Idaho's Own John Muir

Jake's school did an "essay" contest for Earth Day. Students in grades K-8 wrote about the environment in one form another. Jake's essay is to the left and is about squirrels of all things! The top 15 from each grade level were recognized with certificates of achievement and then the top three won prizes.

We were notified by the PTA on Tuesday that Jake was in the top 15 so we planned to go to the school assembly on Thursday for the award presentation. We found out Wed. night that Jake won one of the three top awards, but weren't told which one.


Jake wasn't told that he was in the running, as we were asked to keep it a secret from the kids. So on Thursday afternoon Nana, Brian, and I met Jake at his assembly and we watched as the 15 Kindergarten finalists were called up to the stage. The principal had two middle school drummers there to do a drum roll as he announced the third place winner, second place, winner, and first place winner. Jake won 2nd place!

The assembly continued and did the same thing for grades 1-4, reading each winning essay aloud. It was really cool to see him shine in this area. He was completely surprised and I think a little in awe that he had won. His prize pack was a "Movie Night" theme with a family size pizza, 2 liter bottle of soda, popcorn, 2 movie rentals, and a five dollar gift card (all from our local restaurant, "The Merc"). He is so excited to plan our family night with his winnings.

When Brian and I told him how proud we were of him he said, "I'm proud of myself, too! I didn't think I did that good. I can't believe I won!"

Boise Burn

So, moving from an area that I lived in for most of my life that had; two NFL teams, two MLB teams, an NHL team, an NBA team, several major college programs, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Al Davis etc.....the change in sports landscape has been one of the more drastic changes for me out of the whole deal.

We have; a major/minor college program (depending on where you fall on the whole MAC conference debate) and wow, it kind of drops off a cliff after that. We have a MLB Minor league franchise (kind of...it's A-Ball), a ECHL Minor League Hockey team (albeit league champs last year and the year before), an NBA D-Ball team (also league champs last year)....not a hotbed of major league talent. But better that all that, last year was the first year for our Arena League 2 team the Boise Burn.

That's right, not Arena Football, MINOR LEAGUE Arena Football. So we decided to give it a shot this year. Jake had gotten tickets for his birthday from his Grandma Mary and Auntie Sue so we went out last night (Nana stayed home with Faith). It was a good game and really enjoyable for the most part. 

There are three former BSU Broncos that play on the team, so Jake was really excited about that, and it is Arena League Football, so it's pretty exciting to watch....lot's of scoring, balls flying into the crowd etc. This was probably Tanner's favorite live sporting event that we have been to, because the Burn do not have a mascot in a big costume. Tanner happliy pointed out half way thru the game that there was no mascot, and was able to let his guard down and just enjoy the game on the field instead of keeping constant tabs on the giant Hawk or Husky or whatever.

Arena crowds are football crowds (and if you are keeping a list, football crowds rank at pretty near bottom of the list of "family friendly" environments. Surprisingly enough, hockey crowds are at the top of the list). But the two jackasses behind us, insisted on describing all the various body parts of the cheerleaders, using "colorful" language to say the least, when it's fairly obvious that we have two small kids with us. I turned around of couple of times and made my displeasure known, but they would stop for a bit and start up again later. After Tanner got an entire cup of beer dumped over his head (which was an accident and they did feel really bad about) I went down and asked to be moved, which the stadium people were really cool about. They found us much better seats and moved us without a problem.

It was a fun time out, followed as always by sleepover night (me in one bed with one kid, Marisa in another with the other), but I think I'll maybe hit a couple of hockey games next year and concentrate on BSU games for my football fix. The Boise Hawks start up here in a month or so and I am looking forward to taking the kids out to catch a ball game or two (even one's with infield doubles...).

Giants 1st Game

We had our 1st Tball game last week. It was just before spring had really sprung (that explains all the people under blankets in the photos) and it was a bit cold out still. There was snow in the forecast, it ws supposed to get down to 28 that night and the sky was threatening the entire day, but the weather held off and we were able to get a game in.

The boys did great. We got three legitimate outs at 1st base (that might be more than all last season) and everyone hit fairly well. Jake is enjoying being one of the "veterans" this year and is trying to work with the inexperienced players (sounding WAAAAYY too much like me, talking to him....it's a little freaky). But he continues to progress. He is hitting much better, throws like a champ and is getting better and better at catching the ball. 

We built a minors ballfield down at his school and he likes to go down there and "workout" just he and I. He hits a couple of buckets of balls off the tee, then I hit him a couple of buckets. Last time he caught a pop fly, so he wants to work on that now. The North Boise Little League actually uses the field as well, so we are able to watch some minors games there after we finish up practices which are a lot of fun, because Jake

 knows some of the bigger boys from school, so he has a rooting interest in some fo the games.

It is beautiful here now, it's supposed to be in the 80's this week, so we are trying to make some time to go today and "workout" a little bit, but hopefully the games will be a little less "arctic" from here on out.

Easter '09

Saturday was the Hidden Springs Easter Party with an easter egg hunt for the little ones on the village green, cookies and punch inside, games on the lawn, and picture opportunities with the Easter Bunny himself. Faith and Tanner both loved the egg hunt- the limit was 12 eggs so I had to trail behind Faith and take out all the "extra" eggs she put in as she continued to grab more off the lawn and add them to her collection. She was unstoppable. Tanner was much more concerned about the number- he didn't want to go over 12.

After the egg hunt we went over to the Merc for treats. Tanner and Faith saw the Easter Bunny and told me in no uncertain terms that they would NOT be posing for a picture of him. They wouldn't go anywhere near him. Mom had to pick up Tanner to even get him in the Merc and past the bunny to the treat tables. Anyway, we got settled in at a table to eat our cookies (in a different room than the Easter Bunny was in) and all was peaceful. Until the Easter Bunny- unbeknownst to any of the adults- decided to take a stroll through the room we were in. Mom and I were both about 15 feet from the kids- chatting with friends- as he strolled past the kids' table. The only reason we realized this was the high pitched screaming that ensued. Faith and Tanner both dropped their easter baskets, candy flying, and screamed with fear, trying to run to us but unable to get to us without getting closer to the bunny. Mom and I tried to get to them but the bunny was also blocking our path. As comical as it was, I am sure that both Tanner and Faith will have an unnatural fear of bunnies for all of time. It was very reminiscent of our morning with Santa this past December. Now every time the words "Easter Bunny" are mentioned Faith gets a furrowed, worried little brow and says in all seriousness, "Easter Bunny scare me. No like Easter Bunny".

That evening we dyed eggs. I remember this annual event with great fondness from my childhood, but as an adult I just haven't gotten into it. It lasted a grand total of about 10 minutes until the eggs were all broken and dyed varying hues of green, purple, and mostly brown. The kids liked it well enough, but I think for me it may be one of those traditions that goes by the wayside soon.

For our Easter morning hunt Brian and I made up clues ,so inside the eggs (instead of candy) were clues leading the kids to their baskets. The baskets were literally overflowing with gifts from Grandma Mary, Nana, Auntie Sue, and from us. It was WAY over the top and bordering on ridiculous, but it was fun. Faith loves the stuffed rabbit that dances and sings and she repeatedly pushes his paw to make him shake his bunny booty and sing "Hop!" (a really annoying but surprisingly funny version of "Shout"). I give her one more day and then it's into the Easter basket until next year with the singing bunny.

Things got a little crazy in the afternoon as Tanner refused to nap and threw a HUGE 90 minute fit that ended with us putting the door back on his bedroom (don't ask why it was off in the first place....) and locking him in his room where he still refused to nap but eventually calmed down. He fell asleep on the brief drive to dinner and was in bed by 6:30. That kid is a holy terror when he is tired and Easter was his third day in a row without a nap.

It was a beautiful spring day and it was great to have Mom with us before she heads back to Truckee for the summer.

Opening Day - Divide and Conquer

If Marisa and I can't learn to divide and conquer on our own (which we clearly can't), we'll have it thrust upon us out of necessity, today being a prime example. Today was opening day for the North Boise Little League....and....the Easter Egg Hunt in Hidden Springs.

I am coaching Jake's T-Ball team again this year (we are the Giants) and had to work at the opening day in addition to being there for pictures and the skills challenge after, so it was me and Jake today and Marisa and the little kids stayed home to hunt for eggs.

Jake was a trooper as he had to hang out at the Little League complex while I did my volunteer time; timing the Majors teams as they ran the bases and working my turn at the snack bar grill. Then our team showed up for pictures and we started the skills challenge after that.

We have about half the kids back from our team last year, and the other kids haven't p

layed T-Ball before, so we have a good mix of experience on our team. Jake did excellent in all of the skills challenges; he came in fourth running the bases (behind the three biggest kids), second in pitch speed (crossing my fingers on a "retirement package") and tied for second in hitting distance (behind the biggest kid from last year), so he is really set to go from a skill perspective. 

After all morning and part of the 

afternoon at the ball field, we were both starving and headed out to Westside Drive-In to get some burgers and the best fries in the entire world. Jake powered down a cheesburger and we headed home to catch the tail end of the egg hunt. They colored eggs and everyone is tired and limping towards bedtime as we speak.

We have our first of six games this Tuesday and I am looking forward to a great season.

Tahoe March 2009

What a great trip! We planned it over the Christmas holiday when we got to have a brief visit with Joe and Susie at Kim's house and it actually happened! You know how those things tend to go.... one or another of the families gets a sick kid or has to work or bows out to due some sort of family drama or another. But we all made it to Tahoe together for a long weekend of good food, good friends, and good times.


We left Thursday after work and ended up driving the whole way. Lots of loud music- and kids that slept- made the drive easy and fast. We arrived at 1:30 in the morning and the kids waited patiently under heavy blankets on the couch while Brian and I set up the beds, turned on the heat, unloaded the car, etc.... At one point Tanner asked me, "Mom, can I PLEASE go to bed now???" That's a first, believe me!

Joe and Susie arrived the next afternoon and Kim, Bill and the kids joined us later that evening. It was like a daycare with the five kids running around, all involved in various activities and mostly trying to get the adults to play freeze tag with them. Jake was the oldest one there, at six years old, and took a real liking to Jasper. The picture to the left is Jake sharing his iPod with him- each with one side of the headphones.

Each of the families took a night to cook so the chores were divided and made easier with bottles of wine and a few beers. Despite having some sick kids (and, hence, kids that didn't sleep very well) it was a really fun and relaxing weekend. Susie and I even got to go to a Bikram class on Saturday morning while Joe and Bill skied and Brian and Kim took the kids to the Discovery Museum. Sunday we switched spouses again as Brian, Kim, Joe, and Susie took the oldest four kids tubing while Bill and I took the younger two back to the museum and did some grocery shopping.

We watched some movies, read magazines, listened to lots of good music, and reminisced about past Tahoe trips- including Kim's famous "Worminator" move in charades.



The drive back home was uneventful -and reminded us once again that an 8 hour drive is nothing- especially if at the end of it you get to spend quality time with lots of old friends.