August Routine

Last weekend was super busy. Luke played in a baseball tournament. It was his first kid pitch tournament. I wasn't able to go because of other kids' activities, but Thomas said it was some of the best games Luke's played. His team only won 2/4, but Luke pitched and played amazing defense. He struck out batters and made several good defensive catches and plays. We are really happy with most aspects of his team. The coaches are patient and are more focused on learning than winning. They played a team with a kid who had a 90+ pitch count, which is insane for this age. Our coaches would not do that. They are good about rotating people around the field and really emphasize good sportsmanship. The only aspect we are not happy with is we signed up to just do tournaments. Last season, Luke played on a regular team and also the tournament team (not really a travel team, as it stayed relatively local). This season, the team was going to stay together, but only do tournaments. But now they have decided to do both. Overall, it shouldn't be quite as bad because it is the same kids, so they won't have additional practices. The worst part is that the practices are from 7-9 twice a week, and it isn't the field closest to our house. Luke goes to bed at 8, reads for a bit, and is usually asleep by 9 so I am not sure how it will work for us.

While Luke and Thomas were doing that, Jack had his first basketball game with high schoolers. He is playing with the YMCA and is excited to be on a new team with some older kids. He still practices almost every day. Which is surprising because, thanks to band, his schedule is crazy. Me and the girls went to his game and enjoyed watching them play. Jack had a few points and his team played well. 

Jack shooting free throws

Sunday, I took Anna ice skating. She had a really good practice. Her spins are coming along nicely and she practiced those and jumps and backwards crossovers and who knows what else. She gets frustrated at Thomas and me because she doesn't think we appreciate her skating in the same way we appreciate Luke and Jack's sports. It occasionally causes contention in the house. I feel like we are supportive and encouraging, but she doesn't think it is enough. I know she wishes she had started earlier and was competitively skating and she wishes that we liked skating as much as she does. It is hard.

Going into her sit spin.

The week passed by uneventfully. Kara is staying after school twice a week for theater club. As an 8th grader in her third year of the class, she gets to be one of the leaders. She is enjoying it and looking forward to the Thespians competition and the spring musical. Luke had a baseball scrimmage. He pitched well but didn't play great in other positions. Luke also had a dentist's appointment. No cavities, but he does have to get a tooth pulled as another tooth is blocking it from falling out. Poor kid has had a lot of mouth issues! 

waiting for the dentist

Jack had band practice on Tuesday and Thursday. Then, the football team had its first game on Friday. It sounded like a pretty miserable experience. It was raining and they had to sit on the buses for a long time because of lightening. The stands were wet, the game started late, they didn't get dinner until 930pm, the team lost 42-0.  And, what is weird to me is that they still don't know their halftime show. They have only learned the first song. I don't understand what they did during their 2 weeks of band camp and now all the after-school practices for hours and hours? The other school performed their full halftime show, so I know it is possible. And, Jack didn't get home until around 1130pm, after leaving for school at 6:10am that morning. It was a very long, often unpleasant day!

On Friday, Thomas and I did a day date to Universal. We went right after the kids started school. We rode a couple of rides, walked through the castle, browsed the shops, and had lunch at Circus McGurkus. We spent a few fun hours there and were home in time to greet Luke after school.

Anna asked what we were doing, so we sent her this picture.

Jack had another basketball game Saturday. They were grossly outmatched, but Jack and his team hustled and were good sports. Anna went ice skating and Luke went along. Anna was not as pleased with her practice this week and Luke fell and hit his head. He said ice skating is now his second least favorite sport. The only thing that falls below it on his list is tackle football.