Pin Early, Pin Often

Let me start off with I know "nothing" about wrestling... EXCEPT you should PIN early and PIN often. I have no idea what an escape, take down, half nelson or an alligator roll is... except that every time my son learns something new, he wants to 'show' me. As he talks to me after practice or a bout, I grin and nod like I understand... and when he's on the mat, I scream like a crazy woman. Go figure.

I'm truly amazed at how much he has learned, how naturally he has taken to this sport, and how he has matured over the past few months. Thanks to Coach Beebe and Zach's determination and hard work, he had a great first season as a 9th grader wrestling JV and Varsity.

That is a pin...

And that is a win! :)

This is my favorite move... when I see Zach get his opponent here, I know it's all over...

Another pin...

Equals another win!

LHS had the only 9th graders wrestling at the Varsity Parish Tournament... Zach won 1 and lost his last 2 bouts... It was a great experience.

He left there knowing what it takes to beat the best -- and with the determination to do it next year.

Mia & Mom at MUSES!

Our good friend, Debbie, rides in MUSES and invited Mia and I to the Muses Preview Party... For us Mardi Gras fanatics, this is 'freaking awesome!" It was a huge party in the middle of Mardi Gras World with food and drinks, clowns, balloon artists, face painting... and FLOATS!

Mia not only got to see, but climb on, all the 2010 MUSES floats as well as many signature floats from other krewes -- many of which she recognized rolling down the street during the actual parades. All she kept asking was when was she going to be able to ride... The apple doesn't fall far from the tree? :)

LHS Titan Band - KOE Parade

The Lakeshore High School TITAN Band made its marching debut in the Krewe of Eve Mardi Gras Parade! Their brand new uniforms are awesome!

Have you ever seen these things get put on? Kinda' reminds you of an "Oompa-Loompa" from Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, doesn't it?

Seriously though, the kids did an amazing job -- they played well and marched in formation, which remembering back, isn't as easy as it looks. The Dance and Cheer teams joined them helping LHS make a great first impression. A lot of credit goes to Ms. Lizana, the Band Director, for pulling all this together in the first year.

The "Tulli's On Tour" bus drove behind the marching Titans carrying water, cell phones and snacks... Tony drove, while Mia and Emma threw beads to the crowd with a little help from Mom. Next time you see us, be sure to ask about the extra 'band member' we picked up along the way...

We are so proud of Zach -- this is his 5th year in band. He began playing the trumpet and moved to the baritone/euphonium which he's played for the past several years. To think this is in addition to football, wrestling, track & field... and good grades. That's a pretty amazing accomplishment!

Mardi Gras Girls!

Like Mother, Like Daughter… these two had a GREAT time on the parade route. Emma kept yelling, “Throw Something to ME!” while Mia looked back at me half way through the third parade and said, “Mom, I’m doing my job… I’m getting their attention.” Right on, Baby Girl – that’s why I drag you girls out here. ;)

Titan Football 2009

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We're Home!

We made it home last night around 8:30pm -- YAY! We were pleasantly surprised Sunday around 5pm when Dr. Levitt came and checked Emma out and said she could eat and then go home.

The nurse suggested we start with juice and wait...


Then order a tray of food and wait...

And then, if everything went down fine, they would remove the PIC line and we could be discharged.

As she ate her hot dog and macaroni & cheese, all Emma could keep saying was,

"I eat food, ma!"

What a great moment...

It was 8:30pm by the time all that was done so we stayed at the Ronald McDonald house Sunday night and got up early Monday and drove home. Tony did a great job and we made it in a single day -- 800 miles in 12 hours!

Glad to be home!

One More Day!

Could it be? Just one more day to go in Cincy?

We're told Emma will be able to eat tomorrow and then we'll be discharged. YAY!!!!!!! So today, we're doing more of the same -- playing with our doctor's kit, play-doh and yesterday we added splashing in a pail of water and bubbles to our routine. My girls LOVE to clean! Hope that continues as they get older. :)

A smile from this morning...