Softball!

So, in the spirit of trying new things because why-the-fuck-not, I said yes when I was hit up to fill in on a co-ed softball team. Guys, it was my first ever game of softball. First. Ever.

Despite my two outs and squeaks of panic every time the ball came near me, we won. So I've decided to retire from the game in order to preserve my perfect record.

Mama's New Jam

Block carving & printing! This shit is tight!

If you know me in real life, brace yourself some some more loving-hands-at-home Christmas prezzies.

Aren't they cute when they're not trying to destroy you with their minds?

Weekending

This weekend was the first in a long, long time that we didn't have any obligations except to ourselves. It was delicious. One of those weekends where you keep looking at one another and repeating, "best. day. ever."

On Saturday evening we met up with our beloved Stein-Greenes & hit up the Indiana Jones screening at the Outdoor Cinema Food Fest.

Dash had never seen it, so we commemorated the occasion with brand new hats & whips for him and his bestie, Roman.

Then he proceeded to make this face at me for 45 minutes because sometimes he's just an asshole. But THEN, people in the movie started shooting at each other (Dash: "This movie is AWESOME! I didn't know there were going to be guns!") and all was well in his world.

Then we each ate a 1/3 lb. food truck burger, chased them with Red Vines, m&m's, box wine and Skittles, and passed out on the grass.

And then my boob fell out of my dress and no one thought to mention it.

On Sunday, after a solo bike ride for Josh and a Dash-accompanied run for me, we headed out on our first family bike ride of the Summer. (If you would have told the Liz of ten years ago that her idea of a good time would be a run followed by a bike ride, she would have thrown her vodka tonic right in your face.)

But ride we did.

Eventually we made our way to the park and I burned my ass on the slide and Dash finally figured out how to propel himself forward on the swings (he can tie his shoes, ride a two-wheeler, hit a baseball, catch a football and perform advanced acts of Tae Kwon Do, but he could not for the life of him work out the whole swing thing.) Oh! Did I mention I got a new bike?

Hi.

After the ride we rewarded ourselves with dinner out and some fro yo. So, in conclusion:

Kindergarten

And so this morning he jammed his wittew feetsies into his ittle Vans & headed out the door on his newest adventure.

Yeah, I did make a sign for him to hold in pictures. What's your point?

He got some of the nerves out with a few vigorous rounds of hopscotch.

Then the bell rang and he & his Maddie love lined up for class.

Josh & Doug had to be pried away from the door.

None of us cried (ok, I cried a little but I was wearing big sunglasses and no one saw). Mostly we were all proud and excited and ready for what comes next.

Step One

You guys, I was fine. I was seriously fine about Dash starting kindergarten. He's been in daycare and preschool for years. He's had so many transitions, so many firsts. I was honestly unfazed.

Until yesterday, when I made my final back-to-school wardrobe purchase for him. A pair of checkered Vans--his first. I ordered him the exact same shoes that every kid in my elementary school wore growing up.

Seeing those white soles that I knew would soon be covered in his writing sent me straight back to 1976, and I finally remembered the difference between preschool and this: kindergarten is our first real step away from our parents. Kindergarten is where we learn how to learn. Where he'll engage in a world of his own, where he'll start to truly figure out who he is and what interests him.

I mean, I know I'll still be there with him, to steady his steps and encourage his growth. But when he looks to me, it won't be with the same open, expectant face I've come to know. He'll understand something about who he is and what he wants. About what he likes and how he feels.

It is, of course, the only thing a parent wants--for their children to take sure steps away from them. But, my God, it's hard to watch them go.

Dusk

How old do you think I'll be before I'm no longer surprised by an 8pm setting sun at the end of Summer?

Learning

Art class: took.

Boom.

Slumber

Dash's cousins Sky & Autumn came to stay for the weekend. I don't know who enjoyed it more, the kids or me. Oh, who am I kidding? It was me.

Two pink mattresses and one green.

Two dollhouse pillows & one Batman.

Strawberries, Cap'n Crunch and root beer for breakfast.

Manis. (The red nails on the right are Dash's. Fuck you, gender limits.)

Pedis.