Monday, September 29, 2008

Weekly Sports Report

Chris ran the Dana Hills Cross Country Invitational this weekend. Since the varsity runners were gone to a National meet in Oregon, he started in the front row, and finished with a NEW PR of 17:53! He came in 54th overall (so just missed getting a medal by 4 places), and came in 2nd for his school just behind the 1st place runner. He said that he and the first place runner passed each other a couple of times during the race, but the first place runner has never lost to Chris and was determined not to this time also!

That evening Chris played a game with his soccer team, and played great! He played first half as a defender and 2nd half as a mid-fielder. Towards the end of the game, he was still running the entire length of the field while everyone else was pooped... that XC training really pays off!


Cheryl seems to have cemented her new spot as a starting striker. They defeated Santa Ana in an away game 1-0 on Tuesday, and on Friday they lost to Fullerton at home 1-2. She scored her team's only goal that game (by running up on a through ball and shooting just inside the 18yd line)... her first goal of the college season.

We ended up going out for ice cream twice this weekend... on Friday night to celebrate Cheryl's first goal, and on Saturday night to celebrate Chris's new PR!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Weekly Sports Report

Chris didn't play his soccer game, because he had the Woodbridge Invitational meet in the evening. He was hoping to post a new PR. Unfortunately, he didn't have a very good race. First off there was a pile-up accidentally caused by Chris. He stepped on the heel of the runner in front of him and caused about six runners to fall. He managed to jump over and around them, but lost his focus. He ended up with a cramp in his side and finished around 19:10.

In Cheryl's game against #2 state ranked Santiago Canyon, she started as outside defender. At half time, trailing 0-3, they moved both Cheryl and the other outside defender to the midfield to add more force to the offense. It didn't work... the team ended up losing 0-8.

Cheryl's second game of the week was in Riverside. This time the coach moved her to the starting forward line. The team lost 1-5. Cheryl almost scored that goal. She was ready to shoot the ball when a player from her own player stole the ball from her and shot it.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Summer Book Review

It's been months and months since I did a book post, but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading! I've read way to many to put together a review of all of them, so here is a list of the books I read over the summer, with a few highlighted:

We've been looking forward to "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer since "Eclipse" was released. Will Bella marry Edward? Will Bella end up a vampire? I won't give anything away, but I do want to caution parents that this is not as middle school friendly as the first two books (if you can call the first two books, middle school friendly). I can't say more without spoiling the story. You will have to read it to find out!

"Here Be Monsters!" by Alan Snow was a wonderful surprise! box trolls, cabbage heads, sea cows, rabbit women, pirate rats and an young boy band together to thwart the cheese hunters. This book is fun and will delight everyone. This book would make a great read aload bedtime story. The next book in the series is called "Man in the Iron Socks." I'll be picking that one up too as soon as it hits the library.

I was prepared to like "Moloka'i" by Alan Brennert. It started off sad, and got sadder. I skipped to the end, figuring if it had a happy ending I would keep reading. The ending was sad too.... I like my books with happy endings. I guess that's why I like reading kids' books so much. I never finished reading "Moloka'i." The characters were interesting and "real." The story was well written... just be sure to have a box of tissues handy.


This is a delightful series about a young London girl, Mary. She was orphaned by the plague and taken in by a street gang. When the gang's leader is murdered, she decides to set off on her own and see the world as a boy named, Jack. The adventure starts on the high seas in "Bloody Jack," and continues in the "Curse of the Blue Tattoo." There are several more books in this series that I'll pick up and read one of these days.


Other Kids books:
This is still my favorite genre. I split the kids books I've read into kids and teens catagories.



Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce

The Castle Corona by Sharon Creech

The Stone Fey by Robin McKinley

Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon

Horns and Wrinkles by Joseph Helgerson and Nicoletta Ceccoli

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart and Carson Ellis

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis and Pauline Baynes

The Revenge Of The Shadow King by Derek Benz and J. S. Lewis

House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle



Teen books:
These are still kids books, but may not be appropriate for young kids.


Two-way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Austenland: A Novel by Shannon Hale

Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin Mckinley

Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier



Other adult books:
I took some reading time this summer to checkout some adult authors who I've heard a lot about, but have never read...


Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie

Smoke in Mirrors by Jayne Ann Krentz

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Devil May Cry by Sherrilyn Kenyon

All Night Long by Jayne Ann Krentz

Strange Candy by Laurell K. Hamilton

Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts

The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Dark Possession by Christine Feehan

Taken by Storm by Tami Hoag

Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle


Vampire romance:
After finishing Breaking Dawn, I went into vampire romance withdrawl. As a result, I ended up reading all the vampire romance that I could find at the library.


How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks

Be Still My Vampire Heart by Kerrelyn Sparks

The Undead Next Door by Kerrelyn Sparks

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Sugarplums and Scandal by Kerrelyn Sparks

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole

No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole

Monday, September 15, 2008

Couple of New Layouts

I've been wanting to finish a layout on Chris's track season, since track season ended last Spring. Finally, with motivation and inspiration from the 2ScrappyChixDesigns crop, I finally finished my layout!

Journaling reads: Chris started out in the 1600m (1 mile - PR 5:17) and the 800m (1/2 mile - PR was bad. He was too tired after running the mile. Chris was moved tot he 3200 (2 mile - PR 11:30). He came in third once, making his point total for the 2008 year - 1.

Here is another layout from the 2ScrappyChixDesign crop. Chris was just adorable in his XC sweats, lounging in his chair.

Journaling reads: For homework, for reading, for napping, and video games, PREFECT! It doesn't get any better than this!