Hay is for H.O.R.S.E.s

Last night the fam & I played a couple games of "H.O.R.S.E." before all the nightly bedtime routine stuff happened. After a yummy dinner of meatballs, twice baked potato casserole & asparagus, it felt so relaxing to get outside, bellies full of happy, & enjoy the warm spring evening together. 

The Mr. won both games. One of the only times he was penalized with a letter was when I made a trick shot by standing directly under the net, bending backwards & flipping my wrists just-so, in order for the basketball to form the perfect arch & ultimately sink into the basket. (I tried 5 times before I actually made it.) It was a small sweet victory in my head. Without saying, the girls & I were all against "daddy". He wasn't going to let us win. We had to fight for every shot. I admit, it was hard keeping my balance with a camera hanging from my hip. 

The Mr. thought it was silly that we were keeping score with our little chalk graph. Normally, if players miss a shot, they just remember what letters they have. Of course we could have done that too. But it was more fun this way. 

I remember playing this game as a kid, & sometimes using the letters P-I-G. Or we'd make up silly words. Last night Pazely wanted to play "T.E.D.D.Y. B.E.A.R.S." I'm pretty sure that was an excuse to stay up later. Much later. 

~~~~~~~

This morning I was scrambling to help one child with braids in her hair. The other littler person needed help finding a fishing pole for her class fishing trip at the lakes today. I practically follow them around each school morning, shouting out the list of things they need to complete before strapping on their backpacks & hopping in the van. Did you make your bed? Brush your teeth? Feed the pink polka dotted dinosaur in the backyard? (Sometimes I have to throw a nonsense one in the mix.) Weekday mornings are most always a mad rush & a chase. (I am TOTALLY grateful for the Mr.'s assistance though. He helps me gently nudge them along AND he drives them to school!)

The girls have one more week of school left. As summer break approaches, I most look forward to not chasing, not rushing. I will be glad to set aside words like "hasten" & "hurry". There will be no more return trips home because someone forgot their glasses. I won't have to get down on all fours & scramble to look under couch cushions & behind beds for overdue library books on the morning of library day. I won't have to be a part of these conversations, just minutes before having to leave for school: "Oh yeah mom, I'm supposed to bring a sack lunch today. And did you fill out my book order form? It's due today."  The season of urgency will be complete. The swiftness in my step will appear more delayed. No more zip & zoom. 

And Pazely can play as many games of T.E.D.D.Y. B.E.A.R.S. as she wants.

♥