lately

So I realized that I've been posting more personally than professionally lately. I suppose its that I have much going on right now that isn't Penny Pickles related. Sure there are tons of things on my website that I need to update. As I sit here I have beautiful fabric downstairs begging me to make a skirt for Penny and a top for Miss Merdi, Leslie's daughter. It isn't that I've lost my mojo, I am suffering from what I like to call Multiple Sports Per Season Disorder or MSPSD as I like to call it. Against my better judgement we are embarking on having the boys play two different sports and as of this moment, Jon may have an overlap of sports (which I swore up and down I would never do) of three weeks, if he does actually go through with trying out for the swim club next week. Because Drew is too young to play football, he is playing soccer, which is a whole different animal to be dealing with. I knew this day would come, if you encourage your children to do anything extra curricular and you have more than one child, it is bound to happen.

This week was a taste of what's to come. I decided last minute to sign up the boys for one last swim lesson for the season. It was a perfect scenario - one week commitment, $50 per kid 5 or 5:30 each night. Jon decided that he wanted to try out for the swim club and although we've been playing in water all summer, I figured it wouldn't hurt to brush up on his skills right before the tryouts. Let's be honest here, learning to swim is a good thing. You would think though that Ryan and I could teach our own children because A. he was on the swim team, B. we were both lifeguards, C. I taught lessons at a private studio all throughout college and D. Ryan coached a swim club in the summers during college. But alas no, our children are less thrilled with learning the proper way to do each stroke with us, but more than happy to have us catch them as they launch themselves off the side. This seems to be a pretty common phenomenon, so I'm not taking it personally. So we do lessons, from strangers and it seems to work out quite nicely. I also figured that Jon might not be able to do the required 25 yards free and back. I must say it isn't terribly pretty, but he can in fact do it, so we'll see. One of the coaches is a woman whose daughter was in Jon's first grade class - I casually mention he's interested and that our goal with these lessons is to prepare him and after the first night she says - "oh, hell be fine." My secret wish that perhaps we can put this off for another year was squelched. No really, I think this will be awesome for him and when Jon is geared up about something I try to accomodate- I am sure I'll have fun too and Ryan just might be able to relive those glory days of swimming and coaching - it's just that its another time commitment and time is a precious commodity in this house. So we'll see what unfolds next week. Did I mention guitar lessons...

So back to Jon and football - it's all pretty standard, one practice a week and one game. He LOVES it and is pretty good - I don't expect him to win the Heisman trophy anytime soon, but he really, really has a fun time. Not to mention that we LOVE football in this house. Although Drew is the same size of most of Jon's team mates, he is still one year too young to play. Much to his chagrin. I can fully picture Drew in his late teen glory being 6'5" weighing 260 and working the line. He's just built for it, but I could be wrong and he could wind up playing the flute in the band. Only time will tell. So we'll see if football wins him over next year because this year he's playing soccer.

This is Jon with low blood sugar

Soccer isn't terribly foreign to me, I played a bit in high school, I preferred indoor to outdoor, not sure why, but I did. Jon has never been interested, but I think Drew, who knows nothing of the game is just excited to play "something." He had his first practice last night and yes he is the biggest kid on his team and yes he had his big Santa Claus grin on the WHOLE time. So excited to be doing something on his own, without the shadow of Jon. From that perspective it makes the chaos of after school and the shuttling all worth it. To know that he's happy that he's the one practicing and we're the ones watching him - well it's just priceless. A small price to pay I suppose.

This is Drew 99% of the time

Penny isn't involved in anything of late except making daring fashion choices for the above mentioned events - we dabble mostly in shoes, but sometimes she surprise us with a purse, fairy wings and maybe even a tutu. I think once things calm down we'll do gymnastics over the winter and then next spring she'll be joining her brothers at the ball field. I think she'll be rather happy to don a pink helmet and glove for t-ball. I'm thinking of having Ryan build a make-shift shanty for us to live in from April through June. Some people dream of vacation homes in Boca...

This is Penny, she's nuts

All the while I am still trying to get my TV room done - I have a bit more painting to do and some trim - we'll finally vacate the Colts room and put the TV and sofa back in its rightful place - it's just a lousy time of year to do anything that isn't school related. I mean sure we have sports, but as you other grade school parents know you have back to school meetings and socials. If you are lucky enough to serve on the board (did you see I said lucky!) then add a few more responsibilities onto that list.

As I explained to Ryan I feel like I have that post-baby fog, when you bring a newborn home after the hospital, that constant tired that no amount of caffeine can fix. Back to school seems a hell of a lot harder on me than it has been for the kids.

I expect to move mountains today - I have nothing other than "The Great Grocery Trip" to do, so I will be cleaning and doing laundry, working out and painting and trying not to be lured by the temptation of my unmade bed as I walk to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I must say though the pull is strong....

Have a great weekend and enjoy this beautiful weather. Thanks!