We're Going to Bakersfield!!!!

Brian, your soccer team just won the Section Regionals. Where are you going?

"We're Going to Bakersfield"!!!

Yesterday, Brian's soccer team won both of their games. These wins and the win from last week means that they are officially the Region's:

First Place U12 Boys Team!!!!

The boys played in the semi-finals in the pouring rain for their first game and won 4- 1. Then they played in the Championship game two hours later and won 5 -2. I didn't take any pictures because of the rain, but they were great games. Now the boys compete for the Southern California title in February in Bakersfield. After their win, the boys were screaming, "We're Going to Bakersfield!" (to the tune of "we're going to Disneyland!").

Because their coach was unable to be at their 2nd game, all the families got together tonight for a celebration pizza party. With 11 year old boys, there's always an excuse for pizza! The boys were awarded their 1st Place Medals. They were told to be serious (not by me) for the group shot. I prefer wild and crazy!

Brian with his coach. Congratulations, Brian!

Food, Food & More Food

I don't know what it is about rainy days, but it always makes me anxious until I go out and stock up my pantry. I was born and raised in California, so I know that we're not going to be snowed in for days, unable to go to the grocery store to feed my family. I, alas, have this compulsive need when it rains to stockpile, bake, and make batches of food.

So, I baked my honey an Angel's Food Cake because it's his favorite and he's had a rough week. He had a piece before I had a chance to take a photo. To me, Angel Food Cake is neither a cake, nor a dessert. It's kind of like eating spongy air. But, to each his own.


Next, I baked Cream Cheese Brownies to take to a Poker Game we're going to tomorrow evening. Now, this is dessert!!

Then I decided to make Spaghetti & Meatballs with homemade sauce and homemade meatballs. Usually, we're in such a hurry, it's jar sauce for us and just add in a few herbs. But the sauce that I made today is the kind of sauce that needs to simmer for 4 hours and needs to be made with lots of love and patience (Are you hearing me familia? Code: love & patience = you'd better eat it and not complain! Asking for seconds will earn you extra points!).

Empty plates make me a happy girl!

My Sick Boy

Sean woke up this morning at 5:30 with the stomach flu. Yuck! The poor thing just collapsed and passed out on the couch after the last trip to the bathroom. How sweet does he look when he’s sleeping?


As a mom, you hate to see your kids suffer. You rub their back as they stand over the toilet, offer tissues and sips of water, and hold them until the chills subside. Dads on the other hand , kiss their sons good-bye with the collar of their shirt pulled over their mouth and then run out of the house declaring, “I don’t want to get IT!”. In all fairness, Chris handles the situations involving blood.

History & Hope

Yes, We Did!!!!! This is a new day filled with hope!

Hummingbird

I have an affection for birds. There. I said it. Now, I don't want to be known as the crazy bird lady (cousin to the crazy cat lady), but I am fascinated by birds. Especially hummingbirds. I often find myself staring out my kitchen window just watching the hummingbirds dart back and forth between the feeders. They literally mesmerize me.

One of my photography goals is to capture "the perfect photo" of a hummingbird. I'm talking about National Geographic photo qualilty. This is not it! But I need to practice and this is one of my practice shots. I'm probably using the wrong lens (hint to Chris - hee hee!).

This picture was not Photoshopped. His head is actually this color of purple! He's a little blurry, but I put it in so that you can see his pretty colors.

One time my family was over for some occasion and my sister, Terri, looked out my kitchen window and screamed "A HUMMER! I LOVE HUMMERS!" Well, my husband spit his drink out (because he has the humor of a 14 year old boy) and now these birds are known around the house as "hummers". Chris giggles every time he hears it. Every. Single. Time.

Honor Society Induction

Last night was the Induction Ceremony for the National Jr. Honor Society at the boys' school. I'm proud to say that both boys earned good enough grades to meet the qualifications (GPA 3.5 or higher). Now they just have to put in their 8 hours of Community Service. This was Brian's first year as a middle school student and HE DID IT!! How happy does he look?!


Brian posing for pictures with their principal, Mrs. E.

Sean has been in the Honor Society for two & a half years now. Pretty good for a kid that was close to being retained in the 2nd grade.

Grandma Toni came to show her support for the boys. If anyone knows how difficult Middle School can be, it's her. She was an Administrator for several years and has seen and heard it all! Afterward, we celebrated with ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

The Egg Experiment