Say what?

Gabriella has a head cold and she is all stuffed up. Yesterday, she said, "Mom, I feel like my ears are on speakerphone. But they're not."

Soccer Season

The boys are playing soccer this spring. On the same team. I don't know how to convey the relief we felt when we only had one practice per week and one game.

They have had 2 games now, and the first one was very, very cold. Both boys played goalie for a quarter, and they have each improved so much over last year. Still working on the basics of the game, but they are having fun.

Chase actually wants to be on the field this year. Well, he is also forced to because so many kids don't show up and there are no subs. But it is definitely an improvement from Ring-Around-the-Rosie on the sidelines last year.

Graham absolutely loves to play, and he has been playing with his friends every day at lunch recess. He will take on anybody, no matter what size, and his dribbling skills have improved a lot.

I have not improved at being a soccer mom. Doing my best to keep my mouth closed just doesn't work. I get angry when another child pushes one of the boys down or purposely kicks them. I nearly lost my breakfast when Graham got hit in the face with the ball. Will said we need to start live-streaming the games so that I can watch from home and yell all I want.

Meanwhile, Gabriella looks for frogs in the pond.

Hope you all are enjoying the spring! If you need something to do on a Saturday morning, you're always welcome to join us.

Best Tie Ever

Will went to preschool with Gabriella on Tuesday for Dad's Day. This was her gift to him. When asked why she thought her daddy liked leftovers best, she said, "That's what he's always eating."

Teaching Sincerity

Graham calls me over to the family room.

Graham: "Do you smell that awful smell?"
Me: "No, I don't."
Graham: "Sniff again."
Me: I sniff and smell something a little weird. "Yes, there's something stinky."
Graham: "It smells like ladybugs or your cooking."

Turkey Vultures

A few months ago, we threw the carcass of a turkey into our garden's compost pile. The next morning, I looked out to see 17 turkey vultures sunbathing and hanging out in the garden.

Pictures

Graham got desperate for a life-sized battleship, so he made his own (complete with guns).

Gabriella got to eat lunch with Daddy one afternoon, and she set up her own office across from his.

In celebration of the end of the snow (hopefully!), here is the last snowman picture of the season.

Seven Years' Good Luck

Graham turned 7 yesterday. Somehow, the two-syllable age makes him sound so... old. Here he is, opening presents before school.

I let him put all the decorations on his own cake this year. And he put ALL the decorations on his cake.

This year, the boys took treat bags to school on their birthdays. I asked Graham if the other kids liked the snacks.

Graham: "Yes. Even the one who is threatening to me."
Me, with caution: "What?"
Graham: "Even the boy who is threatening to me liked the bag."
Me, slight panic: "There is a boy who is threatening you at school?"
Graham: "Yes."
Me, starting to freak out a bit: "What does he do to you?"
Graham: "Well, on the bus, he talks even when we're supposed to be quiet at the railroad tracks."

I think we just defined a new, lower threshold of bullying.