soccer fun.

Hayden has been dribbling the soccer ball down the field for a few weeks now. This past Saturday, I finally took my camera and snapped some shots.

He might not be the best - well, he is most certainly not the best. To be honest, when it comes time to scrimmaging at the end of "practice," Hayden tends to meander around the field. He has no desire to make a goal. He doesn't even get near the ball. He just chills out, watches, and enjoys the show.

He does better during warm-up and doing the drills.

But overall, he is definitely having a good time. And that is all that matters.

Check it out for yourself.

randy. hayden requested that i take a picture of him. i thought it came out pretty darn spiffy.

hayden and the main coach. hayden is quite fond of him and likes to chat it up with him during practice.

a special day - happy birthday granddaddy.

Today would have been my granddaddy's 83rd birthday. He passed away when I was almost 7-years-old on July 8th, 1988. It was a Friday - just like today.

He was a wonderful man. I can't really remember him, but I have the feeling and second-hand information that allows me to understand and appreciate his greatness.

I know that he adored me and that I adored him in return.When he passed away, I was devastated and traumatized.

To think of him, brings tears to my eyes and a hurt to my heart. I miss him.

I always knew that if I had a son, his middle name would be Samuel - after my granddaddy whose middle name is also Samuel.

These are some pictures we had framed together to depict the heritage - it hangs in Hayden's bedroom.

And so it is, that Hayden's middle name is Samuel - which brings a sense of peace to my heart and calmness to my soul because I know that my granddaddy lives on in Hayden: Hayden Samuel Werner.

sassy attitude.

Hayden has had some serious sass lately. He has been talking back like no other and although it is mildly amusing, it's also incredibly disrespectful and irritating.

We are working on curbing the bad attitude, but it's not easy. Right now, we give him one warning and if he talks back or gives attitude again then he has to "get it together" (which is our form of time out).

He will stomp off sometimes or just fall on the ground and whine. He will ignore me. He will say, "I don't think so."

Or he will do my all time favorite and proclaim to me, "not another word." I have no idea where he heard this. It is funny, but still.... it's super rude and not appropriate.

I want him to respect me and everyone else. This attitude and behavior does not do that. So needless to say, we may have some "get it togethers" in our future. But hopefully not too many.

first touch soccer.

Hayden had his first real soccer experience this past Saturday. He is participating in 'First Touch Soccer' - which is a soccer program for kids born between August 2006 and July 2007.

We took some pictures before going and opted not to take the camera for this first "practice" because we figured Hayden would be needing our attention as opposed to camera skills - we were right: he wanted one of us near him most of the time.

It was also hot, and he is very temperature-sensitive (just like his mommy).

In addition, it seems that Hayden isn't much of a competitor. He enjoys watching what's happening and doesn't necessarily seem to want to get involved or "work." It's amusing.

We were like, "go Hayden... dribble the ball (which apparently means kick the ball)... run." And he would just meander around the field.

Whatever. Maybe he will get the hang of it in his own time.

'First Touch' lasts about a month and it really is just for fun - so hopefully he had and will have a good time.

random questions and answers - for real this time.

I swear, I am the biggest goob. I accidentally posted this same post last night without any answers. I hadn't intended on posting it, but then I did. Major oopsie. I was super embarrassed and you all probably think I am a moron. My bad.

But, here are the questions and answers for real. Enjoy.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes. My middle name (Lee) is one of my mom's best friend's first name.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Sunday night. I was reading the final pages of 'The Help' and it is super sad. I just started crying. Makes me sad just thinking about it.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes. I did a little handwriting thing once on my blog, so you can check out my handwriting by going here if you are interested in seeing it.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham - sliced VERY thin (and not honey ham).
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yep. Hayden. He is 3.5-years-old.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes. I think I am relatively nice.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Yes.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope. I had them removed when I was 10-years-old.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Nope.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Mueslix mixed with granola. Yummy stuff!
11. WHAT'S on your IPOD? I don't have one so nothing.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Probably Peanut Butter Cup.
13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I have no idea.
14. RED OR PINK? Red - Gotta love the Arkansas Razorbacks!
15. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOU? I can be very judgmental and critical of both myself and others.
16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My grandfathers (who are both deceased).
17. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? My shorts are grey and I don't have on any shoes.
18. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Hayden playing in the living room.
19. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red.
20. FAVORITE SMELLS? Hmmm.... I know what I hate: freshly cut grass. I don't really know what I like.
21. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Randy.
22. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Diving!
23. HAIR COLOR? Brown.
24. EYE COLOR? Brown.
25. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No. I had corrective lens surgery a few years ago!
26. FAVORITE FOOD? Pizza or Ice Cream.
27. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Both.
28. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Whip It
29. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Red.
30. SUMMER OR WINTER? Neither. I like Fall.
31. HUGS OR KISSES? Both.
32. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? 'One Fifth Avenue' by Candace Bushnell.
33. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Green dots.
34. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Nothing. We went out to dinner with some friends.
35. FAVORITE SOUND(S)? I have no idea.
36. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
37. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Australia.
38. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Not so much.
39. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Little Rock, Arkansas.
40. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? When I was in high school, he played for a band that I saw play at a friend's house. He was also friends with some of my friends. He was in college at the time. An older man!

hayden's "beach party"

The other day, Hayden arranged his "plan city" world. He told me it was a "beach party." I was fascinated by the set-up and intrigued with the description. Beach party? Okay then.

Either way it was adorable.

a new month. happy september.

Today is the 1st Day of September. I made a point of wishing Hayden and Randy a "Happy September" because I am cool like that.

There really isn't anything super spectacular about September, although college football starts (which is fantabulous) and the weather will be getting cooler (also fantabulous) - but in general, I just get excited with new things.

So it's a new month and I'm pumped about it - for no good reason. Is that incredibly weird? Probably. But that's okay. I've already readily admitted that I am an "odd" girl and maybe this is one of those manifestations of quirkiness.

Do other people get excited when it's a new month? Or is it really just me?