Diamonds and Frosting

Well, we are surviving the long, harsh winter.  I am tired of the frigid temperatures and waking to the question, “Do you know what the temperature is?”  I know spring is around the corner and the sunshine I enjoy daily, through a window, is welcoming.  Soon we’ll be outside taking care of the lawn and garden.  We are all ready for those days outside.  I believe the family member that has struggled with this winter weather the most has been Ruddie, our German short-haired pointer.  This breed loves to run and they need daily exercise; otherwise, they get mischievous. Mischievous and down-right naughty. Ruddie has been getting into stuff that he normally has never looked at twice.  Not anymore, everything is game.  

Sunday Elliott and I went to the youth basketball banquet.  That season flew by.  Elliott had a great first-year.  He loved practice because the coach made it fun and while they had fun they practiced drills.  This team had a lot of talent and I know I say that about each team but these kids worked together pretty well.  Some of the boys had played in the past but there were a few first year players. Elliott picked up on the skills quickly but he was not a confident offensive player.  He struggled with that all season; however, he was the star defensive player and the coach recognized that after the first game. It was instinct. Elliott didn’t have to work at it.  So the games were fun to watch. The lost some and the won some.  We had two third-fourth grade teams because of the large number of boys that signed up for the season. The youth association directors decided to have two teams so all the boys would get court time.  The other team was undefeated.  That is until the tournament!   Elliott’s team entered the tourney on the losers’ bracket.  We thought the day would be short because the last couple of games they lost by a basket or two. They won the first game.  It was loud as the gym was split and they were playing half court games.  We had an hour break so we went out for lunch.  Then the day began.  They won their second game. With a 10 minute break between games, the third game was played.  They moved up the bracket.  The next game was against the other S-VE team but this game was played full court.  How do you cheer for or against the boys on the two teams because you know them all?  The fans, parents and friends, behaved themselves and congratulated both teams.  We made it fun!  And we celebrated another win.  They played their fifth game, another full-court game, but lost. They played hard and like a seasoned team but they were exhausted. They won second place and the other S-VE team placed third.  Out of the ten teams that were invited to the tournament, S-VE took two trophies home that day.  Panther pride was strong that day and that Monday at the elementary school when the announced the three new trophy additions – the third-fourth grade girls placed third at their tournament.  

 

 

Back to the banquet; it was short and nice. His coach said some nice things about the team and complimented Elliott without signaling him out. Elliott beamed from ear to ear.  He knew the coach was talking about him.  He left with another trophy for his collection.  The boy was happy!

After the banquet, we went to a birthday party at an ice skating rink. This was a first time experience for Elliott.  Yes the bad mother guilt hit me hard, so I laced up my skates and ventured onto the ice.  It has been a long, long time since I have skated.  I surprised myself!  I did well and most importantly, I did not fall.  I attempted to help Elliott but he gave up too quick. He said he would just sit in the box and watch. I skated a few laps then took my skates off. He made it off the ice and after eating, the boys headed back out. He went to. I could see he was improving between falls. I watched him complete a lap and gave him “two-thumbs up” and a smile and he kept skating, falling, skating around.  I was proud that he did not sit and watch.  I told him everyone falls a thousand times but you have to keep skating.  After 2 ½ hours, he was tired and bruised but smiling.  He was happy he got back out on the ice and improved.  So was I!  Way to go Elliott – another lesson that proves if you don’t give up, you will succeed. 

 

With the end of the basketball season, baseball signup sheets came home a few weeks ago.  Elliott was not interested.  John wanted him to play to stay active and in shape for football season.  In the end, Elliott won as we decided not to force him to play. If he changes his mind, we’ll take him.  He might decide to play next year.  So no diamonds this spring for the family. 

One of the local craft stores was offering basic cake decorating classes this month.  I told Olivia about it and she was excited. We talked about her school schedule and if she would be able to handle the time commitment once a week. She said she would be able to. I asked her twice since she tutors twice a week and volunteers at the library once a week.  Classes started on a Tuesday, so I asked her to call me after school that day to tell me if we were going to sign-up. She called and said, “I think we should take the course in April because the roads will be better to travel.”  So no frosting tips for me this March.  I have been checking the class schedule daily with fingers-crossed that the course will be offered in April.