Lest We Forget

For months we had plans to spend the three day weekend in Memphis playing in the state soccer tourney. Then last Sunday we learned we didn't make it. That left us three whole days with no plans. Saturday it wasn't supposed to rain but our evening plans got rained out. Sunday we changed our plans because it was supposed to rain and then it didn't rain a drop. So I told the boys we absolutely, positively planned to leave the house on Monday. And what is more American and kicks off summer time fun more than baseball? My boys were not sold on attending a minor league baseball game - even Wes doubted the family fun day idea. I promised Wes a Jack&coke slushee, and I promised the boys cornhole and miniature golf and Dippin' Dots.

 I spent the better half of the first three innings fielding baseball questions, but I didn't have to buy miniature golf passes or slushees. The boys said it was actual fun. Of course, we left after six innings. Baseball tends to drag on and on - even for me.

 

Next on my summer family fun day list is the Chinese Lantern Festival. If a sporting event is a hard sell with my three, then I expect this to cost me a summer filled with daily ice cream stops!

Lest we forget today's true meaning. It's more than baseball, steaks on the grill, or a day off of work. I'm forever grateful to live in this great nation and for the men and women who volunteer to uphold our nation's values and beliefs!

End of School Year Celebration

The last full day of school - Evan's last day of middle school - has come and gone. We spent the morning at honor roll assemblies, 

 

 

In keeping with tradition, we started summer vacation at Dairy Queen. As a gift for making honor roll, the principal excused the boys from the last half day. 

 

It's my favorite time of the year! The first few days of summer bring no alarms, late nights, warm days, and relaxed schedules. It is everything we have waited for and wanted for months! Then today we wake up to heavy rains, temps in the 50s, an appointment to have two toenails removed, and a failed attempt at making state in soccer. To top it off, the boys are at home, and I must return to work for three more weeks! Come on, June 14th (and warm weather)! I can't wait to see you!

Last Day for Everything

Today was Evan's last Field Day. He was not pleased with the events announced for this year's races, and he told me he had no intention of running a race with pool noodles in between his legs or running in a sack. So today when I asked how it went, he told me the day was just "ok". His pictures prove otherwise.

 

He must have been doing something to get so hot, he had to do this! His math teacher sent me this picture with the caption "you're kid." I couldn't admit he has done this previously, so I replied "what in the world?" I tried to persuade her I was just as shocked, but I really wasn't. 

 

And in this picture he's with his girl, his friends, and he has a smile bigger than Texas. I think he had fun - real fun - even if the hotdogs were "fake." Aren't they all fake meat?

Keagan, on the other hand, reported it was a great day. His team won the 4-100 relay and he won first in the 50 yard dash. He even has the plastic first place medals to prove it! His shorts were stained with red mud, his face was lined with war paint, and he had dirt slung up the back of his shirt. This kid must have been running hard!

 

 

So why does he look like he's taking a mug shot? I don't even understand?!?!

He told me tonight he is rethinking that decision he made four years ago to stop running. He thinks he might need to take a season to explore track and field.

Ohh, Lightning! Please do!

Hawk Soccer

I totally regret saying last week that I didn't care if we won the championship game or not. I did care. I wanted to win. But within the first ten minutes it was obvious the opposing team was playing with a vengeance. Everything we tried went bad. We passed to them. We kicked the ball out. We missed the ball when trying to kick. We even scored for them. We lost 1-5. 

At introductions we were all smiles. That was short-lived. 

 

The highlight was Evan being named to the district all-star team.

 

  

Evan and I are so grateful for having met and played for Jandro the past four years. What a ride it has been! Keagan is determined to win the championship with Jandro next year. I am too!

Eighth Grade Dance

It was the eighth grade dance for this cute couple.

 

 

 

Olivia and Evan went with Macey and Cooper. 

 

These four are great friends and just the best kids! Two more weeks as eighth graders and then they are off to highschool. Oh, my heart!

On the Road to the Championship

Monday night was the middle school quarter finals game. We won 5-0, and Evan had a goal! It was great soccer on our part, just a bit one-sided. Evan's favorite teacher was there to cheer him on!

 

Keagan has waited three years to play for Coach Jandro. He loves my "Evs" and "Keags" and chose them for team captains and the coin toss. 

 

The semi-final game Wednesday night was a nail biter! I bet I got up, sat down, got up again a hundred times! We won in the second OT 1-0.  It was a great played game by my boys!

 

  

Monday is the championship game. I would love to win, but I'm just so proud of how hard the boys have worked to move from fourth seed to the championship game, that I'm not even worried about winning!

Go Hawks!!

Summer Camp Time

  

Another college ID soccer camp is in the books. Evan was again the youngest but just about the biggest (that's him wearing bib 162). No one believed he was in middle school. Next camp is in June. 

Craft Night

It's Friday night and we are all at home completing crafts. The end must be near. 

Keagan is completing an extra credit assignment for social studies. He is studying the Romans, so he (read I) created the outline of a mosaic that represented the Roman goddess, Aurora, goddess of the dawn.

 

My OCD self tried to cut perfect 1/2 inch squares, but after an hour, I decided a variety of shapes would be just fine. Keagan had glue on every finger and in his hair. As we were gluing, I thought we would practice his oral presentation. I asked him why he chose to create a mosaic. I was expecting him to say the Romans used mosaics as decorations in their houses and temples. Instead he said, "Pinterest."

Meanwhile, Evan (read I) was creating a "promposal" for next week's eighth grade dance. It is understood he will go with his girlfriend, but he wanted a cute way to ask her. We've been googling "promposals for her" for weeks and have never laughed so hard at some of the ideas. Giraffes anyone? We were almost desperate enough to buy a sack of cuties and write "orange you ready to go to the dance with me?" 

We went with this instead.

 

Mickey needs Minnie

Winnie needs Pooh

I want to go to the dance with you.

My invite is a bit late

I hope you didn't fear

So I know you say yes

Smile from ear to ear!

The plaque says Smile Ear to Ear.

We are back in our element tomorrow. Evan will be on the soccer fields. Keagan will be on the basketball courts.