Another school year, another supply list

When I was a kid, there wasn't the same anticipation for summer break as there is today. Missy and I went to school year round. That is, 9 weeks on, 3 weeks off. There were four 'tracks' and they rotated break so that only 3 tracks were going at the same time. Everyone, however, got 3 extra weeks in the summer and 3 extra weeks in the summer, 1 week at Thanksgiving and 2 weeks at Christmas. There may have been more, but I don't remember. The reason I remember the ones I do is because they were in addition to your regular vacations. So based on which track you were in, the extra vacation followed your regular vacations for an extended holiday. For Missy and I that meant we had 6 weeks off from the end of November to the beginning of January. But that was 'A' track. 'D' track had it made. Their regular vacation followed the summer break. I wanted to be in D track.

Right around April, the kids start looking forward to summer vacation. They talked about camping and swimming. Staying up late and sleeping in. Oh the joys of being a teenager.

As summer comes to a close, we are preparing for the new school year. Kevin and Tianna transfered schools and share some classes with the boys.

Tianna is trying out for the soccer team at Barlow. It helps that her Classic coach is one of the coaches at the high school.

Kevin is playing club soccer.

Jesse is taking a break from sports and concentrating on academics.

Casey, on the other hand has become a sports nut! In addition to playing club soccer, he signed up to play football (the American version), he'll wrestle in the winter and he's talking about track in the spring.

Do you know how hard it is to find football cleats in size 5 1/2?

Schedules to follow soon.

Heaps of Love,

J

Feliz Primer Cumpleaños

It seems like only yesterday I was writing about the birth of Charlie. In fact, on Tuesday it will be exactly 1 year ago. I went back and read the story today. I cried. I cried when I wrote it and I cry every time I read it. I'd like to think its the phenomenal prose, but more likely the subject matter.

He is a beautiful boy. Handsome and sweet with an infectious smile. He is healthy and strong. And he is still perfect in every single way.

He has 3 teeth now and is very mobile. He will walk any day now.

Sometimes I feel like a baby hog when he is around. But then again, I don't really care. He is my nephew and I will love him as much as I want to. I can kiss his face off all I want. Just try and stop me.

I must find something for his birthday that is fantastically awesome. Something that only the coolest, most bestest aunt in the world would find. My search begins tonight.

Right after soccer practice.

Heaps of Love,

J

What the...where did summer go?

I can't believe summer (or at least the summer break) is nearing its close. I won't say that I was too busy and missed it. Although I have been busy, but I caught everything.

A few things that have occured in the last few months...

2 kids got their driver's permits
2 kids tried out for, and made competitive soccer teams
4 soccer tournaments
35 soccer games for kids
15 soccer games for adults
3 kids went to 48 soccer practices
3 dogs escaped a gazillion times
We ate Argentinian in Seattle
All 4 kids aged 1 year
Leo and I aged 4 years
I sold my house
Leo and I bought one together!

Not bad for a single summer.

Before its over we will celebrate Charlie's first birthday, have 2 more kids start their soccer season, and go to 1 more tournament.

and I think my dog is pregnant...

Woohoo!

Heaps of Love,

J