225. Taxi Driver

I feel like a taxi driver!

Not only do I drive a lot for work (I provide OT services in the client's home),

But today, since Allan is out of town, I had to drive all over town to pick up and drop off the kids;

1. Drove Nicholas to school this morning.

2. Picked him up from home after school was done (he had a minimum day),

and took him to Central Park for a Cross Country practice.

3. Picked up Christina from school.

4. Picked up Anthony from school.

5. Picked up Nicholas at Central Park from his Cross Country practice.

6. Drop off Nicholas at soccer practice.

7. Pick up Nicholas from soccer practice.

I spent at least a quarter of a tank of gas just today!

The worst part is that it will be like this for the rest of the week, 

until Allan comes back from his trip on Friday.

224. Junior High

I knew that starting Junior High would be  a difficult transition for Anthony; He is very smart... He is also unorganized, lazy and forgetful and I am afraid he might not get the grades that he really deserves. So I have to be on top of things and constantly make sure that he has done all his homework and stays focused. Hopefully, as the year progresses, he will get better at keeping track of what needs to be done and I'll be able to relax a little.

He was a little disappointed that he couldn't join the Jazz Band though. And he is looking forward to getting started on a new instrument in Band. Right now, the whole class is learning how to read music and play piano which is pretty easy for Anthony. He is hoping to learn how to play the Saxophone. But who knows, he might end up playing something entirely different!
In the meantime, he is enjoying the last little bit of Summer we have left. His surfing is getting better. He now definitely knows how to catch a good wave. He just needs to learn how to ride the wave at an angle (which would make his ride longer). He is going to La Jolla, with his surfing instructor this Saturday, and they will practice angle take-offs which should help him get even better rides. And even if he doesn't get it right away, I'm sure he will have lots of fun!

223. Varsity Cross Country

Nicholas is having a great time in high school and is learning to balance school work with sports and leisure time; As a Sophomore, he is taking 5 classes, 2 of which are Advanced Placement classes (basically College courses). The rest are Honor classes. He is training hard with his Cross Country team and his hard work is paying off. His Coaches have told him that he will be running Varsity in a few of the Invitational Meets (quite an accomplishment).
He is happy with his new soccer team and doesn't regret his decision to change. And his High School soccer coach told him that he will be on the Junior Varsity team when the season starts.
He is still enjoying going to the beach with us, even though his brother and sister are sometimes annoying. And he is looking forward to going Jet Skiing again this week end with Greg. They are going to Lake Mead for the long weekend and Nicholas is really excited!
It's amazing to watch how far he has come in the last few years and how much he has grown. He is definitely on the right path to becoming a responsible young men... One who makes both Allan and myself very proud!

222. Surfing Girl

Christina decided that she wanted to try out surfing.

So today, at the beach, she borrowed Anthony's surfboard and gave it a try.

It didn't take long before she could stand for a few seconds on the board.

She didn't ride long, but it was enough for her to get a taste of surfing...

We might have to get a second board, next Summer!

221. AYSO U10 Girls EXTRA team

Christina had her first soccer game of the season today. She is playing with the Canyon Country AYSO U10 Girls EXTRA team. She played a great first half, scoring the first goal in a 4-1 win. She also had an assist, and fought hard despite the heat (it was at least 104º F). She rested the third quarter and went back in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, she got hit by the ball in the face and sat out for the rest of the game. Overall, it was a great beginning to (hopefully) another fun season of soccer.

220. Lizards

 Rocky and Catie are obsessed with lizards;

Catie will stare at lizards for hours.

Rocky will chase them 

and has been known to eat them when he successfully catches them!

Yak!

219. Surfing

Yesterday turned out to be a beautiful day at the beach!

We got there at about 1:00 PM and the sun was out,

the water was great and the waves were perfect for surfing!

Anthony caught a lot of great waves and got some great rides

in the 3 1/2 hours he was in the water!