Season Finale

Michaela's team finished up their soccer season this week.  It is bittersweet at the end, because they really start to play well together as a team just as the playing season comes to a close.  But it's wonderful to see them interact as teammates and friends.  They end up with cupcakes and trophies, but the rewards are far greater than those.

Before this final game, they had team and individual pictures taken, and then a little time to warm-up. 

Once they had the starting players chosen, the game began!  Our team did very well, keeping the other team in defense mode.  They were not afraid to go after the ball, or to try to get it back if the other team had it.  They played aggressively, and had a lot of fun.

The second set went in after the first quarter; they played hard, and were able to score.  It's so exciting to see their enthusiasm and joy when they accomplish a "goal."

Just before the game ended, the ref let ALL the girls from both teams play.  It was a little crazy and a lot funny.  I think they all loved that part.  And the cupcake part...

This was a great season for Michaela.  She learned a lot, gained some confidence and had so much fun with her friends.  Delightful!

Stack Attack, a Different Version

Breakfast for dinner, anyone?  We love breakfast at night around here.  For one thing, it's not rushed and there's nowhere to be in 10 minutes, so we can enjoy the delicious, hot breakfast food without scarfing it down in two minutes and then flying out the door.  Tonight we had bacon, eggs, and pancakes.  Plain and chocolate chip.  Yes, that is what I said.  I took a perfectly nutritious breakfast food and made it into dessert.  I think it's efficient though.  And I did use whole wheat flour.

  Hot off the griddle-and she got plain; I'm not that crazy.

I really like making pancakes, and Michaela does too.  She helped me tonight by flipping some of them, and then adding them to my stack.   

Christian and I had chocolate chip pancakes with a sprinkling of powdered sugar, and Michaela had a plain one with maple syrup.  She said,"I don't like the chocolate chip pancakes.  I know that sounds weird, but I don't."  Is she really my daughter?  Well, she did want some chips by themselves...

  

Simple and yummy...sounds good to me. 

A Novel Idea

It's actually a short story, by Michaela.  I thought some folks might like to see it, especially the Grandma and Grandpa folks.

This is the original version and as far as I know it is not based on a true story or a previously written one.  It is full and unabridged. 

Do You Think Inside the Box or Outside the Box?

Eliana has a love-hate relationship with legos.   It seems she hasn't learned her lesson...          

 

At least they're behind her this time.

 

Uh-oh, back in front.  But she is not in the box this time.  And so out of the box it is. 

Until they go back in the box.

At least she cleans up after herself.  I have enough to do!

Stack Attack

Eliana has had her ring stacker for quite some time now, and she has had fun playing with it in different ways, but never really put it together before.  She didn't get it.  But tonight, she did!  It was so neat to watch her discover how the rings slid on and off the stacker.  She was fascinated and did it over and over again.  I tried to catch her saying,"Yay," but I wasn't able to. 

And please, please excuse the wreck in the background (You're welcome for my calling it to your attention.  I hate an elephant in the room, so I had to say it.)