West End Lanes with the Boys

     It's been a long time since I was bowling.  I think it was somewhere between kiddies.  A long time ago my Dad was quite the bowler.  I have fond memories of the alley down the street.  It was the 70's and there were cans of Tab on every table and pinball machines to keep a little (bored) child entertained.   I went to league night up until my Mom's back could no longer handle the sport.  Years later I found myself liking the game from time to time.  There would be the urge to make it back to the 70's and luckily most alleys seem transform me right back to that time.  Maybe it's the same decor they have had since those days.  Maybe it's the snacks.  Or the dated music.
     I've been wanting to get Ethan there for a while now...and tonight presented us with some time.  Emily is off at a concert with her Dad so I had some special time for the little guy.  I also have never challenged John to a game.  Plus, I wanted to get my Dad out to do something that he used to love.  It is not easy keeping a sad and cranky old man happy...but I will continue to try. 
     After a quick stop at a fast food restaurant and prior to a dessert of ice cream at a roadside joint we went bowling.  Two games.  My gutter ball was slowly but surely replaced by a couple of spares and a few strikes as well.  Ethan used a rack to roll his ball down the alley.  Pop had trouble lifting his 16lb and once light as a feather ball.  But he didn't give up.  He'll be sore in the morning but I hope he will think it was worth it.  We were sure to hit the arcade for some air hockey, driving games and the beloved pinball.  Ethan has a pocket full of vending goodies.  It was a fun night to distract a little boy from the fun his sister was having and distract his grandfather from everything else....it was pretty fun kicking a little butt as well!!!

Pool Time with Mary

     We wanted to squeeze one day in all summer when Mary would get to experience the fun of the pool.  The kids were ready to show off the skills they had learned in the short time they have been in the water.  Gramary made it out bright and early this morning and off we headed...with bags, towels, snacks and reading materials.  Well...of all the gorgeous days we've been having all summer...she picked the yuckiest day of the season.  We tried though because that is what we do.  We stay positive and find ways to crack each other up.  Even when the drizzle begins we hope to concentrate on the passing cloud...the one tiny one...that must be holding those five drips.  Well, two girls can hope.  We did get a little time.  Just enough for the staff to uphold the BRAND NEW rules and forbid all food.  There go the snacks back to the car.  Just enough time to see the kids swim.  Just enough time to catch up.  Just enough time to run to the car with all bags, items, etc to escape the downpour.  We're not sure if Gramary will be able to make it back out to the pool we have lived for all summer.  The one that has replaced pale and sad limbs with tan and happy ones.  The one that has given two little fishies a place to grow their gills.  The one that has been a place for recharging for one mentally exhausted mama.  But if not...we did find a few sharks(Land) today at the pool...and we toasted a thanks to the woman who gave us a summer that we all really needed.  Thanks again Gramary for the pool...it means more than you'll ever know!

Kindergarten Registration for Ethan

     This is the second time around that I am doing these things but it counts as something new because it is with a different child.  (Please don't forget I am doing 365 new things.)  The first time was exciting and new and by the time I had two it was easier.  It is not as tragic to do things with the first if you know you have another little one waiting in the wings for the next round.  But here I am now...so excited for all that he is about to achieve but feeling all of the sadness that a Mom feels when her little baby is getting big. 
     I do ok for the most part.  When I sort out the old size clothes for the new size I try not to let it bother me.  When toys are too babyish I replace them with the next best thing.  I have tucked away the picture books for stories and then for chapter books.  I do ok.  For the most part.  But this one is going to be a toughie.  For almost a decade I have lived for these two little wonders.  I have made summers full of Letters of the Day and themes.  I have done every craft project, read a bazillion stories and played a ton of games.  This September they will both enter those doors at school and though I always look forward to the next stage and the new accomplishments we will all have...it just seems a bit sad already.  It will be quiet.  My tiny little sweethearts will both be gone.  I am quite excited for the journey ahead but I can't help but look back at the path we have already walked...and feel a little sad that there will be no tiny hand in mine.

Beginners with Jenne and Leigh Ann

     When I was a kid I started to really pay attention to music lyrics.  As I grew older I started to think that they were writing my life story.  Of course the music was mirroring my little life...why wouldn't it be???  I realized at some point it was a huge coincidence but I thought about it here and there and did find many songs that became my anthem for the latest challenge.  (Psssst....I still do it sometimes.)
     Maybe the music thing was a lucky match from time to time but this movie thing that has been happening the past year or two is hitting a little too close to home.  Over.  And.  Over.  I found some eerily similar parallels in a few movies.  Cartoons were even dangerous.  Tonight, was yet another one.  The character is 38 and has to sort pills for his parent dying of lung cancer??? C'mon.  Ok, so without giving too much away...maybe I don't have a Jack Russell or design album covers but there was enough in there to make me cry on my fun girls' night out.  It was a great movie.  The acting was superb.  It was interesting and lovely.  And sad.  And funny.  Really funny.  Maybe I should stay home from now on.  Or  mmm maybe I should stick  t t to m m movies about stuttering Kings. 
   

Celebrate a dog's first birthday!

     Today Ella had some extra special celebration time.  We went to the new dog park and let her play with her canine buddies.  She ran and chased a ball and frolicked with the pooches.  Then we hit the pond and let her go for a dip.  She is still not quite sure about the water but it was a good step in the right direction.  I did not bake her a cake nor make her the treats from scratch as I promised I would so maybe we'll have to extend her day to birthday week.   If us humans can do it then why can't Ms Nutella Fitzgerald??? 

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

     I loved this movie but I don't want to give things away.  But when you find your soul mate...you don't let them go.  You fight.  You make sure they know. 

Ethan's Kindergarten Physical

     My Mom raised me to accept what had to happen in order to stay healthy.  Sometimes there were shots.  Sometimes things hurt.  But it would be over soon enough.  I have passed that along.  We prepared for this big visit.  I let him know what would happen and prepped him as best I could.  Oh, and there was a slight bribe that if he rocked his appointment we would shoot straight to Target for a treat.  A little bribery never hurt anyone. 
     He was awesome.  He was measured and weighed.  Poked.  Looked at.  Peed in a cup.  Walked on his toes and heels.  Rocked his vision test.  Answered questions...actually when asked if he could count to ten he set the doctor straight and said..."No, I can count to 100".  But he did it with a funny voice.  We were joking that when the nurse would rub the alcohol on his arm he would scream, "Ouch!!!"... but he was a little distracted by the three large needles.  He made it through all three like a champ.  My hand was squeezed for one.  "Ouch, elephant, ouch" got him through the second (thanks Jenne) and the third was another hand squishing.  Not a tear.  He told me that my practice pinches had worked because the shots weren't so bad after all.
     On our way to Target we discussed things like polio and "chicken pops" and why we needed vaccines.  He's the kind of kid who just wants to know.  He wants to know everything.  So I tell him.  With that knowledge he is able to move on to the next bit of wonder and the next fifty questions.  My little guy is heading off to Kindergarten in mere weeks and I'm not sure who is going to take it harder...him...or...me.  But as for today a relieved Mom and an amazing little boy walked hand in hand in search for a toy while pretty darn proud about how we are as a team!