Red Hawks, Blue Dragons and Tired Twins

To be honest, I was relieved when both Blake AND Garrett announced they both wanted to play spring soccer. I was a little conflicted about having them on the same team since I have been trying to let each child find what they love and are good at to minimize competition with each other (and Blake just happens to love and be good at soccer). But since the boys were okay with it, I decided it would make my life easier too...and I was looking forward to having them at the same place, at the same time, and (hopefully) on the same team. Well, one out of three isn't bad, right?

As it turns out, although they are close in age, Blake was bumped up to the next division because he is already 8. So, while they play at the same field on the same day, they play an hour apart and on different teams. Since there are no weekday practices and games are kept to an hour, it is worth the 3 hours total we spend on the sidelines. Even if we do end up sacrificing naps for the twins.

Blake is on the Red Hawks team made up of mostly 9-10 year olds and is doing great! Since he's pretty tall for his age he fits right in and since the game is 4 on 4, he gets plenty of action. Blake is still not very aggressive, but he's really showing good control over the ball and can be counted on when it comes to passing. He's already showing dramatic improvement and his team has won all their games so far! Go Red Hawks!

Garrett is on the Blue Dragons and is loving his first experience with soccer! He gives 110% when he's on the field and really puts his heart into it! And the best part is that he loves it! Even after having to deal with being intentionally tripped by an opponent and running off the field in tears. After a short pep talk, he got right back out there and left it all out on the field. Way to go Garrett! I was extremely proud of the courage and determination he displayed in getting back in the game after he felt humiliated. Isn't that why we stand for 3 hours on the sidelines...so they can have opportunities to build their characters and learn how to adapt to winning and losing in life? I hope he can hold on to that moment for years to come.

Of course, all my observations are based on the limited amount of time I actually get to watch soccer, since my eyes are usually fixed on the two two-and-a-half year olds who are usually overtired (since soccer conflicts with nap time) and don't understand why the Tired Twins team doesn't get to run around on the field with their brothers. So they try to pass the time looking for bugs (and trying not to squeeze them)...

playing with rocks, eating LOTS of yummy snacks they don't usually get, and discovering the special "backpack" of toys that they only get at soccer. The twins are getting a little easier to manage but by the end of this long day the twins are making themselves makeshift beds with clean diapers for pillows and our picnic blanket for covers...when they aren't climbing INTO the stroller begging for a nap!

Only to fall deep asleep on the way home- at 4:30pm. Oh well, it's just one day a week. A small price to pay to see Hawks soar and Dragons slay.

What's New(s)?

One of the coolest things about being a Cub Scout is the opportunity to learn about new things- like news casting. Garrett's Tiger Cubs den recently had the opportunity to tour a local tv news station (KUSI) and see all the things that go into making a news cast.

They were able to tour the control room with all the screens and buttons,

the news room where all the news comes in,

and how it all comes together on the set.

This is where they shoot the sports casts.

They even got to experience the magic of the green screen

and witness an actual taping of a news break update. How cool is that?

Future news casters? Future news makers? If so, we can say it all started here...thanks to KUSI!

Our Beloved Sequoia

I remember the day we brought her home because it was Cinco de Mayo. We had gone to the humane society to look at puppies to see if we might want to adopt one. They had two puppies that day, but I don't remember anything about the other one, since we were immediately taken with Sequoia. She was a beautiful Shepard mix with a lot of energy. I knew I wanted a large enough dog for protection but one that was also good natured enough to be part of our family. I know now that there couldn't have been a better dog. We took her home that day, and she captured the hearts of everyone.

This is my all-time personal favorite puppy picture of her...it just reminds me of a school portrait.

Even a cat person couldn't resist this face.

Sequoia was a rare combination of fierce protector and loving and tolerant "child". She would scare any stranger away with her ferocious bark, but if she knew you, she might just lick your toes raw. She would often follow us around the house and nudge her wet nose under our hand when she was looking for affection. And when we started having kids, her maternal instincts kicked in. It was common for her to leave her beloved tennis balls in the bassinet or bury her special dog treats in their beds and shoes. She often took it upon herself to "clean" the babies, leaving them with some very interesting hair styles. She tolerated the tail pulling, the ear tugging and the general tortuous play by the kids. She was dressed up, tucked in and ridden once or twice. And despite all that, she always wanted to be close to the kids (sometimes too close) and her family and just be part of the pack. Besides, she made up for it by stealing their food when they weren't looking, knocking down their prized block towers and standing in front of the tv without budging. Still, every night Sequoia would make the rounds once or twice around the house, in and out of each bed room, to make sure everyone was safe and secure.

What ever the kids were doing (like playing "nap time") she was in the middle of it.

Sequoia loved to cuddle up next to you on the couch...or take up the whole thing leaving you no choice but to sit on the floor.

Garrett and Sequoia had a special connection. He would often tuck her in his bed or lay next to her and read to her. He loves all animals, but especially Sequoia.

This is Sequoia and Blake as a baby, but it could have been any one of our children; she loved them all.


It was impossible not to love her. She was graceful, yet strong, protective, yet gentle...she was a very special dog and will be missed tremendously. Which is why I feel overwhelming gratitude that she went quickly, that we did everything we could to ease her pain, and that we had a chance to say our good-byes. Her gift to us will be in our hearts forever and we feel blessed to have had her for a pet. I have a profound sense of both sadness and gratitude- and yet, I wouldn't have changed a thing...not even the boys' first lesson in the cycle of life, the heartbreak of love and faith that will heal. Thanks for being such a wonderful member of our family, Sequoia. May your days in Heaven be filled with endless tennis balls to fetch and an abundance of dog treats to munch on. We love you.