4 Miles

I have all these positive things I’ve been meaning to write down (or gush over the boys). Considering my other option is to gripe about Alex being sick/teething, bad weather or lack of sleep, I think this is a better option. (And that sentence is a good summery of why I haven’t blogged in awhile.)

• We were told by the nursery workers at church on Sunday they were not going to let Alex move up to the next age group. They said he was too much fun.  He (usually) loves to laugh. If you laugh, he throws his head back and laughs back. Or, he’ll do a funny thing where he scrunches up his nose and laughs. Too cute and it happens too fast to get a picture of it.
• Alex has learned when ever James puts his coat on to start waving “Bye”.
• Alex has learned to call himself. After hearing Will say “Aaaa-lex” all the time (calling for him), he has started repeating “Aaaa-le”. Then we all laugh, and we’re back to the first point (he laughs with us, throwing his head back in such a way that we laugh even more).
• Alex’s favorite game? “Catch me if you can!”  Except he often runs TOWARDS you when you say you’re going to get him.
• Alex had his one year check up last week. While he has continued to grow, his weight on the growth chart has gone from the 75% to the 50% and now he’s in the 26%.  His height is right on track. No WONDER his pants all sag on him! (I’ve been calling him my “Saggy Bottom Boy”.)
• Will has a few words he still mispronounces…milk is “nilk”, living room is “linging room”, and crying is “criring”. It’ll be kind of sad when he gets those words down.

I found myself thinking of all of the logical fallacies in the movie Cars today–and the idea that the cars talk & act like people was NOT ONE OF THEM!

Monday was tagged "The Most Depressing Day of the Year". It seems the combination of holiday bills coming in, resolutions being broken, bad weather and it being a Monday made someone feel it could be labeled "The Most Depressing Day".  For us, Monday was GREAT! The awsome Colts win along with the other fun events we had done over the weekend made for a great Monday. By today, the let down had set in. We don't have anything planned or happening this weekend. It's been cold and muddy so it's hard hard to take the boys out.  Basically, I'm having a weekend letdown.  I'm hoping we can take the boys to the Children's Museum tomorrow. We'll see…they have sporatic runny noses & coughs, so we'll have to see how they're feeling tomorrow.

We got snow on Sunday as well–the first good snowfall of the year. That got ignored for the more exciting game, but Will has enjoyed the snow. He "helped" James shovel the driveway for church on Sunday (and was sad the neighbor came with his tractor and took care of most of the snow). Then, after church, both boys got a ride on the sled. (I got this sled 2 years ago–Will rode on it once, cried and would not get on it again. Last year we never got a chance to use it, with only 1 big snow. FINALLY, both boys got a ride. Both enjoyed it. Actually, if you click on the picture you'll see a good view of the glee on Alex's face.) Monday Will had fun playing with his dump truck & front end loader in the snow (Click on the picture and you'll get to see more pictures of Will playing in the snow.) By today most of the snow had melted–but we're getting (maybe) another inch (or so, probably less–don't want to jinx it ;-)) tonight!

A day later and we still can't believe we won that game, and the Colts are going to the Super Bowl. We went to the game with my dad and his friend Ron (if you were at our wedding, he MC'd our reception). We had a row of Pats fans behind us and a few drunk Colts fans in front of us. Sadly, one of the drunk Colts fan was worse then all of the Pats fans behind us. Well, they had their comments they'd say–we heard a number in the first half. At half time, one of the guys in our row said "Everyone in this place will be much happier in about an hour." Boy, was he right! (But it still didn't stop one of the Pats fans from saying "So where are we going to go celebrate tonight?")

The Dome was LOUD. I was so glad Dad and Ron had brought ear plugs. After the first defensive possession, I had to put some in–my ears were ringing. During the first half, I'd take them out during the time the offense had the ball. By the second half, I had to keep them in the entire time.

At the end of the game, the score was going back and forth and we knew the team with the ball at the end would win it. The Patriots had the ball with 5 minutes left and scored. We were talking about how we had plenty of time to do something, they should have taken more time off the clock, etc. We got the ball and then did nothing. I was so upset, thinking "This is it, we're done….Oh, fumble, fumble, fumble!" Instead the defense made the stops and we had the ball again with 2+ minutes left. The drive there had the place rocking! After we scored, everyone was saying "We're going to the Super Bowl!" and "They still have a minute! They can do it!" When the interception happened, the place went crazy! The Patriot fans behind us slipped out before we realized it. Everyone kept talking about what an exciting game it was, how they couldn’t believe it, the Colts were going to the Super Bowl! We enjoyed staying to see the trophy presentation. Then we (and everyone else) left. The crowds were crazy, and as we left to go back to the parking garage, many people were coming out of the bars to join the crowds leaving the stadium, yelling, and horns where honking all around us. What a great time for our city! It was an unbelievable time—I am SO glad we were able to go!

And we were there to see it!!! What a game!

This Friday we got to be adults and go out! To a place where we didn’t have to worry about the meal coming as soon as possible or the kids will be upset! With other adults who we could actually talk to! We went out with a group of 6 other couples from James’ office. After dinner we went to a comedy club. It was a nice time—fun to socialize without worry about the kids. Will had great fun with his babysitter. He said this morning “She’s a nice girl, Mommy.”

Tomorrow is another big day. We are going to the Colts/Patriots game!!! I’m still in disbelief we were able to get tickets. We will do our part in making it a LOUD dome. (Oh, we had talked about trying to find Will a shirt with "Colts letters" on it, but once we got the offer to go to the game, we decided Will will have to wait for next season.)

Today we went to the store for our "Pre-Storm Shopping Trip" (thus stopping any chance of snow). (In reality, they're only calling for 3-4 inches on Sunday, but then the extending forcast keeps showing snow on various days. While I'm not worried about getting bread or milk, I do know I don't want to drag 2 kids out in it, SO– we went to the store today. Which is all you really needed to know for this story. I'm sorry.)

At the store I decided to plan ahead and get Valentines for Will's Pre-school Valentine party…You know, get them while there are still options. So we found the area of the store that had the small cards we all remember from our childhoods.  Will immediatly saw the "Cars" ones and wanted those.  He had so much fun looking at the box while we were in line. I told him how we'd take them home and we'd give one to each of his classmates. He asked if he could play with them when we got home–I told him there'd be a few extra so he could have them (Box of 30 for a class of 12).

After lunch we opened up the box and pulled out the cards. Will looked VERY upset and said, "Where are the cars, Mommy?!?"  I didn't realize he thought there were actual cars in there!  I guess the words card and cars sound too much alike–I know I told him we were giving cards to his friends.  And part of it is just learning as you grow up.

I got Will a toy broom & mop this week. (I'd been looking for those for awhile–they are hard to find if you don't want to buy a whole kit! I got a broom and a mop with the idea he can share with his brother.)  Suddenly, Will is having so much fun doing his "chores" (his words, not mine).  Several times today he said "Mommy, you need to get out of the kitchen. Whew! I have so much to do!"  (Ouch–I didn't know I sounded that way!)