musings of Mother Hood

Weekend!

I have a coworker who recently shared with me her theory on weekends. She proposes all weekends be three days long: one day for play, one day for work, and one day for rest. If you only have two days you can really only do two of those things appropriately. I think it's brilliant, and I'm prepared to sign any and all 3-Day Weekend petitions that come my way.

In the meantime, we spent our most recent two day weekend doing something more along these lines:

You could say we don't exactly have the hang of the whole play/work/rest theory...

Nevertheless, we had a great weekend.

Saturday

First, some "work". I hadn't realized until now that I never made this blog-official, but I decided to go for broke and run a full marathon this spring! Yes, I've had my final dose of the running Kool-Aid and I've just started week 5 of a 16 week marathon training program that will (hopefully!) end with the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon on April 29th.

This race is part of the reason I've stopped scheduling so many races lately, but I've got a few half marathons between now and OKC that will be good training races. So you haven't escaped the running blogs altogether!

Week 5 was actually a cut-back week so we did 9 miles Saturday morning. "We" is Jennifer and me. Jennifer has mercifully agreed to do my long training runs with me and it's been fabulous having someone like her along for those long, cold Saturday mornings. Say a little prayer for us this coming Saturday morning -- we've got 14 on the schedule - a new high for me!

Anyway, enough talk about running. That was really the only thing I did this weekend that semi-qualifies as "work" and I didn't really take the nap I intended to take on Saturday so "rest" gets a small piece of the pie, too. The rest of Saturday was spent reading library books and playing firemen -- which, as I'm sure you can imagine, is taken VERY seriously in this house. After one too many surprisingly detailed books about firemen, this is how he insists on leaving his pants and boots every night:

You know, "in case there's a fire".

The yellow boots belong to his semi-imaginary friend, Penny. She's one of the characters in his favorite show, Fireman Sam, and she makes regular appearances when he's "tendin'" to be a firefighter at home.

Sunday

Not gonna lie. Sunday was all "play".

First, we attended the Second Anniversary Celebration Service for our church, The Harbor Church of NWA. We are a small church with a big heart, and the 2nd Anniversary was a great time to get together and celebrate all we've seen and done in the last two years as a group.

Here's a shot of everyone at the service on Sunday:

After the service, Colt found every firehat in the toy box and laid them out.

As families were milling around talking afterward the kids were playing, and anyone that got within a few feet of "the firehouse" was recruited and given a firehat. Including us!

Happy Anniversary, Harbor!

Then home for a bit of "rest" before more "play". MUCH more "play".

In case you hadn't heard, there was a football game on Sunday. No big thing, really -- mostly an excuse for us to get a babysitter and take part in the social phenomenon known as Super Bowl Sunday. Becky came over as Colt was waking up from his nap and they headed out to the library.

Because this kid can never get enough of the library! Library! Library! And more library! I even got this picture by text later that afternoon -- they did the double whammy and went to the bookstore, too.

Meanwhile, we were enjoying some 100% adult interaction as we Super Bowl Party-hopped our way through the evening.

Super Bowl Party #1: Jennifer's House.

Same Jennifer. Running buddy Jennifer. And Keith and Don. This group of people just makes me so happy. Pre-Colt, the six of us used to hang out nearly every weekend. Before this past Sunday, I can't even remember the last time we were all together. It should probably be measured in "years". Ugh. Anyway! We had a ball. Jennifer and her husband Luke just built a beautiful new house and we had a great time catching up.

Look Mom, we showered! Jennifer and I usually see each other early Saturday mornings in sweaty running clothes. We clean up nice, right?

I think I watched about four minutes of football and two commercials. Oh, and I ate two of these:

Football-shaped cake pops. Cute AND delicious!

Super Bowl Party #2: On the Mark.

This was a bit of an unplanned stop on the way from Party #1 -- we got excited...

And we stopped in at On the Mark, a sports bar in Fayetteville with WAY too many TVs. It was halftime at this point, so we tried to watch what we could of Madonna's show -- but THIS was very distracting:

Photo credit goes to Jeff - he live-tweeted most of our evening.  And if you look closely you can see Madonna on the TV over the flip cup craziness.

Super Bowl Party #3: Josh and Courtney's House

This is where it got REALLY crazy. We joined Josh and Courtney (and their almost one year old baby, Carter) and Cruz and Stacy (whose almost one year old baby, Brayden, was already sleeping in the other room) and we finished our evening talking babies and sleeping and all kinds of other craaaaaaazy things with our friends-with-babies.

Perfect ending to a fun night. Not sure how I managed to not take a photo of our group, but this one Jeff tweeted of the tops of our heads over the comfy couch and just beyond the yummy football food will have to do.

Super Bowl Parties - Success! We enjoyed our evening, got a great report from Becky when we got home, and were in bed by 10 o'clock. Can't beat it.

I'd say the balance of work/play/rest in our weekend was just about right, yes?

By the book

Whether it's because I'm embarrassed to admit it or because I simply can't remember, I can't tell you how long it's been since last I had a valid library card. I assume my University of Arkansas student ID doesn't count so that means it was at least pre-2000, and now I've distracted myself with that little reminder that I graduated from high school almost TWELVE years ago. Anyway. It's been a while.

But this weekend, I got back on the wagon. And I brought Colt with me. His babysitter has taken him to the Fayetteville Public Library a few times, but I never had. But before you sit in judgement of any perceived reading famine you should be reminded our house is FULL of books and there is constant reading. Ninny (Jeff's mom) is a retired school teacher and librarian, Colt's cousin Courtney works in children's book publishing, and MawMaw and PawPaw (my parents) are firm believers that -- somewhere out there -- there is indeed a book for everything -- and they probably own it... Over the years Courtney has made it her personal mission to ensure Colt has the most impressive and beautiful library of books you have ever seen, and whether it's Ninny, MawMaw, or right here at home -- there is never a shortage of laps built for sharing a book or two.

So I took Colt to the library Sunday afternoon and we made it official. Baby's First Library Card!

That afternoon, he almost couldn't wait to get in bed for his nap because he knew when he woke up it was Library Time! SO excited. And the library didn't disappoint.

I know I'm probably late to the party and the rest of Fayetteville has been enjoying this place for years and years, but seriously - our library is gorgeous. I'm so sad the new building has been open since 2004 and I never set foot in it until this week. I didn't want to leave - we stayed until they closed.

The light just spilled in the big, beautiful windows and the kids' section was so clean and colorful and inviting. I instantly loved it, and Colt felt right at home, moving from puzzle to puzzle and picking out books.

His only real complaint was that the library sorts children's books by author, not topic, so after searching for a few exasperating minutes, he wandered up to the desk and politely asked the attendant, "Where are the fire books?" She was so sweet and helped him find a few.

By the time we left we had pretty well cleaned the place out of any children's books with "fire" in the title. Firefighters, fire trucks, fire drills, fire dogs.

Self check-out at the library! He did it all himself, book by book. He would wait for the big green check mark telling him the computer had read the sticker on that book, then he'd stack it up and grab the next one.

Despite my explaining it 17 different ways, the whole concept of the library is a bit lost on him I'm afraid. He wants to go again tomorrow and "buy" more books. It might take us a few rounds of borrowing and returning to truly get the hang of it, but there's no doubt I have a book fan on my hands.

The family that Skee-Balls together

1. We had A LOT of fun Wednesday night at Fun City.

2. If you wait until the evening is over and the boys are exhausted, you will be lucky to get a halfhearted yet still (obviously) adorable photo of these cuties.

(Colt and Carter. Carter's parents are longtime friends of ours -- Josh and Courtney.)

3. Colt still poses no real threat to the golf community.

 

(CLICK HERE if you don't see a video.)

 

My Boy

Buddy,

Today isn't your birthday or the first day of school or Mother's Day or any other traditionally significant day in our lives. It's just a Monday. And you're on my mind.

You're so seamlessly part of our lives now I feel like I sometimes take for granted what an incredible little person you are. Lately, every time I describe you as "a three year old" your Daddy is quick to remind me that you're "almost four". And, sure, in some ways I'm sad that you're growing up so quickly -- looking and acting almost nothing like a baby anymore. But mostly, I am in love with you getting older and spunkier - and more and more YOU.

I have a terrible memory. But I am desperate to remember everything about you at this very minute of your life. I just want to write down every single word you say and take a picture of every expression on your dirty little face. I never want to forget the sound of your laugh when Daddy sings the wrong words or the shape of your mouth when you say the word "belly". I never want to forget your uncanny ability to spot a fireman-themed book from ANYWHERE in the bookstore or the way you chronically get flamingos confused with pelicans.

Some things about you will change or fade as you grow up. Who knows? You could someday drop that southern accent that currently rivals anything coming out of your Daddy's mouth, and you'll eventually outgrow your fire boots.  It's unlikely you'll still be volunteering to "help" me in the kitchen ten years from now, and I worry that your sleepy little head won't always fit so perfectly onto my shoulder. But I pray you'll always have the boundless imagination and genuine heart that are such a big part of your little three year old self. And someday when you are far too cool and grown-up to be snuggling with me at bedtime, I promise not to tell anyone if you ever just need a hug from your Mama.

You are Mommy's baby and Daddy's boy, and one of my two favorite people in this whole crazy world.

I love you more today than yesterday.
Mama

2011

I'd be lying if I didn't admit I kinda love these posts. I love looking back over the year and revisiting our stories and photos and memories. So - as much for me as for you - I present 2011 with the Hoods.

January. We started the year with a disappointing Razorback loss in the Sugar Bowl, but we had a great time at a watch party with friends. And, per the usual, we had PLENTY of snow.

February. More snow. And then some more snow... And the formal announcement of the 1LT Tom Martin Memorial Foundation - long time coming! After the record-breaking snow postponed the original party, we finally celebrated the first anniversary of The Harbor at the end of the month.

March. After all the crazy snow in January and February we were rewarded with some really fantastic warm weather so we played outside as much as possible. And Colt went all out for St. Paddy's Day.

April. Things started picking up a bit. We spent some time being tourists in our own town, did some hiking, celebrated Easter, and spent an afternoon at Touch-A-Truck. I ran my first 5K... then immediately ran another.

May. I traveled to Cabot to help present the 1LT Tom Martin Memorial Scholarship. And the Martins invaded Northwest Arkansas to celebrate Mother's Day, (early) Father's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and anything else they could think of. We aren't ALL together that often - so we made the most of it! We even made it to a baseball game!

June. The monkey turned the big 3 and we went to Arkadelphia to celebrate Father's Day and his birthday (Again! This child had TWO birthday parties this year!). While we were down south I ran in the one and only Smackover Oil Run and received the biggest trophy of my life. And I even convinced Jeff to do a trail race with me!

 

July. We spent the 4th of July weekend with friends -- here in town and on the river! Then! Vacation! In keeping with our new tradition of doing something adventurous and exhausting with our summer vacation - Jeff and I spent four days hiking in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park, including a summit of Half Dome. It was an incredible trip. July also brought Colt's first movie!

August. August brought a chicken pox diagnosis, a few trips to the pool, Colt's first Vacation Bible School, and another first day of school - back in the swing of things after the summer. And I bought a bike!

September. The Month of Colt! I felt like the Little Guy was getting slighted on the blog because of all my crazy running posts so I did a whole month of nothing but Colt. (It was QUITE popular. I may have to anniversary it for 2012.) September also brought football, my first 10K, and the Warrior Dash! What better way to celebrate our 5th Anniversary?

October. A big month for the Hoods -- my birthday, Jeff's birthday, Halloween. Bikes, Blues & BBQ, more football, my First Runniversary and POTTY TRAINING. October also brings sad anniversaries for my family - my brother's birthday on the 10th and the anniversary of his KIA on the 14th. But this year we spent time together in Cabot at a fundraiser for the foundation. It was perfect.

November. We spent Thanksgiving in Dallas with my family and I somehow convinced my Dad, Laura and Leo to run the Dallas Turkey Trot with me. Then we headed to Arkadelphia for a few days with Jeff's parents -- and hiking with Pop.

December. Crazy busy month! We started with a trip to Vegas for my first half marathon, then got home and started the Christmas season with gingerbread train decorating, cookie making, camel riding, and Santa visiting. We said goodbye to my parents' sweet dog, Chip, and we celebrated Christmas with both the Hoods and the Martins. 

Whew! 2011!

2012? What do you have up your sleeve?

Past years:
2010
(I somehow skipped 2009...)
2008
2007
2006
2005

Merry Christmas!

It's true! We celebrated Christmas around here! Cookies for Santa, road trips to visit family, back in the car to visit MORE family, and of course presents and food (and football!). It is well into January now so forgive my tardiness, but it's never too late for one last dose of holiday cheer, am I right?

As per my Christmas tradition, I took more photos than you care to scroll through -- so save your strength and enjoy this video of Hood Family Christmas 2011.

 

If you don't see a video - click HERE.

Live a Little

We had the following conversation while getting ready for bed Wednesday night --

Colt: What's tomorrow, Mommy?
Me: Thursday, buddy.
Colt: And we don't have school?
Me: Nope.
Colt: So I can wear my jammies ALL DAY?

And we did, mostly.

But Colt couldn't resist the urge to spice things up a bit.

A Boy and His Dog

Monday afternoon on the way home from school. "Mommy, Santa needs to bring Chip something for Christmas. He needs some doggy toys."

Sure, he may technically belong to my parents and live with my Dad in San Antonio, but just try convincing that little boy Chip isn't HIS dog. He just removes the complexity of explaining that Chip is actually Pawpaw and Mawmaw's dog and he gets to visit and walk him from time to time. No no, HIS dog.

He brought home papers and crafts around Thanksgiving with lists of items he's thankful for: Mommy, Daddy, fire trucks, my dog.

Chip passed away last Saturday, December 10th. He was 14 years old. He was the sweetest, most pampered and loved-on dog I've ever met. He was part of our family in every sense, and - to Colt - he had become a critical part of any Pawpaw/Mawmaw visit. Quite the dog walker, this kid.

And I have no idea how I'm supposed to handle it when we get to my parents' house this weekend and I hear, "Mommy, where's Chip?"

You think you know a kid...

The Christmas momentum continues to build around here and I wish Colt could be 3 1/2 for the holidays every single year. His questions about baby Jesus are precious, his excitement and adoration for Santa Claus are heartwarming, and his impatience to get the heck to his grandparents' houses this week is something we all share.

We've made it a tradition to take him to see the Lights of the Ozarks at the downtown Fayetteville square and this year was no less magical than years past.

In fact, speaking of years past, take note of something I wrote this time last year:

"We watched the pony rides and the camel rides from a safe distance, and I got a little closer to accepting the fact that Colt is his father's child and will likely never enjoy such Christmas torture as sitting on Santa's lap or riding a camel around the town square in 40 degree weather. Such is life" -- December 2010

Well that just shows you how much MOTHERS know.

We went to the square and started to make a lap, enjoying the lights.  Before long, Colt spotted the ponies and insisted we stop. The line was forever long so we said howdy to the ponies and kept moving. But then -- he spotted the camels.

Despite his confidence, Jeff and I were absolutely certain Colt wouldn't be riding a camel. I could just picture us waiting in line for 20 minutes, paying our camel money, climbing up on the platform -- and him chickening out. But he didn't budge. We pointed to the line of people waiting for the camels and told him he would have to wait his turn, behind all those other kids. But he didn't budge. So we all stood in line and watched the camel rides and enjoyed the lights. Until it was finally our turn. And lucky Mama! We couldn't very well let him ride on an 8 foot camel all by himself - so I got to ride, too!

When I tell you he marched right up those stairs I mean he did it like he's been riding camels for years. My being there for companionship and security was less than an afterthought. We strapped on our helmets disguised as Santa hats and climbed on.

Jeff was still in disbelief that this was all happening so smoothly so he went all out and took photos AND video of the event.

(If you are viewing via email please click here to enjoy the video.)

A real camel, folks. This kid isn't messin' around.

And he was just getting warmed up.

No sooner did we dismount and give I-just-rode-a-camel high fives than we turned around and saw the sign for Santa and the reindeer. And I knew where we would be headed next.

On the way to Santa, we met Rudolph who wasn't in the best of moods --

It's tough to tell from this photo, but Rudolph had antlers. Sharp, pointy antlers. And they were just about the height of the face of a certain 3 year old who REALLY wanted to pet Rudolph. Needless to say we didn't spend more time than necessary with Rudolph. Colt was really only there to see the Big Guy, anyway.

But again, we doubted him. We were prepared to stand in line for Santa and have one of two things happen:

1. Colt would freeze in his tracks, rendered completely mute, and we would have to carry him from Santa's Workshop, making room for the next kid in line.
2. Colt would freak out when we suggested he sit on Santa's lap and we would have yet another Santa & Colt & Mommy photo op.

Jeff just kept saying, "there's no way he's sitting on Santa's lap. No way."

But sure enough.

I guess if you want a new fire truck badly enough you do what it takes.

Again, video was a must:

(If you are viewing via email please click here to enjoy the video.)

He had a nice little chat with Santa Claus, no doubt explaining the anatomy of a fire truck, the differences between a pumper truck and a hook-and-ladder truck and a rescue truck... you know, normal stuff. And then he was done. He got his candy cane and we were off! I don't think I could have scripted a more pleasant Santa experience.

What we had assumed would be a quick trip around the square to see the lights had unfolded into quite the eventful evening. Camels, Rudolph, Santa. Honestly, we weren't totally prepared for all that and we either had to forgo the pony rides and head home -- or take a trip to the ATM!

I'm so, so glad we went and I couldn't be prouder of my confident little guy. These Hoods are officially ready for Christmas.

That's the spirit!

Maybe it's the hangover from the emotionally draining fall months or being busy as heck at work or the warmish weather or all the focus I was putting on getting ready for my race last weekend -- but I haven't felt much Christmas spirit this year.

I read Facebook accounts of Black Friday shopping and I've seen people posting pictures with Santa - and I just wasn't feeling it.

Until this week.

Over the weekend, Colt's Aunt Lynn sent him an Elf on the Shelf and - though we have yet to agree on her name - she (yes, SHE) has added a splash of holiday cheer to the house. Hopefully Jambalaya/Chip/Smoky will inspire some Santa-worthy behavior in all of us between now and Christmas.

Then Sunday we went to a show at the Walton Arts Center -- a really cool, larger-than-life puppet show of the Eric Carle stories Brown Bear, Brown Bear and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. SUCH a cool show and I loved seeing all the other families there -- kiddos all dressed up in Christmas duds.

Then! We finally did that Christmas thing I've been waiting to do with my own kid since that year I borrowed my friend Nancy's kid! Gingerbread!

We got a train because, well, as soon as I saw there was such a thing as a gingerbread train I knew we had to have it.

The Christmas spirit has arrived.