Fans First

Wonder Boy had his second game of the Spring '12 soccer season and he played GREAT! In fact, his whole team played well and as a result, they logged their FIRST WIN together! Can I get a WHOOP?!

To say we are proud of the way the Boy played is a monumental understatement. To see him charging up and down that field, his confidence at an all time high, and and his teammates working together like a well oiled machine ... well ... it's a rush that is hard to explain.



Hard to explain, but a true joy to experience!

We're kind of "vocal" on the sidelines - the 2 biggest cheer leaders in the league. ;+) But we make sure our words are those of encouragement for ALL of the players since so many are long time friends and just because it's the right thing to do. These kids are all out there trying their best. And soccer is NOT an easy game ... even if these guys have moments where they make it look that way.

We enjoy the game. Plain and simple. We love to play. We love to watch. And we absolutely LOVE TO CHEER for our favorite player and his team!

Here is a look at a few plays from the game:



But be warned ... the best moments of the game will never be featured in photos or video because, we are FANS FIRST. And this means, when the action reaches a peak, you can bet we're watching, cheering, and living the moment to the fullest!

Construction Update

Well ... thanks to a nagging cough that just wouldn't quit, Wonder Boy got an extra day of spring break. The cough is beginning to die down though, so it will be back to school tomorrow for sure. But for today at least, spring break stretches on.

And like he did over much of the break, Wonder Boy spent his free time working on his Lego version of the Harry Potter world. You've already seen Olivander's Wand shop. And to that, he has now added Borgin and Burke's, Gringot's Bank, and a towered bridge found on the grounds of Hogwarts itself!



Next we've discussed bringing out some older sets and completing the grounds of Hogwarts. Those will have to wait until after homework is done or for the weekends though, because this little vacation is quickly coming to an end for us all.

I have to admit ... I have really enjoyed the break. I think Wonder Boy has as well.

building a great spring break

WOO HOO for Wonder Boy! Spring Break has arrived! No school. No homework. Even soccer and judo are taking some time off for the week.

But what to do with all of this extra time?

Unfortunately Wonder Dad and Wonder Mom both have to work commitments this week.

But Wonder Boy is not one to let something like work for mom and dad get in the way of thoroughly enjoying his time off. We went through his closet and found a yet unopened Lego box from Christmas. One with THREE new buildings to construct - one for each day that Mom and Dad know they have to work. Feels like kismet, no?



Here is building one, completed on the afternoon of Spring Break Monday. For those who enjoy the Harry Potter series, you might recognize Olivander's wand shop. Still to come this week are Borgin & Burkes as well as Gringots! I'm really looking forward to my Lego-sized stroll through Diagon Alley when all 3 structures are completed.

it's in the air

While the trees, weeds, and shrubs may have been fooled into thinking Spring is in the air for more than a month now (what's with this absent winter?), I now know for certain that Spring has actually and truly sprung!

And how do I know? Why, because soccer has started, that's why!



Wonder Boy has practice 3 nights a week and games on most Saturdays. Even us old folks have made our way onto a team with weekly games on most Sundays. Life is good. Soccer is back!

Game 1 Highlights

Happy Heart Day

Valentine's Day! Some will argue that it is just another contrived holiday. Others say that this is just the talk of cynics. Who's to say who is right or wrong really?

As for this family, we make an effort to guarantee that each of us understands that they are loved and appreciated on a daily basis. We all agree that our time together is too precious to push that off to major holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries.

So in some ways, Valentine's Day is just like any other day in our house ... but with chocolate. ;+)



To be honest, we all enjoy the build up to V-Day. And this year, we took it as a family project to prepare a special mail box for Wonder Boy to take to school; no simple shoe box covered in tissue would do this time. Once a suitable box was found, we masked it off for a faux stone paint job and the end result was really fun!

Wonder Boy folded paper air planes to deliver sweet treats (lollipops taped to the planes) to his classmates and friends as well. What could be more fun than that?!

And when all of the goodies were sorted, we sat back to enjoy the day with one another, thankful that our home is filled with love this Valentine's Day and every other day on the calendar.



We hope YOU had a truly happy Heart Day as well!

Friday Fun

Most of the month of January has been spent in a direct effort to get our little home cleaned and better organized; trying to make the best use of every bit of space we have available. Spring cleaning come a few months early, as it were.

And as you can guess, that means a focused effort by all members of the family. It hasn't been much fun (for any of us), but we HAVE gotten so much done and the effect on the house has been amazing (imho).

But as I mentioned, it's not a lot of fun. Especially for Wonder Boy. He's entertained himself on the days we haven't set him a task or two. And he's done a lot less complaining than you might expect for a 10 year old boy stuck at home with little to do but housework.

SO ... to give him a break and to reward ourselves for some of our hard work, we let him invite one of his best buds over for some fun time after school.



The guys made Jolly Rancher stained glass sugar cookies and played video games until their hearts content. And they both closed out the day with a high five and a smile.

A good day indeed!

Mr. Fabulous

Live. Learn. And soar!

That's the motto at Wonder Boy's elementary school. And each week, the teachers each select a student from their home room class who has best represented those values. That student is dubbed the 'Fabulous Falcon' of the week.

We were so very proud when the Boy came home sporting his purple ribbon on Friday! This will be his 5th Fab Falcon award, making it a clean sweep for his tenure at Forest Ridge Elementary school.

Of course, you don't have to get an award for us to know he's a totally fabulous young guy, but it's quite cool to be recognized outside of the home.