Quarantine This & That

The boys made the most delicious lemon bars together.  I didn't help them and was super impressed with how they turned out. So yummy!

 Chad finally caved and has started letting the dogs sleep with the boys as long as they doggies are clean.  The boys are in heaven and love it.  I can't believe Keller, Sutton, and two dogs sleep in one twin bed.  Vance and two dogs in a queen bed sounds much more comfortable.

 Vance has been plotting and trying to come up with a way to get a go-cart.  He made a deal with our neighbor for an old go-cart they have that doesn't work. It will be a great project for him and he is so excited.  He has been coming up with lots of different ways to earn money and has spent hours on step one of the fixing project - sand the frame down to the metal.

 A friend of ours has been doing virtual art class.  We tuned in one week to the lesson on Baby Yoda.  The boys' drawings did not turn out the best but listening to them laugh at themselves cracked me up.  Let's just say they probably won't be the next Monet or Da Vinci...

 Grandma nailed it once again for specials.  They used an old box and random things around the house to make a marble run.

The shelter-in-place has meant basically no human interaction outside of our family.  That has this mama going a little crazy at times.  One night me and a few friends pulled into a parking lot, backed up our cars, and hung out in our trunks.  It was so fabulous to be out of the house and chatting with some of my favorite people!

Vance has been wearing this beanie nonstop.  It cracks me up because it is actually kind of warm outside.  It never matches what he is wearing but that doesn't seem to bother him at all.

 However I probably shouldn't complain because otherwise he walks around with serious bedhead.

 Keller got a coupon for making dessert with Mom.  We made a twist of on a pizookie: half brownies/half cookies with ice cream on top.  They were a hit!

 We had an at-home family date night.  We got a yummy charcuterie board prepped and ate it picnic style on the family room floor.

 One morning the boys all hopped in bed with me.  I jokingly said if they stayed in their until 3:30 (when we usually end school) we could skip school for the day.  They jumped at that opporunity.  First they worried about not having breakfast so I thought it would be cute to deliver them breakfsat in bed.  I made them egg bowls and cut up some fruit.

They did come out for a quick snack break and to take the dogs outside for awhile.  I enjoyed working all by myself in peace and quiet without interruption.  I could watch a show or talk on the phone and never had to worry about little listening ears.  It was so glorious.  I went to check on them when I finished up with work around lunchtime.  I asked if anyone was ready to come out but they assured me they weren't and asked for lunch menus.

I was going to tell them to keep dreaming and then I figured I would indulge them.  I made up some lunch menus and had them place their orders like room service.  I made their lunch and served it all up on a platter.  They laid a blanket down on the ground and enjoyed lunch in the comfort of our master bedroom.  

I also delivered some games and toys for a little more entertainment options and they did in fact manage to stay in my room until the end of the school day.

My mom turned 60!  My dad planned the cutest drive-by birthday party for her.

 The temperature has finally gotten warm enough to swim!!!  My friend, Dani, and I decided we are officially family so we can hang out during quarantine.  It was been lovely to have them over to swim.  The kids are in heaven having a new buddy to play with and I think we are all happier.

 Grandma did some pretty fun volcanoes with the boys on Earth Day for specials.  She rocks!

It's crawfish season!  The Ogdens and Goochs headed over and we ate corn, potatoes, and crawfish until we were nice and full.  Well actually plenty of them didn't eat the crawfish but Chad and I love them.

 I decided to use all of this free time to show the kids some of the movies I loved growing up.  First up was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  Next up was Grease.  At first they weren't sure about Grease but now they love it.  It was just as good as I remembered and I love hearing them sing the songs and blast the soundtrack on Alexa.

We have spent hours and hours just relaxing on the patio.  This spring weather is the best!

 Everyone loves when Grandma decides to make waffles for breakfast!!!

 I don't think this view will ever get old.

Volleyball

Vance played his first season of volleyball at Excel Volleyball Club!  It was a season full of growth.  About half of the team was relatively new to the sport and I can't believe the progress they were able to make.  Unfortunately due to coronavirus they weren't able to finish the season but it was still a great experience for him.  

The club is pretty huge.  The girls program makes up about 80% but they have the largest boys program in the Dallas area.  It's a bit of a drive for us but we decided to try it anyway.  The long haul was not as bad as I had anticipated and Vance loved it so much it made it worth it.

The little boys attended their fair share of practices and games.  We usually bribed them with food and that seemed to work.

Vance still has plenty to learn but it finally looks like volleyball.  He has an excellent serve and helped his team score plenty of points.  He usually played setter and really liked it.  Where he made the most improvement was starting to understand the game and what each position is supposed to contribute.  

His passing and hitting also improved and the footwork is getting better and better.  I was always proud of how he wasn't afraid to try new things.  He didn't let being one of the more inexperienced teammates keep him from trying.  Fear of failure can be paralyzing but it never seemed to slow him down.  I was in awe of his bravery when he attended club clinics with all the girls (who are way better at this age than the boys) and the older boys.

Chad and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him play.  The beginning of our relationship really started on the volleyball courts so the sport will always have a soft spot in our hearts.  It feels like deja vu to be around volleyball together and we love every minute of it.

Vance had plenty of support from Grandma and Grandpa too.  We love having them at the kids' activities.  You'll notice the boys with yet another treat...

I was most proud of Vance for being committed to learning all he could.  He was so coachable during both practices and games.  He hustled and always tried to be a positive voice on the courts.  He wasn't always successful but he was always trying to encourage his teammates to let the errors go and focus on winning the next point.

After one game I actually had a coach from another team come ask if #11 was my son.  I hesitantly said yes because I wasn't sure where the conversation was headed.  Then she told me, "He is a great kid.  He speaks to his teammates so kindly and really brings a lot to the court.  He is a natural leader and you can't really coach a kid into that role.  He seems like a great addition to any team and it was a joy to watch him play."  I was so proud!

The little boys act like they never want to play volleyball however they play every chance we give them during Vance's games and practices.  I secretly hope they give it a chance one day but I also love watching them play baseball and soccer.

I loved the comradery with the boys on the older volleyball teams.  They would come cheer Vance's team (the youngest boys team in the club) and I know how much it meant to Vance.  It was really sweet and made me fall in love with the club even more.

Vance loved his teammates.  It was so cool to watch their friendships grow throughout the season.  They are all a little geeky and a little naïve.  If you ask me, it's a parent's dream kind of friend. Haha!  They were so respectful and just great boys.  They were all so sweet with Keller and Sutton.  Vance has the most and youngest siblings and they were all so cute to include them when they could. 

Vance - I can't wait to continue watching you grow as an athlete.  Watching my kiddos in their various activities is definitely one of my favorite things as a parent.  It seems Vance has found his "thing" and I hope to help him be as good as he wants to be.

Love you #11!