Game 1, T-Ball

After one game and one practice, Jack has officially declared that T-ball is way better than soccer. And honestly, John and I were surprised at how well he hits the ball. John is helping coach some this year, though the soggy Memphis weather is slowing the season down. Jack loves that Daddy is out on the field with him, and keeps asking him if he's going to help coach more. 

We made it to Jack's first game just hours before heading out of town for the beach last week.

 



Memphis BBQ Fest

Memphis in May had a soggy year. The recent floods moved Memphis BBQ Fest from the banks of the Mississippi River to Tiger Lane near the Liberty Bowl Stadium. I've lived here five years, but this is the first time I've made it to barbecue fest. (I have babies in May instead.) My first BBQ Fest didn't disappoint, and I think I ate my weight in ribs.

Ruby invited John and I to KPMG's friends and family tent, where we were able to meet up with our cousin, Allison, and her husband, Steve. We always have great stories to share when we get together. Thankfully, Ruby and I have found two great go-to babysitters, so we were able to all go to an event together.

 

 

Me and my sis



Ruby, me and Allison. (Yes, we clumbed up on a fountain).

Mississippi Rising

Meteorologists tell us here in Memphis that the Mississippi River crested at 48 feet today and that it will slowly recede back to normal levels within the next couple of weeks. The Mettees haven't been personally affected by the water, though the church we've been attending has been converted into a shelter for a couple of weeks now. I continue to be inspired by our faith community and how its members step up to be God's hands and feet.

Flooding has affected low lying areas and though it has been life-changing for hundreds of residents, most of the city is dry. I wanted to see the river for myself today, and went to see it with some friends. We found a swollen Mississippi and lots of gawkers.



The intersection of Beale Street and Riverside Drive is under water.



CNN crew waits for their next shot.



River crests at 48 feet.



Thanks, Amanda Mauck, for letting me steal this photo from your blog. Love the pyramid in the background.



Pump it Up!

Jack's birthday extravaganza wrapped up on Saturday with his big Pump it Up party. Two days later, I think he's still recovering. I've posted some pictures from the big day.

 

 

Jack Mettee, Friendly 5-Year-Old

I've been thinking a lot lately about the weekend we left Spring Hill. The things I remember most about that last day: My mom came to help me clean my quickly-sold house. My neighbors brought food to celebrate one last meal together. And I was so very pregnant. When it was over, John and I climbed in separate cars -- he in the Uhaul, me in our Camry -- and we left that life to start a new one here.

We celebrated Jack's 5th birthday yesterday -- he's the one I was so very pregnant with back in Spring Hill. It's been five years since we packed everything up and moved to a place where we knew almost no one. And yesterday, we celebrated his birthday with all his close friends from school. Then, Jack and Ben tagged along to a separate work party after school where my dear Le Bonheur family serenaded "Happy Birthday" to him. We've come so far from that scary ride to Memphis in our Uhaul.

Some things I want to remember about Jack at this age:

I'm the one he wants when he's hurt or wants to snuggle, but John is definitely the cool parent. He loves dinosaurs and monster trucks -- and sleeps with his monster trucks perched on his bed rail. They are his protectors from the bad dreams.

When he grows up, he wants to be a stegosaurus, and he's already preparing me for this. Stegosauruses have spikes, and so it'll be hard for me to hug him when he grows up -- with the spikes and all. But it'll be OK, mom, he tells me. His favorite TV shows are Dino Dan on NickJr. and Monster Jam.  He and his best friend, Josh, could play with monster trucks for hours at a time -- and do.

He's still attached to his blanket, Bobby. It goes to school with him for naptime and he sleeps with it. He still sucks his thumb when he holds the blanket. I have this picture in my head of him sitting on the couch, holding Bobby and sucking his thumb. I hope it is etched in my memory forever.

He loves to cook with me, especially on Friday mornings when I try to make a decent breakfast. He climbs up on his chair with the whisk my mom bought for Christmas, and helps out. He still can't crack an egg.

My favorite time with him is when we snuggle at night and read books, after he's whined a sufficient amount about the fact he has to go to bed. Two nights ago, during our prayers, he thanked God for Jesus and the cross. I was a happy girl.

He still whines some about putting his clothes on by himself and wears his underwear inside out at least 4 times a week. And he still has to ask which shoe goes on which foot, though I think I've finally convinced him that socks do not have an assigned foot. Silly bands are always an accessory. He gives them to his friends when he gets to school and collects new ones. This is a never-ending game.

At 5, he's divided the world into two types of people: friendly and not friendly. "He's friendly, mom?," he'll ask. This is after he's walked up and said hello. The stranger's reaction determines which group he gets assigned to. He says hello to everyone he meets, even those we pass in the aisles at Kroger and Target. After saying hello, he introduces them to Ben. "He's my brother," he tells them. Ben wants to be just like Jack when he gets bigger, and Jack is only mildly annoyed with him -- mostly when Ben tries to play with his most prized toys. He also watches over Ben when I'm not looking, and knows when to come find me when I'm needed most. I can't wait to watch them grow up together.

I've posted some pictures of Jack's birthday lunch at school yesterday. John and I took Jack's favorite foods for the class: pizza and donuts.

The class singing "Happy Birthday" to Jack.

 

Barbie Jeep Coup

Some days, I pity my niece, Mary Beth. The only girl of my mom's six grandchildren, life can be a little alienating for her. Jack taunts her. Ben tackles her. And her baby brother gets a LOT of attention from mom. Never mind that those baby dolls are tucked in bed nicely. When Ben and Jack come over, they are destined to be rammed and hit and strangled.

I took this video of the three of them playing with her Barbie Jeep this past weekend, and thought it pretty much explained their relationship right now. (Notice Mary running for dear life when the "dynamic duo," as my mom calls them, come after her.)

One day, they'll be her protectors. But not today.

Playtime

Jack kicked off the weekend before his birthday with his first T-ball practice and a playdate with his best friend, Josh.

T-ball was an adventure, but I'm learning all sports at this age are. The overachiever in me wants him to hustle and get aggressive. But I know that's not his style, so I'm trying to employ all my healthy parenting skills and just let him play. That, and I'm so busy chasing Ben that I didn't really see all of practice. I'm pretty sure Ben will get whacked with a bat before this is over.

Josh came over to play this afternoon. I'm posting pics from the last playdate that his mom sent me and some from today. With tornados and flooding looming, we stayed in all day today. They locked themselves in Jack's closet and played Monster Jam, came out to eat lunch and make cookies, and then watched MORE Monster Jam on TV.

Best friends at the park



Today, playing Playdoh in the kitchen.



The cookies they decorated. LOTS of sugar.