The Challenge Cup

We had a very soccerish weekend, Isabelle had 2 games, we watched the Sounders on TV and Maria had a soccer clinic. Although yesterday afternoon was beautiful, yesterday morning in Everett was freezing. So was Saturday's game for that matter. Here is Maria all bundled up at the stadium - my fingers were frozen from taking pictures, but it was worth it!!

I love this picture because you can tell Isabelle is thinking! She sees Emily (#7) getting the ball and is already opening herself up to receive a pass. I love this girl - always one step ahead.

I would like to call HOLDING on this chick. Their parents were extememly rude and poor sports, and I am not surprised that she is grabbing Isabelle's arm. It wasn't called. As a matter of fact, Isabelle had a foul called in her during this game! Perhaps she was getting this girl back, or maybe it was the one that elbowed Izzy in the stomach before a throw in.

This picture is part of a series, and Isabelle totally got the ball! She was on fire yesterday and played one heck of a game! Even though they had 4 subs, the coach left her in until later in the 2nd half - I'm thinking she earned it!

Dog Massage

No, I don't massage the dog, although Morrie does like to massage the animals...This is about how the dog likes to help ME massage other people. I was working on Isabelle's legs last week. They were really sore from the 2 games she had the day before and she had another one that morning. So I start working on the hamstrings and calves and before you know it, Annie walks right up and joins in. She walked on Isabelle's legs and butt, all the while playing with her "Blue Puppy". That dog is such a giver. I am sure that Isabelle loved the fact that Mom didn't make the dog get off, thought it was funny, and had Maria get the camera and start taking pictures!

Here we are skyping with Uncle Aaron. We thought we would have him join us at the dinner table. The reason there are two laptops is because Morrie was out of camera range while we were chatting, and was using the opportunity to check his Facebook status. Because that is vital information and must be constantly monitored.

By the way, did anyone else get a jury summons recently, because I would like to carpool with you down to KENT. Who put me in the Kent pool?? Any advice on how NOT to make a jury would be helpful.

Lazy Sunday

Izzy: Dad, can we go out now?
Dad: Uh, it's raining.
Izzy: So.
Dad: Okay.

Maria had big plans for the day, a gymnastics meet and the first class in a soccer academy afterwards. Unfortunately, she was throwing up all lastnight and was feverish all day. She slept after watching Nascar with Morrrie, then he switched it to golf - because that's a good one to sleep to as well- and then she slept while we replayed the Sounders game. We are very sad for her. She had to flu only 5 weeks ago. Boo!

Maverick and Annie decided Maria had right idea and followed suit.

I had slightly different plans for the day, and climbed 69 flights of stairs at the Columbia Tower with 5,000 other people to raise money for Luekemia. I also spent many minutes thanking my lucky stars that last week was OVER. Although, this week isn't starting off so well with a sick baby, but we'll make it!

Dancing Queens

The girls pulled out "Twister Dance" the other day and really got their groove on. As I write this post, they are playing pass with a tennis ball...it's really more like "Keep Away" from Annie. Annie looooves it.

Desk Fairy

Sometimes the Desk Fairy comes and takes something that is entirely too overwhelming and makes it dissappear. Lucky for the 9 year old, but where is the Desk Fairy for the 33 year old?

Do these look like a 7 1/2?? Well, they are. This girl goes through soccer shoes like nobody's business. At least her old ones didn't fall apart on the field like they did last time. She has 3 games this weekend, so technically, having the extra pair on a wet weekend, might not be such a bad idea after all! Every girl loves new shoes - even when they are just for soccer!

Maria's happiness comes in a $4 box. These are all the girl scout cookies she delivered over the past 2 weeks - we had buyers from right down our street all the way to Vermont! But nobody loves a Girl Scout Cookie like Uncle Loren! he was our biggest supporter this year and Maria is sending out a super hug to everyone who bought some this year.

Happiness for Mom comes when a light dusting of snow sits on some purple blooms. However, I am not really pleased that this happened in MARCH. December, okay, but March? Hello Mother Nature, let's rethink this one shall we??

Here's to warm, sub-tropic thoughts...mmm...that feel nice.

Week in Review

1. I love Bunco! I need another fix, soon!
2. I don't like missing Isabelle's soccer games, but I so appreciate Morrie filming them for me!
3. Working 5 days in a week is not good for the house, my sanity, or the happiness of the family.
3. Maria tied for 3rd place at her gymnastics meet, out of 85 girls. Wahoo!
4. Isabelle's soccer practice got moved to an earlier time, shooooot, I was hoping for a later time people!
5. I love that it will be light later in the day, but missing that hour is killing me this morning!
6. Done. With. The. Cold.
7. DONE.
8. Could I have an extra day with no plans in it, pleeease?
9. Love my new glasses!
10. I am eager to clean up this house. But climbing 1000 stairs will come first today!

Embarassment!

I really need to break out the camera, the pictures inspire my blogging. So here is a picture free story for you:

I was driving the kids to school and thinking that I really had to use the restroom (read: I am finally drinking more water). I figured that since I was going to PCC, I could use their restroom right after drop off. Perfect.

I arrive to an empty PCC lot, the best time for grocery shopping. However, when I get to the restrooms, both are full. Weird. I did hear a flush from one though, so I knew the door just wasn't closed for no reason. Then I hear washing...good, I don't want to use the other one, that person still isn't making any noise...wait, the washing person just flushed AGAIN, I don't know if I want to use that one either....wait...wait...wait...

Finally, the silent guy washes up and comes out of the restroom first. I walk in - no horrid odor, thank goodness. Hmm...the water in the toilet seems kind of high. Even when I tilt my head to the side, yup, it still looks high. I'll just jiggle the handle a little. Oops. That little jiggle unleases the floodgates and water starts POURING out of the toilet all over the floor. Uh-oh. I rush to tell the deli people, they tell me to tell a cashier. I run with a crazed look in my eye and tell the cashier about the Mississippi in the hallway - and try to convince her it wasn't me. I actually saw the guy who had come out of there and I wanted to point him out and scream "It was HIM!", but that would have been rude. I don't think she got the urgency of the matter, but none the less, somebody eventually got back there and fixed it. I'm glad it wasn't me. I think I'll just use the powder room at my own house from now on.