Summer's End

While the weather is telling us we're in the midst of summer, last night's football sign-ups are a big reminder that we are soon to start school.  We're starting early this year (Aug. 9th or 16th) to ensure plenty of time in December for a break when this baby is born.  Here are a few pictures from our last big summer event - swimming lessons!

Jetter in his way-cool goggles!

Beany made a good friend.  These two played together each day while their older siblings took swimming lessons.

Social Butterfly and a good friend. Gotta love that goggle look!

Social Buttefly with her instructor.

Diving instruction.  Do you see Jetter (just behind the handrail)?  He's obviously ready to give it a try before the instruction is complete.  Doesn't surprise me in the least! :)

As for Builder, he is constant motion in the water.  It made it very difficult to get a clear picture.  Thank heavens he had a very patient instructor.  Heres a video instead of a still shot - since "still" isn't his nature! (Just click the arrow.)

 

Rock Wall Climbing

When a priest who is a friend came back from Rome for a visit the first thing he wanted to do is go rock wall climbing.  This priest is a great person and really enjoys kids.  So of course, all the kids came!  There were quite a few families so we filled the place.  Everyone had a great time!  For some reason, maybe the lighting, it's hard for me to get pictures at the "Rock Wall Climbing place" without them being blurry.  But here are some that aren't too bad.

(Fr. "D" explains to Builder how the harness and pulleys work.  Builder was of course more interested in the pulley systems than in the actual climbing, but he did his share of that too.

I was very proud of Social Butterfly who made it all the way to the top despite her fear of heights.  Then she went back and did it again, and even moved on to the more difficult wall.

Night Owl was of course only willing to try the advanced wall.  It's quite a challenge. 

Here, Jetter argues with  talks to friends about who will make it to the top first.  I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of Jetter climbing!  He was like Spider Man on that wall!  I don't know how many times he was up and down.  Here's a picture from a previous wall climbing trip to keep things fair.

Even Beany got in on the fun!

It was a great day and we're thankful that Father "D" will be here for a while.  The big kids will be doing rock wall climbing and pizza quite often while he is here.  I can't think of a better person for Night Owl to be friends with!

Track

Night Owl is involved with track again this year.  He's not running as much though, which pleases his football coach who doesn't want him to lose too much weight.  This year Night Owl has been throwing discus and shot put.  He really enjoys it, and is learning very quickly.  I took these pictures at the meet yesterday.  The one above is the only good picture I took of the shot put.  The three below are the discus throw.  I love the determined look on his face!  (Click on the pictures to make them bigger.)

End of the Football Season.

Builder played his last game a couple of weeks ago, (see pictures here) and Jetter is playing his last game today.  It's cold and rainy and muddy, so I'm including a few pictures from last weeks game instead of taking more today.  Last week Jetter's team got to play at the local university's big stadium.  It was very exciting! (Although difficult to take a "close up" picture!)

I'm sure every other parent there will have a different opinion, but in my book #77 was the star of the show!

Night Owl played last night and they won again!  That means they will go to the play-offs so it looks like the football season will continue here for at least a few more weeks.  I wish the cold weather would hold up.  We were a bit chilly and wet last night in the rain.  I have to tackle a very muddy uniform this morning and I'm not looking forward to it!

Builder's Last Game

As usual, this weekend was filled with football games.  Night Owl did an excellent job at his game and the "red team" won again.  Jetter's game was 1 1/2 hours away (again!) and they did a great job too.  Builder played his last flag football game of the season so this post is devoted mostly to him.   
    For those who wonder, flag football is played very much like regular football but there is no tackling.  Instead, the kids wear flags around their waist, and when a person from the opposing team takes their flag, they are considered "tackled".  The other difference for flag players is that the coach is usually the quarter back.  This is because most  5-7 year olds can't throw the ball accurately enough for the game to move ahead.  Here's a  picture of Builder in which you can see his flags, and one with the coach playing quarter back.

  

As in all football games, the players on the line are blocking their opponents, but, they are not aloud to tackle.  Most of the players get moved around alot, so they have a turn to play the different positions.  The other thing that makes flag different, is that every player is played the entire game.  For this reason, they try to put the same amount of kids on each team.

    Builder played a great game, especially after the half time pep tak with big brother!

Beany made a friend and had a great time at the game too!  This is the facial expression he makes when you say "smile!".

One of Builder's favorite "parts of the game" is at the end when you get to give everyone on the opposing team a "high five" and say "good game"!   

And of course, he's very proud of his trophy that he received from the coach!  All in all, it was a great first season of flag football for Builder!

Football Pictures

Since it's football season, my new "lucky numbers" are 15, 77 and 75!

Football Season

So, what does your living room look like on a Thursday morning in September?!
Click on the arrow for the short video below!

The Big Game

Taking a break from the planning posts to write about last night's big football game against the archrival team! Unfortunately, "the good guys" lost, but they sure played a great game. I was especially proud of this guy! Night Owl is #75. He looks good in red doesn't he! (Click on the picture to make it full size.)

Some great friends joined us for a tailgate party before the game and helped us cheer the red team on.

The rain stopped before the game and didn't start up again until we were on our way to the car. (Someone must have been praying!)

Football Season

Football season has officially arrived around here. Night Owl returned from football camp safe and sound, Jetter is signed up for Rocket football, Builder is signed up for Rocket Flag Football, and Dad watched his first Steelers game last night. "Already?" I asked. "Already?! It's been six long months of no football!" came the reply. (I wish I had the little smiley "eye-roll" icon here.)

I do have to admit though, nearly 20 years of watching the Steelers during football season has kind of grown on me. I don't mind watching them, in fact sometimes I enjoy it.

The guys I really enjoy watching are my own sons though. I look forward to their games. There will be a "first" for all 3 of them this year. Night Owl will be playing on the varsity team for the first time. Jetter will have his first year in "contact football" and is quite excited about wearing all the pads, and Builder will have his first year at flag football which is sort of an introduction to the whole football thing.

Here at home, we have our own football camp going. The coach is of course Night Owl and the youngest member of the team is Beany. It's a riot. Even our neighbor likes to come out to the fence and watch the antics of these boys when they're practicing. Night Owl just has fun with it and his brothers love him for it. I'm proud of him for taking the time to do this with the boys. He's really growing up.

Here's some pictures:

First the pep talk. Notice the dog intently watching, waiting to steal the ball and run.

Then come the warm up exercises and a few laps around the yard.

Working on the "3-point stance":

Finally, the tackle drills! This is the favorite part!

These boys are such a blessing to one another. They might not always appreciate what they have, but I sure do.

Football

I just received an email about the varsity football camp Night Owl will be attending in a couple of weeks. I noticed he's the only 10th grader listed. I shouldn't check these things. They just make me nervous. He'll be gone 4 nights. Sigh.