...Star-struck!

So, Aislinn got to meet and talk with Steve Nash today. He was in town working out up at SFU for the last few days and this morning, as he was leaving, Frank asked him if he would meet Aislinn. (Frank knew Steve back in their high-school days, they played against each other. The head coach from SFU is friends with Steve and re-introduced Frank to Steve the other day. Frank was pretty stoked when Steve remembered him.)

I wasn't there but apparently Aislinn was a little star-struck. She did fine introducing herself, but when Steve asked her what position she played she blanked...*long pause*...and then said, "uh...everything." Smoooooooooth, Aislinn. She just stood there with this huge grin on her face, shaking his hand...for way too long. Steve chuckled and glanced at Frank. After Aislinn gave Steve back his hand, Frank had to explain that she played a 2-3 with older girls, but when she played with kids her age, she would go into the post.

She says that he is smaller than she thought he would be.

What a great treat for a basketball player though, huh? Meeting a two-time NBA MVP'er. And he's a nice guy to boot!

Kinda reminds me of my own star-struck moment.

Back in grade 11, when my Dad was living in Merritt and us kids spent the summer down there with him, we heard that Bryan Adams was just across the lake at the local resort for lunch. My two sisters, and 2 cousins and I hopped into our boat and took off across the lake! We got to the resort, but were told that Bryan was out riding horses. So we hung around. Luckily, we caught sight of him as he was leaving. We was about to climb into his Jeep when we went screaming down the path. Did I mention I was on crutches? My sisters and cousins kinda fell back, but I was not going to pass up this opportunity! I hobbled down the path shouting, "Bryan!!!! Bryan Adams!!!" I'm sure the poor fellow thought about ignoring us and getting the heck outta Dodge. But he didn't. I arrived, all out of breath and sweaty and stood there on one foot.

"So." I said, trying to catch my breath and not fall on him. "You're Bryan Adams." I smiled.

"Yep," he answered. "at least I was the last time I looked in the mirror."

*Long Pause* I tried to keep that smile plastered on my face, thinking to myself the entire time, "Oh my God! I'm so stupid! You're Bryan Adams?! You're Bryan Adams?! Seriously??? What a dummy."

Then Bryan Adams chuckled, letting me off the hook and asked what he could do for us.

My sisters and cousins crowded in and he signed a piece of paper that we managed to scrounge up and he also signed my sister's single tape with "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" on it. You know, the one in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It was huge that summer. And Bryan Adams said he wasn't even aware there was a single tape out yet.

Anyways, he left.

I still feel like a big dummy.

Well, at least we know that Aislinn's inability to talk to superstars comes naturally.

...oooohhh my aching bum!

Yesterday, August 13th, was Mackendra's birthday. Happy Birthday!!! And we did lots of things and had lots of fun, and there were presents, and cake and sports injuries and aching bums. But I can't show you any of that because I had misplaced my camera. No worries, I found it this morning, the day after all the excitement. Anyways, I have to tell you all about it instead.

I woke at 7:40am and sprang out of bed and raced to the grocery store, before everyone else was awake, to purchase some strawberries and whip cream for Frank's Awesome Crepes. Mackendra requested them for her birthday breakfast. Everyone was still asleep when I got back. So I woke them all up and we cuddled in our bed and wished Mackendra a Happy Birthday. Then Frank told her that he was so sleepy because he had stayed up almost the whole night fixing her bike. Mackendra was very excited. She has been wanting to bike around with the other kids in our townhouse complex for quite awhile now. So, we all got up and went outside to the garage. Frank went inside and came out with her old bike. He looked really upset. He said, "Mackendra, I'm so sorry, but the tire is flat again. I thought I fixed it, but look..." and he showed her how her rusty, too-small, bicycle was still flat. She was heart-broken, but she tried to look brave and said that it was okay. Then Frank said, "Oh...wait a second...I forgot...I am so tired...I actually got you a new bike, hold on." And then he opened the garage door and sitting there was this absolutely, awesome, brand-new bike...and I swear to goodness...it had flames painted on it...and Mackendra's face was a mix of amazement, shock, extreme pleasure, and sheer happiness. It was fabulous. Parents live for that look on their kids' faces. I wish I had my camera at that moment. She spent the rest of the morning, minus taking a time-out to eat Frank's Awesome Crepes, riding around the complex. Aislinn was infected with Mackendra's joy so she pulled out her old bike and the two of the pedaled around and around.

Then Frank had to go to his softball game...what?!? I know, softball...he was invited by one of his friends who was short a player. He played two game, the kids and I went and watched the second game...as expected, after about 5 minutes of watching I was treated to a chorus of "Mom, I'm bored, this is so boring, when is this over?" The most exciting part was when Frank pulled his groin running for first base. Yah...pulled groin...at softball....you know you're old when...

After the groin pull we decided that Frank and I should go get bikes so we could join the kids on a bike ride. I found a decent bike for a really decent price. Frank's was much, much, much harder to find. So basically, he ended up with a new helmet and no bike. We can't find a bike that fits him that also fits our budget. I think we are going to hit Craigslist and the pawn shops in the coming week.

So, we came home and Mom and the girls went for a bike ride. We have a bunch of trails across the highway from us. We were out for about 2 hours. It was awesome...but that is where the title of this post has come from, because...OMG!!!! My bum is so sore! Why can't they make bike seats bigger, and cushier, and just comfortable??? This morning, Frank slapped my but, and I howled, and then I repaid him by punching him in the groin...he fell over. People...that's what being married is all about: punching your spouse exactly where you know it is going to hurt the most.

After the bike ride, Mackendra opened up the rest of her presents. Oh yah, Uncle Darren and Auntie Auria stopped by earlier in the day to wish Mackendra a happy birthday and give her a present as well. Thanks, guys! We then had a late dinner and then had some yummy ice cream cake. After that, Mom was exhausted...remember, she was up way before everyone else??? So she crawled into bed, and doesn't remember anything else...until this morning....OMG!!! My bum is even more sore now!!!! I think she will pass on the bike riding today.

So, anyways, happy birthday, Mackendra. I love you.

Mom