Blogging

We're all blogging now. When encouraged by Sudeana to begin blogging, I thought it would be such a fun way to record all of "those things". "Those things" or course, are the stories I tell friends and family about the goings on in our home to which they usually respond, "You've gotta write that down before you forget it." I used to secretly laugh at those poor people who thought I'd actually forget those crazy moments. Now, I find myself wishing I'd have listened. Too many crazy moments later, I can't remember much. Enter blogging.

As I sat down to begin the creation of this blog, Cole, Meg and Kate were watching the movie "Beethoven". My plan was to join them on the couch and quietly see this project through from beginning to end while they remained undisturbed and most importantly, uninterested by my presence. However, as goes with the best laid plans, one by one, the scenes on my computer screen became more appealing than did poor old Beethoven. After explaining my mission and even showing them the example of Aunt Sudeana's blog, they became fountains of creativity.
"Can I add book reviews to our blog?" asked Cole. Meg chimed in, "I'd like to add my daydreams. Can I?" Oh Boy!

The solution was simple--Cole and Megan could have their own blogs to do with as they pleased and I could finish my project in peace. Except. . .it seems that their eager minds couldn't rest after the promise of entry into the brave new world of blogging. When Darrin returned home from a meeting that evening just in time to tuck them in, the children told him all about their promised blogs and about our family's blog. My very intrigued hubby was thrilled about the idea of a family blog and then said, "Do you think you could set one up for me too?"

It took a few days and lots of "reminding" from the kids, but my project is now mostly finished. There are four blogs up and running. There is one blog for which I can claim no responsibility. Darrin, tired of waiting in line for a blog, created his own. It's called "Life and Doctrine" and I can't wait to read it. Cole's and Meg's have been a blast and hopefully will keep their writing skills honed throughout the summer.
I've really learned a lot about blogging in the past few days, but it appears that I'll have the opportunity to learn even more about those with whom I live in the days to come!

Baseball Night

Little league baseball, quite simply, takes over our spring. This year marks Cole's second season on the Pike Maroon team. I love how his uniform, so crisp and new for the first game, becomes softer and grungier and his quiet grin becomes brighter and bolder with each passing game. The team's record so far is five wins and four losses, so in the grand scheme of things, all is well with the season. Cole had a super night on the smallish green diamond with, as he reported, a deep dip in the outfield. His first "at bat" produced a short pop fly which was handily caught by the pitcher. The next traveled in a high arch over the second baseman and into the outfield, netting him a safe run to first. During his final stand behind the plate, Cole watched three balls go by and swung at two strikes before the fourth ball punched his ticket to first base. Each time he reached first base, he was able to steal second and third, once sliding to avoid a pick off attempt. Best of all I think, was that third base was his for two innings. What a special night--a real confidence builder.

Meg and Kate played at the ball park's playground and learned a bit about the playground food-chain. Kate learned that bullies are easier dealt with when your big sister has your back. She also learned that the best tactic is probably not to point to a nemesis from a previous game and declare (confidently of course, because of her sister having her back) "You are the mean one!" It's great fun to watch Kate navigate the land outside of her kingdom!

Before we know it, Molly will be on the playground with the big girls learning her way around both the challenges of the playground and those who inhabit it. Good luck baby.

As I think back over the evening with all of its fun and excitement, I realize that baseball does not merely take our springtime, but it also provides us with something. Darrin & I were able to sit side by side for an entire hour or so, listening to the girls at the playground, watching our son grow in ability and confidence in a sport he enjoys, laughing at the baby as she made faces at us, & enjoying the fresh outside air and sunshine (and scratching poison ivy-but that's another for another post). Perhaps I should amend the first line of this post...Little league baseball, quite simply, does not take over our spring--we surrender our spring happily. Go team!

Bedtime

In a family of six, bedtime is either pure calm or complete chaos. Molly is 9 months old today. Kate is a bouncing four years. Meg is nine, a new nine, toes on the edge of all that makes one a young lady. Cole, ever the old soul is ten. I'm not certain how it is that we've been parents for a decade, but it seems that we have. I sat in Molly's nursery tonight at bedtime and watched what looked much like ants in an anthill as the "big kids" scurried to and fro while Darrin attempted to put them into bed. It seemed that each time he put one into bed another would "pop up" and appear out into the hallway and then disappear into another room only to be shooed back to their own room eventually. I watched all of this from the rocking chair holding a freshly awakened Molly who was wise enough not to miss this show. Finally, everyone was kissed, tucked in and prayed with and Darrin and I walked gently down the stairs fully expecting to be followed by at least an ant or two.