January Sicknesses and Winter Camp

January has been crazy.

First, my daughter got sick and had to miss two days of school. Quite unusual for her. She also had to miss the final basketball game of the tourney, which was also her last basketball game of 6th grade.

Then, my son got sick. As per the usual, he was sick for a week.

During this entire time, my husband was also sick. And when he wasn't sick himself, he was staying home with the sick kids. So that was not so cool.

I figured, since they have all been well and attending school this week, I was probably going to get it.

I was right.

I spent the last two days at home sick. Ugh.

I had no choice but to feel better today, though. This afternoon, we are taking our kiddos to Mid-Winter Camp. This is the awesome church camp our kids attend every winter about this time. This year, we are taking an even dozen with us. So cool! Can't wait for them to experience this! Two of them are just old enough this year, so this is their first time. We also have two others who have never gone with us before, either.

So, I hope I continue to feel better and make it through the weekend!

Just for fun, I've been reading a cute book called Encyclopedia of Me, by Karen Rivers, about a middle school girl who is grounded during the summer and decides to write an encyclopedia to keep herself occupied. Cute book, I think all 12-13 year old girls will love. It's been good to have something to keep me occupied.

Basketball Boy

My son only plays basketball because I make him. That's what he tells everyone, and it's actually the truth. In their elementary school, the 4th-6th graders play basketball during this time of the year. If the kids choose not to participate on the basketball team, they end up sitting through all of gym class. Well, I figure he does enough sitting during the rest of his day; he needs to be up and active during gym class. So, yes, I make him play basketball.

The hardest part of playing basketball, for him, is that the rest of the boys in his class are incredibly talented. It's like they were born with athletics in their genes. They live and breathe sports. So my son doesn't get to play in the games for very long (although his coach is awesome and lets every boy have some minutes of playing time in every game).

Last night, though, my son got plenty of playing time. The team was ahead by a ridiculous number of points. (I think the final score ended up being something like 45-8.) And somehow, something in my son's brain finally clicked. He actually took 3 shots -- something he's NEVER done in a game before.

And he actually MADE a BASKET! In fact, it was the final basket of the game, though it wasn't a "buzzer-beater" or anything fantastic like that.

I was probably the most excited person in the stands at that point. I'm so proud of him. He's stuck with it, and improved as a player, even though he really doesn't like playing basketball. And that makes me proud of him as a person.

A great basketball book: Summer Ball by Mike Lupica

Speeches, Basketball, and Dance.. Oh My!

Yesterday was one of those overly busy days. I'm reminded of Dorothy's famous line about lions, and tigers, and... Yep, it was a walk-in-the-woods kind of day.

During school, both kids attended the 4H speech contest. My daughter got a red ribbon, and my son got a blue ribbon. I'm just proud that they wanted to participate!

Right after school, my daughter had a basketball game. The school buses were being used on routes, so no buses were available to take the girls to the game! My husband volunteered to use our church van, so we took half and coach used the school suburban for the other half. (Hubby's logic: the pastor's daughter and the youth pastor's daughter are both on the team, so why not?) Actually, I'm glad our church can reach out to the community when there is a need!

To top it all off, my daughter had dance class last night too! She was tired for sure, but she wouldn't have it any other way. It's a good thing she's taking this all in stride, since nearly every Tuesday until mid-January is going to be basketball/dance day!

To be honest, I am glad my kids like to be involved in school and extracurricular activities. I just really wish (for my sake) that the activities didn't happen all on the same day!

A quick read, a novel in verse, for grades 6-8: Planet Middle School by Nikki Grimes. The main character is a middle school basketball player, and her struggle during her first year of middle school is actually a great (and quick) book to read!

Homecoming Spirit Week

This week is basketball homecoming week. Our school is BIG into homecoming activities. We have special "dress-up" themes each day. For example, tomorrow is "camo day", when everyone is going to wear camouflage.

Today's theme was my favorite: "Fake an Injury" Day! Lots of kids have used braces, crutches, bandages, and painted bruises. My daughter and I got really creative! I have a broken heart -- two red heart pieces pinned to my sweater and glitter-glue tears on my face.

My daughter's idea for a fake injury is even more creative. She is wearing a big fuzzy white sweater, fuzzy bear slippers, and we painted three long red "gashes" on her face. Then, we pinned a sign to her jacket -- "Polar Bear: 0".

Spirit Days are so much fun! To me, it doesn't really matter if our teams win or lose. We have had fun celebrating our school spirit nonetheless.

A great book for middle grade kids about friendship and learning more about your community:
The Visconti House by Elsbeth Edgar.

Basketball Season

Well, folks, it's officially basketball season again. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE watching basketball! I try to get to as many high school games as possible, usually a junior high game or two, and now elementary games as well since I have a couple players myself! Of course, I'm addicted to NCAA basketball and can't wait for the March Madness season.

However, I'm nauseated watching all the hubbub surrounding the NBA. I will never understand why an industry that makes so much in revenue can't get their acts together to START THE SEASON ALREADY! Besides, our little town is impatiently waiting to see one of our own as a Thunder Girl!

Having had that little rant, I feel better, thank you. I have been enjoying watching my 5th-grader play. She has improved so much since last year, since being aggressive on the court is not exactly her personality. Especially on defense. It cracks me up when she "gets tough". :)

A little basketball reading suggestion -- Mike Lupica's Miracle on 49th Street!

Basketball and Ice

Despite the cold temperatures, I have officially served my time at Elementary Basketball. I worked the concession stand yesterday, with the welcome help of two 5th grade girls and my daughter. Elementary basketball games are interesting. It's like high school games, only smaller. The kids are smaller, the gym is smaller, the bleachers are smaller, the concession stand is MUCH smaller. :) Interesting how the parents and other spectators are just as involved, though. Anyway, I am glad my servitude time is over.

On another note, I believe we are the only school in the area to still be having school today. Everyone else is out because of the freezing temperatures. There was ice last night, making the roads treacherous last night, but everything seems to be okay today. Yes, it is cold, but since when do we cancel school because of COLD? Anyway, we are all warm and cozy here at school.

Suggested reading:
Travel Team by Mike Lupika