Basketball Season Ended...Uncles Come to Visit

Saturday the boys played their last basketball games of the season. I had a great time coaching the Armadillos and the Wolfpack and look forward to doing the same next year! My two uncles from NY drove down for the weekend, so they saw Ian and Gavin in action.

2010-11 Armadillos

2010-11 Wolfpack
Sunday was around 80, so we spent a few hours at the park near my mom's. The boys enjoyed their scooters and my mom, Uncle Jimi and I took them around about 3 laps.

Then it was time to play some trac ball.

Oh and the ice cream truck arrived. It was the boys' first time getting ice cream from the truck. What a treat!

Uncle Jimi and the boys taking a break.

We went to mom's after and had a lot of laughs!

Ian and Gavin...so active and we love it!

It just seems like the weeks are flying by. Slow down, I say! I'll just give you an update on each kid...

Ian is doing great in school. Homework is not his favorite thing to do and sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get him to take care of it. But, he does. He loves Tuesdays because it's PE day. He also loves early release days and he pays attention to when he doesn't have school (like tomorrow). He does a great job with details in his stories and he is all about Study Island, which is a website that kids can go on and earn blue ribbons for the school. It's all learning information and he has that competitive drive in him. He enjoys his teacher and cashes in tickets with the positive behavior system to help his Kindergarten teacher every once in awhile. He also cashed in some tickets to help in the Media Center. His teacher gives out smiley face stamps on a calendar each day and it's a big deal to Ian. Yes, he hasn't missed a day yet.

Gavin loves school and just recently he told us he doesn't want to leave the Kirk. He is very comfortable in his setting with his best friends, Connor and Katie. He can't imagine life without those two! Although they'll see each other on Sundays. He participates more in Music, adores his two teachers and the director of the school. He takes time with his writing and doesn't like to rush. His favorite part of the day is recess and lunch. Of course, right?!

Ian's basketball team has been playing great this season and it's so much fun to watch them play together. I've enjoyed coaching them this year. Ian does really well making some baskets, getting rebounds and playing defense.

Gavin looks forward to his basketball practices and games just like Ian. He has a lot of energy on the court and enjoys blocking shots more than making baskets. He really understands the sport and is just so happy to finally be on a team.

Ian had tryouts today for baseball. I'm sure he made the league, but it's a matter of which coach will take him. Next Monday night we'll know, but I wish it was sooner. He did such a great job out there this afternoon.

Gavin will play soccer this spring with CASL, so he'll play Saturday mornings. I'm sure we'll find out soon his team, coach and schedule. He's pretty excited to get out on the soccer field! We chose not to put him in t-ball this season and instead play in the fall with West Raleigh Baseball (same team as Ian).

That's about all for now!

The Same Old...

We're in quite a routine. We work and go to school during the week and play basketball, go to Sunday School and church on the weekends. We might have a few different events to attend during the week and we sure do keep busy. Ian's school had Math Night on Tuesday night. We did go to that for a few minutes and it was great to see Ian run off with a classmate to do some math events while Cailean and I talked to some parents.

Lots of germs in our neck of the woods, too. I was sick Sun-Tues and Cailean got it on Wed. Ian and Gavin are a little congested, but no fevers. It's supposed to be great weather this weekend, so we need some fresh air in this house instead of smelling Lysol everywhere.

The boys had basketball practice the same night on Wednesday. Thursday night we went to the Kanki, so Ian could earn a patch for Y-Guides. It was an experience for them and they each tried new food. Ian was loving the steak, but wouldn't go near the veggies or rice. Gavin ate up his steak and had some rice and veggies. They were amazed by the chef and the talent he showed cooking our dinner. It was definitely a special treat for them, but I don't think they'll mind if we don't go back!

Gavin had his Valentine's party at school and he had a fun time filling out cards to his friends. Ian has his ready to take in on Monday for his classmates. Monday morning will bring pink heart shaped pancakes for the boys.

Excited to coach the boys in their games tomorrow! Having some pizza with some friends Saturday night will be fun and off to do some bowling and dinner with another family on Sunday night.

Some More Fun

Gavin is wearing a red shirt and blue shorts above. He receives a pass from Will and then shoots it.

Again, Gavin in the red shirt and blue shorts.

Ian is wearing a white shirt with #4.

He dribbles down and scores!

What a week last week! Ian had a fever and he and I had to miss a day of work and school. Then, he had his annual eye appointment and all is well in that department. No glasses this year. We go back next February. While Gavin and I were at basketball practice Ian and Cailean went a little ways south of the triangle area to a former MLB player's place where Cailean actually hunts. He converted a chicken coop into batting cages and gave a little lesson to Ian. He has tryouts in about two weeks with West Raleigh. We're sure he'll do just fine, but nervous as to who will draft him. Saturday consisted of Gavin's game at 8am...Ian's game at 1pm and then we went to a Y-Guides event in downtown Raleigh Saturday night.

We have a busy week ahead of us, but definitely a fun one. We'll be getting together with some good friends Tuesday night, Saturday and Sunday. Definitely looking forward to that!

School and Sports

Gavin and Ian are doing great in school. Gavin likes to sign his name and do things for himself most of the time. He likes to rhyme words, tries to tell time and likes to add. He loves his two favorite buddies: Connor and Katie. I cannot believe we register him for Kindergarten in TWO days.

Ian continues to do well in school. We just received his report card and he's doing great. He reminds me a lot of my brother when it comes to school, so I think we might be in for it. LOL Ian is still trying to figure out how to write as a lefty (positioning of the paper, holding the pencil so he can see what he is writing, etc).

Both kids are enjoying their basketball seasons. It's a lot of fun to not only coach their teams, but to watch them, too. Gavin had a superstar game last Saturday. He made 5 baskets and he passed the ball a lot to his teammates. Sometimes at his age they like to try and score themselves, but the Armadillos have worked on the teamwork and passing. Ian knew his brother made 5 baskets and wanted to beat that in his own game. Well, he did. He made 9. He had quite a few rebounds and steals. Both are having so much fun! Gavin is #1 on his team and Ian proudly wears #4!