Team Captain

Last night, Allison was named one of two Team Captains for her GU12 soccer season!!  The team voted for Olivia and Coach Charlie voted for Allison.  He honored her for being a team leader, a hard worker, a cheer leader and a great communicator.  

We are very proud of this achievement and know she will do a great job fulfilling her role this season!

End of Tournament Season

This weekend was the last tournament weekend of the preseason for both girls.  Unfortunately, Taylor was playing in Orange County and Allison was in La Jolla.  I sent Taylor with friends on Saturday and drove with Leslie down to La Jolla for Allison's games.  They played at a middle school with an awesome ocean view and we had several hours between games to enjoy a picnic on the beach!

We set up our blankets on this cool rock structure

 and ate lunch, watched groups spear fish and play in the tide pools.

 It's on days like this that I realize we live in one amazing place!!

The girls played tough all weekend, but lost all 3 of their games 1-0 against Albion, Hotspurs and Oceanside. They were in the top bracket and battled hard in each game.  I missed the Sunday game because I went with Taylor, but got word that Allison did a great job in goal!

Taylor's team didn't have much luck either.  They played in the top bracket too and lost 4-0 to OC Premier Black and tied 0-0 against Long Beach Havoc.  Sunday's game was a close matchup, but they came away with a 1-0 win over Irvine Strikers.

The tournament season is over and they have the next few weekends off before league begins September 7th...

School Time!

Another school year is officially underway!

Taylor was up at 5:15 and out the door by 6:45 for her 1st day as a Freshman at GOHS.  She is excited to get her class schedule and share in all of the school S.P.I.R.I.T Great Oak has to offer!

Allison was ready and waiting for her 1st day as a 6th grader at VRMS.  She was confident as can be and ready for the challenges of middle school. 

Matt and I sent them off with "I Love You's", wishes for a great day and a challenge to be the best they can be, to set an example every day and to enjoy every moment!  

Knott's Soak City

 We spent the day at Knott's Soak City as a final farewell to summer.  The girls got tickets for promotion and we have struggled to find a day to make it happen.  We had Reanna with us this weekend and we're glad she could join us!  

 It was a perfect weather day and we bounced from the watersides to the lazy river and the wave pool.  

I even overcame my fears and went on The Toilet (pink and yellow ride in the background).

The kids laughed at me the whole time since I kept my eyes closed and clinched the handles, but at least I did it. Never again!!

Tomorrow we will be in school preparation mode and enjoying our last few days of summer vacation.

Team Party

These girls had a great time at Saige's tonight celebrating the last days of summer.  They swam, played volleyball, made s'mores and watched Despicable Me on the outdoor projector.  Thank you to the Carter's for hosting and giving the girls a fun night off of the field!!

No More Elementary School

 I also can't believe we are done with elementary school...sniff, sniff and hooray all at the same time!  Today, Allison registered for 6th grade at VRMS.  My baby is growing up too! It was kind of a chaotic morning because the computers crashed so we couldn't get books and I wasn't happy with one of the teachers she got for 3 different classes!

That meant a trip back later in the morning and a visit with her counselor.

By the end of the day, Allison has a wonderful schedule with great teachers. We got her books, PE clothes and her reminder binder.  Tomorrow she will join her friends for a school orientation and she is very excited to begin her 3 years at VRMS next Wednesday!

How Can It Be??

Today, I registered my first born for High School!  How can this be?  It is a day full of so many emotions...beyond thrilled for her new adventure, so sad that she is growing up too fast, stressed about graduation requirements/SATs, excited to attend sporting events, but most of all proud of our girl!

She will have a busy year with some tough classes, but she can't wait to get started.  She loves her ASB group and will work hard to make the soccer team in the late fall.  Until then, she will get acquainted with the school, make some wonderful friends, work hard in her classes and hopefully cherish every minute of her 4 years at Great Oak!

Into The Woods

Gigi, Reanna and Allison have spent the last two weeks in Theater Camp from 9-3:30 M-F.

 This summer's play was titled Into The Woods and is a very cute combination of several fairy tales.  

 It was a much smaller cast than Fiddler On The Roof from last winter, but Allison enjoyed the kids and the wonderful director and choreographer.

After the two weeks of practice, they performed 4 shows this weekend.  Matt, Taylor and I went to the final performance on Sunday night.  Allison had a limited role as Dorothy in the ensemble cast, but did a great job on stage.  She is learning so much about the fine arts and really loves being involved!

During the show, I got this cute thread of texts from her before and after she was on stage :)

 Reanna was Cinderella's step-mother and Gigi was the one of the step-sisters. They both did a fantastic job and I loved their wigs!!

 The entire cast

Allison received flowers from us and Hank and Leslie for a job well done and we celebrated with dinner at Guadalajara.

These two were happy to be back on stage together and are very excited for their next play...Annie!!

Happy 16th Anniversary!

Today, Matt and I celebrated our 16th Anniversary.  Luckily, we got to spend the day together on Tuesday because we both had to work and there was a lot going on today with the girls.  

However, we did get to hang out this morning and exchange a few gifts. We both seemed to carry on the golf theme.  I got him new gloves and balls and he surprised me with this awesome new bag, putter and shirt!

I hope this means many more golf dates and many more years enjoying our time together!!