Winter Sports

Typically, winter is the least busy season for our family, but this year the tables flipped, and we were slammed with sports all winter long. Almost every Saturday in January and February, Elisabeth had a basketball game, Samuel had a basketball game, and Nathan had a flag football game and a practice. There were times we were triple booked, and I had to find a ride home for someone from their game, because Matt and I couldn't be in three places at once. It was wild, but at the same time, I truly love watching my kids perform at what they love to do, and it brings such joy to cheer them on, that I didn't mind it too much. That's not to say I won't breathe a giant sigh of relief when March hits, and things taper off. 

Elisabeth played a season of basketball with Almighty last winter and fell in love with it. She asked to find a league that was a step up from Almighty, and we tried out the homeschool league in our area, the NOAH Jaguars. 

While they didn't win many games, I saw improvement in Elisabeth throughout the season, and she built friendships with some really sweet girls. 

She learned valuable lessons and grew in her character and integrity. She's itching to play again next year. Overall, it was a very positive experience. 

Her coach pushed her to improve but also made sure she had fun at every game. 

 

Samuel also expressed an interest in playing basketball but asked to continue playing for Almighty. He wasn't interested in anything more competitive. He missed a couple of games because of Trail Life campouts (his first priority), but he still had a fun season. We were frustrated with the refs at times not calling fouls, especially immediately after one of Elisabeth's basketball games where she had four fouls in the first half, ha! But the laid-back atmosphere of Almighty, is just what Sam wanted. 

Nathan had aged out of flag football with Almighty last year, and he was really disappointed not to get to play again. Then I heard that a dad and daughter from our homeschool group were forming a flag football team, I knew I had to sign him up. Flag football and his friends, it was the perfect storm. Even though they didn't win a single game since the teams they were playing seemed like off season football teams, looking for a winter activity, Nathan still had a great time. He got to play quarterback a couple of times and really enjoyed that. 

He even scored a touchdown with his pass to Nate! So exciting for him.

Their second to last game was their best game. They played so well and lost by a heartbreaking three points. 

I say it all the time, but our homeschool friends are just the most wonderful group of kids around. Nathan had an awesome winter spending his Saturdays hanging with friends playing football, and bonus points that their team was the Chiefs!

The unsung hero of our crazy Saturdays was this girl, who happily attended all the events and managed to find ways to entertain herself at each game. 

She was the Jaguars' number one fan. 

I don't think she minded the opportunities to play with friends each week. 

This boy always had his nose in a book at his sibling's game. He's been doing that for years. I secretly love it. 

I'll always be their number one fan, and I hope they'll always let me sit on the front row and cheer them on in whatever they do in life. 

February Fun

 February was full of activities for our family. 

The girls celebrated Evelyn's fifth birthday with a special tea party. They all dressed up for it. 

Samuel camped in the cold with Trail Life. He was in charge of cooking breakfast one of the mornings. 

Bella is still the star of our family. She receives lots of cuddles all day long. 

Matt took off a day of work, so that we could spend a family day at the Discovery Lab. 

The tape slide was the biggest hit of the day. 

I'll never get tired of seeing those huge smiles. 

Our government class hosted a Constitutional Convention. Samuel played the role of Benjamin Franklin, so of course he came dressed in costume (and pretended to fall asleep during the convention, since he was so old. He even had Elisabeth help carry him into the class). 

Elisabeth played the role of John Rutledge. That girl was born to debate, so she was in her element. She did struggle a bit with advocating for slavery, but she did a great job. This activity really brought the Constitution to life for the kids. 

We hosted our February Keepers of the Faith meeting, and we learned the skill of muffin making. I found a master muffin recipe and then each group modified it with some add ins. I sure enjoyed being in the kitchen with all the girls. 

This Cutie needed a picture!

Matt and the girls attended the annual Daddy Daughter Dance. They're looking so grown up. They had the best night with their favorite guy. 

We hosted a small Super Bowl Party with some neighbors and friends. Nathan was ready for a Chiefs' threepeat. 

But this is how stunned he looked during the entire game. What a bummer. 

As a celebration in book club for finishing The Terrible Two, the kids shot rubber chickens to knock down cows. This class is full of inside jokes and references from books we've read, and it's just what I wanted it to be!

Elisabeth celebrated Sophia's tenth birthday with a sweet party. 

This girl tagged along to basketball practice with me one night and conned me into taking her out for dessert and coffee. 

Our co-op hosted a morning with an Abraham Lincoln portrayer. It was an excellent morning full of history. Can you think of a more homeschool way to spend a morning :)

After the speech, we took the afternoon off, grabbed some lunch, and then headed to the Gathering Place and the Discovery Lab for the rest of the day. I love spending time with the kids and haivng the flexibility to learn through real life experiences. 

Katherine built a house with her own special chair. 

The kids learned about the laws of physics by practicing some tablecloth pulling. 

Doing life together is my favorite part of homeschooling.