Gotta Brag!

Kim played her first game with the Wildcats today - her team won! And won handily! Here's the report from the Wildcats website:

Pumas: 32 points in just two quarters . . .

PumasSSSSizzle 44-26 May 30, 2009

The Dole Foods Lions have been at the top of the Wildcat League for years and they were ready for their season opener against the East Ventura Optimists Pumas. With three experienced Fusion Blue travel ball players, the Lions posted a 12-2 run in the first quarter. Aubri Smith eight of those points.

Then, Kim Cagle ignited the Pumas when she struck from just inside the free throw line and the Pumas blazed the court for 17 consecutive points and an 11 point halftime lead. Fifth-grader Clarissa Magallon had 10 points in that run.

The Pumas followed that with a 12-0 run in the third before the Lions once again found their range and staged a courageous comeback but could not close the margin to single digits.
Natalie Smith of the Pumas led all scorers with 18 points, including four three-pointers. Magallon added 12 and Jennifer Orozco eight, all of them in the second half.

The Lions were led by crafty Aubri Smith who had 16 acrobatic points and six steals. Jasmine Watkins and Alliea Jordan each had five points. All three are also Fusion Blue travel ball players.

The Pumas were whistled for 20 fouls; the Lions just five.
The Pumas tallied 32 points in just the second and third quarters.

And mom says ...Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah!!

Oh- and the local newspaper photographer was there as well - gotta check tomorrow's edition :-)

Eli

Today I took Eli to the doctor. We went because the school felt he was behind on his vaccinations. And so he was and poor baby, he got 3 shots! But the doctor also heard what may be a mitral valve heart murmur so we have a referral to a pediatric cardiologist. And the lung issue might be pulmonary hypertension so after the heart tests we'll be heading to some lung specialist. First we have to get all his old records transferred so the specialists know what we are up against.

Here's the good news - he's gained 6 pounds and grown almost 3 inches since we arrived in California after staying at 28 lbs for the entire time we were in Colorado!

The Real Mom

Today Eli came into my room and told me emphatically, "You're the Real Mom." Naturally as a real but also adoptive mom, I immediately assumed someone at school had made a remark about the legitimacy of our relationship. I prepared myself for one of those delicate talks and asked, "How do you know that Eli?" He replied, "Because you wear the Mom shoes!" I laughed and said "I just can't fool you can I?" "Nope," he said, "You da real mom!"

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

What's New?

I can't believe that school is almost over! And I haven't yet figured out what to do with the kids for the summer! Summer camp for 4 kids runs between $4,500 and $6,000 around here. Being under employed makes it harder in some ways since the camps tend to be all-day and I need care in the mornings but not afternoon. Well, we'll worry about that next month!

Next year Kim and Corey will return to the Open Classroom in grades 7 and 4 respectively. Alia and Eli will move to the traditional classrooms at Blanche Reynolds- Alia will move on to 1st grade and Eli will repeat Kindergarten. I think both of them will do better in that more structured environment. Eli because he needs the discipline and Alia because she's more comfortable with a set routine.

Kim has gotten a spot in the Wildcats basketball league- she's on the Pumas team. This is much more serious than the YMCA spring league with twice weekly practices and weekly games. Check out the Wildcats at: http://www.venturawildcats.com/taxonomy_menu/5 - they have a great website and as the season progresses you'll be able to see Kim's progress as well.

I've started taking some classes at night when I can fit them in around Kim's practices- trying to retool for another career, or rather an additional job at least.

We will likely be moving in the next month or so and I'm spending some of my extra time sorting through things and getting ready for a yard sale or two. The first one will be this weekend.

We will also likely be leaving our church- something I'm very sad about. Our beloved pastor has been transferred and we are no longer comfortable with the church leadership, their methods and agenda. It doesn't surprise me but it saddens me that even church is so political. Where we end up might be tied to where we end up living.

I am liking

being a mom of a 'tween'. I think this age 10, 11, 12, is so great. Kim is just blossoming! Yes, she has the odd teen attitude and she wants to sleep forever in the morning but it's a neat time in a girl's life. She's so smart and capable and kind and compassionate right now. She's excited about basketball, good at her schoolwork, interested in boys but not to the exclusion of other interests, helpful around the house, trying out her own style, ... just a neat young woman. If you can call an 11 year old a woman! I'd love to have more time to spend with her alone- maybe a mom and me holiday/spa day. That's tough though with all the other kids. And of course they all need time alone with me as well. And they all have their neat aspects as well- Corey is so enthusiastic, meeting life's challenges head on with panache. And Eli is so inquisitive and friendly, Alia smart and beautiful but so insecure and reserved. They all need so much.

Oh My!

Very dramatic times around here! Santa Barbara- about 28 miles to the north of us and my home for over 25 years- is threatened, nay attacked, by a large out of control wildfire that started a few days ago. It looked like it would be contained but then as the firefighters said "all hell broke loose!" and now over 75 homes have been destroyed. We are safely to the south- the impact to us is a minor degradation of air quality and concern over friends who live in SB. Google Jesusita fire for pictures and current info.

We had our share of much more contained excitement today when a 4.2 earthquake struck not far from us. No damage- just a strong jolt that got every one's attention!

Other than that the weather is nice and warm and sunny and we have a weekend ahead of us!

The First Athlete

in our family! Kim is proving to be quite the basketball player. She's taking part in the Y's Spring Basketball League where she's the only girl on the team. She had started playing basketball during recess at school this year and a few months ago took a class at the Y. She's really developing her skill quickly. I can't wait to see her playing in high school!