Best Compliment for the Year Doubled by a Goal

After thirty, the youthful compliments don't come as often as they use to. The sad realities of aging, but I wouldn't change anything. No regrets.

I digress so the best compliment I have gotten for the year is...drum roll...

"Are you Child #3's sister?"

And this wasn't asked in any sarcastic tone either, but I do have to reveal that the question came from a cute five year old boy on Child #3's soccer team after our last game (Did I mention I am the assistant coach for the team?)

He made my day, but I had to let him down easy. "No sweetie, I'm her mommy."

Child #3 scored her first goal. Considering she is the youngest on the team, this is a huge deal. She might have been more proud of herself than us since she was jumping all around the field with a huge smile. We were so proud.

3 times, everytime

$227,000. Does the average cost to raise a kid to the age of eighteen include all the activities they are involved in?

At least with diapers, you pay as you go.

This soccer thing is a little expensive. Having one child in soccer wasn't bad, but now that I have added three children to next season's roster, HOLY COW! I guess we could cut something else out like Sunday school (just kidding, Mom). At least the cost includes the Fall and Spring season.

I hate having to pay for things so far in advance. Maybe the soccer club should come up with a payment plan like monthly installments. Okay now I am just dreaming, but it's a good thought.

Mother's Day

Why is it that Dads go fishing or golfing with the Grandpas on Father's Days and Mom's end up having to hang out with the whole family on Mother's Day? And we still have to do the dishes and help prepare meals.

When I am asked what I want to do for Mother's Day, I just want to be left alone in silence so I can read a book or write on my blog. Then the response is that that isn't mother-like for Mother's day and I can't do that.

I enjoy hanging out with my family, but then stop asking me what I want for Mother's Day because I am not going to get what I want anyway.

Bah humbug!

Rocked the Field

Child #1 just came out of her shell in soccer. She rocked on the soccer field today. She worked so hard getting the ball down the field and it finally paid off with three goals and one awesome assist. We were so excited and proud of her. It was an awesome confidence builder for her.

And yes, we are those parents screaming and cheering on the sidelines. If the image helps, I never sit down while watching her play soccer. And just so you are all clear most of the other moms don't talk to me.

Now the question is "Did the goals mean more to her parents than her?"

My answer is "No. She felt proud of herself after making the goals so whether we were more excited than her doesn't matter as long as she feels the confidence."

On a side note, it doesn't matter what sport she wants to play we will support her fully. Soccer is just the first sport we started her with. She is awesome at smacking a baseball too. Only time will tell what she will choose.

Mother's Day Gift

Child #1 comes home yesterday with a Mother's Day card that she made at school. Attached to the card were 2 Hershey Kisses and 1 one hundred grand mini candy bar. After school is definitely snack time for my kids, which a small snack is my solution to the never ending questions "What's for dinner?" "I'm starving." "When are we going to eat?"

Anyway, without even a thought Child #1 ripped off all the candy on the card and ate every last piece of candy. She didn't even offer any to her sisters who were complaining they don't get any candy. Because the mother I am, I knew she wanted to eat the candy. I saw the greediness in her eyes before we even got out of the truck when we got home. But I thought she would have at least asked me first. Nope. Nothing.

I was so intrigued by her behavior that I waited for her to finish all the candy before I said anything (What? Sometimes guilt is better than correction).

She finished the candy licking her lips and chocolate stains on her face.

Then I asked, "Wasn't that card for Mother's Day?"

"Yes," Child #1 answered.

"Wouldn't the candy be included in that card for Mother's Day?"

"But Mooommmm, I made it and I wanted the candy."

"But what if I wanted the candy isn't Mother's Day for me?"

"Mom, you wouldn't have liked it anyway."

I left it at that for her to think about it. I had to hold back all my chuckling because I thought it was hilarious. Not that I condone the selfishness, but she is the first child and she always gives into her sisters and is a very selfless child most of the time so I wasn't going to stop her from her minor lapse of selfishness. Other parents might disagree, but this is my blog so I can write what I want:)

Another parent response (a close friend's reply), "Well, that's what you get for being healthy all the time."

I could only laugh at the response. Child #1 really assumed I wouldn't want the candy. Which is completely fine, I will keep to my secret stash of Riesen:)

Flights

Did you know that a direct flight doesn't actually mean direct flight anymore?

Well, let me explain the new terminology for you.

As long as your flight number on the plane is the same the airlines can still consider it a direct flight. We leave Milwaukee, land in Phoenix, exit the plane, wait two hours, re-board the same plane and continue onto Mexico.

I know sometimes things go over my head, but to me this sounds like a lay over.

The airlines suck. I mean really suck. Did I mention that the airlines suck?

Post-Vacation

Yay, we made it back in one piece. Puerto Vallarta was fun. We tried out the zip lining. LOVED IT! I definitely recommend it. The beach brought back my childhood memories swimming in the ocean back in San Diego. The waves were awesome. We are both pretty strong swimmers so we love riding the waves.

Of course, we ate too much and drank too much (I gained the exact five pounds I lost before the trip), but we walked it off on the beach and played a few tennis matches (I think I lost every game, obviously I am not much of a tennis player). We were able to walk on the beach for several miles checking out other resorts and watching dolphins swim not to far from the shore.

Oh yeah, I tried out Karaoke for the first time. Um, not such a good site. If you want to know, my husband will have to be the story teller. I'm definitely not sharing.

Overall, it was a great vacation, but we will be heading back to the Caribbean next time.