The All-Star softball season officially came to an end for Annie’s team yesterday. They made it to the State tournament, which was a huge accomplishment. Their two losses were to teams that qualified for the regional tournament and they were both close games. If you have to lose, you want it to be to teams like that. I’m so incredibly proud of what those girls accomplished at such a young age. I cannot WAIT to watch them over the next few years – they are going to be a force. But my favorite part of the whole season was watching the girls become a tight, bonded group. They had so much fun and will have these memories for a lifetime. I feel lucky that as a coach, I got to witness it!

Around The ‘Net

~In Their Own Words, Migrant Children Describe Horrific Conditions At Border Patrol Facilities

~‘He had won this battle’: Hundreds say goodbye to Luis Alvarez, 9/11 first responder

~USWNT’s World Cup title confirms status as greatest women’s soccer team of all time

~Revealed: the $730,000 gender pay gap in US World Cup bonuses

~The Woman Who Sneaked Into George Washington’s Army

~The Death Of The Family Secret

~1-year-old who had surgery inside womb to correct spina bifda now standing on 2 feet

~Dogs’ Eyes Have Changed Since Humans Befriended Them

~The science behind California’s two big earthquakes

~What Dropping 17,000 Wallets Around The Globe Can Teach Us About Honesty

~4 teens save 90-year-old from fire

~The Surreal End of an American College

~The brief (and bizarre) history of selfies in space

~Why you cry more on a plane (and why you can’t taste or smell much)

~See the future: Here are the world’s most innovative cities

~Sleeping pills and planes: Embarrassing tales from 35,000 feet

Jiminy Cricut

For my fortieth birthday, I crossed my fingers and asked for the Cricut Maker (thank you, Kathy & Tony!!!). I’m not a paper crafter but this machine appealed to me because it can cut fabric. I can load patterns into my computer and the machine will cut everything for me and also mark seam allowances!! I’ve used it for a few things so far (shirts and gifts for Annie’s softball team) and I’m in looooove. I haven’t felt particularly creative in a while, but this has jump-started my imagination. For you Cricut or Silhouette users, tell me what I need to know!

Pretty Things
~I got some other lovely things for my birthday, like this tank and this shirt.
~I used this colored hair styling cream this weekend on James’ and my hair, and it works GREAT and I can happily report, washes off completely!
~Prime Day is next week!!! This guide should come in handy for you bargain hunters (like me!).

Happy Sunday, everyone!