Need some help please!

One thing that will happen to you when your children grow up is that you will go places you have never gone before and learn things you never had any interest in. (Sounds like a Dr. Seuss story, doesn't it?)

I know I will leave something out, but my children have helped me become experts in soccer, baseball, football, chauffering, room mothering, dance team, PTA, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, tennis, track, ASB government, mock trial, swimming, marching band, uniform fitting, being a board member, snack stand managing and now this.

I am told this is called Water Polo - sometimes H20 Polo for short! Similar to soccer, there is a goal at each end and you get a point for each goal scored. Not similar to soccer, where a blowout is 6-2, or something like that - I witnessed a 16-2 game. Not pretty. Lots of new rules to learn but we are having fun doing so. Have also been reminded vividly how miserable working a snackstand can be.....

Have seen some very long arms make some pretty tricky, graceful shots. Hard shots, too. And right on top of the goalee. Not a fun position. I bet goalees have a lot of missing teeth.

Am amazed that no one ever complains about the silly caps they must wear, but since they must wear them I guess that's why no one complains. Maybe once I get a little more used to them they won't appear so silly looking.

Water Polo players NEVER rest. Even if you're not swimming from one end of the pool to the other, you are still treading - excuse me....egg beatering water. Even during a time out, the players don't hang on the side of the pool while the coach talks to them - they tread water while they listen.

And I have learned that it is a Speedo, not Speedos, as in "Mom, do you know where my Speedo is?" Makes no sense, because my reply would by "In your room by your pants" instead of "In your room by your pant."

Lots more to learn. Be sure and stay humble. If you don't, your kids will get you that way very quickly.

Thanks everybody. It has been quite a ride and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Would ever so gladly do it all over again!!

Pretty Pretty Plumerias!

I know all you Idahites will snicker when I talk about how I can tell that the seasons are changing, but snicker away. There are some subltle changes here in California.

How I love our Plumerias! You know it's summer when they are in full bloom and the smell is heavenly! These blossoms will eventually fall off as cooler weather approaches and then we wait the long winter for spring and more plumerias to pop out! Even the big green leaves fall off and all we are left with is sticks.

These solid white ones with just a touch of yellow are in a pot on our front porch.

These white ones - quite similar to the ones above except with a lot more yellow - smell the best! This tree is the best one for kids to take the blooms off of to wear in their hair. Lots and lots of flowers on this one. This one sits in the back yard in a very large pot.


Look at these! I think they are called Rainbow ones, or something like that. Also in the back yard, but out close to the tangerine tree. This is the best year we've had with this tree.

Now these are really something!!

When we went to Hawaii last year we brought home two plumeria's from the swap meet. One of them withered up and died and one of them didn't. I don't even remember what color the other tree was. Trouble is, we really really wanted the dark colored burgundy one the most but had no idea which one made it so it has been a long year, wondering if it was going to bloom this year or wait another year (it didn't last year).

We were so pleased when these blossoms peeked through!

The blossoms look a little reddish here compared to their true color. They are a deep deep burgundy and sit in a pot that is on the fire pit in the back yard.

And last but not least.

We are making a few changes. The paint color and floor moulding go into the living room itself. I guess we need to re-name the room, as the "green room" doesn't fit anymore.

SUM SUM SUM SUM SUMMATIME!

I have been wanting to post for a long long time all the while realizing I have nothing terribly exciting happening to post about! So, I decided to do a Summertime post and just realized that I have it backwards! Oh well. Enjoy anyway or start at the bottom and scroll up!

Summetime always ends with the "first day of school" picture. This is what a freshman looks like. Notice the fancy, first day of school outfit he wore. He has about 6 or 7 other outfits just like it, the shirts in varying shades of browns, blacks and blues and the jeans in blues. Didn't want a fancy bag for his H20 Polo gear either. The plastic grocery bag at his feet was what he asked for. He's a purist at heart.


It was mentioned at one time that Austen was taking Japanese as his foreign language. Somehow, that turned into a wonderful FSAG where the folks on the other side of the Orange Curtain brought wonderful Japanese cuisine. Not only did they bring it all, they cooked it all too. All the rest of us had to do was enjoy, which we thouroughly did!

There were times when the menfolk were out of the pool. Can you ever guess what they found to spend their time on?

You will never see a picture of Ethan without a car in his hand. This one is unusual, because there is only ONE car. Usually there is a minimun of four that he carries.

Uncle Scott is the master of flipping anyone who wants to be flipped in the pool.

Two pretty ladies. Notice the sweet, older woman in the background. That is Mario's mom. She came to be here for Michael's wedding and stayed for a few weeks. We were lucky enough that she was in town for an FSAG.

Anela got very very comfortable in the water. When one can swim every day for as long as one wants, one learns a lot very very fast!

Dave's rock garden is doing so well! I so appreciate just walking outside and getting a treat! I never get tired of it.

Beck and Grampa always manage to have fun together. Beck has also learned that Grampa never says "no" to another ice pop - no matter HOW MANY he has already had! Loves those purple ones!

Morgan has been a pro at this for a couple of years now!

Kendall has no qualms about the slide!

What else says SUMMERTIME than a pair of flip flops, even if they are as wide as they are long! (And Beck can even run in them!)

Of course to make this a PERFECT summer there would have to be pictures posted of lots of other families too. You know who you are. Love and miss you lots!