Friday Photo Fiesta: My little golfer

Welcome to Friday's Photo Fiesta. I am excited to be playing along this week for the second time on Candid Carrie's website at http://www.carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/.

I seem to be talking about Evan a lot this week in my blog, so I thought I would end the week with one of my favorite pictures of him. This picture was taken two summers ago when Evan was just turning two years old. There is just something about the lighting and his beautiful smile that makes this one of my favorites.He is still an avid golfer and can beat his mom on most occasions!

Catching fireflies

I remember being a little girl and loving the summertime. I was always barefoot even though we had a gravel driveway. We loved playing in our huge yard, and I fondly remember trying to catch fireflies. Tonight, Evan and I did just that: we were barefoot, playing in the yard, and catching fireflies.

Evan had never caught a firefly before so I had to show him "my technique." We started at dusk so it was easy to see their bodies flying around. We did the "stalk and scoop them up" maneuver and quickly captured two. Evan then wanted to try. He was the scooper, and I was in charge of the lid. As a pair, we captured EIGHT fireflies for his jar.

I am not sure that giddy would adequately describe Evan's reaction to catching the fireflies because he was even beyond that. Maybe ecstatic is better. He was literally squealing with delight and begging me to find more. Here he is showing his new jar of insects.

As it got darker, our quest for fireflies became like an unfair game of Marco Polo. The fireflies would say Marco by shining their lights. Evan and I would scurry in that direction. (Polo!) By the time we got to the area, we saw the firefly's light elsewhere beckoning "Marco!" So, it continued.

What fun we had. It was a great hour to spend with Evan. We did let our fireflies free for the night, but we are keeping the jars handy for future hunting! There is plenty of summer left.

How many kisses?

Evan and I have developed a routine this summer at bedtime. I used to give him one kiss after books then I turned off the light. If memory serves me, one evening I missed his mouth when giving him a kiss, so I had to give him one more. The next night he needed two kisses.

The routine continued for weeks. We would read our two books. I would put him to bed with his stuffed animals and blanket, then I would ask, "How many kisses?" He would always respond, "Two." I would deliver the kisses and be out the door.

One night he was displeased about having to go to bed, so as a way to distract him, I asked the question, "How many kisses tonight? Two or Eight?" He beamed at the variety, and of course, he chose eight.

From there it has just steamrolled. Each night I ask Evan the same question, but now when I ask it, he responds with a "Hmm. . . ." and an impish grin, reflecting on how far he can push this charade. When I receive his response, he now counts the kisses while I am kissing him instead of pursing his lips to return my hen-peck kisses. He radiates this huge smile while counting.

This week, he is taking the kiss request to new levels. We have now ventured into the teens with his response. The last few nights, I am giving at least fourteen kisses an evening. He smugly smiles and counts still as I give my kisses.

I suppose it could be worse. He is now getting both a routine that I hope he will remember in future years as well as a top-notch counting lesson each night. We will see how high the "How many kisses?" request will be someday. I am hoping to get at least one kiss a night for a long time.

Meet Meow

When I was a little girl, I loved cats. I thought they were sweet and snuggly. I loved how they purred and I loved their soft fur. As a young adult, I developed a nasty allergy to cats, therefore causing my affection for cats to be tempered by itchy, watery eyes and wheezy coughs. So, when a cat appeared in my house a few weeks ago, I was skeptical.

Iam cognizant that Meow is around by the noise he makes. It is not a sweet purr, but his meow sounds more like someone is stepping on him. Mrroooowww . . . Or even just Rrrrroooooowwwww. . Meow even has short bursts of "Raow" as a response when asked a question.

Meow's presence reminds me about the reasons I don't particularly enjoy pets, however. Sometimes Meow is entwined in my legs, causing me to wobble around the house because I can't move my feet without his begging to be petted. Meow also rubs his head on my leg under the table while I am trying to eat dinner. To me, that is exasperating.

Sometimes Meow is endearing. When I hoist Meow to my chest, he nuzzles his cheek into my chin and makes a contented "meow." He gently paws at my hands to show his affection and appreciation for the attention I am bestowing on him.

Meow only comes around about half of the day. When we had company, Meow seemed to be present more, seeking the attention of our visitors. He even licked his ice cream out of a bowl at the table when Jeff and Emily were here.

Meow is not a conventional cat, as you may have guessed. I love him more than any sneeze-causing cat I have ever known. He is my youngest son, Evan.

The Last Lecture

Sometimes I lose my patience with my kids. Sometimes I give my husband "The Look" when I don't think he is helping enough. Sometimes I even go to bed angry despite being told by my elders that you should never do that. Yet, sometimes it takes a perfect stranger to startle you into understand how silly those actions can be.

A few months ago I had heard about this man named Randy Pausch who had delivered a "Last Lecture" to his colleagues at Carnegie Mellon after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He became an Internet phenom and eventually a television celebrity as well. Mom even lent me his book that was published after the lecture.

Last week, Randy Pausch died.

I am not sure why his death struck me the way it did. I didn't know him personally. I had only heard his story on the news and talk shows. After hearing of his death, I decided to read his book that I had been putting off for quite some time. All I can say is "Wow!" I am not saying "Wow" about the book per se, I am interjecting that phrase because I am impressed with who he was as a person.


As I finished some of the chapters, I would close the book with tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. My belly and chest would tighten. I felt connected to his message. Pausch's death has put me in an emotionally vulnerable spiral similar to PMS. Every little thing completely sets me off.

Today in church, this beautiful little girl was baptized. I couldn't speak, sing, or anything. I was stifling an outright sob. When Jeff and Emily were here, just thinking about them having a little baby was creating such absolute joy that my emotions again were crazily vacillating. And recently, I look at the boys sometimes when they don't know that I am looking, and I choke up at the thought of how amazing they are as little people.

Pausch had such a positive outtake on life. He approached life with the idea that everyone is either a Tigger or an Eeyore. I love that! I don't want to ever be perceived as an Eeyore, yet it is so easy to slip into that personae with stress and screaming boys. Pausch also quipped amazing advice that I actually bookmarked areas in the book that I can reread to use in my life. Even facing certain death, he found a way to uplift those he cared about. One idea he had for his children was to leave a memory of what he dreamed for them. I thought I would do the same today for my children.

For Andrew I dream that one day he will learn to show his emotions more. Andrew gets frustrated and benefits from talking it out with someone. I dream that Andrew will pursue his true passion without settling for anything. I dream that he knows pure happiness.

For Brendan I dream that one day he will understand his true capabilities and embrace them. I dream that he never loses his humor and doesn't take himself too seriously. I dream that he is always a Tigger; he loves to bounce!

For Evan I dream that one day he will understand completely who he is aside from his brothers. I dream that he keeps the confidence he currently possesses and excels like I know he can and will.

Most of all, I dream that I will be given more fortunate luck than Randy Pausch with my longevity. I thank him, however, for the insight. I will continue to work towards being a constant Tigger and better appreciating the present.

Awesome visit

We have been blessed this summer to have had company so often. This week my brother Jeff and his new wife Emily came to visit us for a few days from Ohio. We laughed, we played, we ate, and we rested. They were doing double duty on their trip as Emily was also lucky enough to be able to spend some time with a childhood friend of hers who also lives in Madison and is getting married.

Looking at the weekend, I reflected on a Top Ten List of my favorite moments.

10. We took Emily and Jeff to our favorite pool to get out of the 85 degree heat. Andrew and Brendan then elected Jeff the person that had to watch every float, handstand, or flip they did. (Uncle Jeff. .. Uncle Jeff. . . -- See number 1 for more info on this.)

9. At the same pool trip, Evan and Uncle Jeff braved the waterslide together. Essentially, they got stuck and didn't even move. Jeff had to pull them down the slide. They didn't go again. . . 8. Emily and I took the boys to some garage sales on Saturday morning, and she scored some awesome used baby items for her mom to use when little McCamey arrives in October. (The boys also scored some useless junk with their dollar allowance I gave!)

7. Chris and Jeff went to play University Ridge Golf Course on Saturday, which is the golf course that the UW Madison golfers play. Jeff has a Buckeyes head cover on one of his golf clubs. The guy helping Jeff with his clubs commented on the head cover being not allowed on the course. Then, as Jeff paid for the round, he whipped out his Buckeye credit card. The man looked at him deadpan and said "we don't take that here." They did let him on the course after all.

6. Evan was only here part time as his counter part "Meow" made constant appearances. Meow is Evan's kitten alter ego. I will write more about that a different day.

5. Uncle Jeff became the boys' hero as he played Wii with them for hours. He made them laugh as he mimicked how they bicker and complain about the game. If only that would sink in. . .

4. All seven of us went to play The Meadows in Waunakee on Friday night. What an adventure! We had to let a few groups play through who were looking at us as if we were a circus act with seven people putting on the green. (One of which, Evan, was running back and forth just chasing his ball.) Leading up to playing, the boys were making it painfully obvious to Emily that they doubted her golf credentials. They relented, and we all played.

3. There was much discussion on who would sit in which golf cart. The coveted seat was riding with Uncle Jeff. Each boy took a turn. Evan, Emily and I started off together. We think strategically, they were grouping us as the best threesome out there. 2. Emily and Jeff were "Culverized" this weekend. If you live in Wisconsin, you know that Culvers is a fast food chain that boasts Butterburgers and Frozen Custard. The food is amazing. On a late night dinner, we had Culvers and custard, and the next night, we needed to repeat our custard quest. Mmm. . .

1. Uncle Jeff. . . Uncle Jeff. . . Uncle Jeff. . .Uncle Jeff. This phrase reverberated throughout my house about five hundred times over the course of the weekend as the boys sought Uncle Jeff's constant attention and praise.

It was an amazing weekend. I am grateful for the time to get to know Emily better and just see my brother. Brendan commented about an hour ago that he missed Uncle Jeff and Aunt Emily already. Me, too. . .

Friday Photo Fiesta

Today I am trying something new. My sister has been "playing along" with a Friday Photo Fiesta for weeks now where she displays favorite pictures and links them to a fun site called Candid Carrie http://www.carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/ . So, I thought I would try to play along today. I am new at this linking thing, so bear with me!

My husband Chris takes amazing pictures of everything: people, scenery, everything! Here are a few pictures from a trip to Niagra Falls at Christmas time two years ago. His family is from the Buffalo area so we decided to head there for a day trip. The kids were excited and hardly complained about the fact that it was freezing cold!!!

For some reason, I really like this second picture as well. I like how crystal the water looks in the photo!

Thanks for playing with me today!