So Beautiful

Even in a sweatshirt and pony tail, you light up the park, Kai!

Football (With Friends)

Did I mention we attended a lot of football games this fall? This one was enhanced by family and friends. We babysat for the girls several Saturdays and Sundays. This particular weekend, we were also Mandi-sitting. Her parents were on a special anniversary trip, so she got to hang with us all weekend, much to Kai's delight.Faith was pretty delighted too, once she realized Mandi would spoil her like the rest of us!

Juli? Well, she was just sleepy. The nice thing about our morning babysitting was that it often coincided with Juli's nap!

Friday Means Football

It's a good thing I learned to like football. It seemed like we spent three solid months at football games this year. Between the high school games, Nicky's games, the college game we played at, and the Eagles and Packers on TV, I was pretty footballed out by the end of marching band season! Not to mention, with a few exceptions, like the game pictured here, we spent quite a few of those football games in the pouring rain. Fun fun!

Still, it was always a thrill to see Kai march out into the field and start playing the "Hey" song to escort the players onto the field!

Tough Competition

The Marine Corps puts on quite a show! Not only did their prestigious band play and recreate the famous moment from Iwo Jima above, they picked some fabulous bands to perform for the competition in Annapolis. I hate to say it, but our band was just outclassed today. They played their hearts out, but some of the bands in this competition must have been training 24-7! I'm proud of Saucon for doing as well as we did!

Inner Harbor Day Trippin'

I got to go with the band to Baltimore's Inner Harbor before their competition at Annapolis. It was so much fun! We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, and the band kids had a blast wandering around the aquarium and shops.

The dolphin show was a big hit. One of these days, I really have to get to Discovery Cove and try that swimming with dolphins thing - it looks so fun for this trainer!

We spent some of the day with Meg and Shania and her mom. We kept getting split up in the crowds, though, so eventually Kai and I went our own way.

And since it's Kai we're talking about, you can assume our own way meant the way of the frog!

We did see a FEW fish...

And this beautiful butterfly hanging around the harbor.
When it was time for lunch, we were tempted by the Hard Rock Cafe.
But we were glad we decided on Potbelly's when we heard the guitarist who was playing live folk versions of popular songs in the dining room. Including, appropriately, the Beatles "Day Tripper". (Well, if you take it LITERALLY. I know the song is not actually about day trips. Sheesh.)
A quick group photo and we were back on the bus, headed for the USSBA Marine Corps Invitational.

First Flags

The Easton First Flags competition kicked off a busy month of competitions, trips, and football games. October was full to the brim with required activities, which made us miss many of our family traditions. Next year, we'll have to remember to go to the pumpkin patch or Halloweekends the second we have any free time... always assuming we'll HAVE free time!

The kids did well in the competition, earning a special award for music and an "Excellent" overall rating. Go Saucon Band!

Spoooo-ooky (But Sweet)

We put together this haunted gingerbread house for some family fun this weekend. Too cute, huh? The kids helped with some of the icing and all of the candy. It ended up looking pretty good, but the nice thing about a HAUNTED house is that precision is not necessary - the crooked window panes and drippy icing add to the charm!

Rainy Days and Fridays

He looked muddier in person, let me assure you. And we all look pretty wet, after several weeks of rainy, rainy football games. Seems like it can be clear and dry all week - but if it's time for a football game, it's time for rain. We got COMPLETELY soaked at one downpour filled home game where RCN filmed Kai standing on the sidelines, leaning on her crutches, playing her horn... and DRIPPING with rain. In fact, the band abandoned ship after halftime, it was so wet. This week's games were more of a constant, annoying drizzle. Still wet, but less pelting. Nicky didn't mind though. In fact, after I took this picture, he rolled in the mud, saying he wasn't muddy enough. *sigh*

I keep thinking I should spend the money to buy a big Panthers umbrella. Cause that would either guarantee that it wouldn't rain again so that I would waste my money, but stay dry, or it would be really helpful next time the sky opens up.

It's also hard to look forward to the games when the high school panthers have lost every home game and the 80 lb. Panthers have lost them all. (And scored 2, count them, 2 touchdowns all season!) But Nicky's having fun, and making his tackles and blocks, so I guess that's what counts!

Plus, he got to be team captain and go out for the coin toss this week, which is still pretty cool!

Nope, Never Get Tired Of It

Taking pictures of Juli, that is. Just LOOK at those eyes!

Which of these things does not belong here?

Which of these things just isn't the same....

Yup. Barry's a Cowboys fan. A Cowboys fan in Eagles country, now. We did our best. We served up Philly cheesesteak and pierogies. We got Eagles decorated cupcakes. We put up an Eagles balloon. We even got Faith to say the Eagles were going to win.

But the Cowboys won. Phooey. (Not to mention they beat the Packers, the beloved team of Nicky and me, the following week. Double Phooey.)


At least the food was good.

Nicky's "First" Bible

Nick had already begged for a Bible and been given one months ago, but it's still special to receive your "first" Bible from the church when you start third grade. Nicky, I hope the word of God is always a comfort and blessing to you. Use your Bible well, and pray often!

Just Call Her Persistent

Kairi's sprained ankle from VBS just hadn't healed. She kept complaining that it still hurt. Finally, we took her to the doctor. Who sent her to the orthopedic specialist, who sent her off to physical therapy. Turns out she has an "accessory navicular" which is fancy doctor talk for an extra bone in her foot. Two bones never fused when she was an infant, and they are all bound together with tendons. But when she sprained her ankle, those tendons became inflammed. Walking on it caused her Achilles tendon to tighten up, too. So she's back on crutches, and has weeks of physical therapy to get through.

But does that stop her from marching? I think not...
Leanin' on the crutches, playing the horn when the football team comes in. Standing on the sidelines, leanin' and playin' while the band marches behind her.
And a sight I never thought I'd see - my DAUGHTER being carted off a football field. Sad, sad. But at least she has company - a fellow band geek broke his toe. Maybe they should just add in some crutch maneuvers for the competition choreography!

Labor Day

Ah, Labor Day... Weirdest of all American holidays. As Scott often and derisively observes, "We celebrate being able to work... By taking a day off???"

Doesn't look like he's complaining now, does it?

Ain't She Sweet?

Kairi got her first pair of glasses today. She had been complaining about her inability to see her music in band for some time. She didn't seem to have problems at any other time, though, so we waited until the end of summer to take her for an appointment. Turns out she _barely_ needs glasses. She's something like 1 degree nearsighted - the doctor said she was just off 20-20. But, with her new glasses, she's 20-15, swears her music looks "bigger", and looks adorable. She only has to wear them when she has "eye strain" from long periods of reading, music, tv, etc. Could we probably have just gotten her a $10 pair of reading specs? Yeah, but at least now we know she has good quality glasses for those 8 hour band rehearsals!

It's Game Time!

Friday evening was the high school team's first football game of the year, which meant it was also the marching band's first official performance. It was an away game at Catasauqua High School, so the band performed at pregame instead of at halftime.

...Unfortunately we missed the show because Nick's walk through practice went late. Fortunately, next week is a home game, so the band will perform at halftime.

We also don't have any pictures of the game or the band playing from their stadium seats because there was a constant drizzle and Jenn didn't want to get the camera wet. Kai said she had a great time, and wasn't mad we missed their show.

The Panthers came out strong early and led 17 - 7 at halftime. Things fell apart in the second half, and the Rough Riders nearly came back, scoring 16 points in the 4th quarter. The Panthers scored one more touchdown to seal a 24 - 23 victory. It was a very close call.

Our #59, ready for a kickoff

However, things didn't work out so well for the 80lb Little Panthers this morning against the North Parkland Buffaloes. There was a little pregame drama as Nick weighed in as 81.2 lbs in ribby and pants, but he was cleared to play (he would have been under 80 in his skivies). He started the game on special teams as a blocker for the return team. He was called out and the offense went onto the field, only to fumble on their first carry. The Buffaloes' got the ball and scored. 7 - 0.

Nick was put in again for the return team, and called back as the offense went out on the field again. The Panthers moved a way down the field, only to stall. The Buffaloes got the ball back, and, at this point, Coach Eric called for Nick. He had decided to put Nick in as left guard the next time the offense had the ball. But at the last minute, he decided to put Nick in at right tackle for the defense on Buffaloes' second play of the series. Nick and another player were able to bring down the Buffaloes' running back, who then fumbled the ball, which the Little Panthers recovered. We were excited and happy for Nick, since not only did he finally get some time on the field, he made a good play to help his team. Nick was called back again (I guess Coach Eric decided at that point to not puck Nick in at offensive guard just yet...), but the offense couldn't get anything done with the football.

Nick played left guard on the offensive line for the entire second half (and still had kickoff duty), and did a pretty decent job blocking, although the Panthers didn't get the ball much as North Parkland took advantage of our weak secondary (who throws in peewee football, anyway?) and scored 14 more points.

So, while Nick had fun out on the field, his team lost 21 - 0. Oh, well, there's always next week.

Still Trying to Return the Monkeys

We keep going to the zoo this year, but they still won't take the monkeys back!

We had the day off on Friday, but forgot to tell the Camfields. So they dropped Cyndy off at work and came over to watch Nicky before school. Since they had the van anyway, we decided to make use of the free day and go to the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

We did enjoy seeing animals, but some of them got a little too close for Faith, who was really scared by the Lorikeets this time. She's scared? Who has one on their head??

To be honest, I think the kids enjoyed the new playground at the zoo even more than the actual animals. Kairi especially loved this spinning monkey bars, and Faith and Juli love anything playground related.


It was a fun way to spend part of our Labor Day break.

Preview Night

Tonight was a run through of the first two songs in the marching band's show. Kai was excited to show us what they had learned so far. Apparently, they had the third song (Rock It) almost done, and was a week ahead of where the band was last year as far as getting the show together. It was exiting to see the band in action with all their regalia. Kairi had a lot of fun, but has to remember to hold her horn higher ("I'm trying!" she says).

The band played the jazz standard Chameleon by Herbie Hancock, and Walk This Way by Aerosmith, and then a couple of their stadium songs like "The Hey! Song" (Rock and Roll Part 2) and Wipe Out (with an "interesting" dance by the tubas).

Here's a video of Chameleon:


If you don't see it, or can't play it, try clicking here

Back To School ... Again

The new school year started today for Kai and Nick. Kai enters 7th grade in advanced Math, with a male homeroom teacher, and as the first chair French Horn in the middle school band. Nick starts 3rd grade with a brand-spanking new teacher.

Both the children were excited, although I was a little apprehensive. Was Kai going to be able to go to band camp three nights a week, ballet and private French Horn lessons once a week, and still keep up with homework? What about Nicky with football and Tae Kwon Do? Would Nicky remember which bus was his, and when to get off on the way home (he hadn't taken the bus since Kindergarten)? Would the family survive through October, when football season ended?

Well, so far, so good. Barry and the kids arrived early to make sure Nick got on the bus, and the rest of us got out the door on time, bags and all. Kai and Nick ended up having a great first day. Both of them had plenty of friends in their classes, although Kai is without Sherry on her team again this year.

The only problem ended up being that Nick's bus was so late coming back (because some kids got on the wrong bus) that it became difficult for Jenn to get Kai to band practice on time. But things will smooth out as the weeks go by. Now, all we have to worry about is Kai remembering how to say "May I please go to the bathroom?" in Spanish.

26-20, Little Panthers

Does it matter that the Catasaqua Rough Riders only have a 90lb. team, not an 80lb. team?
Does it matter that since you're on the 80lb. team, you spent most of the game on the sidelines?
Does it matter that when you got into the game, you only got to play one series because the 80lb. offense was seriously outmatched by Catty's 90lb. defense?
Or is the final score of 26-20, Little Panthers, the only thing that matters? Congrats on your first win, Nick!

Technobliss

Lookie what I got on my desk when I returned to school. Isn't it purty???? 20" flat screen monitor, quiet as a mouse, speedy quick... I loves it.

Now I gotta find a way to get one for home!

Band Camp

Whoever thought the last few weeks of August was a good time to have middle and high school kids march in formation on a shadeless field carrying heavy instruments is a sadist.

Still, other than her ankle injury still hurting her, Kai seemed to do okay during band camp. Seven hours a day of playing and marching, marching and studying formations, hauling equipment and marching. She's a little crazy, methinks.

I hope the fun of playing in the stands and on the field and at all the various band competitions that will keep us going all through October is worth all this hard work!

Last Golden Taste of Summer

"Summer's gone... it's winter's fault my summer went away..." - Gaelic Storm

Summer's not completely over of course. I'm sure we'll still have some warm days, and even some downright muggy ones. The calendar doesn't even put the end of summer until September 21. But this golden sunset hour in the park on Saturday felt like the end of summer.

Next week, both kids are on a full time band and football schedule. I start back to work on Wednesday. The lazy, golden days of summer are winding up, whatever the calendar says.

No more wearing pajamas until noon if we want to. Only a few more days of the waterpark at Dorney. No more vacations, or family vacationing at our house. Staying up until all hours needs to end, or getting up at 5AM isn't going to start. It's dark by 8:30. School clothes are piled in bedrooms. A flock of over eager migratory geese flew overhead at Dorney on Sunday. We're cleaning up the Sunday School rooms for Rally Day.

Summer's definitely on the way out. But that's okay - only 292 days until summer vacation!

Juli, Juli, and More Juli

I love these shots I took of Juli while I was trying to entertain her at Putt U. She's so darn pretty!