Denying Change

I’m totally in denial.  I cannot believe that this is the last week of school.  A few more days and school’s out for summer! And I really can’t wrap my head around the fact that tomorrow – June 17^th – Matthew will be graduating from elementary school – moving on to middle school.  This doesn’t even make sense.  Not even a little.  I joke that middle school was yesterday for me.  It really does feel like it wasn’t THAT long ago.  (Yes, I’m in denial).  But, really!  How is it possible that I’ll have a kiddo there?  The drama, the teen angst, school dances, the smelliness, lockers, the acne, the girls…the part that I’m dreading the most though?  The 6:42am school bus pick-up.  That’s just stupid.

Matthew seems ready for middle school.  He says he’s excited about it (but also totally dreading the early mornings).  He’s excited to have a little more freedom and time to himself.  (He’ll get a whole hour at home before Zach gets home from the bus).  He’s ready for the change.  But am I?!

He came down the other night while I was doing dishes in the kitchen and proudly said, “Mom, I’m becoming a man!”

“Uh, yeah?” I asked nervously.

“I have armpit hairs…like THREE!”

“Oh, really, let’s see ‘em.”

He raises his arm and Vanna White-gestures to said hairs.  (I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t actually look closely ‘cuz I didn’t REALLY want to see said armpit hairs).  In my best talking high pitched talking to a baby voice, I said, “Oh wook at those wittle hairs.  They’re so cute!”

With a perfectly executed eye roll, Matthew put down his arm and (trying not to grin because – for the record – he did think it was funny) 6^th grade huffed on outta the room.

He’s ready.

I’m not.

SPORTS!

Super relieved – Matthew has finally broken the curse.  He has started swinging the bat again.  AND not just swinging but making contact!   AND our little ‘Bad News Bears’ team has, at last, realized how to play ball (at least better, anyway).  They’ve finally gotten to feel that winning is a lot more fun, so, now that it’s the end of the season, they’re starting to do it!  We ended up very last place in our in league tournament.  But now we’ve won our first two games in the city tournament.  It makes games way more fun and yet, ridiculously more intense, too. 

One problem was quickly replaced with another though.  Now, that it’s tournament time, the rules become less strict (in terms of equal play-time).  Meaning – coaches can play their best players in the same positions and don’t have to rotate everyone around, etc.  Matthew spent 4 of 6 innings on the bench at the last game.  I understand where the coach is coming from – Matthew really hadn’t done a whole lot to prove himself through the majority of the season.  But it’s also a bummer since Matthew’s finally getting in to it and playing better. 

Yes, Mike and I are obviously the parents (and coaches) that want everyone to have equal play time.  Yes, I come from the good ‘ol (lazy) American philosophy of ‘everyone gets a trophy’.  And, like I said, I understand where our Coach is coming from at this point in the season.  It’s just sad that Matthew peaked late and is now devastated every time he’s benched.  Maybe that will push him to practice more before next year…

Although now he’s saying he wants to give ice hockey a try.

Ice. Hockey.  Kid has never been on a pair of skates in his life and has cried over a hangnail.  Plus, it’s one of the most expensive sports out there.  (At least we did just get Dental Insurance through Mike’s new job)!  

Meanwhile, I've been having Kayliana practice t-ball.  She's a natural.  Every time she hits the ball I yell, "Home run! You're amazing!" And make her run a small diamond. Now whenever anyone's discussing baseball she announces, "I'm AMAZING at baseball.  I only hit home runs."  Watch out!