Thru Big Z's eyes!

For Christmas, Big Z got "a top of the line camera" from Fisher Price.

On Saturday, July 26 Mike took Big Z to the Huntington Beach Pier for the surf contest to watch the finals. They also have BMX , skateboarding, Motor X events. Both had a great time. Big Z had to bring his camera to the contest to take some pictures. Mike didn't help him at all and we were surprised to see the good pictures he took. So enjoy them.

Trophy total for the month

So Big Z has only been racing his BMX bike for less then a month and here is the trophy total for July.

2 - 1st place

2 - 2nd place

2 - 3rd place

1 - 4th place

total races - 7

So he had a busy month. He has learned some good life lessons as well. Both times he placed 3rd place he sobbed- he wanted to come in 1st. So we have had to guide him thru his frustrations and heartbreaks along the way. Another lesson he is learning, to be a good friend. He has met some friends at the tracks and after each race, he will stand by the finish line and hoot and yell for them with all he has.

Old friends

This a follow-up on the "Old Friends" blog entry. It comes from Uncle Donny.
He writes:
My best friend, Teddy "Bear" Sanders, has saved my life.He moved in next door over on Sherrill St when we were in gradeschool. We became goodfriends and did a lot of things together. Some good and some bad (mostly good). He moved to Orange just before our Senior year (1973). We enlisted in the USAF together after graduation. We were buddies in basic training and visited some times after. We even worked at the same companies a few times as well. He and his family have since moved to southern Illinois. When I was very sick recently (2004), he asked me to come visit so he could care for me. I made the trip and he did indeed take very good care of me. He has indeed taken such good care of me that I now have a new Heart Transplant (2007) and a very different future. With gratitude to all who have been so generous and helpful all along the way, Thank You so very much. - The new Donnie Paquette.

BMX RACING

Big Z has been riding a 2 wheeler (With no training wheels) since he was 3 years old. He just wanted the training wheels off so he could do tricks. Shortly after he was 3 1/2, Mike took him to the Orange Y BMX bike park. Mike bought him a special little bike called "red line" and all the gear to ride. Big Z just practiced but did not race. When Mike bought him his motorcycle, he didn't ride the BMX bike until Sunday July 6,2008. We went to the Orange Y and so he could practice but this time he decided it was time to enter his 1st race. Big Z didn't win that night and cried all the home for not winning. So I thought that's my next blog entry- How to teach your kid to lose.

On Monday 7/7/08, Mike took us to the Belflower BMX track so Big Z could practice. Big Z had never been there before that night. After practicing for an hour, Big Z decides he wants to race. Ok - I wished I had asked for advice on kids handling not winning. So Big Z races 2 qualiflying and 1 main. Big Z won all 3 races that night. He got a trophy thats 18" tall. He was so excited he could hardly sleep.

Now Big Z wants to go racing every night.
So if any of you have any advice on how to teach your kids to lose please pass it this way.

Big Z and the Sharks

This hockey season ended this last Friday and Big Z's team came in 1st place. Mike was his coach again this season. They had 9 wins and 3 loses. This is Mike's 2nd season coaching and second time coming in 1st place. Who knew we had a hockey coach in the family. Big Z really loves playing and is so cute to watch.

It's all Good!

It's good to have old friends. Big Z has known "D" and "J" since they were born and have stayed friends. May their friendships last forever and be a place where they find laughter, fun, safety and encouragement.

There are not to many people these days who can stay they have long time friends. I know for me (Corina), I have some precious friends from grade school and high school that I still consider wonderful friends. Ones that I know would be there in a heartbeat if I needed them. So one of my wishes for Big Z is that he forms lasting friendships.

How about you? . Write me a comment to tell who your long time friends are and for how long.

Happy Father's Day to Mike

Happy Father's day to all the dads we know. This year Zeke has become a daddy's boy. He wants to dress like Mike, walk like him and be a carpenter like Mike. It's great to see them

together doing things they both enjoy. We are going motorcycle riding today to celebrate Father's Day.

To my own Dad- Happy Father's Day - you're the best!