Soccer!

Here is an obnoxious amount of pictures from our first summer tournament this year. Maria's team went up and was tied for first place going into the finals and lost 0-1. It was a tough battle. There was pushing, scratching, pinching, jersey pulling, ankle kicking and yelling. And that was just the parents. Maria was especially pleased with the neon yellow shirt we got her to commemorate the event. Morrie and I were able to watch lots of games with kids we knew from all over the place. It was a great weekend (even though it felt like October outside!).

Pushing!

A beautiful cross.

This is how she is most of the time, a blur!

Can you hear the cleats hitting the ball?

Think. Focus. Fancy move. Then drive up the line!

Smashing into one another.

Kicking with all the mojo you can muster.

Scare the opponent with your skills.

If you are smaller than them, just jump into them! At one point Maria rushed the goalie and in an attempt to not kick the goalie in the face, she pulled her foot back (the goalie had the ball at this point) and Maria crashed right into her and they both were in a heap in the ground. Both were okay. I might have nervously laughed. Or gasped.

My Birthday!

My birthday was a culmination of events- the first being that work gave me the day off AND paid me. I am still trying to figure that one out! It was also the last day of school for the girls. Isabelle's school is grades k-8, so her class, as 7th graders were asked to stand in front of the congregation at the last school mass. They lit candles and were asked to take on the leadership of the school as the new 8th grade class and were given a blessing. Me, cry? Nooooo.....never! (I cry every year when they aren't even my own kids, and now it was one of my own!!!!!!!!!)

Here is a picture of Maria and her teacher. Not just ANY teacher- this woman loooves teaching early American history and all about the pioneers. We love her. Mrs. Maria Elizabeth (the teacher) and Ms. Maria Elizabeth (the daughter). Two peas in a pod, wouldn't you say? Seriously, that is really her name!

These two cuties are just the best ever. We were so happy for Maria's fellow lover of animals friend. Her friend just made a select basketball team the day before- they were SUPER elated. Plus, they are going to go to college together- which is just down the street from her mom's house and they will go to her mom's house for lunch. That was really their plan. Seriously. Could it be any more awesome? Well, it was their plan, now they want to go to school in California. What a difference a year makes, now they want to go have lives of their own? Whatever!

After school got out and I freaked out because I have a 5th grader and an 8th grader now, we had to soothe ourselves with books. Look what I got!

A book called "The Birth of a New Tradition, Season One, Seattle Sounders FC". Someone is verrry excited about this! I feel much better. Let's pretend it's not my birthday, I am still in my early thirties. I am going to go read my book now. Curled up under blanket. In a dark room. Drinking. Pepsi. Not crying about how old my kids are.

Uh...duh!

Something I know for sure....Facebook is a wonderful thing on your birthday!!!

Things I know for Sure

You know it. Time for a little me and Oprah. It has been hard to blog recently, and I wanted to share some of my new found wisdom that I have been soaking up in the Great Metropolis (that's "The Big City" folks).

-I know that I will throw up if someone says "bandwidth" to me again this week

-I know it really means "I have time", so why can't you all just say THAT???

-My bus driver drives waaaay too fast

- We can go 60 to 0 in only 4 seconds.

-I know FOR SURE that I still don't know exactly what to wear to work every day. What is the freakin policy??? I think they just like to laugh at me behind closed doors.

- I know this because they were literally all laughing behind a closed door

-I know that if your resume is 9 pages long, you will not get the job based on anything past page 2.

-I know for darn sure that I miss my girls when I am at work.

-I know this makes me a total sap- it's not like they are babies or anything.

-Excuse, me I have to crawl under the desk and cry for a moment.

-I know I should keep my hobbies separate from my work life.

-But it turns out I can persuade the office that they NEED bright, colorful posters hanging around

-I know for SURE that I'm still in love with the Sounders, despite the fact that they are breaking my heart.

-I know that if I crawl under the covers and hold my babies that everything will be okay even though Alonso and Hurtado are out and Keller is off his game and Bradley can't play as well as my 10 year old.

-I know for sure they need me down at Starfire

-I have to go.