Max's Soccer Game #83

I've honestly lost track. Max has been playing soccer almost year round since he was four years old. when we moved to Virginia he started playing indoor soccer too, so who knows how many games he has under his belt. Regardless, he played his second game of the current season and his team really showed up for the game. They won their first game after only one practice, and half the team doesn't know each other. Seems that the magical one game and two practices did the trick - they were a scoring machine - all of them.



The other cool thing is that Tom is once again coaching Max's team. His focus has always been on teaching the kids a love of the game, as well as teaching them the basic skills. It's nice to see that the kids are having fun AND winning. Good reinforcement for both the kids and the parents! This season they are refereed, the score is kept, and they are ranked. After the third game we will all have rankings and will play a bracket type tourney at the end of the season. Weird to think that we'll add the competitive part in this go round as we've never had that in the past (well, except for the one coach who told the 5 year olds that they LOST by a score of 12 to 3, and that they'll do better next week - terrible, TERRIBLE way to teach them a love of the game). Anyway, Tom has struck a nice balance between encouraging and acknowledging the win and getting back to the idea of the love of the game and the skills. Good job man, good job.

First Soccer Game

Ian and Sam, like their older brother Max, are soccer monsters. They both played in their first real soccer game this past weekend and both did a FANTASTIC job! Ian was a defensive predator, and Sam was a scoring machine. They have picked up on the game and are taking everything they know about soccer and are leaving it on the field. It was great fun to watch their team play - all the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves too!

Ian taking control of the ball!

Sam cruising down the field scoring his second goal!

Dang Deer

THESE two are the culprits:

And this is what they are doing:

Dang deer.

A Teachable Moment

You never know when one of these come along, but low and behold here's one now:

Bad mommy.

We have no milk, and no bread, it's 11:58pm, and the boys have a need for lunches at school tomorrow. I tried to remember today to get milk and bread, but no, it just didn't happen. It's not like I really did anything else, but apparently I'm easily distracted. I can't even imagine what my children will eat for lunch tomorrow. The milk we can do without for a small bit. The bread, well, two eat sandwiches and we really don't have anything else for them to eat aside from cold Mac N Cheese or cold chicken nuggets (that's the preference of the third kiddo). So we'll see how it all falls out in the morning. Am I going to be running to the store in the morning, or will the boys figure out something else to take in their lunches? Am I the bad mommy tomorrow, or will I swoop in and somehow save the day? Cross your fingers that we all work something out, but I'm sure we will.

Maybe I can get myself a milk man..and bread man...hmmm...

Soccer Game #1 - Max!

We have three boys playing soccer this year, and Max's team is now keeping score. Tom is actually coaching both teams for the boys this year - they were short on U-6 coaches and my kind hubby offered himself up. It's actually pretty cool that he gets to work with all three - he's a great coach and really instills a love of the game in the kids.

For Max's team this year they are playing U-8. It's competitive - they really do keep score now. The first game went swimmingly - considering that the kids only had one practice due to a rain out, and we have two kids that haven't ever really played before. They all kind of got it, and that was neat to see. Max not only scored a goal or two, but he played well and had fun. Can't ask for more than that!

Max working his magic!

(The big guy in yellow is the Ref, not a giant 8 year old, and no, Max

doesn't have a "tail" - it's the glasses holder hanging down in back!)

Go BOYS!

Stunning touchdown passes, premature celebration (resulting in dropped balls but eventual touchdowns), record breaking plays, crazy fumbles, penalties, rushing touchdowns, incredible number of first half points, and my beloved Dallas Cowboys playing the last Monday night game at Texas Stadium. As D.D. Lewis said years ago, “Texas Stadium has a hole in the roof so God can watch his favorite team." And to top it all off, a 41-37 win over Philadelphia. Someone must be smiling.

Finally time

It's finally time to spill the beans and share our big news. We are in the process of adopting a child! We have completed our home study and are in the process of waiting. We are working with an agency and they are sending out our profile to expectant moms and dads here in the US, but basically at this point we wait. In the meantime we're getting our home ready for another kiddo. We have an extra room in our house, and it will become the baby's room - complete with baby gear and cute critters all around. We are slowly collecting that baby gear - the big things - as friends and family give the items up. We are all thrilled beyond belief - Ian wants a sister, Max offered up his room to share, and Sam is making big brother plans already. Tom and I are very excited about the prospect of raising another great little kid and are ready to get going! So, keep on eye on us here - one day soon we'll be a family of SIX!

Not cool. Not cool at all.

The boys and I were in the cars a few days back and we were having a conversation about the cars around us as we do quite often. The boys are into counting Jeeps, VW Bugs, and Mini Coopers. In the midst of the car counting Max dropped the big Momma bomb on me. I said something about how cool it would be to drive one particular car (can't remember which car it is now, but it was some sort of fast, sexy looking convertible), when Max said ina matter of fact voice "Moms think that minivans are cool."

Yeah. Right. Minivans are cool.

Poor kid. didn't even see me coming at him as I flew over the two rows of seats and grabbed and shook some sense into him. (Not really - I was driving at the time.) After sucking back in all the air that rushed out of my body I explained that most moms would rather be driving that sexy looking convertible, that luxury car, or that big truck (well, that's my vote) than this minivan. And dear child, minivans are not cool -in anyone's book.

Sigh...there's still work to be done.

Back to school - but not in the traditional way

Why on earth would you want to ever go back to high school, and at 33 years old even???!!! This woman did. Yikes. Just yikes.

Individualy. Wrapped. Prunes.

Now I've seen it all - what's next though - individually wrapped raisins? I saw these a few days ago at the store, and honestly, I wasn't terribly surprised. I mean, after seeing individually wrapped potatos you aren't surprise by much in the grocery store aisle. So go grab that ONE prune that you want to have. Who eats just one prune?

9/11/01

Our country changed that day, and while the kids are too young to remember (the little boys weren't even a twinkle in our eyes at that point), it is still important that they understand. So each year we do something to thank the folks who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect us. This year, like last, we took cookies to the fire station (NO - I didn't make them myself - that would be cruel). It's a little thing, but it shows them that we care, and that we really do appreciate what they do for us. And the best part - the boys get it.

So thank you local firefighters. and thank you to all the others that make life safer for all of us.

This one's cute!

Thanks to The Lady Bug for sharing this one! That said, my profile probably sounds like it fits you too - but go get your own! It's fun!

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

HBDC - The Inventor

Humanity, Background, Detail, and Color

You perceive the world with particular attention to humanity. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that is affected by the details of life. You are also particularly drawn towards the colors around you. Because of the value you place on humanity, you tend to seek out other people and get energized by being around others. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are highly focused on specific goals or tasks and find meaning in life by pursuing those goals. You are a down-to-earth person who enjoys going with the flow.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

The Telly Button

Betcha didn't know that Ian had a telly button:

Meet our little friend

He's currently hidden among the pumpkin vines.

Now cross your fingers that those darn deer don't see it!

Fifth Tooth

What happens when you lose your fifth tooth? Well, it sits on the hutch for three days until you FINALLY remember to put it under your pillow so that he tooth fairy even has a faint clue that you've lost the tooth. Then, the tooth fairy brings you a shiny dollar coin! Max is well on his way to that full rack of adult teeth now. He's once again the grinny guy with the big space in his mouth!

OOOO! Politics!

Gotta love when folks get together to rah-rah their parties and drum up support for their candidates. I just can't get enough of all of this, and even my kids have gotten involved: Lookie Who is Running For Office

Our Season's First Visitor

No, it isn't the lovely holiday season that spans the new year. And it isn't the warm summer season where friends come to visit. It's Hurricane Season, and for the first time since living in the DC area we have one headed right towards us:

We used to live in Florida and survived much larger more direct hits, and several not so direct hits. But since we've been here there haven't been any hurricanes that have headed this way. Hanna, in a slightly drunken path, is heading here day after tomorrow:

And while Hanna looks like a big storm, it's really this one that makes me nervous:

Ike is a scary looking, well formed storm. Who knows what he'll look like next week, but cross your fingers for just about everyone that he takes a wicked right turn and heads back out to sea. Those poor folks in Haiti and the Caribbean have had enough this year and there are still 80+ days to go. I'm not so concerned about the DC / Virginia / Maryland area, but about the folks who have lived through two storms. The ones who lost everything, some including family, and who are looking down the barrel of a loaded gun. Can't imagine how tough that must be. So keep your eyes on Mr. Ike and hope that he has the good sense to give up before he hits land.

First Day of School: 2008 Edition

Like last year, Max wasn't very forthcoming about his first day of school. But he's in third grade now, with the same teachers from last year (dual age immersion program) so it was all old hat to him and we weren't expecting much info.

Max

Ian and Sam however, started Kindergarten this year, so we were hoping for more info about the first day of school. They were both very excited that morning - slightly more obnoxious than normal, but all set to start school:

Ian

Sam

We threw them on the bus with Max and sent them on their way.

And what did we learn from these three jokers about their first day?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Well, after a bit of teeth pulling we learned that they had recess...ummm...they ate lunch...OH yeah - they rode the bus to school (but we already knew that because we put them ON the bus that morning)...and well, that's pretty much it.

All three seemed to have had a pretty good day, and after gymnastics class for the little boys, all three were pretty much done. So, I'll chalk this up in the win column for the Phipps family. Not going to complain about three basically happy kids, exhausted from their first day, and full of little to no information.

And yes, like Max's first grade year I'm reporting a bit late in the game, so I can say that the second day of school was full of just a little more information. Pointed questions always help, along with the requisite note from the teacher! Seems that at least one of our kiddos actually did stuff on the first day of school. The rest, well, they're happy so no complaining here!

How to make a newly minted 8 year old happy

It's a simple formula - take a cool present, toss in some wrapping paper and some tape (might need some scissors too), and you are set. Here's our stab at the recipe:

Believe

So this last day before the end of summer when all the kiddos go rushing back to school, take a peek at this video:

And remember, believe.

These are good:

No, I mean REALLY good. Try some - you'll thank me. We can't get enough of these in our house - we tear through the big huge cartons. Watch out though - they are highly addictive. Must be laced with something - other than cheese that is.

College Football on TV?

Yes, you'd think that since college football has begun that I'd be sitting here watching my game. Well, I'm sitting here watching a game, but certainly not the one that I wanted to be watching. If you weren't aware, I'm a football junkie. Tom considers himself a football widower, and he has good reason to do so. But no. I live in the middle of the waste wasteland of football TV leftovers. Instead of the great games that I'd really like to watch, I"m stuck with some games that I'll just have to watch because there isn't anything more interesting on. Really though, I kept tabs on my beloved Texas Longhorns via this cool little thing:

It updates every time there's a play, and short of a radio broadcast, it's given me enough info to feel slightly plugged in...sort of. Even ESPN's GamePlan isn't showing my games this year. So between now and January you'll find me sitting in front of my computer staring at the screen, waiting patiently for the ticker to update.

Open House

The boys had their school open house and it went as follows:

3:15 Park illegally in nearby neighborhood because the lot at school and the library next door were completely full.

3:17 Wave to police officer driving by checking for neighborhood decals and shaking his head upon realizing it was Open House at the school.

3:20 Encourage kids to walk faster, even though they were loaded down with all the thousands of Post It notes, Ziplock Bags, Glue sticks, and tissue boxes they had in their back packs so that hey aren't run over by fellow parents hunting for parking spots in aforementioned full lot.

3:27 Enter cafeteria, tell kids to go figure out what rooms we need to go to, and collect #1's good buddy for a sleep over. Visit quickly with unknown staff member about number of kiddos in my possession, wave quickly through crowd at familiar parents, and head upstairs.

3:30 Enter #1's class. Smile and wave at first teacher. Hunt up second teacher, grab packet and forms and furiously fill out. Husband enters the room - have him dump #1's supplies and gather children to hit next classroom. First teacher sees #1 and give him big huge hug.

3:37 Apologize to both teachers, hand back one form, and duck out so as not to miss meeting next TWO teachers before 4pm.

3:40 Arrive in #2's kindergarten classroom. Meet instructional assistant, ask for forms, sharing that there's still one more class to hit before this shindig ends at 4pm, and furiously begin filling out forms. Instruct #1 and his good buddy to dump supplies and tell hubby to take #2 to meet teacher.

3:45 See #2 looking around room tentatively, then see him smile at new teacher.

3:48 Apologize to teacher for bolting, hand over forms, and dash to next location, dragging four kids along.

3:48 Arrive across the hall at #3's class. Fill in first available form, then second form, then volunteer form (all located in different places). Meet teacher, watch #3 dance around then run in circles in his new classroom (that's always a positive sign). Meet Instructional Assistant who speaks Spanish to #3, which mortifies him completely until she asks him in English if he speaks Spanish. See smile creep back over #3's face.

3:55 Meet teacher and finish filling out forms. Announcement comes over PA - time to go. Volunteer to come in on first day and help.

4:00 Make way to front door of school, but stop to ask about bus situation in front office.

4:10 Visit with friends while #3 and hubby hit the head.

4:25 Everyone piles in car and waits for Mom who is still visiting.

4:35 Head to grocery store for donuts and snacks for sleep over. Donuts always make scary open house / first day of school jitters fade quickly.

Beautiful Weather

Can I just mention to all my friends down there in Texas (and anywhere else where it's bloody hot right now) that it was all of 75 degrees here yesterday? Yes, that's the HIGH, not the low, and you'll notice that there was no precipitation - in other words it was a bright beautiful sunny day that was all of 75 degrees out. Couldn't have been more beautiful. In. August. Can't PAY for weather this beautiful.

Mom's Special Brownie Recipe

Remove teddy bear from oven and preheat oven to 375.

Melt 1 cup margarine in saucepan. Remove teddy bear from oven and tell Jr., “No, no.”

Add margarine to 2 cups sugar. Take shortening can away from Jr. and clean cupboards.

Measure 1/3 cup cocoa. Take shortening can away from Jr. again and bathe cat. Apply antiseptic and bandages to scratches sustained while removing shortening from cat’s tail.

Assemble 4 eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla, and 1-1/2 cups sifted flour. Take smoldering teddy bear from oven and open all doors and windows for ventilation. Take telephone away from Billy and assure party on the line the call was a mistake. Call operator and attempt to have direct dialed call removed from bill.

Measure 1 tsp. salt, ½ cup nuts and beat all ingredients well. Let cat out of refrigerator. Pour mixture into well-greased 9×13-inch pan.

Bake 25 minutes. Rescue cat and take razor away from Billy. Explain to kids that you have no idea if shaved cats will sunburn. Throw cat outside while there’s still time and he’s still able to run away.

FROSTING Mix the following in saucepan: 1 cup sugar,1 oz unsweetened chocolate, 1/4 cup margarine Take the darn teddy bear out of the broiler and throw it away– far away. Answer the door and meekly explain to nice policeman that you didn’t know Jr. had slipped out of the house and was heading down the street. Put Jr. in playpen.

Add 1/3 cup milk, dash of salt, and boil, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Answer door and apologize to neighbor for Billy having stuck a garden hose in man’s front door mail slot. Promise to pay for ruined carpet.

Remove burned brownies from oven. Collapse and call the baker for delivery.

From Joke of the Day

"Aisles of Happy"

They aren't kidding - this really DOES make me happy:

"Since we carry beers from all over the world, and since you can make your own six pack, feel free to pretend you’re the United Nations and that you’re bringing together countries from all over the world for the most delicious peace summit of all time. "

I think I love me some Bloom! Too bad they are kinda far...but I think a field trip is in order!

Oh the carnage!

These three boys threw their heart and soul into their sunflower and pumpkin garden. They planted the seeds in peat pots, watered and grew their seeds until they were mature enough to plant, planted the stems and watered and watched the stems grow into beautiful sunflowers and pumpkin vines. And yesterday nature took back some of it's own.

These next few images broke my little boys' hearts:


It was probably a squirrel / chipmunk / deer that had a late breakfast. It seems that more than one critter was involved as the damage went beyond that of the deer nipping the tops off. Needless to say the boys were very sad. But there was one very hidden survivor:

It was nestled among the bushes and was being protected by a smallish spider. So there will be at least one sunflower hanging out with us for the next few days.

Not Quite Olympic Sized Gymnastics

The little boys have been watching an awful lot of gymnastics lately, so they decided to build their own home gym. Not quite big enough for them to use though:

The Full Gym

The Trampolines

The Pommell Horse
The Vault
The High Bar

And you'll notice they added lots of pads around the dangerous stuff...

Born in a Barn???!!!

If you ask this of my three *lovely* boys they will immediately turn around and look for the door they just walked through and make sure that it's closed. Yes, they've heard this enough to understand the sarcasm in my voice when I ask if they were born in a barn, and the true meaning of the phrase - "You left the door open." Tom's grandpa would say "Heat's a dollar an ounce," which means in a polite mid-western sort of way basically the same thing. Honestly though, aside from letting bugs in and the cat out, I'm an open door kind of mom.

However, I've recently discovered that there's one place where my open door policy has fallen down. The boys leave the door open when they go to the bathroom - every time. This is probably my fault though - we never really told them to close the door up until now and those habits are hard to break. But now they are entering kindergarten, and while they will use the big bathrooms with the stalls, which they always close and often lock, they will also be using the bathroom in the classroom with a regular door. See the problem? My leave-the-door-open kids are heading into a close-the-door kind of situation. So I have exactly one and a half weeks to get them on the right track. Worst case they will go potty for the first time and the entire class will watch. Aside from the teacher telling them to close the door I'm not sure they will care if they do flash the entire class. At this stage they think it's funny to dance around nekkid (probably also my fault). So, bless you teachers who will have my kids in class. I'm sure it isn't the first time you've had this problem and I'm sure it won't be the last, but watch out - here they come!

Patrick

Ian has made a new friend. His newest buddy is named Patrick. He's a little white butterfly and lives in our front yard. (Yes, I'm aware that the picture to the left is NOT a white butterfly, but Patrick is elusive and this one was available in the year a few days back. The camera has yet to catch him.) We see Ian's little friend pretty regularly. And when there are two little white butterflies? Well, that's Patrick and his brother, of course! Ian is so cute about his little butterfly buddy that Sam and Max and I look for him and point him out too! Maybe one day Patrick will sit still long enough for me to grab a photo, until then you'll just have to enjoy this beautiful cousin of Patrick's!

And this is why I've been ignoring you...

Yeah, it's time once again for my big excuse. This time it's a good one - I promise! It comes along only once every four years, and this time the networks are absolutely killing me. The Olympics is on and they have about a bajillion hours of coverage of every event from curling to downhill. WAIT - wrong season! From equestrian to beach volleyball! And of course there's some folks that run fast, jump high, swim fast, and throw far. Then there are those that poke at each other with swords, kick and punch each other, row in these little boats, and shoot at stuff. The cool part of it all is that these folks are the best in their respective fields that our country has to offer. They are impressive beyond belief. But what's also impressive are the countless athletes that don't make the finals. They too are representing our country and are giving it their all in their sport. It blows my mind how much these folks sacrifice for their sport and their country. So thanks for not only occupying my time over the past week or so, but thanks as well for doing a magnificent job of entertaining me and the other billion or so people watching all over the world!

Fudgesicle Face!

Max

Happy Birthday to ME!

Well, it seems that 36 years does well by me! Thirty-six birthday parties, a hubby and three kiddos later I'm feeling great!

And yes, there are 36 candles on that little monster cake! Wouldn't have it any other way.

Ahhh, Bunsen.

Yes, Bunsen parks himself right in the middle of my desk, often on my keyboard, and proceeds to spread out. At least this time he didn't clear himself a spot by knocking off ALL the stuff around him. And excuse the gratuitous nipple shot - he's a black cat and they are always hanging out.

Just a bit too old for this

And this is why, dear husband of mine, that I don't get a lower back tatttoo:

Coming Full Circle

Subtitled: Revenge of the 1980's

I am almost 36 years old. I'm old enough to have kids, even teenagers that I need to buy school clothes for. And the advertisers are taking full advantage of my sentimentality. One of what I consider the defining movies of the 80's genre (might be wrong on that one but go John Hughes!) is being used to market to today's kids - my kids. Here's what I remember from the 80's:



And here's what has appeared on my TV regularly over the past few weeks:



The funny part? Well, kids that are young enough to be mine weren't even alive in the 1980's, so while the commercial is cute, it is certainly targeted at me - the person that was so much a part of the 80's. And you know what? It worked. I'm not shopping at Penny's, but I am talking about it - to my husband, to my friends, and here. They did their job and they did it well.

Happy 8th Birthday Dude!

Can't believe it, but you are now officially EIGHT YEARS OLD. It's been a wild ride and I can't wait to see what the future holds. You are truly a cool dude, and I'm excited to see you grow into an even cooler big kid. Happy Birthday Max!

The Butterfly Bush

The boys asked me to share some pictures of their butterflies and bees. We have a large bush out front that hosts many many butterflies and a ton of large bumble bees. They are beautiful to look at, and the kids wanted to share. So here they are: