Back on the Courts

After spending the past month watching other people’s kids playing basketball, I finally got to watch my own. Today’s club jamboree is the official start to the season. He’s been playing the four, but he got to play in the one today. He drove in the paint and made 4 of his six shots. 

But that wasn’t enough to win. The opposing team had a 13 year old that could dunk, and he did. Twice. Meanwhile, our lack of height put us at a big disadvantage. We lost today, but I’m hopeful that, with hard work, wins are on the horizon. 

Louisville Tourists

Our mini-spring break get-a-away continues with tours of the local museums. We began our day at the Muhammad Ali Center. “Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee.”

Keagan got a kick out of the vintage TVs. This was an excellent museum - very informative - and very few people were there. 

I loved the innovative movie screen - set up to project on a boxing ring. 

Next stop was the Louisville Slugger Museum. I know it’s a must do, but I could have skipped it and been just fine. 

The big game is just a few hours away and downtown  Louisville is dead. I mean DEAD. Where is everyone? Asleep? In route? Hiding from the rain? The entire Perdue team could walk down the street and we would be the only ones to see them! Surely it will be a very different scene in a couple of hours. We won’t know, though, because old folks in their forties (and teen boys in the middle of growth spurts)  have to take naps to be able to stay awake past 9:30. 😂

The Ark

We can say we saw it. We can say we toured the Ark - along with thousands of other visitors on spring break. I can’t imagine doing this in the summer; the crowds are probably unmanageable. 

The most interesting point made about the animals in the exhibit was that many collected on the ark did not resemble today’s animals. Instead, they were descendents of dinosaurs. 

The attention to detail (water collection, use of moths as a food source, waste removal) was quite amazing. The living quarters were ornate considering the timeframe and the fact they were on a boat. I’m glad we made the drive to see it - even if the crowds in front of every exhibit were three rows thick.

Look at Keagan! He’s as tall as I am. However, I am not shocked considering how short his brand new pants are and the number of naps he’s taken this week.

Spring Break

The boys and I have the same spring break this year, and Wes has accumulated two whopping vacation days. Our time together as a family unit is quickly ticking away; we had to get away. So what does a sports loving family do in March?

Is there anything else? We may have been the first to enter the KFC Yum Arena.

The excitement for game day was palpable all through Louisville. We didn’t care who won game one, but what a game we got to see! The second game was exciting, too, if slow to start. I always root for the underdog, so it would have been exciting to see Oregon pull off another upset. 

Who is Zion again? After tonight, Perdue’s Cline is my favorite college basketball player! We can’t wait to see him play again on Saturday night! 

High school Soccer

We had an exciting week of soccer with three games this week. We won our district games and keep an undefeated district record. Evan sat out of Friday’s exciting rival game with a dislocated knee cap, but with lots of ice and rest, we are hopeful he will have a full recovery. He will have a week off for spring break and should be ready to play in April. Here are a few shots from Tuesday’s game.

Personal Training Session

Keagan’s basketball teammates are on spring break this week; (we don’t have spring break until next week). Coach wanted to get the boys that were in town together for some training and a light shoot around. Keagan was the only player to show up. For two hours, he trained with his coach individually. 

He loved it!

He wanted to know if he could do this every week. I had to remind him basketball is a TEAM sport. 

Craft Day

My girlfriends and I made some cute Easter signs this weekend. The boys always think I buy these in the store, so I have to show pics to prove I did all of the work. Today I had paint all over my hands for further proof! 

I ended the night at First Tennessee Park watching the local pro team play soccer. As we were leaving, a drunk man stumbled into Evan after missing a step or two in the parking garage. Evan was like, “Dude!” We we’re both afraid he was about to yak on Evan; it was clear he already had with spittle hanging on the bottom of his chin. We laughed all the way to the car, but I’m pretty sure my 16 year old would have made sure this grown man’s St Patrick’s Day was a memorable one if he had. 

It was a great day filled with some of my favorite people! 

School Soccer

 Here we are back at it with high-school soccer - all 43 boys. (It’s just slightly obnoxious that nobody got cut.) The first preseason game was an easy one. We were playing a team that rostered eighth graders; Evan scored a goal in the JV game playing attacking mid. I missed it, though, because the mudslide still has the interstate closed and you can’t drive any where quickly any more. The second preseason game was also a win - against the defending state champions. If it ever stops raining, we might get to play again. 

New Start

Keagan practiced this week with his new AAU team. We are back on the road driving an hour and some change just south of Nashville three times a week. Nobody cusses at the coach or has had to be restrained for violent tendencies. Nobody has recently been released from prison. Wednesday night I parked next to a parent driving a Lexus. The school gym we use is part of a private elementary school that charges upward $45K a year in tuition. Suffice it to say, compared to years past, this has been a very different experience for us. 

Wednesday night Keagan told me I wasn’t going to fit in with these moms. “These moms came prissin’ in the gym with their little boots, scarves, and blush wavin’ fans and complaining of how hot it was in the gym.” I wasn’t sure how to take this. I had on booties and wore make-up. So I asked, “Who do I fit in with then?” 

“Well certainly not with anyone too prissy. I can see you tellin’ them to get over the heat -it’s a gym. It’s going to be real fun watching you with them this year.”

I’m on a mission. I’m making friends with every prissy mama. 

All Star Game

It was Red vs Blue at today’s all Star Game, and Red came out on top 95-91. 

Introductions:

Keagan’s basket: 

https://youtu.be/_DSKbw1-JL0

Keagan’s blocked drive:

https://youtu.be/K9U4oS8derU

This picture was taken by the local newspaper. His cheering squad - his teacher, coach, and his parents - are all in the background. 

It wasn’t number 14’s best game. He only got to play the point in two possessions and he was lost playing shooting guard. He was ready to leave as soon as it was over, and he was ready to redeem himself at AAU practice. 

As part of the program, players invite an influential teacher to attend and the teachers are recognized at half time. Keagan chose Mrs. Robards, his seventh grade math teacher. She supported our losing and winning seasons and attended home and away games. She also happens to be our neighbor. She’s one of the best!