Are you ready for some flag football?!

Yes! We had practice tonight! Yes it was raining and cold! Yes, my kid was the ONLY one w/ a waterproof jacket. I guess I'm not a tough enough mom. Truthfully, I questioned our sanity in even going until I got there. Then I saw all the other parents were crazy too.

And really, the kids didn't care. They had a great time w/ sanctioned, official, playing in wet grass and mud. What more could twenty five to seven year old boys want? I admit, there were times when it looked more like wrestling than football, but isn't that the fun part?

For the first half of the practice, my son, the clueless defender, tried to maintain a headlock on the offensive player who was, ummm..blocking him. Then he realized he was supposed to get the ball! He then successfully ran the wrong way, to where the ball started as opposed to where the ball was going. After chewing on his mouth guard for a few minutes, spinning in circles, and shoving his hands in and out of his pockets, he finally got a clue. He even got through the offensive line to the ball carrier a couple of times. I was so proud. Then he started running the wrong way again. Ahhh.

Practice was ended 1/2 an hour early due to it being dark, cold, and wet...and the kids being so young. Coach yelled at the parents about dressiing their kids for the weather. I felt bad my little linebacker didn't have a hood. His hair was soaked. He forgave me though. There's nothing a large order of fries and some hot apple cider can't fix. Can't wait for the game this weekend.

Pumpkin time!

I swear pumpkins are October's version of coat hangers. As of today, we have 4 large, one medium, and 4 small pumpkins gracing our home. This Friday, our kindie will be bringing home one from a field trip. Next Saturday, they'll be selling more at the school carnival.

Our kids love pumpkins so much, right now we have a jack-o-lantern tablecloth. Very high class in a preschool kind of way. Our centerpiece, pumpkins of course!

After we've rounded up all the pumpkins, we'll have our annual jack-o-lantern fest. The little kids will either paint or color their pumpkins with markers. The bigger kids will sketch designs for theirs, and "assist" their father in gutting and carving them. I'm sure the event will earn a blog entry of it's own.

Our oldest even had his hair spray-painted pumpkin orange at a local mall's pumpkin fundraiser today. If I ever figure out how to post pictures, I'll post it.

I love pumpkin season. I love baking pumpkin bread. I love eating pumpkin pie. I love seeiing how creative our kids our. I love teaching them that the best lights shine from within. It's truly one of the best times of year for everyone in our home.

Walk this way!....

This is one of those mornings I'm glad to be a part of the PTA. It was walk to school day this morning! We had a nice mini-breakfast set up for the kids, and our Risk Watch person was even considerate enough to have the donuts last in line, so they wouldn't cross contaminate the apples/oranges. A small detail that this mom of allergic kids is very grateful for.

The kids acted like it was Christmas at school! They got to draw on the sidewalk, get free zipper pulls and activity books about safety, and jump from footprint to footprint we had left on the sidewalk.

I had semi-celebrity status as several of the kids recognized me as x's mom or y's mom. All three of my boys had classmates/friends who sought me out like a prize at a treasure hunt. It's always nice to verify your kids have friends at school.

The school officials were all out and smiling. We had an officer speak about pedestrian safety, the nurse about why walking is healthy, an official from the city sanctioning our official "holiday."

All in all, the morning couldn't have gone better. Hopefully the rest of the day follows suit.

The pitter patter

of raindrops is truly a peaceful thing. On rainy days, around here, you'll find at least one toddler/preschooler at a window, absolutely mesmerized. It's better than t.v.

The air of calm extends everywhere. Those who can sleep in a bit longer. The girls play house in their room so they can watch out their windows. Baby guy is just a tad snugglier. The big kids will settle into chairs w/ homework and books after school...without the "I wanna be outside" restlessness.

Sports practices get canceled, so the evening continues the calm. We get caught up on folding laundry, doing dishes, and talking to each other. By the end of the day, everyone is tired....and hoping for sun the next morning, so we can all go out and play in the mud.

sick kid week

Sick kid week is coming to a close...I hope. Five of our six children have had the fever-headache thing. To me, it's just a reminder I'm no Florence Nightingale.

"Mom, I don't want cereal for be'kfast. I want waffles."
"Well, you know where the freezer and the toaster are."
"Hmph."

"Can we watch tv?"
Yeah, just keep it on PBS or noggin...
"But I'm sick. Why can't I watch Boomerang?"
Because Boomerang gives ME a headache.

Then there's my "good mommy moments" when I'm holding the sick child...and the sick child is gloating to her baby brother who is protesting below. I just want to put them both in bed.

Yet there's something kinda sweet about a sick kid, especially the older ones. It's nice to know they still need us once in a while. Also, hard times, like illness, give us a chance to see people's real character....and my kids really are doing okay. It's me that needs the work.

In the still, of the night......

another night of radio in my head. But I really do love the still of the night. I love watching my family sleep. I love having an hour or so of quiet time before I crash. I love having time just to listen.

Tonight, that stillness was earned, because our three youngest children were all sick today. I think baby guy is about over it, but the girls are just going down. Poor babies. I wish I could hold them all at the same time. Nonetheless, one sick kid is the work of three healthy ones, especially when they're little, so three made today a survival day. Really, it was okay. That's what cable and V8 fusion are for. Mr. M, my hero, even came home early from work to help manage things, and let me take a nap since I woke up feeling not quite so great myself.

But all that is past now. It's just me and the crickets. It's amazing how peaceful and content I am, given the swirls of change around us. But that's only because it is the still of the night.

Acts Chapter 5

This week at Bible Study, our section was Acts Ch. 5. Most of the ladies were freaked by the instant death thing. My focal point was not idiot and his wife though, it was how the apostles counted their lashing as JOY> to share in the Lord's suffering.

I'd had a pretty down day. I had to go the bank w four small kids, pay rent w/ four small kids, and take care of a sick 16mo old all day. Princess P ran laps around the bank lobby. Princess D spent the day trying to get lil sis in trouble. Chip was still bouncing that balloon, when he was supposed to be writing the letters J & K. The older kids didn't want to do their chores, or their homework. I had plenty of whine and cheese today, and finished Mr. M's reeces.

Then I go to study, grumbly, spent, don't wanna be in church attitude and all, and read how the disciples counted it joy to have bleeding backs and still be able to walk away after the lash.

Talk about conviction. I have a house to clean. I have food to prepare. Baby guy was home with me, not in the hospital. My older kids don't mouth off and generally do what they're told. My girls usually are rays of sunshine. Chip's a whole rainbow, light bouncing off everywhere.
The pastors wife told me how great my oldest son was, that he was patient, respectful, and compliant. Talk about a warm fuzz. I prayed with my favorite prayer partner.

I really have nothing to complain about...so with a chastened, content spirit, I'm finally ready for bed. Thank you Acts Ch 5.