05-31-2008

Since this was Xander's second to last game and Grandma and Grandpa Fischer traveled south the watch the game, soccer seems like a likely topic for today.

I think it is hilarious that Xander isn't flexible enough to perform well in wii fit, but I can capture photos of his body contorted in gravity defying poses on the soccer field. The Kickin' Carrots lost their game today, but they played well. Xander was playing defense, but note how close to the net he was. He likes to be where the action is.

At lunch we were discussing the popularity of soccer, so here are some interesting factoids:

• Soccer is the most popular recreational sport for both boys and girls, and has been so for about 25 years.

• 
  
• However, professional soccer has been less popular in the United States than in Latin American or European nations.
  
• The Major League Soccer is young and has few teams; it debuted in 1996.
  

I would MUCH rather got to a professional soccer game than a baseball game, but I guess I am in the minority.

05-30-08

TGIF! After a grueling work week. The sun was shining, it was a shame to go indoors. But, we had items to bid on.

Tonight we attended the Young Life Bid for Kids. Because Young Life rocks. And needs funds to continue their outreach.

We won not one, but two sets of Mariners tickets for June. Bruce moved behind me so I wouldn't see him bidding on the second set. Shame, shame, shame. I guess I'll be seeing my first game in the new stadium on Fathers Day...

05-29-08

My mom can attest that I am not a yoga girl. But here I am doing the tree pose. Tonight it calculated my body age as two years lower than my physical age, but sometimes the wii tells me that I am much older, because my balance is so poor.

I am trying to do at least 10 minutes of activity on wii fit each day in addition to my 30 minute morning workout, and I am trying to do a little bit of yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance games when I am on wii fit. So far my favorite exercise is the slalom skiing.

I'm not sure I'll ever embrace the yoga poses. But they are good for my balance and keeping me young.

“A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind.”
Morihei Ueshiba

05-28-08

Yesterday was the silly child, today is the serious one. Here she is sporting her new reading glasses, and trying like heck to win back her honor as top reader at Olympic Elementary. She got a little lacksidasical this spring, a classmate passed her up, and now she has to work at it.

She loves her new spectacles, it reminds me of when I first got mine in junior high. It is not quite so fun when you HAVE to wear them every day!

“Don't call the world dirty because you forgot to clean your glasses”
Aaron Hill

05-27-08

I haven't a clue. But I thought it would be good for a laugh.

While I was most engrossed in my rigorous to do list (I was multitasking, letting my nails dry and watching my netflicks movie, Kite Runner), Xander was running around giggling and asking to borrow my camera. I even had to scold him to keep the noise level down.

What motivates him is often a mystery, but tonight it appears to be a dare from his peers...

“Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles.”
Alex Karras

05-26-08

Our final day at camp, then the long drive home, and a transition back to reality.

On our way home, near the tiny towns of Antelope and Shaniko (population 25), we stopped at a geocache at an old cemetery. I counted nine tombstones, and the majority of them were small children from the early 1900’s. The cache name was Lonely Cemetery. No kidding.

It’s been fun experiencing a more rural and isolated environment this weekend. I heard that there are about 100 that live year round at Wildhorse Canyon camp; there is a school with one teacher. What a different life. With it’s own challenges, but also it’s own rewards.

05-25-08

Overcast weather moved our pool Olympics indoors. I was thrilled to not have to get wet with 600 of the other campers. I was even more pleasantly surprised that the indoor games were quite fun. We did an obstacle course sliding down the steep indoor skate ramps. And played a fun version of simon says with dance moves. But the most fun was toilet tag. It is like freeze tag, except when you get tagged you have to pose like a toilet, and you are free when someone sits on and flushes you.

During our afternoon free time I was content to stay warm and observe, but Bruce did more activities with the kids. This photo is Anastasia, Bruce, and Madeline on the “big swing”. They strap you in, pull you up, then set you free. The girls were too chicken to go up to the top, but it was still quite the ride.