Football Kind of Family these days

Ok, so now i'm trying to catch up on my blog. My goal was to at least post once a month, so this month I may have three to catch up for September and October. We had barely finished up swim season, when football season began. I am not a big fan of my son playing "tackle" ball but Kevin said if he wanted to try it, we should let him and be supportive. So I have been VERY Supportive, at least I think so. Brandon made the "B" team of the Olney Bears Team. In the beginning he was a little timid about the tackling, but he has a great set of coaches and he has definitely improved since the beginning of the season. Its hard when you tell your child his whole life not to put his hands on someone else and then when they start playing football, you need to tell them to tackle or basically be tackled.

With the great coaching came a great season. At the end of the regular season, Brandon's team was 9-0. In 9 games not one team had scored on them at all! Not the usual i'm told. Last weekend began the playoffs and they won the game. When I asked Brandon why he wasn't more excited , he said "they scored on us Mom". More the norm I'm told. The Bears won 32-14. So this week he's still practicing 3 times a week with the 2nd playoff game scheduled for Friday night. I'll keep you posted on the outcome of the game.

Here are a few photos that I have taken of him:

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First Day of School and Last First Day...

It's hard to believe how time has flown by. When we were contemplating moving, my one wish was to be moved into where we wanted to live "forever"by the time Brandon was going into 1st grade, no later. We moved in before he started Kindergarten and have loved Greenwood. He's made lots of friends, as has Shelby and Kevin and I, too. Today was the first day of school, but also Brandon's last "first" day of school at Greenwood. It is strange to think that he will start middle school next year. But in the meantime we are going to enjoy and treasure this year..during the good times and I'm sure some trying times (i.e. homework!). I can't wait to hear all about their first day.

The finished product...

and the chefs that made them.

Sushi 101

The kids really wanted to have another sushi lesson (since Brandon had one at Scouts). They both love sushi, so funny since it took me till about 5 years ago to acquire the taste for it. I still pretty much stick to the California rolls...I don't go too far out of my comfort zone. We sort of made a list of things we would like to do this summer and this was one of them. So we called up the Dranny and asked her when she would be available and marked it on the calendar. So today was the day and her are some pics from the lesson.

Till We See Her Again...

I hate goodbye's. I don't do well with goodbye's. With that said, tonight I had to say goodbye to my niece, Emily, who is leaving for a year to go to Kenya. She will be a dorm mother for 9th grade girls at Rift Valley Academy. We are incredibly proud of her decision, but at the same time we are sad that she will be leaving and gone for a whole year. Last week, Emily, Peter and Brett took Brandon and Shelby out for a last "cousins" dinner at Mongolian BBQ in Bethesda. Tonight my sister hosted a farewell pizza dinner for family and a few friends. It was a nice gathering and I held it together pretty well, I did get teary eyed when Shelby hugged Emily and said her goodbyes. So Emily, its not goodbye, but till we see you again next year. Enjoy this next year, it will surely be a year of continued faith, joy, love, maybe a little homesickness, but definitely an experience you will never forget. We love you!

All Star Update

Well, yesterday we went to All Stars. Shelby did very well and had some stiff competition. She ended up 11th out of 16 which I think is great, especially given that it is her first time ever to All Stars. We celebrated afterwards with the coaches and the Corcorans (who had an All Star diver, too) at Fuddruckers. It was a fun evening for all. The best part....at the end of the night Shelby told Kristen, her coach, "I'm going to keep diving every year until I'm 20". Like I've said before, she never stops surprising us!

Kudos also belong to....Brandon

I'm not going to let Brandon's accomplishments go unnoticed either. Early in the season Brandon earned the "Tarpon" pillow for helping out during swimming and helping the younger kids. I was proud then but very proud and surprised at the banquet when he received the Jr.Coaches Trophy. The head coach recognized two kids that were there consistently, over at the coaches table asking what they could do to help, helping the younger kids, pulling in the lane ropes, cheering on their fellow teammates and in general just going over and beyond what is asked of them. I was stunned! But this season I saw a change in Brandon. We are at the pool for 3 hours every morning. He has 1 hour of swim practice, she has an hour of swim and an hour of dive, so basically he has 2 hours of just being there. This summer, I didn't get from him the usual, "I'm bored, there's nothing to do" without any prompting from me, he began to go over to the coaches, hang out with them and then began asking them what he could do to help. By the end of practice everyday I was having to practically drag him out of there because he didn't want to leave! I love the swim and dive team because not only is it a wonderful "team" sport but there is a true sense of community. The kids really help each other and cheer each other on. I said to Kevin that although Brandon had a very good swim season, I have been most proud of the sportsman like behavior and his want and desire to help and be a bigger part of the team. It makes my heart swell with pride and love. BRANDON, You Rock! Love you! The Mom