Crazy Soccer Mom

In case you're wondering who those parents are on the sidelines during a little girls' soccer match that are frantically waving their arms, jumping up and down and shouting out directions to the players....well, um...that's me.
Today was Emily's first soccer game, and all five of us were there to cheer her to a win.  I didn't know what to expect, because although she did well during practice, I wasn't sure how she would perform when the pressure was on.  Nor did I foresee MY performance on the sidelines as crazy soccer mom.
I honestly expected that I would miss half of the game just trying to chase my toddler off the fields, and I was hoping that Mike wouldn't try to commandeer the coach's job with all of his sideline directions.  Well, it turns out that I moonlight as a sideline coach as well.  I'm embarrassed to admit how many occasions I tried to get Emily's attention to push her down the field more or tell her to stay with the ball. And, as many times as I told the mom sitting next to me that I was going to stop now and calm down, my verbal input to the game increased with every play.
Luckily, I was in the company of a lot of moms just like me, and I was too worked up to worry about what the ones that were calmly and cooly just watching from their folding chairs were thinking of me.  And, maybe by sheer force of will on my part, her team won by several goals.  Such an exciting morning! I can't wait for next week when I will try much harder to remember it's all about just having fun (seriously...who really believes that?). Ahem.

First Days

Well, it finally arrived...the first day of school, and last night my kids were so excited they were doing laps around the living room.  After three full months of summer at home, they had completely outplayed themselves and taken to hand to hand combat morning, noon, and night.  So, it was definitely time for school to start.
 Noah has been a little skeptical of the whole school thing telling me that he thought he would like recess and lunch but wasn't really down with the reading and writing that was going to take place.  I've been a little nervous for him since he is such a homebody, but a couple of weeks ago we went out and bought him his uniforms, book bag, and lunch box, and he has been ready to go ever since. He had to wear a belt for the first time last night at orientation, and it was quite the novelty.  Everyone who stopped to tell him he looked handsome was treated to an up-close look at it as he pointed to it and stuck out his belly as far as he could.  It's the little things around here.
And, it was business as usual this morning...like he had been going to school forever.  No tears or hiding behind mom; just one little excited boy who couldn't wait to get into his classroom and use his new lunchbox.  PS~ Mom was good and didn't cry either :)

Since these pictures were taken, it was reported to us that school was really fun.  He talked to and played with lots of kids, but he doesn't know any of there names ("How am I supposed to know who they are, Mom??? I'm new.").  Also, when asked what kind of snack he wants in his lunch tomorrow he replied, "Oh, tomorrow I'm not staying for lunch.  Dad is picking me up before I have to do nap time." Ha! Well, here's to many more successful days and not so successful naptimes at school!