a soccer tale

once upon a time, but really only a couple years ago, there was this mother who was looking for a soccer team for her daughter and a father who was doing the same for his own.  although the specifics of where and how they met have never been discussed, it certainly proved at perfect union.  to make a long story short, through word of mouth referrals and many frantic phone calls, a team of eager young girls emerged within just a few short days.

over the next few seasons, their skills progressed quickly along with their friendships.  although they didn't always focus or play soccer perfectly (who does?) all the time, their friendships have remained steady and they have consistently been a team to watch out for.

finally, coach decided it was time to really test their skills and entered them in a tournament six hours south of their home field.  there were some who wondered what he was thinking.  why take this group of girls to play against teams from even further south, who practice and play year round, without the debilitating effects of snow and cold.  weren't we just feeding them to the wolves and setting them up for defeat and failure?  but most felt that no matter the outcome, the experience of playing high caliber teams, combined with travel from our dreary valley to greener pastures, was going to benefit the team.
so...we ordered new uniforms, conditioned, packed up the cars and made the trip south.  not forgetting to pack the hope that these girls would be able to show what they are capable of.

and did they ever.  all three games they played were nail biters, with the final scores either tied or separated by only one point.  when it came time to determine which teams would play in the finals, our snow bunnies missed out by only one point. one point!!! they were eliminated on the fourth and final, "in the event of a tie in this category..."

we cared, but only for a few minutes.  then we high-fived, told coach thanks and took them to lunch.  and then to the park.  and then for ice-cream. and then to a trampoline gym.  and then to a hot shower.  and finally bed.

unfortunately, tournament champions are determined by who wins and loses.  how you play doesn't always guarantee a trophy or ribbon.  but, for this group of girls, how they played the games really did show what they are made of.  i can't wait for the snow to melt, spring to come, and soccer to start right back up where it left off.

i still haven't figured out how to not miss a second of the game and take pictures at the same time.  i even spied a fellow mother with her long lens and asked her to document my daughter's childhood.  it's not like she packed her camera just to document her families life, right?
 

i mac now

after years of being a pc user and adorer, my ripp recently brought me home a new iMac.  this move shouldn't have surprised me, as we have loved every iPhone, iTouch and iPad that we have come into contact with.  so...after a few tentative clicks and a couple not so tentative cuss words, i have now joined the ranks of a mac user.  the kids, much more adaptable and resilient creatures, took to it immediately. see for yourself.

the photo booth is a hit!

this kid

i tell ya...i can go from wanting to smother him with love and affection, notably the soft spot behind his ears, to wanting to actually smother him within the span of just a few minutes.  he has a way of making my emotional roller coaster even more thrilling than it normally is.  he is a headstrong, independent, hotheaded, know-it-all who can be as smooth and sweet as...pudding? i was naturally inclined to write butter, but since it is not sweet...pudding!  just this week he decided that brushing his teeth isn't something that he can squeeze in, making it a chore for both of us every time he is asked.  but at the same time, he is happy to do his hair and even take extra time to cover his delicious lips in ointment before he heads out into the cold.  teeth?  nah.  as i am a shock and awe type of mother, conveniently parenting a shock and awe type of kid, i knew that no picture of a child with grimy teeth was going to do the job.  so i went straight for pictures of people whose years of drug use had taken a toll on their mouths.  sweet dreams for that kid.  and this morning?  didn't even have to ask.

double digits

a decade ago this little lady turned ripp and i into parents.  i can still remember staring at her in the hospital, wondering how in the world they were going to let us leave with her.  fast forward ten years and here we are, very proud parents to an extreme social butterfly, with an intensely compassionate heart and an endless supply of energy that is often used for performing and entertaining anyone who will watch.  her favorite days are those that involve no boredom, include friends and her allotment of time on her new iTouch. my favorite days with her are those when she walks upstairs in her silky nightgown with bed head, and climbs in bed next to me, where she attempts to snuggle but really just wants to talk and plan.  those moments are reminders of the little girl who has turned into one fine young lady.