Volleyball Rocks!

The regular season of volleyball is finally over and although our JV team won some and lost some, the Varsity team made it to playoffs. Normally, I wouldn't be posting about this, however, Amanda a few other JV players were moved up to varsity as alternates. It's not likely that she will get any playing time, but it is exciting none-the-less.

Last night was game #1 and it was a dozy of a game. Lampassas put up a good fight but our girls were able to pull out a win in 3 straight match wins! I am so impressed with the playing ability of these young girls....nothing compared to the ability of my team or I when I played varsity volleyball light years ago.

On an unrelated subject....Amanda is the proud owner of a new car. Yes, this will make #3 for her at only 16 years old. Before you think how spoiled she may be, let me explain. Car #1 was a standard and she just couldn't learn to drive it...safely that is. Car #2 spent more time in the shop than she did driving it. Everyday, she was stranded somewhere in it and with me working 45 minutes away, I was a nervous wreck to say the least. So that brings us to car #3....last week we bit the bullet and got a newer, better car for her. We surprised her with a 2007 Jeep Liberty. Its perfect for her and did I mention that I really like it too? Hmmm, may have to think of an excuse to borrow it sometime. It is a huge relief to me and especially since Amanda helps out so much getting the boys from point A to point B. No more frantic calls that she is stranded. And better yet, the payment is small enough that she can afford to pay it with a part time job. The best part is, no more driving to the high school late at night to pick her up from an away volleyball game! Another reason why volleyball rocks!

New Birthday Haircut...Compliments of Himself!

I am a bit late in posting about Samuel's 6th birthday. Our entire household had the swine flu that particular day and for several days thereafter.

Anyway, I can't believe that this was the 4th birthday that we have gotten to spend with him. Seems like only yesterday we endured the long flight back from Russia with him. As you can see, it hasn't taken him long to really rack up those gifts.

Oh, yea and the crooked haircut....ya, that was complements of himself the day before his birthday. Which also happened to be the day before picture day at school. Thank God that we were all sick....maybe it will grow out before retakes. I honestly thought that when he did this around age 3, that we had seen the last of it. Obviously I was wrong. Seriously, it doesn't look half as bad when you comb it over, but hey....he is 6 and hair doesn't stay put that long.

His favorite gifts were his new bike and football jersey. Okay, so we really aren't Cowboy fans, however even though this is Texas, the Houston Texas don't seem to be very popular. I was just looking out for his best interest in knowing he would fit in at school with a Cowboys jersey rather than say a Bronco's jersey! Actually, he didn't seem to care at all. It was football and that is all that mattered!

The bowling party was a hit with Sam and his friends. Probably safe to say that we won't be expecting him to become a pro-bowler anytime in the future, but at least he didn't confuse the sport of baseball with bowling much like Carter did!

P-A-R-T-Y....San Antonio Sytle

The party went exactly as planned! (with the exception that one friend couldn't make it at the last minute) The girls all had a great time and my friend, Karri and I enjoyed sharing in their fun. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, which is a new hotel right on the Riverwalk. It was very nice...well, until the morning after that is. Their room was a mess and I am just waiting to see if there are any extra charges on my credit card. So far, so good! There was confetti EVERYWHERE! When I say everywhere, I mean everywhere....in the beds, bathtub, sink, floor, balcony, desk, just about anywhere you can possibly think of. We also wrote with lipstick on the mirrors of the bathroom "16 Reasons Why We Love Amanda". The balloons added a cute touch, however really irriated the girls when they found them hovering around their face the next morning.

I made a sash for Amanda to wear with the 16 tasks that she and her friends must find on the Riverwalk. I was afraid that she may resist the fun....but she was a good sport and really started getting into in once the night began. Here are the 16 things she had to do/find:

1. Ask a stranger to kiss your hand


2. A Starbucks cup signed by an employee


3. The Harley Davidson logo


4. A take out menu


5. Ask a stranger to write you a birthday message on a napkin


6. Buy something for exactly $1 including tax


7. Ask a stranger for a quarter until you get a Texas quarter


8. Find a cute boy and take a picture with him


9. Get someone to give you a birthday spanking


10. Take a picture of bathroom graffiti


11. Find a police officer, security guard or bouncer and take a picture with him


12. Take a picture with a man over the age of 50


13. Take a picture of a guy with a mullet


14. Buy a postcard


15. Get a book of matches with a hotel logo


16. Ask of group of people to sing you "Happy Birthday"

I think finding a cute boy to take a picture with was the task that took the longest. She was just to embarrassed! It was a lot of fun and I think the other girls got a kick out of watching Amanda squirm! Needless to say, the weekend was full of laughter.

We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Rainforest Cafe! What a cool place! Other than the long wait...the food was great and the atmosphere was really enjoyable.

I hope that it created as many memories for Amanda as it did for me! She really is an awesome daughter and deserved every minute of it!

Awww...to be 16 Again!

Where have the years gone? I just can't believe that my baby girl turned 16 years old today. Happy Birthday, Amanda! She is excited to say the very least! We got up early and arrived minutes after the driver's license place opened so she could get her license. Then she happily drove herself to school! I have to admit that I felt a little tug at my heart as she drove away knowing that she was all grown up!

We have big plans this weekend for her Sweet 16 Party! I am sure I went a bit overboard this year, but really, how many times do you turn 16? I let her invite 3 friends and I am taking the 4 of them down to the Riverwalk in San Antonio for the weekend. They will have their own room of course to stay up late, talk about boys, listen to music and eat all they want! I plan to completely decorate their room while they are busy shopping at the River Center Mall all afternoon. In addition, I have set up a little treasure hunt along the Riverwalk of 16 things that the girls must do or find. (For example: Take a picture with a cute boy! Have a group of people sing you Happy Birthday! Buy something for exactly $1!) Things to completely embarrass her....after all, isn't that my job? All 16 things are printed on a sash that she will have to wear. Of course I will be hiding out while photographing the entire charade.

In any event, it should be a great weekend! I just wish that it was me turning 16 again! Oh, the value of hindsight!

The Return of Snoop Deville

Oh the joys of having a child in Kindergarten. This year Samuel's teacher has implemented a "Treasure Box" reward system. At the end of the day children who have followed all the rules gets to choose something from the "Treasure Box". Now you many think that these treasures amount to a small items such as a yo-yo, bouncy ball or maybe even a pencil holder, however we were surprised when Samuel came home with a remote control car, large stuffed animals and even used clothes. At the time we weren't aware of the treasure box and I couldn't help but wonder if Sam was stealing toys from the classroom or maybe the lost and found. And what about the clothes? Is his teacher trying to tell us something? I always thought I dressed the boys nice in jeans and little polo shirts.

One day I politely emailed the teacher asking where and why Samuel was coming home with these large items. That's when I learned about the Treasure Box. Of course I was relieved that my child wasn't a clepto; although I already knew that. Apparently this teacher is also associated with the local thrift store where they are over loaded with children's toys and clothes; thus the reason for the types of items in the "Treasure Box."

So a month or so ago, Samuel brought home this hideous, green, low rider remote control car, which we called the Snoop Deville. It is definitely the most annoying, ugliest toy he has. Well, last Friday while the boys were at school, I completely cleaned out and rearranged their room. I took the opportunity to put good ole Snoop in the donate box. I happily dropped off several boxes and bags of unwanted toys and clothes to thrift store before picking up the boys after school that day.

Today, 3 days later, Snoop Deville made it back home with Samuel from school. It took the thrift store less than 72 hours to get rid of good-ole Snoop. It's so bad that they didn't want it either. Who knows what his teacher is thinking....there can't possibly be more than one of those hideous looking low riders here in this small town. However, Samuel picked Snoop today because he wanted to give one to Carter so they would both have matching cars to play with. Awwww...I just don't have the heart to tell him that this is the original Snoop.

I'm just hoping that the rest of the crap that I dropped off doesn't make it back to our house. And I am keeping my fingers crossed that Sam's teacher doesn't quiz me about it at his parent teacher conference next week.