Happy 18th Birthday, Son #1!

Son #1 celebrated his 18th birthday today!  To read his birth story, click here.  

So what has he been up to in the past year?  He enjoyed a busy senior year in high school.  He had a very challenging course load (two dual-enrollment classes!), but managed to graduate with a 3.96 weighted GPA!

He was finally invited to attend the State Cross Country Meet as an alternate.  He didn't compete but was thrilled to attend.  He also attend the State Award.  He finally received a varsity letter in Cross Country and his 3rd varsity letter in Wrestling.

He was accepted to, and received scholarships from, several universities.  More on that in another post.

He attended his prom with a blind date (sort of) -- she was a friend of a friend.   He also joined the Powder Puff Spirit Team (the guys were the cheerleaders/dance team; the girls played flag football).  I'll try to post a video soon -- it was too funny!

He made Eagle Scout this year!

He had a blast on his class' senior trip to Disney.  He still isn't excited about driving (he's had his learner's permit for over two years).  He still loves reading, playing video games.  He's looking forward to college.

This seems like just yesterday:

Happy Birthday, Son!  I'm proud of you!

Son #1 is going to the State Cross Country Meet!

Son #1, who is now a senior (can you believe how fast time flies?), is going with his high school cross country team as an alternate.  As an alternate, he's not scheduled to compete unless another runner is unable.  Still, he's thrilled to be asked.

He's been running his heart out since the 9th grade.  He's not incredibly fast, but very persistent.  Lots of stamina.  He's gone from the bottom of the pack -- literally, the first year, he came in last for the first several meets -- to in the top 12 on his team. 

He's worked hard, great team spirit.  Even if he doesn't run at State, being asked to make the trip is a great way to end his high school running career!

Happy 16th Birthday, Son #1

To read his birth story, click here.

You are my night owl with a wry sense of humor. Super smart - you'll either end up dominating the world or solving its major problems. :-) You still love books, video games, all things science. You don't enjoy driving, but you have to put that permit to use and practice, practice, practice. Oh, and you rocked in school. 4.0 + GPA, with 3 honors classes. In school, you ran cross country, track and lettered in wrestling. Once you complete the two final merit badges, you'll be an Eagle Scout. Keep up the good work! We're proud of you and we love you.

Happy 14th Birthday, Son #2!

My middle son turns 14 today! If you'd like to read his birth story, click here.

To my son: What a year it's been! You're still as sweet and funny as ever. Smart too. Only one B the entire 8th grade year -- the rest were A's. You took freshman level Algebra, was a Student of the Year runner up, and won a Principal's School Community Leadership Award in your last year of junior high.

You played solid baseball. Coach said you are an excellent utility player: reliable in any position you play: 1st & 2nd base, shortstop, centerfield, left field... He says you have great speed and agility, plus a strong arm. Best of all (to me, at least) is your excellent attitude. No whining in baseball, that's my motto. (Too bad the same can't be said for all of your teammates, but you just keep leading by your example.)

I love you bunches! Happy Birthday!

Baseball Season Is Over

Baseball season is officially over, at least for our family. Son #3 (age 7, pictured above) played his final game tonight. His team, the Marlins, did well. They won the last nine games in a row and finished either first place or second. His age group doesn't have a tournament.

Son #2 (age 11) also had a great season. His team, the Astros, finished second for the season. They do have a single-elimination tournament but unfortunately he'll miss it. The tournament starts Saturday but Son #2 leaves for Boy Scout camp that very morning. Here's hoping the Astros will go all the way and win the championship.

Champions!

The Marlins baseball team got off to a rocky start. They play in the 7 - 8 yr old league at our local recreation district park. It's interesting how they determine the age bracket. It's based on the child's birthday as of April 30. The youngest must turn 7 by that date; the oldest cannot have reached their 9th birthday.

This results in a pretty wide age range (and presumably with it, a wide range of skill) in Son #3's league (that's him in the photo). For example, when the season started Son #3 was 6 yrs, 7 mos old (he turns 7 in February). Feasibly, there could be a boy on the team who would celebrate his 9th birthday on May 1 (because he just made the cut off). Most of the kids are 7 and 8.

It's been good for Son #3, I think. Although he's one of the youngest, there hasn't been any of the tears and drama among the kids when they strike out or are thrown out. His batting has improved. He's become the official cheer ringleader in the dugout. ("Let's go, Marlins, let's go!" will a little disco action - think Saturday Night Live movie poster.)

Most coaches rotate the kids throughout the various positions during the season, but this coach came up with team assignments early on. The downside: the younger boys do not gain experience in different positions. The upside: consistency.

Son #3 would usually be placed in the outfield (not a lot of action there), or he'd get to play catcher. "Play" catcher is a misnomer. Once he's suited up in what he calls his armor (oversized pads, helmet, etc.), he can barely move. Still, I think it made him feel more like he was in on the action.

His batting has improved. He's still hitting it right to first base - which means he's out - but he's been managing to bring at least one or two runners home. RBIs are a good thing.

Despite being the No. 5 seed (there are perhaps 10-12 teams in this age bracket), they made it through the championship tournaments and snagged top honors. Yay, Marlins!

Ah, Relief!

I've been using the prednisone drops for two weeks to reduce inflammation due to Dry Eye Syndrome and this week I started the prescription med, Restasis. Aaaahhhh, relief. My eyes rarely felt dry, but occasionally they would burn a bit (I attributed this to allergies, though).

I'm optimistic that I might be able to get back into my contact lenses yet. The diminished vision in my left eye has resolved itself - thank goodness. (The realization that your very strong glasses are not helping one eye at all was kind of scary.) But enough about that....

Interesting things I've heard recently:

* From a video recorded at Boy Scout camp in June, and shown at last week's Boy Scout Court of Honor - family and friends present:

Scouts singing American Idol style. One scout is a songwriter, too, as he warbles, "W is for Wine that gets you drunk - no offense, Mom!" Roars of laughter from the audience, which the possible exception of one mother who may not have been amused. (I'd like to point out that the scout was not one of *my* son's.)

* Following Son #3's baseball game (ages range from 6 to 8). After the game, the team has a brief recap. Afterwards, all the players put in their hand and on the count of three yell a cheer - Coach lets one player select the cheer.

Coach: Okay, (name), you pick out cheer.
Player: (inaudible)
Coach: Really?
Player: (inaudible)
Coach: Okay, then..... on the count of three.... ONE....TWO....THREE!
Team: HALLELUJAH!

Do you think they were excited about their first win in a long time?

I hope everyone is having a great week. The kids are off of school tomorrow because of Records Day. This weekend is also our church festival. It will be a busy weekend but fun.

Random....

Well, we learned that Son #1 did not get his first choice of electives for the upcoming school year. He switches to a new school for 7th grade (junior high = 7 & 8 grades). He wanted to take Spanish (click here to read the April 26th post). The deal was that if he allowed me to "homeschool" him in Study Skills - perhaps the most useful, but least fun elective - then I would allow him to sign up for Spanish. Unfortunately, the Spanish teacher only works part time and this year, there were simply too many kids requesting it. Perhaps next year....

In the meantime, Son #1 has asked me to homeschool him in Study Skills and Spanish (using my old college texts). We'll see how long that lasts. He wasn't placed in his second choice either. (I don't recall what it was.) Instead, he'll be taking Agricultural Science. When I initially read the description, I thought it sounded like something he'd really enjoy and was surprised that he didn't select it. I think he'll come around though, plus he has the entire summer to get used to the idea.

Unfortunately, we also learned that his schedule will be identical to that of his archnemesis (click here for a little background), same classes, same times. It makes sense because they're both in the inclusion program. While I don't want either kid "branded" as a problem, I do think it's important that the teahers and administrators are aware of the history so I've been asked to call back at the beginning of the school year to remind them that although they'll share the same classes, in no way should they be seated next to one another, etc.

In a few minutes I have to take our greyhound back to the vet. He hurt his paw a couple of weeks ago (he got it stuck between the pickets of our fence when we was trying to peek over. The cut didn't look very deep - very little blood, but it did get infected. We took him to the vet last week where they lanced the wound, put three staples (to somewhat close it, but still allow it to drain), and fitted him with the "lampshade" looking collars so he cannot continue to lick at it and chew at the staples. Well, the vet apparently underestimated Old Needle Nose. I noticed that he was still able to lick at the boo boo AND one of the staples is missing. Sigh.

After the vet, Son #2 has a baseball game. His team got off to a slow start, but has been playing well the past 5 games. Son #2 is the #2 pitcher. Son #1 has a Boy Scout meeting later this evening. Fortunately, Dear Hubby will take him.

Our lazy summer day has morphed into a busy summer evening.

Good-Bye, Disney! - Saturday, Feb. 24

At last, it's time to say goodbye to Mickey and Company. We woke early, packed our suitcases, loaded the minivan and drove from the building where our room was all the way around to the hotel lobby. It was on that half-mile drive that Son #3 became car sick. Lovely. Never a good thing, but we were getting ready to embark on a ten-hour road trip.

I went into the hotel's gift shop and requested three empty plastic bags (those Disney bags are pretty thick). Each boy had their "Bag of Fun" (toys, books, etc.) and their "Bag of Not Fun" (just in case...).

Those of us that were able, ate breakfast at the hotel. Son #3 was very tired (as his oldest brother was a couple of days earlier) so he just napped.

The drive home, fortunately, was uneventful. After a few hours it was clear that Son #3 was feeling better when he started asking for donuts and rootbeer (um, that's enough to make me sick and I don't have the bug!)

Approximately, one hour before we arrived home, Son #2 started feeling nauseated. The serious stuff didn't start until after we got home, though (thankfully). He slept most of the following day (Sunday, Feb. 25).


Today....
I registered Son #3 for T-ball today. We had been debating about it. I'm not sure he's - shall we say - compliant enough. Heck, he barely listens to Dear Hubby and me, so what makes us think he'll listen to a coach? Still, I thought it might be a nice opportunity for him to interact with kids his own age, before actually starting school in August. Son #3 is looking forward to playing ball, like his brother (Son #2). Games start next month.