Archive for December, 2009

Soccer Slowdown

Monday, December 7th, 2009

You may recall that Brady started soccer a few weeks ago. We enrolled in a six week program. The first two weeks he was SO into the sport. He ran, sweated, and counted the hours until soccer. And slowly his enthusiasm has slowed down. We are now a few weeks past the final week of class. I plan to enroll him again when he is older, if he requests.

His favorite part was the play area that was attached to the indoor field (think McDonald’s playland but super-sized). Brady would interrupt the coach several times during practice to ask if he was allowed to go play at the “park.” I slowly realized that THIS was the only reason he wanted to come to soccer – to play at the play area!

Each week you could see him just pooping out, bit by bit! By the final week of class, he came out after ten minutes, lay on the bench and said he was just too tired. When Coach called him back on the field, my son (in front of all of the parents and team) went on for about 3-4 minutes straight about wondering the point of this game. In Brady’s words (with his hands thrown up in the air) “I just don’t get it, I run one way, then I run the other way, I try to kick one ball into this big net, then I just do it all over again. What is the point.”

His coach was holding back his own laugh. While this mother was mortified and blushing, the other parents all found him hilarious. Yeah, listening to that made me realize that maybe he just isn’t the athletic type, or maybe we haven’t found a good match yet. He is only 3 (ok, almost 4), so we have plenty of time.  Maybe he will be into music or academics more than sports, and that is just fine. He is perfect just the way he is. I can still be a “soccer mom” even if my kid doesn’t play soccer – right?

Daddy Time

Friday, December 4th, 2009

I spend a lot of time talking about Andrew and me. I think it’s time that hubby (aka Brian) gets some face time on this blog. After all, he should be recognized for being the amazing dad that he is…

I love watching Brian and Andrew together. When Andrew was little, he would curl up in a ball and fall asleep on Brian’s chest. Brian always said that was one of the best feelings in the world. Then he would wrap his arms around Andrew and fall asleep with the hugest smile on his face.

Brian wanted to find a way for them to spend some quality father-son time together. So when our friends mentioned that the local YMCA had baby swim class, we signed Andrew up as soon as he was old enough.

Andrew has always loved the water. He could spend hours in the tub, happily splashing away and playing with his nine million bath toys. Brian was a lifeguard and still enjoys the pool – so it seemed like a perfect fit.

The first time he took Andrew in the pool, Andrew was a little scared but quickly adapted to being in water deeper than the infant tub. But he soon warmed up to it, loving the splashing, kicking and jumping off the side into the water.

They have been doing the baby swim class almost every Saturday since Andrew was six months old. Brian and Andrew head off to the Y to swim and I head to over to the gym for a workout. We meet up together for breakfast afterwards.

Brian beams when he tells me how Andrew did – that he is using both his arms and legs to swim or that he put his face in the water or that he loved playing with a certain toy during free play time. Andrew smiles brilliantly as we talk about his growing swimming abilities over pancakes.

I always look forward to hearing about their time together.  I can see how much they both enjoy it and it’s  great that they get to share these Daddy-Andrew moments together.

Hustle and bustle…

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and so has the infamous shopping day:  Black Friday.  I used to get up early and fight the crowds with my mom and sisters to enjoy a day of shopping and to get ready for the holidays.  This year was a little different.  I slept in and took comfort in my own bed while everyone else was out literally fighting with crowds.  I don’t understand how people can get so vicious during such a happy time.  I know the economy isn’t the greatest right now and saving money is important.  The internet is the place to go.

My husband and I have taken a liking to online shopping.  It’s convenient, less stressful, and in the end we seem to save more money.  What can be better than that?  We are big fans of Amazon.com and several other websites offering great deals year round.  We use wish lists on Amazon to let our families know what we want for Christmas and we feel good knowing that the price is typically better online than at a brick and mortar location. Coupon codes from sites like retailmenot.com can offer additional savings.

It’s December 1st and I am 99% finished with our shopping for the year.  I will admit, I do like to get a few small things at the store that I like to pick out…  for example, stocking stuffers.  I could order chapstick, candy and post-its online, but it’s easy to pick that up while I’m grocery shopping.

Jack likes to shop online, too.  He likes to get on Amazon.com and search trains.  Of course, Thomas appears and his eyes get as big as quarters.  He points to each one and tells me their name and how he is going to ask Santa for it.  Speaking of Santa, I’m dying to see if he will be excited to sit on Santa’s lap this year, or cry uncontrollably like he did last year.  He’s been practicing on my lap, and I can’t help but laugh to myself.  Things to tell him when he’s sixteen years old.

I hope you have a stress-free and successful holiday shopping season!