Homecoming Dances, Bringing Bow Ties Back, and the Most Awesome Review Ever on Amazon

Okay so we covered the Homecoming game here. (Awesome!!). That meant that the next day, Saturday, was the Homecoming dance. My son, John and his group of buddies always willing to push the fashion boundaries (don't believe me? just ask him about the satchel incident of spring 2011) decided to wear bow ties to the dance both to jazz things up as well as to make their senior statements since it was their last High School Homecoming dance.


Looking on Amazon we found this:

Which was great right? your average everyday bow tie. But wait! there is sooooo much more- read this Most amazing funny and greatest review ever- (click if you need to see it bigger)

Had us rolling on the floor. We even ordered two, one white and one black. The result? one hot 17 year old ready to rock the dance floor looking just like my 12th grade science teacher.

Friday Night Lights

Last night was my sons senior Homecoming game. As it was also my step sons Freshman Homecoming game we had a crazy night of football fever in the house. You see, having all the kids in one school would be too easy and normal- so not the way we do things at The Oompahpah. 

One of these games ended up being a Hollywood script, fireworks and all (no kidding).

While the kids just have their one game to worry about Erik and I spend a good portion of our evening timing entrances and departures so we can then drive from one end of Orange County to the other to get from field to field all the while changing our clothes at red lights so as to coincide with the correct fan colors and spirit wear for the next game. It's the behind scenes life of parenting in a blended family 2011.

After a quick stint at the the Freshman game we were a bit psyched to settle in at the senior Homecoming, mainly because this year for John is just so monumental. It’s his senior year. Each day he goes to school I wish for him to be back in kindergarten as much as I look forward to him heading off into the world. I just know the whole being in charge of him and being able to ensure where he is at night is all ending soon and I am just not ready for it. Anyway I am savoring the entire senior year experience with him as much as I can, so this game was a big one for me and I was looking forward to it. Which is why it was a bit disappointing to arrive at halftime being under 0-7, or more so third quarter at 0-28.

The game may have been in the dumps but the school spirit was incredible. Shirts, ribbons, chants, I am sure all the normal at thousands of high schools across the country although I don’t how many high school games have pyrotechnic displays between quarters, golden confetti sprays that rival a Main Street Disneyland parade, or half time shows that include firework displays that I have seen similar at small town 4th of July celebrations. Let's just say there was a lot going on for a high school football game even if it was homecoming.

Halfway through the fourth quarter we scored. Then in the kick off we went for an onside kick and got the ball for another shot that lead to yet another goal. I know that you think you know where this is going and although you are right, you see we didn’t know that at the time- and it was insane! The stands were wild. Kids and adults where stomping their feet and chanting  “I believe that we will win” over and over while we were still 8 points down with only three minutes to go. It was amazing! In the end we got the lead with 41 seconds to spare and a two point conversion after the touchdown. Kids were holding on to one another each time the ball was set down for another play. I swear you could hear each person breath as we all inhaled and exhaled in unison. We were one.

The game was the best high I have had in a long time. The kids in their spirit section were wild with glee and excitement while shirts were ripped off and swung in exuberance. Parents yelled, smiled, and threw their arms up all at the same time in disbelief and excitement texting anyone who had left early or no one at all if only to prove that they had been there in that moment of time and miracles. 

...and all I could think of was how proud coach Carter would have been of this game. 


                                                     Clear eyes full hearts can’t lose. Go Panthers Wolverines 29-28 F.

Its been so long since I’ve posted if months were years I could vote

It has been over eighteen months since I have written in this place of mine. 

In addition to life in traditional Oompahpah fashion the last year and a half (more on those adventures coming soon) there have also been my daily doses of kinship in keeping up with many wonderful blogs. 

Some I have laughed along with almost daily while others I have waited patiently for their words to come too few and far between. Should one particular blog seem to take a break and freeze while in winters wallow when summer is clearly in full swing I get it. I get that life, well- it takes on a life of its own. I wait with a patience of unusual proportions until, hopefully, one day my screen refreshes into a “ I haven’t written in a while” edition that promises to be the new beginning of that was then this is now- and together we move forward side by side in a silent friendship of understanding of each others needs (aka laughter, recipes, photos, advise, and comfort). 

Well now I guess its my turn. Days, months, whatever the distance of time, events evolved and the words were always there to express but the time or the heart to get it on the page was never strong enough to expose it until now. So get in, strap on your seat belt, and hold on tight. I’m back, and yet I never left. Get over it. Move on. It’s a new day.

The Christmas card that never could (yeah, I totally missed the mark AGAIN this year!!)

The Kids: "Our phones don't seem to be working!!"

The Parents:  "Its a Christmas miracle!"

From All of Us: "Hope your holiday is merry and bright. We love you all very much- even if we can't communicate it daily!"

The Bells

2009

Bah Humbug!

Our community holiday tree has been up and decorated since October.


In early November I walked out of a retail store when I realized they were playing Christmas songs (and I was singing along, not even thinking about it).


Earlier in the week the kids woke up and began to play Christmas music as they got ready for school. I asked them as nice as I could to just close their door.

Driving through town last night I passed two trucks that were going super slow- annoyed, I passed and only then noticed they were hanging up the town decorations for the holidays.


Today the mailman delivered our first Christmas card of the season and I had to admit that perhaps it was time to reevaluate my stance on the matter. Its just that after pushing the "holiday spirit" out of my path for what has literally been months now, its no wonder it is so hard to finally let go and let it in. But I will try, cause I am obviously losing the battle here.


Happy Fricken Holidays Everyone! 


...Now shall we start planning for Easter?!

Kindergarten to College in two seconds flat or how to survive the day you realize your child is no longer into cartoons and crayons

On your first day of kindergarten you were assigned a green square to sit on while your teacher took roll. Your Grandmother drove over four hours to be there and capture the moments of her first grandchild on that monumental occasion. Together she and I stood in the back smiling, and wiping away tears along with all the other parents that day.

You wrote your name for the teacher, your first assignment, by first going across the page with vertical lines. It looked like a row of sticks on the page, confused I began to nervously look around and bend down to whisper the directions again thinking you had not heard correctly. Before I could say anything you went through and filled in horizontal lines, left to right, between those vertical ones and created the letters that became your name. Brilliant. My son is brilliant.

You came home and we filled in the days that turned into the years that led us to this moment of me standing in line for fresh Orange Juice and a banana so you could have brain food and I could feel like I am still a part of something you need to get through your day. Where you now stand, inched taller than I, with the face I kissed a million times as you slept, now barely recognizable through the face I see next to me.

I have my mommy moment and gasp at all the days in between that led us here. From kindergarten, to first grade and beyond. From the days of Babe and Blues Clues (with Steve!), to the weeks you insisted everyone call you “Ash” (from Pokemon). I am beside myself remembering in a flood of emotion all the moments, suddenly so fresh, that are actually years old. How can I have forgotten the crazy obsession you had with the collectable cards you carried in that three inch binder you took with you wherever you went or the “hit clips” you would listen to and sing along with swearing to me that the Backstreet Boys were “the bomb”? 

From that first day in September with the backpack bigger than you to where we now stand today, where I will leave you with your two freshly sharpened pencils and a calculator as you take your first test for college. College. My son. Brilliant.

Catalina Island, how I spent a week there one day

Whenever I can steal some time for myself I usually do it with my camera. Having kids and endlessly capturing their lives is a hard habit to break after so many years of being allowed to do so. As teenagers they want very little to do with a lens anywhere near their vicinity. Going against them is only asking for eye rolls and huge sighs that seem to stop life in its tracks.

So I have taken to animals, landscapes, shoes, anything I see and will want to maybe see again I capture on film disk. I have also begun taking some photography classes as well as joining a few local groups who also enjoy shooting up the environment and expanding their photographic knowledge. Previously I had written about a great event Canon put on at the San Diego Zoo (here) and just recently was able to participate in another Canon event “Canon Captures Catalina”. It was a weekend venue beginning pre dawn on Saturday and continuing through Sunday filled with photo ops, great workshops, and plenty of walking that would put any stair-master to shame. As usual, Canon had all of their great cameras and lenses to loan and play with throughout your fantabulous adventure. Best part for me was that my Mom mentor and lifeline joined me on this husband/kid free weekend of bliss.

Now I could write about all the things we discussed, getting caught up on all the family biz and the various aches and pains we each have been dealing with but lets just summarize with what was discussed in Catalina stays in Catalina. 

What I will say is how wonderful it is to have come full circle with my Mom. I know I didn’t make it easy growing up, and as a single Mom she did her best filling in the shoes of what should have been done by two parents. I was not an easy child by any means, my never ending quest to see just how far I could push the limits left us many times at separate ends of the house trying to get as far away from each other as possible.

But now being with her and being a Mom myself, it is so wonderful to be able to sit across from her and be her friend. I had a wonderful weekend walking, taking pictures, learning, and laughing with her by my side. 

These days the only limits I set are the endless ones I put aside for her should she ever need anything from me. Thanks again Canon for a wonderful event! Props to you as well Mom- I know I didn’t say it near enough as a kid.

                                                                         Favorite shot of the weekend