T is for TICKLE

Patrick's class has started learning a letter each week. This week is Tt. Each day the class lists things that start with T and encourage parents to brainstorm lists at home with their kiddos. I must admit, it's kinda of a fun game to think of things that start with certain letters. Our T list included Transformers (of course), T Rex, train, truck, teeth, tounge, tummy, toes, toast, thank you. . . and so on. He was playing in the living room last night and I thought to myself, "Tickle starts with T." So I told him "Tickle starts with T" and then totally launched into a total (another T work) TICKLE FEST and continued to ask him what letter tickle started with, while he was laughing! We had a mini-tickle fest as we walked into the school today. I think we are both loving that Patrick is in school!

Follow Your Enthusiasm

"Follow your enthusiasm. It's something I've always believed in. Find those parts of your life you enjoy the most. Do what you enjoy doing."

-- Jim Henson

U MASSacre

I LOVE MY TECH TSHIRT DRESS! I really wanted one, but they are like $80. I knew my mom could make one for less than that and I could customize it, too. It literally is an XL tshirt, tapered and with some elastic, and 3 ruffles. If you look closely, the top ruffle is skull & crossbones fabric. Argh! I am glad she paid attention in 4-H! And has finally realized that I am not cut out to be a seamstress. I traded doing her ironing for making this dress. I might not be a seamstress, but I can drive a hard bargain!


And more of Patrick and Ava. I'm so glad these 2 got to see each other again.

Go Little Bucks!

Patrick's first soccer game was this past weekend. It was so thrilling to see all those little dudes out there running. Some still need a little coaching on which goal to score in, but the coaches can work on that. I am proud to report that Patrick aka my little Beckham scored 3 - YES 3 - goals!!! He was a fast son-of-a-gun, too!
I couldn't resist taking a picture of him in just his shorts - they are soo big on him!
And in his ORANGE jersey. I am getting one, too. At least its not burnt orange.

I love that he still holds my hand.

even in heels

"Honor your talents and act like a woman--a smart woman--who knows how to jump over business obstacles, even in heels."

--Nancy Clark

What would your answers be. . .

Ancient Egyptians believed that upon death they would be asked two questions and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife.
The first question was, 'Did you bring joy?'
The second was, 'Did you find joy?'"

Dr. Leo Buscaglia
American Author and Speaker

Would you be allowed to continue your journey?

You're my favorite deputy

Not to steal Woody's famous line, but I'd have to say this is one cute little deputy. Today is Western Day at Patrick's school. Doodah, of course, stepped up to make him a western vest just like Woody's. And it's reversible, too! It's only fitting that Doodah would make Patrick his first Western Day outfit since she is a former Slaton High School Western Day Queen herself. If only I have that picture digitally!


YEE HAW!

A Story about GOD's HANDS told by Papa J

Last Monday I picked Patrick up at school. It was my first time to do so and I was reluctant to leave – his after school counselors had all the youngsters outside on a beautiful fall day playing tag on the outdoor basketball court. I was able to watch from a short distance for a few minutes before Patrick noticed me and he was having a great time – interacting with the other children as if he had known them all his life.

We got in the car, I got him buckled in and as I was backing out of our parking spot, out of the blue he says, “So, Papa J – how was YOUR day?” This does not come as a surprise as he regularly tells me he loves me and asks about my day, but I am still amazed that, without any prompting, he asks how my day went.

A few minutes later, we are driving down a busy 82nd Street and he says, “Papa J, just how big are God’s hands?” Like I’m ready for this one. So I told him that God’s hands were really big as he had to be able to reach all the way around the world. He thought about that for a minute, then asked how long his legs were……..I managed to stumble through that one and then he asked me how long God’s arms were. By now I had a little rhythm going so I said, “Well Patrick, his arms must really long because remember he has to be able to cover the whole world.” Reasonable enough I thought. I’m looking in my “Patrick mirror” and he is just gazing out his passenger window and you literally could see the wheels turning. After a couple of more minutes, just kind of humming and looking out the window, he said,” I see, God has really big hands and really long arms so he can reach down and fix trouble and help people who need it.” All I could say was, “Patrick that is exactly how it is.”

For someone whose deepest thoughts until about the age of 16 dealt with what time recess was or what the next snack would be, I am amazed at some of the things he thinks about and his ability to express himself.

Moments that make being a mommy THE BEST

Last night at bathtime, Patrick was reaching underneath my sink. I asked him what he was doing down there. Then, I saw that he was changing the toilet paper roll all by himself without being asked! In MY bathroom, nonetheless. HUGE step forward for all of MANkind! I did all sorts of praising him, telling him how proud I was of him and what a good job that was. He was very confused why this was such a big deal.
I said, "Good job, buddy! What made you decide to change it?"
And he replied,very matter-of-factly, "Because it was empty, Mom."
If only all men shared the same logic.

Then later, while I was getting him out of the tub, he said, "Mom, I love you all my heart." (Yes, he skipped the "with.")
I said, "You love me with all your heart? What does that mean?"
P said, "It's like 'I love you THIS much!'" (stretching out his arms as wide as they can go.)
I said, "Oh, okay."
I asked him where he heard "I love you with all my heart," and he said that Jean, his previous sitter, and her grandson said it. I hope I get to hear it a lot more.

Thought for the Day

"If you do a good job for others, you heal yourself at the same time, because a dose of joy is a spiritual cure. It transcends all barriers."

-- Ed Sullivan

Great quote from Dr. Suess

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

-- Theodor Seuss Geisel

Just last week, I realized that the Tech library has chidren's books. Yesterday at lunch I ventured upstairs and checked out 4 Dr. Suess books for Patrick. We read "Green Eggs and Ham" and "The Cat in the Hat" last night. He decided that he wants to ask Santa for some Dr. Suess books because they rhyme.

As we were reading "Green Eggs and Ham," I'd read the first line and most of the 2nd, then he'd fill in the rhyming word.
me - Would you, could you in a BOX? Would you, could you with a. . .?
P - FOX!
and so it was with the whole story! He had so much fun with the rhyming!

TOTALLY random dream

Seriously this dream is so random, but I just had to share.

It was a Tuesday. Kim (just plain Kim not Kim the Hot Cookie), Stacy, me and 10 other gals were practicing a homecoming pom-style dance in a dirt lot, that may have been in the McDougal redevelopment area east of Jones Stadium. There was a lot of discussion about our routine. From what I remember, Kim was leading this dance session. Then it was Thursday, and we were performing for our families. I don't remember any husbands being there, just our parents and siblings. I distinctly remember Charlie, Mary and Gabe Bentancourt being there to watch us perform in the dirt again in some kind of sparkly black **little** outfits. We were all about our homecoming pom dance.

How random is that??!! I wonder if it was a premonition for this upcoming weekend. . .

It's the Little Things - installment #11

ELVIS T at The Spoon on Friday. Who's in???

100. Grease 2
101. Jennyanydots, a character in Cats & family cat
102. Writing loving messages in dry erase marker on your bathroom mirror
103. BLTs
104. Windows facing east that let in the morning sun
105. Wildflowers blooming right by your house
106. Waffles
107. Owning a new “upside-down” fridge
108. “Large fun”
109. “Bricklayer’s Beautiful Daughter” by William Ackerman

GOOOOOOOOOOAL!

Patrick is about to start soccer. We got his soccer shoes, shin guards and his soccer ball on Wednesday night. Last night I promised him we'd go to the park to play soccer after we went to the gym. So we did.

His team was the RED team. And his teammates were Aiden (a friend from school who was also on his tee ball team), Marin (a girl from school who has obviosuly made an impression), and of course Blaise. He showed me where they were all standing and then told me as an aside that he was "just pretending."

My team was the PURPLE team. My teammates were Ava, Kim the hot cookie (said in one breath as if it was her real name) and Blaise's Dad (meaning Champ.) Again whispered with an aside that I had to pretend.

And then we played. That kid can actually dribble. Now his skills might be a little different when there are 20 kids on the field, but I was pretty impressed. And I was pretty impressed with my own soccer skills -not that I am ready to go play or anything, but I atleast have skills to practice with him. Stay tuned for pictures from his first game next Saturday. . .

Paddy musings

Several times this week Paddy has told me "You're the silliest woman in my life." What's that all about? But it's probably true. . .

We went shopping for new shoes yesterday. My little man is wearing a 12 1/2!! 12 1/2??!! Here's hoping he's going to be tall enough to compliment these feet!

We played hard on Labor Day. Legacy play village in the morning and in the backyard pool all afternoon. He fell asleep watching car(n)toons on my floor in his wet swim trunks, wrapped up in a towl waiting for me to finish my shower.
Paddy, Ava and Blaise from the Tech vs. Eastern Washington game.

It's the Little Things - installment #10

90. Learning to appreciate jazz
91. Watching “The Best of Eddie Murphy” before TTU football games
92. The “quiet” sounds of the TTU Junction campus Pecan Grove
93. Taking risks & being creative
94. Charades
95. That song that always makes you cry
96. That song that always makes you laugh
97. Sending Valentines as an adult
98. Yelling at characters on TV, especially Joey on “Dawson’s Creek”
99. Saying “what the hell?”