It was a hit. Well, except that Aidan kicked all of our behinds on the trivia part. He may have had an unfair advantage on that one.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Nevada-opoly
Aidan was assigned a project on the state of Nevada. He could chose among several options, but he opted to do a game, Monopoly style on Nevada. He designed a board, game cards, money and even trivia questions. When it was all complete, he asked that we have a family game night to try it out.
It was a hit. Well, except that Aidan kicked all of our behinds on the trivia part. He may have had an unfair advantage on that one.
It was a hit. Well, except that Aidan kicked all of our behinds on the trivia part. He may have had an unfair advantage on that one.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Close of Basketball Season
Aidan had his last basketball game this past Wednesday night. We were all sad to see the season over and frankly, I was surprised by this feeling of sadness because the season made life a little hectic and a whole lot crazy. We were running here, there and everywhere to get to games at schools I have never even heard of before. Last Saturday, he actually had back to back games. A game at his school, a twenty minute drive, and a second game at a school. Add in Brennan having his own youth basketball game and Griffin having dance class, and well, we were up and running around for our entire day.
I think I am sad to see it end because I enjoyed watching Aidan grow this season. He grew more confident at the game and more self assured as a team mate. I was truly proud of the progress he made. I feel really grateful that we are at a school where he can be on athletic teams at a young age and play with such great kids.
During his last game, Aidan played almost the entire game. It was honestly the best I have ever seen him play. But the highlight for me, was when he fouled someone. He fouled someone! I actually cheered a small, quiet cheer and the moms sitting next to me all gasped when they saw Aidan had actually got a foul. Compared to the other kids on the team, Aidan just isn't that aggressive, but to get a foul, was a huge stride for him.
But of course, the funniest moment of the whole thing was one of the other moms starts laughing and says to me, "But look at Aidan's face! He is so appalled that he fouled someone."
And he was. He looked truly aghast and confused. It was pretty funny to see his face. I only wish I had a picture of it.
After the game was over, I went over to grab Aidan to take him home. I thanked the coach for a great season and gave Aidan a hug. The minute I hugged him, he started to cry. He just didn't want the season to be over.
My sweet boy.
It was a great experience for him.
Brennan has a few more weeks left on his basketball season. He has also been playing really well and is known for being a bit aggressive during his games. Brennan's coach has been working with him on learning to pass the ball to his team mates, instead of Brennan's normal MO which is steal the ball, dribble it down the court and go in for the shot of glory.
I talked to Brennan about passing the ball and listening to his coach about working as a team and he cocked his head and made a face. "I get they want me to pass the ball Momma, but anytime I pass the ball my teammate loses it. Why shouldn't I just keep the ball to make my basket and get the points?"
Hmmm, I had to swallow a big laugh and let Chris handle that one. Because as a known ball hog myself in my tennis matches, I sort of get Brennan. (As Chris always says to me, "you want to play doubles as a singles player." It's sort of true.)
Brennan is in a house league for our town. He is eligible, by age, to play in the house league for another year. I emailed his coach to ask if I should keep Brennan in the house league for next year. I have to admit, I wasn't surprised when the coach told me that Brennan "absolutely" should not play in this league for next year, but that he needs something with more competition. We will have to go on the hunt for another league for Brennan.
This, of course, means that next year when Griffin is eligible to play in the house basketball league, we will have three boys in three different leagues playing during the same season. I have seen the future and it looks like it is going to give me a nervous breakdown. And it is fairly likely I will be in my car on the way to a basketball game when I have that nervous breakdown.
I think I am sad to see it end because I enjoyed watching Aidan grow this season. He grew more confident at the game and more self assured as a team mate. I was truly proud of the progress he made. I feel really grateful that we are at a school where he can be on athletic teams at a young age and play with such great kids.
During his last game, Aidan played almost the entire game. It was honestly the best I have ever seen him play. But the highlight for me, was when he fouled someone. He fouled someone! I actually cheered a small, quiet cheer and the moms sitting next to me all gasped when they saw Aidan had actually got a foul. Compared to the other kids on the team, Aidan just isn't that aggressive, but to get a foul, was a huge stride for him.
But of course, the funniest moment of the whole thing was one of the other moms starts laughing and says to me, "But look at Aidan's face! He is so appalled that he fouled someone."
And he was. He looked truly aghast and confused. It was pretty funny to see his face. I only wish I had a picture of it.
After the game was over, I went over to grab Aidan to take him home. I thanked the coach for a great season and gave Aidan a hug. The minute I hugged him, he started to cry. He just didn't want the season to be over.
My sweet boy.
It was a great experience for him.
Brennan has a few more weeks left on his basketball season. He has also been playing really well and is known for being a bit aggressive during his games. Brennan's coach has been working with him on learning to pass the ball to his team mates, instead of Brennan's normal MO which is steal the ball, dribble it down the court and go in for the shot of glory.
I talked to Brennan about passing the ball and listening to his coach about working as a team and he cocked his head and made a face. "I get they want me to pass the ball Momma, but anytime I pass the ball my teammate loses it. Why shouldn't I just keep the ball to make my basket and get the points?"
Hmmm, I had to swallow a big laugh and let Chris handle that one. Because as a known ball hog myself in my tennis matches, I sort of get Brennan. (As Chris always says to me, "you want to play doubles as a singles player." It's sort of true.)
Brennan is in a house league for our town. He is eligible, by age, to play in the house league for another year. I emailed his coach to ask if I should keep Brennan in the house league for next year. I have to admit, I wasn't surprised when the coach told me that Brennan "absolutely" should not play in this league for next year, but that he needs something with more competition. We will have to go on the hunt for another league for Brennan.
This, of course, means that next year when Griffin is eligible to play in the house basketball league, we will have three boys in three different leagues playing during the same season. I have seen the future and it looks like it is going to give me a nervous breakdown. And it is fairly likely I will be in my car on the way to a basketball game when I have that nervous breakdown.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day!
Because nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like an airplane dropping bombs on a tank.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Skating!
Good friends of mine may qualify for world's coolest parents ever because they built an ice skating rink in their front yard.
An ice skating rink in their front yard! With hockey nets! My boys' eyes may have exploded right out of their heads with excitement when they discovered this rink.
They invited us over to try out the rink after school last week. Thankfully, my aunts do not throw away any athletic equipment, so we are equipped with hockey skates in about every size you can imagine. I dug through our bin of cast offs and quickly found pairs to fit each of my boys. I have to admit thought, I was a bit worried about the whole endeavor. While Aidan and Brennan had taken ice skating lessons, Griffin has never set foot on an ice rink. I wasn't sure how this would go, but I envisioned us spending some time at the ER later that night.
Aidan did great on the ice. He was quickly engaged in a pick up game of hockey with his buddy David. Brennan was quick on the ice, but he was also a force. Seriously, watching him skate takes about ten years off my life. He has no fear. He goes about a hundred miles an hour. And he falls. A lot. Hard falls that make me want to grind my teeth. (And when I saw his bruised legs later that night, I almost cried. But it doesn't bother Brennan. It never does.) Every time he falls, he gets right back off and takes off at the same speed. He has no sense of caution or starting something slowly.
Griffin was a little slower to start, but even he got going. A lot of falling and some nice falls on his butt, but he loved every second of it.
The boys didn't want to leave. I have a feeling they are going to start hinting to Chris that we need our own ice skating rink in our front yard. Good lord, help me. If that happens, Brennan may not make it to the age of nine without a body part being put in a cast.
An ice skating rink in their front yard! With hockey nets! My boys' eyes may have exploded right out of their heads with excitement when they discovered this rink.
They invited us over to try out the rink after school last week. Thankfully, my aunts do not throw away any athletic equipment, so we are equipped with hockey skates in about every size you can imagine. I dug through our bin of cast offs and quickly found pairs to fit each of my boys. I have to admit thought, I was a bit worried about the whole endeavor. While Aidan and Brennan had taken ice skating lessons, Griffin has never set foot on an ice rink. I wasn't sure how this would go, but I envisioned us spending some time at the ER later that night.
Aidan did great on the ice. He was quickly engaged in a pick up game of hockey with his buddy David. Brennan was quick on the ice, but he was also a force. Seriously, watching him skate takes about ten years off my life. He has no fear. He goes about a hundred miles an hour. And he falls. A lot. Hard falls that make me want to grind my teeth. (And when I saw his bruised legs later that night, I almost cried. But it doesn't bother Brennan. It never does.) Every time he falls, he gets right back off and takes off at the same speed. He has no sense of caution or starting something slowly.
Griffin was a little slower to start, but even he got going. A lot of falling and some nice falls on his butt, but he loved every second of it.
The boys didn't want to leave. I have a feeling they are going to start hinting to Chris that we need our own ice skating rink in our front yard. Good lord, help me. If that happens, Brennan may not make it to the age of nine without a body part being put in a cast.
Friday, February 01, 2013
Basketball, Tournament Style
Aidan is playing on his school's JV basketball team. JV is essentially a team composed of fifth and sixth graders. While Aidan has played basketball before as part of our town's youth league, there is something about being on a team with his buddies that has made it click a little more for him. He seems to be more invested in the sport this time around and that confidence is definitely showing when he plays in a game.
His team is almost finished with their season. The coach operates under an equal playing time rule, but he definitely has grouped the players according to ability. Aidan started on the C line, moved up to the B line, and then got some time playing on the A line. We were all really proud of his progress.
This week, Aidan's team will have their first game in a two week tournament that is a big deal for his school. His school is the host school and it is quite an event. Before the first tournament game, all the parents received an email from Aidan's coach letting us know that as this is a tournament, most of the teams playing will only play their most competitive players. Therefore, the coach has also decided that he will only play his most competitive players. This means that some members of Aidan's team may not play very much, if at all. The coach did not identify which players will play.
I got the email and read it to Chris. I am going to be honest, I was pretty bummed about it. I understood the coach's decision and respected it, but as a parent, I was so proud of Aidan's progress that it was hard to think of him sitting the bench for the next two weeks of games. But I know that it is important for kids to understand that if you want to play, you have to work hard and show your stuff. In life, there is no equal opportunity playing rules. You have to fight. You have to work your butt off. And you have to want it.
Before the first tournament game, I let Aidan know about the coach's email so he understood that he may not play this time around. I also told him that should he get the chance to play, he has to go all out. He has to be aggressive. He has to want the ball. He has to show the coach that he deserves to be on that court.
Most JV games begin with little or no fanfare. No music. No announcements. But as this was a tournament, the gym was filled with pre-game music as the players warmed up. Then, an announcer invited the teams to line up so they could announce each player. Aidan's team was announced first. As the players were announced one by one, I saw Aidan near the end of the line of players. Then the announcer yelled, "And Nativity's starting line up for tonight!" The music swelled. People cheered. And the announcer announced the last five players for Aidan's team.
Aidan was on the starting line up. I swear, he looked right up at me in the stands and just grinned as he ran onto the court to cheers after his name was announced. My heart felt like it could burst from the sheer joy in his face in that moment. It was his moment. And I felt so blessed to be there to share in it with him.
Aidan played the entire game. I couldn't believe it. There was a play in the game when one of the other players tried to steal the ball from him and Aidan grabbed onto that ball like his life depended upon it. His face was fierce. He wanted that ball. The mom sitting next to me commented, "Wow, look at his face!"
It was a new side to Aidan. A new aggressive fierceness.
His team lost, but only by two baskets. But after the game was over, Aidan ran over to Chris and me, sweaty and tired, but oh so happy. And of course, the first thing he asked was if I saw that moment when the other team tried to steal the ball from him, but he refused to give it up. I knew exactly what he was talking about.
I was so proud of my sweet little boy, who is learning a whole new side of himself. It's a beautiful thing to get to watch and cheer on from the sidelines.
His team is almost finished with their season. The coach operates under an equal playing time rule, but he definitely has grouped the players according to ability. Aidan started on the C line, moved up to the B line, and then got some time playing on the A line. We were all really proud of his progress.
This week, Aidan's team will have their first game in a two week tournament that is a big deal for his school. His school is the host school and it is quite an event. Before the first tournament game, all the parents received an email from Aidan's coach letting us know that as this is a tournament, most of the teams playing will only play their most competitive players. Therefore, the coach has also decided that he will only play his most competitive players. This means that some members of Aidan's team may not play very much, if at all. The coach did not identify which players will play.
I got the email and read it to Chris. I am going to be honest, I was pretty bummed about it. I understood the coach's decision and respected it, but as a parent, I was so proud of Aidan's progress that it was hard to think of him sitting the bench for the next two weeks of games. But I know that it is important for kids to understand that if you want to play, you have to work hard and show your stuff. In life, there is no equal opportunity playing rules. You have to fight. You have to work your butt off. And you have to want it.
Before the first tournament game, I let Aidan know about the coach's email so he understood that he may not play this time around. I also told him that should he get the chance to play, he has to go all out. He has to be aggressive. He has to want the ball. He has to show the coach that he deserves to be on that court.
Most JV games begin with little or no fanfare. No music. No announcements. But as this was a tournament, the gym was filled with pre-game music as the players warmed up. Then, an announcer invited the teams to line up so they could announce each player. Aidan's team was announced first. As the players were announced one by one, I saw Aidan near the end of the line of players. Then the announcer yelled, "And Nativity's starting line up for tonight!" The music swelled. People cheered. And the announcer announced the last five players for Aidan's team.
Aidan was on the starting line up. I swear, he looked right up at me in the stands and just grinned as he ran onto the court to cheers after his name was announced. My heart felt like it could burst from the sheer joy in his face in that moment. It was his moment. And I felt so blessed to be there to share in it with him.
Aidan played the entire game. I couldn't believe it. There was a play in the game when one of the other players tried to steal the ball from him and Aidan grabbed onto that ball like his life depended upon it. His face was fierce. He wanted that ball. The mom sitting next to me commented, "Wow, look at his face!"
It was a new side to Aidan. A new aggressive fierceness.
His team lost, but only by two baskets. But after the game was over, Aidan ran over to Chris and me, sweaty and tired, but oh so happy. And of course, the first thing he asked was if I saw that moment when the other team tried to steal the ball from him, but he refused to give it up. I knew exactly what he was talking about.
I was so proud of my sweet little boy, who is learning a whole new side of himself. It's a beautiful thing to get to watch and cheer on from the sidelines.
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