Football

Yesterday we had two games.  Jack played at 10 and Thomas played at 5.  It was so cold at the 10 game I was covered from head to toe.  I looked like I was preparing for nuclear winter.  The kids even had on multiple layers under their pads.  Jack wore 2 under armor shirts and a t-shirt too. 
We had an injury to one of our better ball players.  He broke both bones in his wrist.  He had to have surgery and pins put in that day.  It was very sad.  We were wining by 2 points at that time.  Our kids really came together and worked  as a team to win that game.  The sad part about all this is the way the other team behaved.   You try to teach your kids good sportsmanship and general good Christian behavior and it is so difficult at times because you have to battle others that are supposed to be adults and role models for the kids.  After our player was hurt Jack came off the field almost in tears because he was so mad.  I could see him talking with his Dad on the field and Mark said you go tell them what he said.  I knew then someone had said something ugly on the field.   I had no idea who or how ugly it was.
While our player, with the broken wrist, was laying on the ground after the hit the other teams' coach stood over him and said, "Take that number 8".   That was what Jack heard and he was mad.  Now I ask you, what kind of example is that setting for his team?  Why would an adult say that to a child laying on his back screaming in pain?  Why?  None of our coaches would have done that and I can say that with complete certainty.  Our coaches would have been checking to see if he was ok.  Not taunting him.
I am saddened deeply by this display.

The Octagon House?

Went out to eat on our way to pick up pumpkins in Virgina.  While we were waiting on our food Mark and I were talking with the kids.  Thomas says, "Mom I really want to go to Washington, DC."  I asked him why he really wanted to go.  He replied, "I want to go see the Octagon House."   Jack pipes up and makes a comment thinking Thomas is really referring to the Pentagon.   Jack says, "it's the Pentagon not the Octagon."  Jack began laughing.  Thomas goes on to tell why he wants to see the Octagon house and explains what it is.  He said it was the most haunted place in Washington, DC.  Mark then takes out the trusty Blackberry and googles the Octagon house.  Mark begins, "the Octagon House located in Washington, DC is the most haunted place in Washington."  We all laugh of course because Thomas is correct.  He gives a big "SEE" to Jack and we laugh again. 
The Octagon House was built for the Tayloe family back in the 1800's.  The house was first used as a French Embassy and later in 1814 was used by President and Mrs. Dolley Madison as their Executive home after the British burned the White House.
Two of Tayloes' daughters are said to haunt the house as well as Dolley Madison.  They say at times you can smell lilacs.  That was Dolley Madisons' favorite flower.  The daughters both died in the house quarreling with their father over boys.  They both fell over the balcony of the spiral staircase.  One of the ghosts appears  a crumpled figure on the floor at the bottom of the staircase the other a light that goes up and down the staircase.
We found all of this information by Wikipedia.  Thomas had all of this information because he had  been reading about different things in history.  I am so glad my kids like to read.  If they didn't I might not learn anything cool.

A funny thing happened to me on the way to school. . .

The kids are off to a fine start in school this year.  I was concerned for them both at first.  Jack moving to a new school and Thomas getting a teacher I was unsure of.  Jack is loving life at the Middle School.  He thinks he is something else getting a locker, changing classes, going to PE ect. . .   I guess he is since I did not do those things till I was in the 7th grade.   I was worried he would feel overwhelmed at all the changes but instead he is flourishing.  I am so glad.  He also had a Birthday this month  the BIG 12.   He has more pocket money than I do now. 
Thomas is now in the 3rd grade and is doing very well also.  I met Toms' teacher and she is wonderful.  I was concerned at first because I did not know her.  After our meeting for "Making the Grade"  I realized she is going to be a perfect fit for Thomas.  Their personalities should work out very well.  She is very funny too.  A little humor goes a long way.
Thomas has been coming home talking about a new friend, Trevor.  He has talked about how much fun they have playing together.  All I have heard for the past few weeks is Trevor, Trevor, Trevor. . .   While we are waiting in line to pick Jack up Thomas sees Trevor playing in the parking lot next to where we are at a standstill in line.  He says, "Mommy, Mommy, there is Trevor, can I go play?"  I said yes.   This routine continues over the next 2 days  while waiting in line to get Jack.  Yesterday when they got out to play in the Church parking lot Trevors' Mom got out and came back to talk with me.  To my shock, it was my friend Leann that I have not seen in quite some time.  Her daughter and Jack were the same age and took gymnastics together when they were only 2 or 3 yrs old.  Once Thomas and Trevor came along they cooed and oooed at each other in the strollers while we chatted and watched the kids do gymnastics.  We lost touch once the kids were no longer involved in gymnastics.  Now we have picked back up almost where we left off.   So a funny thing happened on the way to school, I found my friend again.

I'm back. . . Have not blogged in a while but here we go.

To summarize things since last we talked. . .  The kids are doing well.  They started wrestling this year and finished up baseball.  Both Thomas and Jacks' team finished 2nd in their division.   Jack pitched this year quite a  bit and did very well.  He struck out 10 kids in one game.  We were so proud of them both.  Thomas hit two home runs this year and Jack hit one. 
They did well in school too.  Jack will go to Middle School next year.  Kinda nervous about that one.  Thomas will be a third grader.  Wow!  I am feeling a wee bit old.  
We got to visit with Gee and Poppy this past week.  Went to see an Owls Game while we were there.  Those are always fun!  Both the boys did the dizzy bat race.  We got to see Team Japan.  They were coming in to play the Owls the next night and then on to Durham to play Team USA.   It was neat getting to see them.  The boys got a couple of bats that were broken during the game.   They got them signed by the players and I got a picture of Jack with one of them.  I will post it later. 
Marks' niece graduated from Western Carolina and will be going to Grad School in the Fall.    Yeah!!!
Oh, and we have a new puppy.  Her name is Basil, after the herb.  She is a Puggle, part Pug and part Beagle.    She is 7 months old now and finally potty trained.  Now to work on her manners.  She did well going to Gee and Poppies this week.  She rode in the front seat so pretty and quiet. 
My kids have also lost teeth like crazy since school was out.  Jack lost three and Thomas has lost two.  He lost the most recent one today. 
Will try to stay up to date now and do a weekly post.  Summer is going to be crazy this year.   The boys have several camps they are doing.  Check back to see what is going on.

PMS warning . . . .

Mark swears I have terrible PMS.   He said when we were first married and did not have the kids he used the mushroom defense.  He stayed real still and in the dark out of sight.  Then he said when Jack was born and starting to walk and be more mobile  he played the Jurassic Park defense.  That was when he stayed real still and did not make a move and let poor little Jack fall into the radar and then he would quietly sneak away.  I laugh about all this now but I must say I did have a problem.  I went to my doctor and told her that I wanted to scream just hearing the dog walk across the hard wood floor.  She wanted to prescribe medication for me of course.  I also talked with my sister and she said I should go to the gym.  I took my sisters advice over the doctors.   I found that on most days when I went to the gym I did feel much better and did not seem to get as aggravated at everyone for the littlest of things.   My niece says PMS stands for "prepare my shotgun."  HA HA!!  I liked that one.  I always said it stood for "putting up with mens' s*^+."  Well you get the picture.  My niece also says that everything that goes wrong with a woman starts with "men."  Menopause, menstruation, mental illness ect. . .  That girl is wise beyond her years.  
Oh, and Mark and I have been married 18 years in April.  HA HA HA!!  So PMS does not kill you.

Happy Birthday Thomas!

Thomas is 8!  He told me he has only 8 more years and he gets his drivers license and of course Jack chimed in to add, he only had 5 more years before he would get his.  After I picked myself up off the floor we all laughed about that one.  I am not ready for my kids to drive and I don't think anyone else is either.
  Thomas had a big day yesterday we went to Jacks' basketball game then to early dinner and then home for presents and cake.  He will have a big celebration today at his grandmas' Super Bowl party.  We all get together and eat way to much and of course the boys watch the game and the ladies play cards or dominos and enjoy the fellowship of family.   We will not only be celebrating Toms' birthday but we will also celebrate Marks' Moms as well.  She and Thomas have the same birthday. 

Thomas is all about nerf guns and army men these days.  He and Jack set up the army men and shot them with their nerf guns in the playroom yesterday.   Jack made Thomas a base for his army men.  He took one of my Pampered Chef boxes and painted it in a camouflage pattern and added some trees for cover.  This was Jacks' gift to Thomas.   I guess they are pretty cool kids if you can get passed the fighting and sibling rivalry. 

I have created a monster. . .

Actually, I have created two lounge lizards.  Both the boys got robes for Christmas and they love them.  When we had all of our snow they wanted to stay in their pjs' and their robes ALL day long.  I finally told Jack, "your name is not Hugh Hefner, you are not a millionaire, and you do not live in a mansion; so put on some clothes."   
Jack got an electronic monopoly game for Christmas too.  Later that week he wanted to have a family game night and wanted to play monopoly.  Anyone that has ever played a game with Jack knows he is very good at games especially ones that involve money.  We are all sitting at the table waiting on Jack and he comes down the steps in his robe.  He said, "Just call me Hugh Hefner."    (a side note to all parents Jack only knows the things I listed above about Hugh Hefner.  He does not know anything else.)  
Mark had played monopoly with Jack once before and he told me that he is either going to be a millionaire or he will be in the poor house.   He plays to win at monopoly and most everything else too.  I guess we all do.  It is just  funny to see it in our kids at this age.  My boys, they do keep things interesting.