Soccer Slammed

      It is soccer season, which means we need at least one post about soccer, right?  Well you are going to have to put up with the fact that I am NOT a sports writer, as is very evident from this post...
       Part of the soccer season around here is the "Soccer Slam", a full-day, double elimination tournament that always sounded a bit like over-kill, and a lot like torture to me.  In seasons past we have been unable to participate because they always held the "Slam" on a Sunday.  Well, this year it was on a Saturday and the boys (Tyler and Sam) were super excited that they finally got to be a part of it.  I would be lying if I said that I felt the same way (just a little honesty here).
One of the things the boys were especially excited about was the possibility of having a tie game which would then be decided by a PK Shoot-out.  Oh, to them this was the End all, what a thrill that would be!
     As I mentioned before, the Soccer Slam is a double elimination tournament with the possibility of playing up to 5 games in one day, which Sam's team did.  We arrived at the field at 8:15 for Sam's first game.  Sydney and Carter lasted about a game and a half before they were ready to go home (it was a little rainy and cold.) 
     Sam played awesome!  He has really become more aggressive and shot quite a few goals for his team (I think we counted somewhere around 10) throughout the day.  His team ended up taking 2nd place in the tournament!
     Tyler's first game began at 11:30.  His team ended up playing 4 games.  The final game was quite exciting, and a great way to end the day.  Tyler's team (The Deadly Pickles, and Tyler dubbed himself Midget Pickle) were playing a team they had lost to previously, and in the last quarter were down by 3 points.  I was pretty sure it was a lost game.  But those kids really kicked it up a notch, or maybe fired up the pickle juice,  and tied it up just before the end of the game. 
     What's this?  A tied game?  Now was the opportunity Tyler had been dreaming of!  A PK Shootout!   Each team chose 5 players to shoot.  (I was really glad at this point that I was not the Keeper!  Talk about pressure!)  What a tense and exciting moment as the teams took turns sending one player up to shoot for a goal.  At the end of the shoot-out, the two teams were still tied up, each having made one goal, I was really impressed with the Keepers on both teams!  They did amazing!
     So, now on to Sudden Death.  The Pickles were up first, and I felt a little flutter in my stomach as I watched my Midget Pickle walk up to take his turn at a Penalty Kick.  He stepped back, took his kick and...
 
SCOOOOOOOOOOORE!!!!!!!  (We really needed one of those soccer announcers there)
     Is it weird to cry at an 11 year old's soccer game?
     Nervously we waited for the other team to kick, and the game ended right there as our keeper blocked the shot and the Deadly Pickles won First Place in the Soccer Slam Tournament!
     So, at 5:00, after having been at the field for 8 hours, we loaded up two tired, but very happy boys and celebrated with pizza and a Movie Night!  Everyone slept well that night!
 

Mother's Day Tea (Only, really, it was Lemonaid)

This morning I had the pleasure of visiting Sydney's school for the Mother's Day Tea event.  What a fun morning it was!  As we entered the room we each had a place at a table set for us with a placemat, a vase, and a beautiful hat, all handmade by our preschoolers.  I can tell you that we Mother's were resplendent in our hats, here is the proof...

After admiring our gifts, the kids recited some poems and sang a couple of songs.  One of the songs they sang was "May There Always Be Sunshine".  Spencer sang that at his preschool graduation, Sam sang it for his Mother's Day Tea, and for some reason it always makes me cry.  These kids just grow up too fast!


One of the activities of the morning was, of course, picture taking.  Here is Sydney's class...

And here is Sydney's good friend Ever.  A couple of weeks ago Sydney announced to me that she has two boyfriends.  A little astonished that she even knew what a boyfriend was, I asked her who those lucky little boys were.  Ever is one of them.  The other is a very cute little boy from church, who apparently she likes to sit next to at church, like, RIGHT next to.

Ever's Mom asked him, while we were taking their picture, if he wanted to give Sydney a hug to say goodbye.  He shook his head no, in a "Don't embarrass me Mom!" kind of way.  Sydney wasn't quite as reserved.  Should I be worried about this girl?

Here is a close up of me in my hat.  I tried to get Sydney to wear it so I could get a picture of her, but she wouldn't!  Can't figure out why!  But, at least I got a cute picture with her instead...

So, a Happy Mother's Day to you all!  I am so grateful to have an incredible Mother, how I wish I could be a Mother more like her!  Love you Mom!  Next time you come I will make you a beautiful hat too!

The Warm Weather that Was, and Sydney's Designs for Men

Back when it was warm here, we spent some time outside.  These pictures are in memory of those beautiful days, may we see some again sometime...

Carter's snazzy glasses are actually his sister's, I say that in case you were wondering why we would give him pink glasses with red hearts.  I guess it's all good anyway, seeing as Tyler did inform me the other day that pink is a "man color".


In other news, Sydney has expanded her fashion design to men's wear now.  She made this awesome tie for Steve, all by herself.  If you are interested in owning one of your own, we are taking orders.  They would make a great Father's Day gift.  Watch out Grandpa!

Spring Break!

We love Spring Break at our house! We try to do something fun, and if possible get away for a few days with just the fam! This year we re-visited last year's destination, simply because it was so much fun! So off to Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells we went...

We did a TON of swimming...


I am not sure you could get a happier smile on this boy's face! He was, by far, the biggest fan of the waterslides. Everyone else would be done and tired, and Sam would just keep going! I am not sure he would ever tire of waterslides...

This slide, I affectionately call the Wedgie-nator. Sam adored this slide and begged me to go on it with him. I went on it once, but one wedgie was plenty for me. Here is Steve's descent...

One of our favorite slides was this triple "Racing" slide. Three people can go at a time and the goal is to be the first one across the finish line. The boys always required a head start when Steve or I would join them. Here are some "photo-finishes" from one of the races...



Another thing the kids enjoyed were the "Lily-pads" I lost count of how many times they went across these...



We also did a little Mini-golf. The course wasn't too thrilling, but it was pretty amazing that it was nice enough outside to do it...

Carter REALLY enjoyed this activity, seeing as it involved a ball and all...

And then back to more swimming!




And, at the end of the day, it was no surprise to find five very tired children...

Love Spring Break! I think I am ready for another one!