Little-Soccer-Boo

Because I didn't have enough craziness in my life, I let myself be talked into going to an ALL DAY tournament two days after our massive road trip home from California.


Here's how it all went down:

Little Boo has started playing soccer on a great team in a local all-girls' league.  Her coach was a bit of a stickler at first, causing DH and I to wonder what exactly we had gotten ourselves into. They practiced twice a week for an hour and a half... they had to arrive at games 30min before... we had to pay fees exactly on this date at this time.... the uniform cost a pretty penny...  All this for an under 7 team!

I was a bit apprehensive.  This guy and this team seemed a bit... intense... for our family.

Then came the first game.

Little Boo, in her super-cute and sassy pink uniform, headed out to the field to play defense.  I was highly skeptical, but bit my tongue.  And I was in for quite a surprise.

Of all of my soccer-playing children, Little Boo was good.

Not only could she steal the ball from the fast moving forwards and kick it back down the field, but she also seemed to intuitively know and understand where she needed to be at all times. I was so used to eating my own fist when it came to watching the kids play, (what with me feeling helpless as my soccer-clueless children gallivanted all over the field, always in the wrong position, always misjudging the play... I had a heart-attack at every game....I was quite the sideshow for my friends :P ) that I didn't quite know what to do with myself when it came to Little Boo's games. 

I could... sit back?  Enjoy? Simply cheer her on?

What a concept!
:)

During our vacation on the west coast, Little Boo kept bringing up this tournament.  It was an all day affair, the Saturday after we returned. It was over an hour away, and the girls would be expected to play 4 games total.  DH and I said NO. WAY.  But Little Boo was determined.  We'd be enjoying our hamburgers at In-n-Out, and she would ask about the tournament.  We'd be playing in the sand at the beach, and the tournament would be on her mind.  We'd be waiting in line at Disneyland, for heaven's sakes, and she would ask if she could play in the tournament with her team.

And so, at our hotel in Gallup, NM I got an e-mail from her coach.  He had a few last-minute cancellations for the tournament, and could really use Little Boo, he said.  After discussing it with DH the next day, somewhere between Albuquerque, NM and Amarillo, TX, I texted the coach  and said that she could play.  A few phone calls back and forth... and we were set.

Little Boo was ecstatic.

And the rest?

Is a picture-post...

She took most of the goal kicks...

She did a great job of shielding the ball from the other team....

She had awesome positioning on corner-kicks...

She had a great time with her teammates....

And she came out a winner...

Of course.

:)

Recuperating

Is this thing on????
:P

What a whirlwind trip.

Yes, we are home. Have been for quite a few days.

And boy, what a crazy few days it has been!

Our time in California was wonderful. Really and truly, a beautiful vacation.

A picture perfect shot, no?
:)

Even though the water was quite frigid!!

Of course, Little Boo was the first to fall in.  When asked what happened she responded...
Kinda weird.  The water pulls the sand out from under your feet!

And she huffed away indignantly.
How dare that ocean.  Really, how rude.
:P

We went to a beautiful graduation at my breath-taking Alma Mater.

That's my godson Sports Fan is holding... quite the cutie!

After graduation we crashed at the beach house and entertained approximately 80 billion people.

No, not really.  But with our group it sure felt like it!
:P
So, we did a lot of this...

And this...

(my other cutie-pie nephew!)

And we enjoyed smelling these...

And we painted these...

I call these Beach Toes.
:)

After we tired of the beach (or, actually, had to leave our seaside paradise) we headed here:

Where we spent almost 12 hours riding awesome rides and seeing fun shows and just soaking in all that we could for our last day of vacation.

In between, we stayed with friends from college, and had a blast catching up on 7 years' worth of events and experiences (we graduated almost 15 years ago... but had seen them a few times since) and noting at every turn that our philosophies of life were in agreement.... while the kids ran around and played non-stop.
It's just so awesome to touch base.

Our ride home was long.  Laboriously long.

But, we made it.  And we have a huge book of memories to go along with our adventure.  Eventually, I'll get it all together, but for now it's here and elsewhere on the computer. 

But most especially, in the re-tellings of my kiddos. 

Which makes it all totally worth it.

:)

Daybook: Road Trip Edition

We are heading out to the wilds of a Nutty Family Road Trip in a few days. Wednesday morning we will gather our bags and pillows, our toys and food, along with a hearty dose of courage, and embark on a 2 day trip to the California Coast.

In short, we are insane. (PLEASE pray for us!)

:P

I Am Listening To...

DH vacuuming out the car.  Nothing says "I Love you" like a clean car for a long road trip.



I Am So Grateful For...

Feeling "normal."  I can eat again, and coffee is back on the menu.  Granted, it must be diluted with ice and tons of cream and sugar, but it's there.  I am so happy.


I Am Pondering...

This: I tell you honestly what I’m reading or wearing or cooking or whatever. I don’t edit myself much, mostly because my daybook is where I gather my own thoughts. I sometimes pretty much forget you’re reading. But you are. And so are other people. Some of them write to tell me they disapprove of what I’m reading or wearing or cooking (or cleaning even). It is my challenge to learn to listen to those criticisms without having them rock my world.

It constantly amazes me how people have so much time to notice the perceived speck in another's eye, yet not the gigantic plank in their own. The exacting smallness of their hearts must truly be a burden to them.  I just wish they would keep that burden to themselves and not subject other's to the shriveled state of their souls.  It is not beautiful, it does not bring joy, nor does it speak charitable instruction. 


I Am Reading...

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  I'm hosting bookclub tomorrow evening!  Egg rolls and strawberry pie are on the menu.  Wanna come?


I Am Thinking...

About our trip.  I'm so excited to get there and spend time with my family on the beach.  I am so not excited to spend two days in the car to get there.  Luckily, I'll be too busy the next few days to worry much.


I Am Creating...

Lists.  Many lists.  DH doesn't understand it.  "Just throw some clothes in a suitcase and off we go!"  Right.  And no one will have any underwear and all the chargers will be left at home.
:P


I Am Wearing...

Low-slung jeans (what am I going to do when I outgrow them??) and a t-shirt, white flip-flops and my curly hair back in a pony tail.  Not exactly Sunday attire, but I'll be working over a pot of hot oil today. 


Towards a Real Education...

New plans for next year are on the horizon.  I know, what else is new?  Hush.  If you are a homeschooling mom, you are just as excited as I am!


Towards Rhythm and Beauty...

Slowly, we are reclaiming the house.  Some spaces will have to wait until after our trip.  It's the way it has to be.  And it's ok.  Really.



I'm Hoping and Praying...

For a safe trip.  Sorry, but I'm a bit worried.  I always do before we embark on these adventures.



In The Garden...

Tomatoes!  Lots of them sprouting out everywhere.  The yellow flowers give way to brown and then a glorious small green bud of fruit.  The fragrance of the plants is heavenly.


Around The House...

Laundry.  Tons of it.  For the next two days, I'll be working the machines.  The kids were told that on Tuesday they wear "dorky" clothes... aka NON-California trip clothes.  No last minute loads Tues night!


From The Kitchen...

Egg rolls for dinner tonight.  I always make a ton when I make them.  The amount of work involved is only compensated by the quantity produced.  Besides, it's been ages since we've had them.  And no, I do not mind cooking on Mother's Day.
:)


One Of My Favorite Things...

Lake trips.
We took our first of the season on Wednesday.  Sunny, high of 93.  The kids had a great time in the water.
One of the many many perks of homeschooling.
:)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...

Soccer practice, Scouts, and packing. Tomorrow is a party for our homeschool co-op, and a play by the 3-5 graders.  Bookclub as well.  We'll be full speed ahead until we pile in the car at 5am Wed morning.
Then we can sit.
For 22 hours.
:P


A Few Picture Thoughts I Am Sharing...

Our girlie Tea Party last weekend.

It was such a lovely day!

:)

The Definition of "Appropriate"

And yes.  The name of her team really is SPICE.


:P