It looked a bit better, actually. The lighting was tricky, so it was hard to capture. A good time was had by all, however.
Thursday night was the end of season pizza party at a local pizza place. They happen to have rather magnificent pizza. This year instead of trophies we gave out snazzy hooded sweatshirts with the team logo and name on the back and embroidered names on the front. Some parents bought them, too. Some parents might be wearing them right now. At least one parent is willing to sing an Adam Sandler-like song about his new sweatshirt that feels like a warm blankie he can wear. Like a snuggie but without all the cult jokes.
And hood.
Saturday was the big day. We got ready for her party and for her last soccer game. Bubbles spent the morning running around like a dedicated mommy. I spent the morning preparing a lesson for the next day because Bubbles and Spawn were going to Santa Cruz for an overnight visit to the grandparents, so I'd be teaching solo.
It had been pouring, so the soccer game was a mud game, which always rocks. We didn't bring any cameras due to the wet conditions, but imagine kids, cleats and a really muddy field. Yeah, like that.
From there we grabbed Spawn's close friend Channie and hauled for the mall. We had scheduled the party earlier in the year figuring, "There's no way we'll be the last game of the day!" Yeah. Last game of the day. So Spawn got to go to her Build-a-Bear party in full muddy soccer gear. In retrospect, I realized I've never had a birthday quite that awesome. I was wearing combat boots and Bubbles was in rain boots with no arch support, though, so by the time we were done, our feet were killing us.
Spawn chose a calico cat she named Cali (picture forthcoming). They had each party guest pat a little heart and Cali ended up with nearly 20 little Build-a-Bear hearts in her, each one lovingly prepared by a party guest. Then we all went back to the house and had pizza and orange cupcakes. Spawn's coach was quite amused to find her still in shin guards while entertaining party guests. Mostly the adults sat around and chatted in the living room while screams, squeals and giggles issued forth from Spawn's room.
I told an MTC companion's naked moose hunting story. Coach Jared (Channie's dad) told me a story of having been surrounded by bison at Rick's college. Spawn entertained everyone with a stirring rendition of "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" which made us all realize that song is far longer than any of us remembered.
A good time was had by all.
The next morning I left for Church while Bubbles and Spawn headed for Santa Cruz. Bubbles had been feeling pretty urgent about visiting her dad, who is showing some unmistakable signs of aging. They'd planned to do the visit the following day, but logistics got in the way, so it had to be Sunday-Monday. Except when they got there there was an unexpected guest staying with the family. We didn't know the young man who was going through some transition and confusion, so we decided it was best not to stay the night. That meant a lot of driving for Bubbles, but it turned out to be a good thing since Spawn wasn't feeling well. She had a headache, no appetite, sore throat and congestion. It was getting worse, so home was a good plan. She texted me on Mommy's phone as they neared home and said, "I need a blessing. Me sicklies."
So, we got everyone inside and I gave Spawn a blessing. I couldn't be more pleased that she had faith to ask. Even better, her faith was justified. She woke up this morning with no symptoms but a bit of lingering congestion. She insists she's all better, but I made her convalesce anyway. Naturally she hates being buried in blankets in Mommy's recliner watching cartoons. Being sick is hard. Here's a picture of the suffering:
Though I'm always careful with my patients, she's probably going to make it. If things look bad we'll make her put on her hoodie so the pure awesome might help her feel even better.
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