Blake Turns 15!

Blake gets ready to blow out 15 candles on the fabulous Peanut Butter Buckeye Brownie cupcakes I made.

It sounds so cliche, but it's so true. Our kids just grow up so fast. The little newborn who had that Johnson's baby bath smell, made those adorable little smiles in his sleep, and kept vampire hours in his first months, morphs into the chunky-legged infant. Proudly scurrying upright, pulling himself up with the help of the coffee table, curiously tugging at my earrings, my necklace. Fascinated by the car keys. Throwing a ball and eyes lighting up when it's tossed back. Transfixed by the Teletubbies and Barney, giggling uncontrollably when Dad tosses him in the air in the pool. Soon he's in preschool and a new sibling arrives. Adjustment.

The first day of kindergarten sneaks up on us. I swallow hard as I watch my little boy with his spiked-up bangs and Scooby Doo backpack slowly let go of my hand and quietly enter the world of public education.

"Give a wave good-bye," the seasoned kindergarten teacher tells her students as they line up before class. But really, she's not talking to the kids, she's talking to us, the parents, as she gives us a confident yet comforting smile as she's done year after year. A smile that assures us that we'll all be ok.

The grade school years shoot at us like rapid fire. He is a sweet, smart, confident boy -- traits that endure to this day. Soccer enters his young life and a passion is born.

Two more siblings arrive and his role as big brother is solidified. Basketball, baseball ... but soccer still reigns supreme. A natural student, a sweet and caring brother.

A severe case of bookworm-itis hits: Harry Potter books are devoured in just a few days. Trips to the library and bookstore brings mega excitement ... until it seems you've read all the fantasy/adventure series in the store.

He continues to shine as a student and soccer player, making the big step to club soccer. But then at the end of your first year, at the end of fourth grade, the family moves out of state.

He easily finds his niche in the Valley of the Sun and quickly finds himself at home on the dried, yellowed soccer fields of Arizona.

Soccer becomes year-round, injuries and burn-out flare up. A short diversion into off-road biking develops. But the passion returns. A trip to Serbia confirms both his love for soccer and for food.

High school nears. Adjustments on and off the field are made. Injuries  and homework become more frequent. A pulled hamstring here, a hurt groin there. The physical therapist's phone number becomes memorized. But his team wins the State Cup and hope feels renewed ... at least from my view on the sidelines. A summer traveling to Boise for regionals. A fun time had by all. And then, a surprise. At least to me and his Dad. He decides to give up soccer and play freshman football.

He loves football and it loves him. A few months after the season ends, he surprises us again. He wants to return to soccer. And I'm proud that he tried something new in football but equally impressed that he had the maturity and courage to go back to a sport and team that was still such an integral part of him.

His 7-year-old brother idolizes him. He mimics his big brother by busting out pushups, listens to sanitized versions of his favorite songs, and even started eating eggs because his biggest brother does so frequently.

My teen now spends his free time going to the gym and hanging out with friends ... and eating.  He comes home from school and has that six-egg scramble with sausage and spinach as a "snack." My little boy has morphed into a strong, fit (he'd prefer I characterize it as muscular) young man, now taller than me. So many changes in such a brief time. Although I recognize the re-emergence of the fascination with the car keys is gradually returning.

Happy 15th Birthday, Blake! I love you!

Mom

Blake's 1st Birthday.

Conquering the Whitewater

Rafting the Payette River in Idaho.

Summer vacation is rolling right along now with less than four weeks left until I regain my sanity ... I mean the kids go back to school.

We had a nice little break in June when we went to Boise to watch Blake and his soccer team represent Arizona in the U.S. Regional Soccer Championships. Nick didn't want any part of the 16-hour car ride and marathon of soccer games, so we arranged for him to visit his grandparents in Sacramento. 

After a game a day on three consecutive days and securing a spot in the quarterfinals, the team had a full day off so we decided to venture beyond the likes of the local zoo, old prison, and science center -- all fun, quick visits when we had a few hours before or after a soccer game. So we decided to add a little zing to our trip by taking Zach and Allie whitewater rafting.

Back in the day (that would be in the pre-children day) Brett and I took quite a few whitewater trips -- mostly down the American River and once on the Merced outside of Yosemite. I was a little apprehensive about my little son who has an apprehensive disposition ... especially when it comes to things like thrill rides and bouncing up and down uncontrollably in a raging river that can't be shut off with the flick of a switch. Would a boy who wouldn't go on Splash Mountain at Disneyland last summer venture into the mouth of the hungry Payette River?

When we arrived at the meeting place and the raft tour guides suggested Zach and Allie wear wet suits, puzzlement and what I would classify as a slight case of fear crept over both their faces. And when one of the guides gave the obligatory spiel about what to do if you fall out of the raft, Zach scrunched his eyebrows, shot a look out at the river, and looked at me for reassurance.

Once we got out in the river, Zach planted his feet as far as he could under the inflated crossbar. And he planted his eyes intently on the waters ahead. After the exhilaration of the first few sets of rapids, Zach grew more confident and by the end had asked to sit up front. I knew in the beginning he might have chosen to protest the venture, but I'm so glad -- especially for his sake -- that he put his initial fear aside, slipped into the wet suit and jumped in the raft. 

Now he's asking when we can go again, and, best of all, he'll have that wonderful memory of careening through the whitewater of Idaho with his sister and parents.

State Champs!

CCV Stars U14 Boys ~ 2011 State Champs

It's been an exciting year for Blake's soccer team. Over the past two seasons we've watched his team mature and develop into a force to be reckoned with.

Pre-game huddle/prayer

The CCV Stars Black team won a couple tournaments, took first place in state league and entered the State Cup championship as the Number 1 seed. They swept all the games of the State Cup, which takes place over about five weekends, with no goals against them.

Blake in action.

In the final game against Sereno, a club that has been the dominant force in Arizona for the past decade or two, Blake's team emerged the champs with a 2-1 victory.

Blake had been plagued with a nagging knee injury since late March and hadn't seen much playing time in league games and the early games of the State Cup. But in the final, Blake was back to his usual aggressive, to-be-feared self, playing more almost three-fourths of the game.

"Blake's a tank," I heard one parent utter on the sideline.

So proud of the team and our tank.

The tank, plowing in.

Number One!

Blake with his medal.

Soccer Season ... Times Four

It's been a busy couple of months in the Dawson household with our weekends being not just highlighted, but down and out DEVOURED by soccer. With all four kids playing soccer, each Saturday has promised four games. And there have been tournaments and extra games thrown in there so that there have been a couple of weekends in which there have been eight or nine games.

Zach and Allie's games are always early in the morning and close to home. And thankfully we know other soccer parents who always help out by giving Blake and Nick rides when needed. Yet, it always seems to happen that when goals are scored, I miss them.

A few weeks ago Nick had his first goal of the season while I was watching Blake play. And this past weekend Blake had

a header goal off a corner kick while I was at Nick's game and Brett was home with Zach and Allie, who had strep throat.

And then there are the practices. Monday it's Nick, Tuesday it's Allie and Blake (and Allie has dance afterward), Wednesday it's Nick and Blake, Thursday it's Blake, and Friday it's Zach. So there's the craz

iness of feeding everyone dinner at different times, scrambling to find the shin guards and the soccer socks ... oh, and the reeling Zach in and trying to get him pumped up for soccer when he's outside riding his wagon down the hill and whimpering, "I don't WAAANT to go to soccer."

Just a couple more weeks until Zach and Allie's little season winds down. Then we're back to just 75 percent of the madness.

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."

Zach and Allie's First Trophies

Allie shows off her trophy.

It came as fast as a 5-year-old chasing down the ice cream truck, but Zach and Allie's first soccer season came to a close this past weekend.

And like most kids in the under-9-or-so crowd, the lure of trophies at the end of the final game was almost as exciting as Christmas morning.

Zach and his hardware.

"Mommyyy ... we get trophieees!" they squealed throughout the morning of their last game.

But the real prize is that they both loved playing. Allie was one of the younger girls on her team and sometimes unsure of what to do and where to stand and when to move, but when the ball was in motion, she chased it down with the rest of the pack. When she played goalie and the ball came her way, she punted it down the field with all her might.

Allie chases the ball.

Zach, too, made it his mission to pursue the soccer ball every time he was on the field, many times with his tongue lodged into his cheek. He also loved throw-ins, forcefully hurling the ball into play, just like Blake taught him.

Zach closes his eyes and punts the ball.

The other great part about their first soccer venture was doing it with Gabe and Riley, the twins across the street. The four of them (and Gabe and Riley's brother Jake) are inseparable. When the kids aren't at school or sleeping, chances are they're together.

Happy kids and their trophies.

Allie and Riley

Zach and Allie Join the Soccer Ranks

After years of packing up their backpacks with coloring books, Star Wars toys, barbies and snacks, Zach and Allie finally get their turn at playing soccer. For months they've been donning their older brothers' old soccer jerseys and shin guards and kicking the ball around in the back yard in preparation for their turn to play "on a real soccer team."

So with the school year winding down and Nick's soccer season over, we decided it would be a good time (or at least better than trying to shoehorn their soccer seasons into the busy fall months).

The biggest difference between the way the boys play and the way the girls handle it, is in positioning and following directions.

When Allie (or any of the other girls on her team) are told to play the back defender position, they stay planted.

We yell (I mean encourage from the sidelines) for her to move up when the ball is down at the other end of the field, and she'll look for her coach's OK or wait for her co-defender to move up before she uproots herself and scurries down the field.

The boys, on the other hand, play that typical bunch ball that we remember so well from Blake and Nick's early days.

Zach reminds me of a young Blake out there ... always darting to the ball and offering up his quick, powerful, short-legged kicks.

Both Zach and Allie are loving it as they squeal and holler when practice and game days come around. They adore having their own soccer ball and ball bag and building upon what their big brothers have taught them. So even though Blake's been playing soccer for eight years and Nick has five years under his belt, it looks like with two more just beginning, I could potentially still have more soccer games ahead of me, rather than behind me ... and that's a good thing. :)

Blake's Special Visitor

No, it wasn't a girl.

But it was pretty and shiny and made Blake smile from ear to ear.

After Blake's team won the championship at the Las Vegas Mayor's Cup soccer tournament last month, the boys on the team took turns housing the trophy cup.

One night after practice Blake, Blake blew into the house, threw his Nike napsack on the floor and hoisted the cup above his head, and paraded around the house.

The trophy sat alongside the Harry Potter series on top of Blake's bookshelf.

"Shouldn't you take the trophy back tonight," I said after it had been with us for about a week.

"Yea, I guess," Blake said.

"Well, let me take some pictures first," I said.

"No, that's silly, no pictures," Blake said.

Later that day as Blake gets ready for practice ...

"OK, I'm taking the trophy back ... shouldn't we take pictures?"

Good idea, Blake. :)

Blake's Soccer Team Wins in Vegas!

Blake in action earlier this month.

This past weekend, Blake and his soccer team, the CCV Stars Black team ventured to Las Vegas for their third tournament of the season. After being shut out at the Surf Cup in San Diego and being beat by the No. 1 team in the state at their second tournament, Blake's team emerged the U13 Boys Champions at the Mayor's Cup.

They won all their games with only goal against them the entire tournament.

When Brett and Blake got home at about 10:00 Sunday night, Blake proudly sauntered in with his usual post-game-I'm-so-sore limp, wearing his winner's medal around his neck and a huge smile on his face.

Way to go CCV!

Kickin' it.

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.

Soccer Saturday: Week 2

"Soccer is all very well as a game for rough girls, but is hardly suitable for delicate boys."

Nick takes control. Yes, the carnival was in town this past weekend.

And just like that, another soccer weekend came and went. It was a crazy one this time.

Nick had his second game of the season. He had another great game, scoring a goal and helping his team to a 4-1 victory. So now the Fireballs (coached by Brett) is 2-0.

While the rest of us were watching Nick's game, Blake had traveled with a teammate for what would be the first of four (yes, four!) games in a tournament in Ahwatukee, which is about an hour away. They won the first game, 1-0.

After Nick's game, we ventured down to Cory and Amy's to hang out for a couple hours before heading over to Blake's afternoon game. It's still hovering in the 90s here, but we have our pop-up overhead thing to shade us, but those poor players get exhausted.

Blake had a great goal in that game, booting it in from about the midfield sideline (if that even makes sense). Brett went insane. It was a bit embarrassing ... but it was an amazing goal.

So Blake's team won that game 3-1.

On Sunday morning Brett and Blake left at 7:30 for the third game. They lost 1-0 to a team they should have beat. But they had enough points to advance to the championship game, which was filled with more pushes, cheap shots and jabs than a barroom brawl. I shudder to think how intense these games are going to get in just a few short years.

Anyway, they lost 7-2. But Blake scored a goal for his team ... and I got this great picture from Game 2:


And poor Blake. He played his heart out and could barely walk Sunday night ...

A Clarification

Today Blake read my most recent post about the soccer games this past Saturday. Or, I should say, he read the portion involving his game.

And he was quite unhappy about the way I portrayed his header goal that kicked the team out of tie and helped win the game. He thought I was way too casual about it, that it sounded like a fluke or that he got lucky.

So, as I had to do (just a couple times) in my newspaper days when I got a fact or point incorrect in an article, I'll post a clarification.

Specifically, Blake wants everyone to know that he "jumped 4 feet" ... that's his estimation, folks, although I could have sworn the first time he told me about it, it was 3 feet. He also thought I should have pointed out that the ball went into the "very, very" upper left corner of the goal. And, he said, it was perfectly timed, not just a fluke.

Also, I apparently used the term "shot" instead of "crossed." So I should have said "Massimo crossed over to Blake" instead of Massimo shot toward Blake.

So, per Blake's request (and I do admire his attention to detail :)), I just wanted to set the Dawson family record straight. Who knows -- maybe his kids will be reading this someday ...

Soccer Saturday: Nick and Blake Score, Win Games

Nicky had his first game of the season on Saturday.

It's still hard to get used to the fact that the recreational soccer season starts so late here, but of course it makes sense. We don't want our kids suffering from heat stroke, sunburn, and the like when it's still 105 in September.

Instead, we start when it's a cool 95 out in mid-October. It was a little bit warmer than usual, and I suppose it's to make up for the beautiful weather we had the weekend prior when it was in the 70s and 80s.

But back to soccer -- Nick was so excited for his first game. Two of his buddies -- Jordan and Marcus -- are on his team. In years past Nick's never gone into the season knowing anyone on his team very well, so he loves having his friends around ... plus I think it kicks him into gear a bit as he plays to impress the fellas.

And second, Brett is coaching his team this year. He did a great job. I decided to not even bother bringing the camera for the first game because I was alone with the twins on the sideline ... but they did great. So soccer pics of Nicky will come next week.

The first half Nick played goalie and it was 0-0 at halftime. Then Nicky moved up to forward. At one point he was just shy of the mid-field line when he booted it toward the goalie. In all honesty, many goalies probably would have gotten this one ... but these are 7- and 8-year-olds and it wasn't the goalie's lucky day. On through the net it rolled.

First goal of the season ... Nick Dawson! Woohoo!

Jordan scored next then Nick went on to score another for The Fireballs (a name inherited from a year or two of Blake's early soccer days in Elk Grove) as they won 3-1.

Then it was time to go home to cool down and get hydrated before heading back to the fields for Blake's 3:30 game., which proved to be perhaps the most exciting game of the season so far.

They were playing a team that they beat once in a tournament and then lost in a subsequent game -- one that we really should have won.

On Saturday ... I hope I get this right ... at halftime it was tied at 3-3. About 10 minutes or so into the second half, Allie tells me, "I has to go potty."

"Can you wait a little bit?" I plead.

"No, I has to GO!" she said jumping up and down.

So around the field and across another we trek to the public restrooms.

After Allie make it back to our seats, Brett looks at me and said, "Don't be mad but you missed Blake's header goal."

"What ... are you kidding?" It seems I ALWAYS miss the huge plays.

Apparently a teammate had a free kick, near the corner kick area. Instead of shooting toward the goal, he shot toward Blake who was positioned about 20 feet in front of the goal, to one side. Massimo kicked, Blake positioned himself just right, shot it off his head, and into the upper corner of the goal box it went.

I was SO bummed I missed it. Blake's been talking since the beginning of the season how he wants to get a header goal ... and I missed it! Dads on the team were raving about it, calling it "SportsCenter-worthy."

Waaaa!! Why can't it be like TV ... why can't I rewind and see it? Oh well ... I told Blake he'll have to do it again next week.

Oh, one more goal was scored and they went on to win 5-3.

Still Kickin' It

Blake at the Arizona Inaugural Tournament.
September 2008

It's Saturday. It's October. For the past seven years, that's meant one thing in our household -- soccer game day.

Blake is in 6th grade now and his seventh year of soccer, but I still vividly recall his very first soccer game when he was just 5 years old. I remember the small neighborhood field on the warm September day. I remember how cute it was to see those little ones bunch around the ball as they got their first taste of team sports. And I remember how that soccer ball lured Blake like a magnet. How my excitement mounted as he zipped up and down the field with a passion and a purpose. He's been chasing that ball ever since.

Blake in his early soccer days. 2003

Through the years Blake has shone on the soccer field. His skills are phenomenal. But his true gift is his passion for the game. Blake has always looked forward to practice, played oodles of soccer at home, watched professional soccer on TV, and the past few years is focused on his "fitness," as he calls it. He spends hours looking at soccer gear on web sites, looking at state standings and planning/daydreaming about his soccer future in Europe.

His years of soccer have kicked up many wonderful memories. I remember the year -- I think it was his second or third season -- when Blake's trademark was the bright gold headband he wore to each game. Panic ensued if he couldn't find it before a game.

I'll always remember the friends he played with for years in Elk Grove -- especially Mikey and Shawn. How the trio went on to play their first season of competitive club soccer together in 2006-07. How we became friends with their families and how they were so generous in shuttling Blake around when I was overwhelmed with the twins. How that team never won a game but those three little guys played their hearts out game after game.

And how, just as tryouts for the next season were about to begin, we learned we'd be moving to Arizona. Blake undoubtedly was bummed to leave his team and his friends, but his soccer quest ultimately went undeterred. He joined the local club here in Arizona and his love for the game continues to grow. (Nicky's been playing since kindergarten, too. The Arizona season for him doesn't start until next week, so more on his playing in future posts.).

Blake -- during his headband era -- and friend Mikey.

It's been such fun watching bunch-ball gamers develop into true soccer players. Each year it gets more compelling -- and more nerve-wracking as they play harder and endure more injuries. Last year Blake went up for a header -- along with an opponent. Blake got slammed in the nose and his eye and nose area were swollen for weeks.

An example of a time when I say a little prayer, hoping nobody gets hurt. Not sure why Blake is slamming into the opponent.

So as we head out to the soccer field each Saturday, I'm thankful for the friends the sport has brought to our family and the many benefits of being part of a team for Blake. But most of all, I'm thankful that Blake has found a true and pure passion at such a young age. A wonderful gift, indeed.

Time to go ... it's almost game time.

Blake going for the ball during a tournament. 2007

Blake: Phone Home

So really ... I can't remember the last time I wanted a boy to call me so badly. I think it must have been about 1992 when I met Brett on a wayward Thursday night.

But this time, it's the cute soon-to-be sixth-grader with the dimple in his right cheek when he smiles. The phenomenal soccer player. The bookworm. My son.

It's the end of Day 2 of soccer camp and Blake STILL hasn't called home.

The kids weren't allowed to bring cell phones, but he has a calling card for the pay phone. And I should emphasize THE pay phone. Brett said he only saw one phone on the third floor of the college dorm where the boys are staying.

I thought maybe he'd call last night after the nightly scrimmage was over at 8:00. No call.

Today the day flew by and I tried to not think about when and if he might call. Zach and Allie were at pre-school and it was Mom-and-Nick day. We made chocolate chip cookies and read books, then braved the heat to see the Incredible Hulk and suck up long overdue Jamba Juices (I sure miss having one just blocks away like we did in Elk Grove).

So I thought that maybe being out of the house for a few hours would do the trick. You know the one -- you leave and when you get home you see the little red light flashing. You push the button and it's the call you were expecting. No such luck.

Brett gets home and asks if Blake's called.

"I'm going to be mad if he doesn't call," Brett says.

"Mad?" I ask, mulling over his statement.

While I want Blake to call, I don't think I'll be mad if he doesn't. And it all boils down to the simple fact that I'm realizing with increasing clarity that Blake is so much like me, it's scary. I KNOW he loves us, maybe even misses us a bit. He's enjoying his independence. Savoring a new experience that likely involves pillow fights and boyish pranks I probably don't want to know about. Realizing he's maturing and can be on his own in short bursts. Doesn't want to stand in line for the darn pay phone. Feels like if he calls he might just realize he misses us.

I not only understand that, but I breathe it like the muggy monsoon-riddled Arizona air.

But still ... it would be nice if he called. Sigh ...

Blake's First Overnight Camp & R-rated shower gel

Blake left for college today. Well, not really college, but a soccer camp held at a university campus.

This morning Brett drove Blake to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff for his first overnight camp -- a soccer camp, as those of you who know him might have guessed. I don't think Blake, normally a home-body, would have entertained ideas of any other type of outdoor camp. But when he checked out the website and got word that a teammate wanted to go with him, he was in.

Knowing that he might be facing some occasional uneasiness about his first trip away from home without parent or grandparent supervision, I tried to really pump up the whole camp experience, telling Blake about the fun times I had when I went to Girl Scout camps. I know canoeing, crafts and giggly overnight sessions aren't the same as power shooting, scrimmages and volleys, but it was all I had.

I also wanted him to be prepared, so I told him the showering might be a little less private than at home.

His eyes grew wide and inquisitive.

"What ... what do you mean?"

So I had to explain the basics of locker room showers. I don't think he was deterred, which was good, but he looked a bit uneasy.

"I'm sure there will probably be stalls or walls of some kind," I offered. "Just not a private bathroom like at home."

I see some of the uneasiness drift away.

Then came the physical preparation. Blake began throwing his clothes in his suitcase packing early in the week.

I printed out the list and away he went, filling his suitcase in typical 11-year-old boy style. No order whatsoever -- shorts, shirts, socks, boxers thrown about. And of course, I, being a mother, his mother, had to empty it out, fold everything up and put the shorts on one side and the shirts on the other.

After spending Saturday with a friend, he woke up this morning in that giddy/silly mood reserved for only the most special of days -- like a big soccer tournament, Christmas, or the first day of school.

He was even being especially nice to Nicky, who has made no secret that he's not too thrilled about sleeping in their room alone over the next week.

As the time to leave came, Blake begrudgingly doled out hugs to brothers, sister and Mom. And off they went.

A few hours later Brett called and said that Blake's friend Massimo (really ... his soccer friend is named Massimo, just like in the movie Kicking and Screaming -- a favorite in our house)hadn't arrived yet and that Blake seemed like he was getting nervous.

The kids are staying in dorm rooms with refrigerators, sinks, meal cards and everything. Cell phones aren't allowed, so I hope he can figure out the calling card and the pay phone.

So over a couple more phone conversations with Brett -- after Massimo arrived and after Brett headed back down into the Valley -- my stomach started to feel queasy.

I start to run down the list of things in my head, reassuring myself we didn't forget anything. I'm hoping it doesn't get too cold because we only packed one pair of sweats -- that's all he had that fit him and our last-minute run to the Nike outlet was no help. And I'm hoping he's able to sleep. I'm praying his body can handle three soccer sessions a day. But most of all, I want him to feel comfortable and confident on his own ... for a week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IN OTHER CAMP NEWS ...

Earlier this week I took Blake to Walmart to get travel-sized toiletries.

"Why do they have to call it toiletries?" Blake asked. "I don't like that word."

His major task of the outing was determining which travel-sized shampoo looked most masculine. Pink and peach-colored bottles were out.

"These all look so girlie," he said.

I agreed, but didn't say anything.

"How about this ... it's blue," I asked him, pointing to what I think was Clariol Herbal Essence orchid and coconut milk shampoo.

"I guess," he says, continuing to look around. "How about this shower gel?"

I look at it and recognize its label -- the black and very masculine packaging of a gel called Axe. Blake got the full-size version of this a few weeks ago. Not until we had it home did I read the back of the bottle. My jaw dropped. This is a product heavily marketed to young men. Use this gel and the girls will be lining up at your shower. You wouldn't think you'd need to censor a shower gel for your 11-year-old son, but look at the "game" and the tagline this lovely product has on its web site.

Ugh!

http://www.theaxeeffect.com/showergelgame/

Still running ...

It was another busy weekend here at the Dawson house.

For starters, after 6 months of being 40, I've finally discovered a benefit: when I run in races, I'm in the 40-44 or 40-49 category. A year ago at 39 I would have been running against women in their early 30s. Now I'm one of the young ones in my division :)

So on Saturday I had a great time running in Emma's Run, a local 5K race held in memory of Emma Simpkins that benefits children's charities. They were also holding a 10K event and for the last couple weeks I've been wrestling with whether to do the 5K (3.1 miles) or go for the longer 10K (6.2 miles). I've been running 3-6 miles about 3 times a week and started a new exercise class at the gym. Yet I still didn't feel I was in the zone to do the longer race ... even though my half marathon was only a short month ago.

The night before I let myself off the hook and decided the shorter distance would be better. And Saturday morning as I was running up, up, up Gavilan Peak Drive with the wind whipping me in the face and trying to rip off my baseball cap, I was so happy I made that decision. I kept my pace up between 8:30 and 9:30 the whole time. Halfway through, the course looped around and so we got to go downhill in the final stretch. But, still, I was feeling hot and slightly nauseous at moments and I wanted to stop, almost did. But something kept me going.

When I got home and looked up my results online, I saw I did it in 28:16. My last 5K in November was 29:29. And here's the shocking part. First, I have to say this was a smaller community race, so it was a relatively small group of about 220 runners. And I think all the good, fast runners either decided to stay home, run easy, or walk. But somehow in the 40-49 year-old women, I came in SECOND and was the 11th woman overall.

So that was exciting to see that flash up on my computer, but I know it was an anomaly. I know so many runners who run a lot faster than me. For instance, if my friend Tracey would have run instead of walking it with her family, she would have bumped me down to third place. So I enjoyed that little fluke and hope it carries me to the next race ... even if that may not be until the fall now that the warm weather is rearing its ugly head.

In memory of Emma Simpkins.
"I love you more than bunnies."

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Meanwhile, participating in the run meant I had to miss Nicky's soccer game. Over the past week he hasn't been feeling the soccer love much. His coach has been putting him at goalie a lot and the past couple of games, quite a few balls have slipped by him. As a parent, it's the most nerve-wracking position to watch your child play. And big brother (and soccer star) Blake is always behind him shouting out commands disguised as "encouragement." Nicky finally said he doesn't want him back there any more.

So as we talked about going to soccer practice Wednesday night, Nicky had a big meltdown, saying his soccer days are over and he's not playing anymore. After a cooling-off period and some encouraging words from Brett and I ... and Blake, Brett managed to get him to his game on Saturday. As goalie, Nicky didn't let anyone score on him, and out in the field, he had his first goal of the season. And, of course, the only time I haven't been there and I missed it.

Blake had a great game, too. They demolished the other team 12-2 or something like that. Blake had 3 goals.

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If any of you are planning an Arizona visit before it gets too hot, you better get here next week :) We had a hot weekend, today is supposed to be 96 and then we're supposed to "cool" to the 80s for a bit before it heats up again.