Pasta on Parenting

Being a parent is both a job and a joy. I have a magnet at my desk at work that says "Parenthood - The only job that's REALLY full time." How true is this statement?? Parenting never goes away. Some days this makes me mad because I just want to be me - all by myself. I don't want to have to take care of everyone else's needs before I can attend to my own. Some days this makes me exhausted because the 'tending to everyone else's needs' just never seems to end. Ever. No, really, I mean E-V-E-R. Then there are some days when this makes me feel important because I have people who depend on me for their needs. Needs such as, "Mom, where is my ____?" (Fill in the blank with any item that is lost, misplaced, or maybe even in plain sight.) And some days this statement makes me feel sad because I can't really be with them full time like I wish I could. And then there are days when I am so happy about this statement because I know that parenting truly is the most important job I have.

I have had some recent milestones as a mother - you know - the little jabs in the arm that you feel when you see positive results and progress in your children. The one that comes to mind most easily is Hayden's maturity. Yes, I know that because he is male that he will, by definition, be immature until he is about 30 years old, but I did say progress, not completion! He has been showing maturity is several areas, but mostly what it boils down to is respect and consideration for others. He's thinking more about the world (and the people) around him and less about himself and his own feelings. It's wonderful to catch him in the middle of it. I sorta stand back, and go "Wow - he's really growing up!" It's awesome.

And Mallory (who will always be my little girl, my baby) is getting ready to start 2nd grade. She's a little social butterfly, she's a space cadet, and she loves attention, but I'm starting to notice something unique and interesting about her. She not only loves to receive attention, she also loves to give attention. She doesn't care who she talks to or plays with. It doesn't matter if they are much younger or much older than her. It doesn't matter if they don't look the same or talk the same. She does not show preference or avoidance. She is just as happy to play the 3 year old little boy who lives next door as she is to spend the afternoon with a grown up. And to me, that is amazing. That she hasn't developed a sense of who is different from her.

So, today I feel successful as a parent. Because even though they drive me crazy when they argue with, pick on and nag each other CONSTANTLY, they also make me so proud when I hear them say encouraging, kind or thoughtful things to the people around them. I honestly believe that the mark we make on the world will be made on the souls of the people with whom we interact. I try to work on myself and my "mark" every day - and I'm seeing that in the kids, too! Hooray!

S'mores anyone?

My mom was in town last weekend for a few days. She came up to go camping with some friends. She had called me about a week earlier to let me know she was coming and insisted that we join her to roast marshmallows. Being the outdoor lovers that we are, we were excited to sit out by the campfire (and to see my mom, of course). I told her that we would bring chocolate and graham crackers because if we were doing marshmallows that the kids would definitely want s'mores.

So, we packed up our lawnchairs and goodies and off we went. The weather was beautiful, making me anxious for our own upcoming camping trip. Just being in a campground gets me feeling all "one with nature," you know?

After they finished eating and the kids finished wading in the river bank, my mom breaks out the marshmallows. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Yea, they're just marshmallows, but check it out . . . . .

Looks like a mini marshmallow and the jumbo ones, right? Nope. It's a jumbo marshmallow (on the left) and the ones my mom brought (on the right). They were H-U-G-E.

Here's another photo to give you an idea just how big:

Mallory couldn't even eat her s'more because her mouth was too small!

One Lucky Dad

Who is the luckiest (and best) dad in the world? Well, the Waffle, of course! In our family, we think he's top notch. This year for Father's Day, he told me exactly what he wanted. It was a modest purchase, some stacking tool box thingy that unfolded the way a tackle box does. Ok. Whatever. If it's what he wants, I guess it's what he gets, right? It was a little exciting for the kids, since I had been driving around with it in the trunk of my car for two days at the Waffle still hadn't noticed. Oh, the giggles over one little secret!

On Father's Day, I got up earlier than him, made coffee and waffles for breakfast (yes, I said waffles). This, as many of you know, is a gift in and of itself, since I never cook breakfast in our house. That's the Waffle's job. Turns out, Mallory was sick, so Hayden and dad went to church without us girls. We grilled out for lunch and the rest of the afternoon was like any other Sunday. Pretty boring, huh?

Well, that's because the exciting part of Father's Day 2009 actually came two days later.

I got home from work on Tuesday and there was a message on the machine. I checked the caller ID - the number showed Abuelo's (a Mexican restaurant in Indianapolis). Must be a marketing call or something, right?

Well, yes, right, but also wrong!

You see, a few weeks ago, we took the kids to Kings Island for a few days. On the way home, we stopped at Abuelo's. While we were there, Hayden entered Brett in a Father's Day giveaway. It was for a grill and some utensils. The entry form asked for all the usual - name, address, phone #, email address - you know, all the ways companies gather marketing info, right?

Turns out they actually gave away the grill, too! To the Waffle! I couldn't believe my ears when I was listening to the message. Then I called the kids in the room and played it again. Hayden's face was all smiles - ear to ear. He couldn't wait until the Waffle got home so he could tell him - he kept going to the back window, watching for him to pull in.

Needless to say, the Waffle was pretty pleased with this bigger and better Father's Day present, even though it was a few days late (and not really what he asked for).

I must say, though, it was so very inconvenient for us to have to drive down and eat there again tonight when we picked it up!

Steaks anyone?

Titus Turns One

The Waffle and the birthday boy

After our Indians Outfield Adventure, we went to Titus' 1st birthday party! The Waffle and I have been friends with Titus' parents for over 12 years. They are wonderful friends, amazing parents, and just plain good people. In fact, when we got the invitation to Titus' party, I sent an email asking if we could come over at 9 am. The party started at Noon. There aren't too many people whom you can ask to come to the party 3 hours early, but they are that kind of people. You see, we had to be off the Indians field at 8 am, we were already in Indy, and they live in Danville. So, we showed up at 9, used their shower, and had a blast all day long. The theme for Titus' party was "Mr. Smiles is turning One." As you can see, he is almost always smiling. Check out these one year old photos taken of him by his cousin, Ashley.

Yellow Happy Faces were all around. His daddy decorated the cakes - with help from big sis #1 and big sis #2. He especially enjoyed the big yellow balloons. After the main festivities, the guys played bocce ball and the little girls played dress up. They were going to put on a play for the grown ups, but somehow it never materialized . . . They sure had fun practicing and coming up with ideas for it, though.

Drama princesses in pink - so sweet!

Getting together with their family is always the best of times and this weekend was no different. We were going on six hours of not so great sleep, so we were exhausted when we got home, but it was worth every minute of it. Thanks guys! We love you!

Indians Outfield Adventure

This past weekend, we went on the most unique campout. Ever. We pitched our tent on the outfield of the Indianapolis Indians' Victory Field! It was amazing. The Indians host an annual Cub Scout Campout where scouts can attend the game, watch a fireworks show, then see a movie on the big screen scoreboard, and finally camp in the outfield. It was C-O-O-L. As many of you know, we love to camp. Yes, in tents. And yes, we all went. It was a whirlwind weekend for the family. Hayden had his own ball game at 5:15 on Friday. After his game, we hit the road to Indy. We arrived during the 3rd inning and there was no score, so we hadn't missed much. Our seats were pretty good - 2nd level, 1st baseline - perfect for catching foul balls. The Indians won it 2 - 0. Hayden was really into watching the game - I've noticed this much more lately. He is really turning into a basbeall player and fan. He's watching them to see how to get better. Being at the field after the game was over was pretty neat, too. We got to see everything they do to care for the field - they worked a long time on the pitcher's mound, then they rolled out a HUGE tarp to cover all of the infield. Sure wish we could get some of those for our little league fields! The fireworks show was very good. I couldn't believe how long it went - very impressive. Then it was time for the movie. They played Everybody's Hero which was very fitting for the occasion. Pitching the tents was total chaos, but the picture I got when it was all done is totally worth it. I've never seen anything like it. We obviously enjoyed every minute of it. And when it's time to do it again, we will be there. Definitely.

Practice makes perfect

The Waffle has taken Hayden to the batting cages here in town a few times this summer for some batting practice. I was able to go this past weekend and got some shots of him in action. He's got good form and some strength, too. It's funny to watch him, because, even at the cages, you can tell he wants to drive it as hard and far as he can. Can you say "Tes-tos-ter-one?"  

Great form

And . . . the swing!

Here he is during a game.  I just love watching him bat.  He's really good at it.  

And here in this photo, you can really see the form.  

That hit got him a triple!  Way to go Kincaid!!!

Since one of the boys on his team had to move, he's been playing first base for the past few games.  Turns out, he's not too bad!  He knows where to stand, how to hustle, and how to make those plays.  Yes, I'm proud of him.  I know you can tell.  But mommies are supposed to be proud of their babies, right???  Here is a photo of him playing first at last Friday's game.  The first base running coach (in the dark shirt) is a friend from high school.  His wife writes a blog.  She's the one who inspired me to start this one.  You can check it out here.

Well, the Waffle is turning in for the night.  And, for some weird reason, I feel that we're more connected if we go to bed at the same time.  So, even though I have so much more to say, it's time to sign off for today.  Besides, he called me a "Blog-aholic" . . . is that bad???

Monkey Joe's!

Our life has been revolving around a ball and bat lately.  It's been great - crazy, but that's life, right?  My mom drove up from Columbus, IN, to see the kids play last Friday.  We didn't tell them, so it was a fun surprise for them to have her here.  Mallory's game was first, and, apparently, she told her coach that she wanted to play catcher so "her Gramma could see her do somthing during the game."  Ha!  Something other than play in the dirt, that is!  Turns out, she made a fairly decent pitcher.  At least it kept her head in the game while she was up there!  She hasn't been very consistent as a hitter - sometimes she can hit a moving ball, sometimes she has to take the tee.  She seems to enjoy it - we'll just have to wait and see if she wants to play again next year . . .  Here's a slide show with some shots from her past few games.