S^3 - Surviving Spring Soccer and Enjoying It

So this post has been in the works for more than a few weeks and I really ought to get it out there so  I can remember how the soccer season really went down this spring and maybe look back and think - hey you are totally insane or hey you totally survived so why not do it again. Also, reading Susan's post about three of her six boys playing baseball may have helped jog my memory about Spring Soccer SeasonS 2015 : )

Forever to be remembered... Also know as office desk decorations : ) 

Somehow, somewhere in the depths of my mind I convinced myself that it would be a reasonable idea to coach both E's (4-5 yr olds) and R's  (3 yr olds) soccer teams this spring. M wasn't 100% walking yet. Papa would be home to watch M. I mean I was 8 weeks pregnant.  I've done it before - a little bit pregnant, very pregnant and very much not pregnant. I'd be able to schedule E's practice right before R's so that we could escape two nights out at the soccer field - at least for now. The fields are a mere two - no make that solid five - minutes from our house (learned that one the hard way!). Totally reasonable.

VERY early on I realized that getting ready 2.5 minutes before practice was a terrible idea so:

Two sets of soccer socks and two sets of cleats laid out WELL before the necessary 5:05 departure time. 

Also, getting the water bottles set and watered-up also crucial lifesaver as we are hauling it out the door.

Reasonable, fruit and cheese snack BEFORE the practiceS started because really we'd be there at the fields for 90 minutes right at the cusp of dinnertime so semi-decent snack was useful. NO WATER though. We checked for potty needs after socks and cleats were put on because I cannot stand public restrooms and bathroom breaks weren't really scheduled in but E did go by herself a few times which temporarily tore up my nerves (not for the germs but for the independence) BUT she came right back. 

Please note M's carseat is EMPTY because she stayed at home with Papa during the early part of the season which was IMMENSELY helpful and my dreams of him being home or at least at the field at 5:15 in late-April and early-May were just straight up fantasies. Fortunately Jibbe (my MIL) came to the rescue on multiple occasions but it was FAR from the ideal. When M was out there she wanted me and only me to hold her and other parents tried to take her to the swings or give her a snack but most of the time she wasn't buying it. I remember standing out there coaching E's team and R was melting down and I was holding M like a football and I was 3.5 months pregnant and I saw Jibbe's car turn the corner and I probably shed a tear. Most practices weren't like that but there was one or two really tough ones that may have broken my spirits about powering through the season until the end.



I learned a more than a few things this season.

1. Going from coaching 4-5 yr old and turning around and coaching 3 yr olds will make you ask yourself WHAT PLANET AM I ON? I coached 3 yr olds for 3 seasons and I must have forgotten how quick their attention span is and how much they (most of them) LOVE shouting the team name as frequently as possible

2. MOST 4-5 yr olds don't like to be subbed out so when you have 7 on your team and only 4 kids play at a time that can be a bit dicing when everyone comes

3. End of game snacks and drinks motivate kids of all ages : )

4. In hindsight, I really needed to end the first practice about 5 minutes early so I could catch my bearing and refocus on the 3 yr old practice/game


I few things I will not miss:

1. Being out in the SWELTERING heat on Saturday mornings

Maybe this May was just hot but I would have much preferred 9 am games to 11 am games. M would have appreciate some sunscreen!

2. The van being loaded down with soccer stuff:

When you have to load groceries here... 

because the proper location is packed with soccer survival supplies

Since the van seating will be reconfigured here in the next few weeks (ugh! - first world problems I know, I know - I'll hush!)  I'll be loading groceries in the front seat with me if I cannot remember to take out the soccer gear BUT that means it has to be put back which is a TOTALLY separate hurdle.

I do miss soccer season though...



As crazy as it may be. All the begging my geologist 3 yr olds to quit playing in the rocks and dirt and running circles around the 4 and 5 yr olds because they think it is hilarious playing them (the Leopards) vs me (the Slug). There is something about putting on my cleats (did that for the first time this season and won't be turning back) and doing something that I ENJOY (yep you read that right, I ENJOY and HAVE ENJOYED playing/doing/participating in since I was 5) is fun - despite all the riga-ma-roll that goes along with it. At the end of the day when the late dinners have been eaten, the showers have been taken, the prayers have been said, the kitchen has been cleaned and the sleepers are sleeping - I wouldn't trade the craziness for an afternoon at home. It almost seems selfish of me because in some ways coaching soccer is 'my thing' or 'my outlet' - I CHOSE to do; it just so happens there are a dozen or so kids that benefit.

A view from the laundry room after the last game. The cleats and shinguard were brought upstairs until the next go around - which is really only one month away.

Cleats mixing with lifejackets = overlap of swimming and soccer

So while the mantel is decorated with trophies from last season...

There's already talk and much anticipation about fall soccer. 

Answer Me This - Chocolate, Penmanship, and Babies

So bummed this is the last one : ( ... 

1. What's your favorite grocery store splurge?

Hmmm.... It would probably be wine or chocolate. However, seeing that I'm pregnant the wine consumption has dribbled down to next to nothing AND my current favorite wine did not come from a grocery store

Not sweet at all... 

It is worth trying a glass if you can get your hands on it.

Chocolate is such a problem for me especially when I'm pregnant for two reasons:

1. It give me terrible heartburn - but that rarely stop me from eating it
2. I have about ZERO self-control when it comes to stopping. Example - I got 2 packs of take and bake cookie dough because it was on sale and it was untouched for about a week and then Friday I had a hankering for some chocolate and as that was the ONLY chocolate in the house, cookie dough it was. That cookie dough did not stand a chance and was gone in a mere 24 hours. Thus I do not buy chocolate at the grocery store. I have a problem. I admit it and I have chosen the best way for me to handle it : ) #soaddicted

***We have a dinner guest coming on Tuesday so I'm hoping the second pack will survive until then!

2. How's your penmanship?

Oh it is not great. I always remember growing up my mom would leave notes for babysitters that were written so nicely and neatly. I could use some improvement and honestly I think I should clean up my act because E's going to be doing quite a bit of writing in kindergarten this year so I need to set a good example, right? 

3. Do you have a "Summer Bucket List?"

Our summer bucket list includes one thing - SURVIVING IT. Honestly summer is not for the faint of heart around here and if you don't believe me check on week in the life part 1 and part 2. With Papa's crazy long hours and negative amounts of vacation time it is quite a bit of solo parenting - which is fine, obviously he is doing EXACTLY what he needs to be doing - providing for his family.

That said, we are almost through swim team - which has been great.

We went to the beach for a few days with Grammy and Grandpa Joe - and I need to post about that.
We did not do any camps or anything like that but next year I'll have to do some better investigations
I'd still like to make it to the zoo maybe in September (but that's not really summer)
We nixed our annual trip to DC for a variety of reasons

4. What's the best thing on the radio right now?

Honestly we listen to The Classical Station or a CD of Latin chant because the girls sing along with the latter and it significantly cuts down on the bantering. Though I could really use a back up CD because I'm getting bored listening to the same songs. Also, we are listening to the Voyage of the Dawn Treader when we make the weekly trek to church so no so much radio right now.

5. Ice cream or frozen yogurt?

Probably ice cream and Mint Chocolate Chip to be specific. This kind

And if you ever happen to find yourself near a GoodBerry's and are looking for a dessert splurge on custard get a Mint Chocolate Chip concrete - it will not disappoint.

6. Have you had that baby NOW? (Again, you can skip this one if you want.)

Nope. Thank goodness! Survived going to San Antonio and back without going into labor so check that off my to do list. The trip was not without some EXCELLENT pregnancy questioning so if you need a good laugh check them out - especially the one second or third from the bottom : ) 

Answer Me This - Major To Do List, Chocolate Bars, Gender Reveals?

Here we go... 

1. What's currently on your To Do list?

Gracious do I ever and maybe if I enumerate it publicly I'll be able to hold myself to it:

1. Survive this work trip

2. Make E a chore chart before school starts

3. Sign E up for Lego camp

4. Sign E and R up for fall soccer

5. Find someone I can coach R's team with; got E covered last week

6. Get girls hair cuts and mine too 

7. Get new school shoes - it is the one thing that I officially don't mind buying new because the shoes are being passed from sister to sister and R's new favorite shoes (even though they are a mess) are E's shoes from 3 yr old class. 

8. Order E some bee socks - I need the socks to get handed down and these are great socks from a good company and I think they'll hold up so we'll give them a whirl this year

9. Do multiple dry runs to school to see just how crazy our mornings are going to be

10. Make a list of things we need to do at night and in the mornings before school- make lunch and snack; brush hair - yes brush hair must be accounted for because now I'll do it in the parking lot which cannot be an option in the fall

11. Get on the ball with window replacement and laundry room cubby/locker situation

I'm dreaming I know

12. Move M into big girls room

13. Configure seating in van for 4 car seats

14. Find E a ride home in the afternoons - I cannot bear the thought of loading up the van for a second time and during rest to pick her up from school!

15. Go on work trip/ baby moon - mostly work though but with hubby and sans kids

16. Get van inspected

17. Try not to be annoyed I'm going to ANOTHER wine tasting when pregnant 

18. Celebrate Papa's birthday

2. Better type of superhero: magic/radioactive powers? Or trauma/gadgets/hard work?

Gadgets - if gadgets included extra apentages and bilocation abilities then I'm game. Though I'm not into anything really super hero-y with 3 girls so ask about best princess qualities next week and we will talk : )

3. Finding out if baby is a boy or a girl before birth: Good idea? Bad idea?

Neither good nor bad I think. We just don't. As a planner I can totally see finding out. But as one who loves to not be surprised but presents or anything like that, this is a great surprise. Though I think only a boy would surprise me now... Is that bad?

4. Have you ever appeared on a stadium jumbotron?

No thank goodness because I'm way to shy for that!

5. Are you more book smart or more street smart?

Mostly book smart. If street smart includes anything about pop culture I'm doomed. It pains Lee and others when they mention a name of someone I seemingly should know and I just stare blankly back and say I have NO idea who they are talking about.

6. Have you had that baby yet? (Feel free to skip this one if it's not applicable to you.)

Goodness no and baby had best stay put until I get home from this business trip because Mama and Papa would have some words with bebe if early entrance was in the cards.

Plus my OB thinks I'm crazy and he would probably kill me if the bebe came early. I told him I couldn't come back in 2 weeks because of this trip and I got and eyeroll and an empty threat of a house arrest bracelet : ) 

So what do you think he'll say when I ask him to go to Parma, OH for a friends ordaination a week before my due date or one of our best friends weddings in South Bend 2 weeks after my due date? Legit thoughts? I'm thinking heck to no just for my mental well being but seriously this due date is crimping my social calendar!

I mean I have 12 weeks left and was induced???? with número 3 so hopefully bebe will cook a few month longer plus for real I'm not ready. I mean are you ever really ready for a newborn? No. At least in my books but I got a few more tricks up my sleeve that need to happen including get through taking E to kindergarten and I'm sure to be a wreck so feel free to send me large bags of chocolate or huge candy bars in advance.

That crazy day in the crazy week we tried on uniforms!

I am so so so doomed to be a wreck!

Answer Me This - Lost in DC and Thermostat Debates

Here we go... 

1. At what temperature do you keep the thermostat set? Summer, winter, day, night?

Oh this is such a point of debate between Lee and I - not as bad as the Paper Towel vs Dishrag debate which is probably worthy of its own post but... Back to the temps...

Summer: It is usually muggy with a side of hot and really hot

Daytime - 77
Nighttime - 73

Notes: Lee says he works so that he can keep the AC on and at whatever temp he wants plus when you work 50-65 hours a week in the dead of the summer heat I can side with lowing the temp. The reality is that I have told the girls Papa is trying to 'freeze us out' at night - and at least E has caught onto to my teasing : )

Winter: Not terribly cold - usually. We have a fireplace that we ***might*** be getting gas logs for this year but the wood logs are super messy

Daytime - 67; 68 if I'm lucky
Nighttime - 63-65 - depending on what everyone is wearing for pajamas

Notes: Lee's motto is you can always put more clothes on. But the thing is I don't care for long sleeves but I definitely wear them. Also, R is a sweat-er. She sweats a TON in her sleep even in the winter. Finally, bebe and I have a space heater in the room that we sleep in (we don't sleep in the master and if you want to know the ins and outs of that than that'll have to be a question next week     : ) .

2. What is your favorite frozen beverage?

Mint Oreo milkshake from Cook-Out. Hands down. Nothing to argue. If you don't believe me ask Lee whose job is, about 60-90 minutes after I have a baby, to go get a Mint Oreo milkshake from Cook-Out and a chicken sandwich with Chik-Fil-A sauce (on the side) from CFA. #nevergettinginducedonaSundayagain . That was terrible planning on my part and had I thought CFA was going to be closed I likely would have thought about getting induced with M on Saturday to avoid the issue - but who thinks you have to get induced with your third bebe in the first place?!?!? 

3. Where do you keep your keys?

Here. Here. Here. Super useful because I notoriously cannot find my keys when I'm not at home.

4. Have you ever really been lost?

Good gracious YES. Just one time that I can remember it being really annoying and halfway scary. 

So my junior year of college I went to DC for Veterans Day to work on a Veterans Day photojournalism assignment. I had a great friend from college who I stayed with and Lee and our really great friend Mark drove me up to DC - because back then Lee and I had JUST started dating and what better way to spend a long weekend but in DC. 

Lee and Mark were going to vespers at this church they'd been to a bunch of times. I vaguely knew where it was and I was supposed to meet them there once I got done photographing. Lee was driving and I was on the Metro. I vaguely knew where I should be getting off but it was only a few blocks from the church so I wasn't overly concerned as I have a pretty good sense of direction. 

I get done and get on the Metro and take the Red Line like I'm supposed to and I get off at the wrong stop. It is getting darker and things aren't looking right so I just start walking only to realize I don't have my phone! Also, I don't have any money or credit cards with me. Just me and my insanely heavy book bag filled with camera stuff. I walk by a hospital and I stop someone and try and call my phone in the hopes Lee will hear it so we can reconnect but no luck because they are in church. 

Finally I get going in the right direction and things start to look right and I'm getting worried that it is too late for vespers and Mark and Lee are going to be leaving/wondering where in the heck I am. So here I am jogging through Adams Morgan past dusk with my camera equipment praying they have not left. 

I FINALLY get to the church and semi-want to cry because they're not there. 

But then they pull back around and I (rightfully) get read the riot act for not having my phone and not having a map. 

This was also the trip that Lee disposed of my pasta salad from the Wawa before I was able to eat it - but again another story, another time. 

5. What is the last movie you saw in the theaters?

Honestly I'm not sure. It was probably at least 5 years ago (before E was born). I don't like going to movies in the theater because they are so flippin' expensive plus I usually have to go to the bathroom at least once if not twice and movie theater bathrooms stink and are usually super gross. 

Answer Me This - Fireworks, Pregnancy Insomnia and Hot Dogs

Live from Sunset Beach... 

1. How did you celebrate the 4th of July? (Or, for you international types . . . Do anything fun this weekend?)

This is how our 4th of July shook out this year...

Papa made breakfast and it was awesome. Then there was a small emergency(s) at work that took 45 minutes to take care of.

I threw the big girls outside in the back. M was way mad.

He got home. I got caught up on all ironing. He made bread for church.

The girls found a MASSIVE yellow jackets nest under their playset so they transferred to the front yard and played in the sprinkler amongst other things.

Papa grilled cheeseburgers - and they were awesome.

Everyone was showered and put to rest.

I packed and did laundry. And made these:

Easiest 4th of July dessert EVER

Because we were going here:

Homemaking tor-til-las

To eat:

Mexican-American goodness courtesy of Nani - oh and NEVER EVER stir the rice and you must scoop from the side lest you get your wrist smacked with a hot spatula (j/k about the spatula part)

No complaints from the peanut gallery 

Fresh homemade tortillas #forthewin

Then we rushed out the door and encountered this on the way:

Rain + 4th of July = no bueno

It cleared up and I couldn't help but think of Noah and the covenant 

To a 4th of July celebration at the girls preschool which rivals that of the City's - or so I'm told.

Obligatory family pic

The girls played in a bouncy house and somehow they didn't even ask for ice cream or Sno-Balls as we made our way back to our spot:

#lovethem

To wait:

It really did seem like forever

For these:

M's reaction was a definite no-to-the-thanks but she was fine:

R freaked out several times but at the end declared she liked the fireworks:

E was VERY interested:

New baby was like.. what is going on out there:

My thought was ain't no way you could pay me to be one of the guys lighting those things:

See the flames down there???

Lee proclaimed it a success and the finale was really great.

Tradition for next year? Quite possibly. But somehow we need to incorporate that AMAZING 4th of July cake Grammy made last year!

2. Do you sunburn easily?

I don't burn too badly. Last week I went out to the pool without sunscreen - on purpose - to get a little base burn for our few days at the beach this week and I think it worked. M's a burner though for sure!

3. Hot dogs. Yay or nay?

Yes. Especially with Bunker Hill chili - no beans - gotta be no beans - plus some ketchup, mustard and onions. So good.

You should have seen the cheeseburger I had the other day - guacamole + burger = awesome

4. Have you ever personally set off fireworks?

No and after seeing those guys light the fireworks last night I cannot say I want to. The girls and I will stick to our sparklers every so often and that's enough of a pyrotechnic adrenaline rush I need. 

5. Have you ever jumped off the high dive?

Yes. The pool where the county summer swim meet was held had one of the super tall boards. I cannot say it have any other memories about it though. 

6.  Do you do anything weird in your sleep?

Well I have a case of nasty pregnant insomnia which will cause me to be up for 2-3 hours at the time during the middle of the night and usually I'm too frustrated and annoyed to actually accomplish anything 

Answer Me This - Homes, Spicy Crickets, Messy Vans

We are still here I promise... 

1. How long have you lived in your current home?

We've lived in our house now for almost 3.5 years. When I tell people that we accidentally bought it and really didn't mean to be moving when I was 37 weeks pregnant I'm not sure if they believe me.

We stumbled across our house the Saturday after Thanksgiving when we were driving through parts of the county we knew we would like to live (aka not in the city with the CRAZY taxes and public utilities rates). This house was our last stop on the tour. We had seen neighborhoods we liked but not houses we both agreed on. Then we turned onto the street an saw this house and we both had an "Ah ha" moment.

The following Saturday we were touring the house plus two other houses that were both walking distance from it - because we just HAD to see the one house and we didn't want to waste the listing agent's time. The house wasn't perfect but it did have endless - and I mean endless - amounts of closets and storage (one of our major issues with the house we were living in), a HUGE mudroom, 3 bedrooms downstairs which left room for Papa to have an office upstairs, plus a bonus room over the garage which we knew immediately would be the chapel space. We were pretty much placing our furniture. And the other 2 houses just weren't making the makes in fact the last one literally gave Lee and I the creeps - when house hunting bringing some Holy Water to douse any necessary houses.

Well the Saturday after walked through the houses we were signing the dotted line. No joke. We were staying with my parents that weekend and we actually had to drive back to the Mount to sign the contract so it could be officially under contract.

Then we moved 3 weeks before R was born so basically I was responsible for nothing. If you want to have nothing to do with moving then move when you are pregnant - and really pregnant. Having a fantastic husband and mother in law really helps too though.

We've done a few things to the house since we've moved - here's some before pics and here's more after pics - but our house is such a great house and we happen to have some really great neighbors too.

E will tell us that she never wants to move from this house which is so nice to hear especially when I have to spin - the reason Papa works these insane hours over the summer is so that we can live in this house.

We actually went back to our old house a few weeks ago and we were all standing there - it was the first time R and M had been in the house - and I looked at Lee and asked "Can you imagine if we still lived in this house?"

There was a resounding 'No' plus he pointed out he literally would not be able to do the studies/reading/writing he is doing in that house because there wasn't the space. Funny how God (in retrospect) puts you EXACTLY where you need to be. 

2. How do you find out about news and current events?

I check out the local news station's site and CNN.com a few times a day. I TRY and stay up for the 10 pm news but Lee complains that I have the TV on and I rarely ever actually make it to the weather part - but it is kind of our running evening joke. 

3. Would you be able to make change for a twenty right now? For a dollar?

Heck no for a $20. Probably for a dollar if I was in the van and only because one time when my mom (yes, I am ashamed to say) cleaned out the van she put a tiny tupperware container in the ashtray (do they still call them that???) and that houses all my change.

My mom and I have VERY different philosophies regarding car organization - which I respect especially if she is the one who is using the van but I refuse to change my ways. She is a minimalist. I am a realist. She wants to see as little mess/stuff whatever in the car possible. I, well, need random jackets, socks, papers, shoes, books, High Fives... etc there just to survive.

Okay USUALLY it is not that bad but we do have another body a carseat and we are about to have another so... but you get the point - we have the potential...

Case in point, last night we went to church - Hello Sts. Peter and Paul - and R got tossed in the van from rest. Well guess who was not wearing socks. So we found a white sock from church on Sunday but couldn't find a match so we resorted to one of M's tiny blue socks. #winning

4. What's the craziest food you've ever eaten? 

In Mexico I've eaten spicy crickets - those were actually pretty good but lost their crunch after a few days which was a bummer.

In Guatemala, I was served this noodle soup with three or four straw like sticks protruding out from the bowl - which I didn't think much of until I got to the bottom of the bowl and BAM - its chicken feet. Which I was apparently supposed to chew on - but that was not happening. 

5. Which of the commonly removed parts have you had removed? (tonsils, wisdom teeth, appendix, etc.)

I've had my wisdom teeth taken out so there is not much to that story. 

6.  What's your favorite sport to watch on TV? 

Baseball. When we had satellite we got the Washington Nationals channel and we always had the games on at night. But the following summer the tree branches starting blocking the signal and we have to switch to cable and bye-bye Nats. So now we are stuck with whatever is on ESPN - which they really could show more games - but they don't.