Happy Easter!

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter, and perhaps explain my prolonged absence from blogging.


I have been pre-occupied with nervousness. Anxiety.

Someone get me a paper bag!!

Maria's team was in the semi-finals of state cup, and Isabelle's quarter final game of state cup was scheduled for the exact same time on the exact same day. I was horrifically torn, not knowing which one I should go to and very nervous for both girls. We decided that Morrie would take Maria and video tape her game for me. I wanted to have game updates, but I know it is impossible to text and use a video camera. at the same time.

Morrie did NOT want any texting whatsoever. He was in his own ball of heart palpatations.


We knew Izzy would be doing things like this:


When she got dressed for this position, I was a heart attack waiting to happen:

I hate to see her in goal, and her goalie was injured, but there was a possibility that the main goalie would play. We crossed our fingers. We said extra prayers. We lit candles. When we got to the field, the other back up keeper got dressed. We obviously didn't light enough candles, but this would work out. Phew!

Then the second half came and Izzy had to put the gloves on. I was dying. I knew Morrie did not want to know this was happening. However, I was surprised that he hadn't texted me ANYTHING at all.

It turns out, all the parents watching Maria's game were freaking out as it went into double overtime.

You can see a cool highlight video that Maria and Morrie made here:

www.youtube.com/fcalliancepremier

Izzy's team won their quarterfinal and were decidedly overjoyed:

We met up with Morrie and Maria to find out that she had lost after the poor kids played an 80 minute game. It wasn't a fantastic experience for Maria and we tried to sweep up her sorrow by going out to dinner and getting caught in the worst traffic around Southcenter mall ever.


Maria's tryouts were the week following state cup and she wasn't sure if she should tryout again. In the end, she decided it was worth a shot as there would be a new coach.

Here is a picture of a girl I plan on seeing more of this year:

She was excited to be offered a spot on the A team, and we look forward to much more soccer inspired fun for the next 12 months. I sure am glad she had that one day off from practice!

Just kidding, I think she will have May off.

Maybe. Probably.

Well, I'm not totally sure.

I can't think about it anyway, as I have to prepare a stack of paper bags for Izzy's semi final game this weekend. Why does it feel like my heart is beating in my stomach? Why do I keep waking up at 3:30 in the morning?

Is this called socceritis?

Kleenex Alert!

Okay, maybe YOU don't need kleenex for this one, but I needed some. As a matter of fact, I think I need a therapy appointment for my gooey heart and melty memories that make me weepy. Isabelle was once a second grader. She was really cute. It was Christmas one time. We draw names at Christmas. Every kid (even the big ones) hope that my Dad gets their name. He likes lists. He buys the whole list. He's pretty much like having Santa in your family. This one year, when Isabelle was second grade cute, my dad had her name. She opened her gift, that turned out to be a note. That led to another note. She was obvisouly planning on something grand, because it looks like she is dressed for the Oscars. Anyway, this note led to yet another note. It was very exciting as all the little cousins chased her all over the house listening to her read aloud, telling them where this epic adventure was taking them next.

It eventually led to the porch.

Outside.

Where there was a brand new bike waiting for her.

She saw the bike, and then quickly looked at Mom to share an over the top moment of excitement that only you can share with your mom.

Because you mom knows you THAT well.

And it still makes your mom cry every time she sees the picture of the shared look of sheer joy.

Then she cries harder as she sees those little hands wrapped around Grandpa's neck thanking him for the most fantastic gift a girl could ever get.

Thanks Dad. It was a gift that that I won't ever forget!

Camera+

To say that I am "enjoying" my new Camera+ app on my iphone would be an understatement. I just spent an hour playing with it instead of making breakfast. Have a banana people, I am busy! Sometimes, the most willing subjects are the ones that can't cover their faces.

That is my dog from 1979.

Okay, it was from yesterday, but I love the fact that I can re-create what it would have been like to go ride my big wheel and come in and pet my dog.

That was my cat from 1893.

Amazing?

The borders! The effects! I can't take it!!!

I actually have 2 camera apps on my phone, so imagine what my life will be like when I am obsessed with both and not just one.

Learn how to cook your own meals is my only advice.

A Little Somethin'

When Maria plays soccer, I think that sometimes, the other team might underestimate her due to her size. Then, she runs past them like a bullet, or pushes them down, and before they know it, they are dumbfounded. Then she gets called for her 3rd foul and I look up at the sky like I don't know who's kid that is. If you read my blog regularly, you know the "knee in the butt" is a favorite move of hers.

She will kind of push you out of the way and take the ball, if she is so inclined.

This is totally typical. She will run up against anybody. Doesn't matter if you are a foot and a half taller. She is not intimidated by you.

Maria has had an excellent week with her new coach. These pictures are what it looks like when you get your mojo back. I think I need to go out and get me some of that mojo.

We do other things!

You must think that by this time, we don't do anything except play sports. It's a little bit true, but I will prove to you today that we are multi talented. This is Maria after school last week. I think someone needs to get more sleep. She may want to take some of the vitamins that are sitting right in front of her. Just a suggestion. This is moi talking to my friend Kathy. Morrie is- for some inexplicable reason- using my camera. Izzy is repeatedly saying "Mom, we need to go to Starbucks" over and over. I can't hear Kathy and I can't hear Izzy (because they are both talking to me), but I can pose for the picture!

I think this is why I embarrass the kids sometimes. Not totally sure, but it's a possibility.

Maria finally woke up, and she is holding her goods from Starbucks. Can you believe they sell cake pops now? I keep thinking some baker just totally scored the giant contract with that decision!

Starbucks in my family makes everyone very happy. The happiness lasts too, so it is in my best interest to keep it coming. The joy lasted so long for Maria, that she is actually posing on the soccer field here.

Who does that?

Poses all funny when they have a camera pointed at them?

Weird.

Izzy and I spent HOURS shopping for her graduation dresses. No, that is not a typo, they need TWO. I think they are trying to kill the parents. Morrie said we should go for high neck and long skirt.

Does this foot the bill?

It's not a shirt folks. It is really a dress. My dad had it easy in our day.

OMG, she looks so cute here! I have to go hug her. She is getting to grown up and I need her to be 7 again.

I will also have you know that I don't always hold the camera at soccer games. Well, most of the time I do. Unless my camera is broken. Then I sit around with these two squirrels. I wonder what piece of priceless advice Maria is passing on here. Maybe I shouldn't ask.

There you have it, we drink Starbucks, we lay around, we talk on the phone and we make fun of ridiculously short dresses. Ialso make Izzy try on floor length gowns just to pull pranks on people when we text them pictures of it. Then we lay on the floor of the dressing room laughing until our sides burst.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my parents 45th wedding Anniversary. That is a looong time. Morrie and I are only at 14...I think....hold on....yes that is correct. Look at them! Aren't they cute? They don't even know what is ahead of them yet in this picture. All they see is the perfectly lined flatware and probably the punch table in front of them. They really have 4 kids, a few homes, 9 grandchildren, lots of private school tuition, 9 cats, and 1 dog out there in front of them. Calm down, they never had more than 4 cats at one time! I would like to wish them a very Happy Anniversary today! Thank you for all the times you drove to West Seattle with extra keys when we locked ourselves out of the car (2 of us did that), thank you for driving us to all our sports (soccer, track, basketball, swimming, ballet, skiing, etc), thank you for standing in the rain at soccer games, sitting through long swim meets, sewing ribbons on point shoes, sequins on recital outfits, paying for expensive lift tickets, taking care of the grand babies and the grand dog, thank you for flying us everywhere to be together, and thank you for listening to us when we call late at night!