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!

Pro Choice At Age 5?

Each night when Elle gets in her bed to go to sleep, she will ask Laura and I questions while we lay in our bed. Usually we get things we as parents can handle. Let's just say we weren't ready for what she sprung on us a few nights ago! For whatever reason, Elle obsesses about not wanting to have a baby. Question: " What do you do if there is a baby in your tummy and you don't want it in there anymore?" Me to Laura (slightly shocked and laughing): "Oh shit, what are we going to tell her?!" Jason to Elle: "Elle you don't need to worry about those types of things." Laura to Elle: "If you don't want it, it doesn't have to happen." Elle(whining): "But, I really don't want one in there."

I have a feeling this discussion is far from over...

Why Winning Isn't Everything

I changed things up a bit this year. I joined three fantasy football leagues. In addition to Greater Atlanta Fantasy Football League (GAFFL), I jumped at the chance to compete against some guys my buddy Michael used to work with in Claims and another league with a bunch of guys I used to work with in Underwriting. I got smoked in the non-money league of Underwriters. I think I finished 3-11.

Different story in GAFFL and Claims league. I rode the arms of Kurt Warner and Jay Cutler, the legs of Marion Barber, Frank Gore, Clinton Portis, Steve Slaton and Marshawn Lynch, and the hands of Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and Steve Smith.

I had never before competed in the championship game. This year two championship games. Two championships!

The excitement was short-lived, however. I remember what happened when I got paid for making the playoffs last year. No one likes to pay up. They figure "I am going to get my monies worth"! This year was no different. Can't wait to see the teller's face. See for yourself.

White Castle

I have been eating White Castle hamburgers for as long as I remember. Yes, they are different than Krystal's! It is all about the steamed buns, grilled onions and Dusseldorf mustard! I refuse to eat the frozen sliders from the grocery. They aren't near as good. My Uncle Doug came down last weekend for Elle's Bday and for the UK/UGA game. I begged him for weeks to "pick up a crave case, stuff them in an insulated bag and drive them down from Lexington, KY. Not only did he come through, he even brought 97 packets of Dusseldorf mustard! We have joked for years about breaking the Billips family record of 12 in one sitting set by my Uncle Charlie years ago. Last Thanksgiving I ate, gulp, 11 and decided not to push it. I had high hopes of breaking the record by eating half of the Crave Case. I didn't come close. I ate 2 luke warm ones before we left for Elle's party and 7 afterwards. Next time!

Just a few of the packets of mustard
Crave Case!

Creeker Holiday Hoedown

Special thanks to Spence and Barb for hosting the Creeker Holiday Hoedown on January 3rd. It was great to act like I was 16 again. Everything remains the same at Spence and Barb's house. That's what makes it so special. There it all was...pool, beer pong, junipers, orange couch, recliner with hidden nickel in it! I kind of regret bringing Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit with me. It prevented us from catching up on all the old stories. That is not to say that we didn't have fun rockin' out the show. There is video floating around of Anne singing "Like a Virgin" and Evan singing "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me." Both had amazing stage presence! Todd did great with "Band On The Run." Kim was quite a performer and really showed her vocal prowess when we broke out American Idol. I think I did okay with Nirvana and Oasis. Unfortunately, Evan did not provide an "encore" for everyone to end the night!

"Some Might Say..."

Kim and Laura

Todd Johnson And Wings

"I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back!"
Rebekah and Wendy
Ev gets his beer pong on.

Owen, Evan & Todd measure up the pool table.

Christmas 2008

It was a busy December. Elle couldn't wait for the Big Man to come to our house. There were many warnings of the naughty list and even a call or two by Santa and Mrs. Claus. December started with the State Farm Children's Christmas Party. This was Elle's chance to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas. Perhaps she should have suggested a smoking cessation program and Crest White Strips for him!



Elle's Christmas program at MCA Pre-K featured her and her classmates in the Nativity. Elle was one of the horses. Not sure if the horses brought the frankincense or myrrh. After assembling on the alter, Elle and the rest of the Shining Stars class sang a variety of Christmas tunes.

Dad's Barbershop Chorus, Atlanta Vocal Project performed their Christmas show at Sandy Springs UMC. Jeff and Paul were able to make it up for the performance. This is one of my favorite pictures. Elle mimicking Granpa's singing face!

Elle and Paul horsed around during the intermission. They were singing that "move it, move it" song and doing their best to knock over the Christmas tree.

Elle and her prized possession - The Disney Monorail play set! If only Santa would have let us know that the track takes up half of the room!

Christmas contentment!

Play Your Guitar

At the top of Elle's Xmas list this year was a "real guitar." I guess she got sick of the old Wiggles guitar she used to play until the age of 2 or the Hannah Montana guitar she recently became disinterested in. These videos were entirely unrehearsed. Laura and I had no clue what she was going to sing about.

"Play Your Guitar With Jesus" is an ode to The Wiggles "Play Your Guitar With Murray." I like how it morphs into "Play Your Guitar with Megan (nephews' girlfriend), Hello Kitty and Anybody."

The song "Nightmares" is a true original. Elle definitely is going to excel in something artistic. Her creativity amazes me each day. I like how "Nightmares" ends in a calming final verse of "Silent Night"! Bravo...Brava!

Field Trip To Xmas Tree Farm

Elle's Pre-K class took a field trip to Happy Hollow Christmas Tree Farm today. It was about 39 degrees with a stiff breeze. Evidently the directions were wrong, therefore many kids arrived late...while we froze our butts off. Once all the kids were there, the teachers sent the kids running to find "the tree with candy canes on it." After a couple of class photos in front of the tree, each kid assisted the teacher with sawing the Leyland Cyprus (I thought these were used for hedge) tree down.

Don't Forget The Lyrics

No, I am not talking about Evan's doppelganger, Wayne Brady's show! I have never been one who can listen to a song and memorize the lyrics. Laura and Elle can do it after a listen or two. I have always blamed it on early Michael Stipe indecipherable lyrics. I have been known to sing a wrong lyric or two.

One of my favorites of all time is when Owen sang "Changes come around real soon make us swimming in bed" from John Cougar's "Jack and Diane." For whatever reason I once thought that Elvis' "Return To Sender" was "three times December."

Elle has been listening to a lot of Christmas music lately. I bought the Burl Ives "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" CD recently and she has learned almost every word to "Jingle, Jingle, Jingle" and "There's always Tomorrow" (will blog on that later). We were driving home from Sam's last night listening to B98.5 since they play Xmas 2-4-7 when "Silver Bells" came on. I could hear Elle singing in the back seat, so I turned down the radio just in time to hear her singing "Silver-ware....silver-ware"!

Giving Thanks

We didn't travel to Louisville, KY this year for Turkey Day. Instead we went to Bremen, GA and ate turkey with Laura's family. Last week, Elle had her Thanksgiving recital at MCA Pre-K. She and her classmates performed 3 tunes. Afterwards, we ate a small meal together.

We talked Elle's cousin, Kayleigh into wearing Elle's indian outfit from last year and pose for this pic. She was a good sport!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Creekers in Woodstock

Special thanks to Dan and Wen for hosting 25 of us plus a gaggle of other neighborhood kids today! It was great to see Conor and Owen who we don't get to see as often. It didn't take 5 minutes before all the old stories were retold.

Creeker Kids

Creeker Kids cutting up!

Tiller and Elle hamming it up!

Jacob Gallagher IS the Heatmiser!!!

Evan Looks Like Everyone

Us Creekers have always felt that Evan could be a Hollywood double. Reason being - Evan looks like everyone.

Reason #1: Evan looks like Sean Penn

Reason #2: Evan looks like Josh Charles (aka "Knox Overstreet in Dead Poets Society)

Reason #3: Evan looks like Wayne Brady

Reason #4: Evan even looks like the kid on the Pampers wipes package

So there you have it. Based on this well-rounded, well-researched study, Evan DOES look like everyone! Heres looking to next weekends' Creeker Reunion!!!

Halloween 2008

I am so glad Elle likes Halloween as much as I do. I am starting to get worried that my little girl is goth in training, though. Her favorite ride at Disney World is The Haunted Mansion. Her favorite movie of late has been The Nightmare Before Christmas and one of her favorite shows has been The Addams Family. She is already asking to be Wednesday Addams next year. She has the dark hair and pale skin down pat already.

It was a good night of trick-or-treating. We left out after the first wave of kids came by the house. We left a bowl of candy on the porch along with the Halloween playlist I created playing on the boom box. Really wish I could have seen the faces when the transition from Disney World Halloween music to The Misfits occurred! I was a bit disappointed by the number of "blacked out" houses that were not participating, but Elle didn't know any different. If only we were Mexican so that we could celebrate Dia De Los Muertos tomorrow. I love their traditions.

Circle Of Life

As I mentioned in the previous post, the owners of our condo let us extend our vacation two extra nights at no charge. Our last day at the beach was a bit cool in the morning, but perfect once the sun came up. Elle got to play with her friend Bailey from "Tucky" again today. They will soon be pen pals when we get home.

The Circle of Life. No, not a Lion King reference. Unfortunately, we witnessed a lady drown at the beach today. She was scuba diving with a group that she regularly went diving with. Apparently they did not use the buddy system or use diver down floats. The worst part of it all, my mom thought she heard the lady yell for help. Mom went to the lifeguard to tell him and he said that she is part of a dive group, "she is fine." Everyone kept an eye on her and at times it seemed like she was swimming around. At least 10 minutes went by and finally a few of the divers came running down the beach and pulled her out of the water. There happened to be an EMT on the beach. After working on her for what seemed like an eternity, they airlifted her off the beach. Everyone has taken it hard. We are all second guessing what could have been done. I had actually left the beach around the time mom spotted her in the water. Laura called me on my cell while I was up in the room to let me know what was going on. Call it hokey as I know not everyone believes in premonitions, but I twice told Laura earlier in the week that I was going to save someones' life on the beach. I wasn't even there.

So we leave vacation having witnessed a death, but arrive home to the birth of Riley Megan. She is the granddaughter of Laura's friend and our neighbor, Roxanne.