Brandon's Wrestling Highlights 2009 - 2010

Back to school...

Today is the first day back at school. Alyssa started the 7th grade and Brandon started the "very cool" (as he likes to say) 3rd grade. Doesn't seem possible, at least not to me.
We had an excellent summer, but both kids were ready to get back. Alyssa missed her friends. I guess the hours spent chatting on facebook was just not cutting it any longer.
For me, this was the first time I wasn't counting down the days till school was back in session. Maybe because I was just settling into a somewhat laid back routine of JUST Tapout and dance. I'm looking forward to finding my groove in this new and hectic schedule. Wish me luck! :)

Gabriella...

Sitting on her potty looking at an Eclipse magazine. :)

Poor Gab's. Much of her life is spent strapped in her car seat. It's a tiring situation.


Can't not post about my littlest diva. She sure makes me smile. Well, when she's not coloring on my doors. Thank goodness for Mr. Clean erasers!

I've created a monster...

Actually I haven't. Though in the picture below she is a monster...the tin foil, highlight getting, draining daddy's bank account monster.

Yes, I stole this picture from her. Actually, in my defense, she used my phone to take the picture for her "friend". I like it cause it shows her new hair cut. Lots of layers...LOTS!




7th grade starts next week. WOW! We've gotten her schedule, she's happy and so am I. She got placed in some accelerated classes, which I know she can handle. I'm just so proud of her. So proud of the young lady she is becoming and so beyond happy with the relationship we share. I can't wait to see what 7th grade has in store for her, I'm sure it will be a full and exciting adventure!

Champions....

Just in case you didn't know, during the "off season" of wrestling, Brandon trains at Tapout. He take Judo and Jiu Jitsu as well as their wrestling classes. A few weeks back Jeff and Brandon went to Riverside for the Jiu Jitsu Worlds tournament. Of course it's a big deal and the competition is tough.

I know I am repeating myself from the last post...sorry.
On the first day, Brandon took 2nd place. And the 2nd day he took 1st. It was actually more like an even win, since he was going against his team mate and best friend, Billy. Unlike wrestling, the Professors for Jiu Jitsu frown upon team mates fighting each other. In this tournament the Professor didn't have a choice.

Anyways, I wanted to share this awesome picture. It was taken by a talented photographer who is kind enough to take pictures for the team. His business is Barren Crossings and his work really does rock!!

The motherload of updates...

I'm horrible at this lately. I just feel like nothing exciting is going on, but when I step back I realize things have happened that I want records of for my family. So, I'll warn ya know this may be long and it just might be boring.

* Brandon competed in Jiu Jitsu Worlds a few weeks back in Riverside, CA.
He took 2nd place in the gi and 1st in no gi. For everyone who is asking, "what the heck is a gi", the gi is the outfit (for lack of better words) that you see people wear in martial arts. Alyssa, Gabriella and I stayed back and Jeff, Brandon and some of our friends went.

* We celebrated Brandon's 8th birthday with a pool party. Thankfully, this year it didn't rain and everyone had a fantastic time. I'll post pictures when I'm at home.

* Alyssa is back in the swing of things with her dance schedule. We've added two, wait, three classes this year so she is currently taking...Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Tap, Irish and Hip Hop. Next month rehearsals for The Nutcracker as well as company classes will start up and that will add an additional two if not three classes to her schedule.
Oh and just in case your curious, she will be dancing the roll of a Neapolitan Doll in the Nutcracker. :)

* Brandon is just getting over stept throat. I'm pretty sure Gabriella might be getting it too. Sounds like another fun weekend for me, huh?!

* Alyssa is going in Monday for an MRI. Turns out the kid can't smell. Hopefully we'll figure out whats going on with that. Not sure how long she hasn't been able to smell or it can be fixed, guess we'll find out soon.

* Brandon finished his last day of 2nd grade last Friday. Just in time to be sick. Still can't believe he'll be in the 3rd grade and Alyssa in the 7th. Really?! Where has the time gone?!

I'll update with pictures later tonight... :)