Camp Out

The husband and Atrain are sleeping under the stars tonight. I guess, that is, if you count camping in the back of a pick up truck with a hard top "sleeping under the stars." I can't even imagine how much fun they're having. They left with a pile of blankets, a bumble bee lantern, a jumbo bag of monster marshmallows and the "Fox in Socks" book. It's always a riot to listen to the husband read that book. He's so judicious in his account of the tweetle beetle battles in a bottle on a poodle eating noodles.

Atrain loves his daddy so much. Tonight while I was trying to clean up I found the husband's Family Home Evening card name tag hanging next to Atrain's tag on the hooks in his room. I wonder when Atrain sneaked them in there. This has been a fun week for my boys. They spent a lot of time catching up on playing catch, going to the D.I., crashing at family members' homes and chasing me down at work events. I smile wider than the Grand Canyon when I see my boys strolling down the sidewalk to me.

Training is over, which means back to the routine. I do enjoy my routine. Maybe a bit too much. Tonight I tried and tried to talk myself into loading myself, baby J, and the port-a-crib into the back of the truck to rough it in the woods. I was really even ready--bags packed, baby food stocked, blankets gathered. But, when Jdog showed signs of resistance, I bailed. Maybe I should push myself a little more...take a few more risks. I used to be so good at that. I hope someday I'll recover my lost sense of spontaneity. But not tonight. Instead, I'll be content cuddling my pillow with the window cracked open, letting a lonely cricket lull me to sleep while I wonder what the boys are up to.

It Feels Like Happy

Today the husband and I took Atrain and Jdog exploring in the creek by our home. It's just a three minute walk across yards of pavement toward the pebble laced stream. Then out of nowhere the asphalt ends and a tree lined dirt trail leads down to the creek's tiny bank. It was a shady little haven for our family this afternoon. The husband and Atrain lobbed in every rock they could find, laughing as each splashed into the cold mountain run off. Jdog hung out in the front pack while I kicked off my sneakers and waded in the water.

There was something magical about the moment when my feet met the icy stream; I felt like I was twelve years old again, leaping across the rocks in the river behind my Grammie's house in Canada. My mom grew up there, and when I was growing up she would take me and my sisters back to her home for weeks at a time during the summer. I loved everything about that place: the lush forest that encased Grammie's home; the fireflies that flickered around in the evening; the green worms that hung from the trees and how my mother loathed them; and of course, my far away family. If only it were possible to live in two places at once.

I giggled like a little girl as I stood in the water with my eight month old baby strapped to me. I wanted Atrain to feel the little river running around his feet too. So, when the husband heard nature calling and had to cut his end of the adventure a little sooner than expected, I handed Jdog to him and then held Atrain's hand as we scouted out the perfect wading spot. "You have to be so careful," I said, "never let go of my hand," I repeated a few times before stepping in. He nodded, then slowly dipped his toes in. A giddy smile grew across his face once both feet were firmly planted in the running water. "This is so fun...it feels like cold," he said as we waded up the stream a little ways. "I think it feels like happy," I said as we gathered a few smooth stones from the bottom and tossed them down stream. "Yeah, happy," he agreed.

Speaking Firework

Today our little family had one plan, and one plan alone for the fourth of July: watch Cars 2. So, that's exactly what we did. It was awesome. And the movie wasn't half bad either. Atrain was enchanted by the action--literally on the edge of his seat as Mater was dragged into a top secret spy plot. I don't think he necessarily cared (or followed) the sinister plot line, but he sure loved seeing all of Mater's disguises. He's been compiling a list of the cars he needs to earn ever since.

That night we invited ourselves over to Pance Farmstrong and Famous' home to watch fireworks. We're really good at doing that. They weren't even planning on being around until later, but welcomed us in anyway. (I can't wait for the day when people want to invite themselves over to my home--really, I do hope you all pay me back someday. A lot.) I started baking a cake for my mother-in-law's birthday the next day, but my good intentions were soon interrupted by an assortment of explosions. I looked out the kitchen window and saw the skyline dancing with bursts of billowing light.

The husband and Atrain opened the patio door and took a seat on the deck, along with Bil, Deej and family. This year our state legalized personal areal fireworks, and everyone was celebrating their independence in style. P&A soon returned home to watch the show. The hill their house sits on was the perfect place to relax and revel in the neighbors' festive displays. The kids bounded about on the grass with glow sticks in hand, giggling uncontrollably, and then stopping on occasion to stare with jaws-dropped as sparks grew into fiery willow trees, then disappeared right before their eyes. I never want to forget how my heart bubbled with excitement as I held the husband's hand and watched Atrain's little silhouette jump across the star burst sky. My niece Bellzozo laughed without restrain and squealed with each explosion, as if to answer them back. "She's speaking firework," said Pance (my new nickname for P-diddy, since he loathed my previous attempts). If only we could all speak firework.

Like a Pig

Today I took the boys to the zoo. It was a great Texas adventure. There were bathing baby elephants, an albino American alligator, gorgeous greenery, and an incredible collection of serpents. But between exhibits the boys' attention always turned to the hot, humid, Houston heat. “Texas is SO hot…my legs are feeling tired…I need to ride in the stroller,” was Atrain’s chant. Jdog was without a mantra, but his big sweaty rolls and blushing cheeks spoke heaps. But we pushed on and enjoyed an afternoon of animals, play and especially profuse perspiration. It was zoolicious. I felt like a little pack of wart hogs: darting in and out of the shade, hiding in cool caves, craving the opportunity to roll around in mud. I’m just glad we weren’t on display behind plexiglass. It sure felt good to jump in our water hole when we got home.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Tonight our good friend Glenn and his boy PJ took us to an Astros game at Minute Maid park. It was amazing. Atrain and PJ ran muck as if they had known each other for years. The husband and Glenn picked up as if it hadn't been years. And, wiggly Jdog and I bonded as we wandered around the stadium. The game (or at least what I saw of it) wasn't half bad, either. But bar-none, my favorite moment was when the game was done and dome of the stadium rolled back to reveal a star-filled Houston sky, set a-light with fireworks. I loved watching Atrain's face flash with glee as he admired the exploding display from his father's lap. Baby J's face lit with wonder--not even a twitch of fear (nothing can phase that kid). It was a night to remember.

One Dozen Surprises

I’m not really sure if I like Valentines Day. Romance is mostly romantic when an unexpected gift or moment (planned by your partner) reveals how much he or she has been thinking about you…how excited he or she has been to surprise you with something they’ve been planning for weeks. Part of me is annoyed by V-day’s contrived expectation of obligatory romance. Another large part of me wonders all day long if the husband will “surprise” me with something sweet and special. I did end up liking this Valentines Day, but not because the husband surprised me with a dozen roses. The day gave me one dozen (mostly) sweet surprises instead:

Surprise #1: 50% off lowest marked clearance price at Smiths’ Market Place. I scored a couple of inexpensive jackets for the boys for Easter—a holiday I definitely like.

Surprise #2: The mechanic said that our car would only cost $230 to get it repaired rather than $750…I always had an itchy feeling that Big O was taking advantage of my mechanical ignorance.

Surprise #3: The custodial staff came by my apartment today to do my Spring Cleaning. Even though this surprise was planned, (they offer this service free-of-charge once every year to on-campus apartments) it never ceases to amaze me how incredible it feels to have someone else clean the bathroom for me.

Surprise #4: A couple of Atrain’s friends are allergic to peanut butter. I wish I would have packed a bigger variety of Valentines, rather than relying solely on the good-ole Reeses hearts to hand out to his neighbor friends. At least Atrain enjoyed devouring the left-overs.

Surprise #5: Atrain was deeply disappointed when the husband and I decided to get our chicken nachos via take-out from our favorite restaurant. He really wanted to go in.

Surprise #6: The Chick-fil-A that existed on our GPS by Fashion Place mall is now a jewelry store.

Surprise #7: There are too many McDonalds restaurants without play places. We drove by three of them on our quest for a family-friendly Valentines dining experience. Atrain knows how to say, “Let’s look a little harder.” I never thought I’d be so happy to see the golden arches on 2100 South.

Surprise #8: Jdog loves watching Atrain run like a crazy man around Mickey D’s.

Surprise #9: Little boys with long pony tails make great playmates.

Surprise #10: Atrain can hear me through the maze of plastic tunnels when I yell at him to come eat his happy meal.

Surprise #11: The husband did think about buying me a bouquet of flowers on his way home from the hospital, but decided against it because of the ridiculous price tag. On our student budget, I was just happy to hear that he thought about it.

Surprise #12: Cold, slightly rubbery chicken nachos still taste wonderful when eating them with the one you love.