All's Quiet on the Southern Front

This weekend has been great and quiet so far.  It is the first weekend in about two months we haven't had basketball games to go to.  The kids played their last games last Saturday and their Awards Ceremony was last night.  Of course, the kids were up early (even though they didn't have to be) so I made scrambled eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast.  Usually I make a big breakfast on Saturday mornings but, because of basketball, I haven't been able to for a while.  In fact, the last time I made a big breakfast for the family was pancakes about two weeks ago, and I was able to do that before school one morning.  Tonight, Mike is taking Hannah and Will to the hockey game with some of the other Dads at our church.  Andrew and I get to hang out together and enjoy ourselves. 

Last Friday was Grandparents' Day at Will's school.  Mom called him that morning and gave him a suggestion.  Since she wasn't feeling well, she asked Will if it would be okay if she missed going to school with him.  Instead, she would take him out to eat anywhere he wanted to go Saturday after his ball game.  Will agreed with the plan.  So, Saturday he got dressed up and Mom picked him up for their date.  His first choice was Chuck E. Cheese's but when they arrived, they found out there was an hour and a half wait just to get a table.  So, Will's second choice was Texas Roadhouse.  He had received a coupon for a free kids meal with his last report card and was begging to use it.  He and Mom had a great time and he felt like a big boy.  Mom let him order anything he wanted, including dessert, and eat all the peanuts he wanted, too.  Afterwards, they went back to Mom's house and Will played by himself (without any other kids competing with him) for a couple of hours.  When he came home, it's all he could talk about.  In fact, the other day we were getting ready to sit down at the kitchen table and he mentioned how much fun he had and the food he ate too.  I'm glad he had a great time.  Mom wants to do it again with one of the others soon.  I know they will enjoy themselves.

Snow!!

IT SNOWED!!! Right now, we have about 2 inches on the ground. The weatherman said that it may snow more overnight and tomorrow, even though the temperature is suppose to be around 39 degrees tomorrow. The weatherman also said that Ripley (where my dad and Joan live) got about 10 inches of snow with more expected. They are only 1 1/2 hours north of us.

Mike, the kids and I went to Donna and Thad's house today. They have four kids with the last two being Hannah and Will's ages. We were suppose to have a Sunday School Girls Day Out at Donna's and eat. But, due to some extenuating circumstances, only one other lady from our class was able to come besides me. So, since Donna had a lot of food already prepared, she invited my bunch over to share. Mike and Thad had fun watching the Memphis Tigers play Southern Miss and talking. The kids had a blast playing together. Donna, Linda and I had fun talking and eating. Looking out the window a few hours later, we noticed that it was sleeting/snowing. The weather along the route from Germantown to home varied. It was snowing pretty good close to Germantown but Olive Branch was hardly getting anything. As we got closer to the house, our visibility decreased dramatically and the snowflakes were getting bigger and heavier. Once home, the whole family went in the backyard and played. I got the brunt of the snowballs (I had to come inside and change my scarf because of all the snow on it) but I got some good licks in, too. Poor Will's pants were soaked. Andrew did not want to go inside but his little nose was red. Hopefully the snow will stick around a little longer so the kids can get back out again tomorrow and play in it.

Will's basketball season ended on Tuesday. His team did really good, even though the Upward league doesn't keep score. The kids really got out there and hustled during each game. Mike was one of the coaches for Will's team.

We've signed both Hannah and Will up for softball/baseball again this year. Mike has also committed to coaching our church's men's softball team this spring. All it takes is someone to make sure there are enough players on the roster and to make sure they have enough players for each game. His games will be on Monday nights at either 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30. I hope they have quite a few early games, like they did in the fall. Due to the kids' school, we won't be able to make any of Mike's games until the first of June. Will's coach told Mike that they will play their games on either Tuesday or Thursday. They will practice on the Tuesday or Thursday they don't have a game. (Will's coach will be the same one from last year.) We won't hear from Hannah's coach until after evaluations on March 9th. I am going to be busy shuttling kids to practice and games, but I know it will be fun. It was last year.

The Thrill of Victory and The Agony of Defeat

Will in his uniform. Isn't he cute?!

Will is #25. He is chasing after the ball. Most of the time he liked to play in the dirt.

Andrew in his sock drawer.

The kids playing in Will and Andrew's room before bed.

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. That is how I felt Monday night after the game. My Tigers lost the National Championship Game to Kansas. But, they put up a good fight and didn't give the game away. They are still Number 1 in my book.


Will played his first T-ball game last night. They played the Braves. Both teams were cute as they all tried to chase the ball and running all over the field instead of to the bases. One little boy on Will's team hit the ball. Instead of following the line to First Base, he followed the line to the pitcher's mound and ran straight to second base. Later, a boy on the other team ran into the outfield chasing after the ball instead of running the bases. They were hilarious. I took some video of Will's first time at bat and running to first base. Later, I took some video of his first time to run to home plate. If I ever get time to figure out how to post video, I will do so.

Hannah's first game will be next Tuesday. I'll take some pictures and post them sometime next week. Both kids play ball next Tuesday: one at 6:45 and one at 7:30 at different ball fields. What fun, what fun.

Go Tigers Go!!!!!

Our U of M Tigers are playing Kansas for the National Championship tonight!!!! Everywhere you look, you see Tiger blue and gray with a little bit of orange: shirts, hats, flags, jackets, etc. I never knew the U of M had that many supporters. The crossing guard at Hannah's school has been wearing her Tiger blue and directing traffic with her U of M pom-poms. It is awesome! Good Luck Tigers!!! You can do it!!!

Mike's softball game tonight has been cancelled due to the big game. In fact, all the games scheduled for night in his league have been cancelled. Isn't that a hoot?! It's a good thing too because now Mike can watch the game and I don't have to try to tape it for him. I have been leery about watching the Tigers play because I don't want to jinx them. Plus, if I do watch it, I wouldn't want to spoil it for him by telling him how the game ends.

Basketball and Parties

Hannah got to play basketball today at the FedEx Forum. For those who aren't familiar with the FedEx Forum, it is the stadium where the University of Memphis Tigers (#1 in the NCAA with one loss the whole season) and the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) teams play ball. Her Upwards league had their Jamboree there today. The teams played half court and for thirty minutes instead of their normal hour. It was fun. Hannah played very well. She did great on defense, guarding her player. She also played great offense. She would dribble the ball then toss it over the crowd to one of her teammates, who would then make a basket. The only down side was the FedEx Forum parking garage wanted $20 to park. Of course, we turned around and found parking for $5. It's a beautiful day so walking a little farther to get in wasn't too bad.

Hannah is going to a sleepover birthday party tonight. They are having it at a local hotel that has an indoor swimming pool. Glad it is her mom and not me. Just before the school year started this August, we had a "End of Summer / Going Back to School" sleepover. Counting my three, there were five girls and three boys. The last two girls finally went to sleep around 2 or 3 a.m. and everyone was up by 7 a.m. Needless to say, Mike and I were both exhausted and don't plan to do that again for a while.

Busy Weekend

Last week, Mike bought the kids a basketball goal and finished putting it together Friday night. He and I had a little one-on-one game afterwards. I'm not very good but I did make quite a few baskets.

Saturday morning we went to Hannah's basketball game. She is doing better but still has a hard time since she is one of the smallest, and youngest, players on the team. Hannah gets out there and does her best, even if it is just running up and down the basketball court. After the game, the kids played outside. The weather was warmer than usual so they had fun on the trampoline and running around the backyard. Mike and I shot a few baskets and chased the ball into the yard. It was loads of fun.

Today brought church, a visit from one of Hannah's friends, and movies. We were told today that Andrew will move to another Sunday school class next week now that he is walking more and more. His teachers were upset because they don't want him to leave. They really love him and enjoy keeping him.