Field Day!!

Yesterday was Aiden's first field day. He wasn't sure what to expect, but I just knew that he would l o v e it. He's very athletic. He even nicknamed himself "Flash" a couple of years ago.

        

I remember field day. Actually I only remember one field day. I don't remember what grade I was in, but I know I was in elementary school. It makes me wonder, why do I only remember that one? The only distinctive event that happened that day was that my P.E. teacher told me I ran/walked a 13 minute mile, which is NOT good. I didn't know that then. I thought I was the BOMB! Yeah, I just used the word BOMB, whatcha gonna do about it?

Being that I only remember one field day, I do know that Aiden's field day was not like mine at all. On my field day, everyone had a tag with the activities listed on them and spaces for your times and scores. Aiden's grade,,, not a single tag. They were all grouped in with their class and with each activity each child took a turn for the exercise, but it was the class time that mattered. Field day for me was more of an individual sports day.

It was so much fun watching the kids try their hardest. You could see their personalities shine through, and they were just so precious. As Aiden starts each competition, at first I get really excited, and then nervous hoping he doesn't trip, or something crazy like that. As soon as the whistle blows he darts off, and I start yelling, "Go Aiden!!!" My eyes start to well up with tears. I have no idea why they do this, I mean he's just running. I'm weird like that.

After I leave the school and head home with a fussy/tired baby girl, I start comparing the field days in my head. I wonder why it's so different from the one that I remembered. The only idea that I can come up with is that maybe just maybe the school doesn't want any discouragement. Since there was no individual exercises, there's no winner and more importantly, no loser. Loser is just not a good word, period. There is nothing wrong with losing. Kids today NEED to know that. Losing a game or not being as good in a subject does not make them less. Why is it that kids and the kid's parents are so sensitive to this. Of course 

I want Aiden to be great at everything, but being great at everything does not build character. Being great at everything does not make you grow. Making mistakes and not being the best helps our mind adapt to be better. I make sure that I tell Aiden that it's ok if you don't win, just try your best. Life is not a perfect place where we as parents can cushion our children's egos all the time. Believe it or not we are actually doing our kids harm if we shelter them like that. God teaches us to be humble, do not boast, and encourage others. If kids won everything, it would be a lot harder to learn those characteristics. I guess my main point is...balance is key. Too much of anything is no bueno. I don't care who ya are...

Ok, I'm stepping off of my soapbox now...

Teeny-Weeny Bonfire

                 

Fall has officially started! The only reason for this statement is because we had a teeny-weeny bonfire last night! It was amazing. We had s'mores and all. Well let's say Aiden and I ate them. Hubby is such a s'mores party pooper...

Max is hanging out pretty close to the s'mores station. He's waiting for one to drop into his mouth. Haha. We used all of the wood we could for the fire, which wasn't a lot. I don't own a single wire hanger, because Joan Crawford says, "No more wire hangers!!" By the way, that movie freaked me out as a kid. That being said, we used the end of the rake for the marshmallows. We sterilized it in the fire first. Don't worry. It served its purpose, so that white area on the end of the rake is marshmallow guts.

The fire didn't last long, but we had fun and made some memories. That's all that matters, right? Hubby likes to start fires and Aiden likes to be around them.  I on the other hand,  just like to watch them. They are two of the few of my favorite people on earth.

No TV?

I am sad. Do you want to know why? I have realized that I watch too much TV. I can record shows and movies anytime, and I take full advantage of that. If anything on TV looks interesting, I record it! Once I see ALL the shows I have recorded, I feel determined to watch all of them. I can't leave one show out, because it might feel neglected. Who wants to feel neglected? Not me, that's for sure. Listen, I know I have personified TV shows, but hey it's my prerogative.

The other day I was reading my daily devotional by David Wilkerson, he mentioned that he stopped watching TV so that he could focus his energy on what was most important to him. It struck me like a lightning bolt! Maybe the reason I can't get some of the stuff done is because I am addicted to the Real Housewives of Where Ever!  Duh... I'm not going cold turkey now, that would just be horrendous. Let me tell you, you would not like to be around me if I did. I am giving myself a limit. I'm thinking maybe an hour and a half a day? We will see. I am also making this part of Aiden's days as well. He watches more TV than me! Since we all know that TV rots your brain, it is best that we back off. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

If this is the product of no TV, or not a ton of TV I'll take it! She loooooves her brother. He is her hero, and that is just the cutest thing in the world!

What will do I do with all this free time? I will invest in myself, my kids, my husband, my faith, my friends! This is the next step to living a more purposeful life. When we get old and gray, are we going to talk about our relationships with each other and the fun times we had, or about episode 1043 of Reality Crazy Mess show?

The next task on my list (yes, I am a list maker) is to look up some fun art and science activities to do at home.

Till then my peeps :)