Take me out to the soccer game...

When Brad and I were dating and after that, married without kids, I would catch glimpses from time to time seeing what a good dad Brad would be one day.  He was just so good with kids.  But I could never have dreamed what a truly amazing dad he would actually become.  I am truly blessed to have such an equal, and often times more than equal partner with raising our boys.  I am truly blessed that even after working all day he can't wait to come home to see his family and spend time playing with his boys for the few precious hours he gets with them in the evenings during the week before bed time.  And on the weekends he truly soaks up our time together as a family.  He doesn't just "phone it in".  He spends quality time, doing what the boys want to do.  He plays with them like he's a kid himself.  He has them laughing all.day.long.  Of course Brad enjoys time to himself or with friends or with just me too.  That's only normal!  But when Brad won two tickets to the FC Dallas game for Saturday night's game, he was left with two choices.  Take a friend or take Blake.  Sure, a night without responsibility and beer drinking sounded fabulous, but what sounded better to him was making a life lasting memory with his son.  Cue my inner, "awwww".  Blake spent all day Saturday asking if it was time to go to the big game yet.  I had to nicely remind him that Brady wasn't able to go so to try and refrain from all the game talk.  Yeah, that didn't happen!  Thankfully Brady was a rock star in understanding he couldn't go with daddy and Blake, and we had our own little special time together.  

As I've stated a time or two Blake is a soccer fan to the max.  And to get to go to a professional team's game in person?  Well, let's just say Brad reported the mile long smile Blake sported once they got there never vanished the entire game.  From the few pictures Brad took and listening to him recount their evening it seems like a truly magical evening for Blake and my heart was bursting for him getting to have that experience and for Brad getting to share in the experience with him.  Blake on his own, started chanting, "GO FC DALLAS, GO FC DALLAS!"  And Brad said pretty much yelled that the majority of the game.  But Brad thought it was awesome that he was so into the game and wanted to cheer on his home team, he didn't once think about reeling him in.  Brad's attitude was go for it!  And I love that.  They got to witness an FC Dallas victory with some awesome goals and saves from Dallas and a few penalties which was such the perfect game for Blake to witness.  It was also Brad's first professional soccer game to attend and Brad's on a pretty big high getting to have both of them experience their first soccer game together.  My sweet heart-ed husband also let Blake go to the souvenir shop and pick out a keep sake for him AND his brother.  Love that.  Brady was on cloud nine getting his FC Dallas mini soccer ball and thanked his brother enthusiastically for his gift.  At the end of the game, about 9:30, Blake informed Brad they should probably go because it was past his bed time.  Ha!  Every so often though it's okay staying up way past your bed time.  Especially when you're busy creating a memory you will never forget.  

Beginning of the game

End of the game.  Extremely blurry but you can still make out that huge smile!

Yes Mom

We're nearing the end of our Spring Break and we've had so.much.fun.  Thank goodness for beautiful weather!!  On Sunday I said this was going to be a looong week with Blake out of school.  It's just... well, we've been butting heads a little bit lately.  He pushes my buttons.  He's ridiculously smart and stubborn and did I say he likes to push my buttons?  I also forget he's only four years old....like all the time I forget.  Because of that smart thing he possesses.  (I mean he was explaining the different states of matter to me at dinner the other night smart.  Wha?!)  I get aggravated with him because he's acting like a four year old!  Oh.  He is four.  But I had a little talk with myself and decided I was going to remember Blake is still a little kid.  To give him a break.  I find myself telling him no throughout the day which causes us to butt heads throughout the day.  I had read an article awhile back about a mom having a day of yes with her son.  Instead of saying no to everything she would say yes to everything (of course within some sort of reason).  So this week, being our vacation, I decided I would be more of a "yes" mom than a "no" mom.  
So, when Blake asked for cookies for breakfast I begrudgingly said yes.  When they wanted to go to stop at McDonalds on the way to Piano and play on the outdoor playground I said yes.  When they didn't want to leave the park when I said it was time to leave, I let them stay.  I let them play playdough when I was not wanting the mess.  We have had lots of park time.  We baked cookies.  I've been letting them be kids.  And I have to say while I know they've really enjoyed this week so far, I'm the one that has gotten way more out of it.  Being on my phone less and playing with my kids more.  Saying no less and yes more has made me fall even more in love with my kids if that's even possible.  Of course we can't have cookies for breakfast every day (and I made sure they knew that) but I'll be using that three letter word a little more in my vocabulary from now on.

Baking time

At the playground there was a map of the country.  Blake would throw a rock and where it would land is where he was going to pretend live.  He'd throw it and say where am I living momma?  Ugh, ugh, I really need to brush up on my geography.  I told him he was in Maine and when I got home I had to look up a map to make sure I wasn't being a dummy.  Yea for knowing one state!  

Blake's intimidation soccer stance.

Brady had asked for a box of powdered donuts at Sams, so I had to say yes.  They wanted to take some to the park for a snack so I said yes.  Happy Boys, Happy Momma.

And funny story I had to document.  Brad asked the boys the other night what they wanted to be when they grow up.  
Blake:  Doctor
Brady:  A Blueberry Waffle

Its good to have dreams!