Yeah! He's Back!

You'd think we'd get used to John being gone since he's known to have a hectic travel schedule making jaunts across the globe to hither and thither.  This year, however, has been a bit lax since he hasn't had to travel very much.  Except for Interop.  

Interop is a trade show (the largest in the networking industry) which requires a LOT OF TIME.  Not only does Xirrus have a booth, but they also supply the entire wireless network for the hundreds of thousands of guests.  Enter John.  He does marketing, which in this case means he comes up with the ideas, design, and plan of the booth, and also setting up and staging the network, and also lifting heavy equipment, and also planning, and shopping, and figuring out the technical difficulties.  He wears all hats: engineer, contractor, boss, grunt, artist, heavy-weight boxing champ, marketer, creative genius, planner, organizer, accountant . . . wait! Did I say boxing champ?  

So we think he's gone for nearly two weeks working hard, but the truth comes out!  He's in Las Vegas hangin' ring-side, throwing punches with Ms. Nevada as a ref!  And we're here dealing with over-flowing toilets on carpet!  

All kidding aside, we are so glad he's back.  Traveling is the pits, and especially being gone over a weekend.  He has to do this again in the fall for Interop NYC, but hopefully I'll be able to sneak away and go with him for a few days.  

More links:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJp8Y1vDYTc&feature=fvsr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_P6PYyt518

Just Doin' My Part - Public Service Announcement (again!)

Who doesn't love ice cream?  

Click HERE

and enter to win a free ice cream party for your neighborhood.

FUN!

Ashlyn's First Dance Class

photos courtesy of Christian using mom's iPhone.

Ashlyn started to take a little tap/ballet class right before she turned three.  She loves it, she says, and looks forward to going each week and getting dressed up.  However, she spends a great deal of time wanting to sit with me, or just doing her own thing.  At the beginning of each class, she wants to have me with her at the bar.  I manage to appease her by sitting along the side against the wall.  

This is the second-to-last class.  For few minutes, she'll do great and follow along, but other times she truly dances to the beat of her own drum.  Or run, for that matter.  And run.  And run. 

There's a girl in her class who is a bit difficult to get along with (I'll call her Mean Girl) as I've seen her make faces and be somewhat belligerent to some of the other girls.  Lately though, she just has it out for Ashlyn.

This video clip cracks me up!  It shows how Ashlyn is completely her own person, not quite getting the concept of  following exactly what the teacher says, but it also shows Mean Girl (in lavender) and the relationship that has developed.   Ash was not too happy when Mean Girl took her spot!

Chocolate!

Here's a public service announcement for you -  

Check out realchocolate.com for a free coupon!  

Every Friday, the first 250,000 people who log on will receive a coupon in the mail for free chocolate from the Mars Co.   

Great way to get your m&m fix.  

Or any other candy that floats your boat. 

Just doing what I can to help. 

Happy Friday!!!!

The End of the Season

Track is over! 

Well, almost.  

Yesterday was our last track meet  - the JV Finals.  Next is the picnic, which John is helping to put on, so once that is over, then it's over.  

For us. 

John will still have Board stuff to deal with.

It was a great season, with both Madison and Brooke taking a first place ribbon and reaching personal bests.  However, the best part is that they loved it and had fun.  Although Madison didn't get to run until the last three meets (she was diagnosed with calcaneal apophysitis and had to limit her activities to walking), she was able to do shot put and participate with the team.  Staying off her foot seems to have helped as her ankle pain is gone.  Yeah!

The JV Finals in Ventura

Run Brookie, Run! 

On our way home from Ventura yesterday, we stopped for lunch at the Boar's Breath. 

Tom Frazier (who I grew up with and haven't seen in 20 years), and his wife Gina opened this little deli at the beginning of the year.  

It was great to see him and meet his gorgeous wife.  The kids loved the restaurant and are asking if we can go back there tomorrow.  We'll probably stop by during the summer since it's a block from the beach we go to every week!