BASKETBALL AND 5 YEAR-OLD BOYS

This picture sums up the trials and tribulations of coaching a group of 5-year old boys. It was an attempt to get everyone to sit still for a quick team photo....gotta love it!

Number 3 is in the back row, 3rd over to the right. He had just come off of a personal best, high-scoring game....12 points!!

AN INTERVIEW WITH 1, 2 AND 3

I tried to get Number 1 to participate, but at age 10, I guess she's too cool. Here is a little interview with Number 2 and Number 3:

Number 3 (Age 5):

Why do you think that we gave you your name? Because you liked it.

How many brothers and sisters would you like to have? One, just Number 1.

What is your favorite color? green

What is God like? love

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Camping in Oklahoma with daddy and my friends.

What do you want to be when you get bigger? Policeman, so I can take everybody's licence.

What's your favorite thing to do in your free time? You know, play Club Penguin.

What is one thing that Mommy has taught you? Words

What is one thing that Daddy has taught you? Nothing (hmm..)

Who is one person you really admire? Number 1

What is one thing that you wish you could do that only adults do? Turn invisible (?)

What is your favorite book? Space Adventures Mars Alien Attack

What is something you could do to make the world more beautiful? Add toys.

If you could speak another language, what would you like to speak? Spanish

What is something you want to do when you are 6? Read a book

What is something that you wish you wouldn't have done? Eat broccoli

What is something you are glad that you have done? Have sleepovers

What do you think about Number 1? Helps me on Club Penguin

What do you think about Number 2? Reads to me

What is something that would make you cry? Eating chicken

What is something that would make you laugh really hard? A girl's butt (oh, my!)

Number 2 (Age 8):

Why do you think that we gave you your name? Because when I was born I naturally got given my name.

How many brothers and sisters would you like to have? One

What is your favorite color? pink

What is God like? Very nice and didn't like violence.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Hawaii

What do you want to be when you get bigger? A famous gymnast or violinist

What's your favorite thing to do in your free time? Gymnastics or violin

What is one thing that Mommy has taught you? To be kind to people and say how you feel.

What is one thing that Daddy has taught you? How to wrestle, but not hurt the person you're wrestling.

Who is one person you really admire? Joe Jonas

What is one thing that you wish you could do that only adults do? Stay up as long as they want.

What is your favorite book? Allie Finkles Rules for Girls

What is something you could do to make the world more beautiful? Recylce and plant trees and flowers.

If you could speak another language, what would you like to speak? Italian

What is something you want to do when you are 9? Get on the team at TumbleBugs.

What is something that you wish you wouldn't have done? Fight with my sister and brother

What is something you are glad that you have done? Get on level 3 in gymnastics

What do you think about Number 1? Funny, smart and somtimes mean.

What do you think about Number 3? Weird, sometimes gets on my nerves and funny.

What is something that would make you cry? People who I don't know who hurt my feelings.

What is something that would make you laugh really hard? Seeing a teacher dance around like a monkey.

SMART CHOICES OR JUST DUMB LUCK?

Today I received a reminder of just how fortunate our family has been during such challenging economic times. It came in the form of some friends who were seriously questioning the affordability of one of their kid's activities since dad lost his job; an activity that was going to cost $150.

Some may argue that making smart choices in life get you where you are and not luck. Under normal circumstances, I would have to agree but lately, I have seen too many very smart people who have made very smart choices, lose their jobs - just like that. That being said, a tip of the hat to lady luck because having lumped ourselves in the "smart choices" category for many years, I'm not sure it's enough these days and am going on record (after all, I am a blogger now) as being very thankful that we are both gainfully employed. I hope that all of you out there who are just as smart (and lucky) are thankful too!!

Let's hope that Obama's economic stimulus plan is a step in the right direction in getting our country back on it's feet.

WHAT NOT TO EXPECT

Today, Number 2 asked "mommy what does gay mean"? Feeling confident, I gave her what I believed to be an age-appropriate response for an eight year old and proudly responded "it means you're happy". She looked at me convinced, so I exhaled and patted myself on the back for my quick-witted response. At that moment, she turned to me and proclaimed "I'm so gay today mommy". Great....

TESTING THE WATERS

Well, I've taken the plunge and joined the masses out here in the blogosphere. I'm not really sure why - I just thought it might be a fun and hip thing to do!

My neighbor has two beautiful teenage girls and she cracks me up because each time she speaks of them, she fondly refers to them as Number 1 (her oldest) and Number 2 (her youngest). For the purposes of keeping my family safe out here in cyberspace, I am going to steal her witty reference to her children when naming my kids - with the addition of Number 3.

About the picture in the header. Yes, it's outdated (2005); yes that's an orange in Number 3's hand and so what if his tongue is sticking out! I guess it's time for another family photo shoot soon. I'm off to a great start.....