Bye....Turtles

"Bye Mom, Turtles"

"Bye Noodle, and you mean "Tootles"??

"Nope, I mean 'Turtles'"

"Bye Noodle, Tootles"

"Mom, it's 'Turtles', really. And, this one time when Daddy was mowing the lawn, he found a turtle in the lawn, it's TURTLES! Then, he picked it up, and I petted the turtle's shell. He was so cute. I was going to keep him, but Daddy said he needed to be in the wilderness"

So, "turtles" it is. Just keepin' it real.

Peace

Thirteen Years, and We've Never Had a Fight!!

We stood in the hallway and admired the portrait.

"We looked so happy", I said. "So young, wow, thirteen years went by so fast. That day was so magical. Still wouldn't have changed a thing."

"Mommy, you look so skinny."
"Yeah, thanks Schmoogie...."
"Daddy, you have a mustache....hahahaha, and you look...."
"What? Just like Daddy, right?"
"Yes, you do, you look the same, except that mustache." Chuckle, chuckle.

On this day, thirteen years ago, I married my "bestie", my BFF, my soul mate, my "husbando", the one who is always by my side.

Funny thing is while so much has changed for us over the years, so much hasn't, like how we feel about each other.

I love you more than I did on that day. I feel so satisfied with who we are and who we have become. I feel so rich and blessed with the family we have created. I love the memories we have and those we create each day.

Happy Anniversary babe, with so many more to come, I just cant wait.

Love to love you, still,
P

Reunion Update

The reunion was fab. Catching up with old friends, sharing pictures of our beautiful children, swapping stories and interpretation of some of those stories is always charming. Seeing some of whom you haven't in nearly twenty years is always an adventure. Finally seeing someone that you have only had an instant messaging/emailing/facebooking relationship with, getting to meet their husband, and exchanging hugs as if you never parted, priceless.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, Big D too, considering he knew as many there as I did. A room full of 39 and then some, part of which were proudly married with spouse in tow, others who were not so happily married or divorced, coming alone, props to you all.

Smothered by 80's music and pics of us all in big (and I mean BIG) hair, such sweet memories. Knowing that it didn't matter if they liked you in High School, and now having the confidence to not care, was refreshing. I was me and I was happy.

Mostly all were pleasant, excited, and having the time of their life. There was one though, and he will remain nameless, as I have already forgotten his name. Why? Well, I will tell you why.

I walked up to Mr. ITotallyDoNotRememberAnymore and the following transpired:

P: Hi, I know you.
Them: You do? I don't know you. He glances at my pin displaying my name and fancy yearbook pic.
P: Yeah, I'm Double P, married to Big D, hung out with Suzy Pancakes and Joe Blow.
Them: No, Can't say I remember.

Getting more embarrassed by the second, but not going to let it get the best of me, come up with this clever reply, to which I am still so proud of myself for.

P: That's because you weren't lucky enough to know me in High School.

And with that I turned on my heals, giggled to myself, took a sip of my drink, found my REAL friends and danced the night away.

HOW RUDE!! I mean really, I would have at least faked it, people have no class! Oh, and did I mention that he was standing alone. Hmmm, I wonder why, tee hee hee!

Peace.

He's getting the BIG Truck

"When I get bigger Mommy, I 'm gonna get a BIG truck, wif BIG lights, and BIG seats, and BIG tires, just like my Dad." Announces the Noodle Doodle on the way to drop off at daycare today, hands flying all around as I gaze at him in the rear view mirror.

"Oh yea, a BIG truck, huh?"

"Yeah, Mommy, wif big lights, just like my Dad's."

(we're still working on the "th" sound)

His hands are making that BIG gesture, so big I thought he might crack himself in the head.

"Oh, sounds nice."

"You know, Mommy, I already am bigger, I mean when I get really bigger, that's when I'm gonna get that BIG truck."

He wants to be big so bad. Today I will try to start accepting that!

Peace.

This is why I am so Happy!!

Big D rings the office at about 8:45 a.m.

"Everything O.K.?" I ask.

"Yeah, yeah, everything is fine. I just wanted to tell you the cutest thing that Noodle said to me on the way to daycare this morning."

I'm thinking something to do with Father's Day (or Farta's Day as Noodle says).

"Daddy, I am gonna miss Mommy today."

"Aww Noodle, that's so sweet, are you gonna miss Daddy too?"

"No, Daddy, just Mommy"

I have to tell you, That. Made. My. Day.

I miss him too, every Monday I miss both of my boys. It really is tough getting back into the work week groove after spending the entire weekend together.

Just to think that Big D would unselfishly pass that dialogue on to put a smile on my face.

Even though, the Noodle Doodle totally blew him off, he still gave me my props. That is why he is the best husband and Daddy ever and I am so happy!!

Big hugs all around tonight when the workday is over!
Peace.

Noodle's in Trouble

Noodle came home from school (daycare) with a laundry list of infractions for the day. Doesn't happen often, as he is a relatively well behaved child.

Surprised, I acted so. Bright eyed and that NOOOO? is what I exuded, not knowing that it was only the first on the list.

"Mommy, I said potty words."

"Tell Mommy what else you did" Big D coaches from the couch.

"Oh. And. What? What Daddy, what else I did?" He had already forgotten.

"Tell her what you said to Miss. D." He is smiling at me from the couch, as I am left to be the disciplinarian in the kitchen.

"Oh. That, Mommy I say "NO" to Miss D."

The eyes widen and the NOOOO becomes, NOOOOOOOOOO!

"And tell her what else, Noodle." Comes from the cheerleader Dad.

"What else? There's more?" The eyes were bulging at this point.

"Oh, and I hit my friends."

"OH MY Noodle!"

A brief lecture loaded with disappointment, drenched with Mommy guilt and sprinkled with an affectionate expectation occurs and the tot decides he will NEVER do those things again.

Giggles from the other side of the couch are muffled by a throw pillow. Yes, Schmoogie found humor in all of this.

Why? I asked myself, well, why not? Noodle doesn't give us much grief and is rarely "in trouble." Schmoogie, on the other hand, is the king of punishment in our house. I guess he thought it was funny that someone else was getting the disappointed bulging eye NO's instead of him.

Kids.
Turned out to be a good night!
Peace.

Field Day 09

He awoke with a sparkle in his eyes and a smile on his face that you could see for a mile. It was afterall, the most wonderful day of the school year, FIELD DAY!

Decked out in his favorite silky shorts, the official Field Day t-shirt, fastest sneakers he owns, clean socks and his coolest undies, he enters my bathroom and applies deodorant. "Mom, I'm Ready" declares Schmoogie. He is all set for the big day!

The cooler is packed, we are armed with energy enhancing goods, including carrots, cucumber slices, water bottles and juice bags for the class.

The rain gives way and allows the sweet sun to shine through. It will be a great day. Dolce and Gabanna's on, we are off.

I explain to the Schmoog~Master in the car that I, as a child wasn't as enthused about field day. "See Schmoogie, they didn't have fourth and fifth place ribbons, the didn't have "participation" ribbons, so I, very rarely ever got a ribbon."

I go on to tell him "one time I remember receiving the first place blue ribbon for the tug of war." (You know tug of war is a class event, and the win was no thanks to me, that's for sure!)

Quick stop for breakfast sandwiches and we arrive the school.

We eat breakfast at one of the picnic tables.

Set up our sheet under his classes tent.

Carry over the cooler and into the classroom to help Mrs. B apply tattoo's on all of Schmoogie's classmates' arms.

Out to the field for the day to begin...

Second place in the 50 yard dash.

First place in the 400 meter race.

First place for the three legged race he so eloquently won with his pal from his class!

Now it's time for tug of war. I lead the class in chants to encourage their enthusiasm, have them flex their tiny muscles to arouse their adrenalin flow, chicken dance their finger tips to get them ready for an ultra tight grip on that rope. One of the Dads spell out some more strategy. First you dig your feet, then lean back and pull! And they are on. Mrs. B's Bolts are strong, the girls turn up the girl power and the anchors are secure.

PUUUUULLLLLL! The parents, janitors and other school staff cheer them on.

They were psyched. They did really well, blew away the first competitors, and were ready for the next. Only, the next team was big, they had been practicing, they looked ready, I was nervous, but our kids were ready too.

PUUUULLLLLLL!

They got us, but hey, we did well, 2nd place, not too shabby!

At the conclusion of the morning activities, I make my way to my office. Big D will stay and enjoy the afternoon's water events.

The most wonderful day of the school year was exciting, fun and a great time for the kids to let loose, and have some fun. It was great! Congrats Schmoogie, you rock!!

Peace.

No Adult, No Pool, That's our Rule!

While rounding out the holiday weekend at a friend's house, the kids were all geared up for a fun-filled afternoon of swimming and bbq.

"The rule is no one in the pool without an adult there," the hostess reminds the kids as they run towards the pool area.

Sighs, grunts and groans come from six very anxious children all ready for a sweet dip in the 82 degree heated pool.

"Come on Mom, I am a good swimmer," declares Schmoogie.

"Not my rule, not our pool. Sorry Schmoogie," my clever response.

As I assist our hostess with the final touches, Big D steps up to the plate and steps into lifeguard mode. The splashing begins.

Noodle, who always wears swimmies and holds onto a noodle or kickboard decides to jump in with the kickboard, sans swimmies. Big D is impressed.

Seconds later, Noodle lets go of the kickboard and sinks to the bottom of the pool. The lifeguard, decked out in his party gear, cell phone in one pocket, cash and wallet in the other, jumps in the pool and retrieves the very shaken Noodle.

After the scare, the day progresses without further incident, all is well. Glad I spent all that money on swimming lessons.

A rude awakening to say the least, considering our pool will be open on June 4th. Over dinner last night, I reminded my darling children that the previous day's event could have yielded a very different outcome, had Big D not been there. It was dramatic conversation, it needed to be. I made the announcement that there will be no swimming, no children in the pool area without an adult, no exceptions.

Sure, there was a little grief from Schmoogie, then the reminder that he didn't even notice his baby brother at the bottom of the pool, and even if he had, he couldn't have done anything to help him. Grief ceases.

For the first time, I am nervous about our pool.

Peace.

Memorial Day Weekend Preview

So, it's officially summer? Not really, isn't June 21st the first day of summer? Either way, the warm weather has finally graced us here on the North Fork, and we are about to baste in it and drench ourselves with sunshine, outdoor activities, and warmth. I say, BRING IT ON!

Memorial Day Weekend, oh, yes, when we begin to relish all that summer has to offer. I cannot wait to get this weekend started. I can almost smell the hamburgers and hotdogs grilling on the open flame, hear the sweet sounds of childhood glee, and see the pollen covering my car. Well, two out of three isn't bad.

Should be a nice one, we have a birthday party, some lax practice, baseball practice, perhaps a dip in a friend's pool, and defiantly BBQ!

I'd like to get in a nice walk to see the cows and the llama around the way, a bike ride to the water just past the Meeting House Creek Inn would be lovely, and maybe a wiffle ball game with the neighborhood kids. That's my idea of a good summer weekend.

No matter what else the weekend brings, I will be perfectly happy as long as I get to spend lots of time outside, preferably without a jacket, sucking up the sun with my three favorite peeps in the world.

Love you guys,
Peace.

Spontaneity for P

For the first night in over a week, we do not have anything to do tonight. No LAX, no baseball, no exercise class, no personal trainer, no playdate, no shopping to do, no nothing. Great, you say? Then why, all day, am I stressing out about what to do tonight?

What will I make for dinner? Should we just go out to dinner?

Will Schmoogie remember that I "promised" him (3 or 4 days ago) a trip to KMart for a desperately needed triangular shaped bakugon?

Should I call my walking buddies for a walk tonight?

Maybe I can get some cold cuts, or make PB&J's and head to the beach for a picnic. Oooooh, that's a good one, the kids can play on the playground, look for shells, Big D and I could walk the beach. Oh, that's right, Big D isn't much of a beach fan. Oh well, maybe I could go with the kids, but I haven't had a solid conversation with my husband in at least five (5) days.

See my dilemma's? It's as if I have to fill my three little hours between picking up Noodle from daycare and just before bed with stuff to do. Well, I have just decided that I do not have to fill those hours with anything.

I have a feeling the spontaneity will do me some good. We shall see!

Hope you have a great night, I'm pretty sure I will!

Peace.

A Mother's Day to Remember

With excitement in their eyes, their hands filled with handmade treasures, their hearts filled with love, they jump on my bed and shout “Happy Mother’s Day!”

A handmade silhouette of my first born, the tiniest of flower pots with first week sprouting, and a white gift bag filled with pink and brown tissue paper and a gift card to East Wind Spa drown me as I awake from sleeping in, yet another gift for the day.

I gaze into both sets of eyes and admire their gigantic smiles and offer a big Mama hug to both of my adorable children. I squeeze them both, simultaneously and grin with happiness, inside and out. I lovingly look at them again, and thank them for giving me the privilege to be a Mother. I love being a Mommy, I love being their Mommy.

A buttered bagel and hot cup of coffee await my arrival at the kitchen table. As I indulge, my three favorite people and I chat about what the rest of the day has in store.

A late brunch at one of the finest restaurants on the North Fork, with Grandma and Grammy turns out exquisite.

As we finish up brunch, with nothing really planned for the remainder of the day, Big D’s cell phone rings with a lovely invitation.

“We’re heading up to Martha Clara with the kids, hoping you can join us.”

“I will talk to P, I’m sure she’ll be in, sounds like fun.”

We spend the rest of the afternoon sipping wine with friends, as our children run and play in the open fields overlooking breathtaking views of grape filled vines. Kite flying, ball playing and picnic baskets are flowing. Animals are out for viewing and a pirate ship shaped playset occupy more of the time for our children. Fresh air and warm sun nestle us as we enjoyed all that Mother’s Day had to offer.

It truly was a day to remember. I hope yours was too.

Peace.

Solution to the Shower Time Blues...

Schmoogie never minded water in his face. You could wash his hair in the bath or in the shower, and just dump the clean water over his head to rinse, or stick his lil head under the shower head and let it run down. He would just shut his eyes, ever so tightly, so no water would get in, and smile the whole time.

Noodle hates water in his face. He cries, cringes, shakes, tightens up, etc. He cannot stand to get his hair washed. I have tried all the remedies to no avail. I usually just give him showers for times sake, quickly rinsing, with dry towel in between my knees ready to dry that delicious wet face, just as soon as the water runs clear. He still cries, cringes and shakes, every, single, time. It's heartbreaking, stressful and at times extremely frustrating, until now!

Just as Noodle is getting ready to enter the torture chamber (our shower), he spots a pair of swim goggles graciously left by the Easter Bunny, meant for the new pool this summer, and Big D thinks it funny to put them on and "go show Mommy, tell her you're ready for the shower".

Genius! I think out loud, can it really work??

Well, it seems, we have found the perfect solution to the water in the eyes blues....

You have to creatively wash around the rubber strap in the back of the head, so I will need to be diligent about ensuring different placement of the straps each shower. But I figure, hell, if I can get most of those blonde strands clean without a tear, without cringing, without shaking, I am golden!

Peace.

Bottle It Up

While driving the babysitter home last night, this song was playing on the radio, and I couldn’t help but immediately make a mental list of what I would bottle up right now, if I could.

Rounding out the top of my list are:

~ My baby’s sweet innocence, I wish I could keep him this age forever,
~ My Schmoogie’s giggle induced dimple and his sweet smile,
~ The warmth of Big D’s touch and his ability to make me smile, inside and out,
~ The soothing sound of the laughter I share with my children when we convert my kitchen floor into a dance floor, and,
~ Kisses, hugs and those special smiles that replace a kiss or a hug from across the room.

The list could go on and on, but those were first to come to mind.

If only I could bottle it up, I would, “do it for love”.

I have always enjoyed the tune of this song, now it seems to sound just a tad sweeter.

Peace.

LAX!

Schmoogie's started lacrosse yesterday through the local PAL. This should be an interesting new journey in the P house, as none of us have a real understanding of the game.

We needed to invest in some new equipment for the new adventure, a helmet, which was generously given to us, and some upper body/arm/shoulder padding (above) that once in place made my Schmoogie resemble a superhero.

"He looks like a Power Ranger", my nephew adamantly announced Sunday morning after Schmoogie tried on his new gear! He was right.

Last night was the first practice. Big D took him, said he did well, and enjoyed himself. After practice, Schmoogie ate dinner and out to the front lawn to practice techniques, until I called him in to shower and settle in for the night. I imagine this will be the norm for the next several weeks until we need to add in some baseball practice, when he will be perfecting two games at once.

I will attend the next practice and try to begin to understand the fundamentals of the game, so I can assume the typical cheerleader role as Mom. I may try to catch an instructional clip on youtube, or re-read the wiki description, which I didn't really get the first time.

It's real important to support and cheer for your children, I'd just really like to know what's going on. But, hey, if I never get it, as long as I am there, that's all he's going to remember anyway.

Peace.

Happy Saint Schmoogie Day!

Nine years ago today, I was very large, very uncomfortable, and, very anxious. I was very pregnant with Schmoogie. I remember the day vividly. It was Friday, March 17th, Saint Patrick’s Day 2000.

At the end of my regular work day, as a colleague said goodbye, she gave me a hug and said “next time we see you, you will be two, that baby is coming this weekend”. Intuition, perhaps, a good guess, maybe, a way to enduce a smile on my very swollen face, could have been. Whatever it was, I wasn’t due until the following Friday, and since many first babies are late, I figured she was wrong and I would be back on Monday.

I went home that night, Friday and Saturday were without much excitement, as you could imagine.

Sunday morning, after breakfast, Big D and I decided that we would reorganize his office. You know kind of spruce it up a bit, a new baby was coming after all. The Nursery was done, it had been ready for weeks, maybe even months. The bassinet was set and we were so excited at the thought of becoming parents.

Progress on the office project was nil, and we were in the hospital within a few hours. Late that night, Big D and I became Mommy and Daddy! She was right, I didnt go back to work for a while!

Saint Patrick’s Day has an unusual meaning to me. It’s a day of reflection most years, a day when I recall that immense anticipation of the arrival of my Schmoogie and smile. What an amazing feeling. I love you Schmoogie!

Happy St. Patty’s Day to all!

Peace.

It's a Pleasure to get a Report Card

Schmoogie’s report card came home yesterday. It was exceptional and unmatched to any he has ever brought home. He has always done well academically; sometimes he floors me with his astuteness. But this report card was different, it was special.

He acheived his first “Schmoogie is a pleasure to have in class” comment, which brought a tear to my eye. Schmoogie has an amazing teacher this year, she is really awesome, the type of teacher that you remember for a lifetime.

We had a Report Card Celebration. It doesn’t take much for me to have a celebration, I just love to celebrate. Life is too short, celebrate all it has to offer! I picked up a Cavel Cake with some inspirational wording to reflect the pride Big D and I felt for the Schmoog~master.

After dinner I grabbed the cake out of the freezer, and made the announcement. Schmoogie and Noodle looked up at me with that wide-eyed “but Mom, it’s Wednesday, what could you be celebrating now?” look. I briefly explain, place the cake in front of our little brainiac, hand him a knife and we had a celebration!

He was beaming, he was proud, he was excited, and so were we. It was truly a pleasure.

During the car ride to daycare this morning, Noodle asked Big D why we didn’t sing Happy Birthday to Schmoogie last night. The answer , well, obvious, and Noodle wondered, why then, did we have cake in the dining room??. He then turned to Big D and said “Well Daddy, then we should have sung Happy Report Card Day to him”.

Peace

The City That Doesn't Sleep

Big D and I took the kids to see Shrek the Musical on Broadway last Sunday.

First official family trip to NYC. Kind of hard to believe when we live so close, we just don’t journey into the city that often. We took the tunnel in, and of course the boys were captivated by the thought of underwater travel. Oh my, who thought of that, anyway? It really is awesome, but while traveling through the tunnel, I always have this sudden urge to hold my breath. I guess I‘m awaiting the tunnel giving way and flushing us into the East River, never to be seen again. Crazy.

We passed and awed at the typical NYC skyline and its magnificent sites, and sighed as we remembered those that do not exist anymore.

We arrive in the city with plenty of time to spare, so we stroll down to Time Square, (Schmoogie is still spellbound that he stood in the actual location where the ball drops every year) and grab a bite at the ESPN Zone. Schmoogie just couldn’t get over how many televisions they have in that place, man, it really is insane. He was thrilled that just above his head, no matter which way he turned, there was a game on. He didn’t care what was on, he’ll watch any sport; well, I don’t think he cares much for cricket, but hey you never know. Noodle was just glad to have his butt planted in a chair, and not be walking on those tired, lil, three year old tootsies anymore!

After we had our share of pub food, laughs and plenty of sports-themed video games, we hit the bricks and headed back down Broadway to the Theater. On the way, we happened upon a man seated against a cement storefront, shaking a paper coffee cup with some coins in it. Schmoogie made inquiry as to why someone would do such a thing. I was careful to contemplate my answer for a moment, not spewing out my original cynical thoughts, which were, he’s probably addicted to something and needs a fix. Instead, I explain to him that he is most likely homeless, unemployed, and needs money for a warm meal.

Concerned for the poor soul, he says, “Hey Mom, Do you think he can collect enough money to get a house”?

“Na, Schmoog’s, he just needs to get enough for dinner tonight”.

He lets it go a while, until his inquisitively gets the best of him, and then he asks, “Where is he going to go tonight Mom, is he just going to walk around this big city all night”?

“Not sure Schmoogie, maybe he will find a warm place to sleep”.

“But Mom, if he doesn’t have anywhere to go…”

I swiftly cut him off and declare “Oh, here we are! Here it is, Shrek the Musical! Here’s the Broadway Theater”.

I have pondered why I was so happy to not have to continue that conversation. I have come up with the following:

We were having an amazing family day in the city, and I didn’t want anything negative to impact our day. However, experiencing a pan handler on a city street is a normal occurrence everyday in the city and perhaps I could have handled it differently. The city has so much to offer with its amazing sites, history, culture, theater, museums, excitement and splendor; however, in some places it is just drizzled with filth. In retrospect, I should have not feared the explanation, but rather relished it for its life lesson. Upon having this revelation, I remembered why we don’t visit the city too often. We live on the north fork of one of the most beautiful islands in the world, why would we want to leave?

The show was amazing. The kids had a blast, Big D and I loved it as well.
Peace.

Happy Birthday

Last week, at the karate school where I take kickboxing classes, I noticed that the women who runs the school was having a birthday this month. I wished her a happy and asked if I had missed it.

"No", she said, with that "I don't want to have another birthday" look on her face, "it's next Wednesday".

With curiosity, wondering why she would upset, I ask, "is it a BIG birthday this year"?

"No, I am gonna be 44", with a scowl, as if her life was over.

I say, "44 is a good age". Me who is going to be 39, looking 44 in the eye, thinking, I will be OK with that, I have so much now, in five years I will have even more.

Big D is turning 40 this summer, and it's all good. We will have a celebration, to which he will be surprised about. A celebration. A celebration of getting older, wiser, more mature and proud of who you are as a person. Schmoogie turns nine next month, oh my, now that's a totally different post!

In our family, birthdays are always celebrated, embraced and happy, no matter what the age. Kids are always exited about birthdays. My kids don't care if it's their birthday or someone elses, they smile. (certainly they prefer their own, for the presents!) They love to sing Happy Birthday, they love to blow out candles, they love cake. What's not to love about birthdays?

I looked at the almost 44 year old and said, "you ought to be happy about your birthday". Celebrate! Celebrate your accomplishments, look back and recognize those things you are most proud of and those you would never repeat".

She looked at me oddly and said, "hmmm, never thought of it that way. I may become even more sad if I have to look at my accomplishments, I sure wished for more for myself by now".

Accomplishments are not always measured monetarily. I reminded her of her loving husband, amazing son, and assumed she had a wonderful, warm and inviting home, where she felt comfortable and safe. Those are real accomplishments, those that should be celebrated.

At that point, she smiled and realized that her life's accomplishments are rich.

I need to make a phone call to wish her a very special and HAPPY birthday today.

As an aside, Sunday evening, while fiddling with something in my Dining Room, (the site of most family birthday celebration's) Noodle entered quietly, dimmed the lights and began to sing "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you..." I joined in and we wished everyone who had a birthday that day a very happy one.

Peace

Mama's Getting a New Cell Phone!

I am not a techie type, not a gadget girl, at times, I think I may even be a tad technically challenged, however, I do like to keep up with the latest technology, albeit, it takes me a while to catch up.

I want to text. I really want to text. I love to write, and type, so I know I will love texting. I refuse, however, to text on the regular cell phone, as I have enough “old school” habits as it is. I need a “qwerty” keyboard.

Yesterday, I was on a quest to find the perfect new texting machine for me. I used one of my favorite pass times, Facebook, to network and find out which cell phone might be right for me. A couple of my Facebook friends suggested the Verizon Voyager, which has been referred to as the iPhone killer. Two co-workers have the Verizon Voyager and one loves it the other suggested the enV2, which I ended up getting for Big D.

At lunch I visited my local Verizon store and tried one on, I love, love, love it. It is sleek, smooth, fancy, classy, technical, practical, and most of all it’s got a QWERTY keyboard, with decent sized buttons for the beginner texter! A perfect monthly package that satisfies Big D as well as P, it’s a slam dunk!

All the way home, I am thrilled and excited, (I just love new stuff) I walk in the door, ‘lil bro who noticed that I had been obsessing about the new phone all day on Facebook, although he never offered any advise, laughed at me and said that the Voyager is a huge, awkward, phone that I wouldn’t like and I should have gotten the iPhone, which he has and things is the greatest phone ever. He yucked it up about the size and that it doesn’t fold and oh, it’s bigger than my home phone, blah, blah, he’s a real comedian.

My new fancy, schmancy texting machine shall arrive in the mail within the next few days, and I know, well, I think I will love it. I guess we will see if the new purchase is really a killer or not!

Peace

Football Dad

The weather has been frightful here on the NoFo, until this Saturday, when it really began to warm up.

Schmoogie had a basketball game and a subsequent playdate with one of his bball buddies later that afternoon. Much to my surprise, and as I am about to leave for a haircut appointment, I notice that Big D not only brought home one bball buddy, but two. Big undertaking for Big D, who also will have the well rested, soon to be up from a nap, Noodle to deal with.

I cannot help but smile as I get into the car, say whew to myself and high tail it out of the driveway. He'll be fine.

Approximately one hour and fifteen (all to myself) minutes later, I return home to the same place I high tailed out of to find the same smile on my face. As I look at the wanting to be green, water saturated grass, I see four children, one toddler, and the best Daddy on the block playing a football game. Big D recruited yet a third boy for the playdate, a neighborhood child that I adore, so Big D could become official quarterback and the boys could enjoy a well balanced, fair and even teamed game of football.

The toddler child, Noodle, ran aimlessly after another football that Schmoogie and his friends feverishly threw anywhere on the grass and yelled "run Noodle, run, yeah, touchdown"!

It started getting colder and one of the boys asked for a sweatshirt, then another, another and another, until they were all sweatshirt-ed up and I ran into to turn on the tea kettle. Hot cocoa all around. I quickly made six cups of cocoa and set up a plate of cookies.

They started filing in, hungry, cold and thirsty. After a well needed round of gatorade, I direct them to the dining room.

Big D sat in the dining room with the five boys and I stood in the doorway watching them sip cocoa and snack on cookies, listening to the days best plays, the worst plays, those that were executed perfectly and those not, smiling as they all giggle, sip and chew. I listened to Big D compliment the boys, encourage them to practice in areas of need and answer questions they had about plays.

As I stood there, I couldn't help but think how lucky my children are to have been blessed with one of the best fathers in the world. Then it occurred to me, hey, I'm darn lucky too!

Peace.