Our Recent Visitors

A few nights ago as we were setting the table for dinner, movement in the back yard caught my eye. A bobcat appeared from the side yard, sauntering on over to the pool fence, easily hopping it and lying down beneath the lounge chair.

We called the kids over and we all watched.

A second one followed and lingered in front of the pool gate entrance for a few moments, before hopping the fence and then following his partner, who sprung up over the back fence and into the wash.

Pretty cool ... sure beats scorpions.

A Serbia Update

We've talked to Blake a few times since he left last Thursday for Serbia.

He says the soccer playing is "awesome", the food is "incredible," and the experience so far is "way more amazing than I ever imagined."

He and his teammates (and a few borrowed Serbian players) just finished a tournament in Serbia. They won their first game but lost their last two in close matches. They will train this week and play in another tournament in Sarajevo this weekend.

Blake's Serbian Summer Adventure Begins

Blake shows off his passport.

So it was only two short years ago that I was so worried about Blake heading 90 minutes north to Flagstaff for his first overnight camp. Remember? Would he be homesick? Is he responsible enough? Will there be enough supervision? These questions gnawed at me for weeks, but, of course, we all survived it, he got to play soccer day and night, and he had a great time.

Fast forward to today and the now-13-year-old has his heels firmly planted in ... SERBIA! Yes, Serbia. Europe. Overseas. In a time zone 9 hours ahead of Phoenix. It all came about at speeds that surpass the normal thinking/worrying/researching analysis of a mom, like me. Which, as I see now, worked out in Blake's favor. Just about six weeks ago, one of the coaches in Blake's soccer club -- a native Serb who played pro soccer there -- announced this "great opportunity" for Blake and his teammates to travel to his homeland, train and play in a couple tournaments.

And before I knew it, checks were flying, international web sites were being surfed, more soccer shorts were being purchased, suitcases were being packed and an expedited passport for a 13-year-old was being issued. All in record time.

And on Thursday, Blake (who has taken to calling himself "soccer beast"), two teammates and one of the teammate's father headed out, spending nearly 24 hours on flights and layovers to Chicago, London and then Serbia.

So far things are good. Brett and I anxiously tracked his flights online and I talked to him once, right after getting settled in after flying. He was tired but excited. He took a camera and we asked/ordered him to keep a journal, so I'm hoping he comes back with something that gives us a good representation of his experience.

Stay tuned ...

Allie and Zach saying their good0byes.

"Don't go, Blake."

10 Signs It's Summer Vacation

It's June 10 -- exactly two weeks into summer vacation. After that tiring transition phase where the kids have that dreadful mix of enough energy to rival the Energizer Bunny and not knowing what to do with themselves, we're gradually settling into our summer routine.

And in our household, there are always those tell-tale signs that it's summer vacation. You know, things like:

1. By the end of the day, Zach and Allie have been in our pool twice, the community pool for swim lessons and play time ... and the neighbors' pool.
2. We don't go anywhere without Zach's swim googles.
3. You go through a can of sunscreen every 4-5 days.
   
4. The sound of silence or background music during the day has been replaced with XBox shooting games.
   
5. You're glad you don't have to make the kids' lunches for school ... but then find yourself thinking that's easier than having them tell you they don't like this and that when you make their lunch at home.
6. You help Blake plan his summer soccer venture. The past two years it was a week-long camp in Flagstaff; this year it's a bit farther away -- Belgrade.
   
7. Allie spending most days coloring, pasting, crafting her little heart away ... then walking up to me and saying, "I don't know what to do now."
8. 9 p.m. seems really early.
9. Blake napping on the couch during the day -- soccer and sleepovers taking their toll on the poor 13-year-old.
10. I've had to move the treadmill back into the house from the garage. Too hot to run outside.