June 7, 2012

Ryan took part in his first swim meet ever last night. Despite a goggle malfunction in his first event (25m freestyle) he did great and ended up 5th overall (I think there were 20 in that event). He rocked the backstroke in the 8 year old division as well.  He was a little bored during the hour long wait in between his events but had a great time.

We also had Ryan's end of year class party the other day.  I got to meet some of his friends and his class did a little show for all of the parents before having some sweet treats.  It was alot of fun and I enjoyed seeing him in action.  He is definitely ready for first grade.

This is Ryan and his good friend Carter.  Apparently they are thick as theives.   

 

 

 

Ryan hamming it up at is end of the year party. 

 

 

 

Now news about Josh.  Last weekend was hockey tryouts for the travel season 2012-2013.  We weren't sure whether or not Josh would make a team since he moved up an age group and nobody down here really knows his but he skated his tushy off, scored a few goals and earned himself a spot on the Junior Checkers Squirt A Black team.  Way to go Josh.

This morning was Josh's end of year party and it was fun.  Josh and I played Uno and Josh raced his teacher Mrs. Piccirrillo in a noodle game and a straw game.  Apparently, she is as competitive as he is which was fun to watch.  She beat him in both races but he had a blast racing her anyway.  I have video if it and if I can figure out how to add videos to the site I will attach them as well as Ryan's swim meet.   It was nice seeing him in action in a new environment.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, both boys started flag football this week.  They are different teams but play at the same time so I spend my time running back and forth between teams.  The good news is that they are on the same field space so I dont have far to run.  When I get pictures of them in their gigantic helmets I will post them.  Ryan complains that his helmet is too heavy and compared to the hockey helmets he is used to he is right.  Hopefully they both enjoy themselves since flsg football is the only football they will ever play.

3/21/2012

It's been a busy few weeks.  The weather has been absolutely beautiful and the boys have spent every free moment outside with their friends.  They have been exploring our neighborhood checking out all of the fun things it has to offer like the pool, tennis courts, clubhouse and walking trails.  They have come home with containers full of lizards and have been learning all about the wildlife here in Charlotte.  Ryan is anxiously awaiting the opening of the pool which does not happen until May even though it is 80 here almost daily. 

Lacrosse is off to a good start.  Josh has had 2 games and scored a goal in each one.  The first game they won 7-4 and the second they lost 3-2 against a U-11 team (they are a U-9 team so it was great that they were able to hang in there).  It rained through the whole second game so the rest of us were all wet by the end.  No, we did not have an umbrella.  We had Jeff's car.  Needless to say, there is now an umbrella in it.

Ryan has finally started soccer and after a rough start practicing with the wrong team (don't ask) he is all settled in with the right one.  They have their first game on Saturday and we will keep you posted on the result.

Both boys are still busy with hockey although we are beginning to think that playing more than one sport down here is going to be next to impossible.  For some reason, everything is on Mondays and Wednesdays.  It is as if Tuesday and Thursday are holidays or something.   Unfortunately, the rink is 25 minutes from the lacrosse and soccer fields and since everything starts at 5:30 or 6, we can only go to one place.  We have told them that they are going to have to make a choice for the fall and it will only be one sport at a time.  Frustrating but it is what it is. 

Nothing else to report about Jeff and me.  Everything is the same there.  Just settling in and finding our way around at the moment.

2/27/2012

This past Saturday Ryan got to play in his first truly "away" hockey tournament.  He and Jeff  woke up early and travelled to Winston-Salem for a mini-mite cross ice tournament (everything here is cross ice for him unfortunately).  They had a great time and Ryan scored 3 goals. 

Josh started lacrosse again with his first practice on Saturday.  It was a very blustery 49 degrees so he and I froze our tushes off.  So much so that even offered  lunch out, Josh chose to come home a warm up.  Thanks Joshs for saving me some money.

We spent most of Sunday home doing things around the house.  The office is shaping up slowly although most of Jeff's stuff from his office is in the basement being stored until we can come up with a more permanent solution in there.  We finally cleared out the back room so we can make it a basment family room and Jeff set up the hockey storage room so that we can finally put the hockey equipment away somewhere instead of laying it all over the basement floor.

Have you ever played hockeylacrossesoccer?  Next tine you talk to the boys ask them about it.  It seems they have created a game that includes a hockey net, lacrosse sticks and a socker ball with the kids in the neighborhood.  Looked like fun to me.  Getting Josh to com in from dinner was tough he was having so much fun.

Maggie and Jaxx spent some time running around in the yard with Chloe (the pupper next door) and tired themselves out so much that Maggie could barely make it up the stairs when she came in.  Fun was had by all.

2/22/2012

We are 2 months into our new adventure in the Charlotte, NC. area.  Yes, we moved!  We are slowly settling in to new routines and our new home.  The boys are enrolled in Antioch Elementary School and slowly settling in.  School down here is very different than up North so it is taking some time. 

We have moved into a wonderful new neighborhood with tons of boys for Josh and Ryan to play with getting them to sit still and do homework (or come in from outside) is quite the challenge but a challenge I welcome.  They are having a blast.

Ryan has been back in the pool and his coach thinks he should start swimming with a team.  He is not sure he really wants to do that so he is thinking about it.

Both boys have taken up tennis and although Ryan found his class boring and is probably retired already, Josh had a blast and is going to keep playing.  He is trying to decide if he wants to be on a team this spring or not.  Not sure where we will find the time if he does though.  Busy is a good thing, right?

Hockey has probably been the biggest adjustment for all of us.  Coming from an area where hockey is everywhere and the boys were on the ice 4-6  days per week to an area where there are only two rinks and very little ice time has been tough, especially for Josh.  To solve that little issue, Jeff took Josh up to Chicago for the Chi Town cup this past weekend where the Mite AA Bluehawks won 3 straight and ended up second in the tournament.  Way to go guys! 

It was fun for all but Tracy and Ryan missed them while they were gone.  We are so happy to have them home.

Both boys start their new seasons soon.  Josh is going to be playing Lacrosse this spring.  He loved it in Northbrook so is really looking forward to it here.  He can't wait to find out his team and start making more friends.  Ryan will be playing soccer and can't wait to get started either.

Jeff is adjusting as well now that we are finally all together.  He loves his new job but I would be lying if I said he liked getting there.  It is quite a commute for him so he is spending alot of quality time with himself in the car in the morning and evening.  He has gotten himself on 2 hockey teams and seems to be enjoying that so far. 

As for Tracy, the transition is taking a bit more time but that's to be expected.  Everyone else needs to be settled first.  The house is shaping up and maybe by the end of the decade we will be able to unpack the office.  The computers are up and running but it is the only room in the house still filled with boxes. 

Maggie and Jaxx are settled in nicely although Jeff and Tracy are not enjoying having to walk Maggie on a leash in our fenced backyard!  There are 5 dogs behind us who make her nuts so as long as they are out, she is on a leash.  She is frustrated, and we are frustrated but it is what it is and just another part of the adjustment.  We are hoping she will get used to them and all of their noise so we can stop going out with her.  Keep you fingers crossed!

That's all we have for now.  We will post whenever there is something to report.