Little

Words and their context and meaning swirl around in my head often as a result of being a reading teacher. 

 Lately, I've been thinking a lot about one word...little.

As an adjective, it is defined as small in size, amount or degree.  And we can use it for just about anything:

You are too little to do this or that.

I have a little headache, backache, toothache, scratchy throat.

If only I had a little more time, money, space, room.

I wish I was just a little thinner, taller, bigger, faster.

You have a little hand, please reach deep down this drain, hole, burrow.

Just eat a little more.

Please sleep a little longer.

Those little personality quirks really annoy me.

It's just a little leak.

Needs a little more salt, pepper, spice, flavor.

Give me just a little kiss.

Stay a little longer.

It's just a little confusing when you hear Don't sweat the little things and It's the little things that count.

My kids are little and I am loving it. People tell me all the time to savor these moments, for they pass too quickly.  Don't I know it.  

Salvatore's First Soccer Game

We had his first game this morning.  He was so great!  It was so hot, we could barely stand it.  But to see him in his element was all worth it.  They gathered and practiced for 40 minutes, then played two 10 minute games.  He scored 5 goals!  And the sportsmanship was abundant.  Lots of cheering, hi-fives, taking turns, and running through the tunnel of family hands at the end was the best.  We are looking forward to more Saturdays on the field.

His team name is Transformers.  About 60 boys total, so you can imagine the logistics of setting everyone up.  They all have the same number, 12.  They are all the same age, height, and weight.  If you were more than 25 feet away, you seriously could not tell which kid was yours!

(Sal is the one who scores at the end of this video, in case you couldn't pick him out either :)

How Cute is Valentina?

I'll tell you how cute...

1.  She walks better in heels than some women my age.

2. When she wants you to hush, she puts her finger up to her nose instead of her mouth.

3.  She still puts herself in timeouts.

4.  She wants her toenails painted all of the time now.

5.  She always wants to brush Salvatore's hair when he gets out of the shower.

6.  She tries to dress herself and always puts both legs in one hole.

7.  The way she shouts "PIZZA" if we are remotely close to a CostCo.

8.  She will sit through almost an entire movie in a theater now, but I must let her feed me candy just to keep her quiet for the last few minutes.

9.  She gets really happy when she sees babies, puppies, and cats in public.

10.  She is learning to recite the Our Father, Padre Nuestro in Spanish so she can say her prayers with Daddy and Salvatore each night.

Neil Diamond's Youngest Fan

For Dad's 71st birthday, Brian, Salvatore and I took him to see Neil Diamond at the Honda Center.  We got all dressed up, ate at The Spaghetti Factory, and took off to see The Legend.  Salvatore got lots of stares and adoring smiles from other fans in the crowd, as he was BY FAR, the youngest fan in attendance. I think Brian was the next youngest at 34.  Needing no opening act, Mr. Diamond put on a wonderful show and had us all captivated as he played through the hits.  Dad has been playing Neil Diamond songs for the kids for a long time, so Sal knew some of the words to some of the songs. His favorite is "Sweet Caroline", and to see Sal's face when the song started was just priceless.  Even better was the fact that he did like 5 encores of the song which kept Sal believing he was singing it just for him.  Around 10:30 p.m., my youngest (and oldest) were more tired than Neil himself, so we headed out to the parking lot to beat the traffic and crowd.  

You never forget your first real concert. I am happy to have us all remember this moment with Salvatore and Lolo. SO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO GOOD!!!