10 Things About Blake

1. Just about wherever he goes, you'll see a soccer ball nearby. Might be in his backpack, or combing the ground, scurrying from foot to foot.
2. He devours books. More so than anyone I've ever known. Every teen/young adult series out there (except those involving vampires, which, I might add, it's hard to find non-vampire books for teens these days) has been in Blake's hands at least once. He's read many books four and five times. It's not unusual for him to stay planted on the couch for HOURS at a time just reading.
3. Blake's goal in life is to play professional soccer in Europe. And he has so much drive and passion -- not to mention talent -- that it wouldn't surprise me if he does rise to the ranks of professional someday. In fact, the whole Europe -- and especially England -- dream, coupled with his recent reading of the Harry Potter series for the umpth time, has him sometimes talking like a Brit. "Mum, where's the remote to the telly?"
   
4. He loves Jell-O. He could probably eat a whole batch if I let him. But the poor chap has three siblings and must share. "Shall we make some more, Mum?"
   
5. Blake practices soccer whenever possible. With his team, with other teams, on his own. And he always wants to get to practice early, which doesn't always work out with three siblings, meals and homework. Not to mention the heat. Do you really need to be an hour early when it's 105 out? I think not. "I'm going for a run before school, Mum. I must keep my fitness up."
   
6. He's become a collector of Nike soccer shoes ... mostly the indoor kind, which he wears to school. He loves bright, bold colors. He has yellow, silver, and a bluish-green.
7. Ninety-five percent of his time on the computer is looking at things soccer-related: stats from his indoor league, upcoming tournaments and schedules, professional teams, and, soccer.com, where most of his surfing is for shoes.
8. When it's not stinkin' hot outside and the kids are playing outside, Blake is great about playing soccer with his three siblings. He teaches Zach and Allie how to dribble the ball properly and he and Nick get more competitive, setting up the pugs and going at it, one-on-one.
9. When he's not playing soccer, looking at soccer stuff online, or reading, he's usually playing video games or hanging out with Anthony.
10. He's pretty good at Boggle ... but some family members can still give him a run for his money. ;)

And, oh, did I mention ... he likes soccer? Sorry ... futbol.

Zach and Allie Go To Kindergarten

And just like that, Zach and Allie are in kindergarten. And Nick started 4th grade. And -- gulp! -- Blake is now a 7th grader.

We've been getting ready for weeks. Reading and re-reading Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, picking out the perfect backpacks and lunch boxes (Transformers for Zach, Hello Kitty for Allie), buying some new duds, getting some new sneakers (and learning that Allie's feet are a size and a half bigger than Zach's!). And of course, conquering the list of school supplies published on the school's web site.

For Blake and Nick, there wasn't much excitement -- or at least it was contained. I so vividly recall how excited Blake would get for the first day of school, organizing his binder so perfectly and smiling so brightly as I took first-day-of-school pictures. Now it's all so casual for him.

And Nick, well, Nick's never been too excited for the first day of school. I tried my best to make the morning go smoothly. I got up early and showered, had all the lunches made with time to spare, had the kids pick out their clothes the night before, had the backpacks ready to go.

But of course, there was bound to be a glitch or two.

Blake left first (it's not cool to be seen with your parents, you know) ... but forgot his schedule. So I had Nick run out to try to catch him with the schedule. And in our hurry to have him reach Blake, he forgot his lunch (but don't worry, grandmas, we got it to him:). And this is only Day 1.

So Brett and I accompanied Zach and Allie on the short (but scorching hot -- I think we hit about 107 on Monday) walk.

We met the teacher at the gate, got in line and walked them to their seat (they're in the same class, but not sitting together) in the class. Zach got weepy, kept asking for "one more kiss and hug." Allie got a bit teary, too, but stayed composed.

When I picked them up, Zach said it "was long." But they both proudly showed me their coloring papers and told me about their jobs for the day: Allie was in charge of turning off the lights and Zach was the door holder.

Once I got home I hopped on the treadmill, but the rest of the day seemed surreal and I had a hard time focusing. I went to the grocery store and tried to do a few chores and made cookies.

I've always loved time to myself, but on this day, 3:30 couldn't come fast enough.

My Babies are 5!

With a little help from their friends, Zach and Allie blow out the candles on their Hello Kitty/Transformers birthday cake.

Zach blows out his FIVE candles.

I know it's a cliche, but it seems like just yesterday that Zach and Allie entered the world, gracing us with their laughter and smiles, frustrating us with their temper tantrums, prompting us to the join the ranks of minivan owners, and letting us become spectators in their unique twin bond.

After I found out I was carrying not one, but TWO babies, I spent many nights unable to sleep, wondering how in the world I'd have the skill, patience, and energy to care for two newborns AND shuffle Blake to and from 2nd grade and soccer practice AND devote special attention to almost-4-year-old Nick. It seemed an impossible task.

And now, five years later, I still lie awake. But now it's about whether Zach and Allie should start kindergarten or wait one more year, how we'll manage five soccer practices a week between Blake and Nick, how we'll make sure all the kids get their homework done, and how we'll keep from losing our minds in the process.

Somehow all those worries seem insignificant during the magical moments -- like watching Zach and Allie run hand-in-hand along the beach, snuggling next to Allie and several of her dozens of stuffed animals, receiving the special brand of Zachy sideways smooches. And my current favorite -- getting out of the van and reaching out both hands, waiting for a warm little hand to cling to me on each side.

And despite Allie hurting her ankle on the play structure and Zach screaming and crying at Nick during "Happy Birthday" because Nick was trying to blow out the candles, more magical moments transpired watching Zach and Allie's excitement mount as their first "real" birthday party drew near and the big day finally arrived.

"How many more days?" they asked about a dozen times a day for the two weeks leading up to the party.

Then squeals of delight when a friend's mom would call and RSVP.

Picking out the cake design (half Hello Kitty and half Tranformers -- so cool!) and helping assemble the goodie bags, hugging their friends as they arrived and indulging in two pieces of cake ... fun times and great memories!

Oh, to be 5 again ...

My 5-year-old Allie.

Allie and friends Lizzie and Alyse.

Family Beach Picture -- Take 6

It's early August now ... that point in the summer where you're winding down from vacation and weeks with more relaxed schedules and starting to gear up for school and five soccer practices a week between two boys. Groans and moans are erupting from the 7th and 4th graders. Eager questioning and excitement about picking out Transformers and Hello Kitty backpacks from the soon-to-be kindergartners.

We just got back from a week at an Oceanside condo with a great patio view of the ocean. Blake played in the Surf Cup soccer tournament in Del Mar, we went to San Diego Zoo and Sea World, and we spent several days playing at the beach. The kids had their share of tantrums and whining sessions but about mid-way through they seemed to be in the vacation groove. It was a much-needed getaway from our brutal 110+ heat.

I think we were all happiest when we were at the beach ... although Brett and I are both still reeling from sore shoulders/back from boogie boarding. His is much worse than mine. One of the things I wanted to do was take an updated family beach photo. Back in 2007 I brought my tripod, snapped a couple shots and we captured this moment, which has been my favorite family image ever since:

On this particular beach day I repeatedly requested that nobody go running into the water until we take our picture; I knew how hard it would be to gather everyone once boogie boarding had commenced. So ... here I am setting up the tripod. A little crooked.

And then there was this one where it looks like I'm about to kill somebody, not to mention awkwardly holding the board, and Allie and Nick are looking at some sort of sand critter.

Then this one where Blake has a dorky look on his face, Zach looks to be in pain, and we just look all spread out.

And then all of a sudden everyone disappears, flops, flexes, or decides to be airplanes on the beach:


After everyone spends a couple hours catching waves and creating sand tunnels, I force politely request their presence for one more attempt ...

Michele, Brett
Zach, Blake, Allie, Nick
Oceanside, July 2009