pink nostalgia

how to: get a teenager to dance

In the living room/kitchen with the family:

- Let him play his own music (the clean versions, of course).  

- Glance, don't look, and smile.  But a small smile, like the kind of smile you give when Alex pronounces it "mininnilem."

- Ask what he has that he'd pick for you.  Ariana Grande.  And then turn it up.  UP.  And twirl.

- Get him to show you "that one new dance."  Move the coffee table if you need to.

 - Give his little brother a few head nods to invite him to join the party whenever he's ready.

- Whoop and holler when his dad busts out with the sprinkler, the cabbage patch kid, and the you'd-better-watch-this-hand.

- DON'T take pictures.  : )

When he thinks no one is watching:

- Show him a mirror.  ; )

When he knows everyone is watching:

Okay, he got a hit.  Cool.

What?! He's not stopping at second?!?!

Get down, baby, get down!!

TRIPLE!!!!!

- Wait for him to hit a TRIPLE during a baseball tournament in which his team will go on to win first place.

 

 

 

So, this breaks the first rule, but in my defense, he was dancing on a baseball field.  Pictures are fair game.  Ha, punny!!

lip-quivering pride

There have been a few times in the short time that I've known him that Ethen has done something so sincere that it makes my lip quiver with pride.

He frequently does things that make me smile with pride - looking for his dad when he hits a home run, giving my mom a hug goodbye, challenging me to Trivia Crack.  And last night, as Alex was rolling with laughter, Ethen pointedly looked at J and me to make sure we were seeing how happy his brother was.

But that's not what I'm talking about.

The first was several months ago.  He took the prayer before dinner, and I was so touched by his sincerity (and gratefulness for algebra) that "Ethen, I love you," spilled out for the first time.

The second was was an email received last Friday after Ethen's first track meet.  

Subject: Your Son...

I wanted you to know, I was completely impressed with your son last night.  My poor daughter was “elected” to run the 1600m at last night’s track meet, she is not a distance runner so she finished last and was actually lapped.  On her final lap she was so far behind everyone I thought she would not finish, but then this group of 3 boys ran along side her all the way.  My original thought was “how classy” these boys are helping and encouraging her.  Then when we got in the car I asked who they were, so please give him a big hug and thanks from me.

Neither one of us saw it happen.  I had left the meet to take Alex to basketball practice.  J had left the meet minutes before since Ethen was done with his events.

We talked about it at dinner that night.  He saw her struggling, so he rounded up some guys and said, "Let's go."  He doesn't have a crush on this girl; he just wanted to help his teammate.  I read the email out loud at the table.  (I had to get special permission to have my phone out.)  I told him with a quivering lip that he changed this girl's night.  He turned it around.  Instead of being teased and ridiculed, she was encouraged and cheered.  It mattered to her family so much that they talked about it as soon as they got in the car AND her dad sent the email.  Finally [In my most emphatic voice], she will remember that race for the rest of her life.  As something positive.

YEAH.

(Race: Second leg of the 4x100, second attempt after all the boys were lined up in the right lanes. : ) )

It kind of reminded me of this story, except that there were hundreds of people watching.

I nodded towards Alex, "Are you proud of your brother right now?"  With big sincere eyes he nodded and replied, "Yes."

We celebrated with Reese's Pieces peanut butter cookies and a game of Monopoly Empire, after which everyone remained congregated in the living room, like no one wanted to break the spell.

(I bet my mom's eyes are watering right now.  Any takers?)

leadership

Ethen had a basketball tournament last weekend.  His team is usually in the "big" gyms now that he's in 8th grade.  This means a few things: taller bleachers, more fans, and the players sit with their backs to the fans between the bleachers and the court.

For both of his tournament games, his team played in the "small" gym, which meant these things: the players sat on the opposite side of the court facing the fans, we sat on the floor two feet from the court, Jason was on high alert to keep me from getting pinged with a basketball, and my favorite...we could see his leadership on the court.

He called plays and responsibilities.  "I got shooter!  I got shooter!"  "Gerrard, call you've got shooter!"

He gave slaps on the back after every freethrow.  He gave high fives for everyone coming on and off the bench. 

 

 

He told his teammates where they should be.

He hustled.  He worked.  I don't think I've ever seen him so intense for so long during a basketball game.

J and I would lean into each other periodically and I would say, "Did you see him just check on Josh?  His teammate goes down and he's the one to check on him."  J wore that quiet pride all day.

 

Alex was proud of his brother, too.  He asked me multiple times, "Did you get that picture?  Let me see!"

Way to be, #3.  Great leadership out there.

attack of the 8 foot tall guy

For Alex's second flag football game, I triple-checked that I had my memory card in my camera.

His first great play was when he got a handoff from the quarterback and ran a few yards with it.  And the tongue kills me.  J has told him multiple times to keep his tongue in his mouth when he runs, but it just hasn't worked out that way yet.

He's so intense!  And he just goes for it.  That's his personality - just get the ball and start running.

His second great play was his interception. 

He's been telling everyone about it, including his friend next door.  The friend asked, "Who stopped you?"  Alex replied, "An 8-foot tall guy!"

To be fair, that kid IS a lot bigger than Alex.

The coolest part was how Alex ran up to me on the sideline and asked, "Did you get that with your camera??" 

I sure did!!

P.S.  Since J had to take E to a baseball tourney, I was in charge of getting Alex to the football game.  Getting him up, dressed appropriately for the 42 degree weather, teeth brushed, leaving timely, breakfast, pump-up music, game hydration, cheering, and of course, taking pictures.  That's HUGE for a girlfriend.  : )

flag football fail

So.  Alex's first ever flag football game.  I steeled my resolve that I was going to take pictures.  J and I get there, I take out my big DSLR, and...

I forgot to put my memory card in my camera.

Even as I type this, I'm shaking my head right now.

I took some pics with my phone because hey, better than nothing (which is an expression at our house to encourage tolerance and kindness).

J and I were getting so tickled at how preoccupied Alex was with those flags.

And he scored a touchdown!!

[no photo]

[Enter sad tuba notes - whaaa whaaaaaa.]

So that's all.  Better luck next week.