Basketball Season

Moco and Bubba both played basketball through the YMCA this winter, and this Saturday was their last game of the season.  I have to admit, I didn’t take many pictures of them this season.  Plus, school gyms are the worst for picture taking with a basic point-and-shoot.  The lighting is terrible for such a fast-paced sport!

Moco is on a team (“Hot Shots”) with girls from her Girl Scout troop, so there are three different schools represented.  The team played together last year and added Moco and her friend Jade this year.  They won some, and they lost some, but more importantly – they learned a lot this season and really played as a team!  It was very fun watching them grow together!

I’m pretty sure Bubba’s team is all “free agents” — basically, boys who didn’t sign up as a group they already knew with a coach they already knew (otherwise known as “someone’s dad”).  Bubba’s team (“The Zombies”) was made up of kids from several different schools, and it seems like most of them didn’t already know each other.  Their coach, Zach, is not a parent coach; in fact, he doesn’t even have kids.  Just a young professional volunteering his time in the community, coaching 5- and 6-year-old basketball.  They also won a few and lost a few.

This age of basketball is amusing and chaotic.  They play with very few rules and just burn off energy.  It’s hilarious and frustrating at the same time; they do funny things the whole time, but I also think they shouldn’t be allowed to pick up bad habits that will be difficult to break!  Bubba loves basketball because it is fast, and he gets to run and jump and make fancy plays… so, as long as he’s having fun, I’m cool with that!

Here is video of the Zombies playing basketball a couple weekends ago.  I really don’t have any good pictures of Bubba that aren’t just a blur on the screen!

I am glad that we’re done with activities for the next month, though!  We need a break before we start spring soccer and roll right into softball and t-ball this summer!

Another Weekend Has Come and Gone

We had another very short weekend with Daddy.  They come and go so quickly!  Fortunately, he will be home again next weekend and will stick around for a week because TU is on spring break!  Unfortunately, we will likely not have him home again for another month because of spring football.  We haven’t been out to Tulsa yet — because it’s a little easier for him to do the long drive than for me with two kids, plus he has been staying in a one-bed-no-microwave-or-fridge hotel room for the past month — and we’d be eating out every meal!  There is more room and less food money spent when he comes home!

We had another surprise this weekend — Grandma Lavera didn’t tell us she was headed our way until she was on the road!  So, we have her here for a couple days!  The kids get both grandmas this month, as Gamma Phiyen will be here in a couple weeks!

On Saturday Moco had her last basketball game of the season!  She was bummed because she is really enjoying basketball!  Looks like we’ll have to find another league and plan to get her into some camps this summer!

My social butterfly, Bubba, went to a classmate’s birthday party at the bowling & billiards center on the ISU campus.  He had a fabulous time with his buddies!  Air hockey was the highlight of the party.

(Speaking of birthday parties, we still haven’t planned a party for either kid.  And, yes, Bubba’s birthday was almost a month ago.  Terrible, right?!  R wanted to be here to celebrate with them, so we’ll see what we can do while he’s here next week.)

On Sunday, Daddy took the kids and Deacon out to run around at a nearby park, then they came home so we could enjoy a delicious brunch — scrambled eggs, uncured pepper bacon, banana pancakes, and mixed fruit (strawberries, red & green grapes, and blueberries) — before Daddy headed back to Tulsa.  The rest of us spent the early part of the afternoon at The Garlic Press (a local kitchen/home/gifts store) and the mall.  I finally used a gift certificate from my staff and bought a set of Joseph Joseph nesting bowls, a set of measuring spoons, a new apron, and  a few Driin phone holders (for charging cell phones, iPods, and Nintendo DSes)!  At the mall, we found jeans for Moco at Gap Kids that actually fit (finding pants for either of us sucks!) and a cardigan to throw over her spring t-shirts and tank tops.  After that, the kids had a “rest” at home with Grandma Lavera while Auntie Mariah and I went to get our nails done.  It feels good to pamper myself from time to time!

Now it’s back to work for me and back to school for the kids while Grandma Lavera enjoys a few days with Mariah while she’s on spring break!

 

I can’t take them anywhere…

Last night Auntie Mariah and I took the kids to Potbelly’s for supper (their choice).  While there, one of the men’s basketball players came in, and Bubba insisted on saying hello.  So, he and Moco walked over to where he was standing in line waiting for his food.

Bubba: Are you a basketbaw playoh?

Him: Yes.

Bubba: Is your name Tony?

Him: Yes.  Are you Rohrk’s son?

Bubba: (blink, blink.  silence.  blink.)

Moco: Yes…

Clearly we need to work on some answering some basic personal questions.  Two days of preschool might not be cutting it…

Later we went to TJMaxx.  We saw a little girl trying on super high heels in her mom’s size.  Bubba immediately pointed her out and made loud commentary about *gasp* her trying on shoes that don’t fit her.  Then he stood next to her and kept chirping about how she was going to fall over in those high heels.  Her mom quickly ushered her away before I could apologize for his awesome running commentary skills.  Then he followed Moco around as she attempted to find the most ridiculous pair of heels to try on.  Then he shoved her while she was wearing said pair of heels, and she pretty much toppled over.  Then he had to sit in timeout on the little bench with that slanted shoe-modeling mirror thing while I was trying on boots.  Then he started into the totally overused series of “You hate me.  You don’t love me.  You think I’m a bad boy.” phrases that drive me cRaZy.

A woman down the way the aisle from me half-snorted to herself.  Yeah, I saw that.  She then apologized and said “I’ve probably been called worse things.”  Me: “Are you the meanest mom ever?”  Yeah, that sucks, doesn’t it?

Moco then announced she thinks she just saw Jackie and Emily, two more basketball players, and she wanted to say hi.  Off she went, with Bubba trotting along behind her.   I wasn’t concerned about losing them because Jackie is 6’9″ so I knew exactly where they were in the store.

I made my way over, where Jackie and Emily are both looking down with eyebrows raised and amused looks on their faces, and all I hear is Bubba’s voice: “…and then I’ll kick dem in the stomach when I’m bigger.”

Say what?

Moco (rolling her eyes): “He’s talking about being a wrestler when he’s older.”

Bubba then told me, “Mom, that’s Jackie Caw-michael.  And that’s Emily.  They play basketbaw.  We saw free basketbaw playohs today.  Jackie Caw-michael is a ‘Buhd (‘Bird).  And so is Tony.  Do you think Jackie Caw-michael and Tony pass to each otho because they are on the same team?”

(1) He’s referring to Jackie by first and last name.  (2) He’s talking about Jackie as if he’s not there.  (3) *sigh*

Finally, as we walked away in search of Auntie Mariah, Bubba shouts, “HEY MOMMY!  LET’S HIT BELLIES!”

“What?  Like a chest bump?”

“YES!  LET’S CHEST BUMP!”

Things not to say to a four year old: “Right here in the middle of TJMaxx?  Dude, your chest comes up to my thighs.  We can’t chest bump.”

Well, duuuuuuh.  Yes, you can.  Chest bumping a thigh still counts as a chest bump… or so I found out when he ran into me with a chest-puffed-up jump.  Right in front of the other meanest. mom. ever.

I have to admit, I laughed but was also slightly embarrassed.  I swear, this kid better win class clown of his high school senior class and/or turn out to be a rich rocket scientist who can support his mother in her old age…

Happy Groundhog’s Day!

This post really isn’t about groundhogs or winter.  I just needed a title to get the writing started as it has been about two weeks since I posted anything!

Uncle Danny, Aunt Lisa and Cousin Mattie came to visit this weekend for the ISU-Bradley men’s basketball game (aka “The War on 74″).  Unlike last year’s game, it wasn’t a very exciting game once we got a good lead (and kept it)!  However, it was a sold-out game (10,200 in attendance) so the atmosphere in Redbird Country was great!  We enjoyed Monical’s pizza after the game (which is becoming a tradition for us when they come to visit) and Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch on Sunday.  (At halftime, an ISU student hit a half-court shot and won six free wings at BWW for everyone at the game!)

We’re all back in the swing of things for the semester.  Daddy and I are busy at work (plus I’m taking a class — what was I thinking?!?!); Moco is doing excellent in school (she came home today and said she was second in a standing jump contest in P.E.!), and Bubba is, well, Bubba.  Daddy is training for his triathlon in August, so he is regularly swimming, biking, and running now.  I signed up to run a half-marathon on May 1, so I have been hitting the treadmill until it warms up a little more (darn you, Punxsutawney Phil!) and I can get outside to run.  I never really enjoyed running unless I was on a soccer field, but working out regularly again feels really, really good.  As a family we are getting into a routine of working out right after I get off work; the benefit of Daddy’s job is that he has a fabulous weight/cardio room that we can use.  Once the student athletes clear the weight room floor, Moco and Bubba have full reign of the room — jump-roping, pull-ups, Bosu balls, box jumps, dumb bells, chalk clouds.  They get their workout too!  Daddy loves it, too, because he is able to get some play time with them — throwing around a football with Bubba, helping them perfect their pull-ups, and showing them proper lifting techniques.  (As a bonus, they sleep sooooo much better at night because of the extra energy they have burned off!)

This month’s plans and events are slowly coming together… Papa will be visiting this coming weekend, as he’ll be working in St. Louis next week.  (Remember when he surprised the kids about a year ago this month?)  Daddy has a hunting “thing” on Saturday morning, and I think Moco will be joining him.  Moco and I will be attending the women’s basketball game with her Brownies troop, and we’ll probably all go to the men’s basketball game that night, too.  (Daddy is always at the home games, sitting behind the bench!)  The biggest event this month is that Bubba turns four next Wednesday, however I’m not yet ready to talk about this subject yet because didn’t he just turn three!?!?

I’m going to make an effort to post regularly, including pictures, but for now I’ll leave you with this picture of my boys napping after we devoured the free wings:

11/23: Today I Am Thankful For…

…a Monday evening at home watching America’s Funniest Home Videos with my kids — their laughter is contagious!!!

Moco and Bubba are limited to watching TV on weekend mornings, so this was a rare treat for them.  It is so nice to unwind with my family, cook a good meal, bake some cookies, and snuggle with my babes before they fall asleep.

Tonight we had salmon, using my homemade habanero jelly in a variation of the peach jalapeño salmon, and potatoes au gratin.  I have never actually made potatoes au gratin before, and I was quite pleased.  I didn’t have all the ingredients for any recipe that I found, so I made up my own version with what we had on hand: Yukon gold potatoes, shredded sharp cheddar, shredded Mexican blend cheese, heavy cream, 2% milk, nutmeg, paprika, salt and pepper.  I was very pleased with the outcome, and the flavors blended really well with the salmon!  I also baked a double batch of the big, soft ginger cookies.  I made modifications to this recipe, and while they are still tasty, they aren’t as good as last time.  I used half brown sugar and half white sugar and I didn’t use orange juice like I did the last time.  I’m pretty sure that the white sugar and lack of orange juice are the culprits.  Still soft and tasty but not quite as flavorful as the last time.

Can’t wait for this short work week to be done so we can enjoy our long weekend.  Daddy is technically off this week (university is closed), but he is still working with men’s and women’s basketball.  Moco has school tomorrow but will go to Sherry’s on Wednesday.  I get off Wednesday at 5pm, then we will drive to Iowa for Thanksgiving Day with Grandma Lavera.  We’ll visit with Great Grandma as well.  Daddy has to work Friday afternoon or evening, so we’ll be on the road back to Iowa that morning instead of hitting the Black Friday sales (not like we ever do anyway)!

I’m going to pour myself another glass of milk and a couple warm cookies before bed… hasta mañana!

11/21: Today I Am Thankful For…

…a winning Redbird football season and a HUGE WIN vs. UNI.

I am also thankful that Uncle Danny, Aunt Lisa and Cousin Mattie were able to join us for such an exciting game on such a nice, crisp late fall day.  It seems that every time they come to visit, the games are extra exciting… this year was no exception.  The Redbirds were the underdogs today, but we came out fighting and led the game with many exciting plays (and a little bit of luck) until just under one minute to go.  UNI scored a touchdown and went up by 3 points.  We marched back down the field in that final minute and scored a touchdown with 0.6 seconds left.  It was awesome for those of us in attendance!  My adrenaline was pumping – still is, almost eight hours later… I just wanted the guys to finish with a winning season under the new head coach and to beat UNI that we weren’t supposed to have a chance against.  I know how much time, energy, passion, and dedication Daddy puts into the Redbird student-athletes, especially football during the fall season when he’s with them every game too.  It was such an awesome way to end the season — we’re so proud of our guys!

After the football game, we headed over to the men’s basketball game vs. University of North Florida.  Not quite as exciting as the football game, but still a Redbird win.  We all had such a great time cheering on the ‘Birds today… I love the fact that Moco and Bubba enjoy college sports as much as Daddy and I do.  It makes me feel good that they are actively involved in what Daddy does, that they pay attention to what’s going on, and most importantly, that they appreciate and enjoy the games.  Of course they don’t know all the terminology, rules, plays, etc., but they absorb what they can and ask questions.  Moco is very observant of everything that goes on during the games — on and off the field, visually and audibly.  When she gets excited at the games, she gets really goofy and starts to dance around — if you know Moco, these are rare “coming out of her shell” moments.  Bubba loves to be at the games, especially when he gets to hang out with Uncle Danny.  I can’t wait to see what he has absorbed and knows about sports, especially football and basketball, as he gets older.  He has already requested Bubba-sized Redbird football and basketball jerseys (#0, of course, for Osiris!).

Uncle Danny, Aunt Lisa, and Cousin Mattie had to head back to Iowa tonight, but we’re thankful we had the chance to spend the day with them.  What a fun, fun, FUN day with our family and our Redbirds!!!

Go You Redbirds onto battle! Fight for ISU.
Raise the banner, red and white; to this emblem we’ll be true.
So let us cheer the Redbirds on to victory! Every voice proclaim:
‘We’ve got the fight! We’ve got the might! Let’s win WE WON this game.’

I-S-U!  GO!

11/20: Today I Am Thankful For…

… for my staff. Going from colleague to supervisor isn’t the easiest transition, but we’ve managed to do it (and with a sense of humor)! Thanks, Jen, Vance, Lindsay, Kathy, Emily, Gayle, Matthew, Kay, Gloria, Ashley, Cami & Keelin… and Celeste, too, even though I’m not her boss lady! :)

* * *

Tonight we’re anticipating Uncle Danny, Aunt Lisa, and Cousin Mattie’s arrival.  They are here to watch the final football game of the season vs. University of Northern Iowa and the men’s basketball game vs. University of Northern Florida after that.  Moco went to a sleepover birthday party tonight, so it has just been Bubba, Daddy, Deacon and I tonight.  Bubba and I had a Potbelly’s takeout date (he had the Hammie, I had the Skinny Turkey Rae) and came home to pick up and hang out, as Daddy worked a little late.

The funniest moment of the night was Bubba using Daddy’s iPhone Voice Memo.  Daddy recorded Bubba saying “Hi… hi… who are you are?… Grayson?” then played it back so Bubba could hear his own voice.  This totally confused Bubba, who thought he was actually talking to someone on the phone:

Voice Memo Bubba: “Hi.”

Bubba: “Hi.”

VM Bubba: “Hi.”

Bubba: “Hi!”

VM Bubba: “Who are you are?”

Bubba: “Grayson!”

VM Bubba: “Grayson?”

Bubba: “Yes!”

Daddy and I couldn’t stop laughing — Bubba did this at least 6 times, having the same conversation with his voice memo self each time and not thinking twice about it!

Love my boy…