P365 - 2014 - Day 181 - I love a good pile of books

P365 - 2014  Day 181 - I love a good pile of books

The kids and I took a break from the beach today and went to the library to stock up on summer reading.  We are set... at least for a little while.  The kids all started theirs already but I didn't have a chance to start reading mine yet and can not wait to get started.  I love a good pile of books...

P365 - 2014 - Day 180 - news for him

P365 - 2014 - Day 180 - news for him

There is this really funny commercial for the World Cup in which a man races home from work avoiding all of the news about the game only to walk in to his house and have his daughter tell him the outcome.. "Daddy, we won!".  I laugh every time it is on because it's a funny commercial and it reminds me of My Winderful Husband.  He doesn't always get to see the games when they are on live with his schedule, so he demands that no one tell him anything, he stays off the internet, and keeps the television off.  Sometimes the news stillsneaks in but mostly he has been able to enjoy the games on replay without knowing the score.  He and the boys watched together as there was almost a major upset for Brazil... the rest of the world knew the outcome (and so did the boys) but this was still news for him.

P365 - 2014 - Day 179 - I live for summer

P365 - 2014 - Day 179 - I live for summer

I live for summer.  It constantly amazes me that I live somewhere that has any other seasons.  I am not one of those people that enjoys winter and fall and spring are lost on me....  I love summer.  Maybe because I am a summer baby... I love the warm air, the time spent outside, sunkissed cheeks, and of course I love spending time on the beach.  So with school and soccer finally over, I relished the first full week of beach days.  The kids are at an age when they hit the sand and they are off with friends, swimming, surfing, skimming, playing soccer, or just hanging out on towels far from their parents.  My Wonderful Husband spends quite a bit of time giving surf lessons, so it is usually me and the kids.  I am also lucky enough to have some pretty amazing friends to hang with myself.  One week in to summer and I could not be happier.   This summer baby finally has her season back!

P365 - 2014 - Day 178 - at the counter

P365 - 2014 - Day 178 - at the counter

These two buddies sat together at the counter at the Dockside Diner and had a delicious dinner - Cinnabon pancakes and Cinnabon french toast.  They ordered all by themselves and had a blast hanging out together at the counter on swivel chairs.  Ahhh to be 9 again!

P365 - 2014 - Day 177 - even the dog is a soccer player

P365 - 2014 - Day 177 - even the dog is a soccer player

Apparently even the dog is a soccer player.  It was World Cup Puppy Soccer tonight in the backyard.  The Boy gave The Pooch this little soccer ball and he was one happy dog.  He kicked it and headed it and carried it around the yard.  I guess he really is a part of this family.

P365 - 2014 - Day 176 - Two Beach Bunnies

P365 - 2014 - Day 176 - Two Beach Bunnies

Two beach bunnies.  I blinked and she is almost as tall as me...... where does the time go?

P365 - 2014 - Day 175 - the beach is our playground

P365 - 2014 - Day 175 - the beach is our playground

This picture sums up what I love about summer. Kids playing with abandon! Today was a fun day at the beach with lots of friends - swimming, surfing, skimming, and just being kids.  I am so thankful that the beach is our playground.

P365 - 2014 - Day 174 - Once a Coach, always a Coach

P365 - 2014 - Day 174 - Once a Coach, always a Coach

Our first year with Stafford Soccer Club has drawn to a close.... My Wonderful Husband just texted me this picture on his way home from his last game with the girls' team that he coached all year.  I am going to brag here a bit.. because it's my blog and I have that right. ;-) Before moving here,  My Wonderful Husband had coached all of our children from their first touch on the ball.  We knew when we moved that he might not be able to walk in to a new club and do that, so we were prepared to be sideline parents.  As it turned out this fall, they needed to create a new girls' team where The Princess would play and they needed a coach.  So of course, he volunteered.  Those girls snuck right into his heart and after a great fall season, even though The Princess was moved up to a different team, he stayed on as coach for his SuperStars.  This wasn't the first time that My Wonderful Husband had stepped up to coach a team that wasn't one of our children's teams.  He loves the game, he loves to coach, and he loves the kids.  It wasn't even a question for him.  He was going to see these girls through the spring season because that is the kind of guy and coach that he is.  Even when he was given the opportunity to coach The Bear's team this season when the other coach needed to step away to attend the police academy, he still didn't question it.  He would make time and make it work.  I struggle to find just the right words to say how proud I am of this guy.  He took The Bear's team to a First Place victory this season and The Superstars had an outstanding  season as well.  But the stats are not what make him a great coach.  His love and knowledge of the game are the driving force of his coaching.  He cares about each of the kids on his teams - as much as his own kids.  I can tell you in absolute honesty that he is always thinking about the kids and the game and how he can help them improve, what he can do better to help them, and most importantly how they felt when they walked off the field.  He is encouraging and dynamic and earns respect from his players by giving them respect.  He understands and encourages his players strengths and is aware of and helps his players improve their weaknesses.   As this season ends, it is bittersweet.... the Superstars were a mixed age team that can not stay together next year so the girls are all moving on to different teams and My Wonderful Husband will no longer be their coach.  The Bear is moving on to a different team as well and the scheduling was going to be difficult to allow him to continue to coach that team.  So for the first time in many years, My Wonderful Husband will not be coaching next year.  I know first hand how sad that makes him but I also know how many lives he touched coaching and how many players touched our lives...  I don't see this as a permanent retirement though.... Once a Coach, always a Coach. xoxoxo  Love him!!!!!

P365 - Day 173 - These two soccer girls are also surfer girls

P365 - 2014 - Day 173 - These two soccer girls are also surfer girls

Today was the last soccer games of the season for The Bear and The Princess.  (The Boy and his team finished last week)  What better way to celebrate the end of the season and the start of summer than with some surfing until dark with friends.  These two soccer girls are also surfer girls.  Tonight they traded in their cleats, shin guards and soccer balls for bikinis, rash guards, and surfboards and had a ball!  This is what summer is all about... time spent with family and friends having fun and making memories!  We are off to a good start. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 172 - School's Out!

P365 - 2014 - Day 172 - School's Out!

School's out!  The Boy woke up Saturday morning after a funfilled last day of school- we went to swim at The Shell with friends and met up with everyone at Fantasy Island - and said "Ahhhhh the first day of summer!"  My sentiments exactly.... While this was a great school year and I was not counting down the days as in year's past, I am still a Summer Girl at heart and I love that the days are longer, the air is warmer, the kids are home, and we can all relax and enjoy.

P365 - 2014 - Day 171 - the last day of school

P365 - 2014 - Day 171 - the last day of school

It was the last day of school of a truly wonderful school year. The Bear and The Princess finished 5th grade and The Boy finished 3rd grade.  Where does the time go?   My Wonderful Husband and I were able to attend an awards ceremony at the school (wow... a school that awards and recognizes the efforts of the students... fancy that) and we are so proud of the achievements of our three kids!  Along with all three of them playing travel soccer all year and basketball this winter, The Bear and The Princess also did band and The Princess did chorus.  Even with all of that they made the honor roll all year and achieved The Presidential Fitness Award.  The Bear and The Princess were chosen to be Safety Patrols for next year and The Princess earned the highest average in Reading and Social Studies as well as the award for Best Reader.  I am so proud of the hard work and the fantastic year that they had.  I am so glad that we made this move!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 170 - teacher gifts

P365 - 2014 - Day 170 - teacher gifts

As I assembled the teacher gifts I kept thinking how I can hardly believe that this school year is already over.  We made a big change and took a leap of faith with this move.... but it truly paid off.  I am so happy with the kids' school and teachers and the wonderful year that they had here. I wish we had been here from the beginning but I am sure glad that all three of the kids have "s'more" years at this school... corny? I know.... but true:-) Thanks for a great year!

P365 - 2014 - Day 169 - NO ONE is allowed to complain about the heat

P365 - 2014 - Day 169 - NO ONE is allowed to complain about the heat

When we walked outside this morning, the heat hit us in the face.  There were a couple of quick remarks about it being hot before I declared that NO ONE is allowed to complain about the heat.  I will simply say the words - Polar Vortex.  I am not generally a fan of winter but this past winter tested my resolve more than most winters.  It was not just cold, it was POLAR cold.  Let's let that sink in a minute.  Polar.  Ice. Snow. Below freezing temperatures.  It was torture for a self proclaimed summer girl like myself.  Twenty five layers to walk 3 feet to the bus stop.  Ice wells in our roof... do I need to rehash that one?  Gates swinging in the wind and hitting my face... it wasn't good I tell you.  I have been dreaming of warm weather for what seems like a million years.  So I declared this morning that there will be no complaints about the heat.  We will embrace it and hope for a Tropical Vortex. ;-)  So in that spirit, the kids came home from school, threw on their bathing suits and declared a full fledged war... a water gun war that is.  There was no time before practices for the beach so that was the best way to cool down.  :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 168 - counting down the days of packing lunches

P365 - 2014 - Day 168 - counting down the days of packing lunches

I am counting down the days of packing lunches.  I don't know why this job irritates me so much but to be perfectly honest it just does.  It's not like it's that difficult... I have no good reason but I am pretty happy that these were close to the last few lunches of this school year.  I didn't find myself counting down the days this year... because... well I was happier with everything.  But I am counting down the lunch making... and I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

P365 - 2014 - Day 167 - grabbed their boards

P365 - 2014 - Day 167 - grabbed their boards

The school year is winding down, no one has soccer practice on Mondays (soccer is winding down too), and what better thing to do on a Monday afternoon after school..... SURF!  The kids grabbed their boards and we all headed up to the beach to catch some waves.  Ahhhh... summer is on the horizon.  I can see it. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 166 - Happy Father's Day!

P365 - 2014 - Day 166 - Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to My Wonderful Husband.  The kids and I are so lucky to have you.  We love you so much!!!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 165 - Go Italy!

P365 - 2014 - Day 165 - Go Italy!

After an all day soccer tournament with all three of the kids, we came home exhausted.  But My Wonderful Husband, The Bear, and The Boy were not too exhausted to watch the Italy/England World cup game.  The Boy changed into blue and dug out this old Italian flag name tag to support Italy.  :-)  My Wonderful Husband is an England fan (even though he is married to an Italian girl.... hmpf) and The Bear remained neutral.  Go Italy!

P365 - 2014 - Day 164 - Me and my favs

P365 - 2014 - Day 164 - Me and my favs

The kids didn't have practices tonight (although My Wonderful Husband had a game to coach), so we walked up to beach for - what else - some beach soccer! (and some shell and sea glass hunting)  It was windy and overcast but who cares when you the ocean and the beach are your playground? I played some soccer with the kids... you know to show them how it's done ;-)... and managed to find only a couple of shells and one good piece of driftwood (no seaglass of course because I.never.find.any.) It was the best way to spend a Friday afternoon.  One more week of school, a few more soccer games, then me and my favs will be up at the beach every day.

P365 - 2014 - Day 163 - Let the games begin!

P365 - 2014 - Day 163 - Let the games begin!

Let the games begin!!  The World Cup games, that is.  The boys came home from school and immediately turned on the Brazil/ Croatia game - the first game of the World Cup.

P365 - 2014 - Day 162 - no place I would rather be

P365 - 2014 - Day 162 - no place I would rather be

When the kids came home with their yearbooks, I realized that this was the first school year in that I wasn't counting down the days (literally with a chain...).  I realized that we are quickly approaching the end of our first school year here on LBI....and what a great year it has been!   I am so glad that we made the decision to move here full time and be a part of this great community.  I am not counting down the days for the year to end because we have no need to "escape" for the summer as we did before.  We are home.  There is no place I would rather be.

P365 - 2014 - Day 161 - rest up

P365 - 2014 - Day 161 - rest up

The Bear got a bit hurt at Sunday's game and has been icing his injured ankle the past couple of days.  He took a break from practice tonight and stayed home while The Boy went to his practice.  He needs to rest up for a busy soccer weekend - a 3 game tournament Saturday and a game Sunday that could decide if his team ends the season in first place.  No pressure... it's Father's day and his dad/coach said all he wants for a gift this year is a first place trophy... haha!

P365 - 2014 - Day 160 - Forget March Madness...

P365 - 2014 - Day 160 - Forget March Madness...

The World Cup is about to begin and in this house that is BIG NEWS.  Four years ago, The Bear was primarily the one following all of the games with his Daddy - they watched almost every game...whether on TV or online... This was the beginning  for The Bear....he was following in his Daddy's footsteps that year - soccer was quickly and fully becoming his passion. As the last four years marched on, The Princess and The Boy became pretty invested in this sport as well.  It is safe to say that soccer is a family passion.  This year for the World Cup, The Princess and The Boy are all in too.  Forget March Madness.... we have World Cup brackets on our fridge now.  Bring on the games - the Leonard family is ready.

P365 - 2014 - Day 159 - boys' night

P365 - 2014 - Day 159 - boys' night

Today was not a day when we could all see all of the kids' soccer games.  As a matter of fact, we went in three different directions.   I took The Boy to his game, My Wonderful Husband took The Bear (since he is his coach) and The Princess went with her friend.  The Boy and I managed to get to the beach after lunch to get our toes in the sand and see some friends.  When we got word from The Princess that she was invited to out to dinner with her friend's family, The boys decided to go out for a "boys' night".  I volunteered to stay home (in the quiet...;-) and have my yummy shake for dinner...)  The boys went to Holiday snack bar and filled up chicken and fries and cake... then they went to the local candy store (see what happens when I stay home?  No voice of reason was involved in "boys' night") They had a lot of fun and came home to watch basketball together...love that these three like spending time together.  Love my boys.

P365 - 2014 - Day 158 - picture perfect

P365 - 2014 - Day 158 - picture perfect

I started the day with an early run before getting The Bear to a soccer game in which he was guest playing.  When we got home we went right up to the beach  - it was a picture perfect beach day.  We ended the afternoon with a dip in our friends' pool.  I can't think of too many better ways to spend a Saturday.  :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 157 - just the two of us

P365 - 2014 - Day 157 - just the two of us

The boys and their Dad had soccer practice so The Princess and I made plans to get manicures and pedicures.  It was nice to have some time to spend just the two of us getting pampered and ready for the warm weather.  xoxo

P365 - 2014 - Day 156 - serene lavender

P365 - 2014 - Day 156 - serene lavender

The kids' bathroom is finally painted... we finally traded the old yellow walls for this serene lavender.  A cabinet that my friend gave me found a perfect home in the corner and of course a starfish found its way in there...  I need to finish a few odds and ends but  it is almost done!  I love it!

P365 - 2014 - Day 155 - Happy National Running Day!

P365 - 2014 - Day 155 - Happy National Running Day!

I think I need this shirt. :-)  Happy National Running Day!  I ran my 5 miles this morning... :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 154 - Spring Chorus Concert

P365 - 2014 - Day 154 - Spring Chorus Concert

The Princess had her Spring chorus concert.  She had a few solos and sang her heart out.  It was a great job by the whole LBI chorus.

P365 - 2014 - Day 153 - LBI School Field Day 2014

P365 - 2014 - Day 153 - LBI School Field Day

This has been one crazy year...we moved (and moved and moved), the kids started a new school, they started playing travel soccer, they met lots of great new friends, and we made lots of changes.  Today, My Wonderful Husband and I went to the LBI School Field day and it just made me happy.  This was the perfect culmination of a school year so vastly different from previous school years - where we felt welcome as parents to school events and a true sense  of school spirit and fun.  This is one of the biggest reasons that we made all of the changes that we made and today just made me sure that we made the right decision.  We are exactly where we are supposed to be and my heart is truly happy.

P365 - 2014 - Day 152 - soon....

P365 - 2014 - Day 152 - soon....

I have decided to start a new blog... something separate from The Leonard Five that focuses more on health and wellness, motivation and inspiration, and my journey.....  I got as far as a title and a cover picture but I promise there will be more soon...... :-)