Devils vs. Cardinal

On September 21 - yes my mom's birthday - Dave, Drew, and I decided to go to the ASU vs. Stanford Cardinal game, Drew's first college football game.  So the drive down it was pouring. And by California standards it was torrential downpour - by Eastern/Midwest standards it was pouring!  I looked at the weather reports for Palo Alto and they said the rain should stop around 1:30 - 0% chance of rain after that.  Sweet.  So we arrived a the parking lot to do some tailgating around 1:45pm and the rain ceased....

 The boys with their beverages...

And then we handed the camera to Drew... here's what he came up with.

 

He's just so cute, even if he's not a great photographer yet...

 

No that wasn't his "sippy cup". LOL

So I ran to get the tickets at Will Call while Dave and Drew stayed back at the car, only Mother Nature decided to let loose one last time.  I came back as a drowned rat as the clouds dropped everything they had for about 30 minutes.  I found some cover under a tree with some Stanford fans for about 15 minutes while I waited out the worst.

Drew literally laughed at me when I came back to the car as the rains let up.  I got the sympathy chuckle from Dave when he saw me.  The good news, I dressed in layers so I could shed some and throw my hair up for the game.

We had great seats in the ASU section.

I don't have any explanation for Drew's crazy faces lately.

And here's our first touchdown right after the 2nd half...

We had to force Sparky to do his 7 push-ups.

We taught Drew how to make the fork...

And  Drew lost interest in the game shortly after the game started.  We managed to keep him around until the middle of the 3rd quarter when we decided to bail.

When we left the Devils were getting slaughtered 24-7... but then ASU came back some and we listened to the remainder of the game on our drive home.. the final was 42-28.

On to USC this week... (we're digging on the fact the local viewing of the games in the East Bay is right down the street).

Soccer Fun

Just some random fun from our 3rd soccer game of the season.

Drew is #2.

 And here's a video of Drew playing shortly before his really aggressive moment.

Race Bug Bites the Family

On the morning of Drew's Birthday Party my parents and neighbor joined me for their first 10K race - the Delta Harvest Run.  I've done this 10K for the past 3 or so years.  It seems to be doubling in size every year which is great since it raises money for the local food bank.

Here was Grammy and GrampC before the run (all photos are from my cell phone)



My neighbor Julie and I

Still Pre-race - my Dad and I.  I have to add this was not only his first 10K, but his first ever race!


The whole family - Mom, Dad and I


This is the first time I've done a 10K and run the entire distance, I'm usually sick in September and thankfully I was healthy for this one and ran the entire time.  Admittedly my training wasn't where it should've been and I finished with a final time of 1:09:41.

Here is Grammy coming into the finish giving a friend a high-five.

Her final time was: 1:47:41
Dad's  time: 1:44:40
Julie finished about a minute ahead of me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Drew: Episode VI (Birthday Update)

This is going to be an all encompassing birthday update, his actual birthday fell on a Thursday and that meant he had to go to school.  So Wednesday night Dave and I blew up 50 balloons and put them in his room.

When he woke up on his birthday (at 5:04am I might add), the first thing out of his mouth was "Uh..... It's not 6am yet.  I'm not 6 until 6am".  We're not sure where that came from other than the fact he was told at the age of 2 he cannot get out of bed until it's 6am.

So we sent him off to school and they made him feel extra special - he came home with a birthday banner that all his classmates signed as well as a certificate from the teacher with a pencil and pad of paper.

The following week we received the birthday goody bag which included some books and a journal where we were to document what he did for his birthday with photos if we like.  They discourage any treats (food or otherwise) for birthdays.  So we skipped that this year.

After school we let him pick his choice of restaurants for dinner - although admitedly we did veto his first choice of McDonalds.  Plan B was Applebees.  After dinner we came home to sing Happy Birthday and give him his birthday cupcake.  He never did eat it.. Daddy and I polished it off a couple days later.

Because of our crazy schedules we had Drew's 6th birthday party on Sunday.  The theme was Star Wars - Episode VI to be specific.  Because we're lucky enough to have decent weather in the early/middle of September we opt to have his parties at the park so the kids have something to do and it's relatively pain free for Dave and I - as our place is kind of tiny.

This year was no exception.  The party started at 2:00 so I just had some snacks out for everyone

On the table you see: Wookie Watermelon, Ewok Nibbles, Death Star Dip, Boba Fett's Booty and Fruit Sabers.

To drink we offered Jedi Juice

 

This was a "new to us" park in a neighboring city.  The only  bummer was the splash park wasn't working.  The kids didn't seem to care.

Some of the kids - 

 L-R: Charlize, Zionna, Drew, Troy, Christopher

Best buds since Drew was born, Drew & Troy

Aunt Connie and Cousin Avery

 My family protecting the table from "invaders" (kids from a nearby party kept trying to join our shindig and the parents were rudely washing their feet at our tables).
L-R: Uncle Matt, Cousin Adrina, Grammy, and Cousin Kady

Uncle Doug and GrampC trying to find some shade

I also won a House Party for the new BeyBlade BeyWarriors  sets.  This Party Pack gave us 2 arenas and 6 figures so the kids (some older than others) a chance to battle.  Our guests got some discount coupons as part of the party pact and codes for the new App the kids can play on tablets/smartphones.

I have to say the BeyWarriors which have arms and faces seem to be more fun for the kids than the original BeyBlades - which are essentially spinning tops that "fight".

Back to the Birthday Party... as I mentioned the theme was really Star Wars.  Things are so crazy busy for me I opted not to make the cake this year, and we just ordered the edible image to put on the store bought cake.  I think it turned out great!

After some more playing at the park it was time to open gifts.  He was so excited to open the one from Grammy and GrampC which was a new Shel Silverstein book of poems (Everything on It)

He was so excited in fact he wanted to read it to his friends instead of opening gifts.

Mean parents we were we made him move on.  Then he got to Uncle Matt's Birthday card. All of the kids loved it! 

What you can't tell in that picture is it's a musical card asking Drew to blow out the "light up" candles.  All of the kids were trying to blow out all the candles - a little spit may have flown around in the attempt to extinguish those candles.  Drew continued to open presents and kids were continuing to play with that card.

And then came the card from Aunt Connie and Uncle Doug. It sang to him...

... even saying "Andrew".  After reading and listening to the whole card Drew so excitedly announced "It knows my name!"  A big chuckle from the crowd.

Another successful party in the books.  Hopefully moving into the coming years we'll be able to invite more school friends, since we're done changing schools for awhile.  Because of where Drew's birthday falls in September, we just don't want to be "one of those" parents sending birthday invites at the first day of school to virtual strangers.

Mommy's Birthday Letter to Drew - Age 6

Drew,
In a blink of an eye, you've turned six.  As I tell you nearly everyday... stop growing up!  Well at least slow it down a little for me okay?  Before long, you'll no longer want to "cuddle cuddle" at night or on those rare occasions throughout the day - boy I'm going to miss that.
In the past year we've seen so many changes in you.  Not only have you shot up about 2-3 inches, but you've matured.  While we were nervous about holding you back in TK this time last year, we know we did the right thing for you and now the confidence you have is astounding.  Keep it up!  I know you've been disappointed that you couldn't "skip kindergarten" and head of to first grade like many of your friends, but I know we're doing the best thing for you.  Just remember to challenge yourself and never lose that thirst for knowledge.
Some of the little things we've noticed this past year...

• You moved from TK to Kindergarten without any nervousness whatsoever, despite changing schools


• You astound me with how much that little brain of you knows. For example, just last month you asked how old Uncle Matt turned on his birthday... I said, Mommy's age, minus two.  And you answered immediately how hold he was.  Then looking over at Grammy you asked how old she was.  Never in a million years thinking you'd get it right, I told you "Mommy's age, plus 21."  You thought about it for maybe 2 seconds and got it first try... thankfully I have witnesses, I don't think anyone else would've believed me.  Math and reading come so easy for you, don't cheat yourself and start slacking as the years go by, challenge yourself.


• Soccer and Tball, you take both on with a competitor's heart.  Just remember it's all about having fun, don't take things too serious.


• I love watching your imagination reading "I Spy" or various "Look and Finds" as you take any small action figure on a ride that only you can explain.  You can do that for hours and it's so wonderful to watch.  Don't grow out of that too fast.


• Your sense of wanderlust and adventure is awesome.  We love taking you on adventures and yes, those famous hotel stays you love.  I'm not sure what you loved more this year... the Embassy Suites or the trip to Virginia...


• Our little chats to/from school or those moments before bed... you have no idea how truly special they are to me.  They give me such insight into the person you're growing up to be.  I hope you always share things with your Dad and I.


• I love watching you become Daddy's little buddy.  He can do no wrong in your eyes, I hope you keep that sense of innocence and admiration.


• If it's a movie that Daddy loves, you love it - Star Wars, Goonies, The Neverending Story, Indiana Jones Trilogy... etc.  You are two peas in a pod.

I thank God everyday for blessing us with you.  Just keep being you, don't try to change for anyone else, keep that sweet heart of yours, and that amazing intelligence.  You never cease to amaze us.  I cannot wait to see how much you grow this next year, just promise not to grow up too fast, huh?
I love you all the way to Neptune and back 500 times,
Mommy

Soccer Season Kicks Up Again

Soccer season has come returned and so we're spending our Saturday mornings out on the soggy wet field to watch Drew kick the ball around for a few hours.  I love it!

So on Saturday we had to be at the new field (they changed where we play soccer) at 8am. No problem for our early riser.  Decked out in his new uniform Drew was excited to play for the Daredevils.

There is one coach (and he plays soccer too so it's awesome) and six players.  Only 3-4 kids on the field at a time, so they're still learning the concept of the game.  It's not a normal game where they play positions yet.

Here are a few pictures of them doing drills (practice) before the game.  Drew is number 2.

And then at 8:30 it was game time.  There was some improvement from last year. 

He was a big more aggressive however there was one crying spell around the 3rd quarter when someone kicked him in the ankle.  And a few near tears when the other team was demolishing us (they don't keep score but you can't tell that to these 5 and 6 year olds).

Did I mention the other team was good?  Well 2 players anyway, we didn't see much of anyone else handle the ball from the other team.

Our coach put the kids in for 4 minutes a piece (1 quarter is 8 minutes and there are 4 quarters with 1 "half-time").  Here was Drew's "crew" during one of their breaks.  Drew is number 2 on the right, and our neighbor Christopher is 75 in the middle.

Finally the game is over - here comes the Daredevils after shaking hands with the other guys.

After the game, Drew asked if he had to play soccer next year.  I said only if he wants to.  He already said he's done after this season.  I guessed this was going to be our last season because I don't think Drew's really "into it" but it was sort of sad to hear it after the first game.  Oh well we'll enjoy it while we can.

I think some of the issue is Drew is too competitive for his own good, and if he's "losing" he gets too frustrated and wants to quit, so we'll see if that changes throughout the season.

The Great Outdoors

It's tradition we go camping for the long holiday weekends in the summer.. this Labor Day was no exception.  We even conned convinced some friends to join us on the crazy adventure we call camping.

One great thing about this trip is Drew was on 2 weeks of assessments at school, so he was out by noon. We hit the road shortly after (I took the day off work) and were completely set-up before 3:30pm.  This is how Drew spent most of the afternoon...

... playing with his army guy reading "I Spy" books.  And I mean he did this for hours!

We on the other hand sat around drinking... See Grammy and Dave are chillin' outside Grammy and GrampC's "house".

Around 5:30 that evening we heard a loud "pop" and then a few minutes later sirens and everyone at the campsite started walking through the church right next to our site and out to the main road.  It seems there was a car accident, which caused a transformer explosion, and the transformer (or the accident) sparked the fast moving grass fire.   There was talk about evacuations from the homes on the opposite side of the street from the campground.

Thankfully, no evacuations and we were able to continue our weekend.  We were without power until around 2am.  At least that's when I went to the bathroom and saw lights were back on.

No fire was going to dampen our weekend...

The next morning our friends Amber and Greg and their boys (ages 2 and 4) came up as did Ms. Stephanie and Brian and the boys (ages 7 and 6).

The adults enjoyed play time too...  Dave and Brian trying to beat us at ladder ball..

Stephanie and I...

The kids wanted to watch, but keep cool.

L-R: Mason, Andrew, Drew, Troy

So I had my Dad taking pictures of us playing, with our camera.  He wanted to get artsy and stood behind our area, when a ball came crashing into my camera... see a ball coming toward us?

... I guess that was the shot before.  It was the "blue balls" that hit the camera breaking our zoom.  So we've had 2 cameras in about 2 or 3 years meet a similar fate thanks to Dave.  (I just had to throw that out there, because I won't let Dave buy a DSLR the way we fly through cameras).

Troy and Drew the next morning hanging out.

Drew and Andrew preparing for future girl watching...

The younger crew eating...

On Sunday at Drake's Beach they do an annual Sand Castle Competition, so we drove out there to let the kids run around and to check things out.  Here are a few of my favorites...

Here's Evan checking out the Lion.

He was so cute, he saw a bear, a lion and a dinosaur.  He really wanted to find a crocodile, but sadly no crocodiles were to be found.

After the beach we went out to the Oyster Farm to get some fresh oysters for appetizers.  We grill them, none of that raw crap.

While we were there, the lady inside pulled the boys aside and was talking to them about the one predator for oysters.. crabs.  Then she sent them to the water on a "crab hunt"

 L-R: Drew, Evan, Andrew (Amber in the background)
The only crabs we found were small dead ones.  So our hunt was unsuccessful.  But the boys had a great time searching.

Later that night we were treated to some beautiful scenery... including a double rainbow.

Drew was so worn out he didn't even make it to the tent to fall asleep.

It was a great time, and hopefully we didn't scare away our new camping buddies or our old ones - I didn't get any pictures of the "older crew" that was with us stocking the group with lemoncello.