The Agony of Defeat

Today, a beautiful almost-Spring day, I played in my first ever tennis match. If you recall, I started taking lessons last summer. I'm not good, but I was deemed  good enough to play on a 2.5 team. We've been doing team clinics for about 6 weeks, and let's just say that we're all beginners on our little team. Some perhaps even more beginner than me. I'll leave it at that.

Anyway, today was my first big doubles match. I had to miss clinic last week since I was sick, but I was able to play with my scheduled doubles partner for a little while Sunday afternoon. We had fun, and I was relieved to have been able to get in a little play time before the match today.

I started out the day at 5:30am with my usual Wednesday 6 mile run. As previously mentioned, I was sick last week. I have not worked out at all in 8 days. The run? It nearly killed me. In fact, around the end of mile 5, I declared that my friends were going to have to continue on without me. Since they are such great friends, they did not let me stop, and encouraged me to finish our last mile. Heather suggested I think of the Biggest Loser contestants who run a marathon at the end of their show, and that did help to make my legs feel a bit lighter. Still, I was beat.

 

Okay. Fast forward a few hours to 9:30. My partner and I fully expected a complete beating. Davis was at home sick, and Morgan was with him. I said I figured we'd lose in 2 straight sets and I'd be home at 10:30. Well, we were matched up better than anticipated. The first set took an hour, and we won 6-4. I think 80% of our games went to deuce. Second set. Another hour. We were tied at 6-6, and the other team beat us in a tie break game. That tied it up 1-1. We had to play a 10-point tie break game to settle the match, and we lost. A crushing defeat. Honestly, I could have lost 6-0, 6-0, and felt better than playing hard and well for 2.5 hours and then losing at the very end.

Still, it was great practice, and at least I've got the first match jitters out of the way.

Plus, my team outfit is super cute:



I would like this outfit in more colors, please. Thank you.

The Problem With Literate Kids

Hi all. I'm finally feeling human again.....thank God for antibiotics. I laid low most of the weekend, just trying to feel better. Watched lots of basketball, and only wept a little when my Tar Heels didn't win the ACC Tournament yesterday. I have high hopes for the NCAA tourney.

I did venture out late Saturday afternoon to take Ava to see The Lorax. Have you seen it? I loved it. One of my favorite kid movies.

I'm certainly not going to get political here, but the movie did have a strong anti-large business message that came through loud and clear. I don't watch Fox News, but I have a feeling they have probably had a lot to say about The Lorax. Either way, the movie stayed pretty true to the book, adding in some musical numbers and a few more characters. My favorite quote from the book (and movie): 

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." 

On Friday, Morgan was nice enough to work from home so that I could have him there if I felt too bad to take care of the kids. Late in the afternoon, Ava told me she really needed to tell her Daddy something. I told her she could go upstairs to tell him whatever this urgent message was, but if he was on the phone, don't bother him. She reported back that he was on the phone, and that was that.

Well, yesterday, Morgan showed me a note that she had given him when she went up there. Here it is:

Someone at our hotel let Ava and Davis pick out candy from the gift shop on our last morning there. Ava still has hers. She was hoarding it in her room, and I told her it needed to be in the pantry. She expressed a bit of concern that someone might eat it. I guess that's what inspired this note to her Daddy. 

Penmanship is not her strong suit. Nor is generosity.

Random Friday Musings

Happy Friday, y'all. I'm STILL sick, but called the doctor this afternoon and essentially begged for an anitbiotic. Like a genie in a bottle, the doctor granted my wish. While I'm happy for the drugs, I'm bummed that with such a long week, I have no desire for wine or other spirits. Stupid illness.

With my being under the weather all week, my poor house looks like an F6 tornado has come through. I'm working on gaining enough strength to at least make me want to be here for the weekend.

I braved one of my least favorite kids' spots today, Monkey Joe's, I'm not really a germophobe, but that place sure does turn me into one. Davis was especially energetic today, though, and I needed him to get some of that craziness out. Luckily, he was fixated on one particular bounce house, and I was able to read some of my book.

Speaking of my book, I'm reading one that I just love and don't want to put down. My mom gave it to me last weekend. It's called The Dry Grass of August, and it's a great Southern read.

It takes place in Charlotte and other parts of the south in the 1950s, and at the core of the novel is the relationship between the 13 year old protagonist and her black housekeeper. It reminds me a bit of The Help in that way. I'm about halfway through and just adore it.

And I'll leave y'all today on a kind of bittersweet note. One of Ava's preschool friends, Embree,  is battling Leukemia. Every family's worst nightmare, right? The family has shown so much grace throughout this frightening time, and I really admire their faith and strength. Embree's school showed their support today by all wearing "Team Embree" shirts and sending her the following video cheer:

A Big Cheer for Embree from Liisa Ogburn on Vimeo.

It made me cry, of course. Kids can be so sweet. Go, Embree! We're all rooting for you!!

Sick Day

How is it that when I used to work in an office, sick days were a treat, but now they just suck? I've been feeling under the weather the last couple of days. At first, I thought I was just worn out from the crazy-hard class I took at the gym on Tuesday. But then last night I was running a 102 fever and was convinced I had the flu. Seriously, when my fever broke, I woke up in an ocean of sweat. I had to get up and change my pajamas. At that point, Ava woke up and started calling for me, wanting to get in my bed. Argh!

I woke up feeling a smidgen better this morning, but not 100%. Went to the doctor who tested for strep and flu, both of which were negative. No drugs for me. Boo. Apparently, I am supposed to let this stuff run its course. In the meantime, I have 2 kids to take care of. Morgan took them to school for me today, but I've still had to take Davis to swim lessons, entertain him afterwards, and then pick up Ava from school. If anyone asks me what's for dinner I swear I will leave and check into a hotel for the night.

I'm hoping I'm more recovered tomorrow. I've got my first tennis match ever scheduled, and I really want to play. The weather isn't looking good for it, however, so that would actually work to my advantage.

While Davis was watching Bubble Guppies this afternoon, I learned about an upcoming flash sale site called Country Club Prep.

If you sign up to receive their sale notifications by March 15, you'll get lifetime free shipping and returns. Click  here to sign up. 

Disney Housewives & a Tasty Snack

Did you catch Saturday Night Live this weekend? Lindsay Lohan made her "comeback" and hosted. She wasn't great, and had some trouble remembering her lines. However, there was one HIGHlarious skit - The Real Housewives of Disney. Watch and be amused.

Also, I just made these energy balls and my kids (and I) can't stop eating them. Delish. And pretty healthy. So, go make them. It will take you all of 10 minutes.

image via

Happy Monday, everyone!

Medicate me. Please.

Y'all know I love my kids, right? I mean, I know I throw out some sarcastic comments about them, but I do adore them. However, this afternoon, they are driving me to the brink of insanity. Davis has been difficult all day, and Ava started whining the second I picked her up from school. (As a side note, how is it that kids can never remember what they did at school?).

I wanted to run a quick little errand (to lululemon) and Ava immediately balked. She was starving, it seemed. It's no wonder. Upon arriving home and inspecting her lunchbox, only about 1/3 of the food I packed had been consumed.

From there, we went home. I think it's maybe a 7 minute drive home. I think Ava cried or whined for 5 of those minutes. One bout of tears came when she learned that Davis had seen the Chickfila cow today. Yes, seriously. The girl just saw every princess and every character you can imagine at Disney World, and she's in tears over a damn cow. I guess I shouldn't mention to her that Davis also got a cow Pez dispenser. That might just do her in completely.

Once home, Ava ate the rest of her lunch and then a snack. She and Davis proceeded to play, which led to fight after fight, and lots of tattling. I was just trying to do some laundry and Swiffer the house, but I couldn't get a single thing finished. All I could do was referree. The most annoying thing of all is that it's pretty much Ava crying over something Davis does. She is 6 and 1/2. He is not quite 3. I tried explaining to her that he is TRYING to get her mad/upset because that's what brothers do. By reacting to him, she makes it fun for him. The poor girl just doesn't have it in her to walk away, though. She just has to engage him. And then I get furious with both of them, especially when the name-calling starts.

It's not just  Ava, though. Davis has had his own share of problems today. He has some serious throwing issues. Some hitting. And maybe some kicking. And he won't listen or really comply with my instructions.unless he's absolutely forced to do so. I've tried time out, taking toys away, taking privileges away. Nothing seems to matter. He's wearing me out, and I really hope it's just a phase. Thank God he's cute, and that he also knows to give out unsolicited hugs and "I love yous." Otherwise, I might have to sell him.

I think we're still in vacation detox mode. Both kids seem especially tired, and why wouldn't they? We had five full days in Kid Heaven. Rules were bent, bedtimes were late, and naps for Davis took place in a stroller, and never exceeded an hour. I'm hoping for a relatively low-key weekend so that everyone can really recover.

Oh, but did I mention we're starting potty training this weekend? That should make things muuccchh easier.

Sorry for the blogging break, but we just returned from a big Disney vacation, so I'm in full recovery mode. That means tons and tons of laundry, and reminding my kids that neither Mickey Mouse nor Cinderella will be making any in-home appearances. Reality is tough, isn't it?

I haven't uploaded any pictures yet, so I'll save my Disney recap for next week. Today, I thought I'd share a few things I'm currently loving.

Angie's Kettle Corn:

This comes from Costco (smaller bags are available at Target), and it is like crack. I have to hide it from Morgan when I bring it home. My family can plow through a huge bag in no time flat. Never has there been a better kettle corn. Never. 

Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper

I don't know how long this little treat has been around, but it's a recent discovery for me. Apparently, it's like the holy grail of diet soda, because I find it a little elusive. Luckily, Target usually has a good supply. 

The Hunger Games movie. I can't wait for this to come out. I don't know if there's anyone left who hasn't read the books, but they're fantastic. Don't read them for the wonderful prose - you won't find that. But the story is just entirely captivating, and you will love it. I will be at this movie ON March 22. 

Colored denim. I just love all the brights for spring. I picked up some skinny purple cords at Ann Taylor loft recently, and I love them. Next on my radar are these green jeans from J.Crew:

That's all for now. Davis is recovering from a rather traumatic first swim lesson (meaning he cried almost the whole time), and I need to wake him shortly so we can get in the dreaded carpool line. Maybe he'll be okaty if I just leave him here while I go? KIDDING.