Tag: Recreation

children, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

Camp Champs

WFAM

It’s no secret I am coping with summer by having the boys in every variety of camp.  They’ve already been in soccer, basketball and a full-day camp (my personal fave).  This week they’ve headed off to an afternoon Lego camp.  Generally speaking, T.Puzzle has a much more laid-back attitude about camps and life overall.  He’s happy wherever he goes and maintains it.  Full Speed, he’s a little slower to warm up to new camps and ideas.

Out of all the camps, the full day one was the toughest sell for Full Speed.  I’m guessing because they did things that weren’t competitive that it really started to irk him.  He sees no value in singing silly songs or crafting because at the end of it no one ‘wins’.  That’s why when Full Speed won Camper of the Day I was extremely pleased.  Somehow I know for him achieving this accolade made the entire week-long experience worthwhile.

Full Speed shows off his Camper of the Day certificate.
Full Speed shows off his Camper of the Day certificate.

As for T.Puzzle?  He honestly was happy throughout the whole entire thing.  Crafting?  Loved it.  Singing songs?  He could do it all day long and then some.  Swimming?  He is a complete fish in the water.  However, after Full Speed won his Camper of the Day award, I could tell that T.Puzzle was kind of wistful for one of his own.

Full Speed explained in simple terms how to get this honor.  “All you have to do is listen really well and behave all day long and then you’ll get it, T.Puzzle.”

T.Puzzle shook his head defeatedly, “Well, that doesn’t really help me, Full Speed.”

It must have been his great attitude or his awesome dimples because he pulled out Camper of the Day on their very last day.  Who needs perfect behavior when you are this darn cute?

ry=400

children, family, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

Water Break

WFAM

While we struggled at the onset of the boys’ soccer season, we have reached a nice level of flow and acceptance.    Full Speed’s team has jelled and while they may not win every game, they try hard and work well together.  As for T.Puzzle, we have come to realize U-6 soccer is more a test in parental patience than it is anything else.  It’s good there are only two games left in this roller coaster season.  When we lose, we lose in such a spectacular fashion that it is sometimes difficult to regroup and move forward to the next game.  Fortunately, the kids at this level are so firmly planted in the present moment, they attack each new game with the confidence of an undefeated squad.

It has been interesting to watch T.Puzzle evolve over this U-6 season.  He started off much like last year.  His main concern was when the next water break would be called.  Then he slowly began to be invested in the outcome of the game.  First, he actually focused on where the ball was and what the score was for an entire game (this is impressive for a five-year old).  The next game, he took his defense seriously and to the extreme.  He began to use karate moves on the opposition (he has since been coached on keeping his hands to himself).  Now, he gets angry when he has to sit out a period.  He sits with crossed arms, kicks the bench and shoots daggers at Mad Dog (he has since been coached to adjust his attitude).

Looks like he is headed down the Mad Dog/Full Speed-win-at-all-costs road.

Seems I will be quietly waiting for water breaks alone from now on.

children, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Road Kill

WFAM
Battery display
Image by aminorjourney via Flickr

The usual group of neighborhood Moms and their assorted kids had gathered in our cul-de-sac.  There were trikes and scooters scattered here and there as well as a rather fancy battery-powered jeep to ride. 

I’m not going to lie.  I was nervous.  Not for my own children but for the children of my friends.  I jokingly asked if they wouldn’t mind signing waivers releasing me from all medical and legal claims against Full Speed and T.Puzzle. 

My initial fears seemed to be unfounded.  Turns out Full Speed was an incredibly skilled jeep driver.  He maneuvered through the obstacles of running kids and toys with complete control.  He knew exactly when to push it, when to let up and when to spin it back away from the gaggle of little ones. 

It was rather entertaining to watch.  I guess all those training hours of  ‘driving’ video race cars at speeds topping out at 200 mph had really paid off.

T.Puzzle looks on as Full Speed hones his driving skills.

Until…

Inevitably the other kids needed a turn behind the wheel.  T.Puzzle took over and what does Full Speed do?  He tries to run along next to the jeep and hold on to it.  All the Moms are screaming at him to “LET GO, FULL SPEED.  GET OUT OF THE WAY!” 

Does he listen?

No.

Does he become instant road kill?

Yes.

Does Mom nearly pass out at the image of a jeep driving over and trapping her oldest son?

Yes.

Will she ever recover?

No.

Thankfully, Full Speed did make a full recovery with only minor road rash injuries.  As for me?  The psychological damage is beyond repair.

bad day, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Next?

WFAM

It’s official.  The internal struggle is over.  I am ready for the boys to start school.  This home stretch to their first day is taking a toll.  Every day I strive to keep them physically active.  Every day I work with them to keep their minds growing.  Every day I make sure all of their needs and most of their demands are met. 

I am doing my part.  Apparently it is not enough.  No matter how much I have planned I get asked by the boys ‘What are we doing next?’ about 557 times a day. 

If I get asked one more time today this same question I’m pretty sure my head is going to explode.

Believe me the irony will not be lost on me when after it explodes I will have to clean up the mess myself. 

Inevitably one or both boys might say, “After you are done cleaning up that mess, Mom, what are we doing next?”

Related articles
children, gratitude, happiness, humor, kids, life in pictures, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Ahoy Mateys!

WFAM

Yesterday afternoon was a ‘guys’ only situation. That means Mom was in heaven.

Mad Dog wanted to take them deep-sea diving?

Great.

How about ATV chicken fights on the beach?

Why not?

And, my personal fave, there was always the option of plundering the shores of Florida with pirates.

I say go for it.

All I asked was that no limbs were compromised and both boys were returned to me alive.

Ahoy Mateys!