A Year to Remember #nye #2015

This year was quite a blur! We lived to the fullest, given the trials of parenthood and marriage. The things we took for granted last year were magnified this year and boy oh boy - it took some major venting sessions to overcome.  

2015 meant our once small, delicate infants turned into demanding three year olds with opinions from another galaxy. For lack of a better phrase - motherhood got real. Good news is that they are able to play for more than thirty minutes without injury. They are sharing with ease and often call one another on their imaginary phones for lengthy conversations about their incredibly gracious mothers. A girl can dream, can't she? 

Major news of the year:  my niece started Kindergarten - complete with a car line (which I'm sure you've read about - check archives). The daunting task of uniforms, lost and found scavenger hunts, friend fights and teacher confusion has opened my eyes to things I never want to see. Thanks to my husband - I am fully aware of how many years I have until my tot goes to Kinder. Geesh, there are  no words to describe how fast time has flown! 

So, our year picked up in June when we decided to start the kids in daily swim lessons, which was followed by ballet, tap, gymnastics and hip-hop. Then, Soccer season overlapped and brought us right to November. Luckily our little ones were 3-5 this year which meant they were able swim and play soccer with one another.  

Next year, we won't be as lucky - but our 3's will get more time with the ball. Or at least - that's the idea. Following the championship game this season - both of them expressed their desire for more goals. My daughter fought to get on the field but refused to run, at times, and my nephew stopped playing and decided to collect bugs.  

Did I mention how competitive we became as Mamas during the games? I didn't realize it until we watched the taped footage. Boy, the 9am games on Saturday morning will bring out the BEST - especially with a Venti Latte in tow. Good thing is - our team parents were super cool. The kids were very nice to one another and enjoyed their company. Couldn't have asked for a better outcome - except the obscene referee calls that cost us the #1 spot for the season. Yes, I know - I'm just a disturbed.  

As a first time Mama, I remember everything I said I'd never do and when exactly I decided I was uneducated on the topic of parenting and struck it from the record. One of which was letting my daughter wear animal print. The child has more leopard than my grandmother in the nineties - I can't help it!

The other major retraction was giving back a participation trophy. I understood how the NFL player wanted his kids to understand participation is not the goal. I also want to instill that notion - hard work does not warrant a reward and of course, losing builds character. However, seeing the look in her little eyes knowing she woke up every Saturday for weeks, as the youngest person on her team, I couldn't possibly steal her joy. My heart melts thinking about her efforts to be HER best - and for that she earned a trophy and plaque.  

I guess I spent this post all about our kids - not necessarily about us - which is realistic based on our efforts to sustain meaningful lives. We learned three things for 2016: 

1. Be brave. 

1. Be consistent. 

1. Be honest. 

Leaving behind the doubt, fear and naysayers of 2015 - we are EXCITED about the great things we have on the horizon. A huge THANK YOU to our blog family - we are thrilled and impressed that you chose us!

Happy New Year from Las Vegas!! Where are you celebrating tonight?
 
 

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