Rocket Camp - Launch Day

 

Launch Day for Rocket Camp was yesterday. Zach woke me up at 5:45.

Z - Mom the bus leaves at 6:00.
Me - No - it leaves at 9:00
Z - You are WRONG!! I am going to miss my launch.
Me - dragging out of BED - get the info paper and show him.
Z - The paper is wrong - they said 6:00 - we have to go! (He was MAD)
Me - Zach, you heard wrong, and when we get there and the bus is there - you are apologizing for getting so mad at me.

Driving up the the camp, bus parked in front.

Z - Sorry Mom - with a huge smile on his face.

The Launch was out at UC Davis.

Sela didn't like the sound when they launched... but once it was all over and Zach was running to pick up his rocket, Sela leans into me,and says, "Mama I love our running Zach." She was proud of her big brother (And glad it was over!)

Swimming Lessons

 

My poor kids HATE their swimming lessons... can you tell?? The pictures of Sela "telling jokes" on the side of the pool just crack me up.

Normal Day

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so.

One day I shall dig my nails into the earth,

or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut,

or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.

~Mary Jean Irion

Too Young to Die...

Breezing through the posts on Facebook yesterday I came across a post from a high school friend. It was obvious she was shocked and hurt, having just found out about the death of a friend. I read it and felt sad, and thought - I hope that he had a nice life... and then a few minutes later I stopped cold in my chair and went back to her post. Paul Mclaughlin... I knew a Paul Mclaughlin. I quickly searched his name on Faceook, and linked onto the one that my friend was linked to, and scrolled his friend list. It didn't take long for me to sadly realize this was my old friend Paul. We had been out of touch for several years and yet he was one of the best people I've had the opportunity to cross paths with.
Back in my 20's, I remember meeting him - a crowded night at Dailey's Bar - his wit and sarcasm was blended perfectly with niceness. Our circles of friends intersected often enough that the lines blurred and became one. I remember I never spent time around him without laughing at myself, while at the same time never feeling like the butt of the joke. What I remember the most is taking him to a Sharks Game... and sitting outside the stadium after the game - having the most amazing talk about life. My friend Paul was not well - he had lupus - with many complications. And yet he had the most amazing outlook of anyone I knew. I remember not taking things for granted for a long time after that... until slowly his words faded, like a favorite old pair of jeans that get forgotten when the new ones get placed in the closet.
I'm sad I fell out of touch with Paul.... He was a marvelous person.

I have been thinking alot about my friend Thom Mannarino lately. His death still sits unsettled in my heart. I always thought I'd be an old woman drinking cocktails at my friend Jens house - listening to old Madonna, and reminiscing about our wild younger days. In that picture I always imagined Thom's laughter as Jen suggested something inappropriate.... that only she could get away with.

I miss you Thommy and Paul. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the memories and for the laughs and for the friendship.

Sela's Happy Art

 

Every doodle that Sela makes seems to have a smiley face on it. (Unless it is the No Brothers Allowed sign she made for her door - there ishe made Zach with a sad face) I guess we have a happy girl!

Dear Tooth Fairy

I lost my tooth. I think I might have swallowed it. I wonder if you have a tooth detector? I hope it is still possible to get a prize for my lost tooth. Thank you,
Love, Zach

PS.. Just a little tip... look in the toilet!

Tooth Fairy - Zach is telling the truth. Look in his mouth on the bottom. Signed Zach's Mommy.

Oh my boy is hilarious... We have had a day - he'd been worried ALL day about that tooth. He woke up realized it was gone and got all nervous. "My tummy hurts." "How will it come out?" "What about the tooth fairy?" "What am I going to do??!"

I'll post pictures of the smile with the hole tomorrow.