my little drummer boy...

I should've known that Jaelen and Jahki's preschool Christmas program was going to be quite a production when they gave Jakhi a poem to memorize in September. "Happy I am, and happy I'll stay, 'cause I know Jesus loves me today" is what I've heard everyday for the last 3 1/2 months and will be burned in my brain for at least that many years.

Jakhi knew his poem down packed and could be heard clear as day. And Jaelen was the best drummer in his class (so I'm biased). Jaelen also sang his little heart out too and nearly jingle belled the little girl next to him in the face.

road trip!

99 South took us to SoCal to do what we do best -- watch sports! We followed our local Central Catholic HS down to Carson where the Raiders played in the state championship and lost to St. Bonaventure 35-21. One of the highligts -- besides Louis Bland running over & through their DB's -- for me was all the free giveaways! I got a football-shaped cooler bag, Clinique lip balm, and key chains. I left feeling like a winner even if our team was the loser!

Since we were down in SoCal we also got to watch O.J. (see below blog) play in a tournament championship game vs. Campbell Hall starring UCLA-bound guard Jrue Holliday. OJ D'ed him up and stole the show with 20 points and went home with the hardware including All-Tournament honors. (I think I hear the recruiters calling right now! ) Needless to say, Trae thinks he's the coolest. It was wonderful to watch OJ play and see some quality hoops for a change (we don't get that in the Central Valley).

Happy Birthday Dena!

I remember thinking she was so cool back in junior high school when I saw her doing the Reebok and the Cabbage Patch at the school dance. Now I think she is way cooler for much cooler things... like how she is great mother and role model for her three little girls, how she has a great sense of humor and how she is a woman of God. I'm blessed to be able to call her my friend. Happy Birthday Dena!

and he didn't want to play football...

This weekend the Nichols Fam (only after twisting my hubby's arm) went to the season-ending banquet for football for Trae's team, the Central Saints. We would've skipped it but "mo-ma" put her foot down and I dragged the men there. But as always, I was right -- we were glad we went. Not because it was exciting or so much fun but we would've missed out on a special recognition. As Trae was standing on the stage with the rest of his teammates getting their team trophies, the coach started talking about a particular player..."this is a player who really stepped up this year and played different positions from running back to quarterback..." Doobie and I were barely paying attention, having our own conversation just assuming Trae wasn't getting an individual award but just as we made eye contact with Trae we realized he's talking about our kid (Trae realized this too by the look on his face and his cheesy grin!). Much to our surprise, Trae earned the Offensive Player of the Year Award. This is coming from the kid that didn't even want to play football in the beginning of the year!