basketball mom...

Growing up I played basketball. You'd never really guess now, but I did play from 4th grade into mid-high school. And I played a little post college in church league. Well, maybe I should say you'd never guess then, either...I was horrible. No joke. I was the epitome of bad. I didn't shoot my first basket in a game until I was in 7th grade. I was basically in it for the social part - getting sanrio bags after the season was over, having sleepovers with my team, goofing off during practice and getting to go to tournament dances!! I somehow managed to make the frosh soph team in high school and even then, my benchwarming must have given me tendonitis, to only end my career as the stat girl for our team....But I had FUN! I may have been the benchwarmer but hey - someone's got to allow others to be the stars of the team! LOL. Thank goodness I other gifts. LOL

Fast forward 20 years....Kara says "mom I want to learn how to play basketball". From the parents I know who have kids who play, basketball is their life. They are in the gym every weekend and sometimes 3 times a week. I decided I didn't want to be one of those families that lived for basketball. Then today happened.

Thank Goodness my BFF runs her own basketball camp called "PMP" or "practice makes perfect" basketball camp. Knowing that Kara wanted to learn to play, I decided to ask J if Kara could come to camp to learn. She said "SURE!!" Phew. Someone who would actually be able to teach her how to play!! Mom sure doesn't have the credentials. And we actually have a basketball court outside in our backyard. . . I guess after this week, Daddy will have to start taking her out there!

Took Kara this AM to camp. Wow. She got out there and attempted to dribble and one push down, the ball rolled away. . . but she didn't give up, she tried and she ran over to the court and attempted to make baskets (but not very successfully) and would throw the ball and run after it. Not the greatest start but hey - it's her first day. They lined all the girls up and it seems she's as tall as the 7 year olds (she's at the end of 5)  - well, then again - they are asians - so maybe that's not a good comparison. LOL. Despite her lack of knowledge and skills, I have to say I loved being there watching her, encouraging her and once I left, I decided, I want to be a basketball mom!!

Philip picked her up and he said she got whiny when he got there...who wouldn't be whiny after 6 hours of basketball! So i made a call to J and she said Kara got to play in her first 5 on 5 today! yay! When I got home I asked her how it was and she said "mom, I got way better by the end of the day" so that was really encouraging for both of us.  It doesn't matter if she ends up being good, or the worst player on the team. What matters is that she's willing to play and have fun. Apparently one of the other dads was asking about her, apparently he's starting a new team! SIGN US UP! LOL. . . maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be in the gym all the time...I could begin a new social life as a Basketball Mom. =) 

Tea party part deux

We baked today especially for the tea party and Kara even got dressed up! The dolls got their hair styled and it was fun!

land of the dolls...

For the past few days, kara and i have had a lot of time together since she's been sick at home with strep throat. Normally I'd go stir crazy being at home so much but its actually been a very restful, productive and fun time together. We cleaned the house, did all the laundry and played with her dolls many times.

Did you know that Armor-All spray works wonders on doll hair?!? yes! It does! Spray far and just a little...but it really works well! LOL. Lots of barbies and disney princesses got their groove back today because of this great car stuff! Its for plastic and vinyl so .... it also works wonders on tangly doll hair! 

This is a pic of Kara with her American Girl Kanani Doll - from her last birthday.  The first time I heard about these dolls a few years ago, I freaked out because of how much they cost but she REALLY wanted one, and I wanted to get it for her but at the time, it was really not feasible for us. But! One of her GREAT Aunts got her a Journey Girl doll called Callie and she loved it...then another GREAT Aunt and Uncle got her an American Girl doll for her birthday and it was so sweet! Now Callie had a friend to play with!

After the initial feelings about these dolls wore off, I decided that I'd rather her have something really nice that she would love and play with for a long time rather than some junky toys that will get tossed to the side in a day or two. I LOVE that she loves these dolls. WHY? Because it enables her to use her imagination, to learn about manners, care giving and it allows us to spend precious quality time together that we will never forget. It enables me to teach her lessons through the dolls and we were even able to talk about how she felt about going to Kindergarten next week. Turns out she's not too scared, she said "it's ok, you might be nervous but you'll be fine after a few days" - whew. Got all my anxiety washed away! (well, we'll see when the day comes! LOL)

So...I'm planning a trip with her to the American Girl Place for her birthday at the end of September. She is a great kid and I'm so glad we can spend time together doing girlie things. =) We're also planning a doll teatime with her new auntie Joy when they come to visit next weekend. THAT will be fun!! Anyone else want to join?!?!

Here's a picture of her two BELOVED dolls, Callie (Left) and Kanani (Right)

And cutest ever...here's her birthday wish list. bday is Sept. 30!

(editor's notes regarding birthday wish list: Blue Princess (is a guitar?!?), Amer clothes is AG doll glothes, high heels refer to wedges, and 18 doll bed means a bed for Kanani) LOL.

Meet Shellie and Tylar

OK so I decided a few weeks ago that I no longer want to be the mom who only wears flat shoes - don't get me wrong, they're comfy, easy to deal with and you don't really have to worry about tripping.  In the Pre-K2 era of my life, I lived in nothing but wedges and platforms and the occasional flat sandal. The Post-K2 has consisted of ballet like slippers with no support, flip flops and the evil of all shoes, converse. (My apologies to all you pro-cons...but they are HORRIBLE for your feet).

This lifestyle has made my legs look short, stocky and at times I even look like I'm standing in a hole. With a long torso and short legs, my 5'2" stature on a good day was horrendously shorter by wearing said-flat shoes. My feet lacked style and flair and my lack of foot care gave me the ugliest feet on the planet. So it has become my goal to nurse my poor babies back to health and beauty with the help of you tube and a martial arts master, they are slowly becoming prettier. And yes, I said it, "a martial arts master." Dry, cracked heels are no fun and I know this is TMI but my secret sensei (secret because he doesn't know it) has given me the tools to rehabilitate my feet. I found this guy on the internet who does some sort of martial arts and apparently people who do it have horrible feet, so he's done this video on foot care. Here's what I learned and how i've applied it to my own feet:

Tools:

All cotton socks - athletic socks work amazing. Don't use any sock with polyester or acrylic, they will make your feet drier. I use thorlo socks - yah they are expensive but they work REALLY well.

During your shower, take a pumice sponge or foot file and use hair conditioner on it while you scrub your feet. Dry them well and smooth on neosporin on any cracks or areas that might start to look like they're getting bad.  Then on top of that, slather on a generous amount of regular Vaseline. Add socks. Yes, it might be hot at night time but trust me, it will help.  When you wake up in the morning, take your socks off and you'll see the healing begin. NO joke. It starts after one time.

That same morning: Take Nude color first aid or athletic tape (I've found this works great - it sticks to your skin for days and is waterproof. It even gives you a bit of cushion!) and tape it to your heels, balls of feet, sides of feet. Leave this tape on for at least 24 hrs up to 2 days.

REPEAT this for about a week. Seriously, in 1 week your feet will be completely healed.

That said....I did this, but then the second week, I stopped for 2 days and my feet began to get dry again. So, this is again, for me, an act of discipline I need to consistently do.

Fast forward to tonight! Mom and I decided to go to Nordstrom to use my birthday gift cards. With my new goal of working my way back to wearing wedges and my rehabilitated feet, we decided to go shoe shopping.

And, we really made the shoe guy WORK! It was fun, we tried on all kinds of shoes and tonight, my rehabilitated feet were gifted with two new friends.... Shellie and Tylar.

Shellie

 

Tylar

Happy Saturday!
Mama Kara <3