Another Season of Soccer....Still Loving It, but Keeping Options Open

Miss A has completed her fourth straight year of soccer; eight seasons.  She started playing when she turned five while she was in her red shirt year of preschool and has played each fall and spring since.  This year as a U8 player, she's adjusted to having an actual goalie in the box and some fierce competition on the field.  Unlike past seasons when our team went undefeated, we even lost a game or two this spring.  Of course, the biggest problem with the season this year was the WEATHER.  Seriously, I think the beginning of the season had more cancelled games than actual games.  Every Thursday and Saturday it rained (or snowed) no kidding.

Our Shock team has been together for two years, but things are about to change.  Third Grade is the beginning of Select Soccer and about half of our team is heading up to the more competitive league.  Miss A is not.  She has decided that while she loves Soccer, she also loves Basketball, Softball and wants to try Volleyball this Fall meaning select soccer is out, but recreational soccer is "in" for us.

I remember when Mr C was about 8 or 9 and playing both basketball and baseball, a coach at a summer baseball camp recommended that it was time to specialize in only one sport and play that sport all year long.  Mr C loved baseball, but he also loved basketball and golf.  He especially loved those teams that his friends were on allowing him to play and socialize at the same time.  We decided that for Mr C playing all the sports he wanted was the best decision for him and we think the same is true for Miss A.  She loves the sport and the competition, but she loves being with her friends just as much and trying new things.

For now we are going to keep on trying them all, there is plenty of time to specialize!

Where did this School Year Go? Hello Summer!

It's hard to believe that another school year has come and gone.  In fact, I still feel like it's only March or early April (the weather doesn't help my delusion) and my projects that I had planned out in September are still undone.  However, I know that weather or not I'm done with the list, the kids will be home for the summer and I want to cherish these moments with them more than anything.  I wish I had a picture of everyone on their last day this year, but sadly it was raining in the morning and the roofers were are our house bright an early to put on a new roof.  Let's just say our front porch was "unsafe" for a photo opportunity!

Mr C is now half way done with his High School career.  He will be a Junior next fall.  Be still my beating heart as I can't even imagine how quickly these last two years are going to go.  I'm so proud of the young man he is becoming that I can't wish him to stop growing up, but oh it's hard.  C really bloomed in 10th grade; trying out a new sport (tennis) and lettering in golf.  His grades are stellar and he's really giving his all in everything he does.  This summer we plan to look at at least one college prospect and are beginning the process of figuring out what's best for C's future.

Miss M is about to start her 8th Grade year and we are beginning the process of looking at her high school options.  She loved school this year and had some excellent teachers that not only taught her well, but loved her too.  Her favorite reading teacher is leaving the school, but has promised M that she will be in touch and expects to hear great things about her in the future.  This summer Miss M is trying out a few new activities; golf, volunteering with special needs kids at a camp and looking into acting in the fall.  It will be fun to watch M spread her wings a little bit and venture out of her comfort zone.

Miss A loved second grade, but is very excited about third grade as she hears the math is challenging and they get to play on the big kid playground at recess. Of course, she told me this week that she still thinks of herself as a 2nd grader and can't imagine how she could be so big as to be in 3rd grade and only two years from moving up to the Middle School.  If  you think she's amazed, you should see her mother!  Miss A continues to have fun with her friends, cause her parents and friends to giggle, and add so much joy to daily life.

All in all it was a fantastic school year full of knowledge, growth and opportunities to expand our horizons. My goal this summer is to just enjoy being with my kids spending time creating new memories, trying ouot a few new things and places, and finding time to relax and unwind from the hustle of the school year.  It's a blessing to have this opportunity to be with my kids and I intend to soak in all these moments!

Giving Back: A Girl Scout Field Trip

Our Brownie troop had just finished working on the Philanthropy Badge and wanted to put some of what we'd learned about non profits giving back and serving others into action.  We decided as a troop to expereince in person two area organizations that help families and children by offering them some supplies to fill their pantry and closets.  In addition to the girls' each bringing items to share, our troop gave each organization a portion of our Cookie Sale profits in Target Gift Cards.

The first stop on the field trip was at Teddy Bear Hollow which is a place for families and children who are dealing with the death of a loved one.  TBH exists to mend the hearts of grieving children and families through support groups, camps, and other activities.  The Brownies did a great job listening to the Director who gave them a tour, showed them a movie about the programs (which got all the mothers in the room teary), and discussed how to help friends in grief.  Miss A was thrilled when she learned that the craft supplies she brought along would be used to make Memory Photo Frames and Christmas Ornaments.

Our second stop on the Field Trip was to the Rainbow House which is a great organization that provides free accommodations for families who have a child under going care at Children's Hospital. Our family had the privilege of serving lunch there on Christmas so I was so excited to show this off to the girls. We were excited to learn that Rainbow House is in the process of building an even bigger and better "home away from home for families" as the need is so big that on the day that we toured the House, it was filled to capacity.

The girls thought the Rainbow House was such a nice place and fell in love with the idea of helping out so we signed up to bring dinner in June for the Guests.  It was a lightbulb moment for these girls to see families who are spending time away from all the things and people they know to care for a child in the hospital.  I could see their hearts begin to swell with pride thinking they might be able to help just a little bit.  What a great moment to see the girls realize that they could be difference makers!

Field Day Fun

Today was Miss A's Field Day at school and you couldn't have asked for better weather or more excited children.  After volunteering for the events for ten years straight, I finally got the easy job of passing out Popsicles and supervising the rest and bathroom break.  Guess it helps when one of your friends is in charge of the event.  I did complain however that it was a little chilly for these old fingers to stand in shade and put my hands in a cooler of ice cubes and cut open the Popsicles.  By mid morning, I might have lost feeling in my fingers; but I will take this job over some of the more challenging parts of Field Day.

Miss A had a fabulous day.  Second grade had the morning time for Field Day meaning she barely had time to sit as her desk before it was time to go out and play tug of war, jump hurdles, run around the track and eat a Popsicle.  The school also had their annual BBQ Picnic with Grilled Hamburgers and all the sides.  Of course, our Food Snob Miss A does not eat ground meat so no Hamburger for her! She's a steak person all the way.  Thankfully, I planned ahead and had packed a picnic for Miss A and my husband and I.

There is something about Field Day at the Elementary School that just makes you feel all nostaglic and realize what a rite of passage these kind of days are in life. Miss A had just a fabulous day and the smile and her face and the sound of her giggling with her friends just makes you feel joyful.

Essay Win Gets Miss M One Step Ahead on College Trail.

Miss M won a State Essay Contest and a $1000 Scholarship for an Essay on "Why I Want to Go to College." She was chosen as the 2nd Place Winner from among 1500 entries and as a result was given a College Saving Bond.  Her essay talked about her desire to go to college and become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse and how her dream can best be achieved by attending College.  

We are so proud of Miss M and were thrilled with the State Treasurer's Office called on her birthday to inform her that she was the 2nd place winner.  What a great day to find out!  

As part of the award package, she was given tickets to a nearby Minor League Baseball Game and presented with her award on the field before the first pitch.  Amazingly, the tickets for a Sunday Afternoon in May were actually on a day that we had nothing our family calendar except for poor Mr C who needed to stay home and study for finals.  

To add to the festivities, it was also Mascot Day at the Ballpark and we got autographs from some pretty cool looking mascots and were able to give out a few hugs and high fives.  Both Miss M and Miss A were laughing at the Tyson Chicken Mascot who's floppy arms made it next to impossible to sign the autograph sheet and my dear husband found it hilarious to "mock" a Mascot from an opposing High School.  The Mascot was very friendly until he read my husband's hat which was from Mr C's school!

Moments before the game started, Miss M's name was announced over the intercom system in the stadium and she was handed her award from the Treasurer.  I tried to get a great picture from the front row, but the nasty "net" was in the way.  Guess that fans who sit there probably like the net though when there is a foul ball. 

Finally, it was time to "play some ball!"  Our seats were great and we were really enjoying the game and the snacks when the heavens opened up and the rain and thunder started.  We watched while the grounds crew laid out the tarp on the field and decided maybe we should seek some shelter.  After about 40 minutes, we decided to call it a day with the promise that we'd see more baseball this summer; maybe even an afternoon of sitting on the "Burm" as a family and having a ballpark hot dog!

Congratulations Miss M on your first College Scholarship and your excellent essay.  We know that God has big plans for your future. We are so proud of you!  By the way, Miss M has already received some college recruitment letters so guess that good news travel fast!

Last Day of Bible Study: A Pinterest Project

I really can't believe how quickly this school year has flown by.  It seems like just yesterday we were starting out with new backpacks and supplies.  I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that Miss M will start her last year of Junior High in the fall, Mr C will be a HS Junior, and Miss A will be in 3rd grade.  What happened!

One of my favorite parts of the school year routine is my Mom's Bible Study group every other Friday morning. I really love these ladies.  My dream of having a group of women from our elementary school join me in a Bible study started when Mr C was in 1st Grade and it's still alive. What a refreshing way to connect with other Christian Moms and build a community within our school community.  It's been a wild ride with these women.  There have been challenges that some of these women have faced with such strong faith that I can be nothing but amazed at their courage.  Life can be hard but knowing that we are covered with prayer, grace and friendship has made some of these journeys a little easier, I hope.

I loved that as some women have had to move on or out God has given us new women to fill their shoes.  He really is amazing in that way!

Long ago we decided that our group would take the summer off from official study and just try a few Mom/Kid fun events.  So as a way to get our "game faces on" for a summer with our kids, we had our last meeting at Mimi's Cafe.  I really wanted to give the ladies a gift, but couldn't come up with something that was both meaningful and easy until I went to Pinterest.  Now I must admit I try to avoid looking at people's pins because it can cause me angst seeing all the fabulousness that some people create, make and wear! I figure if I don't know about it I can't feel the pressure to live up to the standard.

However, this time, I not only found the perfect project: Scripture Memory Cards but I was able to make them without any stress (which in May is amazing) and I loved how they turned out.  I think this could be a great gift for lots of situations and I plan on having a few on hand for those last minute gifts. The creator of the cards allows you download the page so all I needed to do was print it off, use the paper cutter to cut them out and then attach them to some fun tags and bind off with ribbon.  Perfect.

I loved our Bible Study Brunch and I'm already excited for our Fall Kickoff Party with a great new bible study planned.

Tip Toe Through The Tulips

After a wonderful morning of Church and lunch with the Family, our family of five decided to go to a local Botanical Garden to walk around in the beautiful spring weather (a rare treat) and take in their Lego Exhibit.  It was a perfect afternoon and while the flowers were not in full bloom and the crowd was large, we really enjoyed our time together in the sunshine.

We are fully in those days that you dream of when your children are toddlers and babies.  Those days that you can spend an entire afternoon "out and about" not worrying about diaper bags, nap time or sippy cups. Of course with a teenage boy in the family, we do have to fit in meal and snack time to keep him happy!  I love afternoons like this when our plans are fluid and there is no need to rush and there is time for the kids to just roam and P and I to walk together and chat.

The Lego Exhibit was amazing.  More than once I looked at something thinking it was a live plant or animal only to look closer and see it was a Lego creation.  Mr C got a kick out of the Lawn Mower and tried to convince me that he could handle mowing this way every week.  I don't recall him smiling that much with our own Toro.

While Miss M was off taking close up pictures for some postcards she's hoping to create, Miss A and I enjoyed the Lego Lilly pad and Fish.  We both admitted that there was no way we had the patience or talent to make such detailed creations out of Legos.  Miss A currently loves her Lego Friends Creations, but is thankful for the most part that the Soccer Field, Stage and Watercraft were easily assembled.

All in all, a wonderful way to spend Mother's Day with the family.