Nov 12, 2012 |
My girl is not a girl. Today she’s an adult. But I still love her as a girl. I mean, who wouldn’t? Look at this face!
Sweet Dreams
I can’t believe it was 18 years ago today that this beautiful bounty came into the world (not before playing Jurassic Park with my tea). And just look how she’s grown up!
Play Ball!
Finding Lizzie
Happiest Place on Earth
Rah! Rah! Sisboombah!
Time Passes
Rock Stars!
Today we celebrated Dot’s birthday. It’s always so wonderful to give back to the person who has given so much to my life.
Gorgeous New Hair
Requisite Starbucks Breakfast
Pumpkin Spice Birthday Cake
I love you, Hannah. Now, forever. You are always my little girl. And I’m so proud of how you’ve grown up.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 29, 2012
When you think of California and Waves, I’m pretty sure the last thing that comes to mind is ice. But when Un-Son Number One gets his skates on, that’s all that matters.
Ethan on Ice
You’ve often read about our Second Family. We do so much together. But there are some differences. I can’t get them to watch the Yankees unless there’s a bet, and they’re still working on over three years of teaching us about hockey.
I discovered something yesterday: if they had tried to teach me while at a live game, I would have learned much quicker. The tiny puck on a TV screen does not do justice to the Game.
Ethan plays Winger for the California Wave, an amateur hockey league that practices and holds their home games at the Center Ice Arena in Ontario, CA. And yesterday, this proud Un-Mom got to watch him play!
I would love to tell you terms and plays. The truth is, I still know very little. I know a hat-trick means one player scores three times in the same game. And if the puck enters the net past the Goalie, even if it rebounds it’s still a goal.
The amateur league games are free to watch, which also makes it an even better family affair. Since warm air rises, we sat on the upper level and looked down on the ice. Julie, Jeff and Elisa had to suffer in the score box. Their bodies will chilled but the teams were hot!
Hockey is a very fast-paced game, and the score was 1-3 before I glimpsed the first goal. The action doesn’t just stay with the puck. There are players crashing each other into walls, the whoosh of skates slicing up clouds of icy dust, and burly tumbles all in pursuit of that little black disc.
Wave vs. OC Hockey
Chasing that Puck
Fight for the Goal
Defense!
Third Quarter Start
It’s exciting, challenging, and over way too fast. Even though the Wave played well, The OC Hockey Club took the game at 5-7. A minor disappointment for such a great team.
I’m glad there’s another home game in two weeks.
In the meantime, I think I’ll do some light reading.
[AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK]And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 27, 2012
We spent the day with the Second Family at one the great local attractions: Frazier’s U-Pick Pumpkin Patch.
It’s refreshing because there aren’t a lot of farms in the So Cal desert. We have to drive a distance to get to the Orchards. Entering the gates at Frazier’s is like entering a different climate.
The large fields offer quite the selection of pumpkins. It’s almost like a Dr. Seuss book: Big, Small, Short, Tall, One or Many, Take Them All.
Hanging Pumpkin
Pumpkins!
Through the Tall Grass
More Pumpkins!
This time of year, it’s a booming business. With their amazingly affordable selection, there are pumpkins for everyone.
Julie’s Pumpkins
Multi-Colored
It is, as their name states, a U-Pick patch. They grow the pumpkins on the vine and leave it to the customer to pluck them from the fields. Most of the time, they will cut them off the vine to make it easier for the younger children.
Hopie’s Find!
It’s free to enter and wander. There’s no structure or path. You can easily spend hours enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, and people-watching.
They have a mini-train tour that circles the fields. It makes several stops as the Engineer tells how the pumpkins are grown and how the Corn Maze is structured.
The Pumpkin Train
We saw some wonderful pumpkins that the girls wanted to share.
Dot’s Delight
Padme’s Perfect Pick
Eating the Cinderella
I adopted Fred.
I shall call him Fred, and he shall be my Pumpkin.
Then we bought tickets for the Corn Maze.
The Corn Maze is an annual Must-Do. Each year has a different layout. My two Un-Sons assured Dot and I that they could easily get us out. *Insert laugh-track here*.
Un-Son Number One says go Thatta-way!
But Little Man says, This-a way!
We finally split up, with Dot and Un-Son Number One going one way, as I let Little Man lead me to the exit.
Lost in the Corn Maze.
After we regrouped and headed out, we drove down the street to the Pizza Factory and earned back our calories.
Yumm with a Slice of Fun
The kids entertain themselves differently than when Julie and I were kids…
“Snape. Snape. Severus Snape.”
We’ll be carving our bigger pumpkins on Monday, and I can’t wait! Tomorrow (Sunday) we’re going to Un-Son Number One’s hockey game.
And now if you’ll excuse me, Fred and I are going to watch the Game. All I can say, since they beat my Beloved Yankees, is
“Let’s Go Tigers!”
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 6, 2012 |
I spent a lot of time in Michigan the last two days.
Not literally, of course. But online. I chatted with my friends still there. I dreamed my way through Michigan.org. I rewrote a short story about snow for my writing class.
I spent a lot of time in Michigan.
It’s where I learned to point to the palm of my hand and say, “I live here.”
I lived here.
It’s been decades since I’ve been there, but I can still feel the easy humidity of a warm summer’s night spent running barefoot on the grass. The fresh, new air when bulbs push their first leaves through the damp soil in the spring. The crispy, crunchy footsteps of walking through a mosaic of fallen Oak and Maple leaves. And the blinding brightness of cold falling snow.
I grew up in Michigan. It’s where I learned to ride a bike. Talk to neighbors. Swim in a lake. Sled down the street. It’s where we played Lava in the house, and hid in the spaceship of our basement.
My mom’s flower gardens. My dad’s tomatoes. My brother working on his car. Typing out homework.
It’s where I found my first stray cat. Played with snakes and raccoons. Learned how to layer clothing. Roast marshmallows. Camp in the backyard.
It’s where my best friends once lived, and have returned to. Leaving a light on for me.
I love Bedford Manor. But I’m lonely for that light. For staying up late talking nonsense. Drinking coffee on the patio in the morning fog. Reaching hands to pray over dinner. I’m lonely for that company.
And I can’t wait to return. If even just for a visit.
Keep the light on and warm the Mittens, Michigan. One way or another… I’ll be there.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 2, 2012
Remember a few months ago I started posting reviews on Trekaroo?
You don’t?! Well, that’s okay.
Because I’m here to remind you.
Trekaroo is an online guide written by parents for parents. The perks and problems of traveling with children of all ages. They have great contests every week. [Read how I won a trip to Myrtle Beach.]
Think travel has to mean pack ’em up and head ’em out? Not true! Even if you’re just looking for a two-hour play date in the next town, you can find reviews on Trekaroo… and if you can’t, add your own!
It’s all about parents helping parents give their families a great time!
So come on over. It’s a great place to make friends!
Click here to visit my Trekaroo Page:
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
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Do You trekaroo?
Myrtle Beach is Calling
