Soccer Games

Isaak played soccer in the spring, and now in the fall. He really is enjoying soccer. His coach really lets him work the field.

They had a double game last week. They won their first game, played hard on the second, but didn't win.

Crazy thing: 

Isaak has a whole drawer full of workout clothes. What does he wear? 

The same thing every time.

The best thing...kids are nice on his team!

The basketball team he was on was just not his fit. It has been that way, for awhile. He loves the sport, but not the team he was on. There was a kid that wouldn't give the other team high fives when they lost, he'd slam the floor when he the other team was making free throws, he'd push up against players, and more. Things like that just make Isaak pissed, and nothing was being done about it.

We found out when Isaak played at school, he was one of the top players. As opposed to his select team he wasn't even passed the ball. He doesn't need that negativity in his life.

He's not the BEST player at either soccer or basketball, but he's a good asset to both sports.

We signed him up, for basketball at the Y next to keep his skills in check.

At school he has intramural sports. Right now it's volleyball. Isaak and his carpool didn't really have the interest. When basketball starts they plan to play.

Travis makes Mica go to all Isaak's games. I don't even know why. Mica sits there and reads or listens to the music. He never knows the score. Travis says he has to go to be supportive. He's not supportive at all. Just like Isaak's not supportive to Mica's Quiz Bowl. He has no interest in that either.

Last week I was tickling Mica, and Mica was poking me in the arm. Being on Aspirin, all those pokes turn into bruises.

Travis said, "Let's trade spots. I'm getting sick of you two." We traded.

Then the two boys battled with empty Gatorade bottles. Mica's chair was knocked to the ground. Travis wonders why our "cheap" chairs break. Humm...I wonder.

When you were a kid, did you go to your bother or sister's sporting events, concerts and so on for support? 

The Y

So I'm pretty sure Mica got his Ring Worm from the Y. In Jiu-jitsu they have sparring on the mats. My coworker had sons that wrestled. They got Ring Worm often. Really...how often do you think they clean their mats? My guess is never. I think it's common for all places to hardly clean their mats. Mica's Ring Worm spot after a week is nearly gone. There is no sign of it spreading. I was worried about Daddy and I getting it. We both touched it with coconut oil thinking it was eczema. Last night I grabbed one of their comment cards at the Y. I mentioned that they should clean their mats, and explained what class my son is in, they use the mats regularly, and that he got Ring Worm. There was a spot on the bottom to sign my name.

Would you sign your name?

Seriously it seems like every evaluation I do I get in trouble. I got called over by the head swimming lady one time because I wrote a little too much on their evaluation. Since then when they pass out evaluations I leave the room, or act too busy to fill one out. At work I got called into the boss' office once because I wrote too much on an evaluation. I wrote both good, and things they could work on. Somehow it was a sign to him that I do not like my job. I do like my job. Just like everything, we all need to work on things. Car dealerships want good evaluations. I've had companies say when I've been asked to review their products, "If you've found fault with our product, please don't write a review." I've also had others, which I like say, "We want an honest review. Please don't copy and paste verbiage on our site, and paste it on yours. We want the post to be your opinion, and your words."

Mica Practicing His Balance

Mica had trouble with the balance ball. Many of the other kids did as well. It was a good exercise.

Switching Gears 

I went to the Y to use the treadmill and lift weights. When I was in the weight room one guy kept standing and waiting for every machine I was on. I didn't even use them in order. Seriously couldn't he just use a different one, while I was on the one he wanted to use? It was awkward. Some people on Facebook mentioned, "Maybe he was hitting on you." I don't think so. He looked impatient to use the machines, and bothered by the fact that he had to bump the weight up on ever one of them.

Merry Christmas

Again this is prescheduled. I'm hoping the post goes up when it's supposed to. I'll be commenting on other's posts tomorrow.

By this time Santa has already came to our house. Christmas Eve is the biggy around our parts. We go to church. Then we go to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner. We have different kinds of soups, crackers, cheeses, fruit, veggies, shrimp, and more. There's a stocking for each grand kid, and my parents still give a stocking to my sister's and I. Spoiled I know.

What are your traditions?

I get super into Santa. When people tell me he isn't real, I'm like, "Yes he is!" St. Nickolas is real. Just look him up in the dictionary, or any encyclopedia.

Last weekend we took our boys to have breakfast with Santa. I got so many fun Santa pictures this year. I'm glad because Mica is starting to have doubts.

One thing is true, my boys never have a problem saying something. They are talkers!

I loved that this Santa wanted to do goofy faces! Life is too short for seriousness all the time!

They went to two different places to decorate their own cookies.

We do the Santa thing. Then we go have another celebration with extended family.

Merry Christmas!

Busy Bees

Mixed brood comb. Flickr photo by Gord Campbell

At Work

It's midterm time at the college I teach at. This time always = a busy time. I'll do my best to get back to people. I'll try my best to return comments; not because I have to, but because I want to. If I let one comment back at ya slip, at least you understand why. Next week I'll be MUCH better!

This year in particular is a crazy year. I'm changing all my handouts, tests and keys over to the program InDesign. The information will copy over, but the font, size and styles will not. I also have been catching my own errors. I guess now is a great time to see them! At least I get to look forward to this time next year; all the documents will already be transferred over!

One of my books went out of print. With all the new reading assignments, I bet I'm one of the only ones that's reading it! I do have to read it because I have PowerPoints on the reading assignments, and test over them. Art students in general do not like to read. This new book is move advanced than their last one. That's both good and bad. Good because it gives them a jump start into understanding how design and typography work. Bad because it goes through things faster than my lectures previously went. I've decided to leave my lectures where they are at, and build new, additional ones that go over the reading. Repeating isn't always bad. Especially if things are explained in an entirely different way.

At the Y

Isaak and Mica went into a non competitive swim team. Mica kept up. Isaak did not. Isaak's a good swimmer for his age, but they were having him do strokes he was never taught. They put him in a swimming lesson that was at the same time. That to was too hard as well. Mica's continuing on with the swim team. Isaak took many steps forward, and many steps back. I only wanted him to move up one lesson. Soon we'll get it right.

Mica still loves Jiu Jitsu. We'd love to put Isaak in there to, but you have to be age 6 and up to join that one. There is no way we'd be able to make it to the Y at 5:15 for him to participate with the younger class.

At School

The school has put in game nights for each class; on different nights. The only trouble is, is that siblings can't go. One of us (me) has been going. It's a good thing. I now get why they have them on different nights. It's to exchange phone numbers, and to get to know parents better. Then play dates can happen.

At Home

We had 2 play dates this weekend; one for each kid. They went well, but Isaak was super excited; so much so that he was showing off, and having a hard time understanding that you have to still listen to Mom and Dad. Now we have to go over friend etiquette with Isaak. It's Isaak's first friend over from this school. He was trying to be goofy to make his friend laugh. Then when it was time to pick up, Isaak still wanted to be goofy. His friend was doing all the pick up work. I think showing off is normal. It's just that we have to talk to him more about how to act when friends come over. It made me feel much better when Mica's friend's Mom came to pick up her son, and told us she had problems with her son when her older daughter has friends over.

Blog

Today is a catch up day. I have two reviews to write. One being a giveaway. I also want to blog for a post to go up Tuesday night, a post to go up on Wednesday night and another to go up on Thursday night. Do you pre-post, or post right away?

6 Random Tid Bits

1. I have my voice back for the most part. Every once in awhile I sound like a teenage boy in puberty. I don't know if I'm better from the antibiotics, or the extra sleep. I could have sworn it was viral, which antibiotics do not touch. Daddy got over this thing just fine before me. Earlier in my cold I couldn't sleep because I could breathe. The last 3 nights I've went to bed at 9, 9:30 and 10. Anytime before 11 is great for me.
2. We have a busy night tonight: Eat, some family event at school, and swimming lessons and swim team. The boys started swim team last week. Well Isaak couldn't hang. I was worried about that. He's a great swimmer for his age. That doesn't mean that they've taught him every stroke yet, and worked on speed. I talked to someone last night, and we agreed that he would go in an upper swimming lesson at the same time. That's what I wanted the whole time. Gee whiz people! Too easy, too hard, let's get it right!
3. Isaak got two checks at school. Daddy said, "Ask Isaak what happened at school." I did. He said, "I got had a sex at school today and a sex at school the other day." I nearly died laughing. I asked him to repeat himself. The same thing came out. I knew it was supposed to be, "Checks". What did the little man do? He shoved someone because they wouldn't stop following him; even after he asked them to stop following him. He hit someone because hit him. I don't know the whole stories. He got checks anyhow. We had a talk. Daddy had a talk with him to.  Isaak won't put up with stuff. He's been picked on since he was itty bitty. When people give him crap, he shoves it right back in their face.
4. We went through a ton of toys and got rid of a lot. My cousin took some. The rest I'm bringing to work for my co-worker to take to his daughter who has a toddler. Now that the Goodwill doesn't take toys, it's harder getting rid of them. What do you do with old toys? Do you keep any? We've kept Thomas and Fisher Price Little people. 
5. Mica got his next stripe in Ju-Jitsu. I'll post on that later. I like his Sensei. I know we'll miss him when he's away. He had to go to Africa for his Grandma's funeral. I don't know how his helper Tyler will do without Sensei there. The only things that annoy me there are: Kids that do not listen; one kid is really bad. It's one thing to not be able to do what they are asking; and another to just flat out not listen. This is silly, but they tell the kids to face the white wall, but it's clearly grey. Being a Color and Design Theory teacher, I want to stand up and say, "That's a 20% grey wall. It's not white." LOL
6. I have a new book for one of my classes. I think I'm the only one that reads it. That stinks. I give reading assignments, but art students never seem to want to read. This is why I went with free PodCasts and worksheets for their Illustration class. Their books are not cheap. I want to shake them and say, "Read!" I do go over the material in a PowerPoint. I have to be honest I only skimmed when I was their age to. Maybe if I would have read I would have gotten better grades in my English, Art History and Philosophy courses. When I did read it only sunk in some. Philosophy is sometimes brain racking.

It's a Girl, No it's a Boy!

The boy's swimming lessons were up this week.

Mica's coach gave me his evaluation. I didn't look at it too closely. Instead I took Isaak to go sign up for yet another session. They enjoy it. Why not?

I came back and started looking at Mica's evaluation and realized it kept saying, "She" and "Her". I know Mica can be used as a girl's name, but I didn't have a clue if the evaluation was about my kid, or someone else.

I asked Mica to come on over to me. I told him to go tell his coach that he is in fact a boy. With him there's no mistaking that.

After his lesson I showed her the evaluation. I said, "I'm not mad. I'm just making sure that you were in fact talking about my kid here." She was so embarrassed. She knew he is a boy. I said, "It's ok. I'm a teacher. Sometimes we just write fast, and think fast." That was the case.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

The Y had a party for Dr. Seuss on Saturday. It was for ages 2 to 5. Isaak went with his cousin Elijah. They were pretty excited.

Here are the boys before the party:

I didn't get pictures of the party because adults didn't stay. I did what a good girl should do and went to exercise, have a cup of coffee and made a pit stop to No Name Nutrition, which is a local health food store.

I did get out of the boys that they made Dr. Seuss bracelets, read books, colored on coloring sheets and ate cake.

I Think I Can...

Warning there's a cuss word in this post. So if you are reading this in front of a child that can read, STOP and read it later.

This weekend we went to swimming lessons, per usual. The swimming program leader had me fill out an evaluation. I started marking it up. Most everything was good, not excellent, but not horrible or bad either. Then I got to the backside and it had a spot for comments.

So I wrote about:

• How Isaak is 4 and can't move up a level until he is 6. I find it annoying that he can't move up. If he's ready, he's ready. Two years in the same class I would think would get old. It prohibits growth in something he's good at. 
• I went on to say that I think all the kids would do better if they had the same coach for awhile; instead of switching coaches for each and every session. 
• Then I said that Mica's right on target. 
• I made a comment that Isaak's coach still pushes him even though he's in a lower class, which is good. 
• I like that everyone is happy when we go there. 
• My kids enjoy swimming lessons; for the most part.

As I'm writing the head coach comes to sit down beside me. She says, 

"I can see that you are writing a lot...can we talk about what is wrong?"

My face probably turned 3 shades of red because I was put on the spot. I simply told her what I wrote and explained that I'm a teacher, an artist and a blogger, I like to write. I said, "I have just as many good things on here as things to work on."

She mentioned, "Well we talked about how Isaak can't move up because he's only 4. Age wise he can't."

I said, "Yes we did. That doesn't make the problem go away though."

She took my evaluation and walked out of the room.

I was thinking, Hummm...did my evaluation really piss her off, or did she just have to go put the evaluations some place?

My positive, and happy mood went out the window. It was on my mind the rest of the weekend. At least I can look back at Mica's smiley face and smile myself.

This image that one of my students put up on Facebook came to mind:

Source

My face turned red not just because I was on the spot. Memories of me being cornered all came together. At one work place I was called into the bosses office because I wrote a lot on an evaluation. He questioned if I liked my job or not. I did. I just had a lot of things happen that year. Changes both good and bad. After that I wrote as little as possible.

My thoughts are this: If you are asking for an opinion I'm going to give you one. I'm going to think of the great things and the things that need to be worked on. I'm going to say them. I want places and people to get better. Nothing is perfect. I as a person need work. I have good qualities to. Everything and everyone is like that. 

I called Daddy as soon as I was out of there; and told him what had happened. He told me that his co-worker filled out an evaluation on a dental student. She marked average on just about everything. The girl was going to get kicked out of dental school. Why? Because she was marked average and not great or perfect. She was rightfully in tears. His co-worker had to call and talk to the school. Since when did average mean bad?! Isn't the purpose of going to school, is to get trained to get better?

Then I talked with a guy at work about this. He told me that he filled out an evaluation for Toyota's service. He was annoyed because he had it in to get an oil change at 11:30. It was 12:30 and they still didn't get to it. He went out and asked about it. He said, "If you wanted me to get it in at a certain time, you should be ready to work on it then. It doesn't take that long to change oil in a car. Give me the stuff and I'll do it in 10 minutes." The maintenance guy said, "We can't do that sir. All places are like this." My co-worker said, "They don't have to be. I have to be back to work, and you haven't even gotten to my car!" So when they gave him a evaluation to fill out  he tore the time issue apart. The manager called him and said, "I thought we had this worked out sir!" My co-worker said, "We talked about it, but didn't work it out." For the record, Honda maintenance is just as bad! I always felt that way, but just didn't say anything. Maybe I should have.

Why do people have you fill out an evaluation if they only want to hear good in things? Should people's jobs, schooling be effected based on one single bad evaluation? Seems kind of silly to me!

Then I wonder if I'm the only one that writes a lot in evaluations? Maybe I'm too critical. Maybe I'm not. Maybe they just need to put on their big girl panties and big boy underwear and take the criticism for what it's worth. How do we get better if no one says anything?

For the record if I absolutely did not like something or someone; I'd remove myself from the situation or the person. I really like the Y and I like Honda. If I didn't I wouldn't continue a membership to the Y and I wouldn't own 2 Honda's. That still doesn't make them perfect. Nothing is practically perfect in every way except for Mary Poppins. If I truly got to know her, I'm sure she could have improved herself as well.

Smoothie Party

The other day we had Cousin Elijah over. The Y was having a smoothie party. I decided I'd take the boys over to make smoothies.

Elijah is only 2 months older then Isaak. They play really well together. That's when they are alone! When Mica or Cousin Evan (both age 6) get in the picture, Isaak's immediately the odd boy out. :(

Elijah thinks he's one of the big kids. He throws a ball and bats a ball better then Mica can. Cousin Evan has always included his brother in everything. Mica doesn't always include Isaak.

For a long time Mica and Evan called Isaak "A Baby." Mica wouldn't eat Cherrios because they were, "Baby Food." When in fact it was Isaak that liked them for a snack. It's taken awhile to break the older boys from the, "Baby" thing! Isaak really just acts his age.

Isaak and Elijah were playing well together. Mica got home from school. All the sudden Mica and Elijah were playing. Isaak was left out. :(

Elijah and Mica ran to the Y, while Isaak walked with me. Elijah and Mica played tag at the Y, while I bounced a basket ball with Isaak. Finally it happened; Elijah decided to sit with Isaak in circle time, while Mica sat with me. :) I'm not saying I want Mica to be left out. It's just that Isaak seems to be the one that's the odd boy out most the time. It makes me sad for him.

Mica raised his hand after the instructor started talking. He had his hand up for two to three minutes. She called on him. Mica said, "I didn't know if anyone noticed that that little boy over there (he pointed to Elijah) is new. He's my cousin Elijah. He's here to have fun. His little brother, my other cousin is in the hospital. He had surgery today." It was pretty sweet of Mica to introduce his cousin and make him feel welcomed. We went downstairs to make different samples of smoothies. Elijah got to help with the blender. We all got samples. I didn't get any good pictures of Isaak. I really wasn't trying to leave him out! ;)

After the smoothie party we walked home. I then took Elijah to the hospital. He got to see his mom, dad, Evan and Emerson.

Emerson looked like the above picture that Aunt Terra took. He was sleeping most of the time that I was there. The net hat was just there to hold on his dressing. He did so good and got to home sooner than we thought he would! He went home yesterday! His adenoids were so big that they were blocking his airway in his nose. I'm pretty sure that when the swelling goes down that he'll be able to breathe a lot better than before!

Swimming Lessons

The boys are back in swimming lessons. I was kind of late with signing them up, so they are in a Saturday morning class.

When they first got there I flip flopped their classes. Their swimming lesson classes are all odd names. Mica's in Polliwog and Isaak's in Eel. To me "Polliwog" sounds little! I had Isaak sitting in Mica's lesson! I really quickly realized and switched kids. All the kids looked too big to be Isaak's age.

I do have to say that they are practically just as good at swimming. It's just that Mica can touch the bottom and Isaak can't.

When it was Isaak's turn to go to his lesson he broke out in tears. I guess he really liked his last coach. He said he didn't like him because he didn't wear goggles. He had a hard time going to someone new.

Little boy's trunks seem to ride up like the photo. Little girl suits give them a wedgie. I remember my sister, Aunt Terra asked me once to pick out her wedgie. She is 5 years younger than me.

Both boys have the same coach. We'll see how it goes. They were impressed with how well Mica does the free style stroke. That clicked towards the last set of lessons he had last time.

Tonight I Splurged

We haven't been out to eat for a long while. Tonight Daddy was working, I worked all day, I had coupons and decided to splurge.

Mica ate like a true piggy. He eats ALL THE TIME!

When he got done eating he wanted MORE!

I had another coupon for a free mango or strawberry smoothie. Mica was all over that. I told him, "Ok I'll give the coupon to you as long as you go order it." He was like, "Ok are you sure Mommy?" I said, "Yep! Just go ask for a mango smoothie." He said, "Ok! I need money though." I said, "Nope! This one is free." He said, "OK! Watch me!"

Isaak and I watched Mica go up and order. He stood there waiting and finally said, "Um can I have a yellow one of these?" She got him one. Then it was too thick and he couldn't drink it up out of the straw. I said, "Why don't you go ask them for a spoon?" Mica said, "Mommy you are a genius!" :)

I think after his mango smoothie, Mica was full! Oh and Isaak, well he was a spazz all evening. Mica looks like he could pop in the photo below and Isaak's, well Isaak! I'm laughing about Isaak now, but at the time I was about to pull my hair out!

Off we went to the Y. It was open swim night. We got all ready to go into the water and then were told that we couldn't get into the pool because someone saw lighting.

Back in the family changing room we went to get pjs on. Isaak was still a spazz. The boys wanted to know why we couldn't get in the pool? I said, "Well if you are in water and lightening strikes, you can get hurt." They look concerned. I took it one step further and said, "Lightening can hear you. You have to whisper, so that the lightening can't hear you!" The rest of the night spazzy Isaak was nice and quiet. He whispered until it was time for bed. :)

WW: Parachute {Linky}

My favorite shot of Isaak this week: 

Isaak and Mica having fun.

Mica being a goof.

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Easter Party at the Y

On Saturday the local Y had an Easter bash. It was fun, but crazy busy! I think the whole neighborhood was there. I heard it was packed because it was announced on the news and was free.

Here's the things they did:

• The boys got a carrot top from the Y Bunny. Mica swears the bunny was Isaak's swimming coach. Isaak would not believe Mica.
• They got to bounce around in a bounce house. They love that! 
• They got to color paper eggs with crayons.
• They made bunny hats. They loved this activity. Their hats only lasted a day. Isaak screamed bloody murder in the car because his hair got stuck to the sticky part of the hat. I think it pulled out about 5 hairs. 
• They got a snack: A mini muffin, 1/2 a banana and apple juice.

WW: Superhero's to the Rescue! {Linky}

The Y had a Superhero Party. I took my two nephew's Evan and Elijah along with Mica and Isaak. They had so much fun! They all very much got into character! I had more pictures of Isaak and Elijah because they split all the kids up into 2 groups. I decided to hang out with the 3 year old's.

Isaak Spider-Man Pumping Iron!

Isaak Spider-Man and Elijah Batman.

Isaak Spider-Man wouldn't take his mask off for anything!

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