Basketball

Charlotte lives for three things: Basketball, Chocolate and Music. (No idea what order those go in formally -- so I alphabetized them to be safe.)

Last year for her birthday her Granddaddy gave her a gift card to Toys 'R Us. I took her when I could schedule at least an hour for her to walk around and explore and pick something she really wanted. She -- no kidding -- touched EVERY toy that was immediately front of her or below her. She didn't look up and didn't turn around...so I figure she roughly touched 25% of the store. It was amazing.

Lots of things got a reaction -- but nothing brought the sincere and awe-inspired reaction that she had when she walked into the sporting goods section. She turned the corner and grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop and take in the scene.

Charlotte: MOM!

Mom: Yes Charlotte?

Charlotte: Do you see it?

Mom: See what Charlotte?

Charlotte: The baskie-ball hoop....

Mom: Oh! Yes, I do.

Charlotte: Isn't it lovely.

Needless to say, she loves to shoot hoops and this spring has really been heading out in the backyard every day (when its not raining) to shoot hoops. She also had two fantastic weekends when she was able to shoot with my brother Tim (who for those of you who don't know is 6'7" and also lives for shooting hoops) and talks about it incessantly.

Here are a few of her "early career" photos. Here's hoping that she doesn't lose her ability to love something this much as she gets older.

HUMOROUS EXCHANGE TWO

Charlotte: Mom. I can't decide what pets I want when I grow up.

Mom: That's okay Charlotte. You have a little while.

Pause

Charlotte: Okay. I've decided. I would like three pets: a dog, a fish and a duck.

Ben: Charlotte, you can't have a duck as a pet.

Charlotte: Why not?

Ben: Because they like to swim.

Charlotte: I will give him a pail of water.

Ben: He is going to want to swim around and get some exercise.

Charlotte: He can carry the pail and walk around.

Ben: A pail isn't big enough.

Charlotte: Well.....maybe I will just buy a house that has a pond.

Ben: Do you know what I would do if I had a duck? Pause..... I would pluck his feathers off. Skin him. Roast him. And Eat him.

Charlotte: BENNY! Don't eat my duck!!!!

Mom: Charlotte, when you grow up. If you go on vacation...do NOT leave your duck in Ben's care.

With great reverence...

Charlotte does everything with great deliberation...but this clip shows how much reverence she brings to "her music"

Inspiration

So...I have been inspired by my sister and bonus sister to get writing again. I don't know if anyone reads this...but I read theirs and enjoy it so much...so here goes -- its only been 5 months right.

We have had an amazingly busy year with Ben in 2nd grade and Lolly finishing preschool. I finally got traction at work and am busier than ever, and Drew has transferred to a higher profile job in NYC - and is engaged and enthused about his work again. Its nice....but we are all so incredibly busy!

We did soccer for both of the kids this fall. It was fun if not a bit hectic to keep both of the kids on their different schedules. Ben was totally drawn to the game, had some natural skills -- and the biggest grin stretched across his face as he ran up and down the field. Here's proof:






















Charlotte on the other hand had a different experience for soccer. Most 4 year-olds have an attention span of approximately 15-20 minutes. With this in mind our youngest kids soccer program is full of games that are used to help build ball handling skills. That did not suit Lolly... She was ready to rip 'em up and PLAY BALL! As evidenced here:




















So, when they started playing games like Simon Says with their soccer balls, she was a bit perplexed. She quickly moved to full blown disgust when she witnessed the ridiculous behavior of PUTTING YOUR HEAD ON YOUR BALL!!! Can you hear her? She's saying, "YOU ARE SUCH LEMMINGS!!!"

First Day of School

Wow! Ben bounced out of the bed, excited about his school supplies and new school year. He announced it was his first day of second grade, and asked his sister, "Aren't you excited for me?" She said, "Sure. Ben, it's my last day of school."

Art

So, in our house it is a priority to exercise your body...and your mind. Of course my kids are drawn to opposite ends of the spectrum - Lolly is drawn to anything with a ball and Ben can pass hours at his art table. Both of the kids have art at school on Thursdays. It is the reason that Ben bounds out of bed. From Charlotte I usually get a "NOT ART! I haaaaaaaaaaaate art!" To which I of course say - "Lolly, you exercise your body. You must learn to exercise your brain." I then get a "Okay Mommy."

I had a fantastic day with the kids several weeks ago where we went to a ceramic painting place. Not surprisingly, Ben chose a dragon and Charlotte chose a horse. Here are some pictures of Lolly painting her horse and her finished product.




Not long after, I enrolled Ben in an acrylic painting class. The class examined Monet's Waterlilies painting and then worked to create their own version. This was Ben's first time painting on a canvas and he loved the class. His art teacher also was incredibly encouraging and I can't say what a fantastic experience it was for him.

Here is his finished product:


I remember taking art class at the YWCA when I was a kid. I remember walking through the dark, painted cement block halls. Smelling the chlorine from the pool. Playing with charcoals and pastels and the joy I felt from those classes. I also still love being creative and hope that it is a tool my kids take into their lives.

T-ball

So, to say my family was into baseball is a gross understatement. We all played Little League, several of us played ball in high school and a few even in college. My father still coaches Cal Ripkin ball, my brother's "other woman" is the Red Sox, and I am just completing my first year as a T-ball coach.

It has been wonderfully fun. I heard reports that it was merely babysitting -- but we have eleven beautiful and vibrant kids who are so eager to learn, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and helping them learn to love baseball.

I wasn't sure how Ben was going to take to baseball. He has shown aptitude but has demonstrated zero interest. I decided to coach tball because I wanted to help introduce him -- and to be honest - I wasn't sure he'd play if I wasn't involved. What I have gained has been so completely fantastic. The chance to help expose him to a sport I grew up loving, the opportunity to watch him experiment and learn the skills in baseball, and an up-close and personal view of him interacting with other kids his age. As usual, I am always mesmerized by who he is and of what he is capable.

Part of the ritual he has adopted includes chewing gum...which I loathe...and of course, he adores. The other night at the game, I looked over to where he was playing first base (position I played). He was standing just off the bag, chewing gum, pounding his fist into his glove, cheering on his teammates "Let's go Bagel Chateau?" and looking like he had been playing for years. After the game I mentioned to him what a natural he looked like in that moment to me and how proud I was of him. He replied, "Mom, I love baseball. I'm never gonna quit." Uh oh...have I converted another baseball zealot?

Here are some photos from the opening day parade.

I love the silly look on his face in this photo:


Goofing around with one of his friends