A Few Days Away

Silly Connor, originally uploaded by cheryl.

This week is Spring Break from school for the kids. Connor started his early, hitching a ride with Uncle Brian and Cousins Austin and Kyndal last Saturday to Grandma and Grandpa's cabin at the lake. The three cousins had a great time playing the first half of the week. Mommy and little brothers headed down a few days later for a few nights away from home, too.

We spent a few days relaxing, enjoying the warm (if windy) weather. We got to visit with Grandma and Grandpa. We played outside and rode the three-wheeler around the neighborhood. We took a trip into town for some groceries and a visit to the McDonald's playland. We even picked up some bubbles while we were there. That was the highlight of Xander's trip.

It was a nice break in our usually busy schedule of school and work and car line. Time with family. Good food and good times. And maybe just a little silliness, too.

Connor opted to stay the rest of the week. So he's having even more fun than the rest of us. We had to come back home so Mommy could work this weekend. Not everyone can lead the good life, right Connor?

Spring Break!

Frisbee Boy, originally uploaded by cheryl.

Warm weather has returned to our part of the world just in time for Spring Break.

One of our boys started his break yesterday when he caught a ride with Uncle Brian and Cousins Austin and Kyndal on their way to visit Grandma and Grandpa at the lake. Uncle Brian took pity on him when I told him that Connor was in tears when he found out Austin and Kyndal were going to the lake before him. So Connor ended up as a surprise visitor for Grandma and Grandpa.

With Connor away, the twins and I had the backyard to ourselves today. Sawyer was all about the swings, of course. And Xander was all about the frisbee. He's obsessed. He loves to watch it sail through the air, chase it down, then bring it back to start the process all over again. We spent hours soaking up the sun and enjoying the warm weather.

Connor is off having fun at the lake with his cousins. The twins and I will join them later in the week for a few days visit of our own. Spring Break is here!

The New Office

The New Office, originally uploaded by cheryl.

Five years. That's how long it's been since I worked full-time. I stopped working right before the twins were born, and decided I would take a few years off to take care of the kids. Five years later, I'm still not ready to go back. Not to a full-time job, or the full-time hours.

Luckily, I've been able to keep my hand in my old career. I left my last employer on such good terms (I like to think it's because I helped them find a great replacement before I left) that they referred me to one of their clients who was looking for some part-time help.

In my other life, before kids, I was in marketing and graphic design. I worked at a marketing agency right out of college, then took a job as the marketing manager for a local architecture firm. It was full of long weeks, late nights and weekend conferences. And that just wasn't going to work with three young boys at home.

So I took some time off. And I was lucky enough to get that one referral at just the right time. It turned out to be a great opportunity, starting with a one-time project that turned into a part-time job. I basically do my old job on a project-by-project basis, with a few in-office meetings scheduled around the boys' crazy school schedules and the bulk of the work done from the comfort of my own home. And it's turned into more work. I have a second client interested in some part-time work.

And that means I needed a full-time home office. One that wasn't constantly overtaken by three computer-obsessed little boys. Or stalked by those same little boys if I happened to be there, trying to work, during daytime hours. (Just take a look at the background of the above photo, where two little boys have taken over the original office).

So now I have a new laptop. And new computer software (CS5, anyone?). And I'm ready to work again. From home. Or car line. Or the back yard. Or wherever I happen to be at the moment.

After all, as Connor mentioned last week. It's getting warm again. It's almost time to get the boat back out. Maybe I can catch some sun and waves while I work this summer.

I kind of like this part-time work. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to love my new office, wherever it may be.

All Day. Every Single Day.

Spring = Baseball = Love

Fierce, originally uploaded by cheryl.

It’s that time of year again. One little boy in our house is particularly excited, because something he dearly loves is about to start again.

Baseball.

You’ll forgive the rest of us for not being quite so excited. Practices. Games. White baseball pants (really, who didn’t think that one through?). Little boys running wild everywhere, sometimes paying attention to the game and sometimes just doing their own thing.

But we’ll look beyond those things. It’s not about us, not really. This is something for Connor. It’s one of the few things that he has asked to do, one of the few things that is simply for him.

This year he is a Knight. That in and of itself has him excited. One of his favorite toys is a Lego castle play set. So much more impressive than last year’s Blue Jays, though for those of us who know baseball, I can’t think of any major league teams with a Knight as their mascot.

But Connor is too young to care about major league teams, thank goodness. At some point he will get his new team colors and uniforms. He will be particularly excited to have a new hat. Surely at some point that will come.

We love that his league is so close to our house. But the league seems a little disorganized to us. Part of that sure comes from the fact that Uncle Brian and Cousin Austin play in the most competitive league in our area, and they’ve had practice and game schedules up for weeks. They even had tryouts, which are long since over. So perhaps our frame of reference is a bit off. Or perhaps, if Connor continues down this path, we’re going to have to look at other, more organized and competitive leagues as he gets older.

Besides, we may have two little boys interested in baseball. During last week’s warm weather, we spent a lot of time out in the backyard. One afternoon we got Connor’s baseball gear out for a little practice. Xander was quite interested in all of it. Throwing the baseball. Catching the baseball with the glove (albeit one that fit the wrong hand for our lefty). Hitting the ball off of the tee. He seemed to love it.

Sigh.

After living most of my childhood at the baseball field, perhaps I was hopeful the kids might pick up a different sport. I know Daddy, as a former soccer player, was hoping they might take that route. But it’s still early yet. We’ll let them go their own way, and make sure they have opportunities to see and try different things.

It is about them, after all. We’re just along for the ride.