Nate: “Danny filled his head up with sand.”
My translation:
Danny has been throwing sand while playing in the sand box. Not a necessarily uncommon occurrence.
The reality:
Danny had in fact filled his head with sand. My dear almost 2 year old had packed as much play sand as possible into his little ears. Over 2 hours later, after a trip to the pediatricians, $15 copay, and several warm ear baths, I am happy to report that there is longer sand in Danny’s head.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
An Independent Fourth
We had a really nice 4th of July holiday. The boys and I spent the extended weekend in Kalida visiting with Nana and Pappy Gerdeman and Aunt Jill. The weather was mild and the boys were in good spirits. They behaved well at mass. AMEN. They went fishing with Pappy and Aunt Jill. (Thanks Aunt Jill!) They ate wild raspberries and homemade ice cream.
The highlight of the weekend, however, was definitely Jack’s success on a two wheel bike (with NO training wheels). Road 20, Pappy’s patience, and Nana Gerdeman’s great investment in concrete, all contributed to the big moment. Jack is still spilling over with a sense of accomplishment. As a mother, his success was all the sweeter, because there was no pressure, not expectation, just the idea that he could learn if he wanted. I loved watching him persist — pushing himself, encouraging himself, and really understanding for the first time in his young life the value of committing himself to a goal.
Isn’t learning to ride a bike a wonderful life lesson? Up until this point, his big milestones were developmentally driven like walking and talking. Jack had to choose to learn, choose to get back up, choose to trust himself.
As a mom, I have lots of Mom Wishes for my boys. I want each of them to have self confidence, but maybe more importantly I want them to understand that sometimes in life you fall down, your self confidence can take some hard hits and in the end you have to be prepared to push yourself, encourage yourself, and commit yourself to achieve the hardest (and often the most rewarding) goals of life. Just like riding a bike, if you want to pedal along without training wheels, by your own power — you have to want to learn, you have to choose to get back on . . . so off Jack now rides . . . a truly independent achievement on Independence Day.
The highlight of the weekend, however, was definitely Jack’s success on a two wheel bike (with NO training wheels). Road 20, Pappy’s patience, and Nana Gerdeman’s great investment in concrete, all contributed to the big moment. Jack is still spilling over with a sense of accomplishment. As a mother, his success was all the sweeter, because there was no pressure, not expectation, just the idea that he could learn if he wanted. I loved watching him persist — pushing himself, encouraging himself, and really understanding for the first time in his young life the value of committing himself to a goal.
Isn’t learning to ride a bike a wonderful life lesson? Up until this point, his big milestones were developmentally driven like walking and talking. Jack had to choose to learn, choose to get back up, choose to trust himself.
As a mom, I have lots of Mom Wishes for my boys. I want each of them to have self confidence, but maybe more importantly I want them to understand that sometimes in life you fall down, your self confidence can take some hard hits and in the end you have to be prepared to push yourself, encourage yourself, and commit yourself to achieve the hardest (and often the most rewarding) goals of life. Just like riding a bike, if you want to pedal along without training wheels, by your own power — you have to want to learn, you have to choose to get back on . . . so off Jack now rides . . . a truly independent achievement on Independence Day.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Getting in the Game
Last week we officially ended our first T-ball season and the Bierer family inaugural endeavor with team sport participation. It was an adventure. For the most part, I think Jack enjoyed participating. He was fond of his coaches, made new friends, loved his uniform, and was extremely possessive of his bat, glove, hat, and post game snack. All the boys learned the lingo. We are now a family who understands on deck, the bench, fielding, pitching, batting, rain outs, and make up games — a pretty good start for a family of boys.
We now own bats, balls, bases, and a tee. Everyone loves taking swings at the ball; and all goes pretty well as long as no one is too near the batter and everyone at least tries to adhere to the idea of taking turns.
The way I look at it, this spring was the beginning of at least 15 years of practices, games, equipment, and all the guts and glory of athletics. I can’t really think of anything I’ve done for 15 years. Scott and I haven’t even been married 10 years, let alone 15, so this brings me to the realization that I, the mom, may need a better game plan.
Don’t misunderstand me, I loved watching Jack learn and cheering on the SMOY – Blue Storms, but each practice and game posed some challenges for the Bierer family.
10 Things this Mom Learned from T-Ball
1. Bring extra snacks for your children who are not playing on the team.
2. Bring something to distract other children — 3 and 1 year olds can only be loyal fans for so long.
3. Reevaluate the contents of the diaper bag – sunscreen, bug spray, Band-Aids, and disinfectant are better choices than crayons and books.
4. It is alright to wear a dirty uniform to a game.
5. A 1 year old can climb fences FAST.
6. A 3 year old does not always understand that they are not part of the team.
7. Ball diamonds are dirty. Game night is ALWAYS bath night.
8. It’s alright to pray for rain.
9. Equipment costs can add up, especially if you miss place ball gloves.
10. Always know were the potties are located.
Number one T-ball rule according to Jack, "Don't kick dirt. The dust gets in the mommys' eyes."
We now own bats, balls, bases, and a tee. Everyone loves taking swings at the ball; and all goes pretty well as long as no one is too near the batter and everyone at least tries to adhere to the idea of taking turns.
The way I look at it, this spring was the beginning of at least 15 years of practices, games, equipment, and all the guts and glory of athletics. I can’t really think of anything I’ve done for 15 years. Scott and I haven’t even been married 10 years, let alone 15, so this brings me to the realization that I, the mom, may need a better game plan.
Don’t misunderstand me, I loved watching Jack learn and cheering on the SMOY – Blue Storms, but each practice and game posed some challenges for the Bierer family.
10 Things this Mom Learned from T-Ball
1. Bring extra snacks for your children who are not playing on the team.
2. Bring something to distract other children — 3 and 1 year olds can only be loyal fans for so long.
3. Reevaluate the contents of the diaper bag – sunscreen, bug spray, Band-Aids, and disinfectant are better choices than crayons and books.
4. It is alright to wear a dirty uniform to a game.
5. A 1 year old can climb fences FAST.
6. A 3 year old does not always understand that they are not part of the team.
7. Ball diamonds are dirty. Game night is ALWAYS bath night.
8. It’s alright to pray for rain.
9. Equipment costs can add up, especially if you miss place ball gloves.
10. Always know were the potties are located.
Number one T-ball rule according to Jack, "Don't kick dirt. The dust gets in the mommys' eyes."
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