Sometimes it's the little things

James has been begging me to do the TCBY quart challenge for a year now.  "Pah-leaze mom, I will not barf.  It will be so cool to have my photo on the wall." I told him to try the banana split, get a malt, anything buck a big bucket of ice cream.  For some reason, I caved yesterday.  I offered it up to the fact he has jus gotten over the stomach flu and has been in a better mood the past day- what better time, right?

 

Well, he finished and declared yesterday, "The best day of my life."  The look of pure glee on his face as the bottom of the cup was cleared was boggling. He erupted with giggles and skipped down the block hugging me every few steps- sugar high be damned this kid was on cloud nine and it was infectious.  We spent a lot of one on one time together at the table on the patio- cheersing each other and taking photos.  Many people came and went, wishing him luck in his endeavor- Jams- always the politician- made sure everyone in ear shot knew he was tackling this monster of headache inducing, stomach gurgling feat. A 7 year-old "live and in color" advertisement for TCBY.  But then part if me realized that I had not seen James that happy in a very long time. Part of me wondered when the last time I had been that happy was. Maybe it is part of reaching a goal- at 7 our goals look different than they do at 30-ish.  But goals are goals and that feeling James was experiencing should be felt more often.   

I have an obsession and it's name is Starbucks.  Yes, I know I am a late arrival on this train. Below you will see that I have recently come into some new paraphernalia declaring my love.  Many of my students know it has become a stomping ground, so I get gift cards and reusable cups like my favorites below.  It was through a student that you can register your cards, collect stars and get free drinks.  I've added the ap to my phone and can keep photos of past cards.  Imagine my surprise when I found that I can make this overpriced deliciousness at home.  Walmart has started carrying my favorite- Passion tea and Chi tea ingredients. My countertop has absorbed 2 of their syrup liters- Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce and Vanilla. 

I'm wondering if I can get a Starbucks Bike Kit- nah that may be taking this too far! 

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You've Been Flocked

The Beavers like to flamingo- Relatives, friends, classrooms, students' lockers, unsuspecting random people having a bad day!

The act of flamingoing involves the use of several blow up, plastic, paper flamingoes followed by all of the pink streamers and balloons that we can get our mits on.

We flamingo for many reasons:
To say thank you
As a really pinkalicious was of saying hip hip-HORAY
For shits n giggles
Because we are bored
Because sometimes kindness matters and goes a long way

Sure Beavering people would be the obvious choice, but really people! Imagine several blow up beavers and a sign stating- you've been Beavered. Not so innocent.
Flamingoing isn't knew. Many groups use it as a fundraiser to cover yards with flocks of plastic flamingoes which in turn are removed for a small donation. The flamingo has a bad rap. Sure some may look at that gawky pink bird and think- trailer park, but not us. In fact, take a look below at a few of our targets. You can't help but smile.

Operation Humble Jumble

He's only 7. I am constantly reminding myself as the boy in front of me- the top of his head coming to my chin- balls his fists and glares telling me NO- under no certain terms will he listen. There will come a time when I will not be able to physically remove James from any situation- that time is coming sooner rather than later. :(

Where did time go? I spent this weekend in awe of the change that has taken place in James. I spent several hours flipping through old photos of him. Most of the behavior is for attention even though it's negative.

We were at the farm for 5 fabulous days. It was a great visit. But from 2pm on James was possessed by the devil. When at home Matt and I can put a lid on on the horny tailed devil, being on the road was a different story. So we sit at the table our first morning back home listening to Because of Winn Dixie writing thank you's, I'm sorries and occasionally crying because the hammer has dropped.

We took all forms of screen time away for 2 weeks. To follow through Matt canceled our Dish and password protected all the screens in the house. When 1 Beaver is grounded we are all grounded. But the truth is that it is forcing me to spend quality time with the boys to be less distracted with screen time myself. Making time together matter, being fully present. This was part of OUR problem.

Here's our plan of action:
James will be volunteering twice a week at a local school serving free and reduce lunch to kids under 18 this summer. He will collect garbage, buss tables and make new friends. Friends that will teach him more about life than I ever could.
While at this program he will be introduced to a former student's brother. He is the same age but goes to a different elementary school. See new friends mentioned above. He will invite him over several times a week and help me buy and pack weekend Book bags for both students to eat out of- something I've done solo since I met her.
James will be giving his new friend his fish tank. We will set it up, provide food and James will teach him how to care for it by going to his house every few weeks to change out the water.
James will also deliver Meals on Wheels once a month with his dad. Matt started this when he needed a few community service hours for his degree. It was an eye opener.
We will also pick a park a week to CnP. Clean and play.

So there you have it. Our plan in a nut shell. Through service learning and an introduction to class systems- as well as my constant praying it is my hope that James adds a little humility to his list of virtues. A little humility as well as more aspects that will help him become a successful and united member of any community he chooses to belong to.

Confidence can hurt

I always want my boys to be confident. To be sure, that no matter what they can achieve their goals. In doing this, I forgot one small detail. That detail smacked me upside the head today at the park.

We have always known James has issues with sportsmanship. Since he was young he learned that if he cheated, he could win. Ehm- gpa farm. On the other hand, when he lost, he was devastated. When the team playing the cubbies hits a homer James goes into a full blown melt down. His pe grade is always in the middle of the plus-check-minus spectrum. I believe it is a check and not a minus because my fellow cohorts are doing me a "solid".

Today James was given a minus by yours truly, and in a way so was I. When we arrived at the park on our bikes we discovered his classmate Kyara was there. yeah! 2 minutes into it, and following her lead, James gets himself stuck in a baby swing. Laughing, I tell him I may have to call the fire department because I am not tall enough to get him out. Putting in as much effort as a rag doll, I tell him to pull himself up on the chains while I lift him around the waist and pull the plastic leech off his 7 year old rump. Wiggling his legs was too much work, so in swoops mom of Kyara to save the day. Thank u, I tell her while James runs off to race Kyara up the rock wall, down the slide, across the monkey bars. He can spin faster, jump higher flip better than her he says. He's a jacked up chihuahua and all the while Toby and I have started to cheer on Kyara who is quite the gymnast. After telling James nice try and to congratulate his new arch enemy- was met with several eye rolls and 4 new competitions.

After leaving the park, I excepted his weakness. He lacks a little humility. He can tell Toby good job, cheer me on in any race, encourage Matt to try again- but when it comes down to #1 failure is not an option.

So this summer I have found my new project- Operation Humble Jumble. I will update you on his progress and set backs. Tball practice starts tonight- wish me luck.

Happy Mother's Day to ME

I have learned over the years that special occasions need to be celebrated by giving myself a gift that I wish would have been given to me.

Since moving out of my parent's home I have learned that my mom really put 220% of herself into celebrating special occasions for my sibs and I. No one else will get up at o-dark thirty to decorate your kitchen with balloons, banners and streamers. No one else will make you your favorite meal or whatever type of cake your heart desires. So I now move through special occasions feeling both special and occasionally sad because no one breaks out the marching band quite like mom does.

Since battling this see saw of emotions I have learned that sometimes I need to gift myself. Today was no different. Drum roll please.....

Today I gifted myself my FIRST road bike ride of the year. Don't feel let down blogosphere because this is a HUGE deal.

Not only did it take me 15 minutes to get the bike unhooked from my trainer and through the labyrinth in me cellar door without hurting myself, but I completed the whole ride without falling. The first road ride of the season can be nerve racking and invigorating. Exciting and dreadful. I have been sometimes known to call my husband after wrecking to tell him to pick me up. I have also been known to blow a tire or two. I'm kinda like Gumby and Speed Racer all wrapped up and clipped into a two wheel death trap.

Today was no exception. Except there was no phone call or blow out, just my thoughts, fresh air and a 10 miles of glorious sunrise. Now I am off to do a little yoga and breathe, and try not to hope for breakfast in bed or flowers- just good morning mom, we love you. Nothing better than that!

Still in a love hate relationship with thie guy. 

Whoa Paint

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being successful and 1 being a complete failure) I rate my effort and commitment to this morning's long run a 1.8.

I was to do 12 miles. 2 miles in, I finally talked myself out of the rest of the run and started walking home. The humidity was nasty, my left hammy was tight, my Garmin is turning into a POS, I ate like crap yesterday, blah blah blah. Insert Milli Vanilli here. Bottom line- I gave up.

I gave up on myself. I gave up on something I love to do- Run. I run for many reasons. I run because I can. Some mornings I find myself running from my house. So thankful to be away from the mess, the stress, the constant roller coaster of life as a mom. Halfway through the run my shoulders relax and I find myself racing back. Wanting to be there to pull Toby out of his crib, snuggling my nose into the crook of his neck while he holds on tight. Wanting to greet James as his feet land at the bottom of the stairs with a, "love you. Missed your face. Tell me about your dreams." as he shuffles from leg to leg.

On occasion, I find myself getting bored with running. What happened this morning is what I needed to happen, mentally. I beat myself up for the first 45 minutes after I walked in the backdoor-then I let it go. Because without failure there is no success.

Sure next Saturday's race will not be a PR- I'm ok with that. Because I was not made to always push myself to my limits all -the -time. Like being a parent- sometimes I push hard and then ease back and let them do their thing. Racing for me is like that too- it's knowing when to ease up on myself and not push to my limit that I'm working on.

Leap List

I love this commercial.  There is so much to say about it. But that isn;t the point of sharing it.

Starting in May I am doing a Leap List Challenge....not so much a leap as a hop.  So what is one goal, hop that you have for yourself? 

My May Leap will be more spiritual.  I need to head back to church.  I have gotten away from making this a priority.  I need to strengthen my relationship as well as set a stronger foundation of religion in my boys' life. They need to have a relationship and exerience with which to compare whatever religion they choose to follow later on in life.