Saturday, February 19, 2011

Score!





We are in basketball season here. Two boys on one team. I LOVE IT! But, until today, Anderson has not.

Well, I take that back. He LOVES practice and the thought of basketball and playing in the backyard. But, games? Not so much. We have kept him in it mostly because it is such a non-threatening stage. No scores are kept and the coaches have been amazingly positive and encouraging. So we were figuring, it is safe torture, right?!?

First game, he sat most of it with me in the stands, whimpering, and a few moments with dad on the bench.

Second game, on the bench mostly and a few painful moments on the court with tears in his eyes while he shuffled (no running, no sir) around on the court and his arms "sort of" raised. Well, more like hands flexed into some sort of low jazz hand. My mom and I were giggling in the stands because he stood out like a sore thumb and yet was trying to "disappear". I felt so bad.

Third game was today. He had been randomly tearing up and telling us he didn't want to go to the game since Thursday. But, today he played! He ran! He smiled! He high-fived and HE SCORED! Two baskets. You really should have heard all the parents yell! They were so excited for him too. I am giving all the credit to Jon's pre-game talk in the garage before we drove to the community center. It must have been magical . . . because there was a MAJOR transformation in just a few short moments. I told Jon that he should have recorded it. I want to know what he said . . . and we could have sold it to coaches in the NBA. Really. It must have been that good. Because Anderson is a new kid.


Andy with hands up in the center!



Connor has loved the season! Well, I honestly can't think of something that Connor has not loved. Go figure! This is his first time playing basketball on a team though. He loves all the action and running down the court. We think the pace fits him. He is pretty intense and wants to be right where he is supposed to be. But, today he made it all about Andy. He even gave me a thumbs up sign several times when Andy was doing so well. And they elbowed and fist bumped each other on the "bench" (a.k.a. row of chairs) when Anderson came back from scoring. Yep, that redhead got a big squeeze from me when the game was over and I made sure I let him know that I saw his baskets too. But, boy was I proud of him for looking out for his little brother.


The bench. Jon and Andy are on the left and Connor is in the red shorts chillaxing.


It was a good day.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Milestone.

I hit a milestone. ME! Anderson, Kyndall and I went to the park. And, after swinging with Andy and sliding with Kyndall, I LOOKED AT A MAGAZINE!!! I really can't believe it.

I must admit that I have been a little jealous of those moms that were parked on a bench with their nose in a book or laying on a lovely blanket under a tree with a stack of reading material. Hmmm. Bliss!

Well today, I was that mom. Okay, I must be real. I was on a large rock right next to the playground so I could hear everything that was going on . . . it was only for about ten minutes . . . and, of course, I had Anderson who always takes on the role of "personal assistant" to Kyndall. But . . . I did it. And, it was fun.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The HEART Man

FIFTEEN Valentine's ago . . . I got this:



And, honestly, at the time I was confused. Shocked. DISAPPOINTED. But what display of love was I wanting? A card from Walgreens picked out in 2 minutes along with a pack of Trident??? Or a bunch a flowers that are overpriced and pathetic looking in two days??? Some ridiculous stuffed frog with a heart attached to his hands with a button to push in his foot??? Mylar balloons that NEVER sink to the ground??? A bunch of candy I couldn't eat???

I still have the heart man. I carefully accordian folded his arms and legs, secured them with paperclips, and placed him in my "special" box. He comes out once in awhile and was even the inspiration behind a Valentine's day cake a couple years ago. He is referred to as "Heart Man" in our house and comes up in random conversations. And even though I tease him about it relentlessly, it is my favorite.

He MADE it. He sat at the island at his Aunt's house and cut hearts out of construction paper for ME. And GLUED. And ACCORDIAN FOLDED PAPER ARMS AND LEGS!!! Swoon. Really, it should have made me sure that HE WAS THE ONE! Because he was. But, I do wish there was a video of him making it. Now that would be something else I would treasure.

You are the best, Jon Hatch. I am so very lucky! And, even today with a kid throwing up and both of us with colds, Valentine's day is the best with you.