Move Over Mia Hamm

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Jennifer

So this happened last weekend…

Caroline played in her first soccer game.

After watching her brothers play in roughly 692,000 games over the last five years, she is so excited to be on a team and play in her own games.

To mark the occasion, Caroline and I went to buy a new pink mesh bag which holds her new pink soccer ball. We also dusted off her brother’s old cleats and shin guards which she couldn’t be more happy to get to wear – except for the fact that she hates the feeling of the shin guards so she puts her socks on first and then puts the shin guards on top of the socks.

Now with Caroline, who we like to call “spirited,” there was no telling what the first game would bring – happiness? tears? refusal to play?

Well, I’m happy to report she was so happy (anyone else feel like this post should be sponsored by Pharrell Williams?)! She ran and ran around the field. At times, she was no where near the ball, just playing her own imaginary game, serpentining all around the field.

While the rest of us were sweating in the 101 degree heat, she was running around with such joy.

Apparently she runs better when sticking out her tongue because she did that the entire game – from here on out I’m calling her the Michael Jordan of soccer.

Of course when she wasn’t sticking her tongue out while running she was squeezing her lips while she watched everyone else go for the ball. Everyone else is cheering ,”Run,” while my husband and I are cheering, “Get your hands out of your mouth.”

And then the ball came her way!

And she ran with it!

Kicking it down the field!

And she scored!

The smile that came from her was amazing.

(I would have loved to show you that smile but my 9 year old had the camera at the time and stopped taking pictures right before she scored. I think he was as excited as the rest of us for Caroline and was cheering).

Goal or no goal, game 692,001 was a success!

Move over Mia, here comes Caroline!

Discipline

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Jennifer

This morning at swim practice my coach said to my teammates and I, “I don’t see a lot of discipline in this pool right now. People are having lazy turns, some lazy stroke work, and it’s not that pretty.”

Now let me clear something up for you in case you are wondering.

I did not have an arranged marriage at 8, children by 10, and now have the luxury to train for the Olympics at twenty.

I am 39 years old and I swim so I can fit into my jeans.

I’m pretty sure the average age of the twenty of us at practice is about 50.

Maybe even 55.

And it is 6:30 in the morning.

And we are jumping into cold water.

And it is 26 degrees outside.

I see plenty of freaking discipline.

We are at swim practice and we are old.

That’s discipline, my friend.

–

*Okay, so the cold weather was a rarity this morning but I’m still using it.

Anyone for Tennis?

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Jennifer

Anyone for tennis?

Wouldn’t it be nice?

My 8 year old has played tennis on and off for the last year and really enjoyed it.

My 4 year old decided she had been carted around to enough sports events and wanted in on the action. After giving her several sports to choose from she started tennis this month.

She just finished up week 4 and she is having tons of fun.

The day before her first lesson we were driving around when I said, “Are you excited for you tennis lesson tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“I wonder who your teacher is going to be at tennis?”

“Nooooooo! Noooooo! I don’t have a teacher!”

What? “Um, Caroline, you will have a teacher for tennis so they can show you what to do.”

“Noooo! I can’t have a teacher.”

“I’m going to have a coach for tennis. Just like the boys.”

“Ohh, okay. Yes, you are going to have a coach.”

After finishing up her first lesson she came and sat by me while waiting for her brother to finish.

“How was your tennis lesson?”

“My coach is great.”

Only 2 more weeks of tennis lessons.

After that she’s on to six weeks of swim lessons.

Which will be, of course, with her swim coach.

16 Years & A Bike Race

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Jennifer

Over Memorial Day weekend, my city hosts a bike race around the town square.

Although we have lived here a few years, we’ve never had the opportunity to attend until this year.

The cyclists whip around the corners at frightening speeds and accelerate even more on straight aways.

I considered it a win that we only saw one cyclist with a blooded and torn up hip.

The kids found the racing fascinating while I just prayed it hadn’t inspired them to take up the sport.

Since we were also celebrating our 16th anniversary the night of the races, we took the kids to eat on the square and had a little celebratory gelatto.

It was a wonderful night that hopefully we can replicate next year… the only change being I’m having a whole cone of salted caramel ice cream, not just a half.

Definitely a good night.

Minute to Win It Night

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Jennifer

For the last 4 years, my family has all gathered for a week in Florida.

Since we are all spread out – Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Canada – it’s a wonderful time for us to come together and have fun.

Last year we started, what my boys hope, is a new tradition – Minute to Win It Night.

The boys loved watching Minute to Win It on tv so I thought it would be perfect for them to set up a night where everyone plays the games.

The boys spent a week of their summer, making posters, choosing teams (red team vs blue team), watching video clips, choosing the games, gathering supplies, and emailing everyone.

Take a look at how our Minute to Win It Night went.

Getting Forked – roll a quarter into the prongs of a fork – good game

Ready Spaghetti – place spaghetti noodles through a soda can, carry the can from one table to another table while holding the spaghetti noodles in your mouth – okay game

Breakfast Scramble – Take the front covers of cereal boxes, cut each box into 16 pieces, and then race to see who can complete their puzzle first – good game

Hut, Hut, Hike! – Bend over and hike toilet paper rolls between your legs and through a person’s arms 15 feet away – Hilarious game

Marshmallow Match – Throw mini marshmallows into a bucket that is on top of a player’s head – good game

Rapid Fire – Player must shoot rubber bands to knock a triangle stack of 6 cans completely off a platform – good game

I’m pretty sure good times were had by all.

To me, the best part of the night is it involves everyone in the family, kids, adults, and grandparents. Truly lots of fun.

And family, you better start training for this year – word on the street this year is that there are new games a comin’!

First Ballet Class

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Jennifer

Are you ready for me to make your heart melt?

Caroline had her first ballet class last week and it was just the most adorable site to see.

I know.

It just makes your heart smile.

Goggles

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Jennifer

Tonight I officially became my parents.

Yes, I’ve seen bits and pieces of them come out before but tonight was the turning point.

I have become my parents.

They went to countless swim practices, swim meets, and bought us endless amounts of swim caps, swim shampoo, and suits.

And tonight, I was reminded that they bought tons of goggles.

Driving home from swim practice with Andrew I said, “I noticed you kept pushing on your goggles right before you would dive in”

“Yeah, those goggles get loose when I dive in.”

“You should wear your new pair.”

“Well, I can’t find those.”

“The blue pair?”

“Yep.”

“You only wore those one time.”

“Maybe I left them at the pool last time.”

“Those goggles cost SEVENTEEN DOLLARS.”

——- silence from the back seat ———-

“You wore those one time and already lost them. They cost SEVENTEEN DOLLARS.”

Note: My husband and I have been swimmers our whole lives. Our goggles cost $5.00 a pair. Seems to me that our eyes adjusted just fine to the five dollar goggles. Guess who else is going to be forced to wear the five dollar goggles no matter how they feel on his eyes.

Once home I went into another room and let my husband oversee the tooth brushing.

A few minutes later my husband walks into the room I’m in and announces, “I’m going to the pool.”

“Why?”

“To go look in the locker room.”

“He lost those goggles days ago. They’re not going to be there.”

“He left his swim suit at the pool.”

—– silence from me ——

And now my parents are laughing.

Adam Greenberg – A Marlin Tonight

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Jennifer

Tonight Adam Greenberg is getting a second chance.

A second chance at playing in the major leagues.

Seven years ago, Adam was up at is first bat in his first major league game when the unthinkable happened.

He was struck in the head with a ball going 92 miles per hour.

His Major League bio reads:

First Game: 7 – 9 – 2005

Last Game: 7 – 9 – 2005

He is the only player to ever have his career end on the very first pitch.

Since that point he has suffered with dizzy spells and nausea but has managed to play on several minor league teams though never returning to the major leagues.

In 2012, a Chicago Cubs fan and filmmaker, Matt Liston, started an online petition to get Greenberg his first official Major League at bat.

The campaign succeeded when the Miami Marlins offered him a 1 day contract to play in their October 2, 2012, game against the New York Mets.

I’m hoping Adam Greenberg makes the most of this opportunity and enjoys every minute of it tonight.

I was watching the Today show when Adam Greenberg found out he would get his second shot. And on Wednesday, I’ll be watching when they have him on in a post game interview.