5th Grade Q & A

 Mrs. McBride, Allison's 5th grade teacher from last year, asked her to come up to TTES after school today for a little Q & A session with her current 5th grade class.  She said many of the students were nervous about entering middle school and had lots of questions about the transition.  

Allison discussed organization and using their Reminder Binders, the daily schedule, changing in the locker room for PE and elective options.

She was very articulate up there, answered all of the students' questions and I think calmed their nerves quite a bit.  Taylor and I laughed in the back when one of the students whispered to her friend, "Hey that girl signed my yearbook last year!"

It was a fun experience for her and its nice to see her hard work paying off!

TOP DAWG

 Allison has been working hard all year at improving her mile time.  To earn Top Dawg as a 6th grade girl, she needed to run a 7 minute mile or better.  She has been stuck at 7:03 for quite a while, with only one last chance in yesterday's final run.

She not only beat 7:00, she killed it with a time of 6:47!!  She was beyond thrilled and proud of herself.  I think I heard her say, "I can't believe I got a 6:47!" about 30 times. So cute!

At today's award ceremony, she was given her Top Dawg t-shirt and she will wear it proudly!

We may have a runner in the family...

First Beach Day!

 Today was the perfect weather for Pre-Memorial Day at Surfrider in Oceanside! Matt and I met Darian, Leslie, Katy and all of our girls.  It was hopefully our first of many summer beach days.

 Reanna, Taylor, Allison, Morgan, Zoey, Madison, Turbo, Summer and Lauren

 These four played board games, ate lunch, swam, played "restaurant", kicked the soccer ball around and just self-entertained all day.

In the early evening, Darian brought out the grill and we grilled hot dogs and roasted marshmallows for s'mores.

Devastation and Appreciation

After the awards ceremony, Matt gave me a tour of the burned areas of San Marcos.  

 The community of Coronado Hills was devastated by the fire.  The narrow roads and extensive brush made it difficult for firefighters and law enforcement.  

It was so sad to see such devastation at homes like this, but amazed that all of the homes neighboring this one were spared.  

 We were overwhelmed by the appreciation shown by the community.  Signs greeted us at almost every street entrance.

 Many families were displaced and lost everything, but it could have been so much worse!

 Neighborhood after neighborhood was spared thanks to the quick reaction and amazing work of the first responders.

 Throughout the week, there will be several events to honor them and share stories.  Fundraising continues for the victims and the community will be sure to take care of them.

Sheriff's Department Awards

Matt and I attended the Sheriff's Department awards ceremony at the Bob Hope Theater at MCAS Miramar.

Matt was being recognized for the work he did for a prison committee.  I'm always so proud of the work he does both for his station and the community as a whole.

 Assistant Sheriff Prendergast and Sheriff Bill Gore also presented awards for lifesaving and did all of the staff promotions.  It was nice to see so many of the deputies we have met over the years and we look forward to attending again next year when Matt will get his pin for 20 years of service.

Legends Classic Champions!

Taylor is so excited to be on the GU15 Gold team this season.  They have only had one practice as a group, but played in this weekend's Legends Classic tournament.  On Saturday morning, they beat the Strikers 3-1 and Taylor played the whole game at Center Mid.  She even got the first goal of the season!

In the afternoon, they beat OC Premier Black 3-1 and on Sunday morning they tied 0-0 against SDSC. They had enough points to win their bracket to advance to the semi-finals.  Taylor got a knot on her head within a few minutes so had to sit the rest of the game, but we won in PK's against Legends North.

The championship game was under the lights and Taylor was feeling strong enough to play.  Coach Rick switched it up a bit and she played most of the game as a forward, but we couldn't score and tied 0-0, forcing more PK's.  Taylor volunteered to take one and made it!  They ended up winning 6-5 to take the title.

 A first place finish after only being together for a week!

 Coach Rick was very proud of the girls and had a great weekend with both teams.  His U17 girls won National Cup…a HUGE accomplishment and then helped the U15 girls to this victory.

Taylor was all smiles and had  great weekend of soccer.  She is grateful for this opportunity and we loved the girls and families she will be surrounded by this season!

Oceanside Beach Tournament

The girls' favorite tournament of the year is always the Beach Tournament at Oceanside Harbor.  Matt and I were each supposed to go one day and spend the other with Taylor at her tournament.  Unfortunately, with the fires, Matt had to be at work and couldn't go and we don't know any of the families to carpool with on Taylor's team so I was with her.  Allison didn't seem to mind much and had a great time spending the weekend with Zoey and Reanna (thank you Darian and Leslie).

 This year, they decided to split into two teams, but got the same cool shirts, and were coached by some of the U15 players.

 Allison was on Team #1 and was coached by Penny and Madison.

 On Saturday, they beat Hawks #1 8-6 and beat Chula Vista FC 9-4.  Sunday morning they faced the Sea Gals and won 7-4 to advance to the Championship.

Allison got to play some on the field and even scored a few goals!

I was told that she also "killed it" in the goal.  So bummed I couldn't be there to watch!

 They lost the final game 10-2, but came home with 2nd place medals.

What better way to spend the weekend than with soccer, sun, the beach and your best friends?

The COCOS Fire

 Fire season started early this year with the horrible combination of 100 degree temps, high winds, no humidity and very dry brush.  Matt spent most of last Tuesday evacuating residents from Rancho Santa Fe and went to work Wednesday for a normal work day.  However, it turned out to be anything but normal.  Fires quickly broke out in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Fallbrook and San Marcos. Within hours a third of San Marcos was being evacuated and Matt was working traffic control to get them out safely.  Our friends Mark and Julie, Katie and Aaron and Jen and Carlos were all being evacuated and Matt described it as "Godzilla invading San Marcos".

By night fall, the hills behind Cal State San Marcos were ablaze and resources from across the state came to help.  Matt was able to come home to sleep and then was back early to work the command post.

There were some very scary moments for Mark and Julie as the fire came quite close to their home.

They couldn't believe it when they saw their house on the local news with fire quickly approaching.  

Thanks to the amazing work of the firefighters and this drop by a DC10, their home was spared.

Matt was able to send them this text the next morning.  They were so grateful for his updates and said the texts and calls kept them sane.  Jen and Carlos were in close contact too and so appreciative.  It was a great joint effort by the firefighters, law enforcement and volunteers.

We didn't get to see much of Matt this week, but Taylor made sure to let Matt know how proud she was too!

By this afternoon, most of San Marcos was back home and Julie and Katie got their friends and families together to make this very sweet sign.   It was even the Picture of the Day on Fox news!

This one hit close to home and I'm so proud of all of the heroes involved, but especially the one I am lucky enough to call my husband!!

Mother's Day

I had a fabulous day of surprises to celebrate Mother's Day!  Matt had donuts and flowers waiting downstairs this morning and I was surprised with a day in Mission Bay!

 The weather was perfect for a short walk

 and Matt made reservations for a delicious brunch at the Bahia Hotel.

 We were treated to Mimosas

and a lovely buffet with an omelet station, waffles, carving stations, fruit, seafood, salads and desserts.

There was even a cute "mini buffet" for the kiddos.

 After brunch, we boarded the William Evans Sternwheeler boat for a cruise around the bay.

 The boat traveled between the Bahia and the Catamaran hotels and we had stunning views all around.

I'm blessed to be the Mama of this family and so grateful for the love my family showed today and everyday!  I'm one lucky lady and I count my blessings everyday that I have such a hardworking, thoughtful husband and two amazing girls!