The Artist

We are constantly trying to find that one thing that the boys truly want to do. Something that they are passionate about. Jacob has been a very hard nut to crack. He likes so many different things.

He loves sports. He plays soccer, football, and baseball. He doesn't want to play for a team. He doesn't want to practice. He just wants to play. Not keeping score. Just play. He doesn't have a competitive bone in his body. Once at soccer camp the other team scored a goal and Jacob was giving them all high fives!! He just doesn't care if he wins or loses. He just wants to play.

Last year he told me that he wanted to be in commercials. I cringed a little. (I didn't want to be a stage mom!) I found a great talent agency in Charlotte that works with talent of all ages for commercials and print work. I had no idea what to expect. There were about fifty people there to audition. Jacob was the 5th person in line. He looked so cute and confident. He had to walk in front of all of the applicants and repeat a two line commercial. He did OK. We didn't make it to the second round, but it was a great experience. As we left Jacob said, "That was fun, but I don't want to do that again." (whew!)

This year Jacob has a great art teacher at school. He has been bringing home some great paintings. My Mother-in-law, who is an incredible artist, noticed that Jacob has quite a talent. I found a place that teaches kids all about art. He is learning so much and I think we found his passion.


Here is his Koi fish painting...


Cherry Blossom Tree...


This one he did at school..it is my favorite!!

Blocked

For some reason I have complete writers block. It's not that I don't have anything to write about. I have TONS to write about. I just can't seem to get it all into words. Many times I have made a mental note.."this is blog worthy!" Yet I cannot seem to blog. Nothing. Nada. I've even written a few entries, but couldn't post them because they were completely lame. Ugh! It is frustrating.

I have heard that if you want to be good at something you have to do it every day. I'm not sure I can blog every day, but I am going to try. This does count for today's entry! Right?

And It Is Only Day Two!!

I didn't realize how fortunate I was.

Tod left yesterday for a two week business trip to Seattle. At first I was really excited for him. A new city, a great opportunity, and a little change of scenery would be good for him. There was no way he was going to pass up this chance to work in Seattle. I don't blame him.

Usually when Tod gets home from work there is a collective, "Daddy's home!!" He gives me a kiss and wrestles with the boys. The family has dinner, talks, plays, watches TV, reads, then off to bed.

Yesterday was fine. It was actually a pretty fun day and flew by. Today has been very busy and is just now winding down. Brady has asked, "Hey..When is Daddy coming home?" about a dozen dimes. Jacob has asked me to throw the football then quickly gives up once he realizes that I don't throw with Daddy precision. They both want to wrestle but Mommy Rules are no fun. I have a movie to watch tonight and not looking forward to it because there will be no one to snuggle with.

I have many friends whose husbands travel each week. I bow down to you! I don't know how you do it. It is only day two of this two week journey into single parenthood. I may have to start happy hour a little early!

A Resolution Resolved

Every year I have made a New Years Resolution. Every year I have failed. I think the longest I have kept a resolution is March. That is pretty bad. This year it is going to be different.

I have decided NOT to make myself start the new year with a "have to". Of course I can better myself in several aspects. I just don't feel like January 1st is the one date to do that. It is now January 5th and I feel no guilt about this whole resolution thing.

I'm not going to stop doing, start doing, have more of, have less of, give more, or save more. I am going to just keep going, keep doing, and keep improving.

Well That Didn't Last Long

Yesterday I was on such a Christmas high. After Brady's performance I felt the Christmas Spirit and decided to keep that Spirit up through the season.

Jacob's school Christmas Party was today. He has been looking forward to this day for weeks. His class has been planning and parents have been sending in goodies for today's celebration. His teacher sent and email a couple of weeks ago telling each parent that they were doing a Secret Santa gift exchange and they would only do it if 100% agreed. A couple of days later Jacob came home with his Secret Santa he was supposed to buy for. It was a GIRL!! He was so nervous buying a gift for a girl! Too cute. He got her a pretty purple Christmas ornament. A perfect gift because he said, "Purple is her favorite color".

Today he came home from school VERY upset. He was the only kid in class who didn't get a Secret Santa gift. My heart totally sunk. We both cried for such a long time. I couldn't find the words to comfort him. We were both a total mess. He said, "I can't understand why." I can't either. I hope that his Secret Santa just forgot. I hope it was just an accidental oversight. To an 8 year old...this is HUGE! He said he just had to sit there and watch the other kids open their presents. He felt awful. At this point we are both inconsolable.

Jacob's best friend at school is Jack. Well, Jack couldn't stand Jacob being so sad so he gave Jacob his Secret Santa gift - a Hot Wheels Monster Truck. Jacob told me that he couldn't tell Jack that he didn't want it - that gift was for Jack not for him. He said that Jack didn't want him to be sad so he took the gift. I am touched that Jack would do this. Jacob gave the truck to Brady. He said that he didn't want it. He is still just so upset. He feels forgotten. He is such a sad little boy today. Which makes a very sad Mommy.

I am having trouble with the "better to give than to receive" translation to my 8 year old. I sent and email to his teacher expressing our sadness. I hate seeing my son so sad. I hate seeing his Christmas Spirit crushed. We will have to work extra hard this week to find our Christmas Spirit again.

What a Cheese Ball!!

Brady had his final preschool Christmas program yesterday. I was a little worried for him. In the years past he never really participated in any program. He usually just stood there and stared out at the auidence like a deer in headlights. This year was a little different.

He came out holding his ears because the clapping was too loud. Then he just bloomed into this little performer. He sang every song. He did all of the motions. He just shined!!

After their class was finished singing they allowed the parents to get up and take pictures of their child. Brady spotted me and this is the reaction I got...



He totally filled my heart with JOY.

He was so proud of himself. I love it!

Tis the Season

I have been very hopeful this Holiday season. Hopeful in a sense that this season remains light, happy, and fun.

Jacob, who is 8, has many questions about Santa. He is still very wary. Very wary! "How does he come down the chimney when we don't even have one?" "Is it magic? If it is magic then I don't believe in it because I don't believe in magic!" "How does Santa know what I want?" "I just don't know." I have told him just to believe in the Spirit of Christmas. Magical things do happen over the Holiday season. He always shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head.

Last year my sister sent us the Elf on the Shelf. Jacob named him Bob. Ever since Thanksgiving I have been looking for Bob. He was missing! We unpacked all of our Christmas decorations and still no Bob. I was getting very nervous. The four of us were putting up the tree when Tod tapped on my shoulder. He pointed to the kitchen where I saw Bob sitting on top of the fridge. Whew! He showed up.

Bob sat there for about 15 minutes before Jacob went to the kitchen to get a drink. He shouted, "He's here! He's really here!" The look on his face was pure elation. We all ran to the kitchen to see Bob smiling down on us. At that moment Jacob believed. He truly believed. It was so wonderful to see the innocence back in his face.

I am still very hopeful that this season will be fun, merry, and joyful. Miracles do happen.