4-year-olds: Such Literal Creatures

Now that Zach and Allie are 4, their vocabulary is exploding. Every so often one of them will shoot off a word I'd never heard them use before.

And they pull it off so casually. Sometimes they might be stuck on a word for several days or weeks.

Lately Allie is telling me that everything is being done "perfectly."

"Mommy, I can fold up my blankie and it will fit perfectly in my purse."

"Mommy, these socks go perfectly with my dress."

"Mommy, it will work out perfectly if I help you make dinner."

But while their word usage is mushrooming, we were recently reminded that 4-year-olds only hear the literal meaning of things -- and to their ears, an everyday expression can sometimes be scary.

Both Zach and Allie have been sick the past week. It hit Zach first; he endured an ear infection and wickedly hot fever. At one point as he spent the afternoon hugging the couch watching movies, I reached over to get a feel of his forehead.

"You're burning up," I told him.

A look of horror swept over Zach's face. Then he looked down at his arms and legs.
"No, I'm not," he said indignantly.

Then last night it was Allie's turn. She's had a fever and some sort of stomach bug. She slithered into our bed at about midnight, requesting frequent drinks of water and ice packs.

At one point when she was lying down -- and, I had assumed asleep -- Brett felt her forehead and uttered a variation of that trio of words.

"She's burning up."

This time Allie darted upright and yelled out, "I am?!" as if he was telling her she's on fire. Poor thing.

"No, no, sweetie. We just mean you have a fever and your body is hot."

She quickly got comfortable again and returned to her slumbers.

I think she understood. Perfectly.

Soccer Saturday: Week 2

"Soccer is all very well as a game for rough girls, but is hardly suitable for delicate boys."

Nick takes control. Yes, the carnival was in town this past weekend.

And just like that, another soccer weekend came and went. It was a crazy one this time.

Nick had his second game of the season. He had another great game, scoring a goal and helping his team to a 4-1 victory. So now the Fireballs (coached by Brett) is 2-0.

While the rest of us were watching Nick's game, Blake had traveled with a teammate for what would be the first of four (yes, four!) games in a tournament in Ahwatukee, which is about an hour away. They won the first game, 1-0.

After Nick's game, we ventured down to Cory and Amy's to hang out for a couple hours before heading over to Blake's afternoon game. It's still hovering in the 90s here, but we have our pop-up overhead thing to shade us, but those poor players get exhausted.

Blake had a great goal in that game, booting it in from about the midfield sideline (if that even makes sense). Brett went insane. It was a bit embarrassing ... but it was an amazing goal.

So Blake's team won that game 3-1.

On Sunday morning Brett and Blake left at 7:30 for the third game. They lost 1-0 to a team they should have beat. But they had enough points to advance to the championship game, which was filled with more pushes, cheap shots and jabs than a barroom brawl. I shudder to think how intense these games are going to get in just a few short years.

Anyway, they lost 7-2. But Blake scored a goal for his team ... and I got this great picture from Game 2:


And poor Blake. He played his heart out and could barely walk Sunday night ...

Carving Out Traditions

"When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween."
~Author Unknown

Allie looking out at the jack-o-lanterns. Elk Grove. 2006.

Back in the early days of our marriage, we weren't huge fans of carving pumpkins. But Brett would dutifully scoop out the goop and guts and we did our best to chisel the obligatory triangle eyes and nose and the three-tooth smile. We'd illuminate it on Halloween night to greet the trick-or-treaters, then off it went, without a second thought, into the morning trash.

Then -- I can't quite remember exactly when it happened, probably when Blake was 3 or 4 -- we discovered the snazzy template books you can pick up at any Target or Walmart. I bought one and we did a couple. They really are quite simple, just sometimes a bit time-consuming and finger-numbing. The fancy jack-o-lanterns have been a Halloween-must in our house ever since.

Brett and Blake work on poking the pattern. Elk Grove. 2003

It's even become somewhat of an unspoken competition in our household. Each year when we're done, we light them up, turn off all the lights and give our opinions on "the winner."

The template books typically have three or four levels of carving difficulty. So there's always a bit of strategy when we each choose our design. If you choose one of the harder ones, you risk botching it up, which can happen if you have skinny pointy things to carve (like tree branches or details of a face). If you choose one that's too easy, it might not have the "wow" factor that your competitors family members have with theirs.

"Grandma from Minnesota" helps Nicky. 2003

Nick works on his masterpiece. Arizona (note the tank top during the Halloween season). 2007

Zach and Blake scoop out the guts (before we had those ugly purple kitchen walls painted to our current sage green). We love to roast the seeds and toss them with cinnamon sugar. Arizona. 2007

This year presents a challenge because Halloween falls on a Friday. We usually carve the Sunday before Halloween, then lube up the carved areas with Vaseline, wrap them in plastic wrap and keep them cold in the garage (well, that worked in Elk Grove, not as cold here in AZ at night). That would work for 2, maybe 3 days tops. Otherwise, that lovely, fungusy, lightweight web-like stuff starts growing. Yuck!

So ... I suppose maybe we'll clean them out Thurs night and then carve Friday after school/work. We'll figure it out. And of course, I'll post this year's "winner" and runners-up :)

Some of our jack-o-lanterns from the past:

"Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight, make me a child again just for tonight!"
~Elizabeth Akers Allen

A Clarification

Today Blake read my most recent post about the soccer games this past Saturday. Or, I should say, he read the portion involving his game.

And he was quite unhappy about the way I portrayed his header goal that kicked the team out of tie and helped win the game. He thought I was way too casual about it, that it sounded like a fluke or that he got lucky.

So, as I had to do (just a couple times) in my newspaper days when I got a fact or point incorrect in an article, I'll post a clarification.

Specifically, Blake wants everyone to know that he "jumped 4 feet" ... that's his estimation, folks, although I could have sworn the first time he told me about it, it was 3 feet. He also thought I should have pointed out that the ball went into the "very, very" upper left corner of the goal. And, he said, it was perfectly timed, not just a fluke.

Also, I apparently used the term "shot" instead of "crossed." So I should have said "Massimo crossed over to Blake" instead of Massimo shot toward Blake.

So, per Blake's request (and I do admire his attention to detail :)), I just wanted to set the Dawson family record straight. Who knows -- maybe his kids will be reading this someday ...

Soccer Saturday: Nick and Blake Score, Win Games

Nicky had his first game of the season on Saturday.

It's still hard to get used to the fact that the recreational soccer season starts so late here, but of course it makes sense. We don't want our kids suffering from heat stroke, sunburn, and the like when it's still 105 in September.

Instead, we start when it's a cool 95 out in mid-October. It was a little bit warmer than usual, and I suppose it's to make up for the beautiful weather we had the weekend prior when it was in the 70s and 80s.

But back to soccer -- Nick was so excited for his first game. Two of his buddies -- Jordan and Marcus -- are on his team. In years past Nick's never gone into the season knowing anyone on his team very well, so he loves having his friends around ... plus I think it kicks him into gear a bit as he plays to impress the fellas.

And second, Brett is coaching his team this year. He did a great job. I decided to not even bother bringing the camera for the first game because I was alone with the twins on the sideline ... but they did great. So soccer pics of Nicky will come next week.

The first half Nick played goalie and it was 0-0 at halftime. Then Nicky moved up to forward. At one point he was just shy of the mid-field line when he booted it toward the goalie. In all honesty, many goalies probably would have gotten this one ... but these are 7- and 8-year-olds and it wasn't the goalie's lucky day. On through the net it rolled.

First goal of the season ... Nick Dawson! Woohoo!

Jordan scored next then Nick went on to score another for The Fireballs (a name inherited from a year or two of Blake's early soccer days in Elk Grove) as they won 3-1.

Then it was time to go home to cool down and get hydrated before heading back to the fields for Blake's 3:30 game., which proved to be perhaps the most exciting game of the season so far.

They were playing a team that they beat once in a tournament and then lost in a subsequent game -- one that we really should have won.

On Saturday ... I hope I get this right ... at halftime it was tied at 3-3. About 10 minutes or so into the second half, Allie tells me, "I has to go potty."

"Can you wait a little bit?" I plead.

"No, I has to GO!" she said jumping up and down.

So around the field and across another we trek to the public restrooms.

After Allie make it back to our seats, Brett looks at me and said, "Don't be mad but you missed Blake's header goal."

"What ... are you kidding?" It seems I ALWAYS miss the huge plays.

Apparently a teammate had a free kick, near the corner kick area. Instead of shooting toward the goal, he shot toward Blake who was positioned about 20 feet in front of the goal, to one side. Massimo kicked, Blake positioned himself just right, shot it off his head, and into the upper corner of the goal box it went.

I was SO bummed I missed it. Blake's been talking since the beginning of the season how he wants to get a header goal ... and I missed it! Dads on the team were raving about it, calling it "SportsCenter-worthy."

Waaaa!! Why can't it be like TV ... why can't I rewind and see it? Oh well ... I told Blake he'll have to do it again next week.

Oh, one more goal was scored and they went on to win 5-3.

Little Monkey Girl

So it was only a matter of time before Miss Allie realized that she was the only girl in her weekly gymnastics class who didn't have a cute little leotard.

Throughout the first few weeks, she was excited to hoist her body up and around the bar, scale the parallel bars while crawling like a bear, turn somersaults, and skillfully grace the balance beam. And all while perfectly content in her tank top and shorts.

I knew it would happen sooner or later, so I decided to just wait it out. Then, around Week 6, it happened. As kids began entering the building for their class that day, Allie did a bit of a double-take when she saw the little girl in the pink leotard.

A while later after the class started, she cast a sideways glance at the little girl in the red leotard. I knew it wouldn't be long then. For I know that longing glance. Kind of like the one I had back in 6th grade for the girl who had every style and color of Dittos jeans.

So ... I'm sure anyone can see where this is going ... after class that day Allie spotted the leotards on display at the Little Gym. And, true to form, she picked out a pink one with monkeys. It's so Allie.

And isn't she just the cutest thing ever???

Still Kickin' It

Blake at the Arizona Inaugural Tournament.
September 2008

It's Saturday. It's October. For the past seven years, that's meant one thing in our household -- soccer game day.

Blake is in 6th grade now and his seventh year of soccer, but I still vividly recall his very first soccer game when he was just 5 years old. I remember the small neighborhood field on the warm September day. I remember how cute it was to see those little ones bunch around the ball as they got their first taste of team sports. And I remember how that soccer ball lured Blake like a magnet. How my excitement mounted as he zipped up and down the field with a passion and a purpose. He's been chasing that ball ever since.

Blake in his early soccer days. 2003

Through the years Blake has shone on the soccer field. His skills are phenomenal. But his true gift is his passion for the game. Blake has always looked forward to practice, played oodles of soccer at home, watched professional soccer on TV, and the past few years is focused on his "fitness," as he calls it. He spends hours looking at soccer gear on web sites, looking at state standings and planning/daydreaming about his soccer future in Europe.

His years of soccer have kicked up many wonderful memories. I remember the year -- I think it was his second or third season -- when Blake's trademark was the bright gold headband he wore to each game. Panic ensued if he couldn't find it before a game.

I'll always remember the friends he played with for years in Elk Grove -- especially Mikey and Shawn. How the trio went on to play their first season of competitive club soccer together in 2006-07. How we became friends with their families and how they were so generous in shuttling Blake around when I was overwhelmed with the twins. How that team never won a game but those three little guys played their hearts out game after game.

And how, just as tryouts for the next season were about to begin, we learned we'd be moving to Arizona. Blake undoubtedly was bummed to leave his team and his friends, but his soccer quest ultimately went undeterred. He joined the local club here in Arizona and his love for the game continues to grow. (Nicky's been playing since kindergarten, too. The Arizona season for him doesn't start until next week, so more on his playing in future posts.).

Blake -- during his headband era -- and friend Mikey.

It's been such fun watching bunch-ball gamers develop into true soccer players. Each year it gets more compelling -- and more nerve-wracking as they play harder and endure more injuries. Last year Blake went up for a header -- along with an opponent. Blake got slammed in the nose and his eye and nose area were swollen for weeks.

An example of a time when I say a little prayer, hoping nobody gets hurt. Not sure why Blake is slamming into the opponent.

So as we head out to the soccer field each Saturday, I'm thankful for the friends the sport has brought to our family and the many benefits of being part of a team for Blake. But most of all, I'm thankful that Blake has found a true and pure passion at such a young age. A wonderful gift, indeed.

Time to go ... it's almost game time.

Blake going for the ball during a tournament. 2007

My Kids and Their Crazy Bedtime Rituals

It's the time of day that most of us parents greet triumphantly: the kids' bedtime. Brett and I are no exception.

With four kids there are two bedtimes. The twins usually hit the sack at about 7:45 and Blake and Nick stay up an extra hour.

Blake and Nick, for the most part, pass the normal test when it comes to bedtime routine ... well there's Nick's sleepwalking, but we'll let that slide since it hasn't happened in a couple weeks. For them it's brush teeth, go to the bathroom, Blake will read in bed with his booklight, and then off to catch some Z's.

Zach and Allie, on the other hand, are in a crazy, let's-make-Mom-and-Dad-run-circles-around- us world of their own. Sometimes I wonder if there's a camera hidden in the room a la Candid Camera.

So this is the world we've been living in when bedtime comes around ... They go potty. Normal enough. Then it's storytime. But wait, it has to be done Zach-and-Allie-style. For starters, they can never agree on one book, so they each pick one. Allie wants all the lights turned out and her book read by the light of Blake's awesome booklight. But that's not all ... Mom or Dad or whoever's reading the story can't just clip the light on the book. Allie MUST hold the light, leading to frustration for the reader when that darn little light doesn't stay shining on the words (it's just 10 more minutes, we tell ourselves, then the rest of the evening is OURS).

Zach then wants his story read the old-fashioned way -- sitting on his bed with the lights on. That's my boy! He loves "Goodnight, Gorilla."

So then it's hugs and kisses, a drink of water, and ice packs. Yes, ice packs. I think the seeds of this were planted a couple months ago when Zach had an "owie" at bedtime. He had asked for an ice pack. Somehow that stuck because night after night he would ask for it. Then as any dutiful sibling would, Allie started asking for one, too.

So when it's bedtime, we gather up the books, the booklight, the cup of water and the ice packs (and I have to give Brett most of the credit for this because he does most of it).

Then they're all tucked in for the night. Or are they?

These two 4-year-olds are brilliant strategists. They know they have us. They know they're now big kids wearing underwear to bed. They know we don't want to get up in the middle of the night to change wet sheets and pajamas. They know we'll do whatever we can to prevent a nighttime accident. They know they can prolong it for a few more minutes.

So this is what we hear about 5 minutes after leaving their room as we dare to envision relaxing for a couple hours before our own bedtime:

"Mommy, I have to go potty again." And, of course, a little shadow is following. "Me, too."

Calgon, take me away ...

A Day at the Zoo

Something happens when you have four kids who are spaced out over seven years.

One day you wake up and realize family outings are getting increasingly difficult. Specifically, it's a challenge to please everybody. You have to catch Blake, now creeping up on 12, in a good mood or bribe him with food or treats of some kind. Catch him on a bad day and he'll moan and groan the whole trip.

And, as I'm sure is the case in most families, Child #2 tends to grow up a little faster than Child #1. Child # 1 might have enjoyed things like the zoo until age 8, 9, or 10. But Child #2, seeing that his older sibling objects, must mimic that sentiment. Such is the case in our household.


Here's Blake earlier this year on the carousel at the zoo. Clearly, he's thrilled.

So, I've given up taking Blake and Nick to the zoo.

Having four kids, one of whom is entering pre-pubescence and another who so desperately wants to follow him there, also makes you realize how quickly the innocence and wonderment of childhood zooms right past you. And that's what's kicking me in the pants to make sure I appreciate and enjoy the little things, like taking Zach and Allie to the zoo and watching their excitement in petting the goats, feeding the giraffes ... using the public bathroom.

A couple weeks ago when my parents were here we took a trip out to an area wildlife zoo. It was a little toasty, but the place was deserted. We had it all to ourselves.

I watch and wonder how much longer my Zach and Allie will excitedly feed quarter after quarter into the rundown bubblegum machine that spits out stinky animal food into their little hands so they can dispense it to the ducks and fish and ostriches and whatever other animal is lucky enough to be in their path.

How much longer they will run from one exhibit to the next, squealing, "Look at him, Mommy. He's cuuute!"

How much longer until my two youngest don't want to go to the zoo anymore?

I'll push it out of mind. I can't think about that now ... we're going to the park (OK ... maybe not at this moment ... but it sounded like a good way to end it) :).

10 Things That Made Me Happy Today

1. Having a lazy, stay-in-our-PJs morning with Zach and Allie.
2. Running into Jacki at the gym and chatting as we worked out side-by-side on the treadmill and elliptical.
3. Allie planting dozens of kisses on my cheek throughout the day because "it's your birthday, Mommy."
4. Nicky dressing in his red, clingy athletic shirt and black shorts because he and two friends made plans to "dress as twins" ... or maybe triplets ... today.
5. Adorning the house in Halloween decor -- creepy piano and all.
   
6. The vanilla-caramel-pumpkin scented wall thingy that makes my house smell like something scrumptious is in the oven -- and no calories.
7. Brett bringing home chinese food and a good bottle of Pinot for dinner.
8. Watching Allie give her brothers a run for their money as they played football with Brett in the back yard. And Allie having a Marcia Brady hit-in-the-nose moment but handling it like a trooper and running for the touchdown.
   
9. Chocolate cake for dessert -- yum!
10. Hearing the kids -- off key and out of sync, but oh so sweetly -- sing Happy to Birthday to me. Oh ... and looking at the beautiful cake in the picture above.

Incidentally, for some reason Google ads have been popping up in my posts. I'm trying to figure out how to get rid of them. So for now, just ignore them ... I won't tell Google :)