Monday, June 20, 2022

Spring Soccer Recap

 

I can OFFICIALLY say that spring soccer is in the books - as of about sundown on the first Friday of June. 

PRAISE!!!

We reeeeeeeeally got ours moneys worth this season. 

E played because her mother thinks she needs to play a team sport. I mean then all the swim things happened so soccer got even more lower on the totem pole. E had a great team and some fun coaches so it made the season the more better. E almost scored a goal on her bday - because she was just that fortunate to have a game on the birthday. They ended up coming in second place and runners up in the tournament. 

R&M played together and I'm so glad they'll get to again in the fall. Their team was not the most talented but they were a very dedicated group. Both girls got a ton of playing time and learned how to lose with grace. One of the bottom of the barrel teams found their way into the championship game after a PK shootout the night before. It was an emotionally nerve wracking three days - especially because the season just have been over like 25 days ago. Even though they didn't get the result they wanted in the championship - definitely a reminder that sports are not just about winning and losing but also excellent character building opportunities. 

A had a fun go with his team. His age group is a tough age group to coach so I passed the buck on that. He loved every minute of practice and games. He is definitely looking forward to next season and maybe a soccer camp this summer if we can squeeze one in. 

C and the Killer Whales had a good season. C tried very hard to keep her emotions in check while on the field and was much improved from last season. C HATED when anyone else other than her scored a goal which is only a small problem. C was most excited for the season to be over but she'll be back in the fall for all the post game snacks 

The friends weren't on the same team this season but they are hopeful for the fall

Friday, June 3, 2022

The Many May Things

May is such a busy season with so many activities coming to a close but our mantra for May is embrace it rather than buck it and sometimes it means a late dinner or a meltdown or taking off from work but surely we will look back and know that our energy, time and efforts were worthy.

May kicked off bright and early with 


E prepping for FL by swimming at Jordan Lake early early the first day of May


The water was cold enough for a wetsuit so Amazon find to the rescue


It was foggy so the race was delayed 15 minutes. The pointe where the race took place was really pretty


We found her at the finish


And the infamous Kindergarten bug project commenced. 


I think the girls did butterflies and ladybugs but of course A mixed it up and went for a


ROACH! 

So we looked at pictures of roaches and made sure this roach had hairy legs (curiosity of the evergreen needles - from this project) 


Here's to crafting with boys and turning in the project a few days early


The tractor was back in the field and so we HAD to go check it out. I love that we live 3 houses down from the field and so do they


Preschool was closed for two days so we took advantage of a completely free lunch schedule and had lunch with the big school kids. Lady C introduced herself to her teacher and made herself comfortable in her future stomping ground. 


The weeknight soccer games sprinkled the first few weeks of May


Which usually meant later bedtimes and good night sleeps


H has never been the best of nappers because she's still coming to work with me so some afternoons C would play with H during rest time and you never know what big sister might have in store


Quiet afternoons at home were few and far between but they did happen sometimes


Bath time is so much easier when the baby tub is not required!


Mother's Day breakfast at preschool with a fancy dress and purple tennis shoes - of course!


The singers enjoyed the fruits of their efforts after their choir competition in Williamsburg with a trip to Busch Gardens


We rode some rides. I rode Apollo's Chariot just to prove to E and R roller coasters aren't scary - my eyes were closed basically the entire time. Fortunately we hung out with friends who were much more seasoned coaster riders (and better prepared for the chilly weather!) and watched H while R and E and me rode InvadR. 


E decided she liked roller coaster about 15 minutes before we left - after riding Lochness Monster four times in a row and twice without me - which is a terrible time to decide to be adventurous on a day where the ride line were basically none. 


After InvadR, R stuck to the swings 


And H mostly stuck to the stroller except when we rode the SkyRide. 


Lee manned the non singers soccer games and I would send him pics of what he was missing out. R did enjoy listening to the screams of people on Griffon as they hung over the edge for a few seconds before this MASSIVE drop. No Kibbes patronized Griffon : ) 


There were more soccer games


A birthday!


What one is supposed to do with a birthday bow!


Just a little trip down to FL to swim in a lake


C wrapped up her time at preschool with the program


I've found my new favorite seat for preschool programs - second section, first row. 


And all her buddies


And her BFF!


Its off to all day PreK at the big kids school next year 


Then there was the final day class celebration 


Which was the same day as SnoCones at the big kids school


We survived that week!


Friday night was the choir concert. Grammy gave the girls a rose - because well - I don't think of that kind of stuff. I am glad I called in for sitter reinforcements to manage things because Lady C had her last soccer practice and the girls had to get ready. We went out for a late skillet cookie dessert to celebrate!


Saturday was soccer games all around - end the end of the season for A and C - which we are still patiently waiting to wrap up for E and R&M


H is loving all the food these days. Her latest love is sweet potatoes


AHG and TL wrapped up and I could have sworn I had a group pic but I clearly failed in that department. E is happily aging into the Pioneer group. 


The weather was rainier that usual which meant some earlier evening home for Papa. One afternoon I went to do the swim pick up and heard something in the van as I was leaving the neighborhood. Skittles decided to come for a ride. He has since come along to the dump - I knew it that time - but I think he prefers his paws on firm ground. 


My boys plus the girl sandwiched between them live for the outdoors. J was in their 'puddling pool' which had collected rain water before I even got out of the van! Between the puddling pools and the 'crown thorns' they like to play in in the background they are forever filthy. 


I do relish in the moments of doing things with the little ones - like swinging on the swings (during bigs choir rehearsal). Having a wide family and I can get lost in the repetitiveness of the little years and just trying to maintain sanity but swinging giggles and shouts for MORE and HIGHER remind me to live in the happy moments. 


J and C walking around the lake during swim practice brought me back to A and C walking around the lake during swim practice in May of 2020 as the world was learning how to emerge from covid. I don't miss that time but I do wonder if our kids will look back on those weeks in the similar way that I can reflect on it. 


Summertime HAIRCUT!!! I think Grammy asked A if he liked he haircut and he insisted it wasn't short enough!




I promised J a haircut before he goes to the beach but I can't bear to have his toddler mop trimmed. 


The pool opened in the nick of time for heatwave we had over Memorial Day weekend. Popsicles all around!


The last week of school kicked of with rescheduled Field Day which is not a bad way to end the school year



June started with an end of school party, soccer games and a naughty little boy stealing cookies from the dessert table 

Happy Summer Y'all