One 11 year old softball player had a dream come true this weekend. She met one of her heroes, and one of the greatest players to play fast pith softball: Cat Osterman. She is one happy little girl.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Go Bayshore Barracudas!
Kenzie's travel soccer team took second place in their first ever tournament, the SAC Columbus Day Tournament! And they did it by scoring only two goals in three games, with a record of 2 and 1 in bracket play to win their bracket. Kenzie had some spectacular saves in Goal, shutting out two of their opponents, to ensure the team's advancement to the final game against a very good WAGS team. TAnd, two of our newest players scored the winning goals in both games! The future of this team looks very bright. Congratulations, ladies!
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
School Starts
Ok, we've officially begun our school year. It feels early, but it is September and the weather has turned autumnal. The first two days of school went pretty well; just a little resistence yesterday, from Kenzie. Not my usual source of contention, but I guess she was due. Otherwise, I would rank this start among the top of my seven school year starts. In case you don't know, this year I have five students again. I added Bekah. She's four, and just started kindergarten. She's also in fourth grade with the twins, with smattering of sixth with Kenzie, and eighth with Connor. Not to mention the preK coloring and paper-cutting squad, with Keary.
I'm looking forward to Summer Vacation '10.
Alex started 11th grade today at SSPPHS. He was anxiously anticipating getting his parking permit. BMOC. I guess he got a private kick out of the fact that we made him shave off his peach fuzz for the first day. It wouldn't do, to get his first ever demerit for breaking the dress code (including no facial hair), on his first day as a Junior.
Connor is excited because he just got his first contact lenses. Now, he's riding his bike to the barber to get hair out of his eyes. I told him he looks like a girl, his hair's so long. He doesn't care what I think, but he longer has his glasses to keep the bangs out of his eyes. Ugh! It wasn't long ago when short hair was IN.
We actually started the week with insects. Bekah found a live cicada and decided it would be a good pet. She took it on a walk with us on Monday. I think it then got fed to the chickens. She apparently did not get too attached to it.
Then, on Tuesday, we discovered this nest of wasps under the deck. I count between 40 and 50 of the buggers there. Makes my skin crawl. Thank goodness for bug spray.
I'm looking forward to Summer Vacation '10.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Where Has Summer Gone?
I can't believe it has been four months since I last posted to this blog. I guess it's been a combination of being busy and being lazy. It has been summer, after all, and there's been no major events like softball world series, or new kids added to the family, or anything like that. Just a kind of normal, non-eventful, summer.
Some things have happened, though.
I did spend some time updating AndyandVickisPlace.com, adding a bunch of new pictures (after three years of neglect) to all the kids' photo albums. I also got a little hooked on Facebook, and their Fish Wrangler game. I'm not much into Facebook as a social network, though.
Alex got a job, and lost a job. He was working at Subway for a few months. They cut his hours near the end of the summer; they say because school was starting soon, but that doesn't make sense to me. They were cutting other employees too, I think because the economy in general just stinks everywhere. I also think it might be because we used his employee discount a good bit. I doubt this is why he lost the job, but a family of ten with an employee discount can break the bank of any fast food joint. He goes for an interview tomorrow at Quiznos. If he gets the job there, we won't be over-using the employee discount, just in case. He also got his license (and hasn't lost it, yet). I am happy with how well he has been driving. Surprised a bit, too, but something seemed to click some time in the spring, and he has shown enough maturity to earn the right to drive. Now he needs that job to help pay for insurance. Although public schools start tomorrow, Alex's school starts, gradually just before Labor Day. I won't start home school in full force until we reach an "R" month.
Connor hasn't done too much, either, He finished out baseball and travel soccer in the spring, and has been enhancing his soccer skills all summer. Practice has begun for fall travel soccer team, and also for his rec team. I normally don't like him playing on two teams, but I lost the battle of "one team per season" a long time ago. As long as we can dig up the money to pay for it. Connor also finished about a quarter of his Algebra 2 book over the summer. He starts eighth grade this year, and I want him to start Geometry (and maybe finish it( before high school next year. He wants to go to public school, for the sports and friends thing, and I can't think of any reason to deny him. He is so self-motivated that if the school doesn't challenge him, he will challenge himself. I made a deal with him: if he takes as many AP classes as the schedule allows, I'll agree to public school. He might actually do a little better at public school if he receives some academic competition, than he can do here, with just me challenging him.
McKenzie played rec softball this spring. She played up, on a 12U team. She was the most skilled player on her team. She even pitched when necessary because we only had one other girl who was fairly consistent at pitching. I was, however, very disappointed in how the league was run, the small number of games we played, and the lack of tournament play. Her skills did not get challenged, but Kenzie had a lot of fun, playing with local girls, and making local friends. So, it was worth it. Now, we're trying to put together a local girls travel team. They won't compete at the level Kenzie has played in the past, but there's more to it than just winning every game. Kenzie tried to find work this summer, too, but was not very successful. She's eleven, and there's not many people hiring eleven years old. She did get a volunteer job, helping at Chesapeake Cats and Dogs. She wants to be a VET some day, so I think this is a good start. Kenzie will start sixth grade this year. She spent the summer trying to finish up her elementary math so she can start Algebra 1 soon. She's almost there.
After baseball ended, Taylor focused mainly on riding his bike this summer. We haven't done too much fishing, but what we have done, has been because of Taylor. He loves to fish. He just recently started soccer practice for his rec team. He looks fantastic this year. He's always liked playing soccer, but it's just been something to do in the fall and he has not really been that aggressive or excited about it. This year, he's a different kid. He's playing like he really wants to be there, and is showing skills he's not displayed in the past. He might be ready to try out for the travel team soon, at this rate (although this is not required as the cost is prohibitive). Tay will start fourth grade soon, and is the only kid of mine who actually says he WANTS to be home schooled (they don't get a choice until high school, and where they go is determined on an individual basis).
Tyler is a hoot. The other night, at Kenzie's soccer practice, Tyler discovered that he can climb foul poles in the baseball outfield. He looks like a monkey, using his feet to shimmy right to the top. I've got to find a use for all his odd abilities, like that one. He can also take things apart real well (can't get them back together, though). So let's see; what job requires climbing poles and disassembling stuff? And definitely, NO MATH. Ugh, that's his Kryptonite. He did really well at travel soccer last spring, but just isn't interested in it enough to keep paying for it. Right now, he's into flag football. I haven't seen him practice yet, and I'm going to miss today's practice too. Alex has been taking him to football since Sunday afternoons seem to fill up with so many other things. I do like having Alex as a driver, for things like this. I will see him play some games this year, even it means missing a occasional Ravens game.
Bekah is still a cutie, but now has competition from Keary, her little sister. Bekah is still doing her speech therapy to work out some kinks in some her sounds. I think she's doing much better in her talking, and hopefully one more year will be enough. Her summer therapist said Bekah mastered everything she was supposed to work on over the summer, and moved on to other skills. She has really taken to bike riding this summer; finally getting big and strong enough for longer bike rides. She's also turning into a fisherman with Taylor. One memorable moment from this summer was her busted chin. She woke up one morning, covered in blood, from a gash she had under her chin. It took four stitches, and will leave a nasty little scar. We still don't how she did it and she can't remember. And, there's no blood (or chunks of skin) anywhere to be found, except the blood in her bed and on her sheets. Very bizarre. Bekah is only four, but has picked up so much from being in our classroom, that I'm going to start her is a kindergarten program this year. I hope I have time, because the twins are still kind of high maintenance in school I'm hoping I can get them to be a little more independent.
Keary is still our peanut, in her red glasses. She's walking and talking better than any of our previous two year olds. Her summer consisted of babbling and coloring and cutting paper to make shapes and making messes of scraps all over the classroom floor. She's probably ready for a pre-K program, but I'm not. We'll just let her absorb stuff in school for another year before we think about formalizing anything.
Adam is finally crawling. I think he's a little behind everyone else. He's almost one year old, and doesn't seem inclined to walk any time soon. No biggie; once he starts walking, he'll be harder to keep track of. Keary's wondered off twice since she learned to walk, so I can wait for the time I'll have to keep track of two wondering toddlers.
Me, I've just been trying to keep my head above water. Still trying to keep the kids doing a little school each day. Bugging Alex to go look for work. Laundry never ends, especially when you new HE washer breaks after only a year. It took two weeks to get it fixed. What a pain. And right after the warranty expired. My dad convinced me to write a letter to Sears to c=ask for my repair costs back (the washer was 16 months old). I was shocked when they agreed to refund the money for repairs. Sometimes it pays to be the squeaky wheel.
I've been typing for about an hour and we have to go to the in-laws' soon for a birthday party, so I gotta wrap this up. Hopefully, I'll find time to start posting here properly. There's so much I missed putting here over the past few months. Didn't I start by saying this was an uneventful summer?
Some things have happened, though.
I did spend some time updating AndyandVickisPlace.com, adding a bunch of new pictures (after three years of neglect) to all the kids' photo albums. I also got a little hooked on Facebook, and their Fish Wrangler game. I'm not much into Facebook as a social network, though.
Alex got a job, and lost a job. He was working at Subway for a few months. They cut his hours near the end of the summer; they say because school was starting soon, but that doesn't make sense to me. They were cutting other employees too, I think because the economy in general just stinks everywhere. I also think it might be because we used his employee discount a good bit. I doubt this is why he lost the job, but a family of ten with an employee discount can break the bank of any fast food joint. He goes for an interview tomorrow at Quiznos. If he gets the job there, we won't be over-using the employee discount, just in case. He also got his license (and hasn't lost it, yet). I am happy with how well he has been driving. Surprised a bit, too, but something seemed to click some time in the spring, and he has shown enough maturity to earn the right to drive. Now he needs that job to help pay for insurance. Although public schools start tomorrow, Alex's school starts, gradually just before Labor Day. I won't start home school in full force until we reach an "R" month.
Connor hasn't done too much, either, He finished out baseball and travel soccer in the spring, and has been enhancing his soccer skills all summer. Practice has begun for fall travel soccer team, and also for his rec team. I normally don't like him playing on two teams, but I lost the battle of "one team per season" a long time ago. As long as we can dig up the money to pay for it. Connor also finished about a quarter of his Algebra 2 book over the summer. He starts eighth grade this year, and I want him to start Geometry (and maybe finish it( before high school next year. He wants to go to public school, for the sports and friends thing, and I can't think of any reason to deny him. He is so self-motivated that if the school doesn't challenge him, he will challenge himself. I made a deal with him: if he takes as many AP classes as the schedule allows, I'll agree to public school. He might actually do a little better at public school if he receives some academic competition, than he can do here, with just me challenging him.
McKenzie played rec softball this spring. She played up, on a 12U team. She was the most skilled player on her team. She even pitched when necessary because we only had one other girl who was fairly consistent at pitching. I was, however, very disappointed in how the league was run, the small number of games we played, and the lack of tournament play. Her skills did not get challenged, but Kenzie had a lot of fun, playing with local girls, and making local friends. So, it was worth it. Now, we're trying to put together a local girls travel team. They won't compete at the level Kenzie has played in the past, but there's more to it than just winning every game. Kenzie tried to find work this summer, too, but was not very successful. She's eleven, and there's not many people hiring eleven years old. She did get a volunteer job, helping at Chesapeake Cats and Dogs. She wants to be a VET some day, so I think this is a good start. Kenzie will start sixth grade this year. She spent the summer trying to finish up her elementary math so she can start Algebra 1 soon. She's almost there.
After baseball ended, Taylor focused mainly on riding his bike this summer. We haven't done too much fishing, but what we have done, has been because of Taylor. He loves to fish. He just recently started soccer practice for his rec team. He looks fantastic this year. He's always liked playing soccer, but it's just been something to do in the fall and he has not really been that aggressive or excited about it. This year, he's a different kid. He's playing like he really wants to be there, and is showing skills he's not displayed in the past. He might be ready to try out for the travel team soon, at this rate (although this is not required as the cost is prohibitive). Tay will start fourth grade soon, and is the only kid of mine who actually says he WANTS to be home schooled (they don't get a choice until high school, and where they go is determined on an individual basis).
Tyler is a hoot. The other night, at Kenzie's soccer practice, Tyler discovered that he can climb foul poles in the baseball outfield. He looks like a monkey, using his feet to shimmy right to the top. I've got to find a use for all his odd abilities, like that one. He can also take things apart real well (can't get them back together, though). So let's see; what job requires climbing poles and disassembling stuff? And definitely, NO MATH. Ugh, that's his Kryptonite. He did really well at travel soccer last spring, but just isn't interested in it enough to keep paying for it. Right now, he's into flag football. I haven't seen him practice yet, and I'm going to miss today's practice too. Alex has been taking him to football since Sunday afternoons seem to fill up with so many other things. I do like having Alex as a driver, for things like this. I will see him play some games this year, even it means missing a occasional Ravens game.
Bekah is still a cutie, but now has competition from Keary, her little sister. Bekah is still doing her speech therapy to work out some kinks in some her sounds. I think she's doing much better in her talking, and hopefully one more year will be enough. Her summer therapist said Bekah mastered everything she was supposed to work on over the summer, and moved on to other skills. She has really taken to bike riding this summer; finally getting big and strong enough for longer bike rides. She's also turning into a fisherman with Taylor. One memorable moment from this summer was her busted chin. She woke up one morning, covered in blood, from a gash she had under her chin. It took four stitches, and will leave a nasty little scar. We still don't how she did it and she can't remember. And, there's no blood (or chunks of skin) anywhere to be found, except the blood in her bed and on her sheets. Very bizarre. Bekah is only four, but has picked up so much from being in our classroom, that I'm going to start her is a kindergarten program this year. I hope I have time, because the twins are still kind of high maintenance in school I'm hoping I can get them to be a little more independent.
Keary is still our peanut, in her red glasses. She's walking and talking better than any of our previous two year olds. Her summer consisted of babbling and coloring and cutting paper to make shapes and making messes of scraps all over the classroom floor. She's probably ready for a pre-K program, but I'm not. We'll just let her absorb stuff in school for another year before we think about formalizing anything.
Adam is finally crawling. I think he's a little behind everyone else. He's almost one year old, and doesn't seem inclined to walk any time soon. No biggie; once he starts walking, he'll be harder to keep track of. Keary's wondered off twice since she learned to walk, so I can wait for the time I'll have to keep track of two wondering toddlers.
Me, I've just been trying to keep my head above water. Still trying to keep the kids doing a little school each day. Bugging Alex to go look for work. Laundry never ends, especially when you new HE washer breaks after only a year. It took two weeks to get it fixed. What a pain. And right after the warranty expired. My dad convinced me to write a letter to Sears to c=ask for my repair costs back (the washer was 16 months old). I was shocked when they agreed to refund the money for repairs. Sometimes it pays to be the squeaky wheel.
I've been typing for about an hour and we have to go to the in-laws' soon for a birthday party, so I gotta wrap this up. Hopefully, I'll find time to start posting here properly. There's so much I missed putting here over the past few months. Didn't I start by saying this was an uneventful summer?
Sunday, April 26, 2009
More Piano Peforming
Kenzie and Connor are playing at church, on the organ during Mass, this afternoon. They got to practice a little bit on Friday. Here's how they sounded:
Saturday, April 25, 2009
What an Awesome Day
This was just a great day to be the dad of my kids.
It was a day full of sports on an absolutely beautiful day. Let's start with the Alex. He started his first real paycheck job today, at Subway. He was supposed to go in at 9:00 AM for training. They must have liked him because they kept him there until 8:00 PM. A few of us stopped in for some subs at the end of the day, and Alex was still smiling, so I guess he likes his job. I can tell you, I like him having a job. He'll need to help with his car insurance real soon.
Connor had baseball at 9:00 AM. He pitched the first few innings, and did great. His team lost, but at least they were ahead when the coach changed pitchers. Then, it was off to referee some soccer games. He had three to do, and I watched most of them. Kenzie's team played in the first game; Tyler's team played in the second game; and I was just watching Connor ref in the third game. By the end the third game, Connor was exhausted and sunburnt, but he had to run to another field and, with no time to spare, jump into his own game where he played Goalie for 70 for the whole game. I was pleased because Connor has not been given the opportunity to show what he's capable of on this team, playing only about ten minutes per game for the past two seasons. Given all he'd done already, I was not expecting peak performance from him. His team won (their first win of the season) by 2-0, Connor having allowed no goals. How awesome is that!? Plus, he made over $100 referee-ing. He deserved his sub from Subway and should sleep very well tonight
Kenzie had a 11:00 AM softball game, but she went to the park with me when I took Connor to his game. Her softball team won their game. Kenzie was Catcher, which she absolutely love to be. Her thumb was bruised from soccer last week, so she couldn't swing the bat. But, she managed to get on base every at-bat by bunting for a base hit or walking. Only once did she not score a run (she got stranded on third) and stole more bases than I can remember. She had to leave softball a little early so I could get her to her soccer game, where she play Goalie. Her team played the number one team in their division and beat them, 3-1. Kenzie only let one goal in. In six games or so, I don't think she's had more than 6 or 7 goals scored against her.
The twins had a lighter schedule. Tay had a 9:00 AM baseball game. His morning started off pretty rough. He lost his baseball hate, and losing par of you uniform is a pet peave of mine, really gets under my skin. SO, Tay got yelled at, and left at home to look for it, while I took Connor and Kenzie to the field so Connor could warm up. I went back and got Tay, but neither one of us had a happy start this morning. Things eventually calmed down; he borrowed an extra hat from his coach; then got a hit near the end of his game.
Tyler, who had no game until the afternoon, hung around with us at the baseball fields, waiting for his turn to play. In his soccer game (with Connor as ref), Ty played Goalie (see the family trend here?). He's very inexperienced at travel soccer, but has been attending goalie training sessions to improve in that position. It just so happened that today his team played one of the best U9 teams around, and they got beat up pretty bad. Tyler has come a very long way in his sportmanship. He did not let anything bother him, where in the past, he would have had a tantrum over losing, let alone at being the Goalie in such a lopsided game. I'm very proud of him.
It was a day full of sports on an absolutely beautiful day. Let's start with the Alex. He started his first real paycheck job today, at Subway. He was supposed to go in at 9:00 AM for training. They must have liked him because they kept him there until 8:00 PM. A few of us stopped in for some subs at the end of the day, and Alex was still smiling, so I guess he likes his job. I can tell you, I like him having a job. He'll need to help with his car insurance real soon.
Connor had baseball at 9:00 AM. He pitched the first few innings, and did great. His team lost, but at least they were ahead when the coach changed pitchers. Then, it was off to referee some soccer games. He had three to do, and I watched most of them. Kenzie's team played in the first game; Tyler's team played in the second game; and I was just watching Connor ref in the third game. By the end the third game, Connor was exhausted and sunburnt, but he had to run to another field and, with no time to spare, jump into his own game where he played Goalie for 70 for the whole game. I was pleased because Connor has not been given the opportunity to show what he's capable of on this team, playing only about ten minutes per game for the past two seasons. Given all he'd done already, I was not expecting peak performance from him. His team won (their first win of the season) by 2-0, Connor having allowed no goals. How awesome is that!? Plus, he made over $100 referee-ing. He deserved his sub from Subway and should sleep very well tonight
Kenzie had a 11:00 AM softball game, but she went to the park with me when I took Connor to his game. Her softball team won their game. Kenzie was Catcher, which she absolutely love to be. Her thumb was bruised from soccer last week, so she couldn't swing the bat. But, she managed to get on base every at-bat by bunting for a base hit or walking. Only once did she not score a run (she got stranded on third) and stole more bases than I can remember. She had to leave softball a little early so I could get her to her soccer game, where she play Goalie. Her team played the number one team in their division and beat them, 3-1. Kenzie only let one goal in. In six games or so, I don't think she's had more than 6 or 7 goals scored against her.
The twins had a lighter schedule. Tay had a 9:00 AM baseball game. His morning started off pretty rough. He lost his baseball hate, and losing par of you uniform is a pet peave of mine, really gets under my skin. SO, Tay got yelled at, and left at home to look for it, while I took Connor and Kenzie to the field so Connor could warm up. I went back and got Tay, but neither one of us had a happy start this morning. Things eventually calmed down; he borrowed an extra hat from his coach; then got a hit near the end of his game.
Tyler, who had no game until the afternoon, hung around with us at the baseball fields, waiting for his turn to play. In his soccer game (with Connor as ref), Ty played Goalie (see the family trend here?). He's very inexperienced at travel soccer, but has been attending goalie training sessions to improve in that position. It just so happened that today his team played one of the best U9 teams around, and they got beat up pretty bad. Tyler has come a very long way in his sportmanship. He did not let anything bother him, where in the past, he would have had a tantrum over losing, let alone at being the Goalie in such a lopsided game. I'm very proud of him.
Tomorrow won't be quite as busy, but it will start early. CCD at 8. Alex goes to Mass at 9:00 because he has to work again in the afternoon, when we'll all be at Mass enjoying not only Mass, but Connor and Kenzie playing the church organ during the service, while Tay and Ty, as part of the youth choir, sing. Oh, and in the middle of the day, there's more soccer games for Tyler and Connor.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Homeschool Field Trip
We went on a field trip to Historic St. Mary's City yesterday. It was windy and cold, but it was a lot of fun. I was surprised at how much they had for people to do and see.We started in the Indian village, where we learned about how the Indians that met the Maryland colonists lived. Below are some of the kids using a rock to make tools from rocks and bones. Tyler was grossed out by the guy who was scraping meat off a deer hide to make clothing, but he gets grossed out by a lot of things.
We moved on to the Town Center, where we met colonists dyeing wool and operating their shops.
We learned how to use a seventeeth century printing press.
We also were drilled as Maryland's early militia, and got to see the firing of a musket. Everybody thought it was pretty loud. Connor could not believe that the colonists could perform the seventeen steps of loading and firing this gun, not once, but three times in one minute.
Then we moved on to the boat that brought them here, the Dove. Everyone loved this part. This was the only part of the day we were glad is was windy because you could really feel the boat rocking.
While Kenzie and Bekah fit in the bunks just fine, I can't imagine how grown men slept there, nevermind all the passengers, who had to sleep on floor of the hold.
Finally, it was off to the tobacco plantation where we ground up corn to make flour, made some corn bread, planted some beans, worked in the field, and fed the cows.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thud!
The sound of Connor's hopes being dashed. But I guess I should say 'Splash'. Connor had his first opportunity, as a certified soccer referee, to ref a Capital Area Soccer tournament. He was going to make $144 for six hours' work. Not bad for a twelve-year-old. I heard him come downstairs this morning, about 7, all dressed in his referee uniform, only for me to tell him the tournament was cancelled due to the rain we had overnight (I had gotten up earlier to check, but fell back to sleep before O told him). DARN! Back upstairs to change out of his ref uniform.
At least now we know he'll get to his piano recital on time this afternoon. He and Kenzie are playing a duet for the first time in public. After all the battles between those two, while trying to learn their ensemble piece, I'm very proud of them for hammering through their "creative differences" and putting together this song. If I can get a good video of it, I'll post it here.
Alex's day is still on schedule. His high school baseball team has a game in Frederick, about 2+ hours from his school. I guess they got less rain than we, since they haven't cancelled the game, and the radar show all the rain has passed. He just got picked up by some friends to go meet the bus, which will be passing by our house on the way to the game in about an hour. Seems kind of pointless, but that's what you get when you go to a school thirty miles away, in the wrong direction.
I still don't know if all the other local games/practices are still on, or not. Tay has baseball at noon. Ty has soccer at 3. Kenzie also has softball at 3, but I don't know when she'll be getting home from piano. It really doesn't matter if she misses some of this softball. It's a rec team. Most of the girls could never play at a level any higher, which is fine, that's why we have rec sports. Kenzie will have fun because she loves the game, at any level. I'll have fun, because all the stresses of travel are not there; and because I, as an assistant coach, can be involved with teaching the kids what little I know about the game. Anyway, I'm thinking the fields, especially infields, will be too soggy for play.
I almost forgot to mention we had an attack this morning. We lost two hens to a fox. We actually saw him, this morning, munching on one of them for breakfast (only got a measly head because I scared it off). Too bad my .357 is too loud to be fired in a neighborhood; I really hate that fox right now. Kenzie and I, out in the mud this morning, tried to fix the holes it dug under the fence, but now that it knows food is so easily available, it won't go away, I'm sure. Kenzie's going to have to be a very diligent shep-, I mean chicken-herd, for a while, making sure her hens are secure inside the coop every night.
Tomorrow, we have another long distance game; this time in Hagerstown. It's a soccer game for Kenzie. She wants to ride with some friends, not her dad, so if I want to go I need to bum a ride with someone else, too. I'm not driving, alone, for a four hour round trip no matter how much I enjoy watching her play. On the other hand, some of my other kids will want to go, so I won't be alone after all.
At least now we know he'll get to his piano recital on time this afternoon. He and Kenzie are playing a duet for the first time in public. After all the battles between those two, while trying to learn their ensemble piece, I'm very proud of them for hammering through their "creative differences" and putting together this song. If I can get a good video of it, I'll post it here.
Alex's day is still on schedule. His high school baseball team has a game in Frederick, about 2+ hours from his school. I guess they got less rain than we, since they haven't cancelled the game, and the radar show all the rain has passed. He just got picked up by some friends to go meet the bus, which will be passing by our house on the way to the game in about an hour. Seems kind of pointless, but that's what you get when you go to a school thirty miles away, in the wrong direction.
I still don't know if all the other local games/practices are still on, or not. Tay has baseball at noon. Ty has soccer at 3. Kenzie also has softball at 3, but I don't know when she'll be getting home from piano. It really doesn't matter if she misses some of this softball. It's a rec team. Most of the girls could never play at a level any higher, which is fine, that's why we have rec sports. Kenzie will have fun because she loves the game, at any level. I'll have fun, because all the stresses of travel are not there; and because I, as an assistant coach, can be involved with teaching the kids what little I know about the game. Anyway, I'm thinking the fields, especially infields, will be too soggy for play.
I almost forgot to mention we had an attack this morning. We lost two hens to a fox. We actually saw him, this morning, munching on one of them for breakfast (only got a measly head because I scared it off). Too bad my .357 is too loud to be fired in a neighborhood; I really hate that fox right now. Kenzie and I, out in the mud this morning, tried to fix the holes it dug under the fence, but now that it knows food is so easily available, it won't go away, I'm sure. Kenzie's going to have to be a very diligent shep-, I mean chicken-herd, for a while, making sure her hens are secure inside the coop every night.
Tomorrow, we have another long distance game; this time in Hagerstown. It's a soccer game for Kenzie. She wants to ride with some friends, not her dad, so if I want to go I need to bum a ride with someone else, too. I'm not driving, alone, for a four hour round trip no matter how much I enjoy watching her play. On the other hand, some of my other kids will want to go, so I won't be alone after all.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Rotten Eggs
So much for raising chicks. It didn't work. Next time, I guess we'll use an incubator. The kids did discover that lovely rotten eggs odor when Tyler squeezed one the unhatched eggs. Yuck! At least now, with the days getting longer, we're getting plenty of eggs again.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
New Babies Due Soon!
And here's the proud mama, in full brood mode. She's sitting on twelve eggs that, by my calculations, are due to hatch tomorrow. Once we noticed that she was getting very "broody" last month, we decided to try and let her hatch some baby chicks. So far, we've hatched chicks in an incubator, and bought some day-old chicks from a hatchery; but we've never let nature take its course in the hen house, so what the heck. I just hope we don't get too many roosters. I did not enjoy culling the roosters from the flock the last time.
This has gotten Kenzie interested in her chickens again. She was getting a little lax in her attendance to their feeding, watering, etc., but now she's getting things ready for the new additions. Once the chicks hatch, we'll move them to an area of the coop that mama can keep protected from her coop-mates and Nugget (the rooster). She's already gotten very bossy; even Nugget seems afraid of her. I think she'll be a good mother hen.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Big Snow
I can't believe it's March already. I missed a whole month of blogging and didn't even realize it. Too busy; and it's only going to get worse, with Spring activities heading our way. We were forced to slow down a bit over this past weekend, though, with our first snowstorm in six years. We've have tiny snowfalls almost every year, but usually nothing over a few inches at any one time. This one dumped about 8 or 10 inches on us, which was pretty good considering that two days before the storm hit, they were calling for zero accumulation and temperatures around or above freezing. We haven't gotten above freezing for the past four days. This was one of those coastal storms that hits us on the Eastern Shore harder than those on the other side of the Bay. Usually, we don't get this much snow. Schools were all closed on Monday and Tuesday, and opened late today. I let the kids have off 'til today, even though I hate taking snow days when our classroom is just a few steps away. Here's what it looked like this weekend.
Here's what it looked like the last time, in 2003, when had about 18 inches.
Here's what it looked like the last time, in 2003, when had about 18 inches.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Connor Futsal Highlights
He had a ton of highlights from today's game. He kept goal the whole first half; only allowed one goal; went into halftime with his team up by a score of 3-1. They wound up winning 7-6 against a very good, and very tall, SP team. One of the kids had a beard, NO LIE! I shoulda took his picture to prove it. Connor's team is playing in a 13/14 division ( Connor's team is mostly 12 year-olds ), but I didn't expect to see facial hair on any of the players. Anyway, here's a few of Connor's highlights.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Kenz At Futsal
She only gave up two goals in 48 minutes, which is awesome for futsal. Unfortunately, her team only scored one.
BBSL All Star
Kenzie played in her BBSL All Star game this morning, at First Mariner arena (where the Baltimore Blast plays). The All Stars from her team were teamed up with All Stars from the Baltimore Storm. I don't know who they played against, but Kenzie's team lost by one point (not one goal, because the rules allowed for a three-point goal from a certain distance). Kenz said she played defense the first half, and Goalie the second half. She seemed to have fun. At least she was smiling when she got home. Now we have to turn around and go to her futsal game. I'll get to watch this one.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Snow Day 2
The ice closed schools again today. Not ours, but the non-home versions. The ice was actually better than the snow, for sledding. We didn't need to go the hill; the front yard worked just fine.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sledding?
More like mudding. There wasn't much white stuff on our only hill on the entire island, but that didn't stop these guys. We have been so starved for snow the past couple of years, this white-ish area (use your imagination if you have to) worked just fine to satisfy the sledding bug. The freezing rain forecast for tonight should eliminate anything that looks like snow before morning.
Monday, January 26, 2009
One Busy Saturday
Alex turned sixteen on Saturday. That should have been a big enough event to fill the whole day; but not in this family...
Because of a busy morning, Alex spent the night at Mommom's house so she could take him to his school first thing, for a Flea Market sponsored by his Mission Club. They are raising money for their trip to a Native American reservation where they will do mission stuff (I don't know the details yet). He raised the most money of anyone in his club, just selling old books and videos for dirt cheap. He sold a ton of stuff, which really helped clear out some space around here. I guess he got home around 1 o'clock.
I spent the morning shopping for food for the afternoon party for Alex. We weren't supposed to need food because we planned the family gathering right between lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, the 11 o'clock recital (see below) got pushed to 1 o'clock, pushing the the party to later in the afternoon. Vicki spent the morning 'motivating' the kids to clean up the house. She 'motivates' by turning very red, and shaking the walls with her vocal chords (if you get my meaning). I like to 'motivate' with a big stick. Her method leaves fewer marks.
I then took Connor and Kenzie to their Chamber Music Festival. We were told it was being held at the same place as always, over in College Park. We got there, and it wasn't. We had to backtrack to a new location, arrived a bit late, but still got play. I was not happy, but it all worked out, as things usually do. Below are Kenz and Connor's pieces. Although this is Connor's third time doing this, it was Kenzie's very first time playing with an accompanying orchestra. I am so proud of her. I wish I could upload HD videos because my new camera has me spoiled for quality, but those files are just too huge. So, here's the fuzzy versions:
On the way home from that, I dropped Kenzie off with her soccer coach so she could go play futsal, and headed home. I think Alex had a good birthday. The whole family, grandparents, in-laws, and us pulled together and bought him his own laptop. We had to do something special for his sixteenth, and it wasn't going to be a car.
We wound up around an hours-long game of Risk, which Connor had bought for three dollars on Friday, at the first half of the Mission Club flea market.
Sunday started the same way, with a 9 am futsal game for Connor, home to church, and afternoon of Risk (where I had my way with global domination). I don't think anyone missed football this weekend.
Because of a busy morning, Alex spent the night at Mommom's house so she could take him to his school first thing, for a Flea Market sponsored by his Mission Club. They are raising money for their trip to a Native American reservation where they will do mission stuff (I don't know the details yet). He raised the most money of anyone in his club, just selling old books and videos for dirt cheap. He sold a ton of stuff, which really helped clear out some space around here. I guess he got home around 1 o'clock.
I spent the morning shopping for food for the afternoon party for Alex. We weren't supposed to need food because we planned the family gathering right between lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, the 11 o'clock recital (see below) got pushed to 1 o'clock, pushing the the party to later in the afternoon. Vicki spent the morning 'motivating' the kids to clean up the house. She 'motivates' by turning very red, and shaking the walls with her vocal chords (if you get my meaning). I like to 'motivate' with a big stick. Her method leaves fewer marks.
I then took Connor and Kenzie to their Chamber Music Festival. We were told it was being held at the same place as always, over in College Park. We got there, and it wasn't. We had to backtrack to a new location, arrived a bit late, but still got play. I was not happy, but it all worked out, as things usually do. Below are Kenz and Connor's pieces. Although this is Connor's third time doing this, it was Kenzie's very first time playing with an accompanying orchestra. I am so proud of her. I wish I could upload HD videos because my new camera has me spoiled for quality, but those files are just too huge. So, here's the fuzzy versions:
On the way home from that, I dropped Kenzie off with her soccer coach so she could go play futsal, and headed home. I think Alex had a good birthday. The whole family, grandparents, in-laws, and us pulled together and bought him his own laptop. We had to do something special for his sixteenth, and it wasn't going to be a car.
We wound up around an hours-long game of Risk, which Connor had bought for three dollars on Friday, at the first half of the Mission Club flea market.
Sunday started the same way, with a 9 am futsal game for Connor, home to church, and afternoon of Risk (where I had my way with global domination). I don't think anyone missed football this weekend.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sports Update
Ok. The only sports-free time of year for us (usually from Christmas through mid-January) is coming to a close. We have five athletes in this house, all of whom keep us hopping with all the games they play. Let's start, youngest to oldest.
Tyler got rostered by a select soccer team with our local travel league. He'll be playing on a new, U9 team for the Spring soccer season, in the BBSL. I offered him the chance to also play baseball because he is good at it, but he declined. He'll also keep singing with the church youth choir, so his plate full anyway.
Taylor is signed up for baseball. He'll be moving to the Minors this year. Our league has also discontinued their affiliation with Little League of America, and has switched to Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken. There will be quite a few changes from what we're used to, including Winter workouts (which is fantastic!) starting in two weeks. Tay also keeps youth choir. He also had the option to play on the travel soccer team with his brother, but he opted out. The twins have really made an effort the last few years to avoid each other in sports. I think this is a good thing.
Kenzie will still be the busiest homeschooler of the family. She was chosen, by her soccer coach, to join two teammates in representing their U12 team in the BBSL All Star games in Baltimore in two weeks. She starts Futsol (U12) this coming weekend, and will play on the U12 travel team again, when outdoor soccer resumes. I also convinced her to sign up to play softball with our local league. She will be playing with the 12U team, and I told the current coach I'd help. that helped Kenzie decide to go along. She wanted me to coach, for some reason, don't ask me why. It won't be the same as LSL or RB travel ball, but it will keep Kenzie in the game, and she will be playing up at the level she belongs. We will do some limited travelling, and may even play against Lake Shore, Bayside, or other teams in the area. Again, she also has choir, and is looking to take guitar lessons from a friend of ours. She'll fill in her free time with piano lessons and recital (of which we have one this Saturday). Oh, and now she's looking in the Yellow Pages for vets, animal clinics, and humane societies, because she wants to get a job (or volunteer to help) at a place that give her experience that will help in her future veterinary career. What's next?
Connor is Mr. Steady and Reliable where Kenzie is the picture of Volatility. Connor continues his stellar piano work, select soccer, and baseball. He will also be playing Futsol, starting this weekend, with teammates from his outdoor team. Then, the outdoor team will gear up for the Spring season. He will also play Babe Ruth baseball at the 13 year-old level. He wants me to coach his team, too, but they usually turn coaches away at this level because it's baseball, and all the dads want to coach baseball. I told him I'd help wherever I could, but the coaches they have will be better than I.
Alex, thankfully, took a season off from soccer last Fall at his school. He will not take off from baseball, however. He loves baseball. SO, add baseball to his Mission Club and ACE club memberships, and he'll be staying after school just about every day of the week when baseball season starts. Yippee: that means I get to drive to Easton every day because there's only one public bus home from school, and that leaves at 3:00. At least next year, I hope he'll be able to drive himself at least a little.
Come Fall, we'll be adding athlete #6 when Bekah starts soccer. We might look into dance class for her, too. She loves to dance, and has the energy that only four year-olds seem to possess.
And that's a glimpse of my coming sports season.
Tyler got rostered by a select soccer team with our local travel league. He'll be playing on a new, U9 team for the Spring soccer season, in the BBSL. I offered him the chance to also play baseball because he is good at it, but he declined. He'll also keep singing with the church youth choir, so his plate full anyway.
Taylor is signed up for baseball. He'll be moving to the Minors this year. Our league has also discontinued their affiliation with Little League of America, and has switched to Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken. There will be quite a few changes from what we're used to, including Winter workouts (which is fantastic!) starting in two weeks. Tay also keeps youth choir. He also had the option to play on the travel soccer team with his brother, but he opted out. The twins have really made an effort the last few years to avoid each other in sports. I think this is a good thing.
Kenzie will still be the busiest homeschooler of the family. She was chosen, by her soccer coach, to join two teammates in representing their U12 team in the BBSL All Star games in Baltimore in two weeks. She starts Futsol (U12) this coming weekend, and will play on the U12 travel team again, when outdoor soccer resumes. I also convinced her to sign up to play softball with our local league. She will be playing with the 12U team, and I told the current coach I'd help. that helped Kenzie decide to go along. She wanted me to coach, for some reason, don't ask me why. It won't be the same as LSL or RB travel ball, but it will keep Kenzie in the game, and she will be playing up at the level she belongs. We will do some limited travelling, and may even play against Lake Shore, Bayside, or other teams in the area. Again, she also has choir, and is looking to take guitar lessons from a friend of ours. She'll fill in her free time with piano lessons and recital (of which we have one this Saturday). Oh, and now she's looking in the Yellow Pages for vets, animal clinics, and humane societies, because she wants to get a job (or volunteer to help) at a place that give her experience that will help in her future veterinary career. What's next?
Connor is Mr. Steady and Reliable where Kenzie is the picture of Volatility. Connor continues his stellar piano work, select soccer, and baseball. He will also be playing Futsol, starting this weekend, with teammates from his outdoor team. Then, the outdoor team will gear up for the Spring season. He will also play Babe Ruth baseball at the 13 year-old level. He wants me to coach his team, too, but they usually turn coaches away at this level because it's baseball, and all the dads want to coach baseball. I told him I'd help wherever I could, but the coaches they have will be better than I.
Alex, thankfully, took a season off from soccer last Fall at his school. He will not take off from baseball, however. He loves baseball. SO, add baseball to his Mission Club and ACE club memberships, and he'll be staying after school just about every day of the week when baseball season starts. Yippee: that means I get to drive to Easton every day because there's only one public bus home from school, and that leaves at 3:00. At least next year, I hope he'll be able to drive himself at least a little.
Come Fall, we'll be adding athlete #6 when Bekah starts soccer. We might look into dance class for her, too. She loves to dance, and has the energy that only four year-olds seem to possess.
And that's a glimpse of my coming sports season.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Kenzie Turns Eleven
With everything going on around here, I forgot to wish Kenzie a Happy Birthday on this blog. I can't believe she's done all the things she's done in just eleven years. Now, she just walked into he classroom, grumbling. She's mad at me because it's MLK Jr. day, and we are doing school, even though government schools are off. Oh well, I want to be finished up in May (and so do they) so we can't afford to take too many days off now.
Back to the birthday. Kenzie got her guitar, which she has been really wanting. She has talked a lady at church (Eileen), who Kenzie (and Connor) sings with on Sunday mornings, to teach her to play the guitar. God Provides. We can't afford both piano and guitar lessons, so what does He do? Sends us yet another un-asked-for blessing. I'm really glad Kenzie has focused her energies on music again. It is much less expensive (and local) than all that travel softball stuff (I did enjoy it, but I don't really miss it).
Back to the birthday. Kenzie got her guitar, which she has been really wanting. She has talked a lady at church (Eileen), who Kenzie (and Connor) sings with on Sunday mornings, to teach her to play the guitar. God Provides. We can't afford both piano and guitar lessons, so what does He do? Sends us yet another un-asked-for blessing. I'm really glad Kenzie has focused her energies on music again. It is much less expensive (and local) than all that travel softball stuff (I did enjoy it, but I don't really miss it).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENZ
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A New Church
Our new church was dedicated today by our new Bishop. The Dedication Mass was conducted by Bishop Malooly, who recently replaced Bishop Saltarelli, who was instrumental in getting this building project started. This whole thing started about ten years ago and, after a year of holding Mass in our old church hall, we're finally in this very beautiful house of God. It is going to be SO nice to have pews again, and kneelers, and a real Confessional, not to mention all the other trappings of a Catholic church, like stained glass windows, the crucifix, candles, and incense.
One of the coolest things about this new building is that the old church is till part of the new one, as a small chapel that will be used for daily Masses. I wish I had pictures of everything that was done, but I don't. You'll just have to believe me when I say the place is just spectacular.
Four of my kids got to help in some way during the dedication. Kenzie, Taylor, and Tyler sang in the choir. Connor played the new organ during Communion. Needless to say, I probably should go to Confession to rid myself of the sin of Pride that I've been feeling for days, now. But, I don't think God will mind too much if I take some pleasure in the gifted children He has given us.
Here's a view from my seat as we arrived in our new church. Then, Bishop Malooly sprinkled the congregation with Holy Water.
The Bishop then anointed the altar, and Father Jennings anointed the walls.
The Bishop incensed the altar. Deacon Robinson incensed the church and congregation.
The altar was set and prepared for the first Liturgy of the Eucharist.
During Communion, Connor played this organ while the joint youth/adult choir (and the rest of us) sang. For some members of this family, it was the third Mass of the weekend, but nobody complained.
One of the coolest things about this new building is that the old church is till part of the new one, as a small chapel that will be used for daily Masses. I wish I had pictures of everything that was done, but I don't. You'll just have to believe me when I say the place is just spectacular.
Four of my kids got to help in some way during the dedication. Kenzie, Taylor, and Tyler sang in the choir. Connor played the new organ during Communion. Needless to say, I probably should go to Confession to rid myself of the sin of Pride that I've been feeling for days, now. But, I don't think God will mind too much if I take some pleasure in the gifted children He has given us.
Here's a view from my seat as we arrived in our new church. Then, Bishop Malooly sprinkled the congregation with Holy Water.
The Bishop then anointed the altar, and Father Jennings anointed the walls.
The Bishop incensed the altar. Deacon Robinson incensed the church and congregation.
The altar was set and prepared for the first Liturgy of the Eucharist.
During Communion, Connor played this organ while the joint youth/adult choir (and the rest of us) sang. For some members of this family, it was the third Mass of the weekend, but nobody complained.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A New Direction
Okay, I know I was looking northward a few weeks ago in an effort to improve our lot in life. Upon checking the recent weather forecasts, I think I'll be looking southward in the future. Here's what we'd be facing up north:
Which makes it look downright balmy around here:
And doesn't compare at all to what's happening down south:
Which makes it look downright balmy around here:
And doesn't compare at all to what's happening down south:
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Please Pardon Our Dust
The twins' room has been undergoing a transformation today. There are currently at least four amusement park projects underway. Tyler can't seem to be able to get enough of his K'Nex sets. With me, it was Erector Sets, in the early seventies. At least, instead of watching TV, he's spending these cold winter days doing something 'constructive'.
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