On Basketball Practice and The Morning Drop-Off

The basketball practice went well last night. It started off a bit rocky, with The Husband giving instructions on picks and screens. I glanced around and saw some blank looks on the faces of our 9 and 10 year old girls. One little girl had tears in her eyes, but I was relieved to find out it was just dust, and not fear. Two of them leaned over and said to me "What is he saying?" I waited for him to finish his talk on the importance of the pivot foot...and then I quietly suggested that he 'dumb it down' a bit. Afterall, it was the 9/10 Pewee League and not the Atlanta Hawks. To his credit, The Husband took a deep, impatient breath, and went through a slow, thorough review. By the end of practice, I saw many smiles on the girl's faces. I think they had fun and learned a little bit, which is what it is all about. Unfortunately for The Husband, our last year's record of 7-1 may be hard to re-achieve....

Yesterday I had lunch with my 'morning crew". This is one guy and one girl who also participate in the tedious ritual of morning drop-off line at school. The guy has been doing this for 8 years, I think...and the girl for 7. I am the 'baby' of the group, having only been at it for 3 years. Last year, the 3 of us participated in what could only be described as the "Amazing Race". It was a cut-throat daily race to see who could get there first and drop off the kids. As the year progressed, so did the danger of the driving practices. I almost found myself reaching for a helmet and driving gloves after being cut off and "put in the wall" several mornings. Of course I would never do this, but some participants may have actually shoved their young daughters out the door in an effort to win. The guy in the group changed the rules near the end of the year, as men sometimes do when they cannot win. He decreed that it was the first car to LEAVE that was the winner...not the first car there. Well, the danger factor that was involved with this became too much...and the 'Race' had to come to an end before someone was injured...

So this year, morning drop-off is more about discussing what was on TV last night or the latest gossip. The problem is, you start a conversation...then the line moves...and you are forced to dive back into your car, or else be run over. So it was nice yesterday to sit down and chat with the group and finish some conversations. When you have to deal with tired, grumpy kids on a daily basis, it is nice to be able to share a few laughs over it....

And finally, thanks to The Husband for watching the season of Project Runway with me...and with very few smart alec remarks. Last night was the season finale....the final 3 girls put together a runway show and competed for the prize. The husband demanded that I pick a winner...and he did the same. He did this because he knew who I liked...and he thought she wasn't going to win...but she did. I was very gracious in my "winners' speech....

So that's it for the week. We're doing a family movie tonight...and then I am off on a road trip of sorts this weekend...more on that next week....

Thank Goodness it's Friday

Ah, it's Friday. We made it...and it was a good week. I have to say my little prayers of thanks. The first week of school is always stressful, but this year, everything went very smoothly. I'll have to admit that it had more to do with my attitude than anything else. When I am able to keep a positive attitude, it seems to trickle down through the family. Even The Boy, who was depressed that he has to bring packed lunch this year (his school lunches were topping out at about $8.00 a day last year) came around. Instead of complaining, he gave suggestions for the lunch box. Breakfasts were calm and easy. We all sat down, we all ate the same thing...and then The Boy made his mad dash for ESPN and Little One ran for the hair-straightener.

The Boy is playing for 2 different baseball teams this fall, so 2 nights a week he is getting home very late. This would normally cause a lot of turmoil (for me). But instead of approaching it like a bad thing, I decided to go with the flow...and to my great surprise, all is fine. He easily finished his homework before practice...and I think he even ended up asleep earlier than usual because he was exhausted.

On another note, The Husband sent me a note yesterday asking me to highlight anything in my blog that had to do with him, or might interest him...this was so he could avoid having to "plow through the whole thing"....Ok...I'll jump right on that. I told him that he better be careful or when they turn this blog into a book and then a movie...he might not like who I cast in his part. (To which he responded that he would like to be Danny DeVito...The Husband is always a smart alec) Speaking of casting parts...I would like to be Michelle Pfieffer or Sandra Bullock (I figure I get control over this, right?) Big Sister will want to be played by Miley Cyrus...but that won't work for many reasons. The Senior will choose someone who I have never heard of....The Boy can be the brother on Hannah Montanna.....and that leaves Little One, who will beg for Selena Gomez, but the ages just do not match up......All of this dangerously illustrates my rich fantasy life...

On to a more REAL subject....Project Runway was back last night. I absolutely love this show. I just admire the skills of these people. I made a C+ in Home Economics (back in the day when that was a subject) when we did sewing. I attempted an A-line skirt in the ugliest color of green you have ever seen...and needless to say, it was hideous. I did wear it one day, but oh my goodness...Anyway, this group of 16 people were really talented. They created beautiful evening gowns in 2 days...and most of them were lovely. The girl that went home was a little too "out there."..not only was her "creation" silly, but she was the only designer who did not know how to sketch. I know sketching is not a must for creating clothes, but on this show, it is almost necessary. The one low point for me last night was guest judge Lindsay Lohan. Not to be judgemental or anything, but after all of her tabloid antics over the last few years, I have a hard time listening seriously to her take on anything. I much prefer when they have Diane Von Furstenburg or someone of that level of expertise. And I just love Michael Kors and Nina Garcia...the look on their faces when something less than perfect comes down the runway is priceless...

So that is it for the week...with gratitude that all is well, and the hope that next week will be the same...