The Sideline Mom

New set of wheels.

Thankfully It will still be several years before he actually want's the real new set of wheels. Like as in the "car" version of wheels. And when that day come's ...um ... all I can say is Dear God be with us all.

As for now they are just wheels for his board. He is entering his first skateboard competition this weekend. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes puts it on every year. (if it does not rain) There will be several pro skaters there and lots of totally rad prizes given away so I'm told. He is missing a baseball game for this. It's something we normally would not allow but we truly believe he could do really well so we said "go for it dude"! Maybe not in those exact words of course but we gave him the ok. To say that he is ridiculously excited is the understatement of the century.

Anyway, we are hoping for the best.

If you ask him, he only has one thing to say...

Let's shred it dude!  When I find out the meaning of this phrase I will let you know.

 

Until then have a superb day.

Over and out.

The Sideline mama cee-ta.

 

Long week.

Last week was a whopper. Had to be up, dressed, functioning and somewhere by 10:00 am every single day except sunday which technically really is the first day of the the week so it does not count. I'm rabbit trailing aren't I? Anyway, it was a hard thing to do when we have gotten so use to taking it easy with our mornings now that we are homeschooling. I do not miss the rat race one bit even if it can get a little overwhelming with the boys home ALL THE TIME. 

ALL THE TIME is a bit much for me. Actually it's totally overwhelming. So I am going to put Austin in a 2 day tutoral next year where he will be doing several core subjects with another teacher while the other subjects he will continue to do at home. I will then find something for Morgan also. I cannot do it alone. I found this out rather quickly. I tried it all by myself with no help what-so-ever and I nearly lost my mind. I will not do this to myself again. It's the largest amount of work I have ever taken on. I'm nearly depleted. I said nearly.

In other news. The games this weekend went as follows.

Mo's friday night was busy. He subbed for another team. He started out by helping the Marlins claim victory over the 7-8 yr old team. He made a double play at one point, catching the ball in the outfield and then throwing to the 2nd baseman for the second out. The coach said he had never seen a double play before in little league. As my sis/Aunt Jenni says "Morgan is a freak of nature."

 

Then for his own game he did this for the first time. He played catcher. It was more fun than a trip to Disney. Most 7/8 yr old catchers stand with their back against the fence while the batter is hitting. Not Mo.  He plays the part. All the way. Always. The dads were  laughing. And me well... I snapped pics as you can see. It was a priceless moment for me. Just call me weird ok. He was just so.. so grown up  guess.

Then Austin's double header at 8:30 am saturday was interesting. Austin was in a really bad mood.  A bad funk really. I don't know why. He was just off. They're undefeated status ended when they lost the first game 11-9 against the White Sox's also undefeated team. But the second game was a 14-4 blowout. I am pretty sure A's team was the better team that day despite the 1 loss but it was just rough all around. Not much fun was had that morning. I hate when it plays out that way.

 

Then Mo's saturday pm game was intense. He did this again. We could not believe our eyes. He thinks he is Major league. He knows no different in his mind. Gives new meaning the verse "As a man thinketh so is he" Even if he is a little man.

 

He also did a bit of this.

 

And this. They won 17-16. Boy was it close.

 

Then yesterday at the skatepark he cracked his head on the concrete despite wearing his helmet. His forehead actually. THEE biggest goose-egg of a bump I personally have ever seen popped up. I took him to be checked over throughly this morning by the doc. He is fine despite the whip-lash type symptoms and blue paint that is still in the abrasion. I asked him how on earth he got blue paint in his bump and he said well I hit the blue painted ramp with my head first. Then later I fell again and hit the concrete". Then I  said "YOU mean to tell me you hit your head TWICE"!!! he replied "nope actually three times". I personally have no more words. I am speechless.

I may just move to Iceland alone. Right after I buy him a new helmet that actually works. I'm not sure I can take much more.

Over and out.

The "at a loss for words" Sideline Mom

Have an overly awesome day will ya.

Why?

 

Why do people steal license plates?

Why do people steal license plates with tags that will expire in less than two weeks.

The police officer taking my report said "What kind of moron steals tags they can only use for another week"? I replied "That is my question also sir"? He then said "You have to be pretty stupid to steal a plate you can't even use." to which I replied "You have to be pretty stupid to steal a liscense plate".   He agreed.

Waiting for a new tag.

Over and out.

The plateless Sideline Mom.

Please have a spectacular day!!!!

What is it with famous people?

Do you know what it is about famous people that makes us get all loopy? I've been thinking a lot about it. What make's us love the "rich and famous" celebs. The people who for whatever reason are in the spotlight of some sort. Be it a ledgendary athlete, a popular music artist or an award winning actor or actress we just plain are enamored with them. Then when we find ourselves in the midst of they're intoxicating presence we get a little... well for lack of a better word gooooofy. Why do you think that is exactly?

One time my mom was visiting me here in Nashville, (otherwise know as country music USA where there are a million and one famous country artists walking around on a daily basis) and we were attending church. Before I go on let me just say that I personally have never been a person who get's what you would call star struck when spotting a "rich and famous". I guess I've just always figured that they, like the rest of us put they're undies on one leg at at time, they just happen to have a different job than most of us. But (big BUT here) my mother was  a different story altogether.  She get's nutty about seeing stars. Anyway, while sitting at church Lee Greenwood just happened to walk in front of the pew in which we were sitting and instantaniously my mother jumped in her seat as if she had just has some sort of electric shock given to her while at the same time made a grunt/squeal noise while she froze in that position while pointing at him. She was star struck immediately. He sort of looked at her and smiled then went on his merry little way. It was all very embarrassing, trust me. She seemed shocked he was even a real live person, as if all the times she had seen him on television were all just a dream of some sort.  And that was just Lee Greenwood. I won't even tell you about the time we were at the park with the ultra super famous Faith Hill and Tim Mcgraw. You would not believe some of the stuff she said to the two of them if I took the time to tell you anyway. Well, maybe you would so I will save that for another time. But we love the popular people and get a little crazy when we see them don't we.

Well then there is that other little thing that's said about us girls/daughters becoming like our mothers in some ways as we get older. It might just be true because here are few of the unusual things I said to the celebs at the Make a Wish dinner and show this past weekend while I was taking pictures for the event.

Take Herschel for instance. Mr. Herschel Walker. Such a nice guy. He is on Donald Trumps Apprentice TV show this season. Did ya know that? Anyway, as I had him autograph a picture for both my boys he asked "So you have two boys, no girls"? To which I replied "yes, just two boys" He then said "Don't you want a girl"? I then replied "I would love to have a girl I just don't have time for a girl now that I have two maniac boys"!   HUH???   What the heck kind of answer was that?!!! He gave  me a smile and a quick squeeze while our pic was snapped and I went on my numb/puzzled way. That was just kind of a dumb thing to say. But oh, that was not nearly as bad as the next encounter. 

 

Mr. Kyle Vanden Bosch. Very large human being. I had on very high heels. He was still towering over me. I did not know a lot about him so before the event so I googled him. (that sounds sort of bad doesn't it) Anyway, I was pleased to find out that he started his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals. My hometown homeboys. Being born and raised in Arizona I thought, WOW, now  I've really got something in common with him to talk about. Well upon me mentioning this little tidbit of info he quickly stated that it was a horrible experience for him and he was ever so happy to leave Arizona after his time with the Cards. Found out later he was with the organization when the franchise was at it's worst and the players were paid and treated badly. Hmmm. What do I say now? "SO I replied, Do you eat cake"?  I got a blank stare and you could clearly hear the crickets chirping in the vast space of dead silence. Do you  see how the convo went? But hey, the picture turned out nice, don't you think? Onward now with my story.

By the way - too cheesy of a gin here on my face. Sheesh!

 

Then there was this lovely little lady.  Miss Jessica Andrews. I have always liked her. I love her song "Who I Am" and lots of others. Well, I said to myself,  self,   you should tell her just how much of a fan you are, that would be really nice of you. So I said "Hi Jessica, it's so nice to met you. Ever since I found out you would be here tonight I have been so excited because I have always loved your songs. In fact my sister and I have always loved your music and I was most excited about hearing you sing tonight and I was really looking forward to it because I really think you are great and stuff and I love your song Who I Am and I hope you are going to sing it tonight because I really love that song and stuff " To which she kindly responded to my run on sentence with a "Well thank you"! And then there was dead silence. I hate dead silences so I then I quickly said "So, do you like sushi"? and then she walked away. Ok, so she really did not walk away but who in the heck babbles on endlessly like I just did? No one that's who. Only me. I babble way too much. 

Again was to cheesy of a grin here too. Why? 

  

Then there was this guy. Mr. Richie McDonald. (formerly of Lonestar) I did not get my pic with him but I again had to open my big mouth and say "Hi, I am a fan and I really loved the new song you just sang or is it sung and I especially loved the SpongBob marathon line (there was a reference to spongebob marathons in his song) because that's all that goes on at our house is SpongeBob marathons and I really liked that song" He paused a moment and said "Well thank you"! But you know what he was just so nice I did not feel to terribly silly, in fact that exchange was not nearly as bad as the previous encounters. So, I decided to stop while I was ahead. Well kind of ahead.

Anyway I did not speak to anyone else the rest of the night. Nope. Not even Emerson Drive. They were just to cool and I know I would have said something really ridiculous if I would have parted my lips. So...

 

I just zipped my lip and snapped pictures like I was suppose to do in the first place.

 I didn't even speak to Troy Gentry from Montgomery Gentry pictured here with his beautiful wife Angie who was MC for the evening.

Ok I confess, I actually did something to him. I said "Hi Troy, I'm a fan". And shook his hand.  That's it. And he was sort of like "Oh thanks" 

Geeeezz!! What is with me. Either I say to much or to little. Is there such a thing as a human muzzle? If so please send me one.

 

So what  it with famous peeps. Do we just deposit our brains at the door when we spot one or what? Whatever the reason one thing I do know is that I am officially a goofy, nutcase fan.  I suppose it happens to the best of us.

Now, I'm off to shop for that muzzle. Perhaps a sock would work.

 Over and out.

The Spastic Photo taking Sideline Mama.

 

Busy.

It's just been really busy. All of a sudden our normal busy got a little busier.

More of these. Which is a good thing because with the rain a lot of the games have been cancelled. Lovely Middle Tennessee weather. Sunny one minute then tornado warning the next. I always tell people  if they don't like the weather here to just wait a minute and it will change in about 10 minutes. 

 

We have been happy about this. Austin has been pitching well. Last game he pitched 3 innings and it was a shut out. The other team never scored while he threw. They won 10 to 3. We were very happy for him.

 

I missed they're games saturday because of the Make a Wish event I took pictures for. I have never missed a game. Ever. Since they were first able to walk onto a field. This was hard for me. It just was.

But, this was a great event also.

  This first part of the day was a women's tennis invitational.

Over 75 ladies played and raised money for the children's charity.

 

This would be my friend Ali. She is getting ready to send off her scary mean, hair on fire serve. No one wants to return that serve. No one.

 

My boys played football with her boys and they make mine look like the munchkins from Wizard of Oz. They are tall like they're mama. She's 8 foot tall. Ok, not really but she's tall. And you know what else? She just had double knee surgery 3 months ago and she out there tearing up the court. Not only that, but she won the whole darn she-bang. Way to go Ali-girl, your my hero.

 

 

So beacuse of this tourney wishes could be granted. Granted to lovely little ladies like this one here.

 

She is battling sickle cell anemia and all she wanted was to go to Disney. So ya know what? Big surprise to her... SHE IS GOING! She had no clue. Look at that smile. Priceless

Later that night they had a celebrity dinner and show a the Mercedes dealership with cool people like these guys.

This would be the Heisman trophy winning, greatest running back of all time Mr. Herschel Walker and the 278 pound Titan line backer Mr Kyle Vanden Bosch. They were cool. Very nice guys. And cool, did I say cool?

 

The place was hopping.

 

We were also graced with the presence of the beautiful Jessica Andrews. A lot of talent packed into that little body.

 

Richie McDonald former frontman of the band Lonestar. This guy is about the nicest most down to earth human ever. He has a new single coming out soon. If you like him and his song writing skills you are gonna love it. 

 

And the ever awesome band Emerson Drive. They are awesome.

 

 

The wish granted here was to a boy who choose to remain anonymous. He has been battling lukemia for years and is slowly losing this battle. He wanted to go to a Dave Matthews band concert. So Make a Wish picked him up via limo then flew him to New York to view the concert front row and of course back stage to meet the guys. This event also raised enough to grant 100 wishes to children in the area and gave us all memories to last a lifetime.

Now tomorrow I will be posting all the cheesy pics I myself had taken with the celebs and all the corny things I said to them in the process. Things that haunted me well into the wee hours of the morning as I lay in my bed thinking about why I even said them. I think I will be purchasing a human muzzle soon. It would just be better for eveybody if I did. 

Over and out.

Do they make human muzzles? Let me know.

The Sideline Mama. 

A Happy Easter indeed.

Beside the fact that it all started a tad to early it was great.

Try 6:oo am early. They started by collecting the trail of eggs from their bedrooms to what would hopefully lead to a hiding basket. 

 

I mean ya never know. It could have taken them to a undergroud secret passage or something. That easter bunny is  bit shady. Or not.

  

Alas, they found the goodies

  

Happy, happy, joy, joy all around.

 

Top faves were Bakugan of course.

 

And for this guy. One very welcomed little black Webkinz lab. He loves Webkins. Who would have ever thunk?

 

Here is a pic of the real live version.He was wondering what was going on. Blaze was confused about all the chaos.

 

This is his "What in name of Sam Hill is that"?! face (name that movie) I love those eyes. Who could resist those eyes? Not me. Ever. They were my Easter gift.

Then we needed some egg hunting action. Here the boys faces are really saying. "Great mom but could you please hurry, the eggs are a waitin."

 

Off they went.

 

 

When all had been retrieved, they headed back for some egg cracking. This picture of Mo says to me "Look at how BIG your baby is getting? He's is really looking like a little man" I hate when pictures say that to me. I say "HUSH UP". Yep, that's what I say right back. "Hush up right NOW"!

 

Now for the goodies.

 

 

A few more Bakugan. Those things are all the rage and all over my house. But more on that another time. So that was our Easter in a nutshell, or more approporately a eggshell. Sorry.  I know. I'm weird. 

So I hope your Easter was joyous and happy and that you had nothing but good eggs in your basket.

Until later.

Much love

The Sideline Mom.

 

A few pretty eggs and a pain in the neck.

Coloring eggs. It's fun, tricky and bit like trying to tie your shoes while riding a bike. At least that's how I have always looked at it. Its hard to do and potentially hazzardeth to your health. Ok, not really. It's still fun I suppose. Even if it's a little messy.

Now the boys love it. They would color 200 eggs if I would allow it. But I won't allow it. I give them a dozen. To split. I'm a mean, mean mama.

I do love these clean, beautiful, white boiled eggs. They are like little canvases just waiting to be created upon. Kinda. 

 

This year the boys picked out a marbilized egg coloring kit. They thought it would be fun. I did not read the instructions before I bought it or I would not have allowed it.

Here's why.

   

It called for 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil to be mixed in with the dye. After you add the oil you must WHISK LIKE CRAZY the color you want to use and quickly drop your egg in. You must do this each time with each color. Then wipe off your fork and whisk again and again and again.

 

I nearly whisked my arm off. This of course was not easy because as of a couple of months ago I developed what is called a lovely pinched nerve in my neck. Perhaps not so much on the lovely part. Anyway, My right arm is numb most of the time. The numbness is painful. That sounds odd but tis true. Numbness = pain here. The pain was not getting better on it's own so I am now in physical therapy 2 times a week for possibly 6 weeks.

See.

 

I really do not have the time to be doing this but a lovely pinched nerve is unaware of my lack of time issue. It says "fix me now please"! If I do not address it now it may mean surgery later to fix a nerve that could possibly go from pinched to damaged. Not my idea of a great time.

So I was whisking in pain yesterday. But we do have some pretty eggs to show for it.

   

And the boys are really proud of there creations.

 

Even if they are a little greasy. Ewwwwwww.

 

But a fun time was had by all. With the exception of my lovely pinched nerve. It wants revenge. 

Happy egg coloring. (just don't do the marblized version  -  i'm just sayin)

Over and out.

The Sideliner Chick.

 

 

 

Spring cleaning. Kinda

Remember this? The beginning of Austin's newly organized room.

 

Well, we finally did get his stuff organized and in it's place as you can see here, but we still have a few things left to do. 

 

Books are stacked.

 

Helmets displayed.

 

Stuff... well... stuffed. Actually, it's not really stuffed. For the first time it's not stuffed. Everything has a place. Imagine that for amoment will you? It's quite uplifting.

   

And I adore these storage boxes that look really nice on the shelf. They hide all of those things you don't want to display but still use regularly. It's genius. Ok, not really I  just like saying that. Anyhooo. 

   

Now he also has this great desk that he can work at as soon as I get that dog-gone chair assembled that I bought a month ago. I dispise assemby required stuff. It makes my brain hurt.

   

Now for the big kahuna. My office/library/scrap space.  It's been last on the list for a loooooong time.

   

I just flat out emptied it this past weekend. It not only has to house our rapidly growing book collection but also my creative supplies/scrap materials and my computer and printer.

This could be tricky. Look here. This armoire use to house our t.v. stereo, etc. etc.. 

 

It now houses this. Scrap supplies. But...

 

There is more here. I have paired down so don't even ask.

This space must be a place I can check and answer e-mails/blog/create and everyone can come and reference books. I need serious shelving. I was thinking built-ins for a long time, but now I have switched to thinking I need cabinets and shelfing that I can switch around as my needs change. Maybe I should stop thinking. Anyway I may go with Ikea again and piece together things to make a customized space. Plus I can do it for less than half of what a built-in would cost.  

So for now I am in a holding pattern . But enjoying my little space right here by the window. I took off half of my desk. Less space to mess up now. It stays very clean. Just a computer and printer desk. I think I like it.

 

Stay tuned for more progress. I keep you updated if I make it out alive.

Are you spring cleaning? Reorganizing?

More power to ya if you are.

Over and out.

That Sideline Lady

Mr. Short stop.

Short stops his name, stopping balls is his game. Little guy here is mostly playing short stop this year and is doing well. He does not allow anything to get past him even if it means stopping the ball with his body. But most of the time he does swipe it with his glove. 

 

One thing he has going for him is that his instinct's just tell him to get low and to get his glove down. He does it almost everytime. Almost. I also think its because he's a bit of a perfectionist and to him messing up is not an option. (hmmm that reminds me of someone) When he does make an error though, watch out. If he does miss something he is not fun to be around. Our toughest challenge is convincing him that if that happens that it's alright and that he is still doing a great job. I think I age 5 years each season just from this very thing. Internally I will be 109 years old by the time he reaches high school. Lord help me.  I know it will all work out I'm sure. Maybe. 

 

 Anyway, he also has a pretty accurate throw. In years past most of the teammates he threw to could not catch his throws, but this season he has got some go-to guys he can count on to be there.  Much more teamwork going on here. This is making it so much more fun for him. And much more stress-relieving for me. Ain't life grand? 

 

He says that hitting the ball is causing some pain in his wrist. For one he is hitting off a pitching machine for the first time, so that is different. (no coach pitch like in previous years) He is also still fresh from his broken wrist from a several weeks back. I'm hoping this will ease up soon.

 

But all in all it looks as if it's going to be a grand slam of a season.

   

We are excited! So until next game, over and out.

The Sideline Mom.

 

For Dad,  Aunt Jenni/Uncle Jason, Pawpaw/Mawmaw and any others who are interested:

Austin's team is: 1-0

Morgan's team is: 1-0

Yesterday.

All my troubles seemed so far away. Ok,   so I'm not going to sing you a song, but I will tell you about the GAW-GEOUS day we had yesterday. Unbelievable.  ThEE most perfect day since... well probably last spring. Beautiful  in every way.

We let Blaze run free as the wind. And that's just what he did. Run. Actually he was herding. That's the border collie in him I suppose.

 

See here, he is trying to herd this tennis ball. He likes to "round them up" so to speak. And he is so fast that it will make your head spin. When he comes bolting out aross the yard Morgan will exclaim "THAT IS SO COOOOL!!!" It's like lighting.

 

I love to watch him run and herd even if they are only imaginary cow's he's herding. Or tennis balls. He does not mind one bit. And yesterday was such a perfect day to do it. A lovely 68 degrees and eternally sunny.

After he is good and worn out he will come and plop his speedy self down right in front of me and give me this look that seems to say "did ya like that huh, did you like my little running show huh, huh, huh?" I give him a pat on the head, tell him "good boy" then snap a few more pics.

 

He then decides to take it upon himself to chew on my sneakers. Thats the lab in him I suppose.

 

It's his way of saying , I actually want to play with someone now that I'm done showing off for you guys.

 

And he continues until I shoo him away.

 

Then he gives me this look. It says "I hear what your saying but I neeeeed you to play with me!" 

 

So I call to his homeboys and put them to work. (or play) They take turns at tug of war.

 

 

Then when he is REALLY good and worn out he let us know by doing this. FLOP!

 

He is one super happy dog after a day like this one. I was too., I got a little rosy sitting out in that sun.

 

To end the PE-R-FECT day. This guy had his first game. A 14-3 win is a pretty good way to start the season I think. So I will post more of those highlights tomorrow.

   

Until we meet again.

The Sideline Chick.