Charaker and Yesternight

These are a few of our favorite Elle-isms. We just don't have the heart to correct her. That may be poor parenting, but hey, we call the shots!

Elle is becoming more and more articulate as her vocabulary expands. I have even started to notice that her Southern drawl is subsiding. Cute to others, aggravating as hell to me. I never wanted anyone to make fun of her or more importantly think that she is anything less than intelligent.

Charaker = Character with a heavy emphasis on the "ker." Most common usage is in reference to the Disney gang. "Hey Daddy, which charaker do you think will be at Animal Kingdom today?"

Yesternight is even better! Elle has been saying it since she was at least 3. Only in the last few years have we learned the true meaning. When we asked her before she would shrug or just say "I dunno." Now when we ask her she says "the other night ago." I love how unspecific it is! Really it could be yesterday night or two to three nights ago!!!

Elle: Daddy have you ever tried the peach shake from Chick Fil A?
Me: Yes
Elle: When?
Me: Yesternight
Elle: You mean the other night ago?

God, I love her!

Cheetahs 22 - Gorillas 19!!!

I know, I know. We aren't supposed to keep score and considering we don't have goalies it is a difficult task!

This week the Cheetahs faced a more evenly matched opponent. We got down 2-0 in the first minute. It seemed all too familiar after the Thundercats and their team of ringers jumped on us 7-0 last week. Low and behold, the Cheetahs scored the next 7-8 goals and never relinquished the lead! I am super-proud of everyone (including the Gorillas) - every kid scored!

GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!

Last year, Elle never scored. Grant it, Upward used goalies in U5. Elle would not be denied on this day. Not one, but two goals! Beyond that, she assisted on a few others. Why is that a big deal? Have you watched micro soccer lately?! Very little passing going on!

The improvements from week one to week two were evident. They were no longer timid - heeding my advice to "play through the ball" and pass.

Up next - The Dawgs!

West GA Futbol Club Cheetahs

This year I decided that Elle would switch from Upward to County soccer. Douglas County and Carroll County merged this summer to form West Georgia Futbol Club. I figured if Elle decided this is a sport she wanted to stick with and excelled in, we should leave Upward. Upward was great. Very well organized. Much more so than WGAFC, but part of it is the merger. WGAFC has Academy and Select teams (the main reason for leaving), but Elle won't be eligible until U-10.

I am coaching Elle's team again this year. I let her decide the team name - the Cheetahs. I pushed hard for the Turtles or Squirrels. There are only 5 kids on each team (9 total). Each team only has one girl. I figured that it would be difficult for Elle to run with the boys, but she has done well.

This Saturday the Cheetahs played the Thundercats. It was a humbling first 10 minutes. I think we were down 5 or 6 zip before we finally scored. The Thundercats didn't have a girl playing this weekend, which didn't help! The good news is that we played them even in the second half, the bad news is we lost 9-5. Oh wait, just like Upward, we aren't supposed to keep score! I am not a fan of that or the fact we don't use goalies at this age (Upward does). We also don't have throw in's or goal kicks. Oh well.

Here is to another great season, Elle. I am very proud of you!

What Is In A Number?

Apparently a lot this summer.

Last month, mom turned 69 on August 14th. Mom has been known to celebrate her birthday the entire month of August in past years! With that in mind, I dubbed her birthday "The Summer of 69." Oddly enough, her birthday was the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, which, as you know was during the Summer of 69.

This past week, Elle received her new soccer jersey. I think I was anticipating what number she would get more than she was. Of all numbers, she received 72. Her first game was on Saturday, September 12th which was Dad's 72nd birthday. I was born in '72.

I guess I should play the lottery.

Beautiful, Precious & Sincere

Although all apply to my daughter Elle, I am afraid that is not the purpose of this post.

Given names. First names. Forenames.

First Elle told us of a girl named Beautiful after her first day of Kindergarten. Then there was another girl - Precious. Today I found out that there is a little boy in her class named Sincere.

And to think that I thought it was vain that you named your child after yourself...

Offseason Insurance Policy

I really hate this time of year. Don't care much about baseball and NBA playoffs. NHL playoffs are better, but haven't really spent much time watching.

The Georgia Spring Football game was a bore - giving little to look forward to this fall.

Although we are a good five months away from College Basketball, I am eating, sleeping and breathing Big Blue basketball as the spring signing period winds down next week.

You see, I used to follow the Cats like a DeadHead in the mid-90's. Rick Pitino was a god. He took over for that drunk Eddie Sutton after the whole Emory package scandal and the death penalty. He recruited three in-state boys and a stud from NYC to turn the program around. Now all the Unforgettables jerseys hang from the rafters (Mashburn, Woods, Pelphrey, Farmer and Feldhaus). I can still remember that spring day in 1997 shortly after losing in the title game. I went to Ricky P's book signing at the Ansley Mall Chapter 11 store. I told coach that "no matter what you decide, I appreciate everything you have done to turn around the program." A few weeks later he left for the Celtics. The Celtics had the most ping pong balls in the lottery. They lost out to San Antonio in the Tim Duncan sweepstakes. Pitino would later say that he would have never left UK if he knew he wasn't able to draft Duncan.

What does all this mean? April Fools brought us Coach Cal. He is an absolute rockstar. He has said all the right things. Bring back former players - check, recruit the best players - check plus, plus, plus. Rivals and Scout.com rank the recruiting class number 1 and they are still in the mix for top point guard John Wall. Many believe that this class will supplant the Fab Five from Michigan. Are you friggin' kidding me? I had to be talked off the ledge this spring! For all the things Billy Clyde Gillispie did wrong (sleeping with a player's girlfriend, lack of in-game adjustments and PR skills, etc.) - all is now forgotten.

From N.I.T to the Final Four? It's possible. Maybe even probable. October can't get here fast enough...

Jesus in Prison

Elle has been learning a lot about Easter at Pre-K over the past week. As a Catholic school drop out, I am not the most informed about the story of Easter.

Elle: "Why is Jesus in prison?" Laura: "Elle, do you mean Jesus is Risen?" Elle: "Uh, huh."

Further proof kids say the funniest things!