Michaela's 10th birthday

I'm procrasting folding the weeks worth of laundry, so thought I'd post KK's birthday pics. We had to squeeze her birthday in after we picked her up from school and an unusual Thursday night game (more on this in a minute). Michaela has asked for about 3 years for a violin. We told her after 2 years of piano we would consider it. So she reminded me about a month ago that she was starting her 3rd year of piano and when could she start violin. We decided (along with some family members) to get her the violin for her 10th birthday. Do you know that there are a kazillion different kinds of violins??? I finally found a guy online who taught strings for 44 years who found her a beautiful instrument for a reasonable price. So needless to say, when KK opened her present, she was beside herself. :) It was one of those priceless moments.

We then jammed to the fields where KK got to be a captain. They played an awesome game, winning 2-0. KK was on fire! At the end of the game for this particular game (a seeding game), each team takes 5 penalty kicks to be put into a computer score (not affecting this game, but perhaps seeding in the future) and KK stopped all 5 of the other team's PK's and our girls made all 5 of theirs...it was a great birthday. But the best part is that a friend pulled some strings and invited Brandon (goalie for the Fresno Fuegos -- our semi-pro team) to come watch KK play since he coached her at goalie camp this summer, and he actually came to watch her after his practice. She didn't see him until after the game, I had Brandon holding the Soccer cake with the box lid in front of his face and when we sang her Happy Birthday, I pulled the lid down and she saw it was him. She was shocked! It was very fun. She said it was her best birthday ever (didn't she say that last year????). :) Can't believe she is now double digits. Enjoy the pics...they speak a thousand words.

Ellie's first soccer practice

After years of asking when she could play soccer, Ellie was finally able to go to her first practice! Of course, we couldn't find shin guards small enough, but she managed just fine. She is on a team with 7 boys and 2 girls. I wasn't sure how she would do, but she definitely would get in there and hold her own. It was very cute. I even caught Ellie doing a pull-back move when they practiced changing directions! Games to come in a couple of weeks. They only play 3 on a field with 2 fields going at the same time, so it should be interesting. And of course, enjoying a little Taco Bell after practice...

Finally! I remembered!

I brought my camera and got pics of Tessa and Ellie at the gym. Ellie had her first session in the big gym. She looked terrified, but was a trooper and did all that was asked of her. Tessa is so graceful and flexible. I love to watch her on the beam (I think if you click on pic you can see the image larger). ENJOY!

Duh! Forgot the kitchen rennovations!

Ok, so I forgot to mention the minor fact that the kitchen has been torn up this last week while the tile company replaced our granite. We opted for a somewhat medium toned granite (lighter than our old tropical brown, which I am kinda missing!) and a tumbled stone on the backsplash. Trying to get used to the new look. Haven't made up our mind yet on the grout (light vs darker) so kitchen is not all put together, but at least we have running water again and our stovetop!

Here's a couple of pics in progress...finished product to come!

Nothing too new...

...to report on the home front. Sami did make the A team for volleyball and we are all very excited for her! They did a mini-round-robin tournament with 6 other school yesterday (all the feeder schools into Clovis High) at Clovis High. She got to see lots of soccer friends from other schools. Michaela had a soccer game today and they won 7-0 (if are more than 7 ahead then they start penalizing you -- so the girls played keep away for the second half of the game). These games are fun for KK because she gets to play on the field. She played defender and forward for the second half and had a couple of shot to take, but couldn't because of the sportsmanship ruling. I will remember my camera on Monday to take pics of Tessa and Ellie at gymnastics. Tessa and I went and picked out a few new piano books and she has been faithfully practicing (the Jolly Ranchers trick has helped all the girls with incentive to practice - for every 10 min they practice they can have a candy while they play -- so my dental bill will be huge, but hey, they will be able to play piano!). Ellie moves up to the "big gym" this week at gymnastics since we moved her to the 5 year old class. Her soccer coach finally called and she starts soccer Wed. So that's the newsy-new for this week.

Brian is at the Fresno State vs. Wisconsin game right now...go BULLDOGS! Sami is being a ball-girl at the Fresno Pacific womens soccer game tonight and KK is at the FPU game also with a friend's family and is going to spend the night at her house (her first time she has ever wanted to spend the night away from home!). So the little's and I treated ourselves to Panda Express. Yum! :)

Lotsa stuff!

Wow, can't believe how fast time whizzes by. The girls are all thoroughly enjoying school. Ellie is doing well with Kindergarten and her teacher loves her. She should be starting her first week of soccer this year for U6's, but we still haven't heard from her coach. Today we finally found a pair of cleats small enough (special ordered from the soccer store). She is thrilled!


Tessa is doing great in her combo class. I've noticed more homework this year but she seems to be up for it. I am going to try to teach Tessa piano for awhile, she seems to take direction ok from me, and it'll save us some cash flow. She is just a few pages away from being done with the primer book. I now remember why I don't teach piano lessons...my patience is thin! I'm hoping to remember to bring my camera to take pics at gymnastics tomorrow.


Michaela is having fun with her first 'man' teacher. :) She enjoys the social aspect and tolerates all the school stuff. The 4th graders are able to do cross-country, so she tried out and made the Varsity team (top 7 girls in the 4th grade in the .7 mile race). On Friday she went to a regional meet and ran her first course against about 8 schools and took 5th overall! We were pleasantly shocked! She has that competitive heart. Today she had an awesome soccer game and had some pretty phenomenal saves...they won 4-2 against the hardest team in our fall league. It's fun to see the confidence building.


Sami is tolerating 6th grade, but seems ready for jr high (can it be???). She decided to try volleyball for the school sport instead of cross-country. They scrimmaged another team yesterday and won. She is hoping to make the A team but will settle for B as long as she's not on the C team. She should find out this week. Her soccer team has been struggling somewhat since the lost their leading forward scorer about a month ago and another forward broke her collarbone at practice this week. Sami is working hard at being a forward, but it's not 'natural' for her, although her coach says that she is a natural forward. They had a game this morning and played very, very well, but lost 1-0. We just found out that her coach is pregnant, due in April, so the girls are all excited and already planning the baby shower.


So that's it around here. Brian is finishing up his summer class, but started his two class for this fall, so is busy. I'm just doing that same old thing. Work, kids, work, kids, etc. Life is good! Here are a few pictures from Michaela's big win...

KK with three girls from her soccer team from another school -
she raced against them!

Coming down the home stretch - Brian yelled 'kick it in' and KK yelled back
'I can't' at him, but then she poured it on.
Proudly displaying the medal she won!