professional camper.

Dear Zach,

You are my professional camper. Here are the camps you went to this summer:

- Bellarmine basketball
- Ballard soccer
- back to Bellarmine basketball
- Rondo Basketball
- Bellarmine soccer

- back to Rondo basketball

(took a break for Florida vacation!!)
- Uof L soccer  (the picture on the right - you loved this camp!)

Whenever someone hears about all the camps you go to, they can't believe it and assume you must be so tired. But you love it! And you don't want to go to summer camp at SMA - so these sports camps are great. And you really have a good time, you are such a hard worker and really good at meeting people and making new friends. Watching you walk off to the field or court when you don't know anyone always makes me a little nervous, but it's also a pretty cool feeling because I always know you will make new friends and have a great time!

On the last day of Rondo camp, I got off early to come pick you up and we went to the mall and had some quality time together... I can't remember the exact reason we went to the mall, but we stopped by the cookie store.. and you bought a "pizza cookie" - chocolate chip with icing like a pizza slice. We sat down to eat and took this last picture!

I love you potamus.. and am so proud of you!!!

Love, Mom

injury prone.

Dear Nick,

We are calling this the "summer of noodle injuries"...
even though you've only had 2, we think it's appropriate.

Your first incident happened the week you were "supposed" to go to soccer camp. You were going home with the Vaughns and on Tuesday you guys went over to the next door neighbors house where you decided it would be a good idea to walk on their treadmill. Unfortunately, the neighbors had a 4 year old boy who decided to hop on and turn up the speed, causing you to completely wipe out! When I picked you up I could not believe how bad it was! Your knees were all ripped up and so were the tops of your feet. I immediately knew you would not be finishing soccer camp, which bummed me out because you were having a great time... and I knew you wouldn't be wearing tennis shoes for a while. 

Once your knees and feet healed up, and you resumed our workouts at North Oldham I was relieved.. but that did not last long...

You and Janie decided to go play on the jungle gym and I heard you crying... a sound I automatically knew was real pain... you had fallen and busted your lip on a bar. I'm just so glad you didn't hurt your teeth. After some ice and a few days though, you were back to your usual handsome self.

And we've managed to get by without any more injuries. Thank goodness!!

Love, Mom

major momemt.

Dear Zach,

What a 9th Birthday celebration you had! You picked going to Slugger Field to watch baseball because all your buddies play baseball - I thought that was so nice! You all had a blast - everyone got to go on the field, and you got to throw out the first pitch! You even had your name on the big screen wishing you Happy Birthday throughout the game.

(I have an associate producer who's dad is the GM of the Bats :)

But the big surprise of the night was having a limo pick us up and take everyone home.. it took much longer than I thought but it was SOOO worth it. You had a ball!!

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom

farmboy.

Dear Nick,

Today you are spending the day with Daddy and having a great time. You went to Grandma's, went to the farmer's market and bought a bunch of vegetables. Then you went out to the farm in Trimble County and got ice cream on the way home. Dad also told me you drove the mule all by yourself! You are only 7 and I'm not sure that is actually legal... however I know from letting you drive from the mailbox that you probably are a pretty good driver. We'll just keep it our little secret until you are 16.

Love, Mom

pool time.

Dear Boys,

Right now I am sitting in my office.. and you are swimming. And that makes me happy. I hate that I can't give you the lazy summer days where we just hang out at the house then stay all day at the pool. But I am doing my best to make sure you have a fun summer. And you are both having a blast so far.   Today Zach, you were at soccer camp with Charlie and went home with the Morgans. You guys went up to the pool at Glen Oaks and you are having a great time.





Nick, you were at SMA camp at school, and Aunt Sharalea called to ask if she could pick you up and take you swimming with your cousins. So you got to go swimming at Uncle Jesse and Aunt Suzy's house are having a ball with Maddie, Braedon and Ella.

I love that you are both having such an awesome time with great friends and great family!

Love, Mom

summer buzz.

 Dear Zach,

Today we went for your "summer buzz." Every year you look forward to getting your hair buzzed off..  and in just a few minutes you look totally different. This picture catches you mid-cut and even shows the hair flying off your head which is why I love it. Afterwards you always look like a little marine, which I know Grandad loves. And as usual, you are still your handsome little self. Because even with hardly any hair, you are still my adorable potamus.

Love, Mom

boxers.

Dear Zach,

When I took this picture you made me promise not to print it, or show anyone! But its just TOO cute for me not to keep somewhere.. so I'm putting it here... so we can both remember it! My cute little 8 year old potamus in his underwear and running shoes.. watching ESPN.

Love, Mom

last day of school.

Dear Boys,

On the last day of school (1st and 2nd grade), I took the day off work and took this rowdy bunch of boys to lunch and a movie. Zach brought Charlie, Derek and Tony. Nick invited Drew. It was a crazy afternoon, but a fun way for you guys to celebrate the end of the school year. I hope you all had a good time! I sure was tired at the end of the day.. but it was worth it seeing you both have such a great time with your friends!

Love, Mom

surprise for Grandad.

Dear Zach... 

So on June 1, 2011 Grandad was getting an award from the Notre Dame Club of Kentucky for Person of the Year. It was a surprise, so I told Grandad I wanted to go to the Alumni Night with him, and Nana and Zach came for the surprise part of the dinner. Nana actually brought you downtown about an hour before the presentation, so you had to sent in a room that whole time and were very well-behaved. When it came time for the award you came out and stood right next to Grandad. Then he had to go up and give a speech. It was a very special night, because Grandad talked a little bit about his life and even got choked up. He told me later that the best part about the whole night was that YOU were there with him!

Love, Mom

           

what a season.

Dear Nick,

You scored 2 goals and played awesome this soccer season! You are really starting to enjoy sports, which I am so happy about, because sports was such an important part of my life and I really want you to experience the excitement! At the end of the season we had to make up some rainout games, and Zach's team needed you to play on their team. I was so surprised when you said you would, and you were actually so excited about it. That same night, Zach had an LSA club practice and when I showed up, you were out their practicing with the older boys. You were really trying and doing well, I was so proud of you!!

Love, Mom

mommy watch me.

Dear Boys...

This weekend we spent Memorial Day swimming, first we went to Glen Oaks with the Morgans. Then after several hours of pool fun with your school friends.. we headed over to swim with Aunt Sharalea, Uncle Phillip, Maddie and Braedon at GiGi's pool. Zach, you had a great time hanging out with Charlie, Cameron and Alex, but you did get a little bored at times.. especially during break. However, you had a blast swimming with your cousins.. you were so silly, jumping off the diving board, trying to make a big splash and yelling "Mommy watch me"! You seem to be growing up so fast these days, and for these few hours, you were my funny little boy, just having a good time being your silly self.. and having so much fun! (And I love hearing you call me Mommy again :)

Nick... you came up to me at the pool and said "Mom I did a flip" very matter-of-fact-ly. It was kind of like the time a few years ago you told me you decided you were going off the high dive. Fearless. So I watched and sure enough you flipped right off the board! It was pretty hilarious and so cute. You had a great time going off the diving board over and over with your friend Owen McGreevy. I love watching you with your friends.. you laugh all the time and always seem so excited!  I hope you guys had a great time swimming yesterday.. I know I had a ball!


Love, Mommy

twin friends.

Dear Nick,

You have recently made two awesome new friends - Maddie and Drew Vaughn - they are twins. You are such a unique, special kids with so many different interests. You are having a blast playing soccer, but you also like to sing and dance a lot lately.. and play imaginary games, like school or animal shelter. Drew and Maddie love to do the same things you do! It makes me very happy to see you have friends who really love spending time with you! They even gave you a nickname - Squeaky - for your squeaky voice you always use. And you told me.. I was not allowed to call you that! Only Drew and Maddie!

Love You Squeaky, Mom

summer wishes.

Dear Boys,

It's that time of year again, when school is out and I do my very best to come up with a plan for a fun summer. It's hard for me, because I wish I could just not work.. and take you to the pool everyday. So last year we started a "summer list" and actually wrote down all the fun things we were going to do. And we did most of them! This summer, I am working on a longer list with a bunch of fun stuff for us to do! I already know I'll get no sleep because you'll want to stay up late and I still have to get up for work - but I am ready to do whatever it takes so that you both have an awesome summer! And I can't wait for our trip to the beach!!

Love, Mom

friendship & teamwork.

Dear Zach,

This is a note Mrs. Morgan found typed on Charlie's Ipod Touch. Apparently, he just typed it in one day... for no other reason than to write about his best friend. Charlie stays at our house so much, when we go a few weekends without a sleepover... we miss him! And we just decided we are taking Charlie to Florida with us this summer for vacation. Everyone is sooo excited!!

Here's a picture of you and Sulli Meyer taken after one of your last Louisville Soccer Alliance games. You have had such a blast playing for LSA this spring. You have made so many great new friends, your coaches are awesome, and you are learning so much. They want you to continue playing in the fall, even though you will be playing flag football. We are going to try it, even though it will be tricky with your homework and studies. (I am secretly hoping you will continue to love soccer, and pick it over football. I absolutely love watching you play!)

Love, Mom

soccer and sunshine.

Dear Boys... It's been raining for weeks. We've had flooding here, severe thunderstorms and several nights in the basement due to tornado warnings. Both of you have slept with me a few nights, while Dad monitors the weather out in the family room. He is our own personal meteorologist.  But thankfully, this past weekend we finally got some sunshine.

Zach... you had two LSA soccer games on Saturday. It was a little chilly, but beautiful weather. You scored 2 goals and played well.. and I love to see how much you enjoying playing, and having new friends. 

Nick... you had a game at the same time as Zach's second one - so I took you while Dad went to Zach's. You played great! You almost scored.. and you were trying so hard! And really hustling! It is sooo fun to watch you enjoy playing sports. And I'm really excited you'ved made some new friends. After your game we all went over for dinner to your friends, Drew and Maddie's house. Their parents were nice enough to invite us over and we all had a great time. You even spent the night!! Which you have never really done before - but everything was fine, you even slept in!

Love, Mom

first first communion.

Dear Zach,  

You had your First Holy Communion over the weekend and we were so proud of you! In addition to being amazingly handsome, you were also so well behaved and polite.

I loved sitting next to you and watching you take it all in. You asked several times when it was going to be over, because it is so hard for you to sit still. But even though you were uncomfortable you were such a good boy. You are turning into a little man right before my eyes. And these days I am stealing any moment I can to hold your hand or give you a hug or kiss.

Our family was all there to watch you make your First Communion and everyone was so proud of you!!  (We had to go to Kohl's on the way to buy Nick a blazer.. because he wanted to be just as handsome as you :) We are so lucky to have you and be part of your special day!

Love, Mom

my little GQ.

Dear Zach... the other night we had your First Communion practice and it was your first time in a suit.  OH MY GOSH - you were sooo handsome! And such a little gentleman. A few of the girls wanted to get their picture taken with you, but you were a bit shy. Although I was able to snap a couple with your buddies, who also looked adorable. I was such a proud mom, you are such a good looking and pleasant boy (for the most part) around the adults. I love you so much little man.

Love, Mom

basketball, soccer & storms.

Dear Zach... On Friday night I took you and Charlie to the Derby Festival Basketball Classic at the Yum Center. You guys had a blast.. you are truly in your element at live sporting events - pouring over the program and commenting on conversations in the rows around us. You two always crack me up walking around in your UK and UofL sweatshirts :) The only scary part about our night was returning to a pitch black garage to get into our car!

On Saturday morning you had an LSA soccer game in the pouring down rain. It was a little miserable for the rest of us, but you had a great time and scored 3 goals! (Your second hat-trick of the season) You stayed pretty clean most of the game, then decided to slide into a mudpile to celebrate!

Dear Nick... It was a pretty stormy weekend, so we made several trips to the basement and kept you in our bed for two nights. You had been sleeping until about 5:00am for several nights in a row.. but now, thanks to the stormy weather, we are back to you waking up at 1:30am or so.. and I usually have to bring you downstairs because you are too scared to go back to sleep by yourself. I wish I knew what happened??? You used to be my champion sleeper .. and now you can't sleep through the night. It started over Christmas break this past year and you haven't been the same good sleeper since. Hopefully its just a phase :)

Love, Mom

the ride home.

Dear Nick... the whole way home from school the other day you looked out the window. We took the back way through the woods and winding roads. You just kept looking at all the nature, the trees and creeks. There was no music on, and you didn't talk. You hardly noticed when I stopped to take this picture. 

You were just enjoying the sights and the fresh air. And you were so content to look out the window and take it all in. I loved this moment.

Love, Mom

studying & singing.

Dear Zach...  Doing your homework is hard. Since I don't get off work until at least 5:30, sometimes 6, most of the time you end up doing some homework at after school care. Either that, or you do it at Nana's or not until I get home. But studying for tests is difficult for you, and studying at 8:00 is, well, kind of a nightmare.   Last night I tried to help you study for your science test. There is a ton of material, and you have 3 tests on Friday - science, spelling and reading. Plus you have soccer practice on Thursday night. You are NOT easy to study with. You get up and move around constantly, you don't pay attention and you get easily frustrated. We end up arguing or you end up crying out of frustration. I want so much to help you, but you are usually tired and fight me every step of the way. You ended up being sent to your room, where I tried to read your science to you, and you cried about going to sleep. Eventually I gave up and sang your songs to help you sleep. (I love singing you to sleep) You really needed some good sleep. I hope you do well on your tests, so we'll try to study again tonight.

Dear Nick... You told me the other day you want to take music lessons. You taped a movie on the kids channel called "Lemonade Mouth" about a band and you've watched it almost every day since. You want to learn to sing, play the drums, and play the guitar. I think I'm going to look into it, because it seems to be something you enjoy. You really love listening to your Ipod lately and often sing out loud, even if we are sitting in a quiet doctors office - so maybe you will you be superstar. Although, last night you were dancing with me in the middle of the family room at the end of the movie... and I'm a little concerned, because you don't have much rhythm. Sorry buddy, you know how much I love you, but I'm not convinced you are musically inclined. But we will give it a try!

Love, Mom 

the beginning.

Dear Boys,

This is page one... the beginning of "To My Silly Sons". It's been so hard to find time to keep a journal, I've decided to start this blog. Just for you - my potamus and my noodle. It will be my place to tell you important things, or random things. To share silly stories and pictures, or just tell you how much I love you. It will be a place for the good, the bad and the ugly. As well as the funny, hilarious and beautiful. All of our moments together have been the best of my life - every day with you is a blessing, making me the luckiest mom in the world!

Love, Mom