Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Jack’s soccer season is well underway, and he is enjoying it. He’s playing on a bigger field this year, so he has to run farther per game. He is breathless by the end of the game, but getting in a good workout. He is learning more and more rules of the game and finally getting some skills and footwork down pat. He still relies on his coach for help from the sidelines, but he is grasping more with each game.

Jack’s team isn’t the top team of the league by any means, but they work together and demonstrate great teamwork. It used to be that once someone got the ball they dribbled it down the entire field by themselves trying to score that goal. Now the boys are learning to pass to each other and realizing that plays an important role of the game. Jack used to get bummed out when he didn’t score a goal, but now he’s happy when he gets an assist.

It’s great fun watching this age group play. My husband and I get so excited to watch and cheer from the sidelines. I think back to Jack’s first year of soccer and it’s awesome to see how much he has learned over the years. I can’t wait to see how much more he learns and performs in future years.

From Wednesday Mom: Janelle:
Jack and Tate’s sports are gearing up again for the new season. The homework piles are larger, the schedules are expanding, and my brain is doing flips. I knew there would come a time when I felt completely overwhelmed with the amount of activities going on in our lives. With my husband gone for days or weeks at a time, I’m starting to feel the pressure of solo parenting.

I am thrilled my children are involved in sports. They enjoy playing and the interaction with other kids. However, it gets very challenging when two kids have to be somewhere at the same time.  More times than not, those places are at the opposite ends of town, and I also have a parent meeting at their school thrown in for good measure. I always think, “why couldn’t they be on different nights of the week, or at different times?” I know a lot of other parents face these same dilemmas and find a balance.

Although I don’t have family nearby, I do have a great group of friends who volunteer to help me out. Luckily, their kids are involved in the same sports so they can carpool with me and make sure my child gets to where they need to be, and I can return the favor on a day when they are busy. Part of me feels guilty for not being with Jack or Tate for any or part of their game/practice. I know they don’t need me hovering 24/7, but I like to watch them have fun and improve their skills. The other part of me knows that this is how life is going to be when I’m the only parent physically home to transport and carpool. The good news is, I’m happy Jack and Tate get the opportunity to play sports and that makes me a happy mom.  It truly takes a village to raise kids!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Along with Major League Baseball starting this week, Jack is swinging into spring with a new baseball season. This year he got lucky and is on the Red Sox team! With a family history of Red Sox fans, he has already made us proud.

I’ve mentioned in past posts that Jack advanced to an older league. Yes, he sure did. Jack attended several practices and played his first game.  Practices were intense, including batting cages, running laps, and drills, drills, drills. The coaches are MUCH more serious about their role and saying the parents are competitive is an understatement.  I am all about Jack’s team doing well, but with a little less negativity from the sidelines. Don’t get me wrong, I cheer for Jack at all his sporting events and offer constructive criticism when needed. I want him to strive to do better just like every other supportive parent. However, it’s hard to sit on the sidelines and listen to what some parents are screaming to their child. This is supposed to be fun, right?

I got a taste of what this year was going to be like by watching glimpses of the older boys play last year. Other parents told me about the intensity. I guess I had to experience it for myself to truly understand the impact. Thankfully, there are only a select few parents who, so far, I have pegged as very negative. I hate to be judgmental, but speaking harshly to children who are learning really concerns me.  There are many positive parents out to help, support, and cheer for their son and his team. I applaud them for that.  At this age, I just can’t comprehend why these kids must display the skills of Major League players to be considered “good.”

I want Jack to be challenged. I want him to learn the skills and rules of the game. I want him to enjoy playing and I want him to look back on this year as a positive experience. I’m going to hope the lack of parental support of the first game was a dud and maybe some parents were having a bad day. All I can do is make sure Jack is giving 100% and is doing his absolute best. I’m hoping the next game goes much smoother with less pessimism. I can only imagine what the future has to hold with competitive sports.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Once Jack started sleeping through the night, we developed a bedtime routine that worked for our family. Our target bedtime is 8:00pm. It’s worked for 7+ years, and I don’t want to change it anytime soon. Occasionally, that bedtime slides to the right a bit for special instances like, a weekend movie, travel, or a child who loves to stall their bedtime routine.

In the past, we had a few games or practices that started late. This year, the sport schedule is filled with late games and practices. It’s very frustrating for me because I like to keep my boys on schedule, especially during the school week. When I say a late start, I mean games START at the time the boys should be falling asleep. It gets even more challenging when my husband is out of town, because then I have two boys who are up way past their bedtime and are expected to be productive and well behaved the following day. I might be crazy for feeling this way. I might need to wake up and realize this is part of playing sports. But it still seems ridiculous to me that a 4 year olds soccer game starts at 8:00pm on a Monday night.

Mostly, I’m just venting about this situation. I know the board/coaches have to configure a schedule to make sure all teams play their assigned games. I know it’s not easy to please everyone, but perhaps keeping the little ones to the earlier games would be beneficial to the children and their parents.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Lately, the boys are very busy with sports. I enjoy watching them play and learn during their games.  It’s been a bit challenging this spring season, since I’m doing all the transportation and parental support on my own. However, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m excited my kids have the chance to participate in these organized clubs.

Soon, Jack and Tate will be wrapping up their soccer season for the year. For Tate, it’s been an interesting season. He loves to run around the soccer field and pretend he’s battling with the ball. He’s scored a couple goals this year, one went into the wrong goal, but hey, he scored. It’s always fun to watch the little ones play their first year.

Tate is also still enjoying his tennis lessons. However, poor weather conditions have limited his practice. I’m hoping once spring arrives he’ll be back at it consistently. He wants to get back out there as soon as it stops raining every Monday.

Jack’s soccer team is undefeated this season.  They are doing really well, and I can see a lot of  improvement in his skills.  He’s very competitive, and he’s learning that it’s takes a lot of practice and repetition to succeed. His games are much more interesting the older he gets. Like a true mom, I yell, “Go Jack!!!” from the side lines.

The next sport for Jack on the activity calendar is baseball. As a seven year old, he has moved up a division. He had his first “tryouts” last weekend, to fairly divide up the teams.  He did pretty well, but definitely needs some more practice.  The new league this year will be more of a challenge, but will do him some good. I plan on spending my afternoons playing catch with my boys.  Yes, I’m definitely a boy-mom!

I grew up playing sports, so I love that my kids get to as well. I’m sure they will pick a favorite sport as they get older, but as long as they have fun I will drive them and cheer for them wherever they need to be. I hope spring gets here soon so we can practice in the warmer weather!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Tate’s preschool has two fundraisers each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. I have blogged before about the spring fundraiser to benefit St. Jude’s Childrens’ Hospital. Last night, the school held their inaugural Veterans’ Day Fun Run, to benefit the preschool.

We loaded up the minivan and headed to a local park for the festivities. The preschool director gave an introduction and greeted all the Veterans and their families in attendance. The youth pastor gave an opening prayer and the children each got an American Flag to wave while they ran.

We gathered at the starting line for the big race. The course was a brief ½ mile run around the park. The kids did a great job keeping pace for their slower parents. Surprisingly, both Jack and Tate made it around the loop. Every child received a participation medal at the finish line and both boys enjoyed a hotdog and cotton candy to celebrate Veterans’ Day.

It was a small event, but the kids loved it and it was a great way to stay active and honor our Veterans. The boys told their dad they ran extra fast for him. Daddy is our favorite Veteran!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
In our small town, activities for kids are pretty limited compared to other places. If I find out about a new sport or event, I try to enroll my children (with their permission) to expose them to new ideas and skills they may not have otherwise known.

Several weeks ago, a friend approached me and asked if Tate would be interested in joining a few of his friends for tennis lessons. I thought that would be a great idea. Tate was excited about the new opportunity. His lesson takes place one day a week right after school. He is in the lesson with two other boys from his preschool class, and they all really enjoy it. The instructor teaches kids of all ages and really gets a kick out of the younger ones. He works really well with them  – teaching the very basics even in the ridiculously hot weather.

The instructor prefers for parents stay off the court in order for the kids to focus and not be distracted. I stay and watch from afar, and I can already see improvement with all three boys. They learn from each other and have fun doing so. Even though tennis balls are flying every which way, they look so cute trying their best.

I’m happy Tate found something he likes of his own, something different from what big brother plays. He is challenged by other kids and learning how to work hard for his own goals. I love seeing the excitement in his eyes when we pull up to the courts.   It puts a smile on my face every time.

From Wednesday Mom: Janelle

Tate is eligible to start youth sports in our area. We just signed him up for soccer like we did for his big brother three years ago. Jack has since graduated to the next age group in both soccer and baseball, but Tate is about to fill his big brother’s shoes.

We are excited that Tate is going to get off of the sidelines and into the game. I think he will love playing and will hopefully learn the benefits of teamwork. However, we also know that we are about to double the logistics of our family getting to/from practices and games. I am fortunate that I am a full time mom and can commit myself to getting the boys where they need to be, but it is by no means going to be easy.

I am a little apprehensive because soon my husband will be transitioning careers and he may not be able to help me be in two places at once. So I am in charge of the balancing act of the boys’ schedules. I know it is going to be really hard, but it’s something most families juggle. My husband reminded me that the boys WILL miss some of their own events for their sibling’s over the course of their childhood. So as long as we put forth our best effort we still win as parents.

I hate to complain too much about having busy, healthy children and a loving husband who helps when he can. I guess I am anxious because I have friends with older kids who are constantly managing activities of their own families. We haven’t hit the phase of travel teams yet, so hopefully this will be a good transition. I know first hand the commitment to supporting our children’s interests because my older sisters spend most weekends driving to various tournaments, practices and games. It’s hard to believe my little boy is trading his mom’s lap for cleats and shin guards, but I’m happy he is taking on a new adventure.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Last year, Tate took swim lessons and unfortunately, he didn’t like the teacher nor the cold pool. He started out determined, but quickly lost interest. Learning to swim is important to our family. At a minimum, we want our kids to be safe around water. Ideally, we want them to enjoy the water and be comfortable swimming like we both did as kids.

This year, Tate took two weeks of swim lessons with a local instructor who teaches swimming every June. She came highly recommended by friends. We were very excited to get a spot reserved for Tate. Right away she held Tate’s attention and helped him get over his fear of water. Jack and Tate even learned more advanced skills like diving. Jack was a return student from a couple years ago and he still remembered her phrase “paddle, kick, and blow bubbles.”

The teacher requests that parents do not watch the lesson until the end of the week. We drop the kids off in the pool area and go back in to get them when their session is over. Watching through the fence is off limits, as well. The children get distracted and it takes away their concentration, especially for the younger ones. On the last day, parents and grandparents are welcome to view what the kids have learned. I knew Tate was doing much better this year because after every lesson he told me how he was swimming under water. I was thrilled to hear this news and could not wait until the last lesson so I could see his progress.

I enjoy taking pictures of our kids’ milestones. I wanted to get some great photos of Tate swimming. So when I discovered I forgot the memory card to my camera, I was very annoyed at myself. I was so upset that I had missed the opportunity to document what is clearly a major life event for Tate. After a few minutes of anger, I forced myself to let it go and I cheered him on. It was actually nice not to worry about getting the “perfect shot.” I know there will be other opportunities to take swimming pictures.

Lesson learned: it’s not so bad to give up a little control every now and then and enjoy what is happening right in front of me. I’m glad I was able to see Tate jump in the water and smile as soon as his head popped out instead of always hoping I captured the right light, angle and focus. It’s the little things that make being a mommy so special.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
The last week of May is fun, but busy for our family. My birthday and Jack’s birthday are this week. To celebrate, our family went to Atlanta for a fun filled weekend.

We loaded up the mini-van and drove to Atlanta and the boys immediately noticed the city skyline and big buildings. They loved the cars, trains and planes of the big city. I especially enjoyed being surrounded by the activity of the city.

The boys enjoyed exploring our hotel, but the aquarium was much more interesting. The Georgia Aquarium had all kinds of sea-life including, rays, sharks, penguins, whales, turtles, jellyfish and a dolphin show. The boys loved the sea otters, scuba divers and a HUGE Whale Shark. They were mesmerized by all the large tanks and colorful fish. Thankfully, we managed to see everything before the holiday crowds took over.

The next day was a rare chance to see our beloved Red Sox play at Turner Field versus the Atlanta Braves. After ten straight losses, we knew the Red Sox needed our help! After 6.5 hours and a rain delay we watched them comeback from a five run deficit to win 8 to 6. It was a LONG day but worth it. GO SOX!!!

This weekend is the finale of birthday week. Jack turns seven, and we are having a pool party with his close friends. All he wants is a pool, cupcakes and the company of friends. I am happy to oblige, but I can’t guarantee beautiful weather. My fingers are crossed for my birthday boy. Mother Nature, please cooperate!