The Youth Sports Time Vacuum

Now that the chess season is over, I was looking forward to a short break in my schedule from Gavin’s extracurricular activities. That was until Monday night when I received an email from the basketball coach stating that practice would be starting Wednesday night and that all children must have proper attire, shoes and a WNBA size ball. What the??

I know many of you out there have experienced the youth sports cartel and thanks for the warning! When I signed him up, I figured it would be a practice day and a game a week, maybe even on the same day. Oh no, we are looking at two practice nights a week plus a game day. When I got this schedule I had a complete panic attack. How am I supposed to pick him up, get him changed, feed him (I guess you can eat before playing basketball, it’s not like swimming right?) and get him to practices and games all by 5:30! I decided I would seek the advice of my many coworkers who have been through this battle and somehow survived with only minor mental anguish. Well, they were no help, my stress and questions were met first with laughter and advice of; “oh yeah, they schedule those around stay at home moms”, “wait till he starts little league, they practice every night”, “whatever you do don’t ever miss a game, those are the ones they will remember”, “good luck with that, I am sure you will do just fine”. Thanks, but what I was asking for was the secret of how to do it, without reaching complete insanity.

Ah, the constant balancing act of a child’s schedule, a work schedule and a much needed personal schedule. So yesterday, I ran to the sporting good store at lunch, bought a pair of shoes, confirmed what the size a WNBA basketball is, and looked at some practice clothes and a duffel to transport all of his new gear from my trunk to the gym. So here’s to three nights a week of happy dribbling, slightly managed chaos and hopefully a happy basketball player.

Happy Mother's Day

So I am not a huge fan of the Mother's day holiday. It seems like one of those Hallmark holiday's that causes more trouble for busy Moms than its worth. Today I got my gift a little early from Gavin and he was so excited. It's lovely and just what I would have wanted. A happy, healthy, and smart child who is so proud that he remembered all the special things about me. Well, he missed a few but he is convinced that he nailed my height at 49 inches. I wasn't going to argue.

Mom and Charlyn, I have missed a few along the way but always know that my intentions were always in the right place. And to my mothers, grandmothers, sisters and dear girl friends, thanks for being the amazing women in my life and just forgive me when I miss a few.

Tournament WINNER!!!

We are back from 2 long days at the Governor's Cup championship chess tournament. What an adventure! Absolutely, huge tournament, there were +/- 700 kids participating, craziness!!!! After 5 loses, 4 byes, 1 draw and 1 win Gavin had enough points to pull his ranking up to 23rd out of 29 in his division! Not to bad for his first semester of playing, second tournament and the horrible coaching he has received from his parents.

O.A.C. The Power of Advertising

Today on the way to Target we passed the new Toyota dealership. Gavin was really excited.........
"Hey Mom, there's the Toyota ship" "Did you know they offer cash back on all purchases?"

The World is Flat

In a flat world the biggest buzz word is "outsourcing". It seems that just about everything is being handled somewhere far away by somebody else. As my life seems to get just more and more crazy, I am losing valuable me and family time. Ironically, as this craziness has ensued, everywhere I turn there is information on the outsourcing trend of busy moms. Articles in every magazine and business website on the hottest thing every busy family should do, outsource. Years ago we made the decision to outsource our house cleaning and it was the best decision we ever made. But there is just not enough time, so I will come right out and admit it. I am outsourcing more and more and today I hit the mega outsourcing button and had someone else grocery shop and run errands for me. As I worked,someone else did my weekend drudgery and I have to say it is kind of nice. I came home to a house stocked with food, the freezer packed with 10 healthy meals and the dry cleaning has been attended to. There is a small amount of guilt that maybe I took it a little too far today, but once I get through the weekend and see how much time it saved me, I think I will be ok with it. Now if I could only buy more hours in the day and outsource sleeping, things could really get done!

March Memories

I blogged earlier about how much I truly love the month of March in Phoenix. So to spare you all I will simply post some pictures I just downloaded. For those who have never experienced spring in the desert, you should put it on your list. It is a must do!

Chess, Chess and more Chess

This weekend I experienced my first encounter of competition with my son. Not sport competition but individual intellectual competition, that fine entertainment of Chess. Saturday I spend 7 hours on the hall floor of a Jr. High School as I waited for my 6-year-old to complete his first chess tournament.

My God, these people take it serious! I was so unprepared for what I found. I truly believe that this group would make a Star Trek Convention more appealing, but none the less I have grown stronger.

We arrived Saturday morning armed with nothing more than a couple of books and a bottle of water. I had no idea that I would not be able to watch the tournament, but also that no seating would be provided. Apparently, there were fists thrown earlier in the season so parents are no longer allowed to watch. I thought upon hearing that "wow, these people take this a little serious"

Serious, as in they set up "Camps" Chairs, tables, computers, practice boards. These families are ready. All conveniently stored in wheelie carts for easy transport from the Grand Caravan to Jr. High hallway.

Not long after set up, the kids begin their mock drills against each other or just themselves.

I was sweating bullets as we entered the gymnasium for the first round. Board 4, black; was Gavin's position, playing a boy named Forest. We find our spot to only observe Forest and his dad in mock drills. "Visualize your moves, focus, are you in the game?" Really? He is 6! I crowd in to give him the hint to clear out and the boys introduce themselves. The parents are then hurried out so the tournament can begin.

I resume my position on the hallway floor below the trophy case. Nervous and sick to my stomach. After each round I waited in motherhood agony, as I watched kids leave the gym, some smiling others with massive tears. This was the last qualifier for the big state championship. Each round Gavin walked out with his head high and a big smile. "Did you win?" I would ask. "Nope I lost but it was so fun" So two loses and two stalemates and he is hooked on Chess. All and all my child played 4 rounds averaging 30 - 46 minutes a game. We came home Saturday only to play more games and this morning over breakfast he played three games by himself.

So the best part is, my child had an absolute great time and didn't care if he won or not. We qualified to go to the state championship so we have booked a hotel room and are ready to go.

We have a few weeks of intense practice, training and carb loading as mom and dad try and quickly learn chess tactics and notations. We will get there and be so prepared with our "Camp gear" and Team Stanley t-shirts the other players will run and hide!

More to come as we prepare for the big weekend!

When in doubt, take a Pawn! ~Wilhelm Steinitz, Austrian World Chess Champion 1866-1894

Yes, we are gamers

We are Wii junkies. As competitive as we all are, nothing suits us more than Wii Sports. I will admit that in my opinion and scores, I am the best at golf, tennis, boxing, Mario, basically everything except the car racing. Trennis and Gavin dominate Excite truck and Hot Wheels. However, the one area we are all equal on is bowling. That was until tonight when it all changed with a SEVEN-PACK! Yes, Trennis' Mii has excelled to a "Pro" level because he scored 7 strikes in a row!!! So, tonight we congratulate "Trenoso" on his pro status and Seven Pack. But be aware Trenoso, it is Game On!
Signed,
Cratree, Mr. Lopez, Mel, Charly, Juice and Spud! ( aka. The Stanley Mii's)

Best Find Ever

Every Stay-at-Work mom, and even those Stay-at-Home moms, should have My Girlfriend's Kitchen on speed dial. Last week I arranged a party for a bunch of co-workers to go and prepare meals. Not only are they cheap, but so easy to prepare! I made 5 in 30 minutes, we drank wine and ate for the remaining hour we spent in the store. So far, everything has been a hit with my Stanley boys. The "She's not heavy, she's my meatball" dinner went over so well. It received two thumbs up from Gavin and a rating better the "blueberry pie" Now that is success, after 10 hours of work at the office and 7 minutes on the stove it doesn't get much better or easier!