We had our first mini heat wave of Spring Thursday and Friday. Thursday the girls were disappointed that they didn't get to go to the beach with Magda and Natalie (visiting Grandma and Papa for their Spring Break). So Friday the three of us went. The girls have decided that they have "graduated" from Mothers' Beach and want to go to the "big beach". I liked the area of Seal Beach that I visited with the Volunt-ears (Disney group) last summer. It wound up being absolutely perfect! The waves were fun to play on but the water wasn't too deep. We brought along a kick board that they took turns using like a Boogie Board. Claire even tried body surfing when it wasn't her turn with the board. I thought the water would be freezing this time of year but once you were in it a few minutes it wasn't bad at all. Daddy joined us after he got done working (subbing at Los Al). The girls played in the sand for a little longer. We all walked to the jetty to see the real surfers. After about 3 hours it was time to head home. It was an absolutely lovely afternoon.
Today started with a soccer game for Em. She's on the Wildcats this season with Natalie P. We weren't planning on spring soccer but the P's are moving to West Virginia in June so this was the girls' last opportunity to be on a team together. So bittersweet after them being friends for so long. Emily loves playing goalkeeper but it may be the end of me. She was doing great in the 4th quarter when there was a breakaway. The girl on the other team kicked a line drive right into the goal. Emily blocked it... with her face! It bounced off her and slowly rolled into the goal. But my girl was down and in pain. It took everything not to run out onto the field. After what seemed an eternity, the designated parent went out to check on her. Apparently the ball smacked her in the jaw and neck and not straight on like it seemed. It stung but she hung in. Later that quarter there was a penalty kick so it was her and the same girl again. She didn't shy at all and made her best effort to save the goal. Penalty kicks are almost impossible to defend unfortunately. She's amazing though. At the end of the game she was feeling better from the first shot (though she had a big red mark on her neck) and not down at all about the second goal.
After the game the girls and John headed to church immediately to start getting ready for Living Pictures. I got to watch them in the premier show. They did great! Emily and I kept catching eyes and she would smile at me =) It seemed like each of Claire's scenes she had her back to me. John was threatened with having to dye his hair but in the end he prevailed. They stayed for the second show but I came home to get dinner ready. As I was finishing up Emily walked through the kitchen and said she thought Skitter might be dead. I thought she was kidding because he hasn't been acting funny. John went out with her to check and sure enough, no more Skitter. She burst into tears as John grabbed a bag to pick up the body in. We gathered Claire so she could say good-bye too. More tears. Tomorrow will be the burial under the tangerine tree. We watched "G Force" in honor of Skitter tonight. RIP Skitter.
Lots of highs and lows in two days. I wouldn't trade it for anything though.
