All the usual suspects

What was great about this year is that Halloween fell on a Saturday night. To the general population, this means nothing, but to coaching families everywhere this means that Daddies will be home to help with the tricks and treats and sugar highs. I felt like we had been somehow thrown back in time because for the first in 7 years we actually walked door-to-door.

Last year, Poppy took pity on us and came to the rescue to fill in for our Daddy, who was intent on winning a football game that night.

So here's the list of characters...
PIDAMAN!!...who else?
The fickle one...Cinderella...no a princess...a lion...a kittycat princess

My little creature of habit...

What is art?

I believe that you can't really be taught how to be an artist. Either it's in you or it's not. You don't even really have to be great to be considered an artist, you just have to be able to speak through your craft. That's not to say that you can't refine your craft but it has to have a homebase. I think that art classes in elementary school are funny. To expose children to the theories and style of art is great but that's not so important in the lower grades. You get graded according to how well you follow directions. So, can one be creative AND stick to a set of rules to complete an assignment? Depends on the kid probably. For example, so I was told, one such artist did not follow the directions of the assignment, wasn't really paying attention, and so his finished product looked nothing like what was expected....

and yet it was chosen to be spotlighted in the administration building for exemplary art. By now means was it the best of what was assigned, but to someone, it warrented a second glance, maybe it even whispered meaning to someone. Now THAT is true art.

Sabotage

...and this, ladies and gentlemen, is why playing games with the Tiny Taliban rarely goes well...someone always ends up crying...and it's usually not him.

It's all in how you look at it...

To the untrained eye, something very important might be missed. But look closely and you will notice the family members who are labeled. Emma brought this home from school and was so proud that she had drawn her "whole family". Really, everyone? Yup! Me, momma, daddy, and Tennison. But what about Tatum? Oh, he's at school. Soooo, if you dare to leave this house and attend another institution you run the risk of being excluded from the clan, according to Emma. Tatum did not agree with this in the least and actually noticed pretty quickly while it was hanging on the fridge. After adding Tatum back into the group, I asked her why she did this...well (very matter of factly) he came back! (Like, even a moron could figure that out)

New babysitter

I've been paying a babysitter to do what I should have left to the air compressor. Give this kid an air hose and he is good for hours.

I'm going in to take a nap, be back in an hour...

Still at it? Okay, I'm making a quick run to the store...you good? Be back in a few...

Okay, well, still busy huh? I've been meaning to run to the post office, can you hang here while I...

So if you have any problems, Emma's in charge...cool? If the neighbor's ask, just tell them I'm inside baking cookies.

Hopeful

This season has taken a toll on the group. It started out hopeful, giddy, nervous, twinged with anxious excitement...but as the weeks have worn on and the wins don't come, the grind has begun to wear at our resolve and patience. What was once elation at the new opportunity has turned into a load that has been very hard to carry. I know that my husband tries to take all of the weight on himself, but no man is an island, and those waves that have been eroding his shores are splashing onto the porch and into the living room. Of course we have all sunk into our predictable schedules and roles but you know, enough is enough. Let's be done with this. We want our daddy back and he wants to be back. For the most part, those around us have been positive, encouraging, and supportive but there is that occasional rock head who mumbles under his breath in the stands "they won't be here next year". And no, I didn't let that one slide without informing him who he was sitting next to. All in all we have stayed afloat, banded together, and learned important lessons. So...3 more games and two more Sundays. We are looking forward to next year...with hope. "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverence; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts..." Romans 5:3-5

Honeycomb

As we are walking together to drop Emma off, she folds her little hand into mine. A gesture that happens over and over throughout the day but this morning it was signigficant to me. I say..."Emma, thankyou for holding my hand. When you do it makes me feel special." Without missing a beat she responds, "Even when I'm not holding your hand you are still special." Oh be still my heart. If ever I wonder where the satisfaction in parenting is, I need not wander any farther than this moment. It is the little things that sustain me as a mom. I pray that I do not soon forget this. "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Psalm 16:24

We're breaking up...

I have been in this abusive relationship for too long. I thougt that my needs were being met but now that I have a little pespective and some distance I can see that all along it was toxic. So I have moved on. Maybe now, I can finally get some clarity and be the real me. Not the me that was always controlled. So chocolate, cookies, cheap candy...we must go our seperate ways. I don't want to see you anymore. NO, I mean it this time...Oh, don't worry, you will meet someone else, someone who is stronger than me. But me, I am a sucker for the sugar rush even though I know that it will lead to my ultimate crash and burn. I cannot spend time with you in healthy amounts and when we are not together I think of the next time we will meet. I'm an addict and so therefore must leave you, cold turkey, no turning back. Maybe after I have gone through my twelve steps and submitted my self to my "higher power", I can stand to be around you. So don't call, don't come around, it's just better this way, for everyone. And don't even think about showing up in your chocolate dipped coconut suit for Christmas because you know I can't say no...

I didn't forget...

Yes, Emma also had a "1st day of school" and yes it was as monumental as TC's but I am choosing to look back and call it perspective...

Of course, she knew exactly where to go and little mother hen even attempted to hold back traffic so that baby brother could cross safely (there really was no traffic, she is just playing it safe). Mrs. Spinx greeted us at the door and as soon as Emma walked into the classroom she quietly put her back pack away and went to sit in circle time. Before she sat down, she gave me a quick kiss and whispered "would you stay for just a minute". So a crept to the back of the room. But it only took a few seconds for her to be so engaged that she didn't even look back to check that I was sticking around, so out the door a slid. No tears, no tantrums, I just walked to the car. This is going to be good...very good indeed...for everyone involved!

The Wrap-up

Another Daddy specialty...the wrap-up...aka "whapup". It comes highly requested.