Brotherly/Sisterly Love

With Valentine's Day being yesterday, I have love on my mind. Of course the love between Adam and I, but also that between siblings. You know I once heard this commentary on siblings that seemed so shocking at the time - your siblings will be the people you know the longest in life. Sit back and think about that for a minute. During a "normal" life, you'll probably have your parents somewhere between 50-60 years.  Same for your kids, your spouse, and maybe a few really good friends. But your siblings will be in your life for almost the whole thing - 70-80 years probably (if not longer).

When I thought about that, it really made me appreciate my own sister and brother in a way I probably hadn't before. Truthfully, it made me feel closer to them, even if nothing actually changed about our relationships. When you're growing up, you often love your siblings out of obligation. Realizing we have each other for the long haul made me thankful that I actually enjoy being around my siblings. Thankful that I actually love them, and not just because I have to. I know not everyone can say that about their siblings.

I've spent a lot of time on this blog talking about how Mason and Mya differ on just about everything. From eating to sleeping to waking up - they're basically opposites. They also play differently. Mason, being more left-brained, prefers to play on his own and with his own rules. Seriously, Adam and I can't even play Legos with him because we do it wrong. Mya, being more right-brained, likes to create things and wants to be with us all the time. You can imagine what happens when we try to mix their personalities together for playtime. It typically doesn't go well.

Yet every once in a while we find them playing together in a totally unexpected way. Actually enjoying being around each other, doing whatever they're doing together. I caught them together on the couch the other night doing just this. Sure I line them up to take pictures together all the time, but it's rare (maybe once a year or so) when I can actually catch them happily playing together. These rare moments make me think about how they'll always have each other. And once they're old enough to realize it, I think they'll love each other too (and not just because they have to).

On Being Green

We were on the way to our cousins' house, who happen to be Michigan fans, when Mason declared that he shall henceforth be shouting "Go Blue!" He idolizes their boys, so neither of us were surprised. As irksome as this was to Adam and I, we're trying to be good sports and allow our children to determine their own rooting interests. Still, I paused to remind Mason that he owes his life to "Go Green" and should really reconsider who he's rooting for.

I wasn't exaggerating with that statement. Adam and I met at MSU as most people know by now. Just how deeply the green runs through my veins has been something I've wanted to write about for some time. Given Mason's recent declaration, it seems like the right moment to do so.

*****

I might ruffle a few feathers by saying this - being a Spartan is like a second religion for me. I'm often overcome with school spirit, so much so that I'm brought to tears. Hype videos? Talking to my kids about campus? Just walking around the river in the fall? Yes, all these things can turn my eyes into little Spartan waterfalls. So here's the story of how I ended up a Spartan...

For those of you that don't know, my dad is an MSU alumnus. Me, being a daddy's girl, loved everything that my dad did and so I, too, loved MSU. When we were kids, we'd take trips to East Lansing and have lunch at Hobie's, feed the ducks along the Red Cedar River and usually stop into the MSU Bookstore too. You won't be surprised to hear that the bookstore was always the highlight of my trip - you cannot imagine my excitement at the aisles of pens. (And you got to test them out!!!) You also shouldn't be surprised that I was a Spartan cheerleader for Halloween one year.

My first real memory of Spartan athletics was somewhere in middle school during the early '90's. My best friend was a Michigan fan and one year MSU finally beat Michigan in football. I must have already had the Spartan chip on my shoulder, even with little knowledge of the history of that rivalry. After that win, I threw on my dad's MSU coat and grabbed the MSU flag from our front yard. My dad drove me over to my friend's house where I promptly rang the door bell and ran around her yard with the flag. In retrospect, I was a poor winner that year. As most Spartan's know, "act like you've been there before" only really works when you've been there before and to my little self it must've seemed like we'd never been there before.

Fast forward a few years and it's time to apply to college. There was really only one choice for me - I was going to be a Spartan. I didn't need an official campus visit since I'd been there dozens of times. I didn't even apply anywhere else. My application essay talked about how I was born in green and white diapers. I went into the dorms blind and ended up with the best roommate and introvert like me could ask for. We stuck to ourselves all year until March Madness came around. Of course the games were held elsewhere, but they were live-streamed on the Breslin Center jumbotron so we headed over to watch with some other girls from our floor in Rather Hall. When we beat Kentucky in the Elite Eight game, we followed along with the rest of the students over to Cedar Village for the "celebration." When we walked past the gorgeous Phillips Hall, we decided that's where we wanted to live next year. (Side note, we did not participate in the subsequent "riots" that occurred after losing our next game to Duke.)

Sophomore year began in Phillips Hall, but my fabulous roommate did not end up coming back to MSU. Instead I had a roommate that was not what an introvert like me would ask for, but it was a blessing in disguise as it forced me to meet other people in the dorms. Which finally leads to Adam making an appearance in this story. Adam and I met the day of the MSU-Oregon football game in 1999. A couple of the girls from my floor knew a couple of the guys from the floor above us, so they all kind of hung out together. That game was the first time I ventured up to the second floor. Adam had season tickets that year, but came back to the dorm at halftime and watched with us. The first floor girls and second floor guys were inseparable from that point on. When it was time to figure out housing for the next year, Adam and his friend asked another girl and I to be roommates in the fabulous Haslett Arms Apartments.

It was in those apartments that I was moping around about boy problems when Adam, trying to be nice, said in a few less words that if we weren't roommates, we'd make a good couple. (I know, how could you say that in a few less words. If you know Adam, that's certainly possible.) It was an idea that gnawed at the back of my mind for months and then thanks to what I refer to as "the summer of weddings" - we actually did turn into a couple. Fun facts - the first wedding was of the Michigan-fan cousins from the start of this post and the second wedding was in Ann Arbor. I hate to admit it, but it's possible that Michigan brought us together. Actually, I'm not willing to admit that.

A few summers later, we graduated and moved to Battle Creek so Adam could go to the police academy in Kalamazoo while I kept working for the MSU Libraries. We both knew that it would be harder for him to find a job as a police officer than it would be for me as an accountant so it made sense for me to stick with my job until he found his.

We ended up staying put in BC when Adam was hired by Calhoun County, and so it was up to me truly being my career. Finally, I decided to take my talents two buildings over and have been in the Administration Building ever since. In spite of the commute, I can't imagine ever being anywhere else. MSU is home to me, even though I now live an hour away.

*****

Our enthusiasm for Spartan basketball and football is just the result of our love for MSU, and now we're passing that down to our kids. Mason's birth marked the beginning of an unprecedented run by MSU football - they're 7-1 since the year he was born. His godparents are the very Michigan-fan cousins we were on our way to visit at the beginning of this post, and whose wedding started Adam and I down this path. We get together with them every fall for the Michigan-Michigan State game.

The circle continues - now we're the ones taking our kids on trips to East Lansing. Sometimes we meet up with my parents. Mason and Mya love feeding the ducks and stopping in at the Dairy Store. And hopefully the Spartan love will continue on for another generation.

And so, very long story short, being a Spartan is truly woven into the story of my life. And my dear Mason, it really is the story of how you came to have yours.

Go Green. Go White. Go State. Forever.

Dear Santa

We visited Santa at the mall a few weeks back.  As we were on our way there, Mason declared that the Santa we'd be seeing is just a helper and not the real Santa.  I don't know why I find this so humorous.  Still he knows that mall Santa will let the real Santa know what he wants for Christmas and so happily divulged.  His requests actually came as no surprise.  He's been wanting the same thing for months - an "electricity ball" (aka a plasma ball) and a Ninjago game for his DS. 

There's a lot to be said about consistency.  Mya, of course, is anything but consistent.  We didn't really know what she'd ask Santa for and she surprised us by asking for a dolly.  This was a surprise because she doesn't really play with any of the dollies she already has.  Still, okay, this is certainly a present Santa can handle. 

Fast forward a week and Santa visited Mya's preschool for their Christmas party.  Mason reminded her (again) that this Santa would be another of the real Santa's helpers. I tried to pin her down on a dolly again by reminding her that if she tells two of Santa's helpers two different things that the real Santa might get confused.  That didn't stop her from telling Santa's helper #2 that she wanted a Snoopy ice maker.  (You know, that slushy set a lot of us had as kids - well it's back and she's seen it at Target.) 

Again, I feel pretty fortunate that her requests should easily be accomplished by Santa - though I kind of feel bad that he has to scurry around at the last minute to fulfill her wishes.  I'm not certain what he'll do on a year or so when she asks for a unicorn.

Sleeping Beauties

 

I talked a little while back about our bedtime routines, but I forgot to mention my bedtime routine.  I don't think I'm alone in saying I tip-toe to the edge of my kids' beds each night and just stand there staring at them for a few moments.  It's probably the sweetest minute of my day.  I find myself smiling at their beautiful little faces - thankful that they are mine.  There are so many times throughout the day that I find my nerves frayed and my rope growing shorter.  This is the one peaceful time I have with the kids to remind myself I'm doing okay.  They're doing okay.  

Now part of the reason I smile at them as they sleep is because of the way they're sleeping.  Mason is just like me in his sleep.  He doesn't move around a lot - in fact most times he's laying the same way he was when I tucked him in.  He's always snuggled under the covers, with Spunky under his arm.  Mya sleeps just like her daddy - a wild mess.  She usually has her covers half thrown off herself and there are arms and legs all across the bed.  

The kids don't just sleep like opposites, they wake up that way too.  All you need to do is kiss Mason's forehead and tell him it's time to get up.  He stretches and up he pops, ready to start the day.  Most mornings I pray that Mya wakes up before I have to wake her.  If she doesn't get up on her own, there's no easy way to coax her out of bed.  She'll likely spend the next half hour crying and hiding from the terrible bright lights of day.  I wish I could say I was exaggerating about this.  

I feel like I say this all the time - my days with these types of childhood routines are numbered.  Pretty soon they won't want me to tuck them in and they'll have alarm clocks to wake themselves up.  But I have a feeling that years from now I'll still be tip-toeing up to their beds for that moment of peace with my sleeping beauties.

I Love Fall

It's no secret - I love fall!  The changing leaves and cozy sweaters and Halloween and pumpkin spice everything.  For Adam - he's got hoodies and football to look forward to.  And it's one of those seasons we try to make fun for the kids.  Usually this means going to a pumpkin farm - and usually that means Gull Meadows in Richland.  It's just down the road from where Adam grew up, but it's nothing like he remembers it.  Now there are so many activities you could literally spend an entire day there (though the crowds might make you want to leave sooner).  If you time it just right though, you really can have a lovely day.  That is if mama doesn't try to take a million pictures of you.

Mason and I got to twice actually.  The first time was on a field trip with the 2nd graders at Arbor.  It's really fun chaperoning these events, once you get past the driving four 7-year-old boys part.  (Yikes!)  We did some different things on the field trip than we did on our family outing - like go for a hay ride and pick apples - so it was fun both times around. 

 

Of course all of these fall festivities culminate with Halloween..  The kids had their Halloween parties at school on Friday (TinkerBell and Spider-Man) and of course we went out trick-or-treating in our neighborhood on Saturday (Spider-Man and Witch).  The rain held off for the most part and the kids did fairly well with all the walking.  At one point near the end Mya declared that her legs could no longer carry her, so she got a ride on my shoulders for the last few houses. 

 

We may still have plenty of leaves to rake and Thanksgiving to celebrate, but it's about this point in Michigan that it feels like fall is coming to and end.  Hopefully this winter will be a short one, and then I can tell you about how much I love spring.

 

Fall Soccer - 2015

Fall soccer is a long season - two weeks longer than the spring season.  Don't get me wrong, I love watching them play, but it comes to a point when you're relieved the season is over.  Now it's time to sit back on reflect on the season that was.

Mason had been on a team with kids from his school the past two seasons, but this time around he was on a team with all new kids.  It always amazes me that he doesn't mind meeting new people.  Just stick him with a bunch of kids his age and it's like he's known them forever.  In fact there was one week when the other team didn't have enough kids so Mason volunteered to be on their team.  I don't think he'll ever be a soccer star, but he has fun and gets a little exercise.  That's what it should be about for kids his age.

Mya, oh, Mya.  Where to begin with this girl.  Mya was again on a team with her best friend from preschool which should've made it fun for her, but she never really wanted to be out on the field.  Maybe it was because they didn't have practice so she didn't get used to the new kids on her team or the field itself.  Maybe it's just because she's much more shy than Mason.  Whatever the reason, we spent most weeks pleading with Mya to go out on the field.  She would mostly cry and tell us she was nervous. 

For the very last game of the season, which just happened to be Halloween, I happened to come up with enough bribes to get Mya on the field.  She got to wear her witch costume under her uniform, have a popcorn and hot cocoa snack between her game and Mason's and got a toy with her Happy Meal when we were done for the day.  It only took all of that to get her on the field.  Even then, for the first quarter she just stood near the sidelines.  The second quarter she cried on the sidelines that her leg hurt (must have been all the exercise she'd gotten in the first quarter).  Finally for the third and fourth quarter she got out there and helped her team a little.

Mason is already looking forward to his next venture, whether it be spring soccer or something new.  Needless to say, I think this was Mya's last season.  Judging from this picture, she may be better suited for a ballet class.

A Kissing Hand and Other Bedtime Routines

You may have heard of the book A Kissing Hand for Chester Raccoon.  It's a children's story to help cope with separation (think, first day of school/daycare).  I'd never heard about the book until Mason's first grade teacher read it to the class one of the first days of school.  Mason relayed the premise - a mama raccoon kisses her kit's hand so he'll have her kisses whenever he needs them. 

It's such a sweet idea, really.  So Mason and I started kissing each other's hands during snuggle time at bedtime.  Because we're both oddly OCD, it has developed into kissing both hands, blowing into each other's faces, both of us repeating the process with Spunky (the monkey), and putting the kisses on the nightstand for safe-keeping.  This has been going on every night since he was read the book at the beginning of first grade.

Between the two kids (and two adults) we have several unique bedtime routines.  Each night I'm snuggling the kids, I'm aware that these days are limited - they will some day get to the point where they don't want us anywhere near their rooms.  I was thinking that I should write down the sweet little things we do each night so I can look back at this years from now and remember what a special time this was.

Mama and Mya
When Mya was a baby I used to rock her to sleep and sing "You Are My Sunshine" half a dozen times.  That has obviously evolved a little - specifically, there's no more rocking.  Now she gets to choose the song we sing each night.  These days Sunshine is still one of her favorites, but Twinkle Twinkle, Jingle Bells, Peter Cottontail and the Itsy Bitsy Spider make frequent appearances.  After we're done singing, I tell Mya three things that I hope she always remembers: You are smart. You are sweet. You are beautiful. 

Daddy and the Kids
Adam's routine harkens back to his childhood and is the repetition of something his dad would say to him at bedtime.  If I lined up all the little boys in the world, and I could pick just one, I'd pick you.  He says this to each kid, and many times they repeat it back to him. If I lined up all the daddies in the world...  Sometimes Adam mixes it up for fun, If I lined up all the little boys missing a tooth, or If I lined up all the little girls with pigtails.  When it came time to figure out what the kids should get Adam for Father's Day this past year, I wanted to incorporate this saying into it somehow.  I stumbled upon a hand-stamped steel guitar pick that says "We'd pick you." 

Mama and Mason
Well, you already know how this one ends.  Before that though, I like to talk to Mason about his day.  Most days I remind him how proud I am of him and let him know he's my special boy.  Many days there are back scratches during our bedtime chats.  And then we've got our kissing hands.

At the end of it all, Adam and I breath and relax.  Somehow we managed to make it through another day of parenthood.