These Days

Not so long ago, each day seemed to drag on forever. I would literally count down the minutes until Kevin got home from work because I felt trapped in my own home. I feel awful saying that now, because I often long for the time when my kids were babies and life was different. And I know that years from today I'll look back on this season of life and realize it wasn't as busy as it feels now. But life today is certainly different than it was two years ago.

With most days being nuts lately, I am thankful for our lazy Tuesdays and Thursdays where our biggest concern is deciding which movie to see at the theater in the afternoon. Last Tuesday we assembled five puzzles, colored for hours together, baked banana bread, and were in our jammies until 4pm. We would have stayed in them all day if Warner hadn't had basketball that night.

At dinner or after the kids go to bed, Kevin and I talk about our day and I usually have a funny story to tell him about something the kids did or said. Like when Maren said: "Mommy, we are such good friends. I think it's because we both love princesses". Or when she prays for me to make good choices (not her - me. Apparently I need help in that area). To be fair, she asks God to help her make good choices, too.

Warner  is funny but he's mostly inquisitive, and a really deep thinker for a five year old. We've already had spiritual discussions about what it means to be saved and to get baptized, the Trinity, God's omnipresence, etc. Whew. Deep stuff. So it's refreshing when he prays for our meal before dinner and includes: "God and Jesus, we are thankful for you both. You guys are the best". You guys. Love it.

Busy or lazy day, I'm thankful for each day with my precious little family. 

Basketball

Warner started basketball at the Y last week. I have been so excited for the season to begin because Warner has been so enthusiastic about it. He has insisted basketball is his favorite sport for quite a while now. I'm not sure why this is the case, since until Christmas his only personal experience with the sport included his plastic Little Tikes hoop in the basement. Regardless, he loves it and couldn't wait for his first practice.

So you can imagine my disappointment when he was in tears halfway through his first practice, telling me he didn't want to play the sport after all. The whole first practice was awkward and chaotic - two coaches with four and five year-old boys in a noisy gym. They were practicing dribbling up and down the court individually and Warner was clearly not doing well. One of the coaches spent extra time trying to help Warner, and as I watched from the bleachers, I could tell he was getting upset. He tried so hard to keep it together but he was embarrassed and disappointed and probably a million other emotions. So, the tears came.

After a short pep talk including "you made a commitment to play and need to see it to the end" and "we just need to spend some time practicing", Warner finished practice in better spirits. Thankfully the weather cooperated this weekend and Kevin was able to spend quite a bit of time outside with Warner practicing dribbling and shooting. And let's not forget: he's five  years old. He's playing basketball on a Church team at the Y. This shouldn't be competitive or emotionally scarring, right?

God probably chuckles at some of my prayers, but admittedly I spent some time this weekend praying for my sweet son, his confidence, his dribbling skills, and the entire basketball experience. Thankfully last night's first game was a huge success.

To call the event last night a basketball "game" would be a stretch. One kid passes the ball to another kid (they're instructed which kid to pass to, by the way) and he dribbles the ball down the court to the best of his ability. Meanwhile all the other kids run as fast as they can to the other side of the court and stop beneath the hoop. The kid who dribbled the ball down court then passes it to another teammate (again, he's told beforehand who to pass it to), and that child then has a chance to shoot the ball. Defense doesn't really exist, although the kids are told who to guard. Warner just chatted with the kid he was supposed to be guarding. Once a shot has been attempted, the other team gets a turn and it starts all over again.

Warner made two baskets last night and couldn't have been more thrilled. He dribbled down court very well when it was his turn, and he generally enjoyed himself. Thank God for answered prayers. After his game we allowed him to choose where we'd go out for dinner. Of ALL the dining choices he had, he chose McDonalds. Ugh. But seeing him so happy was certainly worth it.

The Zoo in January

I'm not usually one to get the winter blues, but I am already anxious for spring and it's just the middle of January. Last week didn't necessarily help when the weather was sunny and mild before another cold front moved in. We decided to seize the moment one afternoon and take a trip to the Zoo to enjoy some fresh (and not so cold) air.

Visiting the Zoo on a weekday, in the afternoon, during school is pretty wonderful. Then add in the month of January or February, and you practically have the place to yourself. It's magical. The animals were extra active when we visited, too. The giraffes were indoors but right there on the other side of the glass for the kids to see. The elephants were within 10 feet of us, and the lions were walking around, growling, right at the edge of the fence.

The polar bears were swimming and playing with one another and wildly entertaining.

 A Zoo trip isn't complete without a picture on one of the animals. Spring can't come soon enough!