Sean - - Basketball Pictures

Coach Rick calls them the Twin Towers: Sean & Gary

Sean standing by the beloved CG Trojan

Sean & Great Grandma Pat

Sean & his 2 cousins Clayton & Connor

CHAMPS!!!!

Congratulations to the Center Grove 5th Grade Tournament / League Champs!

This is the best group of kids I have ever seen play basketball at a 5th grade level. It is extremely rare at Center Grove to not get lost in the most competitive, sports crazed atmosphere you can imagine, but this 5th grade team was full of unselfish, team oriented kids that literally dominated the league. They were so much fun to watch and cheer for. Every single kid on this team had a "game winning" moment at some point during the season. The kids also developed a bond of friendship that will grow for years to come.

The 5 elementary schools are competing in the Center Grove All-Star Tournament the next few weekends. There are 6 of the 8 kids from Sean's team now playing for their respective elementary schools. I noticed immediately over the weekend that this team's bond is still there. No matter what team the kid's are on now, the immediately help, congratulate, & encourage their former teammates. It's good to see as a spectator and parent!

Also, Outstanding job Coach Rick & Coach Wally! They couldn't have done it without you 2 (or without Coach Papaw & Coach Mom reminding you to call the time outs! Hee Hee!)

Take me out to the ball game...

1, 2, 3 strikes you're out! Both of my boys are officially done with baseball season. I'm always sad to see this sport end because we are certainly a baseball family.

Sammy's team didn't have the best season, but he is a natural and never ceases to amaze me with his raw talent (when he isn't stuffing sunflower seeds into his mouth of course).

Sam & his Coach

Sam's team

Sam hiding his sunflower seeds

Sam chomping on more seeds

I loved watching Sean's team play! They had a great season and Sean has turned into an all-star catcher (just like his Dad & Grandpa). His team lost in the semi-finals by 1 run. It was a heart breaker for the kids and parents, and even though he was super disappointed, he didn't let it show because 2 of his best buddies were on the team that beat him. At 10, friendship is stronger than winning, and his buddies on the other team, stayed after the game to congratulate him.

All-Star Pitcher/Catcher Duo

Coach Dad

Sean & Benji

Three Amigos

Bungee Basketball

Sean turns 10 this week. Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home in that tiny little pumpkin seat. Now, if he stands on his tippy toes, he is as tall as me! And no, we do not keep him in a cage! We are at the baseball fields so much right now, it sort of feels like we live there. He often helps shag the balls for his brother's baseball team and took a brief second to smile for me.

Sean invited a few of his best buddies over to celebrate with him. They had an ice cream sundae bar, a water balloon fight, and a giant bungee basketball court. Of course the Indiana weather struck again and turned the basketball court into a giant slip-n-slide. The boys practiced their MLB slides in the rain and had a great time.

Happy Birthday Sean!

Basketball Stats

Sam is 6 and in 1st grade this year. He is playing in the school basketball league and is having a great time. My parents regularly attend both boys’ games on Saturdays and my mom has been keeping Sean's stats during his 4th grade games because they play full basketball rules. Sean loves it and runs over after every game to get his stat sheet from grandma.

A few weeks ago, Sam says to me and grandma, "Umm why don't I get a sheet with marks on it after my games?" Mom and I looked at each other and we said to Sam, "ok we will keep your stats too." Well we had a really hard time coming up with categories for Sam's game because in his league the kids are matched up with a colored wristband with a similar level of player. They can't steal the ball. The refs rarely call travel or double dribble and usually whichever kid dribbles the ball up the court is the one to shoot. So what do we keep for stats? Here is what mom and I came up with for Sam's game:

Sam's Stats for 2/12/2011:

• Rebounds 7
• Assists 0
• Shots 2/4
• Injuries 4
• Fell Down 8
• Cheers 6
• Water Breaks 1
• Jump Balls 2
• Guarding (body blocking picks) 11

Sam was thrilled with his stats after the game!

Here he is in all his glory. Notice how he looks at me like "Did you get that mom?" after his shot.

Polar Opposites

It still amazes me just how different my two boys are. Case in point, how the two boys handle the frozen tundra that is our yard. Notice how Sean takes a skilled approach to his air guitar solo, while sliding backwards, carefully avoiding the road.

Example #1: Sean's air guitar solo

Then there is Sam. Who looks like Godzilla stomping on a frozen Tokyo! He cracks me up. We often call him Captain Destructo.

Example #2: Sam "Godzilla" on ice

Regardless of their differences, we love them both dearly!

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade

What a week! It’s Thursday and the sun is out and the temp climbed up to a frosty 25°. So of course my kids wanted to go outside. Indiana was pummeled all week with a terrible ice storm and everything has a 3” layer of ice. So my boys decided to have fun and ice skate in the driveway. After 3 days of sleet, freezing rain, (and yes there is a difference) ice, snow, and power outages, it was good to be outside even for a little while.