The Cubs

We've had a bit of a breathless October.  We have been particularly interested in the Cubs this season, because they were on such a tear.  The really good thing about living in Chicago is that all the games were on TV.  Also, one thing that I never appreciated before is how long the season is.  

If your team is good, the season just keeps going.  Which is a good thing as a Cubs fan. It's not great for being a worker, or a parent or a kid having to go to school.  :)

I don't think Nico made it though any playoff game.  He pretty much went to bed every playoff game night on the couch.  It was great. 

Of course this year's costume was a baseball player.  At least, that is how I am choosing to remember it.  He also wanted to go as a candy vending machine (an idea he got from Berger Park).  I am choosing to remember that he went as Kyle Schwarber for Halloween because I was too tired and worn out, with too little patience to make him a vending machine costume.  I really hope that this is one of those things that I think is a bigger deal than it is- and not that I am dooming him to a life-time of cheap, uncreative costume ideas because of this one experience.  

He doesn't seem to grasp the rarity of them winning.  He knows intellectually that it had been 109 years.  In fact, it was funny discussing whether or not they would go to the parade (I had to work and he was off of school).  His attitude was very much, "Let's just go next year when they win it." Which is a very funny thing to think, for any Cubs fans. 

I am loving that he looks up to them as players so much.  They all seem like good guys- none appear to be primadonna jerks.  They seem to work hard and really enjoy playing the game.  It's nice not having to think about what kind of message it sends that my kid idolizes a player who might be a jerk or who has a rough history with the law. 

Some things I think Nico might want to remember:

Boy of Summer

How about if I don't do the thing I normally do, which is shamefully acknowledge how I have neglected the blog. How awful I am as a mother.  Yada yada yada.  I been busy, y'all.  

The thing is, that I was looking forward to the summer being a slow down from the spring.  It hasn't really been much of a slow down.  Work started pretty hectic, but it has "slowed" down a bit.  I say "slowed" and I mean just the "required" stuff at work.  I have so much that I am working on aside from the things I have to do.  

I am trying to learn R (a computer language and statistical package).  Plus I have several projects I am trying to wrap up.  I have a presentation later this month and next month (in Paris) that need attention.  And the sociology department asked me to teach a class in the Fall- maybe two.  I am trying not to be overwhelmed about everything, which is doable, as long as I don't think too long about all the things I am not doing well.  

We started Nico in Cubs Care baseball this year.  He really likes it.  He is the oldest kid in the class- he is almost 7 and the rest of the kids are either 5 or just turned 6.  So, he is head and shoulders above the class in terms of listening, coach ability, and athletic skills.  His coach seems to really like him- and has set him up with other baseball opportunities.  

He is so tan and so blonde right now.  At camp, he spends hours on hours on hours outside- playing sport, swimming, hanging out.  It is quite remarkable.  Most days at camp, he swims for at least an hour.  Plus, we have him in swimming lessons on Thursdays.  Speaking of which, he is finally turning into a fish.  He has always been a bit apprehensive in the water, but lately, he's going under water and overall much more comfortable.  In fact, Dave even has video of Nico asking his swimming teacher to throw him in the water.  

We started the summer pretty strong in terms of reading, but somewhere along the like, we've dropped off a bit, which is a shame.  

He and Dave are going down to Louisville next weekend.  Mike and Gay are coming up, and wanted to see Nico and Dave.  The plan is to stay with Cathy and Tony, and maybe even get a judo workout in.   Everyone is looking forward to it.  I wish I could make it, but next week is going to be a bit crazy with the camp schedule and I am going to need to get out in front of it.  I never get to have any fun!!

Circus Fail

This weekend was a blast!!

It started a 5K that I ran on Saturday.  In case you were wondering, no, I still don't love running.  But signing up for the race got me running it on Saturday.  The race was the Palace Saloon 5K.  It ends at a bar.  But alas, the line for beer was too long.  I had a sad.  But then Nico requested to have breakfast at Golden Corral for their star-shaped donuts.  Oh yes, really.  Star shaped donuts.  I was glad because I was really hungry.  I also remembered why America is so fat.  There is something either seriously wrong or seriously right about a country where you can get a full desert bar at 9 in the morning, complete with a chocolate fountain.  In any case, I shared a cupcake with Nico.  At breakfast.  That is how we roll.

After breakfast we went to Lake Ella to feed the geese... part of a cupcake.  I know, we are terrible.

Then Dave and Nico went to the gym and swimming.  Weirdly, Nico was asleep when they got home.  This ended in a nap for me.  When Nico woke up, he came and hopped into bed with me and we snuggled until we fell asleep again.  When we woke up at 7pm.  7pm!!  7pm!! We had to hurry to get to the Circus.  For those who don't know, but FSU has one of only 2 collegiate circus programs in the country.  One of Nico's teachers at preschool is  in the circus program, so we really wanted to see it.

Unfortunately, we didnt get there in time for tickets.  It was the last show, so they were booked solid.  Nico was a bit disappointed, so I suggested we go to the Fun Station, so he could do the car-racing arcade games.  Let me just say this, it was like we were in the Arena in the Capitol (in the Hunger Games).  The only thing that didnt happen is that there was no actual killing... but it was pretty crazy.  In any case, Nico wasnt so much a fan and Dave and I tired quickly of restraining ourselves from kicking some teenage a$$, so we left. YIKES.

Sunday we hung around the house for most of the morning, doing chores. Nico and I popped out for a bit to the park where we made a new friend named Charlie, who was helping him learn some tricks.  It was pretty funny!

After nap on Sunday, we headed to the soccer field, where Dave and I had a coed game.  It was a pretty great time.  This coming weekend, Dave is going to a bachelor weekend party down in Tampa.  So far, Nico and I are planning on going to a FSU baseball game.  I think it will be lots of fun.

Homerun Nico!

So, Dave got Nico a baseball bat this weekend.  Its not wooden or metal or anything (one of those fat plastic ones).  He can swing and hit the ball:


Not all the time.  But he is only 2.  Also, check out that Marlins hat.  That was from Grandpa Royse.  Apparently we are going to have to have a conversation with Mike about his taste in baseball teams :)  Just what we need is for the boy to start liking the Marlins?  Seriously, the Marlins?  There is nothing redeeming about liking the Marlins.  If you like the Red Sox or the Yankees that says something (you like the rivalry).  If you like the Cubs that says you are a glutton for punishment.  If you like the Tigers, you're old school.  But the Marlins?  To be fair, Nico hit a lot better when he was wearing the Marlins hat (than when he was wearing the Cubs hat- which is to be expected, no one hits well when they are wearing a Cubs hat... not even actual Cubs... man, I am ripping all over everything today, aren't I?)

The one thing we are going to have to work on is the fact that Nico isn't really coachable.  For example, he had this weird Tomahawk chop way of hitting... where he stands open to the pitch, raises the bat over his head and tries to hit it.  I'm trying to teach him the better way of doing it... I don't really know if it is BETTER, but I have never seen a pro hitter do the Tomahawk chop and be successful- plus the physics just don't work for me.  I also know the language at least a little bit, like, "You gotta open up your stance... get that bat off your shoulder, get your hands together... keep your eye on the ball..."  But Nico just wants to do it his way.

He got a little better about it when I batted like you're supposed to and hit two good ones.  So at least that is evidence that he could do it his way and suck or do it the right way and get hits.  I can almost see him putting 2 and 2 together and realizing his parents aren't totally full of $hit!!