Wednesday, December 21, 2011

I love my mom

I love my mom. One of the many things I love about my mom is the fact that she knows more about college sports than most college males.  Her passion for the Wolfpack is evident to anyone who knows her.  Once when we were young, my sister and I were roller skating in our garage.  Since it was circa 1985, it was before the time of helmets, wrist guards, or knee pads.  My sister fell down and hurt her arm.  Unfortunately for her, it was during the middle of an NC State football game.  My mom gave her some Tylenol, some ice, and told her she had to wait until the end of the game.  By the time the game ended, the swelling was impressive and she was still crying so off we went to the ER.  Xray confirmed she had broken it. 
What is that old saying?  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree?
Mom of the year ...

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Deck the halls

Christmas decorations seem to be quite hazardous to children.  More importantly, my children seem to be quite hazardous to Christmas decorations.  For this reason, and secondary to our laziness, we have elected to go with the naked tree approach this year ... lights but no ornaments.  Our tree is also tucked between two large pieces of furniture for its own protection.  However, we have been to visit friends who have carried on about their normal holiday business, displaying ornate trees placed in easily accessible, vulnerable locations.  During a recent visit to our close friends' house, my husband quickly took note of the exposed Christmas tree.  He was running a solid "pick and roll" defense, distracting our 1 year old away from the tree, until we decided to switch kids. (We tend to run a man-to-man defense but try to switch assignments periodically to keep the offense guessing).  After the switch, I must have lost focus because within a few seconds, my son had grabbed the tree and fallen down with a big crash.  Luckily, the tree stayed upright and only one ornament was sacrificed.
Mom of the year ...

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Photo op

Ah, 'tis the season and who doesn't love this season? Although it is quite busy (thus the lack of blog entries lately), it is a great time of year.  Everyone loves college basketball season.
If you've followed my blog, you will remember the "Tarheel born" entry (if not, feel free to scroll back  for some wonderful "parenting as a basketball fan" advice).  In reflecting back on basketball seasons past, I came across a photo.

When my daughter was just over a year old, my husband and I went to the spring football preview game.  We were on our way out when we saw John Henson, Dexter Strickland, and Leslie McDonald (three of my favorite UNC basketball players).  I had recently met them when they came to visit the children's hospital and I was selected as one of their tour guides.  When I saw them at the game, I darted over to my new BFF's and hurled my adorable daughter, dressed appropriately in a cute Carolina blue dress, into Dexter's arms, my husband standing by with camera ready.  Anyone who knows 1 year olds knows how they feel about strangers at that age, and anyone who knows college males knows how they feel about babies at that age.  Needless to say, it was not the photo op I had hoped for.


Mom of the year ...