Monthly Archives: March 2015

crazy parade!

My friend Ann is a great mom, runner, PTO treasurer, organizer of the charity fun run the Turkey Trot, and so much more. Well, we hatched a plan to do some fun runs with our kids over the summer. When we realized we’d both be around over break, we decided to hatch a plan to test it out sooner. I got my old jogging stroller fixed up (5,000 miles and lots of salt water had done it in – no brakes, flat tires, rust everywhere) to be our sag wagon for hoodies, Gatorade, phones, sunglasses, loot (rewards for after the jog), etc. We also thought it would be fun to allow the younger or slower ones to hitch a ride in the “stagecoach” now and again. The hare can push the tortoise 🙂 When we did rider swaps, we did it fast – like on John Butterfield’s first overland mail stagecoach run – go go go! Only time to change out horses every 15 miles…no rest for the driver! Sometimes two kids were stacked up. It was hilarious. As we loped around the 1.5 mile trail through the park on our first lap, we collected Ben’s friend Cole and his mom, Lisa. Into our second lap we collected a barefooted Finn and his mom, Brie! It was really a crazy parade then as Cole had a notepad and a pen (to document the silliness?), and Lisa was carrying an “official dodge ball”! Afterwards we enjoyed some ice cream drumsticks and a romp in the playground while the sun held. Enjoy the shots – it was a good time!

Evelyn is a smart girl! She was so sweet, waving to everyone like the Rose Queen in the Rose Parade!

Evelyn is a smart girl! She was so sweet, waving to everyone like the Rose Queen in the Rose Parade!

We thought we were done because I forgot that we'd started in a different spot than usual. Sam reminded us that we were half a lap short - wow, talk about honesty! So we took off again and finished off our 5K!

We thought we were done because I forgot that we’d started in a different spot than usual. Sam reminded us that we were half a lap short – wow, talk about honesty! So we took off again and finished off our 5K!

And here they all are, wonderful joggers! That was fun!

And here they all are, wonderful joggers! That was fun!

Well deserved naughty treats!

Well deserved naughty treats!

Lisa joined in with a dodge ball in hand! Go Lisa!

Lisa joined in with a dodge ball in hand! Go Lisa!

Finn joined in, no shoes! Go, Hawaiian boy!

Finn joined in, no shoes! Go, Hawaiian boy!

Will took everyone for a flight.

Will took everyone for a flight. He’s deep inside the plane in the cockpit.

This is seriously ominous sky behind us, but we really enjoyed hanging out together. Those ominous skies kept EVERYONE else out of the park. We were the only ones left to enjoy the narrow swath of sun over Bainbridge.

This is seriously ominous sky behind us, but we really enjoyed hanging out together. Those ominous skies kept EVERYONE else out of the park. We were the only ones left to enjoy the narrow swath of sun over Bainbridge.

 

Hockey withdrawal!

I just noticed it’s been 6 weeks since I last posted! Since then we’ve had a very exciting conclusion to hockey season with making it through our division’s 3-game playoffs and winning the final game! Here is a link to our highlights reel created by one of our parents who works for Adobe. Ellen has a great eye and stitches these reels together right on her iPhone using an Adobe app called PremierClip.

Our progression through the playoffs (WSHC Black) and the little trophy icon :)

Our progression through the playoffs (West Sound Warriors Black) and the little trophy icon 🙂

The semi-final was just about as miracle-on-ice as a parent could wish for – tied at the end so the kids went to a 5-round shootout (best of 5 would win). Sam was #3 in the shoot-out roster. The other team scored the first shot, then we went – no dice. Then they did, no dice. Then we went – Sam scored, tying us up again! The next two rounds no one scored, so it then went to sudden death and we proceeded through the rest of the roster – all 10 kids got a shot in! The home team scored in sudden death, and one of our guys scored his FIRST season goal to tie us up again (go Hap!)!!! A few more rounds – no scores, still tied. Finally our second shooter (Adam) went up again and scored the final goal to win the game! It was just unbelievable!

Sam beaming at the awards ceremony. I will have to get better shots of all the swag. I was pretty busy helping hand bags over and things. This is Coach Pike talking about Sam - "Mr. Persistence" who waits for the right shot or pass. He also got a medal, a shirt with his name and number, and you can't see it but the best of all was a custom puck and stand with trading cards for each of his teammates made by the dad in the red sweatshirt in the back (Frank). You will NOT believe how cool they are, and how nice it is to thumb through all the buddies now that we don't get to see them as much. The stories, personalities and locker-room shenanigans - not to mention the face-off shenanigans that I'm just learning about! - made for a wonderful season. Our team had the best morale and bond. We were very fortunate!

Sam beaming at the awards ceremony. I will have to get better shots of all the swag. I was pretty busy helping hand bags over and things. This is Coach Pike talking about Sam – “Mr. Persistence” who waits for the right shot or pass. He also got a medal, a shirt with his name and number, and you can’t see it but the best of all was a custom puck and stand with trading cards for each of his teammates made by the dad in the red sweatshirt in the back (Frank). You will NOT believe how cool they are, and how nice it is to thumb through all the buddies now that we don’t get to see them as much. The stories, personalities and locker-room shenanigans – not to mention the face-off shenanigans that I’m just learning about! – made for a wonderful season. Our team had the best morale and bond. We were very fortunate!

Ben’s basketball team wrapped up their season, too – UNDEFEATED! They had a couple really close games where they had to come from behind and won by 1 or 2 points. Nail biters! We have been so fortunate to have coaches for both boys who were just unparalleled in their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to helping each child grow no matter where they started in skills. Thank you Coach Pike, Coach Wilson (both hockey) and Coach Tomine (basketball). We are grateful! Enjoy your off time!

Ben showing his trophy while we are on our way to hockey playoffs! Ben's team played their last game Sat morning, then we went for team lunch and awards, then hopped the ferry for Sam's game. Can you believe it?

Ben showing his trophy while we are on our way to hockey playoffs! Ben’s team played their last game Sat morning, then we went for team lunch and awards, then hopped the ferry for Sam’s game. Can you believe it? Oh – notice he’s also proudly missing two front teeth!

So – life after hockey? We just ended Sunday. It’s taking a couple days to adjust. We’re all in a bit of withdrawal because we enjoyed the routine, the practices, the people and all the action. The kids are off school Wed-Fri this week for parent-teacher conferences so I served up breakfast outside this morning, just to mix it up a bit. The sun was magical coming through the woods. When I got back from riding, we hatched a plan to buy a card game which has taken the school by storm (Magic players, anyone?). We played at the same picnic table this evening. I got UNO for myself because I can’t stand learning tricky games. I have no patience for the learning process! Bad mommy. So UNO is for me!

Picnic breakfast with the crazies!

Picnic breakfast with the crazies! Can you tell Daddy bought cereals? They don’t exactly match mommy’s desired protein:sugar ratio but they are GOOD!