Sprink-luhs

Burgers, watermelon, and running in the sprinklers. Summer is right around the corner.

Baseball and Great Grandma

Jake's Great Grandma Ann got to come to his game this morning with Mimi and O. Pretty awesome stuff. Jake played so hard the whole time and even gave her a thumbs up after scoring his first run. After the game we all went out for breakfast at McDonald's. Jake introduced her to the mysterious and delicious sausage McGriddle. Then Mimi and O took her to the airport and we took the boys home for a 4 hour nap. Woo Hoo!

Finally

We went and had Brady's food allergies tested again. It's been a year, so he had the usual suspects, plus a few more done. Surprisingly his reaction to peanuts went way down. Not that he can eat them still but, better is better. The bad news is that he is highly allergic to pistachios. Probably my favorite nut, but it won't be in the house anymore. Walnuts didn't register a reaction this time. However, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts die. Nice. Plus on the he is allergic to chicken, duck and goose feathers. So, no down blankets or pillows for that guy.

The big one though, the one he has been waiting months to get tested for...he passed. He is not, I repeat NOT allergic to shellfish. You should have seen his face when he heard that. Of course I didn't bring the camera. He was through the roof happy. We told him for weeks that if and when he passed the test that we would take him out to eat as many shrimp as he wanted. That's just what we did. We went directly to Red Lobster and the kid pounded down all of his popcorn shrimp and two of my jumbo shrimp. I'm pretty sure if there had been more he would have gobbled those up to. He was just all smiles the whole time.

I am so happy for the little dude. For someone who loves to try any new food, and is denied a whole food group...its pretty awesome a new world of flavor has opened up for him. So for all the grandfolks out there looking to splurge...he is all amped up to try crab next time.

Jake's Elephant

Not to be outdone, Jake brought this home from school today. Wow.

Brady's Napoleon

Before school today, Brady sat down on the couch and busted out this awesomeness. He said, "It's Napoleon Dynamite jumping off his chair and tater tots are flying out of his pocket." Brilliant.

Ear Whack!

Brady. Sweet little Brady. His mind is unlike any other mind on Earth.

Tonight he was sitting on the couch, cuddling with his Mommy. Mommy had just given him some water and sat back down to cuddle. Here is the conversation;

B. "Thank you for my water Mommy."
M. "You're welcome."
B. "I needed it because my ear hurts."
M. "Your ear hurts?"
B. "No, just my ear whack."
M. "Your ear whack?"
B. "Yeah, but I'm all better now."

So, maybe he has an earache, but it's doubtful. We could have corrected him, and said it is called wax, but whack is way cooler and makes it sounds less disgusting. Brady, you are my crafty little wordsmith and I love you for it.

Slugger

Yes we have another son, and he is the subject of the next post...but this is another picture of/about Jake. Again. And T-Ball. Again. Jake hit this ball a country mile. It was awesome. My heart is swollen. That is all.

Awww...

Just a quick pick from last weeks game. One of the cuter photos in our collection.

Updates and whatnot

OK I have a few changes/updates to this new chapter in our lives and blog. From now on, I'm going to post updates on the beard and money raised etc on the new blog "Beard for The Cure" linked to the right. That way we can keep things a little more "sitchiated". I'm going to try and keep this blog mostly still about the boys and our trials and tribulations raising them. So I will still probably end up talking about it on here anyway, but mostly it will be about the dudes.

Now then, the big news is that all you awesome people get to meet two new (and previously anonymous) super awesome people, but you're going to have to click the link on the beard blog to meet them. So go right ahead, and make with the clickery. I will be busy, sitting here growing my beard.

Oh yeah, and his pops just made a new blog all about his boy too, go there, check it out and help them out if you can. It's in the links under "The Longest Day".

The Beard Man Cometh

Alright so a month or so ago I was rocking a beard. It was thick and luxurious...dare I say glorious? It was a huge hit with the man in the mirror and his two offspring, but not so much with our lone female voice of reason around here. So I shaved it off and I've been smooth ever since.

Tonight I have been researching the type, treatment, prognosis, etc, of the kind of cancer my little buddy has. It's actually quite rare and the fastest growing of all of them. In fact some studies have shown that it can double it's size in 24 hours or less. However if caught early and treated aggressively, there is a high survival rate. All indications so far say that they caught it early. God I hope so.

After I got through feeding my brain and being really just generally angry and depressed, I started looking at ways to separate you people from your money. I totally ripped this idea off a group of dudes who did it a few years back. I know in these lean times everybody is probably doing a little belt tightening, so I am going to give you something for your money. A beard. Thick. Luxurious. Glorious. All it will cost you is $1 a day for everyday I don't shave. You don't have to give me the money, instead I am asking you to donate it to Phoenix Children's Hospital. I'll keep track of how many days it's been and post a weekly photo of my fuzzy visage as proof that I'm earning your money. You can donate daily, weekly, monthly or at the end. Your choice. I'll grow it starting now, until my little buddy is cured. So maybe you will only be out a few bucks...but every dollar counts. Those of you who have done better than others this year, feel free to donate even more per day. And hey, by this time next year you will be able to subtract a little ( or not so little) chunk off those tax returns. Woo Hoo!

Is this ridiculous? Of course it is. But it's even more ridiculous that in a country as great as ours, we can't cure or prevent a disease that is killing our children every day. Last year over 10,000 kids were diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. alone. It's the leading cause of death for children from birth to 15 years old. One child is too many. This little fund raiser may be a drop in the bucket, but a least it's a drop. My friend and his son have given me so much joy in my life, that to sit idly by and do nothing but cry helpless tears would be unthinkable. Please join me in this small fight, and encourage others to do so. At the very least, you will get a laugh, and a good feeling in your heart.

Worst. Day. Ever.

I got an email from a very close friend today. Close friend is kind of an understatement. We've shared just about all you can share without moving to Vermont, growing mustaches, wearing cut off short-shorts and muscle shirts, and flying a rainbow flag on the front porch. We've done completely irresponsible things together, completely responsible things together and some things that are just better left forgotten. There have been times I thought I was going to die, and times I nearly died from laughter.

So, when he emailed me today and told me that his son, my Godson, has cancer...well, it was like hearing one of my own kids has it. At first I was like, "In a friggin email you tell me this shiz!?!" Then I remembered how he operates, which is exactly how I operate. I would have sent the email too. Neither one of us handles grief well, or any of the common emotions humans feel. No matter though, I could feel his words as if they were my own. Like someone has just ripped your heart out but somehow you are still alive.

The battery of tests is going to start today and all this week. He's a tough kid, always has been, but this has got to be scary. He's his father's son, so he'll probably put on a tough face, grit his teeth and grind it out. And like his father he'll fight this disease with all he has, and laugh at it when he's done kicking it around. Seriously, I have been in many a scrap alongside his pops and hopefully he is just like him...no off switch. True story : Like a scene from some crappy 80's movie, I once had to grab his face and remind him who he was, just to keep him from taking some dude off the planet. Cancer...you don't know who you picked a fight with, but you are about to find out.

There may be a time when he says it's OK to post his name and his boys name on here, but I haven't asked him yet so I won't until then. Please just hit your knees and pray to whatever God you pray to that he is healed.

You hear that God? I am recruiting on your behalf, let's see some of those fireworks you are always talking about in that crazy book I've read 5 times cover to cover. That's right, FIVE TIMES! Old Testament. Even the parts I couldn't understand which is about 27% of it. FIVE TIMES! I'll start on number six tonight, you start healing my GODson. Deal? Deal.

Diamondbacks Home Opener 2008

Clapping, not praying.

Those tricky Dbacks had me thinking they lied about having MLB's largest HD scoreboard.

3 minutes later...TA DAH! 136 feet wide x 46 feet high. Yeah, but can they hook a Wii up to it?

Our millionaires are better than their millionaires.

Jake digs the blue raspberry Icees.

Brady goes for the cherry.

Byrnesy in HD.

Brady was quite enthused to check his height with Baxter.

Jake...not so much.

Poppy's brick.

Bye Buddy.

Little E passed away this morning. I can't, and don't want to, imagine the pain his Momma and Daddy are going through right now. My heart is broken for them. He fought so hard for so long it was easy to think his fight would just keep on going forever.

I hate cancer.

I hate that just as easily that could have been one of my little boys. I struggle to understand why some kids get it and others don't. How some recover, and others don't. Cancer has taken too many people I love and care about.

I hate cancer.

Brady Loves His Sour Candy

Did You Know?

Brady: "What are clouds made of, Mommy?"

Mommy: "Water."

Brady: "No they're not!"

Mommy: "What are they made of, Brady?"

Brady: "Mashed Potatoes!"

I've got a fever. The only cure...more T-Ball.

I don't get up early for anything short of opening day of dove season, french toast, or baseball. Dove season doesn't open until September. I can't have french toast. So baseball it is, or was...as it were.

Now, I got up at 7-ish, but Jake, he was so excited he got up at 6:45 to pee and read books. That's how he rolls baby. Big guy just couldn't wait to get goin'. There is nothing more contagious than enthusiasm, and his had everybody fired up for some t-ball.

When we got there, Jake strolled on into the dugout and found a spot on the bench and made himself at home. He was just an old pro. The crafty vet'ern, at home on any ball field. That's Jake. At the start of the game he even had the "prestigious" honor of playing pitcher first. He promptly made the first two or three plays of the game before being unceremoniously yanked to give someone else a shot at the ball. Being a firm believer in the old adage, "There's no "I" in team", Jake took the demotion with ease.

When he had his turns at bat it was same ol' Jake. Same big uppercut swing every time. Too cool. He ran the bases like his new cleats were on fire. He was rewarded for all his effort with a Gatorade, a bag of cookies, and breakfast with "O" after the game.

Jake, my big beautiful boy, I am so proud of you. You make my heart smile buddy.


P.S. The t-shirts and hats arrived after the first inning, you aren't seeing things.

Play Ball! Season 2. Meet the Dodgers.

Jake had his first practice of the season today. Same coach, a few of the same players, but not the same Jake. He was so much different this year than last. Good grief his confidence level is through the roof. He knew what to do, when to do it, and just went with the flow. Such a cool guy. The only problem is that he has grown so much since last season and so have his hands. I'll be taking the big fella to the store in the morning to pick out a new glove. I know he'll be all over that.

Anyway..enough gushing over my boy. Well, almost...here are some pictures of his big day.

Loosen up the ol' cannons.

Do what your Coach says, even if it makes him look foolish.

Brady has perfected the classic third base coach's stance.

"Here you go dude!"
(He really said that)

Gooooooooo...DODGERS!

First field guide.

Ok dudes, here is a handy dandy field guide I made up to file away for future reference in case I don't get around to teaching you this myself. Since starting my new job, I have noticed some very odd/disturbing bathroom habits from some of my male co-workers. Habits I never want you guys to pick up. So....

Today's Lesson;

Men's Room Etiquette

1) Never use urinals. I have yet to see one designed that is splatter-proof. Ladies...you may think we have a more convenient set-up...but take a squirt gun and spray it against a wall from 12-18 inches away...see if any water splashes back on you or your shoes. Yeah, gross.

2) If you must use a urinal, always use one that has an empty one beside it preferably one that has a wall on one side. Bad enough to friendly fire against yourself, you don't need someone else's ricochets and they don't want yours.

3) Never use the middle urinal, even if you are the only dude in there. You may feel like the king of the castle but, this almost guarantees someone will come stand beside you, thereby breaking rule #2.

4) If using a stall that has a gap between the door and frame, take a long piece of toilet paper, ball up one end of it and stick it in the top of the door/frame gap leaving the length of fall down along the gap thereby creating a semi-private place to relax and do your business.

5) Never announce what "business" you are doing by letting out loud grunts, squeals, saying, "Phew...that was a doozy!", or anything verbal whatsoever. Everybody knows what everyone else is doing, but it's nice to leave some illusion.

6) If you're using a stall for stand up business, not sit down business, use some toilet paper to lift the lid...failing that use your shoe. Never, never your bare hands.

7) Same applies to flushing. If you are at some old-school place that doesn't have autoflushers...either use some TP or kick that sucker with your foot.

8) When finished...always wash with soap and water. Always. Even if you think you touched nothing. Something may have touched you.

9) Never touch the door handle on your way out. Use the paper you dried your hands with to grab the door handle. If they don't have a trash can placed by the door, throw it down next to the door. They'll get the hint.

10) There is a time and a place for conversation, but the men's room is not it. Be a quiet professional. In. Out. Unseen. Unheard. Unsmelled.

Tongue Poppin' Fun!

The Easter Bunny brought some Pop Rocks yesterday. I don't think you could have as much fun with any other candy!

Eastuh

Highlights:

1. The boys were super excited for Easter this year.
2. They got all into making presents for their grandmothers and godmothers.
3. No fights occurred before, during, or after the Easter egg hunts.
4. They ate candy and other assorted treats in moderation...without complaint.
5. They both played nicely with their cousins and nobody had any freakouts.
6. They gave everyone big hugs and smooches when it was time to go.

Lowlights:

1. Brady got up at 7 trying to get Easter started in a hurry. Enthusiasm is key, but not that early.
2. I mistakenly OD'd on what I thought was non-drowsy Sudafed. Turns out it wasn....zzzzzz.
3. I have about 2lbs of sausage and 3 lbs of meatballs sitting heavy in my gut. Sweet pain.

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