazy too, and thanks to HD, it was tasty as well! My niece, and brother in law and sister in law came to see HG and we all had lunch together before #1 had to leave for a marching band competition. Later in the day we went to see them perform (she had never been to one,) and went to dinner before HD had to go to work all night.

Holy cow I'm tired just writing it all out and I haven't even detailed Sunday yet. (Another day!)

It was such a treat to have her here! Her brothers never get enough of her, and neither do we.

Sidenote: We missed her husband this weekend but I'm not sure he missed us. He was in Moab, camping with a friend!

Friday Night Lights

I think she had flashbacks of being a cheerleader all night.

Still fun.

I'll be a little scarce for a few days...

... because this happened today. She came to see her brother play football. And she'll get to see the other one in Marching Band.

It was a good day.

This is why you don't blink.

This picture was taken in August 2010. We had surprised the boys with tickets to the Taylor Swift concert in LA. (Shhh! They don't want anyone to remember!) Those faces melt my heart. This is the reason that I want my pictures off of a hard drive and onto my walls. Or in a coffee table book. So I can see the changes. I want to remember.

Because all of a sudden they are driving and shaving. Next thing I know.... Wait. I'm not ready to discuss that yet.

Can I brag on my awesome kids for a minute?

I spent a little time this morning catching up on a few of my favorite blogs and reading about being a parent during your child's senior year got me a little teary. I mean, it's only 2 short years until #1 is a senior, and only 5 years until we're empty-nesters. 5 years, people. 5 years ago my kids were a junior in college, a 5th grader and a 3rd grader.

Whoa. Let me back up a little. Teary. That's where this was going.

When your kids are little and you're knee-deep eyeball-deep in diapers, snot, and chicken dino bites, it seems like those days will never end. (I mean, we know they WILL, there just isn't much light at the end of that tunnel. Maybe the flickery end of a firefly, but certainly not the sunrise bursting through. Because time.) I'm telling you right now, don't let this middle time go. These middle years when they can wipe their own butts (thank God), handle their own social schedules (rest in peace playdates, I won't miss you), AND have a deep, meaningful conversation about literature with you? These are the priceless years.

Remember when I was telling you about our remaining summer schedule? Let's dive into things a little....

My #1 is a music guy. He has been playing the piano and saxophone for 4 years, joined the marching band last year, and put together a jazz band that is now playing around town. He decided a couple of years ago that he wanted to do something music related for a career. When we were registering him for high school and getting him into the honors classes that he needs, we started looking at colleges and universities so he would understand how classes that he takes now will help him get into the schools that he wants to go to. In that process we decided to look at Berklee College of Music's website as a comparison to an in-state school, compared to an out-of-state university. (That whole ball of wax is a different post. Different day.) While clicking around we found that Berklee offers summer camps, some of which are offered here in LA. His sweet little brain started to churn and by last spring I found myself clicking "Pay Now" for a week-long song writing camp. (One of the things he likes to do in his free time is compose. Yes, I said compose. Music. I know.) That was the week that I had to drive back and forth to Santa Monica each day, twice a day. (Yet another post. Y'all don't even know.) At the end of the week, after working with instructors, playing Open Mic night, and writing and performing a new jazz tune, they asked him to return for the second week of the program, focusing on Performance. And? Offered him a partial scholarship. Long story short, (Yeah, right. Who am I kidding?) #1 is turning into an amazing musician. He has great musicality, even more drive, and we realized that week that we're not just being proud parents (which we totally ARE,) but that he really IS talented and has enough talent and drive to make this music thing happen. People in 'the business' told us so. We don't yet know where it will lead but I've got the best seat in the house for watching it happen. The best part of it all though? I get to see great concerts, mostly for free. Be jealous.

#2. Oh, my #2. Tank, Bruiser, Giant. He's the football kid, remember? Back when he was just a wee one, maybe 5 or 6 years old, he pointed at the tv and said "That's what I want to do when I grow up." He was pointing at a Saturday afternoon SEC football game. I was able to put off tackle football until he was 7 and there has been no turning back since. 4 different youth leagues, dozens of coaches, 7 seasons, a private coach, 2 summer camps, and countless loads of "OMG THAT IS THE WORST SMELL EVER" laundry, we are in a critical season. Believe it or not, the 8th grade year is when a football player begins his journey to college recruitment. (Yes the NCAA has bunches of regulations but if you really, really want to play this is the best year to get started on your 'resume' of game films, among other things.) For years, my husband and I were your typical sports parents-He tried to push him, I just wanted him to play for the love of the game, ("There's plenty of time to get serious! He's only 8!") We, thankfully, landed somewhere in the middle: just enough push for reality, just enough relaxation for it to be fun. This year? He's KILLING IT on the field. He is being coached by a man (and his staff,) that believe in this: #1 in life is Faith, #2 Family, #3 School, #4 Football. Also on the staff is a coach from a well-respected local high school varsity team. Connections, and all. His dream is to go to a large, prestigious, PAC 12 school, and he's got the grades to do it. I'm really looking forward to this season as my big boy grows into his man-sized body and plays out his passion on the field. The smiles when he comes off the field at the end of the night are worth every stinky sock, every stinky year. Now don't get me wrong, I have realistic expectations and a D1 school plus a scholarship are lofty goals but even if he ends up at a D2 or D3 but still gets to play the game he loves? It will be ok with me.

These kids. They are driven. More importantly though, they are incredible human beings. #1 is loyal and has a strong sense of commitment. #2 is quietly strong and when he finally has an opinion on a subject, it is well thought-out and mature. They both have a faith that is strong and a self-identity that is pretty solid.They are both sweet and loving and compassionate.

So, I'd say that we are pretty proud parents, and things are going pretty well so far this school year!

Championship Saturday

When your kids are little and you're changing a thousand diapers a day you never think it will come to this. I'm here to tell you, it can, and it does. We were lucky this weekend that we didn't overlap and had to split.... but I'm getting ahead of myself.

HB#2's football team had a rocky start this year. They won their first game by forfeit. The killed a few teams. They got killed by a couple of teams. They have had injuries. But they have plugged along and ended up winning their division. Finally a championship for my boy! That led to the regional tournament, which should have started 3 weeks ago but after a bye week and then 2 teams dropping out of the next 2 weeks of games, we ended up in the regional championship game. (Further than any other team from our area!) So off we went at 7 am, so we wouldn't be late for the 8 am meeting. (We made it in PLENTY of time. Lombardi time, X2.) The game started at 10 and almost immediately we knew that it was going to be a struggle. Our first possession was a 3 and out. Then the other team scored. And again. And... well, you get the drift. Despite losing 6-34, I'm still super proud of our team for making it this far. I hope that they can put it back together for our next two 'bowl' games coming up in the next 2 weeks!

HB#1 is in Marching Band and has loved it. Since it is my first year as a band parent I really had no idea what to expect from competitions. So far I've loved it and have really learned a lot. Our band, from what I've been told, has not gone to the finals in many, many years. Last weekend we were waiting on pins and needles to get our score-we needed to score high enough to stay in the top 12 bands in our division to go to the finals this weekend. At midnight last Saturday we checked the standings and we were in 11th place-- by .08! So tonight is the night. #1 is already on his way with his band and we're leaving soon. Realistically, the kids are thrilled to be in the championships and from what I understand would just like to place. You know, take home some kind of trophy. Again, I'm so proud of these kids and how hard that they've worked.

Wish us luck!

Flashback

As moms of teens we don't often get the chance to go back in time to when our kids were little and only wanted us. Tonight I got that chance. I took it and then some.

Earlier today I got a call from the school that my #1 wasn't feeling well. He is not one to 'cry wolf' so off I went to get him. I got him settled on the couch and welcomed #2 home from school and we went about our afternoon. About 30 minutes later we found out exactly why he came home from school. Ahem. (You know. The job that mom always gets?) Luckily it was the end of the work day too and HD had just walked so was able to take #2 to an appointment. A little later I asked if there was anything that I could do for him.

"Yes. Could you sit with me and I can lay my head on your lap like I used to when I was little?"

Yes, Son. Yes I can. You'll never be too big for that, and I'll never be too old.

So we sat that way for more than 2 hours. Me and my baby.

A Day in the Life

Last Friday was a banner day around here, and I'm not sure I would have believed it if I hadn't lived it myself. This is normal around here, actually.

6:25- Alarm goes off. (This is our late day. M-Th is a 5:15 wake up. I'll spare you one of those.)
6:26- Start the coffee, feed the dog.
6:30- Get HB#2 up and moving.
6:35- Drink coffee. Duh. And check Facebook.
7:00- Make sure HB#2 is on his way for breakfast. He didn't want me to cook today. Yay!
7:15- Get HB#1 up and in the shower.
7:30- HB#1 actually gets in the shower.
7:45- Drive HB#2 and his friend to school
8:00- Return home. Have 2nd cup of coffee and play games on iPad.
8:05- Get HB#1 out of the shower.
8:06- Return to game.
8:15- Make tomato and cheese omelet for HB#1 because he had his wisdom teeth out last week and can't eat anything else.
8:40- Get puppy in crate.
8:45- Take HB#1 to school.
9:00- Meet a friend at Starbucks. Order a breakfast sandwich and ice water.
10:10- Leave coffee date reluctantly.
10:15- Return home to let the dog out. Have to put her on a leash since the gardeners are here and they leave the gates open.
10:30- Take the dog next door since said gardeners are here and I have to leave.
11:00- Pick up HB#1 at the high school to go to a follow up appointment for his wisdom teeth.
11:10- Race across town. Half way there realize I could have taken the freeway.
11:30- Make it to the dentist e.x.a.c.t.l.y. on time.
12:00- Leave dentist's office.
12:02- Hand HB#1 more money so he can go into Juice it Up for a smoothie with protein for his lunch.
12:07- Say a prayer that I can make it up the street to the gas station.
12:15- Fill up with gas so we can make it back to the high school. (It's only been 2 days since my last fill up. This pisses me off. At least gas prices have gone down a little.)
12:30- Arrive back at the school to sign him back in.
12:40- Get home and go get the dog and her brother. It's really hot and after 2 hours in the yard they are ready to be in. Plus they drank all of their water.
12:45- Collapse on the couch.
12:46- 2:20- (I'm not exactly sure what I did. Fed the dog. Oh! I visited with my neighbor when she came to get her dog.)
2:21- Talk about afternoon plans with HB#2 when he gets home from school. Give him a few minutes to breathe before we have to leave.
2:30- Take HB#2 to get new shoes. (For the love of all that is holy, could this kid's feet stop growing?? He's in a 10 1/2 at 12 years old, and needs new shoes every 3-4 months.)
2:40- Arrive at shoe store.
2:50- Convince him to try on a pair.
2:55- Success! Pay and we're outta there. Run into Toys R Us to see if they still have baby pools. For the dog. No luck.
3:00- Go across the street to get the kid frozen yogurt.
3:10- Text our hair stylist to see if she wants some.
3:17- Get her yogurt.
3:25- Leave for 3:45 hair appointment. Get on freeway.
3:27- Freeway comes to a dead stop.
3:35- Have kid text hair stylist that we're stuck in traffic.
3:45- Make it to the salon e.x.a.c.t.l.y. on time for HB's haircut.
4:15- Leave salon.
4:30- Arrive at the park across from the high school to pick up HB#1
4:45- Arrive home and collapse on couch.
4:47- Remind kids to get their things ready for their night time activities.
4:48- Text neighbor who is giving HB#1 his haircut that we are home.
5:00- Neighbor comes to cut his hair. Chat.
5:30- Leave to take HB#2 to football practice.
5:50- Drop him at his practice, head home.
6:05- Arrive at home. See if HB#1 is ready to go.
6:15- Leave for the church.
6:35- Drop him at church for an all night activity. Leave for home.
7:00- Arrive at home. The traffic was horrible on the way home so it took much longer!
7:01- Call HD to see if he can for sure pick up the football kid. (Otherwise I would have to leave in about 20 minutes.) I'm in the clear.
7:15- Open and Angry Orchard cider. Check Facebook.
7:20- HD and HB#2 arrive home. Want to know what is for dinner.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

I know someone out there can relate. Right?

Anyone??

A Vegas Overview-With Teenagers!

 I mentioned that we were heading to Vegas a few weeks ago, yes? We were meeting my lovely friend Shannon and her family. The weekend started with a road trip to the Hoover Dam on the Nevada/Arizona state line. I think I may have done this as a child but have zero recollection of it at all. It was really amazing. Did you know that the dam itself is not attached to the surrounding canyon walls at all? If you're ever in the area it is worth taking the long tour. I'm sure we'll be going back some time since, at the last minute, Headless Dad wasn't able to go.






On Saturday night we went to Bacio Restaurant in the Tropicana. Headless Dad and I discovered it last year on our weekend getaway and it is still delicious. We give it 4 stars!

 On Sunday morning we started on the south end of the strip at the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium. The kids really loved it. As you can see, my HB#2 got to get his hands wet and touch the rays. It was a nice exhibit; the pace was perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. Even this old broad learned a few things!










One of my favorite things to see in Las Vegas is the lobby of the Bellagio hotel. Below is the ceiling near the check-in desk. Those are giant Murano Glass disks bolted to the ceiling, with lights behind them. Truly stunning.

 Even the tile floors in the Bellagio are a sight to see. Can you tell that this is an intricate mosiac? I just love it. Someday when I win the PowerBall I am going to have someone do this at my house. Anywhere will do: entry way, bathroom, back patio.... All of the above?











And of course, you haven't seen Vegas until you've seen the water show. It is spectacular day or night. (Click on the Bellagio website for a preview of what it looks like at night.)

 We visited the Paris hotel, a first time for me. Although we didn't see much of it, we did use the bathrooms here and if the rest of the hotel and casino is as detailed as the sinks? Definitely a place to return to and explore a little more. Shannon took her daughter up in the Eiffel Tower and said that the views were amazing!

We had walked the bulk of the day so by the time we hit Paris we were all pooped. The boys wanted to swim so we headed back to our hotel. After swimming we went out to grab dinner and fulfill another promise to the boys. A second ride on the roller coaster at NYNY. It really is a great coaster, but Shannon's 9yo daughter wasn't pleased the first time so she didn't go a second time. I cannot believe I didn't get a picture of this!!

Since it was an early night, the boys decided that "While in Vegas, do what Las Vegans do"... (or something like that.) They pulled out the playing cards, bought Tic Tacs to bet with, and played poker. Shannon and I loved hearing their laughter while we had a glass of wine.

It was such a fun weekend and it even got my #1's highest approval rating of: "Best Weekend Ever." I'll take it!

Thanks Shannon for suggesting this-Let's do it again soon!



If you'd like to follow Shannon's family adventures, check out her blog 100 Routes Across America.

An Oldie but a Goodie

Tonight I introduced my boys to this:

I think it's been over 20 years since I saw it last. Smart money says it will be considerably less until I watch it again.

Light Waves

My #1 has a new hobby. Gloving. Have you heard of it? I hadn't, but it started at raves but now has a life of it's own. They wear gloves with mini LED lights in the fingertips and move and manipulate their fingers and arms to beat of EDM music. It's pretty cool. This is what my Friday Night Lights look like lately.

Just so you know, that's called a 'trail shot.'

Beautiful

Many of you know that my #1 has a girlfriend. They've been going out for about 6 months or so and we really like her. She is pretty quiet, although around here if you don't speak up you're liable to be drowned out. She is in the band with my son, so I knew that she was musical. I had no idea she was this talented. (Video taken at the jr. high talent show.)

(I couldn't get the video to load. I'll fix it in the morning. Aargh!)

Well done today Miss T! I'm so glad I could be there to see this.

The First Job

What was your first job?

I think the first thing I got paid for was babysitting. The family I most worked for was a single dad that lived down the street from us with three kids. He had a classic Corvette that he offered to let me drive but I didn't because I was too scared that I would wreck it. His house had an indoor hot tub that I was able to use if I wanted to. I mostly just watched tv after I put the kids to bed.

My second job was at an antique/gift store. I mostly did gift wrapping and checking in new merchandise. I was lucky enough to be able to work there on vacations and holidays through most of high school.

Third job: department store, dress department. I worked there for 3 months after I left UT and before I started at UNC. Fourth: cocktail waitress at a local's bar in our college town.

My son started his first job last week. A few months back he brought home a permission slip from school asking if he could sign up to be a tutor. About 2 weeks ago we got a call from a mom wanting math help for her son, and would #1 be able to do it? So I take him over twice a week to help G with his math. I have given #1 a few tips on where to start but otherwise it's all him. He gets paid on Thursday, just in time for the weekend. He's pretty excited about making his own money--and hasn't even asked to go spend it yet!

Today, a tutor, tomorrow, The World!

What was your first job?

Best birthday gift for a 12 year old

I'm too tired to turn it. He laughed so hard when he saw it and it has become his favorite tshirt.

Win.

Tuesday got away from me

Many, many posts are brewing. I should start them all in draft so I don't forget anything. (Saying that more for me than you. I'll so forget.)

Today has been non stop. I didn't even get to do the breakfast dishes until after we ate dinner. No problem.  I've been going since 5:30 am. That's a problem. I'm tired, y'all.

So. Since I'm pooped I'm sharing a video with you. An old video. 5 years. But very funny. And yet another example of why we're headless. Yes, that's his HEAD. It's a talent, really.

HT to my HG for reminding me of this!

I'll be back tomorrow with a much more serious update. There's stuff to tell my friends.

OH! And if you missed yesterday's post, could you check it out and help out with a few clicks to vote for Hope Pavilion? Thanks!! We're up to 157 votes! Keep it up everyone!

Championship Game

My #2 played in his first-ever championship game today.

Unfortunately his team lost the game. But there were no losers on that field today.

Our boys worked so hard this season. Every boy on that team was wanted and valued for what they contributed. They had fun. Luckily we will have a few more games to play before we call it a wrap.

This is the team that you want your kid on. Nice boys. Fun families. But more than that we had exceptional coaches that truly cared about the boys. Have you heard the term "Daddy Ball"? Even though we did have dads coaching this was not "Daddy Ball." These men coached with integrity, and expected it out of the players on and off the field. And they put their money where their mouth was. These boys knew that these men wouldn't put up with any monkey business-whether on the field, at team dinners, at school, or at home. They expected the boys to act like a team and treat one another with respect. After 5 seasons, playing with various local teams and coaches, this year, far and away was the best experience for my son as a player.

Thanks for a great season, Eagles. One this mom won't soon forget.

OK, OK, Maybe I Don't Hate August

I just really, really dislike how busy I am every August. Coming off the relaxing months of June and July, can you really blame me for over reacting? Here are just a few things that I'm busy with this month:

• Kids have school.
• School means homework.
• Football practice 5 days a week.
• Football scrimmages on the weekends.
• Music lessons 2 days a week.
• Keeping up with insurance paperwork.
• Dejunking the downstairs of the house. (Organizing not included.)
• Wedding details.
• The regular stuff: laundry, cooking. Why do my family members insist on clean clothes and eating every.single.day?
• Gardening: including planting flowers and watering them daily. Oh. And the grass too. 
• Writing checks to the school for PE clothes, yearbooks, and school pictures.

Did I mention that HD has been working crazy hours and has, quite literally, only been home to sleep? So I'm doing all of this largely alone right now.

I know I'm being a drama queen about all of this. I know that all (most!) of you are going through the same stuff. I just need a little sympathy so I know that I'm not the only one feeling this way!