Every so often the family does a massive cleaning and sorting session, where we go through all the miscellaneous "junk" we've acquired over the past year or so and decide what can be given away to the Big Brother's, Big Sister's group , the MS folks, or whatever charity may be looking for donations at the time... and, believe it or not the kids really get into this... the thought of giving away some toys or books or whatever to someone less fortunate is actually a concept they both understand. They like the thought of doing something to make another person smile. Collin has even given away some of his most valued "treasures" in previous donations. And, as you can see Sara literally got right into the giving spirit today... (sorry, the picture's a little blurry)
Man, I don't think my imagination was quite this vivid when I was eight... and published no less!
Today has been an extra special day for the kids. It started off with building a snow-man in the fresh snow this morning. We got about 5 or 6 inches of snow last night and it was perfect for a snow-man. Then, after we came in and put some dry clothes on we went down to the nearest Macy's and picked an Angel from the Angel Tree .. We spent a few hours shopping for two little girls, one 4 and one 6. Pants, shoes, shirts and even some Barbies. And since my work, KUTV, is a sponsor of the Angel Tree program, they paid for it all. Pretty neat, to say the least. Later this evening we were instructed to take all the gifts we purchased to the drop-off point at the Zoo. Yup, that's right, the Zoo... Middle of December and we were off to the Zoo. The Hogle Zoo has, for the first time ever, put up over 2 million christmas lights throughout the park. Granted most of the animals are keeping themselves warm in their pens or dens... but it was still magical. A most wonderful way to end a wonderful day!
Today was a beautiful day. A special day. 4 years ago today a small girl joined us all in this wild, crazy and often harsh world. This game we call "Life" can be tricky and cruel sometimes. Hah! Yeah, right! Not to this little spitfire. Nope, this girl has enough spunk and heart to give "life" a serious run for it's money... Oh my Sara-Bean... You are someone special. Sure, you can be a handful at times. But, that doesn't compare to the amount of heart you possess, at just 4 years old...
... Let me give a wonderful example: Just last week, after I received the dis-heartening news of my uncle's passing, I walked into my room and sat on the side of my bed... out of the corner of my tear-filled eye, I saw your little face peek around the door... then you walked in and, without a single word, you handed me your favorite little floppy, pink baby-doll... the same baby-doll that comforts you and gives you strength when you need it... you had no idea what was going on in my head or that I had just lost a very special person in my family... and yet, somehow, you did know something. Something that was very heavy... and the moment that pink baby-doll touched my fingers, a little weight was lifted... Thank you, my little sweet-heart... Thank you so much for being my little girl... Always!
So without further ado ... The Princess Birthday Tea-Party! ... The planning for this amazing event was immense. It's a good thing Jodi knows a thing or two about Tea Parties and Princesses, cause I wouldn't have been able to pull off an party like this... Complete with food, "tea", games, dancing... Oh, and we can't forget the bestest part of the day: A visit from the one and only Princess Belle of Beauty and the Beast. (Thank You so much Aunt Kristie)
Happy Birthday Sara-Bean! I Love You My Little Princess!
Run the Reverse!
Bootleg Delay!
I don’t have the video’s ready to go yet… But I just can’t wait to post on this evenings events…
As I’ve stated before, Collin’s been playin Flag Football for a couple of weeks now. So, after last week’s first loss of the season to the Bears, (by a last minute TD) we got wind that we would be playin another tough team this week. The Bengals are a team of bigger guys with some serious speed. So our brilliant coaches spent a little extra time and effort in practice this week to prepare them for the big game. Well, that big game was tonight… and what an incredible game it was.
Bengals had first possession. Packers (that’s our team) came up with a big defensive stop which resulted in change of possession. A few plays on offense and then a quick handoff to the left outside and we were on the board first. The Packers decide to go for 2… They run Collin’s favorite play: the “bootleg delay”… Collin lines- up at center… snaps the ball to the QB… stays in his position for 2 seconds as the rest of the team goes downfield to the left… then after the QB fakes the handoff, Collin, bolts out angle right as the QB rolls right…Boston, the QB, tosses the ball perfectly to Collin… he makes the catch beautifully, on the run, and cruises in for 2 points! (Yes, I have this on video. should be up tonight).
This sort of intensity continued for the entire game, back and forth from both teams. It was a well played, high anxiety game with plenty of parents and coaches hollering at a bunch of little guys on a short football field. Then in the final seconds of the game our Packers are up by 8. 26-18. The Bengals snap the ball. Their QB fumbles and picks it right back up. Should be a dead ball in Little League Flag rules. But the refs say play on. He tosses to an open man, who runs downfield for the TD. Ugh! Of course they would go for 2. Of Course, they would get the 2. Tie Game! And the ref shouts, “THAT’S TIME!” … and it’s Game Over…
Collin you played your heart out tonight and were dealt a raw deal. But I think I was far more upset about the call than you. You were a true sportsman… you didn’t think twice about the garbage call from the refs. After the intense game you played you were more focused on the fact that you and your team stayed together and executed well enough to tie with that tough Bengal team. You were absolutely glowing for the rest of the night. You are a beautiful human being. You seem to know where to focus all your energy. Even at eight years old. I know a few adults that could learn a thing or two from you, my dear boy. Don’t you ever change.
HEY! Good Game!
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