Our little soccer pro

Cooling off between games

What a difference a year makes! Last year, my sweet Lincoln wanted to be just about anywhere BUT at his soccer practices and games. It was truly painful. 

I finally came up with the idea to bribe Linc with M&Ms each time he kicked the ball. As in a single M&M for a single kick. His foot didn't necessarily have to connect with the ball, he just had to try. 

So there he was, haphazardly kicking out his little foot, then running to me on the sideline for ONE tiny candy. Back and forth. One kick (or kick attempt) for one M&M. Over and over and over. I bought a bag of fun size packages, and we wouldn't even go through a single package each time. It was that bad. Not anymore. 

I am thrilled to say that we have started a new season without the M&Ms!! Lincoln had his first game on Saturday, and he was AMAZING!! He had his head down and his eyes focused on the ball THE WHOLE TIME. He was breathing so heavily from exertion that he was almost growling as he made his way down the field. And down the field he went!

After he scored 8 goals, I stopped counting. At half time, the coach told his teammates, "Just watch Lincoln--everybody follow Lincoln." When his own teammate started attacking him  trying to get to the ball (click on the pic below for a better view--that kid was ruthless), we pulled him out. And even then, Gavin really had to talk him into taking a break. Seriously. 

I'm still in shock at how different he is from last year. He's our little soccer prodigy. (And his sister isn't 1/2 bad either--but we've always known she was good.)

My big 2nd grader

Cute Aubrey at the bus stop. Are we excited, or what?!?

It's been a bit of a whirlwind around here. Gavin and I flew back from Italy on Tuesday, September 1st--he flew directly to Seattle, and I flew to Salt Lake to pick up the kids. The kids and I then flew to Seattle on Wednesday the 2nd (and less than 12 hours later), so we could be home in time for school to start on Thursday the 3rd. The first day of school is such a party--we for sure did not want to miss out. Thankfully, we went school shopping in July, so we were rip roarin' and ready to roll.

But who needs school shopping when you're going to wear all of last year's clothes? Oh well. I can take at least 1/2 the credit for my daughter's beauty and brains, but I can take no credit whatsoever for her first day of school outfit. It was all her doing--from the too small T-shirt dress to the gold belt and silver shoes--she's a rock star, and she could not be talked out of it. She was so pleased with her choices and asked me before school, "Mom, doesn't this look like a second-grader outfit?" Sure thing, baby cakes. She even did her own hair, gotta love it.

This is Aubrey's review of the first day of school:

I loved it. My new teacher is super nice. Her name is Ms. Anderson. She is the best teacher in the world. I can't wait until open house day and then my mom can see my poster of me that I made. Community time wasn't that long, but Mr. Yoho had to teach the new people how to do the Pledge of Allegiance. The whole day was super fun. Recess was fun, we didn't do math--that bummed me out. I think school is great, not summer vacation. At Christmas time, Mr. Yoho--or I should say, Hoho--changes his name to Hoho. It's funny, like Santa Claus's ho ho. And I met this new boy at school. We are friends. His name is Matthew. And I saw Noelle, Kennedy, Emi, and Noel. 

Bye bye, sweet pea. Have a great day!

She's all smiles.

 (And yeah, that's my house reflected in the window--pretty cool, huh?)

Happy Birthday to Me

As if leaving on our cruise exactly 10 years from our first date weren't enough, I also celebrated my birthday in Italy!

On Sunday, August 30, I woke up here:

Beautiful, artistic, amazing Florence

Then I went to bed here:

Quaint, one-of-a-kind, romantic Venice

But the best part of all was that I visited here:

All I wanted for my birthday was to go to church in Italy. From the moment I walked in the door, I had tears. So many awesome memories of being with the Saints in Italy. I loved it.

And of course it helped having this guy around:

He even surprised me with a special birthday gelato--pistacchio e nocciola! My faves--what a babe!

Yeah, turning the big 3-2 wasn't so bad (or maybe it was 34, or even possibly 36--who's counting?).

{Don't you fret--many, many more vacation extravaganza pics yet to come!}

Goosebumps

Ooh, scary!!

Aubrey and I have been in a Mother/Daughter book club this year. I heard about a similar book club with some older girls that was a HUGE success, so we started one for Aubrey and her friends too (6 and 7 year olds). Our first book was 'Clementine' by Sara Pennypacker (absolutely hilarious, and still one of my faves), and we've read many since.

When we meet, the hostess of the group (the girl, NOT the mom) has a list of questions. It is so cute to sit back and watch the girls eagerly answer about the book they've all read. We usually do some kind of craft or activity, have a treat, and go home. Aubrey and I have both really enjoyed it.

Aubrey was so excited for her turn to host. She picked the book for everyone to read, and her criteria (after convincing her not to go for a book that was also a Disney TV show) were that it "had to be an adventure outside, a mystery, and scary." The mom's criteria is that it needs to be easily accessible at the library and at the girl's reading level. We finally settled on a Goosebumps book, Be Careful What you Wish For, by R.L. Stine.

Her big day finally came the night before the last day of school, so it was definitely a party at our house. In keeping with the theme, we made a 'witches brew' which was a big hit! The girls loved watching the dry ice smoke and bubble.

The book is about a girl's wishes that go wrong. As part of our activity, we drew on a crystal ball what we would wish for. After saying she would wish to be a 'Pop Star', Aubrey drew this wish. She wants to have wings to fly. A flying pop star, I guess. Sounds fun!

Our final activity was making our own edible magic wands.

Step 1--coat the end of your pretzel rod in melted white chocolate.

Step 2--add sprinkles to the white chocolate.

Step 3--allow to dry and VOILA! Your very own edible magic wands. Harry Potter would be proud.

We're taking a break from book club for the summer, and Aubrey is already excited for our next meeting after school starts. It's been great to spend extra time with her as she learns to love reading as much a I do.

I'm Gonna be a Greek Goddess

School is almost out for summer. Aubrey only has 1 1/2 days left. Just like last year, I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. On one hand, it will be nice not to battle her to get dressed and catch the bus each morning. But on the other hand, that just means she'll be home all day long for other battles. 

At least I have this to look forward to:

Gavin and I are going on a 10-day Mediterranean Cruise (WITH NO KIDS) in August. As it turns out, we depart from Rome exactly 10 years from our first date. How great is that? We'll spend a few days in Italy before and after, then return home just in time for school to start.

So when the going gets tough over the next two months, I'll smile knowing the 'tough' will soon be hanging out with Grandma while Gavin and I are crusin' the Med. 

Our Amazing Adventure

We love Disney. And we especially love when they offer awesome military deals. When Aubrey was 18 months old, we took advantage of one such deal and drove from Maryland to Florida for 5 days at DisneyWorld. When we found out Disney was offering a similar promotion again, we wanted to make it happen. Then when I found screamin-killer-deal airfare on Southwest, we couldn't pass it up.

To avoid the myriad of questions and countdown tactics, and to make it more fun, we decided to surprise the kids. I love the Amazing Race, and Aubrey has watched it with me a few times, so I knew she would love it too.

On the morning of our departure, their first instruction was on the front of the fridge. I've never seen them get dressed so quickly.


Clue #1 was on the windshield of the van, but the kids didn't spot it until we started to pull out of the garage.


I sneakily gave clue #2 to the flight attendant and told her which seat Aubrey was in (diagonally behind us). She was shocked that someone else was in our adventure. It was so fun to watch her looking at the Southwest napkin (also their route map) and try to guess where we might be going.


Gavin was super clever and put clue #3 in the line-up markers for our next flight. The kids were busy looking out the windows at the planes, then turned around to see their clue right in front of them.


By this time, Aubrey had kind of figured it out (hard not to with all the Disney promos and ads as soon as you hit California). She was a good sport though and didn't tell Lincoln.

The fourth and final clue was handed to them in our rental car. Under the flap was a Mickey Mouse sticker. It was so fun to surprise the kids, and so great to pack without their help and not answer questions all week about when we were going to go. We will definitely do many more 'Amazing Adventures.'

(I took pictures of the kids and their clues as we traveled, but that poor camera was accidentally left in the airport bathroom and never turned in to Lost and Found. Boo hoo.)

Mother/Son Roller Skating

Our only pic from the night--taken with my phone. I had my camera, just not the memory card--oops. 

Not to be outdone by the outstanding Daddy/Daughter dance that our ROA does annually, they added a Mother/Son event this year. Aubrey has had the privilege and honor of a special date with her dad for two years now (here and here), so it was finally Lincoln's turn. He was so excited, it was really cute how he kept asking me when we were going 'rower kating.' 

On Mother's Day eve, we boarded charted buses at our brand new community center and rode with about 100 other excited Moms and Sons to a roller skating rink in a nearby town. We laced up our skates and proceeded to do--oh, maybe a lap or two--before the first game started. Lincoln was a little shaky on his skates, but I did my best to help him out (read: holding him up). Our troubles began when we tried to skate over to the start of the game (I think it was 'Red Light/Green Light'). 

Everyone, and I mean everyone, was already lined up and facing our way. Linc and I were trying to get there so the game could begin. All of a sudden, I knew we were going down. 

Being the protective and loving mother that I am, I tried to shield Lincoln from the fall by picking him up. So, not only did all of my body weight fall on my butt, but his as well. And since I was holding him, there was nothing to break my fall but my backside. I think this might have been when I bruised my tail bone. Ouch. 

Oh, and did I mention that everyone was lined up facing us as witnesses to this catastrophe? Yeah.

It's okay--just smile to mask the pain and keep going, right? Afterall, Lincoln wasn't hurt--just me. 

So we go to play the game. It isn't but a few 'green light' calls later, and I realize fearfully that we are about to crash down again. This time I tried to brace my fall with my hands and, unfortunately, let Lincoln handle himself. 

Not only did I seriously bruise my wrists*, but Lincoln was crying that he was hurt and didn't want to skate anymore. When I asked him where it hurt (afraid that he had broken a bone or something), he tearfully said, "Air-vee-where." No more skating for us.

At least there was still pizza and videogames. And memories. 

I sure love my boy.

(*I did actually take pictures of my bruised wrists afterwards [mostly for you, Heather], but I didn't upload them to the computer before our Disney trip, and then lost that camera in the SNA airport. If the person who took my camera from the bathroom ever stumbles upon this blog--yeah, I bet my kids look familiar; and at least now you know why there were those wretched pics of purple wrists. Could you at least send me my memory card?)