Mckenna's basketball

This is Mckenna playing basketball! She is number 1 on the black team. You can't really tell faces from this video but you can pick her out by her number and the only one with white shorts(as well as the shortest on the court by at least a foot.) Also, if you look for the little bouncy one, that would be Mckenna. I think this was her best game ever! She shot it, turns out it was a better pass than a shot but at least she took the chance!! She is just happy to be out there, and prefers defense to offense. She got to be good at stealing the ball, but then would expect her teammates to pick up the ball after she swatted it out of her opponent's hands! She was really cute to watch! The season is now over and she got a trophy and got named as the most improved on her team! Woohoo! Jonny really struggled with being on the sidelines, if she plays again next season I am guessing he might try his hand at coaching again! Coaching her soccer team really killed it for him! All in all, I think she had fun, which to me, is mission accomplished!

The weekly update part 4, 5, 6, oh I don't know- just an update!!!

Well, last night Mckenna had a basketball game. This one may have been her best game yet. She stole the ball a couple of times, dribbled the ball down past half court (as opposed to dribbling it 3 feet before crossing half court and then lobbing it to no one in particular), she shot the ball I think twice -that too is huge, she hasn't wanted to touch it until then. All in all I would say her aggressiveness is increasing. She even got a rebound!! Even better, she had a smile on her face the whole time!!! She did great and now we have 3 games left and one 8 a.m. practice to go to and we will be done with the season. I have to admit I will miss watching her, it has been a lot of fun.

I have really been working with my kids to get them to think about their choices and to make better ones (lifelong goal I know!) Anyways, I have been drilling this into them both but really hoping Mckenna would be the one to pick up on it the most. Well, Luke has been the one I have noticed making an effort to be conscious of this. He asks me, "Mom did I do good today?" or "Mom, did I make Jesus happy today?" I mean seriously, how can you just not melt when he says that? Mckenna had a melt down during our family meeting on monday and Luke stated that,"Mckenna is not having a good attitude is she mom?" He is a funny little dude. I honestly didn't think he was that perceptive though!! I sure do love him. I am also realizing that no matter how much I fight it my kids are going to grow up. I have maintained the idea that kids need to be kids longer. I haven't pushed a whole lot of sit down type learning on Luke, I mainly just wanted him to have fun playing toys and such. Well, he now just doesn't have much patience for workbooks, which is a HUGE adjustment for me because Mckenna can't (and always have) get enough of her workbooks. She will sit for literally hours doing her workbooks or coloring and stuff like that. Luke is the opposite, he just wants to play dudes or his nintendo game. That is my current struggle with Luke, trying to figure out a way to make learning fun and productive. Any suggestions????

Mia has recently (by recently I mean within the last 3 weeks) found her hands and really likes to suck on them. She gave herself a hickey on her knuckles yesterday. This week she found her feet. When I lay her down she immediately tries to grab her feet. She doesn't want them in her mouth quite yet and has only stared at them once that I have seen. It is really cute though. She really is such a good baby, and I am having so much fun having a baby around the house again!

Sorry for all the words and no pictures, my memory card is full and I just haven't gotten around to clearing it off. I will work on that and get more pics posted soon!

Luke being Luke!

This is a VERY short clip of Luke being crazy Luke. He has watched this a thousand times and it just makes him bust out in laughter. He does a lot of this stuff, he is my entertainment!

Warning: Could be lengthy and boring!!

You've been warned if you continue on from here!! Anyways, I have come to a conclusion this weekend, this is all mine and am not trying to impose my way of thinking on anyone just getting this out there as a way to for me to put down what I am thinking and let go of it. I have often felt bad about myself as a parent. I love being a mom, I love staying home with them, however, I watch other moms and see how they do things. I am not the most motivated, most energetic, most creative, wisest, most organized, I could go on but you get the idea.... I have often felt bad about these things. I reached the conclusion a while back that there isn't one way to do things and we are all just trying the best we know how. Now I was comfortable with that until this weekend as I was visiting with several moms about schedules and getting the babies to sleep through the night and so on and so forth. Well, I don't have a schedule, I mean I have a general idea when she sleeps the best, but that doesn't mean that I schedule my day around her, if I need to go I will, I feed her when she's hungry and let her sleep in the store or in the car when she needs too. As well as the other two, I know that after school is not a good time to take the 3 shopping or for a "quick trip to target" but I still do it anyways, not the smartest I admit but I still do it!! So, should I feel bad for all of this?No. Do I think those that have structure are crazy? No. This is my system that works for me. Also, this whole getting her to sleep all night. I have two other kids of whom I did different sleeping arrangements with. Mckenna is a great sleeper and so is Luke--I haven't messed them up too bad, in other areas I think I have, but not so much this one. As I sat feeding Mia this morning at midnight, then 3, then, 4 I realized that it just wasn't so bad waking up. Now, I like my sleep just as much, if not more than the next person, but I realized this just isn't that bad. This too shall pass and when it does will mean Mia is older and not my newborn like she already is not! So I will sacrifice my sleep if it means that I get to hold her a little longer. As I read all of this I realized it sounds a bit (well a lot) like I am throwing myself a pity party, rest assured that wasn't my intention. I question my parenting as I think most parents do. I want my kids to be high functioning adults and not too messed up by their mother. I just keep coming back to what my mom told me when Mckenna was a baby, which went a little something to the effect that these kids live despite us. I think that there is a lot of good advice out there but I don't think that any one source is right or wrong, I think it is about doing what you think is best, gathering facts and opinions is good, but ultimately I am the parent and have to take what I have learned and apply it to my family, that my friends (and family) is what the gift of parenting (to me at least) is all about. Just a side note though, some ideas are better than others, say beating your kids senseless or just plain neglecting them isn't a good idea no matter how correct you think they might be. And I guess if you think those are good techniques than I would recommend counseling-- just don't go and see the therapist that Britany Spears does!!!! I think that is enough of my rambling for today. I intended this to be just a way to get this off my mind and not a lecture to anyone, this is just what happens to be on my mind this fine Texas day. Also, I do love, very much, being a stay at home mom and wife, I can't imagine a more fulfilling job or career than this for me at my current stage in life!

A message for Ya'll!!!

Mia says,

and from the rest of us too!!!

My weekly update...

Mckenna had another basketball game last night. I was very pleased. Much improved. She is a very good defensive player. She stole the ball a couple of times, however by stealing I mean swatting it out of the opponents hands so that her team member can get it. I told her to grab the ball when you steal it like that and she said, "Mom...but I have teammates who need to get the ball." How could I argue with that, no one wants a ball hog!! She also boxes out quite well, in one point she had her girl boxed out to get the defensive rebound and had the ball right between her feet and let her teammates get it while she just looked at it there. I think she might be afraid of being mobbed and so won't touch the ball!! The family basketball practice must continue!!! Mckenna is going on a field trip to the George Bush Library today. I have to admit I thought that was not the funnest or coolest field trip for a first grader but I found out yesterday that they are going there by invitation only to be read to by the former first lady Barbara Bush. That is pretty cool, I wish I could have gone. I tried to explain to her the signifigance of this magnificent woman, I don't think she got it though. I told her that when she starts learing about history in school she will in no doubt be seeing this woman in her books. Still, I don't think she was impressed. Hopefully someday she will be. Or maybe I am just easily impressed I don't know?

Luke spent some time yesterday with his new found "best buddy" Colton. They are soooo cute together, same personalities, so cute. Luke is still addicted to his video game I would take a picture of him playing, which is really funny anyways, but I can't get him to put pants on when we are home. Like shoes they just come off when we get in the house, so I won't be posting pics of my son in his undies. (Even though little boys in their undies are the cutest things EVER!!)

As for my sweet baby Mia, she is so kissable!! I love dressing her and putting bows (okay head wraps, we don't have hair) in her hair! She is cooing a lot and we have some great conversations! She has also found her hands. We have found her sucking her fingers or thumb on numerous occasions... so cute!! She is working hard on trying to reach out and grab things, she is getting better each day! She isn't a studier but it is pretty cute when she stares at her hands, she knows they are there but will only study them once in a while. I just love these baby stages and am so sad the she is growing up so fast. I tell her that she isn't to sit up until she is about 1 then she isn't to walk or crawl at least until 2 or 3 years and then talking, yeah she can't do that until she is 21!!! Still, she is like my other two and aren't listening very well!!!

BBA

I am now a member of the Bow Buyers Annonymous. I am hoping their twelve step program will help with my addiction. Poor Mia hopes that too.....

These are a few of my favorite things...

I seem to be in a cycle of my life where I find some great things and one just doesn't seem to be enough. I am now addicted to several things, most of them, I probably should lay off of. So here is the current list:

1. diet coke-- that hasn't changed in awhile and I honestly don't see this one going away.
2. chocolate-- I'm not posting pictures of myself because of this obsession. My blood may just might be chocolate, well maybe maroon chocolate!!!
3. ebay-- I was bored one day, okay not bored just didn't want to face my laundry pile known as Mount Gibson. Now I just check daily for stuff that I don't really need. I kinda like to bid stuff up just to get the price high, but just not high enough that I win it. I had a scare yesterday, had I won that item, I probably wouldn't be here typing now.
   
4. Hair bows for Mia-- I was curious and looked on ebay one day and found a bazillion really cute ones, so of course I ordered them- not the bazillion just 2. Now I am obsessed with finding cute ones...shhh...don't tell Jonny!
5. blogging...just because I don't get to post every day doesn't mean I don't want to and I might just take a peek at ya'lls blogs!!!
6. Kisses--the chocolate variety and the physical smackaroos. My poor children, especially Mia, she can't escape them the way the other two can!! I love to kiss my hubby too but his face is a little scruffier than the kids'!!!
7. Music--I love listening to music but the problem comes when I don't have my kids and I am still (by choice) jamming out to High School Musical 2 and Hannah Montana!! I can do that, I am a mom who drives a minivan!!!!!

That pretty much explains my meals each and every day as well as my daily activities. Pitiful I know, but hey at least I am happy- doesn't the old saying go, "If momma ain't happy ain't no one gonna be happy!" This is my way of keeping my family happy!!!

My babies!!!

My sister-in-law, Jana has gotten into photography and has needed subjects to practice on. I, being the good SIL that I am, volunteered my children to the cause!!! Here are a few of my favorites.

Okay, Okay....

So I might have exaggerated a teeny bit on Mckenna's training regimen. It isn't quite so rigorous as I first described it! We are holding off on the letter to the college recruiters for a bit, we still have some skills she needs to master, like her behind the back and between the legs dribbling and a one handed dunk. I don't think it is that far off though. We have however, instituted a family basketball night. I am proud to report that although I did get dunked on and rejected a few times I didn't get hurt and I only threw a few elbows at Jonny.

I had also mentioned that Mia has only one redeeming quality. That too, was a bit of an exaggeration as well. It seems that we are totally smitten by almost everything she does. Although the post-eating pooping after she falls asleep at 2 a.m., 3 a.m., and 4 a.m. is getting a bit obnoxious.

It does seem, through a conversation with Luke's new friend's dad, that Luke has corrupted him and given his family the impression that we (Jonny and I) are star wars fanatics. We do like the movies, although we only own 2 of the 6. I know a little more about all the dudes than Jonny due to my study of Luke's Jedi sticker book-- with Luke of course. Luke's friend Colton had forced his parents into purchasing star wars dudes just like Luke had. I do feel a bit bad about that influence and hope that his parents are in for all the good stuff Luke may teach him. I wonder what the preschool boys told their parents after Monday's session at the Gibson house? I am wondering now if the light saber match that we (yes, myself included) all got into was really the best idea.Hmm... It was controlled of course, I'm just hoping that the boys didn't decide to openly whack their siblings...I guess we are in the clear as I haven't gotten any phone calls as of yet!

Also, Jonny has gotten an invitation to be a "guest coach" at Saturday's Aggie womens basketball game. He gets to sit behind the bench, attend some pregame meetings, mingle with the players and just tour the facilities. (I think) Now to me accepting that invitation was pretty much a no-brainer, regardless of it being a womens basketball game. Not many people get that kind of opportunity. He took pretty much all week to decided to go. I am guessing his resistance to attending women's sports is the reason why he has 2 daughters and only one son!

Odds and Ends

Here is the latest from the Jonny Gibson family:

Mckenna has played in 2 basketball games. She has made some pretty sweet assists, and her defense in definetly improving. She has a lot to work on as far as her aggressiveness and her hustle. She is a pretty athletic girl, but man on that basketball court she tends to look like a prissy little girl as she dances to get open and runs behind the ball as if not wanting to actually touch it but rather to do what she knows and has been coached to do. The team is 1-1. Not too shabby huh? We are hopefull that her skills will improve as we have seen great improvement from game 1 to game 2. Jonny has her on a strict workout schedule that includes daily basketball tips, ball handling, strength training, calisthenics, endurance drills, and a strict diet. We look forward to charting her growth as a basketball player. We have are currently working on a drafting a letter to send out to all major college recruiters.


Luke has completed 4 weeks of his preschool. I have left him screaming for only 2 of the 4 weeks. I consider that great progress. He has even declared to have found a best buddy. His new friend's name is Colton. Colton and Luke spent much of Monday together at our house and I was amazed to find two little boys with similar interests and sense of humor. They had great fun playing star wars dudes and transformer dudes, as well as laughing at each others jokes and making the same silly noises. I would post a picture but well, don't have one!!!

I am sad to report that Mia is growing up way too quickly for us and has graduated into her 3-6 month size clothing. She tries to sit up while in her car seat and swing. She has gotten many lectures on slowing things down a bit and staying a baby longer, I'm not sure she is understanding the concept of following directions. We may have a trouble maker on our hands. With her birth she tried to make it as scary as possible, threating mommy with a c-section twice. Then she is great at dirtying numerous diapers in a 10 minute period no matter how long mommy waits to change her. Her latest schemes include teasing mommy with 5 or 6 good hours of sleep and then waking up every hour after that until mommy has to get big sis ready for school. Her many smiles seems to be her redeeming quality.


As for Jonny and I, he has been playing basketball quite frequently and is losing weight while I seem to be gaining it. That's the way Jonny and I roll, polar opposites!! We are the textbook example of opposites attracting!! Thanks for all of your votes on my poll questions. I didn't get the results I was looking for and so will now delete them off of my blog page. The right answer to the first question, about who Mia looks most like, was supposed to be unanimous resemblance to me, her mother. So many of you missed that one. Second question was about my hair color. Seems the majority thought blond was a good color for me. While I considered it, I ended up going a smidgen darker with lighter highlights, however, the gray is in fact gone. I would post a picture, but I don't make a habit out of taking my own picture.

I must sign off now, my pillow seems to be screaming my name and Mia is just taunting me with her snoring.