The Evolution of a Hockey Game

 With the onset of some hacking coughs we ended up staying home from church this Sunday. This isolation led to the birth of a new version of hockey some of us like to refer to as Tennis Hockey.

It all started when Isabel asked her dad “want to play air hockey with me?”

“Sure,” he said “how do you play?”

Isabel showed him her version played on the floor between two pillows. Using tennis balls, they hit the tennis ball “puck” into the other pillow to score a goal. After a little while of playing, JJ disappeared into the garage for a few minutes and returned with a 2x4 board with a goal sized hole cut out. A few more minutes and another one. He has a habit of taking a simple idea and bringing it to a whole new level- must be the Engineer in him. A problem of the boards tipping during play arose. Talk of making a solid frame was tossed around, one thing led to another, and pretty soon we were designing a fitted frame for our counter complete with sensors and automatic scoring. Like I said, a whole new level.

Here is the evolution of our Hockey Game

 This is Where Jordan was bambuzzled by his dad with the ole' "what's that over there?" trick!

Trying out the New Frame

While the kids were asleep, he finished the programming for the scoring. We even got mileage from this little  project by sticking a Happy Valentine's Day sign on the finished product. 

"Oh the cleverness of us!"

Trying it out before school

We still need to finish painting it since we ran out of spray paint, And there's a few other kinks to work out to make it a little faster. All in all, I'd say it's a fairly successful prototype of Isabel's idea and all from what we had lying around the house.  We are thinking of marketing it and selling it under the name  Table Tennis Hockey -- Catchy isn't it!

The Fabulous Baker Boys

We had the what we like to refer to as “Jordan's Brothers from another mother” for the weekend while Alicia and her hubby had a much needed get-a-way. Alicia's boys fill the great testosterone void in Jordan's solitary life with his sisters. Even though they can no longer remember the days when they used to live down the street from each other, her kids still remain his best friends. Whenever I ask who he wants to invite to his birthday he lists every member of the entire family before any others.

Back in the glory days when Alicia was my neighbor, we had a 10 kid minimum cover in order to get together. We were constantly shuffling kids to find seats for everyone. Friday was no exception as I found myself 3 seats shy getting Laney and Jordan to their first tennis lesson 20 miles away while still watching her kids and the kids we babysit swap. But it all worked out thanks to the help of some creativity and a very non-judgmental and accommodating friend-- Thank you Katie! We made it there in time, and I just looked like an irresponsible breeder who only provides tennis instruction for her favored children--No big deal!

The kids had a great time together here are some highlights...

Hanging with some other friends

Playing guesstures...

 

Our trip to the park

Jordan's best Pals

Kids are so much fun!

This little Guy enjoyed eating the sand and blowing out his diaper. I've forgotten how much stuff can come out of one little bum! Pee-yew!

We all scream for Icecream! Gotta love Scooptacular! 

Where's mine???

One of our Valentine's Traditions is to decorate a mailbox for little love notes to be passed during the month of February. The boys joined in the fun, making thier own.

It wouldn't be a visit if we didn't make cookies- It's tradition!

Poor Jordan was sick and missed the cookies :(

Oh He's So cute!-  such a happy little guy.

Twins born 5 years apart.

I spent the entire weekend calling the baby- Roman, and JJ who couldn't remember his name continued to call him Rodriguez as a joke. He's going to be one seriously confused kid.

My Favorite Quote of the weekend...

Roman: "Wouldn't it be funny if Michael Jackson married Jesus?"

And then there were none...

Whenever the stomach flu hits a member of the family I am always reminded of that book by Agatha Christie. I look at each member of the family wondering who will be next. Is it me? Did I eat off any of the kids plates recently? The next few days are spent a bit cautiously waiting for an outbreak. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. This time it started with Jordan and I didn't have to wait long. He woke up Sunday morning throwing up, I felt pretty nauseous and crummy that night. Then there was Laney in the middle of the night. Finally. by morning Isabel was wretching in the bathroom thankfully before school started. JJ had already left to go out of town early in the morning  and appearently took the bug with him. He told me tonight  while I was writing this that he lost it tonight after dinner. 

I have to admit, I was grateful it hit everyone at once. I secretly am happy when the kids are sick. Not because I enjoy watching them suffer, I don't. But I do enjoy having them home for a day and today it was all of them. Since no one likes to be shut up in their room (I like them around anyway), Standard Protocol is to quarantine them to one section of the couch covered in a blanket and that is where they stay to rest until they get better. It has become so ingrained in routine, that one day there was a blanket by happenstance sprawled over a section of couch, and each kid that saw it asked who was sick that day.

Today we covered the whole couch and hung out together reading Harry Potter.

My Little Patients

I have been reading the seventh book out loud to them over the last month or so because I wanted them to at least experience one book before they saw the movie, having missed their chance with the last 6. We had 200 pages left and it was a really exciting part. It's been so long since I read it the first time, I didn't remember anything. We ended up spending the entire day on the couch reading and sleeping until we finished the book.

I know the rest of the week I will be the lunch packer, chauffer, tutor, chef, nagger, disciplinarian, etc But today, it was nice to take a day off from those roles and just be nurse and friend. Never do I feel more appreciated than when I see those looks of gratitude as I hold their hair back while they lean over the toilet, replace a wet wash cloth on their head, or just snuggle by them.

Tonight as I lay cuddled by Laney when she went to bed she gave me a happy little sigh and said, “I feel loved.” I reflected on the day, and despite how little was accomplished, I think it was probably one of my most productive days as a mom in a long time.



BFF's Reunited

When I was ten, my family moved back to California and I sadly left the only friends I knew back in Chicago. Thankfully, I met Erin right after in the early days of 5th grade and we became best friends instantly.  Our friendship has lasted through, those awkard middle school years, the awkward Highschool years, the fun College years, marriage, kids etc. Our relationship ship bears the mark of a true friendship in the sense that no matter how much time passes between phone calls or visits, when we have them it feels like no time at all.  Such was the case with her visit to Phoenix a couple of weeks ago. We hadn't seen each other in 4 years. I hadn't even met her youngest daughter Abby who is 3. She came out with her sister and Abby to visit her aunt and uncle and planned to sneak in some time with me too.  Through an unexpected turn of events we ended getting much more time to spend together than I thought-- which was lovely.

In thinking about all those years as we grew imagining what our lives would be like and picturing our children playing together, I can't even express how much it warms my heart to see it unfold in reality. I get a little shudder when I think about how Isabel is just a few months younger than we were when we met- it reminds me how quickly time passes- but it also gives me hope that many of the friendships she has now, have the potential to last through the years. After all, Erin and I are going on 22 years this year. I wish her other daughter Anna, who's Laney's age, could have come out, but hopefully there will be more visits in years to come with more chances for our kids to become friends.

It so neat to see a little miniature version of Erin, with beautiful wispy long blonde hair like her mom!

The Highlight of the Weekend was definitely our trip to the Zoo

Erin , Erika, and Abby

I really enjoyed seeing Erika again too, she's such a great Auntie!

We fed the Sting Ray, I don't think Abby knew what to think about the fish food

Can you lean in any farther?

 One of my few pet peeves about going to the zoo is no matter how much fun we are having just seeing the animals, it seems the kids still want something that costs extra, from the Carosel, train, or camel rides, to kettle corn, or even yes, these stupid viewing telescopes that cost 25 cents. Honestly couldn't they just make them free or not put them in at all.  I don't have a problem saying no, but it just kills me that here we are at the zoo, but I still feel like a loser mom when they look disappointed because I can't provide a quarter. Who carries quarters in their pocket these days? Too bad I can't just swipe a debit card and save the grief.

You are never too old for a ride in the stroller!

I think my kids spent more time in it than Abby.

Lovely Sisters

Instant friends

Laney Left her camera at home so she spent most of the time

taking pictures with Erika's camera-- what did I say, best Auntie ever!

Oh, she so cute, I just love those little bounce curls and tendrils

Closing time at the zoo is my favorite time to be there. It so relaxing and peaceful with the setting sun and cooler weather. Usually JJ and I lallygag our way to the exit a few minutes after closing, I know they are relaxed about it, but this day we pushed the limits farther than ever. It was so nice, we had the hardest time leaving.  We very slowly mosied our way out, thinking someone would eventually kick us out. But the rare people who drove by just looked our way and smiled. We stopped and were playing at the caverns when I realized we hadn't seen anyone in awhile and I looked at my watch it was 6pm , an hour past closing. All of the sudden I got a little nervous-- the place seemed really empty. We hurried a bit towards the exit and all the guy said to us on our way out was thank you for coming and come back again soon. I love the Zoo! (so much nicer than the library Nazi! )  On our way out a bus load of kids pulled up with their sleeping bags and backpacks. Night Camp. Maybe that's why they were so nice, we were nothing compared to what was coming! 

Here are some pay offs for staying after hours....

At the Lion Enclosure

The Lions were quite active roaring at each other for a few minutes before going back to sleep!

Close encounters watching the Rhinos go in for the night!

The zoo lights even started coming on. The looked so pretty in the dusk light.

The best part was this beautiful Sunset on the Lake as we walked out!

It was such a great memory and weekend

I reiterated a card that Erin once gave me that said  "May our 8 years turn into 80" Well we are about a quarter of the way there, Now if we can just live to be 90.

The Birds, the Bees, and Inifinity

So today Isabel was sick, which afforded some semi-rare alone time with her. I decided it would be a good time to discuss how babies are made. I am a bit embarrassed it has taken me so long to bring this up with her. Mostly it's because a long time ago, I tried to casually ask her what she thought the word “sex” meant and she clammed up. Not wanting to be ill prepared if it would be a big deal, I let it go. I kept thinking it might come up again naturally with some questions but it never did. Since I found myself alone with her as an ill and captive audience, the thought occurred to me that today was the day.

It ended up being no big deal and she was quite chillax about the whole conversation. As we got talking about Genes and DNA etc. she asked what DNA stood for, I couldn't think of the official name so I looked it up and realized as I could barely pronounce it why I didn't remember and why we've chosen the 3 letter acronym. She seemed to be curious about it so we read more on a kids website that tried to give a simple explanation. The more I read and tried to explain in simple terms the more it did not seem simple. After a bit she was giving me the courtesy nods and so I stopped. Then she thoughtfully asked. “I just don't understand how did everything begin? How did it start and how can it be made from nothing, because even nothing is sill something.” She's been asking these big universe questions from time to time, but not quite as intently as today. Not quite prepared to be discussing the philisophical tenents of Ex Nihilo with my 9 year old I tried to explain we don't really know exactly. I said we personally believe things weren't created out of nothing and gave some lame explanation about how time isn't necessarily always linear with a beginning and an end. But I said as far as how it all works exactly, no one knows, But many people try to figure it out. I think I ended with something like it's okay to be curious and try to figure these things out, but not to let it be worrisome when unable to find an answer. I remember as a kid having my brain hurt when I thought about the concept of inifinity.

This whole conversation led to even more questions and pretty soon I found myself just wishing we could go back to talking about the birds and the bees.

Procrastinators Anonymous

I have been out of the blogging world the last month partly because of the business of the holidays but also in part because I kept feeling I need to write something about Christmas before I moved on. But of of course I was not super motivated after the fact to write about it so more time passed which made me less motivated to write and then I not only didn't write about Christmas but also missed opportunities to write about current events. As I reflected on this conundrum I realized it is a metaphor for certain aspects of my life. This pattern of procrastination coupled with the inability to let things go and move on has created a downward spiral of missed opportunity and increased disorganization. So I have focused on a single goal this new year. To stop procrastinating.

Procrastination has been a horrible habit of mine that peaked in high school, got infinitely better in College and has regressed since I have stayed home to raise kids and find myself living a life in which most deadlines for accomplishments must be set by myself-- a dangerous problem for recovering procrastinators like me. It's not that I am lazy--sometimes I am-- but I generally try to be industrious. It's that often my efforts get misguided due to some hopeless Task ADD. I am also unfortunately aware that I operate more efficiently under pressure. For years my mantra has been

“Why do tomorrow what I can put off until next week.”

But I am saying good-bye to this folks and hello to my new motto :

“Why put off until later what you can do right now so it gets done and you don't have to worry about it- Unless it is more efficiently completed at a different time.”

Okay not quite so catchy but definitely more useful. Inspired by a friend's funny blog post on watching the show “Hoarders,” my first exercise is getting rid of junk I don't need. I have been scourging my cupboards, drawers, filing cabinets, etc. to rid my life of time wasting clutter. And thanks to my wonderfully organized friends as motivators. I have examined everything and said to myself “would …. keep this? No. ” and happily tossed it into the trash, well...most of the time. The point is I am getting better and I am grateful for good friends who motivate me to improve. Well, I better go because I am supposed to be making dinner right now. D'oh! Ah well, I'll be better tomorrow- there I go again. What is that they say? “Old habits are hard to kill just like scorpions you have to keep hitting over and over again and just when you think they are dead another limb moves?”

I'm Dreaming of a ....

Since I spent most of my growing up in San Diego I have never been too attached to the idea of 4 seasons. The 5 years experiencing them in my youth while living in Chicago, taught me that it's not all it's cracked up to be. Those dreamy photos of parents and children playfully jumping in a pile of fallen leaves with cute sweaters and scarfs leave out the cold reality. The beautiful fall colors last a fleeting few weeks and those leaves that fall need to be raked and bagged. Then you are left with only barren branches as a back drop for next 5 months while you scrape your icy wind shield and shovel the driveway-- right before it snows again. Really folks, we all know snow only has 3 good days, the first one of the season, Christmas morning, and the kind that get you out of school for an unexpected holiday. And all I learned in Chicago, was only reaffirmed in adulthood during my years in Utah, and especially Montana.

And so, I am not so naïve as to romanticize a real winter. But there are times like today listening to the kids sing Winter Wonderland while driving home from school amidst abundant sunshine, desert landscaping, and an urge to turn on the cool air, that gave me a fleeting twinge of longing. It occurred to me recently that the kids have rarely experienced a “traditional” climate. Most of our vacations are spent visiting our families in Las Vegas, and San Diego. Which is probably good, since I don't think our little desert offspring would appreciate it too much. Although, they do love to visit their cousin Alexis in the winter, but she lives in the mountains and has the baddest sled hill in her backyard, that hardly makes for an unbiased assessment.

So I was thinking, what if there were some new altered snow that wasn't cold or wet, but still had the snowball packability. I'm thinking a cross between moon sand and those little teeny tiny packaging Styrofoam balls you can't shake off your hand. I mean, we can grow seedless grapes, can't we engineer coldless, wetless snow? I guess it's too much to hope for, the simpler solution to my reverie would be to drive up to Flagstaff for the day and remind myself exactly what I'm not missing.