April 30

The fifth grade class at the boys' school graduated from the DARE program this evening, and Isaac was one of three students chosen to read essays they wrote about their experiences. So I watched proudly from my seat as he got up in front of his classmates --and a whole theater full of parents-- and did just that.

Although I enjoyed watching him in action, my favorite part of the evening came a little later, after the DARE officer presented each of the three speakers with medals and then introduced a secret special guest.

As soon as Isaac got a glimpse of the DARE mascot --a lion-- in the back of the auditorium, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. The smile persisted as the mascot made his way down the aisle and onto the stage, where he gave the kids high-fives.

I love that innocence so much. I know these days are rapidly coming to a close and that life will get significantly more serious for him in the years to come, but I'm happy that he's still sweet enough to get really excited over someone in a lion suit.

April 29

When I got home late this morning, there was a package waiting for me by my front door. I wasn't expecting anything, so I checked the return address and saw that it was a from a friend.

When I pried off the tape that held it together, I found a just-because gift that included the makings of a virtual coffee date :) and something representative of a long-standing inside joke of ours.

And though it was a very simple gesture, it warmed me to my core because it is so, so sweet to know that someone was thinking of me.

April 28

Our nephew Asher celebrated this third birthday this past week, so today we went up to Concord to observe the occasion with a red (as in the color)-themed party. The grown-ups (and teenager) chatted while the kids frolicked in a mini bounce house and ran around like energetic little people are wont to do on exciting days. (Or on any day that ends in Y.)

It was a lovely day to be outside and equally lovely to see the cousins having fun together. Time flies by, after all, so it's always a blessing when we have the chance to celebrate one another.

April 27

It was a very good Saturday at the Sports Park. Both boys had games at 9:30 this morning, and since Adam is the scorekeeper for Isaac's team, I hung out on the bleachers at Brady's. Abby lingered nearby, at first talking with Adam's parents (who came home from Kaua'i yesterday, which enabled them to attend their first games of the season) and then sitting by a tree reading when they changed fields to catch the latter half of the Braves' match-up.

While I watched Brady's team languish in person, I also watched Isaac's team fall behind their opponents in the first inning via GameChanger. It seemed like yet another frustrating set of games was in the works, but slowly, things began to change.

Brady's team outlasted the very-good starting pitcher for the other team, slowly erased a seven-run deficit, and wound up taking the win by one. And a few fields over, Isaac's team scored three runs in the bottom of the final inning to secure a one-run victory of their own. Although I wasn't there to see it in person, I saw the game go final via GameChanger and happily threw my hands in the air. (Yep. Literally.) I was especially pleased when I read the recap and saw that Isaac drove in the tying run, and their leadoff batter stole home --with two outs, no less-- to score the decisive winning run.

I wish I'd been there to see the celebration that ensued (because goodness knows, these boys haven't had a lot to celebrate this season), but I did run over (again, literally) in time to see the coach present Isaac with one of the two Game Balls. Since he's only handing out Game Balls when they win this season, it's a big deal that he has one.

Good days are blessings. And this first double-win day of the season was a pretty big one for us. And beyond being a good day, it was also one that reminded me that situations that begin negatively can always take surprisingly positive turns. So never, ever give up.

April 26

When I was a kid, I always thought it would be fun to live in a neighborhood with all of my friends. (Or even a small handful of them. I wasn't picky.) That didn't happen, so I dreamt of having kids who could live in a neighborhood with all of their friends. That didn't really happen, either, but lately, Isaac and Brady have been hanging out with a brother/sister pair --Tyler and Kaylin-- from their school. Tyler is in Isaac's class (and on his baseball team) and Kaylin in a year ahead of Brady.

After school today, the four of them skittered over to Tyler's house for the afternoon, where they played video games and in the pool and collected eggs from their chickens (which Kaylin and Brady have actually turned into a little side business, as funny as that is). Then when the evening hours rolled around, I took Brady home, picked up some pizzas, and dropped Isaac and Tyler at church to go bowling with the youth group.

I love that the two of them finally have good friends close by because friendship is a huge, huge blessing.

April 25

After tomorrow, five weeks of school will remain. In some ways, the year has absolutely flown by. In others, it's dragged along at the speed of a punch-drunk sloth. Tonight, I closed out one aspect of my year --and one chapter of this life of mine-- when I ran my last PTA General Association meeting at the boys' school.

I never wanted to be the President, but stepped into the role when no one else wanted to do it. I was optimistic when the year began and hoped to --and genuinely thought I could-- make a positive difference within the community. Truthfully, it's been a much harder and much, much more painful experience than I'd anticipated, and though I wish I could erase some of the hurt I've felt, I'm thankful for the perspective I've gained about the challenges of leadership. It's really easy to criticize someone else for her decisions, but until you've done her job, you really shouldn't feel that you have license to speak. I know I'll be kinder to --and more understanding of-- leaders I encounter from here on out. And I'll be a better person for it.

April 24

It was warm out today, so Brady and I went inside the Starbucks while we waited for Abby to walk over to the shopping center after school. (Isaac had a play date with a friend.)

He'd begged me for a cake pop during our last several visits, so I decided today would be the day I'd let him have one. So we plunked down at a table and I watched him as he nibbled on his treat.

It's a blessing to be able to give my kiddos little extras now and again. They don't need them, of course, but the smiles I get in return are worth the investment.