Tube wars were not caught on film, but were the highlight. 
Meanwhile back at the ranch, Cam was pining away for Cy. MK's idea was to put Cy's photo next to Cam's bed, but all Cam would say was, "I don't want frozen Cy; I want real Cy."
Rob decided a few soccer seasons ago that he would reward each goal with a candy bar. Harmless enough, right? Until Cy came along. He was regularly racking up 5 and 6 candy bars a game. So, a couple of weeks ago Rob thought it would be “funny” to make another deal. “If you make 10 goals in a game, I’ll buy you a dirtbike.” I say “funny” because Rob had no intention of ever buying him a dirtbike. But it was a safe bet, right?
In today’s game, Cy scored his usual 5 or 6 goals, then 7, then 8. By this time, his teammates had told their parents about the deal, so the entire Dolphin sideline was cheering Cy on, while Rob sat lower and lower in his fold-up chair. Two minutes to go, and Cy scores number 9. With only 30 seconds to go, he gets a fast break and drives to the goal. He shoots…and misses. With 10 seconds to go, he drives toward the goal and shoots.
He missed.
We’re saved.
Until next time.
MK’s middle school dance company coach told her, “You really should try out for [the high school] drill team.” MK sulked, “My mom won’t let me, because of my soccer schedule.” Coach said, “Well, I need to talk to your mom, because you’re really talented, and it’s a shame if you don’t try out.”
What the dance coach doesn’t realize is: one, how painfully aware I am of her dance talent; two, how talented MK is at soccer; and three, how I yearn for a chauffeur who could keep up with not only year-round soccer and dance for MK, but also track, as the high school track coach has made special arrangements with MK’s soccer coach for her to run track whenever soccer is not in conflict.
To paraphrase Elder Ballard, perhaps these coaches do not fully appreciate that “when you schedule a child, you schedule a family, particularly the mother." Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could spend all of my time helping MK to cultivate her tremendous and varied talents? I would love to be that for her. Alas, I have laundry, meals, other soccer schedules, scouts, YW, diapers, toddlers, birthday parties, errands, homework, chores, and the list of excitement goes on….
MK (and Mia to a lesser extent) will probably be the only one(s) to have to sacrifice some of their pursuits, so the younger kids (particularly the toddlers) can enjoy a richer home life instead of be strapped into the car or left at home with an older sibling more often than not.
I trust that Heavenly Father has designed McKenzie’s life plan in such a way as to capitalize on her most important talents, experiences, and growth, because from my limited perspective, I just feel like a stumbling block and a hindrance as MK struggles to magnify her talents. (She shares my view. L)
I walked into Cam’s bedroom to say prayers and found him lying with his hands behind his head, deep in thought. He looked over at me and said, “I want to be ten.”
“Why do you want to be ten?”
“Mom… I just really want to be ten, okay?”
“You got it.” And then we said prayers.
The Cattens invited us to a late night Easter hunt by flashlight. 
Our own version of Freaky Friday, except it was Thursday. Mia was insisting she would love to be Mom for the day—any day, and for days on end—in place of being her own overworked, picked on, tragic self.
MK continues to insist that she doesn't like any boy in particular. Although, I did hear her inadvertently gasp as a certain teenage male of the species walked out of the church doors by our Burb, "Oh.... He's cute...." 
Rob and I are afraid Cam's going to be translated. 
Cy was so good to demonstrate to me how he sits, a-hem, poses on the back row during kindergarten rug time. The whole time. In this pose. This one shown here. Yes. Eyes riveted on the teacher. He barely moves. Except, perhaps, to wink at an admirer. 
Getty's Valentine box. A work o fart, wouldn't you agree? 
"I don't want to go to school today, Mom."
Wow. A lot has happened in 18-plus years. Rob looks so young and red-headed. He's gotten so gray that people think he's blonde.
An announcement is in order. Elle has lifted her ban on kisses.
MK has decided that everyone is pretty but her. [Me cringing.] She even saw a wedding photo of me and said, "Wow. You used to be pretty, Mom. I wonder why you didn't have any friends." [Uh...thanks. And I had some.]
Getty loves his 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. B. He mentioned the other day that he was sitting next to her, so I probed, thinking he'd gotten into trouble (wild assumption, I know), but he said, "I sat by her, because I like her. She's the only teacher I've had that smiles a lot and laughs at my jokes." 
I got this idea from Linda Eyre (author of "Teaching Children Values"). You make up your own awards for whatever positive values you want to reinforce (I used mostly Eyre's ideas, because boy can I copy creativity!). I have used wooden blocks, but the new felt ones are more user-friendly. We take a minute on Sunday to discuss who deserves which award for the week and then hang the award on the person's bedroom doorknob. The letters on these awards stand for:
Why is it that pigtails have the power to launch my sweet dollface from babyhood into childhood? Must time march on? 
Couldn't resist posting Camelot as Pirate Cutie Petutie. As you can see, this particular pirate is more meekness than mutiny. Case in point: direct quote [to Hubs], "Thanks for getting my booger." [To me], "I love how you make chocolate," (which was actually cinnamon and sugar). "Thanks, Mom, for the kiss." Shiver me timbers, he suffered a serious smoocher attack after that one.
The neighbors rented a tubing resort for the night and invited us and several other families in our neighborhood to surf the snow. MK quickly met up with Meckenzy and Mckinsie, who each sported an 80's snowsuit (one in peach and the other in pink/teal) with "professional tubers" taped on the back. Totally radical.
On Christmas Day, Hubs and the kiddos walked down the snowy street from Grandpa's house to Great-grandpa's house. The recent widower gathered the kids around him and said, "I hear you have a savings plan..." MK, "Yep, that's right." G-grampa says as he passes out $20 bills, "Merry Christmas! Remember the money is for your future!" PG gave Hubs a knowing look and said, "My future starts tomorrow."
