Winter Basketball

The winter basketball season has come and gone. But I did not want to not mention it, as it was a really fun season! Unfortunately for me, there was a lot of trading off between Blaine and I to get everyone to their games and also get a nap for Tripp sometime during the day. Also....a toddler.....he was not one to sit still so I was lucky if I was able to sit and watch a part of the game.

Owen and Cash both played this winter. Owen was on a team mostly made up of kids from his baseball team and Cash was on a great little team with a few friends he already knew. They have both really grown to love the game and it has been really fun to watch them grow.
Owen spent hours in the driveway perfecting his skills and some fun tricks that he was able to use on the court. His team was very competitive and had a great season. He really became quite the basketball playter! They came up just a little short in the last tournament to win their division. They won most and lost some, but overall had a good season. Unforunately, the boys were so bummed after thier last game that they never got a team picture!

Cash's team went undefeated this season, winning the championship for his division.

Eli was a trooper coming to games on Saturdays. Thankfully he had some buddies whose little brothers were on Cash' team, so it was not all bad! There were a lot of siblings to keep everyone happy!

Little brothers

Big brothers

Playing in between championship games

O in action!

O with some basketball buddies after the game

Bouncing Around the Greenbelt With Effie

SB 2020

Marissa and I continued our tradition of taking a little getaway over Spring Break. Talk of Covid was just starting. But we felt like it was still a very safe trip to take  based on what we knew and the fact that we were staying in a house by ourselves and brought our own cleaning supplies to make sure everything was clean. Thank goodness we decided to go....the day after we got home is when shit really hit the fan and stay at home orders were looming.

There were a few mishaps the first day--they were not going to honor the early check in that they promised and we couldnt get in the house for about an hour after we arrived and then to top it off, the house had not been cleaned since the previous people left two days earlier! But that did not stop us. As soon as we got in and were able to unpack we hopped in the gold cart and headed to check out the beach! We spent lots of hours hanging out at the beach, followed but jumping in the pool, and then hanging out at the house.

I wish I had taken more pictures. Tripp did a great job of sleeping terribly and being crazy, that my energy went into watching him and doing my best to stay awake. It was really great way to keep off being ordered to stay at home for an undetermined amount of time!

Dear Eli

ELEVEN years old. Last week I registered you for middle school. MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!

You know, this year has been interesting. You have had a great year in school this year. You have amazing teachers, a small group of good friends, you are doing well in school and have ever so slightly become more responsible. On the other hand, you are testing the waters on being more independant, have become moody at times, we butt heads some days, you are getting hormones, you are hard on me....but then you can be so sweet and helpful out of no where.

I know I am late in posting this but just yesterday, we got to spend some one on one time together. With 3 younger brothers and all the sports, we rarely have time to do extra stuff these days. And one on one time has to be planned out way in advanced. You had been asking to go to the mall, to fill your obession of looking at shoes. You took the time to figure out a day that Dad would be home, I would not be going into the store, and a good day for you to make it happen. I love spending that time with you! We got to chat, have great conversation, and the best part for you I think it that we got to do exactly what YOU wanted to do without anyone else around to take time away from you. I know that sometimes if feels like we are always doing things for every one but you. You get dragged to hours and hours of sporting events! Thankfully, you have found friends who you can hang out with most of the times and ways to entertain yourself.

You decided that for your birthday this year, you wanted one thing and one thing only....Yeezys. It hurt me to buy those darn shoes, but you love them, take care of them, and I could think of way worse things to be obsessed with at this point. Although I will say its an expensive obession!

You are a fabulous big brother to Tripp. You really are so kind, and patiend and so, so sweet to him. He is so, so lucky to have you!

I am really excited to see what unfolds for you this year...as you move on to middle school, and become a pre-teen. I just love you so much and feel so lucky and honored that I get to be your mom. I know it is not always easy being the oldest in a family of four boys, but I am so proud of how you are taking it in stride.

I love you so much!!!