Player of the Week

Who would have ever guessed that Nikolai was going to be so into Football that his tackling and Safety/Linebacker skills have earned him the title of "Player of the Week" for his team!

That is right Player of the WEEK!

Nothing could make a child prouder who has worked so hard, to prove that small does not mean fierce!

The team also got to travel to the local University and work out with the players.

Here he is with a QB for the Dayton UD Flyers.

How cool is that!

Slammin' and the Paralyzer

You may not want to mess with this 45 pound terror (aka The Paralyzer):

if you are playing in the bantam black league...

BEWARE!

Yes, the "P" has put major hurt on those unsuspecting players

that have felt the sting of his tackles. And cried a few tears caused by the pain.

Two QB sacks and ten major tackles. He is the tiny, unforeseen, speedy weapon.

(We think the blue shoes make him faster!)

Here is Slammin'

A lineman that has gone against a boy that weighed over 150 pounds.

Unfortunately, his team has been up against some hard (BIG)teams this year

But playing hard is still the name of the game!

Mommy, I have to!

It's not going to happen I tell her. But, Mommy I have to!

I still say you are not allowed. But, Mommy that is not fair!

I tried to stop her. I begged and pleaded for her not to do it,
but she knew I couldn't stop her...


And, poof just like that my baby girl turned five.
And, there was nothing I could do, but enjoy the tiny footsteps of a young little lady.

May you never quit believing in your dreams

I hope you dance...

And dance....

My sweet beautiful Princess!

Feet

We went shoe shopping because Vitaly can literally grow right out of his shoes! His old shoes had toes hanging out and holes as big as a quarter.

He wanted some fancy new velcro Sketchers. So, we went and picked out his size of six at the store and tried them on. But for some reason, they seemed a bit on the short end.

So I took out his foot and placed it in that funky foot sizer...7!

What a size 7? How can that be he just turned 10. Mom (me) wears a six (EE-yikes). That means his foot his bigger than mine. That doesn't seem possible. Unfortunately, he still got Sketchers but they were tied not velcro, and not as cool!

Now, I am worried what his pants for next year will look like! I am guessing there will be a flood!

First Day of School 2009

Polo Shirts - Check
Transformer Backpacks- Check
Summer Tans- Check
New Lunchbags- Check
Jealous Dog (in door window)- Check

Presenting one Fourth Grader and one Second Grader ready, but not "overly excited", to return to school.

Can't you just see the "Joy" on Nikolai's face!

Summer update

So as everyone can see by my lack of upkeep of the blog for the summer, I will retrace the main reason for the delay.

In mid June, I traveled to Las Vegas for a work conference.
I returned for a short period, before departing to Denver with Oksana in tow to visit my brother, SIL and niece.
After a whirlwind trip to Denver, I returned home for a few days at the beginning of July.
July 5, I left for a work conference in New Orleans for a week!

I came back for a week to work and take kids to Doctor appointments; then we packed up and left on July 18th for Orlando returning on the 27th.
On July 31, I headed out again, this time to Michigan for some family reuniting and blueberry picking. Needless to say, by that Sunday I had a raging fever, my body was exhausted!

On Saturday, August 8, Vitaly turned ten years old. I can't believe I have a pre-teen! We celebrated his birthday and enjoyed catching up with some friends.

As I take a big breath, I am happy to say that I will not be traveling anymore, at least through the end of August! I will enjoy these last few days of summer, and even take a day off to really enjoy a summer day with my children, before school begins in less than two weeks. The summer has literally flown by me!

The Final Florida pics

Masha with a cold beverage, hot sun and great pool- can it get any better!

Ukrainain Angels Reunion 2009

Valerie, Oksana and her Ukie Best gal pal Z!


Cool Dude

Downtown Disney

Cinderella and her Prince

Valerie treats the kids to a Disney Pez (she is soo sweet!)

Princess Oksana

A Ukrainian Rose