SparkDad

This morning I attended a funeral for a 8 year old Scout. Alex Vasquez. I did not know Alex, but a friend of mine that runs another Cub Scout pack did. Fifty Scouts and leaders were at the funeral. It was very sad indeed. He had contracted brain cancer six months ago. The disease took him quickly. At the memorial service some great music was played and wonderful stories told. He was a great little boy that lived his short life to the fullest. He touched many people and taught them more about God and love in his eight short years than some learn in forty. The experience will not quickly be forgotten by those in attendance. Young Alex had a peaceful journey here on earth.

With that I segue into Stickman and Pork Chop. They both entered the school district Rodeo Art competition this year and they both made it to the district finals! Neither of them made it to the actual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo but they both did great! Stickman’s art “Eight Seconds” shown to the right was a finalist. He did a great job on it!

Pork Chop’s work won first place but did not advance. It was very nice for a first grader. It was appropriate for this post because of the title of the work was “Peaceful Journey”. Those of you who know Pork Chop know that he is anything but Peaceful. He is a rambunctious little boy who is full of energy! He is constantly in “trouble” but that is OK. He is just all boy!

Now on to the controversy! I will admit when I look at our son’s art I am a bit biased. Everything they do is wonderful to me. But the winners that beat our Stickman’ art I would have to say that I would not have chosen over his. The cow on the left was chosen over Stickman’s awesome bull. What do you think? Comment on this post and let me know which you would have chosen : )

Be honest, I want to see if I am being totally biased and blinded by parenthood.

- Spark Dad

On Saturday we attended our first all day soccer tournament with the Shadow Creek Soccer Apollo Academy.

We had never been to an tournament before so we did not know what to expect. We packed chairs, canopies, snacks, games,blankets, warm clothes, cold weather clothes and water. It seems like a lot of gear but when you are playing seven games in a day you have to be prepared! The tournament was a lot of fun and not as bad as I had imagined.  There were some very competitive teams there.

Our team is very new. This is the first time that they have played together and it showed. We spent most of our time defending our goal and did not score a goal in seven games. Poor Stickman was upset because he was scored on 3 times in one game. Some of the kids on the other teams were making moves that you see in pro games! The teams were however very nice. There were no parents making fools of themselves or getting crazy mad. It was a very friendly tournament.

The keeper jersey that Stickman has on above was provided by his coach. Stickman loves to play keeper, so we may have to find him a good priced keeper jersey to call his own.  I found some nice ones at Soccer Garage. You can see the site here and get Free Shipping on Soccer Gear.

Overall the tournament was a lot of fun. We got some great photos and even Pork Chop managed to have some fun in the fall leaves!

- Spark Dad

Last Sunday, Mama and I headed out to the Texan’s game. Now, you must know that I have never been to a Texan’s game where they actually won. In fact most of the time when I go they get their butt’s handed to them. So from what I can tell I am bad "juju” for the Texan’s. All of you Texan’s fans can send me $10 per week to not attend the games and insure a win. : )

So in support of my “juju” theory, the Texan’s lost 34-10.

Even though they lost, it was still a lot of fun. Mama and I went to church and then headed to the game. We stopped and grabbed some beverages for the cooler on the way so that we could enjoy a cool drink.  We drove up in the Silverado and got a great parking spot but unfortunately all of the tailgaters were in a different lot!

We worked on video of the truck for a little bit and then headed into the game. We got to our seats at the end of the 1st quarter and it was 14-0. Not good : (

If you look closely at the right side of this picture you can see why they lost! Fumbles, no offensive line, failure to show up and bad “juju”.

Lets hope that this week the Texan’s fair better. I am NOT going to the game, so they should win. See the video that Mama and I made here.

In other news, Pork Chop’s team tied their game last Saturday. It might as well have been a loss. They were ahead two touchdowns at the half and simply gave up, like the Texan’s, in the last half.  During the game one of the opponent’s boys broke his leg! His femur of all things. Which has Mama and I scared. We have decided not to let him play next year because of the risk of injury and most importantly head injuries. Any thoughts on young kids playing tackle football?

Stickman played soccer game on Saturday and he was phenomenal! He scored two goals and is having great fun! Some of the other parents tell me that he is “fun” to watch! I love to see him having so much fun!

Stickman’s team, the Tigers, were winning 6-0 at the half. His coach set them down and told them that the other team was trying very hard and that with this lead is was a good time to practice passing. He did not tell them to quit or to lose, but to be good sportsmen. I respect his coach more and more every day.

More soon!

- Spark Dad

When you think of summer, you think of kids out of school running around playing with other neighborhood kids. Here in the Houston area those thoughts have to fast forward to fall. The weather in Houston has finally cooled. Now don’t get misunderstand me, during the day it is still hot. But in the evening and mornings it is under 80 degrees and on our street the kids are out in full force.

There are about 10 kids in elementary school on our street and here are a few of the boys in the back of the Silverado. Yes they look a little intimidating but I promise none of them, despite the bloody Halloween knife, are Dexter.    

Speaking of Halloween were are prepping for our 6th annual party! Last year we had about 60 – 70 guests all in costume. We have a great time, good fun for the entire family!

This week I have been working on the graveyard for our front lawn. I built it once and tore it down because Mama had a different vision : ) The final product was worth the extra effort. 

The wood is left over from Hurricane Ike. We saved some of it for building Halloween props. Our entire fence was destroyed in that nasty hurricane, but it went to good use on this project.

We cut the wood up and pounded them in to the ground. Then we layered  more and made an awesome arch. There is some new wood in the arch for stability, but everything else is recycled from Hurricane Ike.  My wife went to Home Depot in the Silverado to get the new wood and other necessary supplies. She loves to drive the truck, except when parking, because it gives here a clear view of the road. Much different than the Nissan Altima that she drives that hugs the ground.

If you look hard you will see our Graveyard Man, as the kids call him, sitting in a chair in the back close to the house. We will begin decorating inside the house in the next few day. We do a lot of decorating inside as well.  There will be giant spiders and rooms with entire room scenes such as a a haunted house and mad scientist laboratory.

My wife is dreaming up all sorts of fun games for the party as we speak. She has a “pin the tail” on the pumpkin game and of course the Mummy Wrap.

I am off now to go to make an appearance with Great Day Houston on behalf of our Local Houston Chevy Dealers!

See ya! – Spark Dad

This year our little Pork Chop has begun playing tackle football with our local youth football league the Patriots. Pork Chop plays on the pee wee team which is 5 and 6 year olds.  Each age group has their own team.

They are a top notch program. The practices are tough but very effective and organized. The coaches are professional, caring and dedicated. The facilities are the best in town. Our little team had worked hard but had a 0-4-1 record until two weekends ago when we played our arch-rival the Hurricanes. We beat their socks off on their home field. 3 – 2. Way to go Pee Wee!

I am disappointed however in one of the other teams that we played two weekends ago.

During the Junior game a fight broke out among the coaches. Apparently there was a scuffle on the field between two players and a Patriots coach broke up the fight. Then the Hurricanes, the opposing teams, coaches ran onto the field and began fighting with the Patriots coaches.

At one point you see a Hurricane coach run up and blindside a Patriots coach in the back! This is not appropriate behavior for a coach! Grow up!

I wish I could see the attacking coaches face so I would know never to interact with him. But unfortunately I will have to walk around town and maybe run into that monster.

You can see the video here.

Lets hope that these coaches and young men learned a valuable lesson that acting like idiots is NOT appropriate behavior!

- Spark Dad