A Hockey Night In Pittsburgh!

I'm supposed to be posting about February's Before 40, but I have something I need to do first.

Jim has been wanting to take Dylan to a hockey game for a while.  We looked at tickets, but they were pretty expensive, so we decided against it.

Last week, Jim went in to his office after a staff meeting, and there on his desk was two Penquins tickets, with simply a note that said "Have fun!".  We still don't know who gave them to him, but we were thrilled!

Jim sent out a mass email asking who they were from and expressing his gratitude.  Turns out, that prompted SOMEONE ELSE to give him two more tickets!!  So, they went to a game on Friday night and Sunday afternoon!

There were only 2 tickets for each game, so I didn't go.  On Sunday, I did laundry, cleaned, organized, and basically did everything I've been needing to do for months.  On Friday night, I went shopping for clothes for myself.  What can I say about that?  I can say that on Saturday, I went on a diet.  (Sigh)

Jim said something about hot babes cleaning the ice, and Dylan said "I wish I could go to every game!", so I guess they enjoyed themselves.

All Sports Review

Dear Dylan,

Since you love sports so much right now, I decided to sign you up for a class at the YMCA, called "All Sports".  I was very nervous about it.  I was worried you would be too aggressive for the other kids.  I was worried you would always hog the ball.  I was worried you would have a total meltdown if you lost a game, or missed a goal.  I wasn't being very optimistic, was I?  Good thing I don't have to put a penny in "Mr. Negative Pig" for negative thoughts!

Turns out, I didn't need to spend my time doing all that worrying.  You loved the All Sports class, and I loved watching you.  Unfortunately, I had a "mommy brain" moment, and forgot to take you to the first class (again... sorry!), so you missed Soccer.  You were sick for Flag Football.  You got to try Kickball, Tee ball, Basketball, and Hockey.

These are the things I want to remember...

*How adorable you and the other kids looked doing the stretching exercises.
*Your funny version of jumping jacks.
*For Tee ball week, the way all of you would run like maniacs after the ball, and pile on top of it, no matter where on the field it was hit.
*The time all of the boys were piled in a heap, fighting over what you thought was the ball, when the one and only girl in the class, suddenly popped up beside the heap with the ball!
*How happy you were that "Daddy" and "Mi-Mi" and "Bubba" came to see you at the last class.
*How excited you were about making baskets, getting hits, and getting the goal!

I was proud of how hard you tried, and yes, I was happy when you did well.  My absolute favorite and most proud moment, though, was when you congratulated someone else for making a goal.  That is what it is all about.  That is why I want you to play sports, and why I spend the money for classes.  More than anything else I want you to learn to be a good teammate.  You're off to a great start.

I love you,
Mommy

Wipeout and All Sports

One night, I was on the computer, and Jim was watching "Wipeout".  We never watch it, but there was nothing else on.  Dylan was supposed to be sleeping, but all of a sudden he appeared in the living room.  "Wow!  What's this?", he asked, mesmerized.  We told him he needed to go back to bed.  "Can you tape this for me?"

That is how there came to be "Wipeout" stations all over my house.  Pillows are bouncy balls, a footstool is a jumping post, couches are landing zones, and I am praying we don't take a trip to the ER.  He gets one hour of TV a day, and for the past 7 days that hour has been spent watching the same Wipeout episode.  He can do the commentary word for word at this point.  Seriously.

I decided the kid was in desperate need of some structured physical activity - "structured" being the key word.  I signed him up for a class at the YMCA called "All Sports".  Could there be a better class for Dylan?  Well, they didn't have a Wipeout class.  We missed the first class because my mind has ceased to perform properly (which is a fancy way of saying I completely forgot).  I think they did soccer for the first class.

This week they did kickball.  One thing I love about Dylan is how he just jumps in head first to everything.  Even though he missed the first class, the minute we got in the gym, he ran over, ready to start.  The class is for 4-6 years olds.  There are a number of 6 year olds, which is great, because Dylan needs to get used to not being the best at everything.  He did get upset that he wasn't getting the ball every single time someone kicked it, but he kept his composure enough that I think I was the only one who noticed.

I had a blast watching him in the class.  This week is tee ball.  Considering the fact that last summer he hit the ball so hard it almost broke our neighbor's window, I'm a little nervous.

A Little Of This, A Little Of That

*Part 2 of the peanut allergy post:  I took Dylan to the store and let him pick some snacks he would be happy with.  He was a little too excited about it.  "I want these!  And these!  And how about these?!"  I had to reign him in a bit.  Then, on Friday, even though the snacks were in a bag, sitting on the kitchen counter, I forgot to take them.  When I picked him up from school, and asked what he had for snack, his lip started to quiver and his eyes got teary.  "I had to eat Cheez-It's, and the other kids got a cookie cake again!  You said you would take the special snacks we picked out, but you didn't!"  (Excuse me while I straighten my "Mommy Of The Year" award).  I am happy to report that I remembered to take them in today, so hopefully the snack dilemma is solved.

*Part 2 of The Ugly Shirt post:  I told Jim yesterday that I had a blog post for him to read.  I sat down next to him while he read it.  When he got to the part that said that I threw his shirt away, he stopped and said, "YOU DID?!"  I said, "Keep reading".   Then, he read the next line that said "Yes, I DID".  Ha!
Then, he asked, "Is it still in the garbage?", looking hopeful.  I answered, "No, I waited until the garbage went out.  Why do you think I waited until today to show you this post?"  (Evil laughter).

*We have started touring schools for next year (he'll go to kindergarten).  You know how much I love to tour schools, right?

*Dylan turns five this week!  There was only one thing he could tell me that he wanted for his birthday - a Sudoku handheld game, that cost $14 at Target!  I am really enjoying these days when his needs are simple.  Material needs, that is.  Emotional needs (time and attention) is a completely different story!

*I think I've mentioned that Dylan is obsessed with sports lately.  His newest obsession is hockey.  Um, yea... a sport that involves him swinging around a large stick.  Could you all please keep your fingers crossed that I don't lose a tooth?

*Remember back in October I took Dylan to the farm on a 68 degree day AND it snowed the same week?  Well, the second week in November, I took him to the zoo on a 68 degree day AND it snowed in the same week.  Pittsburgh is a confusing place to live.

There's No Crying In...?

In just the past 6 months or so, Dylan has become a sports enthusiast.  Scratch that.  He has become a sports FANATIC!  He wants to try every sport out there, and he wants to excel at every sport out there.  He is ultra competitive.  He does not like losing.  Losing, or even less than great performance, results in whining, tears, and rolling around on the ground.  He is really hard on himself!  If he doesn't play well, bats are thrown, racquets are scraped along the ground, etc.  (Right now, Jim's mom is laughing and saying "Uh huh!  He's Jim's kid all right!)  Being a perfectionist is apparently hereditary?!

We were playing baseball out in the backyard, with him facing the house, from the back of the yard.  Bad idea.  Much to my surprise, he hit the ball so hard, it almost broke our neighbors window!  Then, he hit the ball so hard, this happened...

WHY didn't I sign him up for T-ball?! (kicking self)

Last Sunday, we took him to the park to ride his bike.  While we were there, he saw some people playing tennis.  He announced that he wanted to learn to play.  "We don't have any racquets, Dylan!"  "Well, let's go home and get them, and then come back!"  "Uh... no".  I figured he would forget about it by the next day.  Nope.  It was the first thing out of his mouth Monday morning.  He kept at it until I finally succumbed Monday afternoon.  We played for an hour, until I finally had to make him stop!  I was exhausted.  Not Dylan, though.  He could have kept playing for another hour.

Guess what we did for another hour on Tuesday?!

If he ever gets over the losing tantrums he'll be a coaches dream!  He plays with passion!  He ran after the ball at top speed, dove for the ball, and then screamed, "I'M OKAY!", before popping back up to run around some more.  Meanwhile, I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to lift my arm the next morning to comb my hair.  I'm gonna need to get in better shape to keep up with this kid.