Sunday, November 22, 2009

A LITTLE SLOW OVER THE HOLIDAYS

I must let all of you know that I may be a little slow now and again over the coming holidays. I strive to write everyday in our family blog. Sometimes life just gets in the way.

My goal is to be able to write one blog every day for a year. I started on August 19, 2009 and I am ahead of schedule at the point. I am going for a similar concept as in the movie "Julia & Julie". So far I have plenty of fodder for many Roderick tales, it is finding the time to sit down and write them in a manner that they all deserve that is my challenge.

So my plea to you is to be patient. Tales will continue to come but at a random pace until after the holidays.

Roderick's seem to be busy at this time of year more than any other. Figure that one out.

GERMAPHOBE

We had just finished a horse drawn sleigh ride in the mountains of Utah and we were all extra hungry. You use up a bunch of carbohydrates keeping warm on a clear and snowy night whose temperatures dip below freezing.

We pulled into a McDonald's in Heber City, Utah. Now, as a general rule we do not usually eat at the golden arches, however we made an exception for Anna Grace, our three year old niece. It was a treat for her and brother and sister. My sister likes to eat healthy most of the time.

We ordered and the kids headed for the ball pit. You must understand that my sister and I are polar opposites. Shelly is very strict and has many rules that I just do not adhere too. One of them being NO BALL PIT in a public establishment. She is a bit of a germaphobe and tries to keep her kids away from any activity that may put them at risk for some dastardly disease.

My kids look at me and I shook my head and laughed at my sister and she just rolls her eyes at me. We usually don't push her past her breaking point, so I told the girls to sit down and eat and they could talk to their cousins without going to the ball pit.

Shelly continues to organize her kids by spreading a paper napkin in front of each of them and telling them their hands and food belong on the napkin, never the bare table. My girls just stared at them in total disbelief. My kids have been known to lick spills off bare tables at home as well at restaurants. I know, what a terrible parent I am, but sometimes I simply loose track of what they are doing. Everyone makes mistakes and I have made my share, believe me.

We all watched Anna Grace as she gingerly touched the table without her mother's knowledge. As she got braver and braver and touched farther and farther away from the safety of the napkin, our girls laughed harder and harder. Shelly never did catch Anna Grace and the girls told her all about the incident on the way home.

Roderick's love to tell stories on someone else and they are always up for a tale on their Aunt Shelly.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

TWILIGHT

The Twilight Saga is the hottest thing in a teenage girl's mind these days. I am not ashamed that it is also on my mind as I loved the books and suspect I will love all the movies. I remember last year Shae and I went to the 12:01 am showing. And yes, we were in line at 4:00 pm.

I took my knitting and listened in on conversations in the line. Shae and I chatted about the books, her friends, Christmas ideas and school. Shae waited in line while I went to grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks. I waited in line while she went to visit with her friends. It was a very special time that the two of us got to enjoy together.

I also wanted her to remember the time we spent with one another. I gave her a bracelet similar to the one Edward and Jacob gave to Bella. Two charms, a crystal (couldn't afford the diamond) and a sterling silver wolf (couldn't carve a wooden wolf) was attached to the links on the bracelet. As time goes on, perhaps I will add other memories to that charm bracelet that she will hold close to her heart.

This year while waiting in line for "New Moon" I gave each of the girls a bookmark with the characters from the movie we were about to see etched on them. Shae and Hope were able to share the experience with their mother. I cherish the time with our girls. Each of them brings a special sparkle to my life.

Perhaps when "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn" come out, Addison and Kelsey will be able to join us. I would love for that to happen. I shall see if I can arrange that on their social calendar.

I am so happy they are all Roderick's.

KELSEY'S FIRST WEDDING

Our girls talk about the weddings they hope to have some day. I know it's a total girl thing, but they do have many ideas, wishes, plans and styles already in their bright minds. All we have to do is come up with the cash.

Kelsey came up with her first idea when she was in middle school. This is what she shared with me.

"Mom, I want to get married in Las Vegas in the Venetian Hotel. I want to ride with my groom on a gondola and have people on the bridges throwing rose petals down on us. The gondolier will be singing to us in Italian and we will be staring into each other's eyes and holding hands. As we come to the last bridge I want the Pope to be standing on it and wearing that big hat he wears when he does Mass. He will do the ceremony and we will continue floating until we are tired."

I tried to explain to Kelsey that first and foremost you must be Catholic to have the Pope do such a ceremony and second I don't think he does weddings. She was disappointed. Her first wedding had been whisked away from her imagination.

We Roderick's think big.

MATERNITY FASHION SHOW

When I was pregnant with Hope we were involved in a very active small group of eight families. The kids would go to our house for baby sitting and our small group met at another families home for our study time. My good friend, Mary Beth, was farther along than I, with her third son. I decided our group needed to throw her and Greg a baby shower. Not just any baby shower would do. It had to be great. It was.

We decided all the husbands would do the best fashion show Medford had ever seen. Each of them would model maternity clothes. Evening, athletic, casual, sleep, jeans, shorts, etc. You name it, the guys did it. They all used the same basket ball and they all sported lovely wigs. I am going to find the pictures and post them some day.

When Sean was born, Mary Beth decided to see what he would look like if he had been a girl. She had been saving an outfit just in case a female graced the Pearson home. She dressed him up in the pinkest girl outfit ever and took a picture. See what happens when the father dresses in drag. I'm going to find that picture, too, and post it.

The Roderick's should never be allowed to throw a baby shower.

SHOTZY'S BASKET

Scott's mom and dad live in Carlsbad and have had two dogs named Shotzy . . . interesting, huh? We call them Shotzy 1 and Shotzy 2.

Shotzy 1 was a puppy at the same time Kelsey was about 18 months old. Kelsey and Shotzy grew up together although we lived far away in Salt Lake City. When we went to Carlsbad they played with the same toys, they sat on Nana and Grandpa's laps and they both loved popcorn, although Kelsey was not as good as Shotzy 1 at catching it in her mouth.

One day while we were visiting, we lost track of Kelsey. We looked everywhere and could not find her. Shotzy finally saved our worry by finding our little girl. She was curled up, sound asleep, in Shotzy's dog basket.

Again, Roderick.

BROOM CHASE

Sometimes the boys coming around the Roderick abode are just so overwhelming for our estrogen intensity. Frankly, we just don't understand some of the testosterone tendencies and many times we just don't know how to react. For instance, sagging jeans with boxers hanging out was the deal back in Kelsey junior and senior high school days.

Charlie, one of Kelsey's early heartthrobs, would come over with sagging pants. We decided that a guideline would be instated about sagging and boxers. It would not be acceptable at our house. No big deal, right?

Charlie came over on his bike to visit Kelsey and Scott was out in the driveway sweeping all the old dirt, trash and dead weeds, just general yard maintenance. Once again, there was sagging and boxers. Scott asked Charlie to pull up his pants. Kelsey and Charlie laughed. "Dad are you serious?" Kelsey asked. Scott said that he was and Charlie let out a laugh that said I am not doing that. Lots of attitude.

Scott chased Charlie down the street with the broom he was using to sweep that said he was very serious. Charlie didn't come back to the Roderick's again with sagging drawers.

I 'M ALL RIGHT

Shae is not known for her graceful, athletic style. She is more of a Jane Austen kind of gal. She loves to be pampered and looked after and simply adores fashion and all that entails. She is the girly girl.

When we lived in Medford, Oregon we had a counter that the girls would eat breakfast at every morning. They had wooden stools that they would climb up on and I had the high chair for Hope at the end of the counter. I could serve them right from the kitchen. It was the perfect set-up for our family.

The kids would wake up, come tumbling into the kitchen, climb up on their designated stool and start clamoring for their cereal. All except Shae. She would be so sleepy and drowsy that she would stumble in, climb up on her stool and promptly fall off of it onto the carpeted floor.

When this first started occuring, we would dash to her rescue, fearful of injury. After a great while, we became immune to Shae's quirky habit. She would fall off and simply jump up and say "I'm all right" and climb back up on her perch, ready for breakfast.

Of course, she's a Roderick.

BEAR CUB

We were visiting an Animal Reserve on the coast of Oregon. It was full of all kinds of species that were indiginous to that area. What intrigued us the most was the variety of baby animals who had been orphaned for one reason or another.

Kelsey and Shae loved it. They had a petting corral that you could go in and sit with the babies and a Reserve employee would give you the run down and history of each little one.

The family favorite was the bear cub. Scott and Kelsey were totally engrossed. They held the wiggly little guy, they fed him a bottle, they rough housed with him. He was a brown bear whose momma couldn't be found.

Addison, on the other hand, was not fond of him at all. She stood on her tip toes on the bench beside Scott with a very fearful look in her eye. We tried to get her to pet the little bear and she would only touch it with one finger and then pull away. Kelsey and Scott romped for about fifteen minutes. It was so fun watching them. Addison was happier behind the fence with Shae and I.

Shae was a little small for the bear cub, but she delighted in the baby possum. She would touch noses with him and nuzzle him while he sat snug in an old knitted beanie. She was very interested in his tiny little teeth. I guess she figured he was just her size.

I wonder what happened to those pictures? If I ever dig them out I'll have to post them.

That day was a memory that the girls and their parents will cherish.

DO THE MATH

Kelsey and her friend were in a very difficult math class when she was in 8th grade. Not only was the class hard, it was taught by a very dry and unexciting teacher.

Their classroom was in a loft in the old school, when it was on the FCC campus. It had one window and Danny and Kelsey sat by it. Having the creative minds of middle schoolers, they came up with a plan.

As people strode around campus they were met with a sign in that one classroom window that said "HELP US".

Kelsey's dad was made aware of that incident quite quickly.

MAMMOGRAM

I had the last appointment of the day for my annual mammogram. My name was called and I followed the technician to the changing room and put on the lovely, functional robe they give you for examinations. I have had many mammograms so I am familiar with the drill. I went straight to the room with the big machine and sat down to read "People" magazine while waiting for the technician.

She lightly tapped on the door and popped into the room all perky and ready to slap my breast on glass. This is not a painful proceedure for me but it is uncomfortable and chilly.

She did my right breast without event. We moved to the left breast, horizontal position. The glass came down and compressed my tiny little boob. My right arm is comfortably hanging at my side while my left arm is slightly above my head grasping a handle. I hear the buzz of the mammography machine and then silence as my technician says "I'll be right back". This is odd I thought but I tried to be patient and understanding.

I waited. Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes. Now I was getting unhappy. Where had that girl gone? Did she forget about me? Maybe her shift was over and she went home. I was the last appointment. If she didn't come back soon I was really going to panic.

I heard the door open and I relaxed. Finally. From my peripheral vision I saw a hispanic gentleman with a vacuum cleaner enter the room. I was mortified. What is going on?

You must understand you are trapped by a machine that has grabbed your breast and will not let go. There is no chance of escape.

I gave a weak smile and said "Ola". He started laughing hysterically and took out his cell phone and took a picture of me in my precarious position. I could feel my whole body flushing with anger and embarrassment, but I had no verbal response. My voice had been stolen from me as well as my dignity. I was frozen.

He then dialed a number. Speaking in spanish, while still laughing, he paused and put his phone to my ear. There was all kinds of guffawing, laughing and spanish on the other end of the line. All I could say was "Ola". He removed the phone from my ear, hung up, turned on the vacuum and continued his duty as a janitor still chuckling. I tried to explain to him that I needed the technician, but he continued to vacuum around me as I stood there dumbstruck. I didn't speak spanish and he spoke no english. He completed his job and exited the room waving to me over his shoulder.

I suddenly woke up with a feeling of great violation and relief. This could only happen in the mind of a Roderick.

HOME GROWN TURKEY

In honor of the upcoming holiday, I will share a tale of turkey that occured in Medford, Oregon about 16 years ago.

Our friends from church lived on a farm and they agreed to raise a turkey for us if we would supply the feed. We agreed and the turkey was purchased and fed natural corn and all the organic stuff that turkeys love to eat. Our turkey was healthy, free range and a good size bird in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

Dan, our friend, invited the boys to come on over and pick it up the day before the big event so Scott, my dad and brother-in-law all jumped in the car and headed for the Tillotson homestead.

They arrived and Dan took them out to the back forty. There was our turkey out in the barnyard alive and well. The fearsome three did not know what they had gotten themselves into.

My dad had done his share of butchering fowl when he lived on a farm, but it had been a long time. Dan handed him the axe. Dad noticed the axe was a bit dull so he took a swing and rendered the bird unconscious and then decapitated the tom and proceeded to pull out all the feathers. Scott and Russ stood back totally speechless as the scene played out in front of them.

Needless to say it was a traumatic experience for our city guys and they did not enjoy the butchering process in the least. Scott decided then and there that the new Roderick tradition was to go to an organic grocery store and purchase the poultry all ready to be placed in the oven.

I do have to say that bird was the fattest and tastiest turkey that was ever placed in a Roderick mouth and the best ever trimmings.

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving from all us city Roderick's.

Friday, November 20, 2009

NEW MOON

Last night we went to the opening of "New Moon". There were about 10 of us girls and we had a rip roaring time. We took breaks now and then because we got in line at 3:30 in the afternoon for the 12:01 in the morning movie.

Kim and I left for a little while to go to dinner and grab a Starbucks. I made a stop at the restroom. I walked in and as I was entering an empty stall I noticed what appeared to be a pair of male tennis shoes attached to a male body in an adjoining stall. I didn't know what to do . . . so I went ahead and tinkled.

While I was busy I heard very manly noises coming from that peculiar stall. I must say I was befuddled. Did I go in the wrong restroom, I didn't observe urinals? Was the person next to me a male who perhaps had made a wrong turn somewhere? Or was it a female making those man sounds?

I hesitated before exiting the stall and when I did there was only one girl left washing her hands and her shoes were not the pair I had seen under the door. What a mystery.

I left the restroom and shared my story with Kim. She relayed that she had not seen anyone exit before me. We went to dinner and discussed all the possibilities and decided this could only happen to a Roderick.

Monday, November 16, 2009

DOVES

Doves are not known as the smartest of God's creatures. Case in point.

I was driving up Beach Blvd. after picking up Scott and some of our friends from an afternoon at the beach. Kelsey and Kendra were in the middle seat and Scott and Mike were in the back and one of the other Roderick girls was in the passenger seat.

There were two doves sitting in the middle lane as we were zipping up the road. I kept thinking they were going to take flight. As I heard the thump, thump I realized that did not happen and I checked my rear view mirror to see hundreds of feathers flying out the back of the expedition. I had never hit any animal before and I felt bad but there was absolutely nothing I could have done. Traffic on Beach was congested that day and at that time.

Everyone in the back seats had turned around and were checking out the view because they realized that the birds were now history. Scott and Mike were busting a gut laughing. Kelsey and Kendra had burst into tears and were reading me the riot act for committing murder. I couldn't believe those dumb birds did not fly away. The lone Roderick in the passenger seat was dead silent.

We are Roderick's . . . it is, once again, what we do.

TALES FROM THE TREEHOUSE

The kids in the Treehouse make me laugh so much I thought I would share a tale or two with you . . . enjoy!

One day we were talking about colleges and what college the kids would like to attend some day. I asked them about UCLA and one little girl said "Miss Cindy, UCLA is not a college, it is a football team."

Saturday night the kids were reciting the books of the New Testament for me. I give out beanies, scarves, stockings and headbands when they have memorized the whole thing. One little boy came up and wanted to give it a go. He started out by saying "Matthew, Mark, Luke John, Ass and Romans."

Occasionally I review the church staff in the Treehouse so the kids are familiar with different people and the jobs they are responsible for at the church. I asked "Who is in charge of the Lighthouse?" One little boy replied "Barack Obama."

Out of the mouths of babes . . . and they weren't even Rodericks.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

ECLIPSE

Lake Powell, in the summer, is an enchanted water wonderland. We rented a houseboat for a week one hot summer and had the time of our lives. Full of sun, fun and laughter.

We had finished dinner, put all the kids to bed and sat out on the patio to enjoy a cold drink and some quiet discussions of our adventure. It was a full moon and totally gorgeous and our conversations were unequalled. As we watched the summer sky we realized we were observing a lunar eclipse with no obstructions. It was miraculous to witness one of God's creations in such an austere environment. As we continued to converse, one of our friends ran out of the houseboat exclaiming "Don't look at it without eye protection!"

We all looked at her in disbelief and then we burst into silent, but hearty, laughter.

A lunar eclipse, not solar, we were finally able to share with her.

By the way, she was not a Roderick.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

SO WRONG

I saw something the other day that was so wrong on so many levels it is hard to believe what my eyes were actually seeing.

I was driving down Main St. by Seacliff Village and HBHS and I saw a lady waiting at the bus stop. This in itself is not unusual. What happened next was unusual. Please understand that this event took seconds to occur, but it takes a little more time to write in black and white and for you to read it.

The woman had turned around and was bending over the bus stop bench. Keep in mind that she was in her sixties, had long waist length grey hair and was wearing a very short skirt. I could not believe it, but she had on a thong and her skirt was so short that nothing was left to my imagination. She may as well have been commando. I was so shocked I had to keep staring to make sure I was actually seeing what I was seeing.

I like to think of myself as being pretty tolerant of one's clothing choices. This, however, was beyond my ability to accept. What was this woman thinking? Couldn't she feel the breeze up her back? Didn't she realize that you can not bend over while wearing a short skirt bare legged? Did she forget how old she was? I spent many hours pondering these questions and evaluating my own choices for attire.

Please, if I ever wear anything inappropriate, for the love of God, inform me quickly before I meet the same fate as that woman at the bus stop.

TINKLE IN THE SNOW

The Roderick's love to take road trips. We have always jumped in the car with kids in tow, taking on an interstate for a 12-14 hour adventure. We could tell story after story, but this one is so typical.

We had driven to SLC for Christmas and we were loading up and getting out of there so that we could beat the snow storm that was headed our way. We did pretty well until we hit the Nevada desert on our way back to Medford, Oregon. Nothing for miles and miles and we didn't see sand, we encountered snow. We had to slow down to a crawl and Scott had been holding his soda for a very long time and it was necessary to pull over and take a break, so to speak.

Of course, the girls were very curious as to why Dad had to get out of the car in the snow. Now I made a very basic parental error of being totally honest and truthful with our girls. I told them that Dad had to piddle and there wasn't anywhere to go so he was going along side the road.

Scott, in the mean time, was behind the van going and going and going (big soda, remember). The second I had explained this to the girls, they were out of their seat belts, hurdling over the back seat, peering out the back window, eyes wide with anticipation. All that commotion just to catch a glimpse of their father relieving himself.

Scott smiled and waved with his free hand and the girls were thrilled. They still bring that tale up every once in a while.

Just another Roderick day.

Friday, November 6, 2009

6:30AM

Scott and I awoke this morning to a tremendous ruckus going on outside our bedroom door. Girls jumping out of bed and hitting the floor sounding like a herd of elephants running through the savannah. They had slept in and had five minutes to get ready. It was on.

Suddenly, we heard Hope giggling and Shae telling her it's not funny. Then, Shae screaming that she is so mad at Hope, so mad at her life and so mad at anything else that gets in the way. Following that rampage, she is yelling at Hope to just go get in the car. I was going to investigate this tirade further when they got home from school, for sure.

Both girls walked in the front door at lunch and I was ready for them. I did get the whole story.

Apparently, the girls were scrimmaging for the bathroom once they were awake. In and out, in and out. Shae got caught on the toilet paper and ran to her room with it still on the roll stuck to her pants and basically toilet papered the hall and her bedroom. Everywhere she walked, TP followed. Hope got tickled with that scene and started laughing. Shae was furious because she didn't have time for this nonsense and told Hope to go to the car.

When they arrived at school, Shae was still checking with Hope about the toilet paper stuck to her pants. Sure enough, there was a small remnant under her jacket that wasn't completely removed. Poor Shae.

Don't you wish you were a Roderick girl?

Thursday, November 5, 2009

RAINY DAY BIKE RIDE

Phyllis and I have walked together for many years. Some years we were better about it than others, but I am not here to judge, just to state facts. One year we really stepped it up and we were riding bikes and walking. I know, it's hard for me to believe too, but it is true. Let me share one of our many adventures.

We planned to meet at the church and ride our bikes to the beach and then decide our destination from that point. It was a little cloudy but I told Phyllis that my Grammy used to say "if there is enough blue sky to make a pair of pants it won't rain." Sort of an abstract way to predict the weather, but we were on our bikes and riding away without a care about the climate.

It started to pour before we reached PCH. What are two gals, soaking wet, to do? We made a quick decision and stopped to go through some open houses in the Boardwalk track, a brand new development. We rode up, parked our bikes and raced up to the first house. We wiped our feet, we may have even taken off our shoes, and pranced through the gorgeous home. We did take notice of the large ceramic pear on the kitchen counter. Interesting designer. We went through three models that morning and all of them had those same pears on the kitchen counter, some of them in a group of three or four. Were we missing something? Do we need to purchase pears for our kitchens as well? We thought they were hideous, but we aren't designers.

We never did figure that one out, but we did have fun touring those houses. We even came away with a few ideas for our own homes.

It never did stop raining, so we rode back to the church with a memory in our hearts. Sorry, Grammy, your little quote did not serve us well on that soggy day.

Anyone want to take a bike ride with a Roderick?

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

NOXEMA

Way back when, I used Noxema to clean my face. For some reason Kelsey loved the smell, texture and the blue jar. I would give her a little dab to use while she was observing me performing my evening ritual. She would copy my every move and enjoyed herself whole heartedly.

One afternoon my friend, Betsy and her little boy Dylan, stopped by to play. Betsy and I have known each other for years so it was natural for our kids to grow up and play together. Kelsey and Dylan would trot down to her room and play with all the toys and Betsy and I would enjoy a cup of coffee and chat. Our kids were great together and fighting and arguing was rare.

We were deep in conversation when we realized there was silence in the house. This is a bad sign when you have kids. We went to check on the two amigos and were stunned at what we found. They had apparently left Kelsey's room and had entered the master bath and all the toiletries. Dylan had been covered head to toe in Noxema. In his hair, in his ears, up his nose and all over his arms. Kelsey looked a little better because, hey, she had had lessons and knew how to correctly apply the cream.

The two Noxema kids just smiled and we had them in the bathtub in a flash. I was surprised they were not able to get any in each others eyes. That would have been bad and I was happy not to have to fight that battle. We soaked them for about half an hour in warm water. FYI - Noxema is not easy to get out of hair.

Ahhh, the house of Roderick.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

This will be our 28th Christmas together. That's right, it's hard for me to believe, but it is. Twenty-eight years ago I did the Twelve Days of Christmas for Scott. Let me share what I did with you.

I started on December 11, 1981 (started it early because he was leaving for Lancaster, CA for Christmas Day with his family).

Day 1 - One picture of me
Day 2 - Two movie tickets
Day 3 - Three wooden spoon ornaments
Day 4 - Four crocheted stockings
Day 5 - Five course meal (beverage, salad, soup, main course, dessert)
Day 6 - Six chocolate chip cookies
Day 7 - Seven quilted ball ornaments
Day 8 - Eight knitted bell ornaments
Day 9 - Nine crocheted wreath ornaments
Day 10- Ten pop top Santa ornaments
Day 11- Eleven pieces of home made fudge
Day 12- Twelve hours spent making a quilt (he still has it)

Shae did the same thing for her boyfriend last year. She started on December 13, 2008. Notice the difference in the lists and how much our lives have changed.

Day 1 - One fleece Batman blanket
Day 2 - Two V-necks
Day 3 - Three sweaters
Day 4 - Four movie tickets
Day 5 - Five piece Batman sheet set
Day 6 - Six Sprinkles cupcakes
Day 7 - Seven DVD's
Day 8 - Eight pieces of fudge
Day 9 - Nine comic books
Day 10- Ten home made cookies
Day 11- Eleven Batman tatoos
Day 12- a Batman tee shirt

Start planning now for the one you love . . . it's never too soon!

Monday, November 2, 2009

ESCAPE FROM A PARKING LOT

As many of you are aware, the Home Depot Center parking lot is horrible to get out of after a soccer game. Cars are everywhere and you simply must wait patiently.

We Roderick's have been known to be impatient occasionally and we were itching for something to do during our wait. This particular soccer game was great and we were riding high. Mr. Beckham had scored a goal from half field and the Galaxy had beaten the Wizards without regret.

Addison and her friend Kristin, had taken Adds car to the game so they could leave quickly (haha) and we were in the family Highlander. We were following them out of the parking lot fiasco and were momentarily in gridlock. We could see Addi and Kristin swaying to the music, laughing and talking.

Now was my chance and I told the family to watch my plan unfold. I carefully got out of the car, ducking so as not to be detected and crepted up behind Adds on the passenger side. I jumped up, smacked the passenger side window and screamed at the girls.

The look on their faces was priceless. With utter terror in their eyes, Kristin leaped into Adds lap and they both were shrieking hyserically. It finally registered that it was me and they both started laughing without sound.

My family, still in the car, saw the whole thing from behind and they were laughing as well, as I got back in our car.

Just another soccer game with the Roderick's.