This Was Supposed to be a Short Post About Our Weekend

     Well, we had a nice loooong break.  The kids were out of school Thursday, Friday, and Monday.  What did we accomplish?  Not a lot if you're talking productivity, but we had fun!  We goofed around on Thursday and were keeping our fingers crossed for snow.  That didn't happen.

     Friday Bebe had a friend over and the kids played around most of the day.  It was the first day of sunshine in aaaaages, and although they were nearly blinded that morning from their eyes having forgotten the brightness of the sun, they soon ran outside like moths to a flame.  I splurged on Happy Meals for everyone. They may not be the most nutritious, but by golly they don't call 'em Happy Meals for nothin'!  They sure make my kids happy.  For 10 minutes.

     Saturday it was all about the Hoops.  Bebe was great!  She's playing in a 7-8 year old league.  She scored the first points of the game and made some great passes.  She was good at the point position and about moving around to get open.  She was aggressive and aware of what was happening during the game.  That is saying a lot because she is the only girl on the team and the boys don't exactly give her the respect she deserves.  It's hard to teach a kid about gender bias.  She is aware of it so it's something we've  discussed a bit with her.  An extreme case...there is one little boy on the team who will not pass it to her...or pretty much anyone else.  He will do everything in his limited power to try and pass it to only one other boy on the team.  Needless to say he turned over the ball countless times as he tried to score by himself or pass to the one kid he deemed important enough to give the ball.  We've encouraged her to be firm in calling for the ball or stepping up to shoot rather than pass or jumping in the pack for the rebound.  And she is listening!  I'm so proud of her for not being a shrinking violet on the court.  However, the cutest thing...she is the most politely aggressive player I've ever seen!!  She delicately steals the ball from a dribbler, she ever so slightly nudges someone while going for the rebound, or kindly puts her hands up to block a shot.  It's like I can hear her saying, "Excuse me, but I'm gonna have to take that ball from you for just a minute."  I'm not one of those parents that think my kid is the best on the team....she is not the best kid on the team, but she is one of the best and I want her to be proud of herself.  The greatest thing is that she just had fun!  Oh and she made a little cash.  Jason told her he'd give her a buck for each shot she made, I matched it, and then PawPaw and Nana matched it as well!! ha ha  Don't judge!  It was a little motivator to keep her trying hard to be her best and not worry about being the only girl.
     Sumner also had a game.  His game is a little more...shall we say..."orchestrated" since he is in the 5-6 age group.  They do not really call walking or double dribbling.  The defense has to stay in a zone.  It pretty much goes like this...defense stand still in a zone with hands up while the offense passes the ball around you and then watch the offense shoot.  Of course, once the shot is up...it's a freakin' free for all!  There are more bodies piled up on the floor I tell ya!  It's a hoot!  Sumner was great.  He scored at least once and seemed to just enjoy the game. And yes, Sumner got some cash for his shot, too!

     Sunday we took the kids bowling.  Jason ordered a pizza and a round of slushees (and a beer for himself).  It was a good time!  Everyone had fun, but Sumner had a blast!  He LOVES bowling!  The kid is pumped to bowl and he fist pumps and throws up the rock-n-roll sign after each roll.  He dances to the loud music and slurps his slushee and totally soaks it all up!  He is a joy to watch...and yes, looking like a total nerd...I videoed a lot of it!  I wish I had taken a couple of pictures, but my camera never seems to take good shots in the bowling alley.
     Sunday evening we hung out with some friends and their kids.  The adults had a couple of drinks and watched a little football (or chatted around the kitchen island).  The kids played and ran around.  Our kids were exhausted by the time we got home!  It was a busy and fun day!

      Monday we didn't do much of anything.  Jason went to work.  Bebe had a rough night with an ear infection and so that girl slept 'til 11:00!  So, the rest of us kind of kept it low-key so as not to wake her up.  Then we took a trip to the doctor for her ear and to get a spot on Sumner's skin checked.  We got meds for both and were on our way home for lunch.  Sounds exciting so far, right?  Well, then we went right back out for dentist visits.  The big 3 got cleanings.  They LOVE going to the dentist.  Bebe asks at least once a month when do we go to the dentist next?  I mean...what!? what kid wants to go to the dentist?  We go the best pediatric dentist.  The place is totally kid friendly with little kid-sized doors for them to walk through, toys and video games and movies, and painted walls and with stuffed animals tucked everywhere.  They have sunglasses that the kids can choose from to cover their eyes during cleanings and colorful animal-shaped polishers instead of bunches of stainless steel evil-looking instruments of torture!  ha ha  The kids get toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and prizes!  The nurses are so nice, as is the dentist!  And they are quick....and usually there isn't any waiting once you're in the chairs.  That's what I like!    Once Daddy got home we ate dinner and relaxed with baths and a movie night (the original Alice In Wonderland).

   Today is Tuesday... the big kids are back at school and it's freezing and breezy outside!  So I think we'll be playing inside today!  Or reading blogs!