Hockey. It means dressing for the cool rink temperatures when it is warmer outside in January (try in the upper 60s). It means lacing skates...perfectly. It means slipping gloves on at the last minute. It means a harder good-luck pat. And it means managing sweaty hockey gear.

Yesterday, I was a hockey mom, but while Kade was on the ice I was sewing pointe shoes. I love my versatility. Amidst all the rough and tumble hockey gear was a ballet mom, but don't let ballet fool you. Those shoes are tough, my thumb is still tender this morning.

Kade didn't appreciate my versatility properly though, he thought it was a bit embarrassing.

Isn't that my job??

Just in case you missed the game yesterday, the Steelers are headed to the SuperBowl...again.

It is official, my family has become faithful fans. Someone even found the Terrible Towel.

Today I had lunch with a friend who was proudly wearing her Steelers sweatshirt. She is passionate about her Steelers--has been since childhood in West Virgina. No SuperBowl party to interfere with her watching the game. There are not very many faithful fans here, so it is fun to share a mutual love.

I have to admit I am not a big football girl, but slowly I am learning the game, and I watched a lot of football in Pittsburgh--even had the opportunity to see one game from a box seat (which is definitely the way to go) as the snow drifted down. Now I am curious enough to tune into the game. Okay, so I don't just sit and watch the entire game, but I do check in from time to time and check out the replays if my household audience response makes me aware of a big play. It is very handy that way.

Conversation awareness is generally compromised during these games, so it is an excellent time to ask for things because the murmured response will be generic and in the affirmative. Right ladies??

Anyway, my daughter is shopping for a jersey. She was the sole supporter of the Steelers in her class, so now she has to make a point...or two. Hopefully, with her passionate support the Steelers can bring home another Superbowl title. I know she has California covered and making converts daily :)

Birthday Breakfast

At eleven, Kade meticulously arranged his berries before adding a generous topping.



At six, Chayse thought, "Which one has the most whipped cream? This one..." as the fork descended and a smile crept across her face as the sweet treat tantalized her tongue!



"Yumm! Perhaps my sweet sister and dear brother aren't so bad today..."



"Even if I did have to get up earlier than usual!"



An impromptu, unsupervised photo shoot with adoring sisters was next before we headed off to school, where Chayse and I shared a birthday book with her class from our personal library, "The Dragon and the Unicorn." I read the same book to her oldest sister when she turned six... complete with my unicorn mask and furry hooves. I love kindergarten!

Country Lanes

Our weekend adventure rejuvenated me. The natural beauty and suprises in the great outdoors are good for the soul! Well, particularly when accompanied by a good visit with family.

After we had ventured through Muir Woods, we drove the winding roads along the coast and through state parks to the marine reserve, our conversation turned to how we learned to drive. My uncle revealed his first memory of driving on the farm. It all started on the back 80 (acres) when my grandfather put the truck into first and let him drive it back to house with strict instructions to shut the key off as he approached the house. Of course, he could not touch the pedals. My memories were similar. Dad would let the pickup roll forward in the lowest gear before jumping out, and then all I had to do was steer while he threw hay off to the livestock. Generations learning to drive on the family farm.

And the scariest part...we survived. More than survived probably...why else can I drive my big ol' rig around proficiently?

Speaking of big rigs...please indulge me one more memory. When I was a young girl, I visited my uncle's job site in Gillette, WY where the equipment is giant-sized. I remember sitting in a one of those giant haul trucks. I like to think it was my uncle that lifted me up, so I could clamor up the steps. Equipment operation is his forte. I suspect through the years there isn't much he hasn't operated. I remember occasionally hearing comments from people who had worked with my uncle through the years that he could drive anything. I am sure this is true, but now I know he can ride anywhere too..even with me at the wheel!

And he survived...again.

Majestic beauty. The tallest organisms on earth, the coastal redwoods, humble me every time as I gaze upward in utter amazement as the sunlight streams through the woods.

I love Muir Woods. It is even better when shared with visiting family.



Though it is always fun to watch my kiddos create their own adventure.



A ranger's creative approach left me chuckling as we headed to the car.



Though the chuckling ended abruptly as I watched two cars fight over my parking spot...literally. Well, actually the cars were behaving, but the drivers were yelling at each other and maneuvering their cars in the battle...I couldn't even back out.

Finally, we were off to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve where the tide was scheduled to be out giving us the opportunity to explore the tide pools and learn what lurks beneath the surface.

I was delighted to see my first starfish!



I love the anemone's bright colors.




Our spectacular guide, Kade, can spot and identify so many cool things like this family of anemones. I love this photo of him pointing out the details (not touching like it might appear). He absorbed every detail during his week of outdoor education. He even spotted a banana slug in the woods!



He didn't even miss the most carefully camouflaged critters.



Eventually the tide started rolling back in and jolted the basking seals back to work.

Today is my little sister's birthday. I have her birthday present sitting on the counter. It has been there all week. It is perfect. I wonder when it will arrive? I am sure she will be curious now too. Nonetheless, my intentions were honorable. I love you, Lisa! Happy Birthday!

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On another note...

As I was cruising through Costco with my little helper today, an insistent vendor wanted me to try his product. Finally, I just took it, said thanks, and moved on when I suddenly realized he had asked a question. At which point, I turned back with a quizzical look.

He repeated "From back East?"

Suddenly it dawned upon me that he wanted to know where I was from, so I answered, "Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."

He grinned broadly and pointed to his ear, "I hear it!"

Ironically, English was clearly his second language.

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As I rolled up to that familiar sign and came to a complete stop. I paused for a second. For that second, I suddenly could not remember where I needed to be next. It was 1:18 PM. It was the fourth time I had pulled up to the stop sign at the end of my street today.

Then I remembered that I had to pick up Nikela.

Auto pilot seems to be my mode these days. I have changed my mind, as I no longer want Alice from the "Brady Bunch" to run the household. I want a chauffeur. Or at least I want the perk of privacy glass if this craziness must go on...

Earlier this morning, after I had dropped Nikela off at high school and made my way back through the traffic, I had called ahead to warn the kids our schedule would be tight, so Kiahra had everyone outside on the curb. All five kids that were riding with me. The motley crew looked like they were waiting for the bus. As they piled in, one commented, "We have room for two more!"

Are you kidding me?

No wonder I dream of two door sports cars...and no where to go...