Rangers clench... Mommy cries.

 Andrew, Chris, and I watched to Rangers clench the division. It was such a fun night; however, I doubted (many times) whether Andrew would make it through the whole game. Luckily, he did.

Things started out with an unexpected bang! We parked and road the shuttle...boring, right? Wrong. We were the last ones seated, and the only seats left were the two in the far back: the full-sized and the half seat. Andrew sat BY HIMSELF on the half seat. The worried look on his face was pretty hilarious as he debated the safety of the whole experience having only ever ridden in car seats. Then, we hit a bump. His face lit up and he said, "This is amazing!"

Next,we had to wait at will call for our friends and our tickets, which soon soured Andrew's pregame excitement. My doubting began at this very moment. Although, once we got to our seats (right by first base), Andrew was in perfect position to see his favorite player, Michael Young. His excitement grew again... until the middle of the 2nd inning when he started asking to go home. Yikes.

Luckily, I had enough sugary treats in my purse to keep us all interested in the game. The Rangers helped by hitting a few home runs, and Andrew loved the celebratory fireworks. Throughout the game, he enjoyed most of the in-game festivities like the dot races, music, and foenormous video screen. He was a little distraught when they played the "stealing third" game. A little boy gets chance to "steal third" if he can run to it, grab it, and bring it back in time. Andrew's objection, "If they let him steal that base, then the Rangers won't have anything to run around." Good point.

Fast forward to the end of the game, and we are all waiting for the post game fireworks. Andrew (now several hours past bedtime) is cradled in my lap (where he spent most of the game). The evening's a little cool, so he is snuggling into me just a bit. The fireworks start, the music plays, and I'm loving every minute: singing Journey, snuggling my little man, and gazing up at the 360 degree show.

With the biggest smile on his face, Andrew looked up at me and said, "Mommy, this is the happiest I ever been in my whole life. Thanks for bringing me to the Rangers game."

Me too, baby. Waterworks again. This kid really knows how to melt my heart.

:)
Anne

Points of View

We had our dear friends, Rachel and Matt, over tonight for dinner, and with them came their 3 kids (2 of which are newly placed foster children). As the years of their fostering have past, we have seen many sweet faces pass through their care.

As an educated adult, I can barely wrap my head around the foster parent gig that my friends have chosen. Andrew has tried to understand the process, too; however, we don't really explain it all that well. I just have told him as his playmates come and go through the Clarke house that Mattie and Rachel help take care of other people's kids when those people can't. Mattie and Rachel are these kids' mommy and daddy when they need them. He seems very accepting of this.

Tonight, I saw two very different points of view of this process. Long after dinner and playtime, it was time to clean up (after two 3 year olds, a 6 year old, and a 15 month old-Yeesh). The very verbal and smart 6 year old stops cleaning and asks me, "Why do you have kids?" Slightly taken aback, I paused to reflect on such a deep question. Before I could answer, she continued, "Do you foster them?" I said, "Nope. I don't foster them, but I am surely living the dream." What do I say to that?

About 5 minutes later, we all finished our clean-up efforts and joined Chris, Rachel, and Andrew in the kitchen. As we were saying our goodbyes, Andrew said to Rachel, "Thanks for getting some new kids."

Matt then turned to the 6 year old and said, "That's why they have kids. Because they are funny."

In Andrew's mind, having foster kids as your best friends means always getting to have new friends.


I like that. So, thanks Mattie and Rachel for getting some new kids. (Although we all know it's much more than that. )

:)
Anne