Sofia's Wit and a Tough Little Gabe

So...last Friday night on my way home from work, Tim announced by phone, "When you get in the car, I'm going to want you to examine Gabe." It turns out Gabe had his first head-on collision with another skateboarder at the skate park -- and the other kid was a teenager over 6 feet tall and about 180 pounds. Gabe's a whopping 60 pounds soaking wet, so you know he took a bit of a beating.

Gabe's physical injuries didn't look terrible -- bruises on his chin and along his jawline from his helmet chinstrap, some scrapes and a good-lookin' bump on the back of his head and a seriously nasty-lookin' bruise on his shoulder. But when I asked him, "When's your birthday, Gabe?" And he answered, "August 4th" (and that's not the right answer), I said to Tim, "Looks like you'll be taking him to the ER tonight."

Sure, I got some grief for not going, but hey, I had a 10k to run the next morning at 8 a.m., and we've done the family visit to the ER. That's not exactly fun for the kid who doesn't need to be there. So I thought it made more sense for me to spend some quality time with Sofia, get some shut-eye while getting the periodic phone updates from Tim.

Sofia and I were chatting away while snuggling and trying to go to sleep when she anxiously asked me, "Mom, what if both of Gabe's legs are broken?" I stifled a laugh and said, "Sofia, if Gabe's legs were broken, he would've been screaming at the top of his lungs." Sofia scrunched up her nose and emphatically put her foot down, "NO!" she retorted with diva attitude. "Don't you remember that time when Daddy saw a crab on the beach and he started screaming at the top of HIS lungs? His legs weren't broken." Well, then I couldn't suppress my laughter. I got to giggling and she got to giggling, and we soon heard from Tim that Gabe was just fine -- no broken bones. He had a minor head contusion. And, the only time Gabe cried was when the doc announced he couldn't skate for at least a week.

Touche Sofia, you are one witty little girl. Let's hope your Dad doesn't have a fit when he reads this post. LOL! Love you Tim! Also posting a few recent pix since it has been a while...

Sofia and Gabe at Gabe's last baseball game

Special PostScript for Tina: I think the last time I posted, you asked what I'm up to because I tend to write about the kids -- just crazy busy at work and home. Finished a really amazing two-week executive leadership course at the end of May and go for the other two weeks in August. Between averaging 65 hours a week at work and trying my best to still be a decent mom and wife and friend, there doesn't seem to be much time left, particularly time for writing. Even posting to this blog seems to have taken a back seat. A good friend talked me into signing up for a few races this year, so I've been more physically active than I have been in a long time. Did a half-marathon in June -- next up is a mini-triathlon in September. Biking is right up your alley, I know! :) When are you in the States next? I miss you! xoxo, k

Sofia at her Pre-K Graduation Ceremony -- I can't believe she goes to Kindergarten this year!

A recent pic taken by our friend Alexandria when we were out in Occoquan.