Good Things Do Happen

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, Connor just loves his soccer, and is very good at it. And you know that things have not worked out favorably for him when it comes to finding a team to play on. It appears things may be working out, at least for the Spring season. A friend of mine coaches a travel, U11 team (Connor is too old for this team and must play on a U12 team). She has wanted, for the longest time, to figure out how to get Connor to play on her team, but the option of changing her team's designation to U12 has been impossible for various reasons. Until now. A very unlikely series of events has occurred that has changed the situation, making it possible to change the team to U12, allowing her to add Connor to the roster. He'll be the only U12 kid on the team, and they'll be playing teams a year older than the rest of the kids, but the coach felt it was worth it, just to get Connor to play for her. I don't know who's happier, the coach, or Connor.

After all the frustration Conor has endured regarding his desire to play competitive soccer, it's nice to see something good happen for a change.

Equal Time for Kenzie

Kenzie has complained that I unfairly gush over Connor's piano-playing. She forgets how much gushing her softball skills receive. Whatever. She can play piano, too. Here's proof...

Lunar Eclipse

A little handheld camera is not the best for photographing astronomical events, but here's my best shot of our eclipse last night. At 10 o'clock, there wasn't much moon left to photograph.

All Set for Ohio

Am I crazy? If I have to ask, I guess I know the answer. This year's NSA (National Softball Association) Fastpitch Softball World Series, for Kenzie's division, is being held in Columbus, Ohio. Kenzie's team expects to go, even though they haven't played in (let alone won) a single tournament needed to qualify for a spot in this event. That doesn't mean we don't have to plan ahead. That is why I just reserved a room at a hotel in Ohio. Crazy, huh? And not just a room. I don't expect I can leave everyone home except Kenzie and me. I had to reserve enough space for me and five kids (Vicki will staying home and incubating--that baby better not come early). That means a two-room suite with double beds and a pull-out sleeper sofa. And not just any old cheapy hotel. The team decided to reserve a block of rooms at Embassy Suites. At least we got a group discount, which of course the exhorbitant tourist tax takes right away again. I guess I know where my economic stimulus package is going this year.

Alberta Clipper

I love weather guys (and gals). They're such a hoot. As of this morning's newscast, today's Alberta Clipper was forecast to pass swiftly to our north (way way to our north). We were supposed to get a dusting of snow, if any snow at all. Six hours after it started, and four-plus inches later, it's still snowing. And to our north?...nada. Not that I'm complaining; I like a little snow, and this will be gone in no time (except they're calling for more over the next few next days: I don't believe it).

Update: We wound up with 4.5 inches.

Catching Up

I just transferred some pictures from my camera to my computer, and thought I'd send some here as well.

Here's Kenzie in her indoor softball tournament in January. Her team won all three games.














Tay and Ty got some Eitech (similar to Erector Set) Sets and began building all kinds of stuff. Here's Tay with his windmill. Then, they both designed and built their own rocketships.















Here was a lazy day in early February.














The weather broke nice one day, so we let the chickens scratch outside their pen. It made their day. They love to scratch up new territory.


















Finally, here's Kearsyn.

Cake Walk and a Sonatina

Here's Connor playing a song called "Cake Walk".




And last month, he played a Sonatina, by Clementi, with a string quartet. The editing is a little shaky, and keep in mind that these people and Connor have never played this song togehter before this performance.

#2 Disadvantage

In a large family, it seems there's ALWAYS something crazy going on. Now, it's a fracture. Kenzie's now worried it's her turn. She tends to follow her brother in the injury category.

Last Man Down

I held out as long as I could, but the bug was stronger. Thankfully, I have really good kids who could watch after their younger siblings while I was in bed. I thought we'd be all better today until I found, well, I had to change Bekah's sheets and give her a bath before breakfast.

Last Man Standing

That's me. I don't know how long I can hold out. It's been a vicious assault. Since Tyler bit the dust (or should I say, porcelain), I figure it's only a matter of time. I hope reinforcements arrive, before it's too late, to care for those who have gone before me and who haven't quite recovered yet.

#1 Disadvantage

The number one disadvantage to having a large family: it takes too derned long for a virus to work its way through everybody. It started last Thursday, with Bekah. Then it hit Kearsyn and Taylor. Then Vicki. Then Alex and Kenzie. Now it's starting to attack Connor. I think that makes seven of nine. Taylor now seems okay. Vicki went to work today, and Alex, who stayed home from school today, has begun moving around again. Bekah and Kearsyn are moving too, but that's mostly in bowels. Ugh, do I hate diarrhea in diapers! Usually a stomach virus moves through in about 24 hours per victim. Not this one! It's got to take the time to attack both ends. I'm exhausted, and I haven't even gotten sick yet. All I've been doing is changing diapers, mopping floors, and scrubbing carpets. Oh, and washing sheets; and towels to be used again in the clean up process.

Algebra I

Connor is eleven. He is (age-wise) in 6^th grade. Today, he started Albebra I. I really wanted to hold off on advancing him to Algebra, but I simply ran out of stuff that challenged him in math. At least we don't have to feel rushed to get through this material, like I was with Alex. He started Alg I late in eighth grade, and never actually finished Alegebra I before getting placed in Algebra II in ninth grade.

This kind of thing is Reason #2 for Homeschooling.