Tanner's Turn

Game 2 for Tanner was held at Washington Park in the Seattle Arboretum.  I haven't driven through that area in a long time; it is so beautiful!  It brought me back to the days of heading from the UW to Hank's in Madison Park.  Hank's, home of the best caesar salad EVER, is no longer there, but the memories remain.

But, I digress. . .back to soccer.

Where's the help when you need it?

Finally, some space.

Final score:  Rockets 0, Red team 1.  Better luck next week, guys.

GOOOOOOAL!!

We're off and running.

Ian played his first soccer game in 3 years, having played football for the past 2.  I guess it's like riding a bike, because he came out swinging, uh, I mean kicking, by scoring the first goal of his team's season, and the game.  

One big difference of playing when you're 13 (well, almost 13 in Ian's case) versus 10, is that they play a "real" soccer regulation game; meaning they play two 45-minute halfs.  And Ian wasn't substituted for the entire game!  He was one tired little cookie.   He says he doesn't miss football one bit. . .

Soccer is Lane's game. 

For some reason, he seems to have embraced it more than baseball - Eric must be brainwashing him somehow.  All kidding aside, soccer is a great sport for kids, and I love how our Hillwood league starts them out.  They play 3-on-3, so they don't just look like swarm of bees running around, and you can actually follow the ball.  The "Cheetah's" were outscored today, but a great time was had by all.

Due to a scheduling confict, Tanner's game was postponed.  He did manage to get a few kicks in though.

Our Fall & Winter Hobby

When parenting magazines say that hobbies are good for kids, do you think they meant Fantasy Football?

According to one on-line article, "a hobby can teach children the skills of management, patience, determination and accomplishment." 

Well then, I would say it fits the bill perfectly.

We have successfully passed on our love (obsession) of Fantasy Football to the next generation.  After more than a decade of Dawgland, the fantasy league we co-founded in 1999, we now have 2 successful seasons of Dawgland Jr under our belts, as well. 

The 3rd season of Dawgland Jr kicked off last night, with the Big Draft - an event anticipated for months (that's the patience part.)

The 10, 11, and 12 year-olds ascended on 2 homes, one in Shoreline, WA and one in Reno, NV, armed with cheat sheets, favorite player lists, bye week lists, etc (the management part).  Some had even stayed up into the wee hours doing research.  (Talk about learning some skills here!)

And after a record-time draft of 1 hour and 10 minutes, the boys are now ready to start making line-up decisions, trades, and waiver moves with the utmost of determination to be crowned champion at the end of a 17-week season.

Good Luck Boys!

Ian and Tanner with their "keepers."  Adrian Peterson for Ian and Chris Johnson for Tanner.

The Shoreline Gang. . . (not pictured, our Boise friend, Alex.)

The Reno contingent.

Week 1 Is In the Books

We all survived the first week back at school.  Here are some thoughts on how it all went. . .

Ian - "You know, having six periods doesn't make it go by any faster."

Lane - "I have 3 new best friends." 
Mom - "What are their names?" 
Lane - "One is long, I don't know the other one, and one is Michelle."

Mom - "Tanner, how was the first week of school?"
Tanner - "I don't know." 
Mom - "You don't have anything to say about fifth grade?"
Tanner - "I'm excited about all the field trips."

And there you go.

Ahhhh. . . Quiet

I am sitting here right now in my totally silent house.  Yes, total and complete silence.  Except for the occasional stir of Gigi or Boo.  No television, no radio, no children fighting, (or giggling.)  I know that I will be ready for them to come walking through the door again at 3:30, but for right now I am enjoying this.

Ian - First Day of Middle School (7th Grade)

First Day going to school without Mom tagging along to take pictures. . .

I went only as far as the bus-stop -I just had to, this is the first time he's "gotten" to take the bus to school.

Sniff, Sniff. . .

Tanner - First Day of 5th Grade & Lane - First Day of 1st Grade 

Ms. Willis is going to have her hands full with Tanner and 4 of his best buddies.  (Ms. Willis was Ian's fifth grade teacher also.)

Lane is excited for first grade with Ms. Loes and some of his buddies from kindergarten.  (Ms. Loes was Tanner's 2nd grade teacher.)