What's in a Name?

9.20.2012

what's in a name?

The conversation went something like this:
Devin: "I'm going to give Alex the nickname 'hot head', because when the sun shines on his hair it looks like fire.  Like a hot head."
Mom: "The term 'hot head' usually means someone who has a bad temper; who gets mad fast."
Alex: "I'm not a hot head.  I'm a trouble maker."

9.10.2012

Time for something new

September is a time of new beginnings.  New school year.  New teachers.  New friends.  This year, September is a time for new sports for the boys.  For the first time in four years, we do not have a soccer player in the house.  After last year's huge soccer commitment of two boys in three practices per week and two to five games per weekend, this is a major freedom for us (which comes at a great time, since Andy and I are both training for a half ironman in October and we need time to train!).
Devin chose to play flag football, and quickly took on the roll of quarterback.  He has quite an arm and he's working hard to learn all the plays.  This week, I think he went out to toss the football every day.  Plus, he's swimming twice a week in a league that works more on perfecting stroke technique than on racing. 


Alex chose Tae Kwon Do.  He has been asking to try it for ages, but was unwilling to give up soccer to try it (and given that TKD is two or three nights per week, we were unwilling to do both).  He is taking it at a place whose students are primarily kids, and they make it a lot of fun.  He will be testing for his first new belt soon, and he is so excited.



Izzy is doing dance again, and she tried out for a small, local production of the Little Mermaid.  We haven't heard back yet from auditions, where she jumped up on stage to shake her booty and belt out "California Girls".  I vacillated between wanting to take some video of the occasion and wanting to crawl under my seat. 

9.04.2012

tribute to summer - part III

The boys had a great swim season this summer.  Alex was young in the age group, so he didn't win a lot of races (including some against his brother), but his times improved tremendously over last year.  Devin had a banner season (both winning races and beating his old times), and even won medals in the all star meet!

Climbing out after a great race!

Swim Buddies

Devin in his trademark orange cap

All star relay. "Swimmers, take your mark..."

9.03.2012

tribute to summer - part II

The Blake's maintained their beach bum status this summer, and Izzy even learned to boogie board!!
 
three little fishes, swimming in the sea...

Can you believe what this salt air does to my hair?


Cuddles between best buds on the beach

 

Devin and I completed this 750 piece puzzle in two days. We were both obsessed!

9.01.2012

tribute to summer - part I

I realize that I have been pretty quiet lately, so today I am making a new commitment to my blog.  First, I will catch everyone up on our lives by posting all the family pictures and fun stuff from this summer (a tribute to summer, if you will).  Next, I will try (very hard) to make weekly updates.  Now that the kids are back in school and going to bed at a decent hour, I am optimistic that I can carve out the time to write all the great posts that I create in my head during my long bike rides and other times that I cannot actually sit down at a computer and write.

So, here goes.  One of the first things that happened this summer was Isabel's first dance recital.  The video is clearly as amateur as the dancers, but she's as cute as ever (on the right).  Enjoy!