P is for Pirate

Layla has joined her first sport team. She is a Pirate on a tee-ball team of 3 & 4 year olds. Chuck and I made a bet on whether or not she would participate. Judging from Mia's frequent breakdowns on the soccer field, Chuck was betting that Layla would not do anything more than stand on the field and cry. I had more confidence in our little one after going to a Brave's game and watching several on TV, she always appeared so excited about playing baseball. Just like the guys she cheered for and chopped for. I brought the camera for proof I was so confident.

First, I grabbed the team's uniforms which she insisted on putting on immediately. I took that as a good sign!

She seemed a bit apprehensive. Keep in mind, we haven't even done a game of catch with her before this moment.

But she got into it. First they practiced "scooping" the ball up. Unfortunately, unless the ball was directed right into Layla's glove, she had no chance. Poor kid did not understand that you have to move to catch the ball. Nope, she was just going to stand there and watch it roll by and then run after it. Every time.
Then it was time to hit! She was not happy about the helmet but I promised that she could take it off as soon as she was done hitting and that she wasn't allowed to hit unless she was wearing it, so on it went!I was afraid that perhaps simple photos would not be enough for Chuck to believe that our child actually participated. And did not cry! Not one tear! And so for your viewing pleasure - I bring you Layla's first hit!!

I loved proving him wrong. I loved it so so so so much! He is right so often, it's infuriating. But yesterday he was wrong. Wrong wrong wrong wrong. So wrong in fact that Layla is still wearing her uniform. She even slept in it last night.

WRONG.

Merry Christmas!!

Where does the time go? Lordy, I don't' know how my mom survived with a job, three toddlers and two teenagers back in the day. It's two days before Christmas and we have yet to wrap a single present OR even get our tree up!! It's so so sad. Between hospital visits, birthday parties, Christmas parties, and plays I've done very little to prepare for this wonderful holiday and it saddens me. I mean, I've only watched A Christmas Story once and haven't even touched It's a Wonderful Life! It's a crime!!

Here's what we have been doing lately:

Visiting Santa Claus!

Chuck did a painting for his dad for Christmas. It came out beautifully! Of course I forgot to take a photo of the finished product but here's the work in progress:

We celebrated Christmas a bit early with Chuck's dad since they are in Puerto Vallarta this week (lucky dogs!) Layla was actually happy that she got this Disney Princess Calendar but not that I wanted to take a picture of it.

Mia's class had a small holiday party at school. They sang Raffi's "Must Be Santa" which was awesome since when my siblings were much younger, we hear that song ad nauseum. I actually started singing along by reflex until Chuck elbowed me in the ribs. So I let the kids have the glory.

I love the snapping.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!

I need a nap.

The things we do for the one we love

My husband is one of the pickiest people I have ever known. It's not just about food, it's everything, what he watches, activities he does, trips he takes. It has gotten to the point that if I suggest something and he agrees with it, I have to stop a moment and check if I'm awake. Lately I've been badgering him about lotion. I have lots of lotions and he complains about the smell of them. All of them, except my mango scented one. So I've given him a mission of finding something he enjoys the scent of so I can buy some and wear it so as not to offend his sensitive nose. He once got so upset at the movies he wouldn't let me share his popcorn anymore because my arm had to go near him which meant he had to smell me. The horror! I solved that by snatching the popcorn and making him reach for it.
Anywho. The other day he called me from the office to say that he found a lotion he liked the smell of. It was someone's birthday and she had gotten some Pink lotion by Victoria Secret and he actually liked it. I got so excited. Tomorrow we have a date night, so I got inspired and went to Vicky's on my lunch break to buy some of this fabulous lotion.
Right now I have a headache and feel a bit nauseous. The smell is awful. I just put a little bit on. A tiny dollop. It smells like someone has drowned me in perfume. And I've washed my hands. Twice. It's awful. I'm praying he really does like this stuff so it is worth it. But I kind of hope I bought the wrong stuff. How could he like this smell? But if it's wrong, I just threw away $20. For lotion!
When I was in college the years were divided; odd graduating years were Red Devils, even years, Pink Panthers. As a member of the Class of '99, I celebrated Red. And as we chanted this to the rival classes, I never realized that one day I would take it so literally but Pink Stinks!

He does pay attention

I gave Chuck some crap about not reading my blog. So he read it and said "You know, it's not that I didn't listen to you about the tarp, it's just that it was needed for other things."
"Other things, like getting caught on fire because it was hanging too close to the pit?"
"Exactly"
"Good thinking hon."

Fore!

On Sunday we went to the Peachtree Family Fun Center to have some family fun. We introduced the girls to putt-putt golfing. I'm afraid we've created monsters. I'm ashamed to admit, Mia has a bit of a knack for golf. On a couple of holes she made 2's or 3's without any help other than hand placement. This morning mom yelled out "Don't turn my granddaughters into golfers!" Too late mom, too late.

The many faces of a Rackley

I love when the girls want Daddy time. LOVE IT! So the other night after their bath, they got some good cuddle time before bed. I felt the need to document this rare moment where they were not following me around the house begging for juice.

Win win win

Last night we went to the last PTA meeting of the year for Mia's school. It featured an "art show". It featured one painted picture from each student. They were all lovingly matted and framed and hanging neatly in rows. You could take your child's picture and buy it. For $32.50. Now they have told the kids about this show. Sent them home with stickers on their shirts that read "Aske me about my art show!" To tell your child that you do not want to spend over $30 on an item that gets sent home each week for free is like stabing a knife through her head. At this point I would have given in and bought it. But Mr. "it's quite a racket they've got goin' on here" was not falling for it. We were close to melt down right in the middle of the elementary school gym. Luckily I married a genius who said, "Mia, you know the painting I did above the fireplace? Why don't we go to the store and buy a small canvas for you and you can paint one for your room?" Tears evaporated instantly and we left for the cafeteria to pay $4 for a slice of pizza.

The Bad News Bears

Chuck's softball team lost 20-9 last night and was proud! It's the first game not called off by the mercy rule. Chuck got up to bat a record three times! I'm sure it had nothing to do with the three pick up players from another team.

See Mia hanging on the fence back there? Poor Chuck was barraged with questions as he stepped up to bat. Actually, just one question repeated about 10 times. "Are you going to hit a home run Daddy? Are you? Daddy? Are you going to hit it? Daddy? Daddy? DADDY?!!"

Standing at the prime rib counter in my Transformer pajamas

Chuck and I with John Pinette. We caught his show last night at The Punchline. When he makes allusions to his "cherub-like demeanor", it's no joke. Truly, I have never seen a more jovial comic. After getting particularly large laughs from the audience, his face lights up like a child at Christmas. Everyone at our table agreed at the end of the night that we could be suspect to dehydration from the tears lost in laughter. If you haven't heard any of John's work, run to your nearest Best Buy and pick up a CD of his. Better yet, find a DVD because his visuals and facial expressions make the show. Our favorites were his impressions of a baby and ewok. If you're lucky enough to see him live, he will sign anything you have. Our friend George saw him ten years ago in Chicago and John remembered the show and specific people involved at the venue. Just an amazing guy, personable and charming. It was a great night! Then we went to a buffet.

Fingers of fire get burned

My wonderful husband. How I love him so. How I love to poke fun at him. We are addicted to Guitar Hero. I'm actually a recovering addict. I played last night, did two songs and was done. Pretty good. Though maybe getting disgusted at my lack of skill on the hard setting and throwing the guitar back at Chuck should not be considered good but all the same, I stopped playing before midnight and that is saying something.

So take a look at the concentration/boredom on his face. He makes it look so easy, doesn't he?

He hates having his picture taken by the way so I thought I'd be nice and capture something else.

What?! Song failed?! Oh and failed badly my friends. 6%! Ouch. His response? "Thanks for taking a picture of that one"

Don't tell me what to take pictures of mister. I'm not the one failing.

Nostalgia

I'm sitting on the couch, watching last night's Project Runway, feeling sorry for myself for being home sick (see below.) I decided to be a bit more positive about the day and thought back to my first Valentine's Day with Chuck. I got him a first edition of a collection of short stories by Stephen King. Sounds totally unromantic but on a 15 hour drive to TX, he read the stories out loud to me as I drove. We made the entire trip without a single fight. We were young.

He got me a rocking chair. We bought it together after searching several stores. We got back to his house and unloaded it on the driveway. Then he pulled me next to him, started rocking and sang to me. I will never forget that moment, staring up at the stars with his arm around me and feeling so loved. Seven years later I still feel that loved. He sings to the girls now more than me and I hope they feel his love too. He is amazing and I so blessed to have him in my life.