It's getting close to that time again

Yes it's almost soccer season in the rhino household again *exhales deeply* (and I know you are all waiting on baited breathe for all the soccer pictures to come, LOL!).  C is helping out the coach with the 7th and 8th grade team now so we're already back to running around, stinky soccer clothes, sore muscles and muddy cleats but it's not as demanding as his season when that starts in June.  Which brings up another whole issue....Coach has put in his resignation sooooo this year will be a totally different story.  So far 3 people have put in their applications and 2 out of the 3 would be wonderful, the third...ummm lets just say there"ll probably won't be a team if he gets the position.  Keeping our fingers crossed!

This year we also have a new addition to the soccer season, which will hopefully help us all out in making it a smoothier season. *drum rolll please* We bought ourselves a SUV...yea!  Now I'm an official soccer mom, even put the soccer clings on the window already and am loving every minute of it!!

~danine

A Wii of a 15th!

First and foremost I want to thank all of our wonderful family, friends and bloggy friends that dropped a line to Christian and wished him a happy birthday.  He was truly surprised by how many comments he received and well wishes.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for making his birthday extra special!!

C had a wonderful day.  I believe that birthday's should be national holidays and I've always tried to treat his as such (doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune, it's just the things that you do!).

We started his day off with a birthday breakfast and a couple small gifts.  Off to school he went where he was showered with well wishes at school by friends and such.  Next after school I treated him to "no chores for the day" (I'm thinking this was the biggest hit and could of saved me some cash but that was a lessoned learned for the ol' mom) and he just "chilled" till both myself and Ben got home from work.  We then all went to C's choice of a local tavern for dinner with both sets of grandparents to come along for the ride and dinner.  Dinner, a couple embarrassing moments, a couple more gifts and a ice cream cake topped with a number "5" candle (hey I keep saying I miss those Tonka days and C truly enjoyed it and stated "better than blowing out 15 of those suckers") later, the rhino household is winding down for a wonderful day.  We got to surprise C with two great gifts this year (as you see by his expressions in the pictures!).  One is for tickets to go see his favorite professional U.S. soccer team play in June and the other is actually a family gift but is the Wii.  We've already created our players and have been Wiiing it up tonight!  

Excuse us now as I still try to comprehend the my baby is 15 and kicking my butt at Wii boxing but I did prevail in the shooting game so maybe that's a lesson he should take to bed with him!!

~danine

Happy 15th Birthday!!

Christian is 15 today!!  It's soo hard to imagine that 15 years ago he came into our lives.  He's brought us alot of joy (alot of sleepless nights too!!) and we are completely amazed at what a wonderful young man he is turning into.  We are so proud of you C!

Here's just a couple quick shots of the birthday boys breakfast!  Stay tuned for all the other surprises that entail today!  And please leave your comments today and/or memories for "the rhino".

~danine

It's happening!

I'm no longer the number one, uno numero, big cheese, head hauncho female in C's life.  It's official..*drum roll please*...C's got his first girlfriend, *sigh*.

Her name is Becca.  She's 15 and goes to a neighboring school (which in itself is becoming a complication.  thank goodness for unlimited texting!).  I've yet to meet the young lady, which whom shall never hurt my little boy's heart if she knows what's good for her, lol!! But I have seen pictures on her and have asked questions and I can say for the most part I do approve.

Now it's time to start devising all the incredible ways that I can embarrass my son to no end, for what else is a good mother for right?

~danine

10 more days till 15!

Yikes! The countdown has begun in the rhino household till Rhino's 15th birthday!  The shopping has begun (and ended), of course we can't disclose any information on what goodies we have instore for the Rhino since he just might stumble upon here himself (ahhh the parents are still sneakier than the child!).  I can say that the ONLY gift Rhino has asked for was a new soccer key chain and he's already received that and is infact using that as we speak (yes, Mom can be an ol' softie).

It's hard to believe that our baby is turning 15, when we are selves can remember our own 15th birthdays.  Stay tuned for what surprises we have entailed for the Rhino and muuuahhh what embarrassing acts we can create for him during school (oh I can see the psychiatric bill just racking up for him in his adulthood years, LOL!)

~danine