The curse of natural talent

We're finding that, although she's not that great in academics (but that appears to be improving) our little Emmaline is quite talented in lots of other areas. After her first day at the school's running club, the teacher pulled me aside and says, "Emmaline is quite a runner. She beat everyone else quite effortlessly." At the latest parent-teacher night, her dance teacher asked me what types of dance Emmaline has taken in the past. When I told her she hadn't taken any dance since preschool, she was surprised. "I guess she just has a natural ability. She certainly isn't shy or hesitant to jump right in and try new things." She's a great artist, and as I've mentioned before, she is quite good at soccer. She is playing with Savannah's team for indoor, and although she isn't the star of the team- she can keep up.

The frustrating thing is, since she knows she is naturally good at things, she isn't willing to put in any extra effort to improve. On Saturday, I signed both of the girls up for the "Olympic Development Program" try-outs for soccer. It's a great way to get some extra training and get your name out there for the college coaches to see you. Savannah was thrilled. I practically had to drag Emmaline to the car as she said things like, "But I'm already good at soccer. I don't need extra training." No amount of reasoning makes her feel any differently.

I always thought a little talent was a good thing. Now I'm not so sure. As I watch Savannah work her little heart out (even waking up at 5:30 every Saturday last winter for extra indoor training), I'm starting to think "desire" might outweigh "talent." We'll see.

Eating my words

I'm sure you could tell that my post about my next door neighbor was mostly written in jest. I hope that is the case, anyway. He really is a great guy... but his dogs do bark all day. He moved in after Gaye moved out who moved in after Dan and Kristi left. I was on bed rest, so I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with them for about 8 hours a day while he was at work. They bark about every 5 minutes for the duration. I had considered leaving a bark collar anonymously on his front porch when he asked me one day, "Do my dogs bark while I am gone?" I was so relieved to tell him that they did until he said the only solution he could think of was putting them in the garage while he was gone. That seemed rather cruel, so I decided to just put up with it. It has been better now that I'm not in bed all day. Yes, they still bark- but I don't hear it quite as much.

Anyway, early this morning Tyler called to say that Russell had called him to ask if he could help him put his dog into his car because it was dying. Tyler is in Dallas, so I quickly hurried over to help. It was so sad! That dog was 14 years old. Russell is a bachelor and those two dogs are his life. I sat and rubbed the dog to comfort her while he backed the car up and helped him get her into his car, holding back a few tears of my own.

When I picked up the girls, I let them know what had happened. Emmaline was especially touched. She's spent some time with those dogs and has a soft spot for all animals. She talked about how sad it was for Russell, what a sweet dog she was... but without missing a beat added, "The only good thing is, I don't think Fanta (the other dog) will bark so much now." Now I don't feel so bad for thinking that.

It's all worth it.

I was just writing an email to my niece who recently emailed me to let me know she is expecting in June. I was saying to her that I hoped she wasn't too sick, and then I remembered the cutest thing that happened.

On Thursday night, Tyler took the girls to a fundraiser for their soccer team (Emmaline has joined Savannah's team for the indoor season). They cleaned up a "section" of the stadium after the U game to earn $1,000. The only problem was... a "section" was half of the stadium! They planned on it taking about 1 hour. They didn't get home until almost 2 a.m. It was awful. It had been rainy/snowy, so not only was there garbage everywhere- it was soggy, yucky stuff. Anyway, because they got back so late, I let everyone sleep in on Friday morning. I was sitting in bed, nursing the baby, when I heard the sweetest noise. It's was Oliver, who woke up and began singing to himself,

"Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer every child's prayer. Some say that heaven is far away, but I see it close around me as I pray. Heavenly Father, I remember now. Something that Jesus told disciples long ago. Suffer the children to come to me. Father in prayer I'm coming now to thee."

Emmaline sang a duet of that with another lady at church last month. We practiced A LOT, but I didn't realize that he had learned the words. That was the most amazing way to wake up. Anyway, Beth and Kristine, I know you already know this, but if you're hanging your head over the toilet and feeling like you can't take another day- just know that it's all worth it.

Dear Russell, the next door neighbor,

(Yes- she raked leaves all day with no shoes on. Remember, this is Emmaline. I have no control over that.)

Thanks for bribing Emmaline to rake the leaves in your yard for $20 while I was inside feeding the baby. It made finishing our yard with me, for nothing, a whole lot less exciting. And did you really think she was capable of doing a $20 job on her own or did you secretly know that I would come and help her? I know, it's not your fault that I chose to go to that new class at the gym on Friday and I was already REALLY sore. I mean, Emmaline is a fantastic worker, but she's only 10! Anyway, thanks a bunch. You and your dogs that bark all day are the greatest.

We love our Daddy because....

Oliver: "Because he hugs me and cuddles me."
Emmaline: "Because he helps me with my art."
Savannah: "Because he is fun to be around. He takes us places that aren't only fun for us, they are fun for him." (I think she means he does the fun stuff too- hide-and-seek, bounce house, etc.)
Charlotte: "I love Tyler because he works so hard for our family. He is willing to do jobs that aren't so fun so I can stay home and be a mom. I love how he is teaching our boys to be as romantic as he is. Whenever Oliver brings me a flower he picks on a walk, it makes me love Tyler even more because I know he learned that from watching his Daddy." Plus he's HOT! =)

Happy Birthday! We love you.

Too much of a good thing.

Since Oliver almost got kidnapped (well, it felt that way anyway) we've been discussing a little "stranger danger" with our kids. I always kind of shy away from that talk because I think it is hard to help them have a healthy sense of safety while recognizing when they aren't really in danger. Just the other day, I noticed that our new neighbors' little boy came home to an empty house. He walked up, knocked on the door, and when no one answered, went to sit on the front step. I was a little concerned because I haven't ever seen that happen before. Like I said, they just moved in. I walked across the street and innocently asked if he would like to use my phone to call his mom and see if she was on her way. He initially looked at me, then turned his head as I continued talking. Like an idiot, I didn't let this deter me. I said, "I think you know my daughter Emmaline. I live right across the street." Handing him my cell phone, I continued, "You're welcome to use my phone to make sure everything is okay." He just ignored me so I said, "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you, I was just trying to help." So much for my stint as a Good Samaritan.

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween.

Oliver designed his first jack-o-lantern.

I'm not sure why Savannah chose a turtle, but it's her pumpkin so whatever.

Emmaline wanted this to be a nerd... not Harry Potter or Arthur.

I didn't make a single costume, so it was much less stressful for me.

Is this the cutest chick you've ever seen? (Emmaline took this picture, by the way.)

Our neighbor, and Ollie's friend, Roan, is the boy with the chain.

Oliver only lasted about 20 minutes, but felt like he got tons of candy. John helped him count it.

Emmaline gets the prize for staying out the longest. She lasted until 9 pm. That's a LOT of candy!
Check out Tricia and Tim's blog for more pictures (somehow my pictures of Gavin didn't turn out and he was one cute cowboy!).