Soccer, Sleepovers and Celebrations

We had a fun weekend (and not just because the girls stayed at my parents overnight ... but that did help) and stayed busy.  Saturday evening Chatty had a scrimmage with her new soccer team.  It was their first "game" and they played a team that is a year older than them.  Our team lost - but played tough!  We scored one goal and Chatty had the assist.

Then on Sunday Chatty and her friend A were asked to play up on an older team.  I wasn't sure how she would do but she held her own .. and had a lot of fun!  I guess it's official I am a soccer mom!

Chatty and A

Game Face

After the game we took the girls to Nana and Poppa's house for their sleepover.  Mr. ESPN and I ran some errands, watched a movie and went to a nice dinner.  What did we enjoy most?  The quiet ... no non-stop chatter from Bia and Chatty interrupting our conversation - it was lovely!  Thanks Nana and Poppa!

Self Portrait of 12 years of wedded bliss

So long quiet ... it's time to pick up the girls!

Randomness at the ESPN House

Nothing exciting to report from the ESPN house ... Chatty was almost sold to the highest bidder three nights in a row (darn homework and sassy mouth), but she redeemed herself last night after I pulled out the big guns - no not my sculpted biceps, rather the promise of not going to our neighbors for a party tomorrow night and missing the opportunity to ride the school bus tomorrow.  She did an awesome job last night so let's pray (a lot) that she does well tonight too - which is questionable since we have soccer practice to add to the mix.  Speaking of soccer, I think this Team Finance Mgr could seriously be a part time job - what the heck was I thinking???


Mr. ESPN said Bia's internal clock is out of whack.  She wakes up when I am in the shower (between 5:00 and 5:30 am) during the week and climbs in our bed.  She is quiet and usually dozes back off so I am ok with it.  Plus she has quit bringing her entire entourage (aka hoards of stuffed animals) and limits herself to one blankie and one animal, so I really can't complain.  She is obsessed with Band-aids and it's getting expensive.  The other night I found her up on the counter in the medicine cabinet trying to get one (or three Band-aids) for her imaginary boo-boos.  Needless to say the Band-aids have been moved to a locked drawer.


This weekend Chatty and Bia are having a sleepover at Nana and Poppa's.  I am not sure who is more excited - Chatty, Bia, Me, Mr. ESPN or Poppa (yes Nana enjoys having them too!).  Mr. ESPN and I will be celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary (yes we were oh so young when we got married!) on Sunday - alone!  Hallelujah!  If I was a good wife I would have tried to think of a gift prior to 3 days before the big day, but I didn't.  Usually we don't get each other anniversary gifts but I think he is buying me a watch (because I lost mine last month and he didn't have to think of something to get me since he knew I needed a new one) so that makes me want to get him something too.  I just looked it up and it said the traditional gift is silk/linen, which is not very Mr. ESPN.    We'll see what happens.


College football starts this week!! Yeah!!

Conversations with Chatty

It's amazing how conversations with Chatty can drive me to tears ...

Yesterday afternoon ... screaming at me "You are wasting my time, I am ready to read now ... you never let me do anything fun.  Only Bia gets to do fun stuff ... I can't take this anymore ... I don't want to go to my room ... I hate reading ...." (this went on forever for 30 minutes or more yesterday afternoon)

Last week in the car ... "Mommy I really miss Pap-pa Little (my grandfather who passed away last year). Remember when we went to visit him to say goodbye? We have that picture of me with him on the fridge. We should always leave it there so we remember him. He is in heaven with God now like an angel." 

8 Random Questions from Sass

I was tagged by the fabulous Sass to answer her 8 questions.  I kept forgetting to post the answers and then remembered when someone started doing something that is my most current pet peeve!

1. Your most recent pet peeves?

People clipping their nails at work!  Seriously do you not have enough time at home to take care of your personal hygiene.  There is more than one culprit here in my new office and every time I here that clip -clip - clip I want to strangle them.  Don't be surprised if you see the headline "Tax Person Goes Postal Over Personal Hygiene"

2. Favorite guilty pleasure?

It used to be John and Kate Plus 8 - sad but true!  The funny thing  is Chatty loved it too.  I think she loved watching all of the kids.  No I have not watched Kate Plus 8.

3. Have you ever faked an O? Don't lie!

Anyone who tells you they haven't is lying in my opinion!

4. If you could be famous for something, what talent would you choose?

I am going to copy Sara a little and say a Baker ... I would love to have a cool bakery business (ala Sprinkles but more than just cupcakes)that was featured in Southern Living and wedding magazines.  It would enable me to hire that personal trainer and chef to work off all of the excess "tasting" pounds.  .. Hey the founder Sprinkles and I graduated from the same college so maybe I have a chance?!

5. Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?

Definitely flying.  If I was invisible I would be afraid I would hear people say bad things about me or people I love because they didn't know I was around.  That would suck.

6. What are the top 3 things every relationship needs?

Love, Respect,Trust, Communication .... I know that is four but I am cheating.

7. Who do you think is the most annoying 'big' blogger?

I only read a few "big bloggers" and like them.

8. Do you love me?

Of course - what's not to love about Sass??? 

So I am supposed to tag 8 more people, but I am too lazy and can't think of any good questions!  It's Friday and I have a ton of stuff to get done at work.  Have a great weekend.

It's Going to be a Long Year

First grade is tough on the parents (yes I know I said this in Kindergarten).  20 minutes of reading a night, spelling words and other small amounts of homework are doing me in (Mr. ESPN too!).  I hope we all make it through this year in one piece.  It wouldn't be so bad if Chatty wasn't so stubborn - yeah what can I say - so much like her mama!  That and she doesn't like to be wrong or not good at something - once again a mini-me.  Isn't it frustrating to see yourself in your child???  Oh my word!  To make matters worse we have soccer practice starting tomorrow night and I am the official Team Accountant.  Not only that I offered to be part of the Room Mom Committee (three of us are sharing the duties) for Chatty's class and teach Sunday school every other week- what am I doing?  I have become the yes woman!  Stop me somebody!  Dee blogged about this not too long ago.  Yep apparently I am the same way! 

OK I think I need a glass of wine and then I am going to bed!  All of this volunteering is making me tired! 

Wouldn't you over-volunteer for these cute faces??? 

I blame them - it's all their fault!

Cool reflection in my dirty window behind them

Majority of the pictures were like these last two ...

Our Favorite Pizza Joint

The ESPN family has a favorite restaurant - Oregano's.  It is a fun "loud" place that is perfect for our family.  The girls request we go there almost every time we go out.  Since it is a favorite ESPN hangout, we like to take our friends and family there when they are visiting.  It was no different when Grandma and Grandpa were here. 

Some toys while we wait courtesy of the restaurant

Grandpa and the girls

I am not sure what is up with Bia and her smiles??

You can get an idea of the attitude Chatty has been giving us

lately based on her look in this picture. It isn't pretty people!

On the way home with her barking puppy.

Mr. ESPN killed the puppy in the wash this week-he's so nice!

Totally unrelated picture but just to give you an idea of how hot it is in the desert.  When I got into my car the other afternoon I looked at my dashboard and saw the following temperature.  Granted this was in direct sun (no shade) and there is very little humidity (which helps some but not a whole lot)!  It feels like sticking your head in an oven and that is no exaggeration!

Here's hoping Fall comes soon!  I can't take much more of this heat!

Recap - First Day of First Grade

The first day of First Grade was "great" according to Chatty, which is good since she has to go back tomorrow, and the next day and the next .... She even had homework on the first day.  They have to read 20 minutes a night on school nights and the parents have to log it.  I sat with her tonight - she did great for the first 15 minutes and then it went downhill - QUICKLY!  I told Mr. ESPN that homework should be split between the parents so we each get to experience the joy and frustration of reading with Chatty.  He wasn't too overjoyed with the prospect!  She is getting very good but gets to a point where she doesn't try and it drives me nuts.  Wish us luck!

Anyway a few more pics from the first day because we all know 3 isn't enough.

Can you see the big hole in Chatty's mouth from all the missing teeth?

Chatty and her buddy JR at the bus stop

They both lost several teeth this summer

My sweet little Bia