A Chip Off the Ol' Block

December 6 was Uncle Geoff's 45th birthday. Parker made a very telling birthday card for her uncle. Included in this card was a picture of her and Geoff running beneath a rainbow. Also, she shared some thoughts with her uncle that just leaves me brimming with pride.

Yes, dad is proud.

Daughter #1 is officially a chip off the ol' block! Now it's time to focus on Georgia.

All my years of sarcasm and satire with the kids are finally paying off!

The Best Halloween Yet

Yep, that's what the girls were saying.....It was the best Halloween ever.

Vampire Ella, Taylor Swift, Super G-Girl, Black Swan Ali

We set up a scare station including reach-in-and-feel boxes that contained brains, eyeballs, and intestines. We had scary glow eyes in the bushes, a fog machine and spooky music. All the cousins were excited about this, especially the boys, Caleb, Ephraim and Tobias who wore very scary costumes and enjoyed scaring all the trick or treaters who came our way.

Ava, Daphne, Sylvia, Bubbers, Peyton, Parker, Lexi, Raquel, Ella Georgia, Ali, Tobias, Ethan, Ephtaim, Caleb

The kids sprinted from house to house.  Halfway around the block Parker was begging for water.

Beck-a-boo and Bubbs

Walter White manning the scare station

G Money Turns Five!

Our little girl is turning into a big girl...boo hoo hoo!  

Bloody nose birthday

 Georgia had her first big dance performance this week.  She's been dancing with her two pals, Maddie and Makayla at Billy Clower this year.  They all love it and got their moment on the big stage.

Maddie and Georgia putting on makeup before their number

Sassy and photogenic

 Georgia had the most fantastic dance teacher, Ellie.  She was Billy Clower's protege starting at age 23.  She was a gifted teacher and developed a wonderful relationship with the girls.

Laura, Georgia and Teacher Ellie

The Class:  Georgia, Darby, Madeliene, Makayla, Irie, & Amy

Birthday dinner in our backyard

It's Over Johnny

Blog Post #400 brings some saddening news to local music fans.

The full text of the article is below.

Vincent Valcone

Associated Press

The Ventura music scene is reeling after news from The Magnificent Fantastic’s management that the band is no more.  Citing interpersonal differences and work/family challenges, Scott Powers, one of its founding members has decided to call it quits. “I’ve come to a point where it’s time for this rock and roll Samurai to re-sheath his blade and walk away” he exclaimed yesterday afternoon at his local bar “Gigi’s”. Powers confirmed the news and made it clear that the band name was protected under copyright. “I’m not going to let happen to me like what happened to Roger Waters and Pink Floyd in the early 80’s. If Jeff thinks he’s going to reform the band, use our band name and rake in tons of money on a nation-wide stadium tour, he’s got another thing coming! I’ll get one of those Jew lawyers and sue his Portuguese ass!” He later rescinded this remark and stated his lawyer probably wouldn’t be Jewish because they charge more for their services. 

Speculation had been rife that the band was no more. As each musical project ensued, the drama would as well. Powers expounded further his dissatisfaction, The duo of Barroca-Powers had been playing music in different incarnations for the past 28 years starting with Page 3, Aspiring Skies, Inclitorotti, Ultra Penguin 3000 (UP3K) and finally with The Magnificent Fantastic. He later exclaimed in the interview, “I have always enjoyed creating and playing music with Jeff and if only that that could occur in a vacuum, but in reality it can’t.” Towards the end of the impromptu interview Powers, visibly emotional cried out “take me out of the oven and let me sit on a plate covered with aluminum foil for 10 minutes before eating cuz this piece of meat is done.” He then collapsed to the floor holding his daughter's favorite blanket quietly singing "her name is Seasquirt and her's my best friend" while in the fetal position.  

MagFan’s last performance was in March of 2012 at the Hollings Street Leap Year Birthday Bash. Powers briefly discussed the stress and external drama that came with each musical project. “I felt like I was in Game of Thrones playing the part of Robb Stark at a wedding hosted by Walder Frey, it was terrible”.  When asked about the commitment he made to his wife to get the band together for her 40^th birthday party in 2016, Powers exclaimed “I’ve already booked young Katie Wicks and her electric ukulele. We’ll serve cake, play games, it’ll be a blast”. 

 "I'm done with it, it's time for me to go 

solo cuz let's be honest 

I was Hall and he's Oates."

Mr. Barroca was contacted by phone for a response to the news. When told of the news the introverted collaborator in MagFan muttered “oh.” After a minute of uncomfortable silence Mr. Barroca mumbled some indiscernible syllables then eventually hung up the phone.

When asked about his future in music, Powers opined “my wife has always thought I should be a singing coach for the vocally impaired, I intend to follow that dream and have chosen her to be my first student. I know she’ll be excited to hear this”. 

Parker and Sammy's Magic Performance

Ventura Tigres Track

Parker and Ella

We ventured into the world of track this year.  It was Parker's first experience with it and my first experience as a parent.  I have such fond memories of the 10 years I ran for the Tigres starting at age 5.  I really talked it up to Parker as the season started, hoping she would enjoy it as much as I did.

Parker started out loving it.  She enjoyed the friends she made, the handstands and patty cake games played  between events.   She especially liked the practices held at Arroyo Verde; running the trails and doing cartwheels during the down times.  But about three quarters of the way through the season she started asking me if she had to run again next year.

Parker rounding the last bend of the 400m as Grandma Dahl cheers her on.

Parker ran the 400 meter dash this year.  This is a very hard event and I was so proud of her each time she came across the finish line.  Her best time was 1:40.  During the last 100 meters her legs get wobbly and she looks so tired.  I remember that feeling so well and I am so proud of her for pushing through the discomfort this race requires.

This is the 100m dash.  Parker is always looking around at all the other girls.

Whistling while she waits.

I love this pictures of Ella.  She likes to start like she is in blocks.  Today I saw her start in this position for long jump.  She's adorable.  She also did so much jumping and shaking out her legs before the 100m (like she's seen the big girls do) that I was worried she would be fatigued by the time her race started.

PJ running the 4 x 100m relay

Parker and Ella running in the JV Finals 100m dash.

Ethan running the 100m dash

See You Ladder

On our visit to Sea World last month Laura walked by this and said "I've always wanted to try this". Eagerly I responded "then you're doing it". I didn't want to say anything but I knew she wouldn't get close but it was well worth being entertained.

So she gets off to a good start...

The person next to Laura (as she's struggling to keep her balance) is the lady who works there. She's slightly overweight and out of shape but easily walks up the rope and hits the buzzer without a second thought. Poor Laura and her six pack abs is struggling big time.

On further review it looks like there was a deep-fried Twinkie right next to the buzzer which explains the lady's quick and seamless jaunt up the ladder.

Laura meets her friend named Failure.

Black Panthers

 A couple of days ago Parker was given her first major school assignment, a report on an animal, her choice was the black panther. The report requires some research on the animal (habitat, characteristics, etc…). So in preparation I was talking to PJ about how to get some information on the black panther, including books and the internet. Another idea I had was to use Grandma Powers’ Encyclopedia Britannica, something that hasn’t been utilized since the rise of the internet. So last night Parker called up Grandma to tell her about her report and ask to borrow her encyclopedia.

PJ: Hi Grandma, I have a report to do in class and I’d like to use your encyclopedia.

Grandma: Of course. What is your report on?

PJ: Black Panthers

Grandma: Oh my goodness, they’re already having you do reports like that? But, you’re only in first grade.

PJ: Yes, it was my choice.

Grandma: Wow, I’m so surprised that you’re doing reports like this in first grade Parker. Well, let’s see they started in the early sixties as a radical Black extremist group…

Laura (interrupts): No Diane, Parker’s report is on the animal the black panther, not the black militant group from the 60’s.

Grandma: Ohhhhh!! I see.

(everyone laughs)

I'm afraid of having to explain how the term "Black Panther Party" doesn't having anything to do with balloons, streamers, music , cake, refreshments, etc...

In second grade maybe Parker can tackle the Weather Underground’s influence in the 1960’s. 

This and That

 To celebrate the '100th Day of School' the kids were told to dress like they were 100 years old.

PJ & Alora

Parker started running for the Ventura Tigres this year.  I guess I did a pretty good job of talking it up because she was so excited about it, she wore her track shoes to school everyday for 2 weeks.  We are halfway through the season now and she's been asking me often if she has to run again next year.  ( I hope she will want to because Georgia can run next year and I want to coach!)

Parker was chosen to receive a writing award.  She was too nervous to read her writing herself, so the principle did for her. 

Parker and Principle Wade

Proud Family

 Hopper has a special bond with Georgia.  She is a weird, timid cat but she always let's Georgia approach her and sneaks into Georgia's room at night so she can sleep on her bed.

Georgia was really afraid to go into the sea turtle exhibit at SeaWorld (as you can see from the picture).  Scott held her until she realized there was nothing to fear.

Georgia still sucks her thumb, but only if she's holding her blanket in the other hand.  We're giving her one more year to give it up before we intervene.