Chris' appointment was kind of lengthy today. I ended up having to leave to go home and make supper for the boys. The Dr. did a lot of testing and an x-ray or two. The tests showed he has no asthma, nor did the x-ray show anything. The Dr. said he could do a chest CT. Chris asked him if it would be worth it to be exposed to 2 1/2 years worth of radiation from one procedure and if he would recommend it. Doc said he wouldn't, but would do the CT to "make Chris feel better" (obviously he meant mentally feel better). His explanation for the "feeling" of congestion to only be on one side could be this: sometimes when you have a cold, the lung cavity? tissue? something! can be "fused" (that's my word to make it understandable) to the inside of the ribs, thus making them not be able to expand completely. This would go back to October when Chris first got the nasty cold and the symptoms showed up. So, the recommendation is to just wait and see if it gets worse. Not quite what we were looking for, but nothing bad either. I wonder if they could see anything with an ultrasound. . .
Chris got home in time to change clothes, grab a quick bite to eat and then head out to Brayton's game. His game and Taite's were at different schools tonight and the times slightly overlapped so we had to drive separately and the roads were S-L-I-P-P-E-R-Y! It was raining when Taite and I left home and the temp was 29 and dropping. We didn't see any accidents, but everyone was driving very cautiously. Bray's game was a killer. The other team is the best of two other teams. So disappointing. At least the other coaches backed off at 1/2 time and had their kids work on running their offensive plays and defense WITHOUT stealing the ball and making the fast break. Bray got very upset during the game and had to sit the bench to regain his composure when the ref thought he'd said a bad word when wrestling for the ball. He obviously wasn't wrestling by himself, so we aren't sure how that ref would know WHO said it, but Bray said he didn't say a thing. In fact, I've never seen Brayton say anything out on the court. Oh well.
Chris had to leave Bray's game a little early to get Taite to the other school for his game, which we knew would be a much easier game. That game was an easy win, especially since the other teams top two players were benched for some reason. We know since Taite's new friend, Nick, his mom works at the school that we played tonight, so we get the inside scoop. Taite's new found love is blocking shots and he's gotten quite good at it! He got called once for a foul on the arm, but otherwise, he probably had 5-6 blocked shots. This excites both him and his dad since Chris said that's exactly how he played ~ with that intensity.
I have to say that tonight when Brayton casually mentioned that his friend, Keaton (brother to Tanner ~ Taite's friend, and grandson to Joan & Barry ~ our neighbors) told him today that he's glad the 4th grade basketball players are split up onto 'A' and 'B' teams because he likes winning all their games (despite having lost all the games they played in the tournament last weekend). I can't tell you how angry and disappointed this makes me. I'm sure it was brought up by Keat because Chris had asked (really in his head, was begging) Keaton's step-dad to allow Keat to play in a tournament one time with some of the 'B' team players just so they could have a ball-handler and MAYBE could win a game. We've asked this same thing before of his parents and got the same reaction along with the statement "well, once you are labeled a 'B' team player. . . ." (I probably don't have to tell you that both of their boys are on the 'A' teams. And with that, I'll try to go fall asleep with tears in my eyes. :*-/
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I have a secret......
After I had thought about the title of this post, it occurred to me that we (in our house) have more than one secret. Well, maybe some may not qualify as an actual secret and no, we are NOT expecting. :~)
I'll start with the easy one and if you've spoken to either Chris or I, you've probably already figured it out. We are really looking forward to the basketball season being over. Coaching has lost it's fun except to see the improvement for those who really want to improve and let me tell you, those numbers are very, very low. Brayton has the drive, so he constantly has a ball in his hand. Dribbling, ball handling, shooting and he takes it all very seriously. So much so that he still has confidence that his team can beat the Honey Badgers tonight, despite the 4th grade 'A' team losing to this very same team last weekend. His comment? "That doesn't matter, mom! We just have to play harder." So proud of his attitude, which he has also been working on this past season. It's truly amazing the turn-around he's had with his attitude and you know what? All we had to do was demand, as his parents, that he "fix" it. No more pouting, whining, crying, etc. And he did! I'm sorry to be going down another road, but that just brought up another thought for this blog, but I'll go back to it later. Taite, on the other hand, has never had a bad attitude and has also improved immensely. He is aggressive under the basket and usually ends up on the floor at some point during the game. (I guess Bray does too for that matter ~ there is always one dad who comes up after Bray's games and comments about him being on the floor and he LOVES that he's so into the game. . . . I only pray every time he went down that he didn't hurt his wrist during his fall). The only difference is that Taite will usually pick up a game controller or his Fire before he would be working with a basketball. We are already planning on working on just skills this summer with both of them and that is a lot less stress than dealing with kids calling Chris a "mean coach", lying to his face or staring at him with a blank stare right before he has to sub them in during a game. . .
The main reason for this post is to ask for a prayer. I'm sure we are not needing it, but then there is the little niggle of doubt. Chris has been taking Albuterol so he can breathe when he plays basketball and sometimes even just to breathe. That's not so unusual, but he said it's only on his right side. It could be asthma, but why only on the right side? I've been dismissing this whenever he talks about it and he finally made an appt with a lung Dr (not sure what they are called) and that appt is today at 3, but Chris is worried. I know, this isn't new, but he's worried because he isn't too much younger than his mom was when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. That's his fear. That's why he thinks it's only on the right side of his lungs. That's why I'm going with him today. For support and to say "I told you it was nothing", just praying that I will be able to throw that out at him. . .
This reminds me of my new favorite quote:
(I can't remember all of it or who said it, but this is the gist of it)
The reason we struggle with insecurities is because we are comparing our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel. So all might seem great and fine on the outside...
Back to that other thought I wanted to share with you from above. The other day I was discussing with another mom how most kids (it seems) have not been told the word "no" ~ I happen to be able to list a few families/kids who are not..... Anyway, this other mom said "Parents don't want to parent" ~ OMG, total light-bulb moment! YES, that is what it is!!!! Saying the word "no" to your kids would force those to parent and not be an adult friend to their kids! I honestly cringe when I think about what these kids will be like as adults. Seriously. I could go on & on about this one, but I won't. I just wanted to share her insight with you and how fabulously it described what is happening all around us. :~)
I'll start with the easy one and if you've spoken to either Chris or I, you've probably already figured it out. We are really looking forward to the basketball season being over. Coaching has lost it's fun except to see the improvement for those who really want to improve and let me tell you, those numbers are very, very low. Brayton has the drive, so he constantly has a ball in his hand. Dribbling, ball handling, shooting and he takes it all very seriously. So much so that he still has confidence that his team can beat the Honey Badgers tonight, despite the 4th grade 'A' team losing to this very same team last weekend. His comment? "That doesn't matter, mom! We just have to play harder." So proud of his attitude, which he has also been working on this past season. It's truly amazing the turn-around he's had with his attitude and you know what? All we had to do was demand, as his parents, that he "fix" it. No more pouting, whining, crying, etc. And he did! I'm sorry to be going down another road, but that just brought up another thought for this blog, but I'll go back to it later. Taite, on the other hand, has never had a bad attitude and has also improved immensely. He is aggressive under the basket and usually ends up on the floor at some point during the game. (I guess Bray does too for that matter ~ there is always one dad who comes up after Bray's games and comments about him being on the floor and he LOVES that he's so into the game. . . . I only pray every time he went down that he didn't hurt his wrist during his fall). The only difference is that Taite will usually pick up a game controller or his Fire before he would be working with a basketball. We are already planning on working on just skills this summer with both of them and that is a lot less stress than dealing with kids calling Chris a "mean coach", lying to his face or staring at him with a blank stare right before he has to sub them in during a game. . .
The main reason for this post is to ask for a prayer. I'm sure we are not needing it, but then there is the little niggle of doubt. Chris has been taking Albuterol so he can breathe when he plays basketball and sometimes even just to breathe. That's not so unusual, but he said it's only on his right side. It could be asthma, but why only on the right side? I've been dismissing this whenever he talks about it and he finally made an appt with a lung Dr (not sure what they are called) and that appt is today at 3, but Chris is worried. I know, this isn't new, but he's worried because he isn't too much younger than his mom was when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. That's his fear. That's why he thinks it's only on the right side of his lungs. That's why I'm going with him today. For support and to say "I told you it was nothing", just praying that I will be able to throw that out at him. . .
This reminds me of my new favorite quote:
(I can't remember all of it or who said it, but this is the gist of it)
The reason we struggle with insecurities is because we are comparing our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel. So all might seem great and fine on the outside...
Back to that other thought I wanted to share with you from above. The other day I was discussing with another mom how most kids (it seems) have not been told the word "no" ~ I happen to be able to list a few families/kids who are not..... Anyway, this other mom said "Parents don't want to parent" ~ OMG, total light-bulb moment! YES, that is what it is!!!! Saying the word "no" to your kids would force those to parent and not be an adult friend to their kids! I honestly cringe when I think about what these kids will be like as adults. Seriously. I could go on & on about this one, but I won't. I just wanted to share her insight with you and how fabulously it described what is happening all around us. :~)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Make-up post
Hi! I apologize for my lengthy, boring post last time. Here is my make-up post:
Since it is still BB season, we are usually attending something related to that. Be it practice or games and the only days we are guaranteed NOT to be are Wednesday and Sunday. I truly enjoy it though because the boys are coming along very nicely in their playing and it's the perfect social time for me. Lots of great friends that I get to sit with and chat away! It will be weird next year going to games and for Taite's games having Chris sit on the "other" side of the gym with the other parents :~) I think he'll like it!
Okay and I just have a little tip for you that I'm soooo excited about!
Last time I was scheduled to get a haircut, I cancelled my previously scheduled cut at the regular place and went to see a friend (yes, I'd already call her a friend) who is now my new stylist. She talked me out of a cut because my hair was healthy and did a color only (she did NOT want to take my money when it wasn't really necessary!). When I was rinsing out the color and after the conditioner, she told me "You don't have to rinse the conditioner out completely". Yes, that's it. That's the tip. I had thought you had to rinse all the conditioner out to the point that sometimes my hair didn't feel like I had even used any and I hated that feeling. Not rinsing it all out I compare to having leave-in conditioner in. I still use a little of that but only because my routine after getting out of the shower is to blow dry all my hair to style it. I don't use any other tools but a dryer and brush, which I had also been trying to avoid on my hair, but honestly, it's been almost 2 weeks since I've seen Stef and my hair feels healthier than it ever has! Seriously! I'm thrilled it's so healthy since Stef also said instead of cutting my hair shorter (to which she is partial), she said "Let's fight through this stage and grow another 3-4 inches". So excited to have long hair again. It won't be anywhere near the length it was all through high school, but longer than it has been since my freshman year of college when I cut it all off (into a bad haircut, I might add!) :~) Have a happy hair day!
There, that's it. . . short and sweet!
Since it is still BB season, we are usually attending something related to that. Be it practice or games and the only days we are guaranteed NOT to be are Wednesday and Sunday. I truly enjoy it though because the boys are coming along very nicely in their playing and it's the perfect social time for me. Lots of great friends that I get to sit with and chat away! It will be weird next year going to games and for Taite's games having Chris sit on the "other" side of the gym with the other parents :~) I think he'll like it!
Okay and I just have a little tip for you that I'm soooo excited about!
Last time I was scheduled to get a haircut, I cancelled my previously scheduled cut at the regular place and went to see a friend (yes, I'd already call her a friend) who is now my new stylist. She talked me out of a cut because my hair was healthy and did a color only (she did NOT want to take my money when it wasn't really necessary!). When I was rinsing out the color and after the conditioner, she told me "You don't have to rinse the conditioner out completely". Yes, that's it. That's the tip. I had thought you had to rinse all the conditioner out to the point that sometimes my hair didn't feel like I had even used any and I hated that feeling. Not rinsing it all out I compare to having leave-in conditioner in. I still use a little of that but only because my routine after getting out of the shower is to blow dry all my hair to style it. I don't use any other tools but a dryer and brush, which I had also been trying to avoid on my hair, but honestly, it's been almost 2 weeks since I've seen Stef and my hair feels healthier than it ever has! Seriously! I'm thrilled it's so healthy since Stef also said instead of cutting my hair shorter (to which she is partial), she said "Let's fight through this stage and grow another 3-4 inches". So excited to have long hair again. It won't be anywhere near the length it was all through high school, but longer than it has been since my freshman year of college when I cut it all off (into a bad haircut, I might add!) :~) Have a happy hair day!
There, that's it. . . short and sweet!
Monday, January 9, 2012
I did something today that I don't normally do. When asked the question 'would I like help out with my things', I said 'yes'. It was at Staples and I'd bought 2 reams of paper (they were on sale) and in order to get the to the van, I needed to use the cart. From previous experience, I knew how difficult it would be to get the cases of paper OUT of the cart, so instead of my usual "no, I can handle it", I said yes. The world didn't quiver a little, the clerk didn't scoff at me, nothing dramatic happened. Hmm, maybe being so independent with everything isn't so important. I might have to try accepting offers of help more often. Too bad no offers come when it's time to clean the bathrooms. . .
Last week I saw a posting on FB and it referenced the first weekend after the holiday season. It sounded so good, yet we had a very busy day planned for Saturday and it was as busy, if not more, than scheduled. Saturday was the day the boys both were in a basketball tournament at Dakota Valley (where they go to school) with each team guaranteed 3 games and Chris coaches both boys' teams. You guessed it, very, very busy day, but I digress. . . You see, on Friday, I had grandiose plans to accomplish a lot of cooking of food, cleaning and grocery shopping to do (I literally have been meaning to get a full list of groceries bought for like a week, I swear!). Well mid-way through the day, Chris added jeans shopping for him to the list. This cancelled out any grocery shopping I thought I'd get done and that slowed some of the cooking wayyyy down. Basically on Friday I made wild rice in the crock pot (to freeze for later use) and mixed up bread (I had to put it in the fridge for baking at a later time).
Friday night we had dinner with 3 other couples. It was a very good time and when we were asked to one of the couples' house after dinner, we couldn't say 'no'. So, I didn't get to bed until 11:50 pm ~ not what I was hoping for to start our busy Saturday = little sleep.
Chris was up at 6 on Saturday ~ also not what I was expecting. But, when he doesn't sleep well, it's usually an early morning. Bray's first game was at 9. Chris and Bray were at the school by 8 and I barely got the bread made into rolls, cookies baked (they were having a bake sale since the BB tourney was at Dakota Valley), showered & ready for the day, started the clam chowder and drove to the school before 9 (in fact, it was like exactly 9 when I walked in the door).
Game 1 was a close one, but Bray's team ended up losing by 5, if I remember correctly. Immediately after the game was done, I was out the door again. I was going to finish the clam chowder only to realize that I still hadn't made it to the grocery store and didn't have butter to finish it up. I guess it will have to wait. Then I thought I need to package up the cookies to take to the bake sale. What?! No sandwich bags? Add that to the list. I cleaned up the kitchen instead and zipped over to the store before getting back to the school for the next game which was at 11 (yes, I only had 1 hour in-between games).
Game 2 was another loss, but it was more like 8 or 9 points they lost by. This loss was to a team that they'd played 2 times already this year and beat both times. After the game, Chris was talking to the coach and he said his 3 "worst" players (coaches' words, not mine) were not there on Saturday, so he didn't have to rotate them in during the game. One nice thing was that he told Bray that they had him so closely defended because in the previous games, he scored about 10 points each and they weren't going to let that happen again. This time at home, I scarfed down some leftovers for lunch, packaged up the cookies, finished the clam chowder and shuffled some crock pot food around so I could have it cooking when I was gone. As I was finishing up, Chris called me. He wanted to let me know that the 3rd game was at another school and to let me know that he was approached by a crying mother because her son didn't get enough playing time. Chris was so upset, he was going to give the other team the 3rd game. He was very aware that her son and a couple other boys didn't get as much playing time, but it was in a tournament and he had reasons:
1. The first games win or loss determined if you were in the "winner's" bracket or the "loser's" bracket of the tourney. They ended up being in the "loser's" side.
2. The 2nd game was against a team they'd beaten before so he was sure they could do it again.
3. If they lost the 2nd game, they would be playing for 7th or 8th place in the tournament against the only 3rd grade team that signed up in the 4th grade bracket.
Those boys got all the playing time they wanted in that 3rd game and the others who were sitting the bench repeatedly asked why they didn't get to play yet. Chris explained that they were evening up playing time to those on the bench, but he was biting his cheek the whole time. Brayton didn't play until the 3rd period and he was only in a few minutes when the one kid elbowed (yes, threw an elbow as Bray went up to the basket with the ball) into his right temple. Bray had visible pinpoint spots from where the kid's elbow hit, but the ref didn't call anything and he never stopped the game either so Bray could leave. . . I wasn't happy. Anyway, they won the final game and I don't have a clue what the score was. I was still upset by the complaint from a parent. It wasn't that she complained, it was that no one wants to volunteer for a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g! For every game during the week in the league they play in, we have to have one parent run the clock or the score board. Not both, just one because the other team will get a volunteer to do the other job. Chris has the worst time getting volunteers. It's not that the parents aren't there, they are, they just refuse to help. Nor does Chris have an assistant coach or anyone sitting the bench. I didn't understand how important this is until he was trying to coach one time while cleaning up spilled Gatorade from one of the players and subbing in new players. I guess I could sit the bench since I don't normally get to chat with friends anyway. After the tournament, we found out that the organization that provides the sports opportunity for our boys said the 4th grade parents are the WORST for volunteering! Great. I think it's part of our duty as parents, but apparently, everyone else thinks the money you pay for organized sports gets you out of volunteering. I wonder if they are that lazy at work. . .
I digress (sorry about the last paragraph!), after the 3rd game, I was NOT going home ~ yea. hehe Bray and I drove to the other school again to prepare for Taite's first game (yep, we are only 1/2 way through the tournament at this point). Taite's first game was against a "stacked" team. The school has 2 6th grade teams and they combined those teams to take the top 8 or 10 to play in this tournament. We were nervous, but the guy who organized the whole tournament said we would compete nicely against the West team. They did win the 1st game and I don't even know what the score was (by this point, I'm kind of getting tired). I did go home after this game because I needed to stir the soups I had in the crock pots (one was bean/ham that I made on Friday, but it wasn't very good and the other was the clam chowder). The soups were both hot, so I packaged up the crocks, bread and cookies (I had still forgotten to take these to the bake sale and by this time I could see they had plenty to sell, so I planned on keeping the cookies) because another idea I had was to have supper with the Poulsen's at their house and I'd bring the food.
You may have to click on this one to see what is so funny, but Chris' face is hilarious! I have no idea what he was looking at, but I'm finding that one of my favorite things with my new camera is capturing things like this :~)
This is a reason Chris likes the new camera. Terrible free throw form, right here. . .
In this picture I was like WTHeck. . . why would Taite just be standing there?! Then it occurred to me, he's not being polite or prim/proper, he's setting a screen. LOL
The 2nd game for Taite's team was against another local team that they had lost to last year by 3 points. The team last year was not as good as this one (I didn't think, but I could be wrong) and so I had confidence. Well, what I had in confidence, the boys lost in energy. Holy crap they were slow and flat! They were behind by 11 at one point in the game, but came back. At the end of the 3rd period, I bought Taite a Coke (not diet) just to give him some caffeine and sugar! Man, that kid needed something! Then guess what. . . . yes! He spilled it! UGH, so the only thing I could find in his bag to clean it up was a dirty sock. Not a good idea. Anyway, they ended up losing this game by 1. Taite's friend Zack made a bucket with 1.3 seconds left in the game, but it didn't count because he travelled before he took the shot. It was a tough loss.
In between games 2 & 3, was my time to volunteer at the concession stand. I ended up handling the money and Bray & 2 friends were my "helpers". One just stood near the table and tried to boss and the other was working on his manners. "Have a nice day, ma'am", "Have a nice day, sir" were just some of the greetings. He is really a card and it made the time very enjoyable. I really wish I'd have known when I was in college how much I enjoy kids.
Game 3 started a few minutes early and it was a team that we had beaten before a couple times, so we kind of knew the outcome. They won. Easily. We should've been in the other gym playing for 1st or 2nd. This is a picture of the 3rd place team coached by Chris:
Last week I saw a posting on FB and it referenced the first weekend after the holiday season. It sounded so good, yet we had a very busy day planned for Saturday and it was as busy, if not more, than scheduled. Saturday was the day the boys both were in a basketball tournament at Dakota Valley (where they go to school) with each team guaranteed 3 games and Chris coaches both boys' teams. You guessed it, very, very busy day, but I digress. . . You see, on Friday, I had grandiose plans to accomplish a lot of cooking of food, cleaning and grocery shopping to do (I literally have been meaning to get a full list of groceries bought for like a week, I swear!). Well mid-way through the day, Chris added jeans shopping for him to the list. This cancelled out any grocery shopping I thought I'd get done and that slowed some of the cooking wayyyy down. Basically on Friday I made wild rice in the crock pot (to freeze for later use) and mixed up bread (I had to put it in the fridge for baking at a later time).
Friday night we had dinner with 3 other couples. It was a very good time and when we were asked to one of the couples' house after dinner, we couldn't say 'no'. So, I didn't get to bed until 11:50 pm ~ not what I was hoping for to start our busy Saturday = little sleep.
Chris was up at 6 on Saturday ~ also not what I was expecting. But, when he doesn't sleep well, it's usually an early morning. Bray's first game was at 9. Chris and Bray were at the school by 8 and I barely got the bread made into rolls, cookies baked (they were having a bake sale since the BB tourney was at Dakota Valley), showered & ready for the day, started the clam chowder and drove to the school before 9 (in fact, it was like exactly 9 when I walked in the door).
Game 1 was a close one, but Bray's team ended up losing by 5, if I remember correctly. Immediately after the game was done, I was out the door again. I was going to finish the clam chowder only to realize that I still hadn't made it to the grocery store and didn't have butter to finish it up. I guess it will have to wait. Then I thought I need to package up the cookies to take to the bake sale. What?! No sandwich bags? Add that to the list. I cleaned up the kitchen instead and zipped over to the store before getting back to the school for the next game which was at 11 (yes, I only had 1 hour in-between games).
Game 2 was another loss, but it was more like 8 or 9 points they lost by. This loss was to a team that they'd played 2 times already this year and beat both times. After the game, Chris was talking to the coach and he said his 3 "worst" players (coaches' words, not mine) were not there on Saturday, so he didn't have to rotate them in during the game. One nice thing was that he told Bray that they had him so closely defended because in the previous games, he scored about 10 points each and they weren't going to let that happen again. This time at home, I scarfed down some leftovers for lunch, packaged up the cookies, finished the clam chowder and shuffled some crock pot food around so I could have it cooking when I was gone. As I was finishing up, Chris called me. He wanted to let me know that the 3rd game was at another school and to let me know that he was approached by a crying mother because her son didn't get enough playing time. Chris was so upset, he was going to give the other team the 3rd game. He was very aware that her son and a couple other boys didn't get as much playing time, but it was in a tournament and he had reasons:
1. The first games win or loss determined if you were in the "winner's" bracket or the "loser's" bracket of the tourney. They ended up being in the "loser's" side.
2. The 2nd game was against a team they'd beaten before so he was sure they could do it again.
3. If they lost the 2nd game, they would be playing for 7th or 8th place in the tournament against the only 3rd grade team that signed up in the 4th grade bracket.
Those boys got all the playing time they wanted in that 3rd game and the others who were sitting the bench repeatedly asked why they didn't get to play yet. Chris explained that they were evening up playing time to those on the bench, but he was biting his cheek the whole time. Brayton didn't play until the 3rd period and he was only in a few minutes when the one kid elbowed (yes, threw an elbow as Bray went up to the basket with the ball) into his right temple. Bray had visible pinpoint spots from where the kid's elbow hit, but the ref didn't call anything and he never stopped the game either so Bray could leave. . . I wasn't happy. Anyway, they won the final game and I don't have a clue what the score was. I was still upset by the complaint from a parent. It wasn't that she complained, it was that no one wants to volunteer for a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g! For every game during the week in the league they play in, we have to have one parent run the clock or the score board. Not both, just one because the other team will get a volunteer to do the other job. Chris has the worst time getting volunteers. It's not that the parents aren't there, they are, they just refuse to help. Nor does Chris have an assistant coach or anyone sitting the bench. I didn't understand how important this is until he was trying to coach one time while cleaning up spilled Gatorade from one of the players and subbing in new players. I guess I could sit the bench since I don't normally get to chat with friends anyway. After the tournament, we found out that the organization that provides the sports opportunity for our boys said the 4th grade parents are the WORST for volunteering! Great. I think it's part of our duty as parents, but apparently, everyone else thinks the money you pay for organized sports gets you out of volunteering. I wonder if they are that lazy at work. . .
I digress (sorry about the last paragraph!), after the 3rd game, I was NOT going home ~ yea. hehe Bray and I drove to the other school again to prepare for Taite's first game (yep, we are only 1/2 way through the tournament at this point). Taite's first game was against a "stacked" team. The school has 2 6th grade teams and they combined those teams to take the top 8 or 10 to play in this tournament. We were nervous, but the guy who organized the whole tournament said we would compete nicely against the West team. They did win the 1st game and I don't even know what the score was (by this point, I'm kind of getting tired). I did go home after this game because I needed to stir the soups I had in the crock pots (one was bean/ham that I made on Friday, but it wasn't very good and the other was the clam chowder). The soups were both hot, so I packaged up the crocks, bread and cookies (I had still forgotten to take these to the bake sale and by this time I could see they had plenty to sell, so I planned on keeping the cookies) because another idea I had was to have supper with the Poulsen's at their house and I'd bring the food.
You may have to click on this one to see what is so funny, but Chris' face is hilarious! I have no idea what he was looking at, but I'm finding that one of my favorite things with my new camera is capturing things like this :~)
The 2nd game for Taite's team was against another local team that they had lost to last year by 3 points. The team last year was not as good as this one (I didn't think, but I could be wrong) and so I had confidence. Well, what I had in confidence, the boys lost in energy. Holy crap they were slow and flat! They were behind by 11 at one point in the game, but came back. At the end of the 3rd period, I bought Taite a Coke (not diet) just to give him some caffeine and sugar! Man, that kid needed something! Then guess what. . . . yes! He spilled it! UGH, so the only thing I could find in his bag to clean it up was a dirty sock. Not a good idea. Anyway, they ended up losing this game by 1. Taite's friend Zack made a bucket with 1.3 seconds left in the game, but it didn't count because he travelled before he took the shot. It was a tough loss.
In between games 2 & 3, was my time to volunteer at the concession stand. I ended up handling the money and Bray & 2 friends were my "helpers". One just stood near the table and tried to boss and the other was working on his manners. "Have a nice day, ma'am", "Have a nice day, sir" were just some of the greetings. He is really a card and it made the time very enjoyable. I really wish I'd have known when I was in college how much I enjoy kids.
Game 3 started a few minutes early and it was a team that we had beaten before a couple times, so we kind of knew the outcome. They won. Easily. We should've been in the other gym playing for 1st or 2nd. This is a picture of the 3rd place team coached by Chris:
Today an email was sent out asking for any feedback on the tournament from Saturday. It's a link to click on and you leave your comments anonymously. This comment was forwarded to Chris by the tournament coordinator:
This
is a great program, but it's all about the coach. Heinz is probably the best
coach our son has had (plays BB, FB and Baseball). He has also had some great coaching
in PP FB, but our other son has had some really negative coaching in PP FB this
last season, but great in past seasons. The coach makes all the difference.
They MUST be positive with kids or they learn to dislike playing the game,
teach the kids, demand good sportsmanship and treat all fairly. Good refs make
a huge difference too. Glad you hired refs for the tournament; consistent calls
are critical or kids don't understand/learn. Our son would benefit from more
tournaments and games, but it would be really tough for us as a family to do
more. Might (?) help B team if they could practice w/ A team occasionally.
Chris' first reaction was to think that I had left the comment, but then he said I'm usually the one heckling the refs, so he ruled me out. It's nice to receive comments like this because it doesn't hurt to hear positive feedback once in awhile. Except, tonight Chris said one of the parents from the 6th 'A' team sent him an email that said he'd heard Chris was doing a great job with the 6th grade 'B' team and to keep up the good work! Wow ~ such kind words when he really needed them! Unless you are undefeated, I don't know when a coach would feel he's doing a great job so it's nice to hear kind words from others.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year! (and Happy Birthday to my mom!)
Well, I almost did it again. Despite being a new year and me trying to do better, I almost logged into my blog and read the updates from the other blogs and then left. But, I didn't, so that's progress right?
See, here is the thought process. . .
"Oh, Monica updated some pictures of her new frames on Read My Walls". (I love those frames!)
"Oohh, Today's Fabulous Finds I haven't read in awhile. . .
(insert any amount of time here to read the other blogs)
"I can't post anyway since I don't have any pictures to add.
I don't have pictures because I didn't download the software to have my camera transfer photos through wi-fi.
Am I really sure that my camera can really do that? (no)
Upfh, I suppose, I should type something even though I don't have pictures to share because I DID come up with my resolution today!"
So, here we are. You thinking I'm a looney-tune and me completing something on my to-do list! I had a few things on that list today and I got some done, but figuring out my resolution was NOT on my list and I figured it out anyway! SCORE!
Are you ready for it?
I am going to get better at not doing the things for my children that they should be doing! Yeah, I know, that doesn't sound so much like a resolution for me as it is for my kids, but that's not the case! I swear! I don't want to be, but I am usually the kind that will just "do it" instead of calling the boys back to clean up after themselves. I don't like to make them have to do chores since it cuts into the short amount of time they'll have to play with their friends. I know, it's terrible! But today was different and I've spelled it out to the boys (well, explained that they needed to pick their own rooms up AND vacuum them), but I really do need a scheduled chore chart. I wouldn't mind if they had to alternate cleaning their bathroom and the one downstairs along with vacuuming downstairs too. This would certainly take some pressure off of me. Today went well, but they didn't have school and no friends were in the neighborhood to challenge my time for the boys. I don't know. We'll see if it works and now that I've shared it with you, I have to follow through, right??!!
I'm happy to have survived the holidays and just have one more thing to get done before too much time passes ~ send New Years cards. They won't be Christmas cards for the simple reason that I didn't get them done in time and New Year's cards sounds like a fun idea! They'll have a belated Christmas wish on them (we didn't turn aethiest!), but I won't feel so guilty for not having them done before December 25th (or so it would seem in theory). hehe
See, here is the thought process. . .
"Oh, Monica updated some pictures of her new frames on Read My Walls". (I love those frames!)
"Oohh, Today's Fabulous Finds I haven't read in awhile. . .
(insert any amount of time here to read the other blogs)
"I can't post anyway since I don't have any pictures to add.
I don't have pictures because I didn't download the software to have my camera transfer photos through wi-fi.
Am I really sure that my camera can really do that? (no)
Upfh, I suppose, I should type something even though I don't have pictures to share because I DID come up with my resolution today!"
So, here we are. You thinking I'm a looney-tune and me completing something on my to-do list! I had a few things on that list today and I got some done, but figuring out my resolution was NOT on my list and I figured it out anyway! SCORE!
Are you ready for it?
I am going to get better at not doing the things for my children that they should be doing! Yeah, I know, that doesn't sound so much like a resolution for me as it is for my kids, but that's not the case! I swear! I don't want to be, but I am usually the kind that will just "do it" instead of calling the boys back to clean up after themselves. I don't like to make them have to do chores since it cuts into the short amount of time they'll have to play with their friends. I know, it's terrible! But today was different and I've spelled it out to the boys (well, explained that they needed to pick their own rooms up AND vacuum them), but I really do need a scheduled chore chart. I wouldn't mind if they had to alternate cleaning their bathroom and the one downstairs along with vacuuming downstairs too. This would certainly take some pressure off of me. Today went well, but they didn't have school and no friends were in the neighborhood to challenge my time for the boys. I don't know. We'll see if it works and now that I've shared it with you, I have to follow through, right??!!
I'm happy to have survived the holidays and just have one more thing to get done before too much time passes ~ send New Years cards. They won't be Christmas cards for the simple reason that I didn't get them done in time and New Year's cards sounds like a fun idea! They'll have a belated Christmas wish on them (we didn't turn aethiest!), but I won't feel so guilty for not having them done before December 25th (or so it would seem in theory). hehe
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
