Youth Conference & a Pizza Party

 This weekend was Youth Conference.  Neither of my boys have ever been so of course I made them go. Xander was especially unhappy about this but I am so glad he went obediently.  He has been so obedient lately and I am grateful.  I think they had a good time but neither will admit it.  Christy sent me the following 2 photos and she sent me a video of everyone singing Happy Birthday to Xander. 

The conference was overnight in Flagstaff so Ian promised the little boys a pizza party.  On the way to get the pizza Max told me that it was his dream to eat pizza out of the box on his bed.  So of course we let him and Evan do just that.  We aren't dream killers over here. 

I love my boys.

Max

After years of begging, I finally signed Max up for tackle football.  It has been a learning experience for sure.  Ian and I both assumed that his coach would see his potential and put him as wide receiver/safety - positions he has always played and excelled at.  We were a little shocked when he put Max on the defensive and offensive line.  After one discouraging practice I sent the coach an email voicing some of my frustrations.  Yes, I was THAT mom.  I spoke with the coach at the next practice where he told me that technically, Max was the best player on the team, he just wasn't big enough yet.  I tried to tactfully explain that it was because he had Max in the wrong position but alas it fell on deaf ears.

Max and I talked about it and we decided that this season is a learning experience.  Max has learned so much and I am in awe as he constantly improves.  He loves football so much.  I am thankful that he decided to sign up again in the fall - this time with a different coach.  Hopefully it will be a better experience. 

It's funny - he went to a kid's birthday party who is on the team and at the party they played football.  Max made 6 touchdowns.  The other kids were asking "How come you aren't wide receiver?".  Exactly.

Xander turns 17

On Thursday Xander turned 17. In a lot of ways I feel like we have grown up together since he was my first one.  I have made so many mistakes with him, but when I see the man he is becoming it's easy to see everything I have done right.  He is smart, driven, funny, hard working...and so much more.  He has been working for grandpa (my dad) for a few months, helping to get their home ready to sell.  In that time he has saved most of his money and plans on investing it.  Lately he has been reading a lot of investment books and books like "The Four Hour Workweek" and "Rich Dad, Poor Dad".  I promised I would read The Four Hour Workweek after I finish the Mistborn series. 

Last week he sent me this text:

It came at the perfect time.  I am so thankful for Xander and the light he is in my life. 

Long time, no see and Paddleboarding

It's been almost a year since I've written on this little ol' blog.  Max, Evan and I were reading old posts yesterday and I decided I wanted to try to keep up with it again.  We will see how it goes.  If it goes well, then I can go back and blog about our Disneyland trip last year and other things..but we shall see.  Life is busy around here and most days I am exhausted so I need to figure out how to stay motivated and on top of posting.

Last Monday Trina asked if I wanted to go paddleboarding with her and Lexi.  None of us had ever been before but we'd all seen those awesome pictures people post online of themselves paddle boarding on the ocean or a lake.  For some reason I thought it would be hard but it turns out it's really easy.  And for me really easy means that I could stand on the board without fear of falling in the murky, muddy waters of the Salt River.

 It was such a relaxing, fun morning.  I love these girls!  We had so much fun maneuvering down the river together.  There were a couple of close calls where one of us would almost fall in, but for the most part we were awesome.  

 The funniest part was at the end when we were taking pictures.  I was trying to turn my board around but it wasn't cooperating.  It took me 10 minutes to turn the stupid thing around and in that time I made a humungous circle around Lexi and had a couple of close calls going into some trees and bushes.  Trina was laughing so hard.  She video taped it but of course I erased that real quick.

 It was a good day.  I hope to do it again soon.

Surgery

A few weeks ago Ben injured his thumb at the Hamilton football camp.  He came home and originally we thought he just jammed it.  My first clue should've been when he told me he heard a popping sound when he hurt it.  The next day the pain was so bad that I took him to Urgent Care.  The consensus there was that we need to see a specialist to make sure it wasn't broken.  Well, 4 days and one loooonnnng appointment later - we discovered Ben would need surgery to re-attach a torn ligament and then a cast to help the break (he broke the top part of the growth plate) heal.  The amazing thing was that Ben was funny, self depreciating and all around cool about the whole thing.  Yes, he was a little depressed about it but he didn't feel too sorry for himself. 

Yesterday (Wednesday, April 30) he had what Dr Bobb called "gameskeeper" surgery to reattach the ligament.  He came through it like a champ.  The best was when the anethesia was wearing off and he kept talking about "cinnamon oxygen" that he smelt when he had an oxygen mask.  He wanted to know if oxygen smells like cinnamon than what are we breathing all the time??  And then he asked what ice was made out of.  He kept saying,"I feel great...do you feel great?"  My favorite was when he said, "I wish dad were here.  He's a cool guy.  He needs to play Skyrim again".  He came home about an hour after the surgery and spent most of the day sleeping and acting goofy on account of the the pain meds. 

Through this whole ordeal I can't help but be grateful for all of the one on one time I have spent with him. Ben is such a funny kid - I love his sense of humor.  And I love just hanging out with him. 

Ben

This man-boy...he kills me.  Seriously.  Out of all my boys he's the one I worry the least about.  He is funny, kind, smart...he is everyone's favorite.

Ben has been sharing a room with Max and Evan for about a year.  He opted to do that so they could have one room just for toys.  A few weeks ago I felt like I need to move Ben out of there - Max and Evan were getting on his nerves and he needed his space.  He didn't want to move back into the toy room so I moved him downstairs with Xander.  It was inspired.

They both grumbled and complained but they secretly love it.  I know.  It has been so fun to watch these two opposites becoming friends.  I hope it lasts. 

One of my favorite things about Ben is that he loves to read.  We have bonded over many books:  Harry Potter, Divergent, Clockwork Angel...we both love the sci-fi fantasy books. I love being able to discuss literature with him.  Ben loves reading but he also loves sports...especially football.  He is just as great a receiver as Max and I really hope he gets to shine on the Freshman Hamilton Football team. 

Ben=awesome

Speaking of Max...

This kid amazes me.  He is a straight A student. A human calculator (no joke).  And the best receiver around.  He can catch anything you throw.  Max is hard core at anything he does.  He goes full force..to the max.  Get it?  We named him perfectly.

As the third boy it could be easy to get lost in the middle.  He makes his presence known.  I love watching him excel at football and at school.  He is also hilarious.  Razor sharp wit people. 

Example:

I brought Ian some twine and hemp to make bracelets.  The boys were hanging out in the family room and Ian says, "Look what mom got - I can make cool bracelets for you guys!"  Max replies, "What...are we teenage girls?  Do you want us to sit in a circle and braid each other's hair too?"

or

Max was helping Evan put on a Batman costume while Evan sat lazily on the couch.  Max says, "Hey Evan I don't remember Batman sitting with his stomach puffed out while Alfred did all the work!"

and one of my favorites:

Me:  "Max, eat your dinner!"
Max:"What...are you trying to fatten me up like Hansel?  are you planning on eating me??"

Life would be boring without this awesome boy.

The tale of two brothers

When Max was younger Ben and him were great friends.  Max would follow Ben around and Ben would tolerate it and sometimes even be cool with it.  When Ben hit junior high he outgrew letting his little brother tag along and do whatever he was doing.  Coincidentally when Ben started jr high Evan started kindergarten.  I think once Evan started school with him Max started to consider him as possible friend material.  They are the best of friends and the worst of enemies.

It has been heart warming to watch them grow as brothers and friends.  No one can make Evan laugh like Max.  I have seen the sweeter side of Max through Evan.  He takes care of him and helps him.  Of course Evan gets on Max's nerves and vice versa..but for the most part they are the best of friends.

I love it.