Weekend Recap

Last week was a really frustrating week, but my weekend totally redeemed it.  As I do every year, I took Friday off to go watch the district cross country meet.  This is my favorite meet of the year because it is a a great park and it is always on a Friday morning.  The past two years Dianna has come along with me to cheer on Tom's team, but she was in Italy so Sabrina joined me.  Tom's team, both JV and Varsity, came in first place.  Quick brag moment: out of the 9 years Tom has coached at his school, his team has won district 7 times and come in 2nd place the other two times.  He does not get more talented runners than the other 9 schools in the district, he is just that awesome of a coach.  OK, done bragging.

After the meet, Sabrina and I tried out a new place to eat called Patsy's.  Y'all, it was amazing.  We had funnel cake fries as an appetizer.  Funnel. Cake. Fries.  My mouth is watering just thinking about them.  I can't wait to find a good excuse to go back because there were so many things on the menu I wanted to try.

Saturday morning, we had Ellie's soccer game.  Since Tom did not have a meet, I let him be on game duty so I could catch up on laundry. Then I had Super Saturday at the church where I actually made something that involved staining and drilling.  I was so proud of myself.  Since I was feeling so "crafty" I decided to try my hand at Harry Potter perler designs with Ellie.  I really like Perler beads!  It is something I can do with Ellie that is actually fun and gives us time to talk. I followed the pattern exactly, but Ellie didn't like their owl design so she changed it up and I actually liked her owl better.  Poor girl, the first time she did it. she spilled the beads all over the kitchen when she was bringing it over to be ironed.  She had to redo the whole thing all over again!

Saturday evening was the best part of the weekend.  A large group of us got together to go on a Zombie Hunt.  Basically, we just rode on the back of a long trailer and shot paintballs at people dressed up as Zombies.  A little ridiculous, but fun nonetheless.  We ended the night going to dinner at Freddy's and visiting for two hours over burgers and fries.  My kind of night.

Sunday morning, Jack came into my room to say hi and I noticed he was missing his bottom tooth!  His first tooth and we have no idea when or where he lost it!  He was really excited to show off his missing tooth in my "Sunday Best" photo.

After church, we all went over to my parents' house to celebrate the October birthdays.  I bought Sabrina's birthday present two months ago and have been so excited to give it to her.  It was a horse mask because we had so much fun wearing them on our girls' trip last year.

Last night Tom and I stayed up way too late because we just didn't want the weekend to end.  I sure do love my weekends.

The weekend of Jack

This past weekend was a 3-day weekend, but it was also Jack's birthday.  You all know how I love to drag out birthdays, so we celebrated Jack all three days.

Saturday, Jack had TWO Minecraft parties - one for friends and one for family.  I'm not going to lie, I went down the rabbit hole a bit with these parties and spent way more time and money than I intended.  But, Jack loved it and had a great time at both parties.  I was exhausted, though, because his friend party was from 2-4 and the family one from 5-7.  I woke up at 6 that morning and started baking cakes and decorating.  It was a long day!

 Sunday, we played hooky from church (so bad) and let Jack pick what he wanted to do for the day. We went out for quesadillas and got Jack a new bike.  We spent a lot of time just being lazy, though, because we were so tired from the day before (or maybe just I was).

Monday, I dropped Sam off at Donika's and Ellie and Jack off with my mom so I could go to Parent-Teacher conferences (Tom had practice).  We picked up doughnuts on the way and Jack had a doughnut breakfast with his cousins.  After the conferences, Tom and I took Jack and Ellie to see the movie "Pan" and then went for a family bike ride.  That night, we had pasta and meatballs (Jack's choice) and watched a video together as a family.  I think Monday was my favorite day because it was relaxing yet fun.

Dear Jack at 6 years

*I wrote this yesterday, on Jack's birthday, but Blogger on my phone crashed after typing the whole thing*

Dear Jack,

Today you turned 6 years old!  We spent this 3-day weekend celebrating like crazy, but, I have to admit, I am sad to see year 5 go.  5 year old Jack was all childlike wonder and sweet sentiments.  I couldn't get enough of you.

Jack, you are the sweetest boy.  I often tell you that I love your heart and I really, really do.  You have always felt things so deeply, and sometimes that causes you to lash out in anger, but mostly it makes you incredibly loving and thoughtful.  You are always up for snuggling and telling me that I am the best mommy ever. You often thank me for taking such good care of you even though I am so busy.  My little sweetheart.

Last Friday, I overheard you comforting your cousin as she fretted about a choice she had made.  You seemed wise beyond your 5 years. But then a few minutes later you were running around screaming like a banshee and throwing buckets of water on her...still my little boy.

You started kindergarten this year and initially had a difficult time.  You were getting in trouble every day for talking.  One day when your teacher moved you away from everyone, you started talking to your shoes!  But, you have been getting fewer and fewer "reteach" moments every week and last week you had none.  When I met with your teacher today for parent-teacher conferences, she kept praising how well you do with independent work and how focused you are.

Jack, I know year six will be a wonderful year for you.  You will learn to read and write and will continue to develop your independence away from home...and from me.  Just promise me that you will never stop being my snuggle buddy.

Happy birthday, Little Man.  I love you forever.

Mom