The Latta Family

So . . . soccer has been a bit of a bust so far.  Not because of Alexa, but because the doggone weather is always foiling our plans!  We have only been able to have one practice so far.  It's sort of frustrating!  How are we going to turn Alexa into the next World Cup star- if she can't even get to practice?????  (a small disclaimer, I have actually no plans of her being a soccer star.  If she wants to great- if she wants to do other things- that's cool too.  That whole World Cup thing- was for dramatic effect regarding my frustration with the weather). While we haven't been able to practice, we did get to have our first game yesterday.  The highlight of that event for me- was how doggone cute she was in her uniform! I think the high light for her, was that she got snacks and to go on the bouncy house afterwards.  (as part of the Opening Day ceremonies for the rec league, there was bouncy houses and a Carl Edwards race car for the k...

I've been feeling a little emotional about old Andrew lately (which explains why he's getting so many blogs I guess).  He's transitioning.  I can literally feel and see this transition happening.  He's moving from little kid to big kid.  It makes me a little sad.  Not a lot.  I like this big kid, but I miss the little kid. There's been a couple of situations in the last few weeks, that have really brought it home to me. Plus my kids are 5 years apart.  They are so obviously in separate stages, it's easy to decipher between their emotional/developmental stages. Last week I dragged Andrew and Alexa with me to the ball park, so I could paint soccer fields.  Upon our arrival there, Andrew found friends and ditched us. Letting Andrew out of complete eye sight in a public place is a new thing for me.  I debated for a second and decided I'd give it a try.  It's an enclosed park, there are enough people there that know Andrew, me and/or Doug...

I brought my crew down to visit my parents this weekend.  Doug, his co-teacher, and friends cooked bbq all night Thursday and then worked all day Friday- as happens every year around this time.  After 16 years of this tradition, I have a survival technique for all of us:  the kids and I leave for the weekend and let Doug recover without us.  It's better for all involved because otherwise, Doug spends a fair amount of time being aggravated he can't sleep, and I spend a fair amount of time being aggravated he's not helping out. So in this case . . . absence makes for a happier marriage. Since it was such a fantastic day, Mom and Dad decided to introduce us to a new "hiking" area they found. It was so cool! It was right near a river and there were lots of large flat rocks to run around on and play near the water.  We had bets on which kid was going in first.  Mom won.  Dad and I assumed it would be Alexa. She is pretty accident prone. I mean- just walki...

It's the first day of yet another baseball season.  I love baseball season.  I love it even when we're only home for one evening of the week, and the floor looks like it's attempting to grow another dog because I haven't vacuumed, and the laundry is spilling out of the laundry baskets in a way that says I'll never get it all finished, and the fridge has only condiments and a few cups of leftover milk in them.  I love Andrew stomping in my car after a frustrating game, complaining that Dad yelled at him . . . again, or that the other kids don't take the game seriously enough!!!!  I'm not being sarcastic either. I fixed some waffles this morning.  The boys are about to head out to a 9:00am practice.  Alexa and I planning to go late to practice because we're fair weather practice friends- literally.  I only hang out at practice if the weather is good.  :)  Andrew comes into the kitchen to get some breakfast and he's totally dressed and ready t...