27 May 2016

Last Week in Moments

week052716a
Brian & H were in the Wisconsin Dells for a weekend of soccer, while C and I stayed behind for a different tournament. It's his club's "Youth Festival" and sadly, because he jumps to U13 next year, it was our 5th and final year to participate in it. It's always a really fun tournament. C and I went to the Milwaukee Public Market for oysters and soft-shell crab for lunch one of the days. Such a happy guy.

week052716b
Saturday night, the Bavarian PLA team played and C wanted to watch them. It was a good turn out and a fun night.

week052716c
H's team didn't do so great in the President's Cup. The good news was they got to watch C's final game. And Grandma came too! Afterwards, we went to the new Bavarian Bierhaus. It's really a fun atmosphere and really good food. And really too close for our own good. Dangerous.

week052716d
This week was a busy, but very good one. On Wednesday, we had a dinner at school for the student of the quarter's, which H received this year! I didn't even know this award existed, to be honest. It is quite the honor and I'm just so proud of him. His favorite teacher (the tall one) presented his award, and had such nice things to say. To see him get recognized for his hard work, attitude, always being himself, and "lighting up a room" was really incredible. He sure deserves it.

week052716e
On Thursday, C (maroon shirt, long hair) had his final conference 1600m run. He came in 5th place, which is pretty incredible. It was a really hot day, and a tough way to end the season, but the boys for C's school came in 1st place at the meet. Pretty great. I think he was quite honored to get to run on the team of 7/8th graders.

week052716f
Later that night, we had the choir concert. It was fun seeing both boys on the stage together. The entire evening was pretty fantastic, but the highlight me for me was watching the 8th grade boys sing "My Girl." Our very own H started the song off .... with a solo! He, and all the boys, did really great. They even put a little dance routine to it. The crowd loved it. Too bad there isn't room in his schedule for choir next year, because it's really been fun for him.

20 May 2016

Last Week in Moments

week052016c
We drove through the park and saw this big babies. So sweet.

week052016b
Went to the garden store for a plant -- we really need indoor plants -- and bought the boys this cute Venus fly trap.

week052016a
I went to a breakfast benefitting Girls on the Run. The speaker was Kathrine Switzer -- the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967, and a pioneer for women's athletics. She was amazing to hear, and it was such an honor to get to meet her. It's been a great week, and this was definitely one of the highlights.

13 May 2016

Last Week in Moments

week051315a
The outdoor furniture covers came off and my favorite room of the house is open again.

week051315b
Last weekend was all about the divide and conquer. Before H and I left for a soccer tournament in Neenah, I snapped this photo of my boys since I wouldn't be around for most of Mother's Day. My gosh, do I absolutely love them!

week051315c
Brian stuck around with C for his local soccer tournament. C's U11 team ended up winning their U12 division. So exciting.

week051315d
Back in Neenah, H's U14 team played incredible, and also won their bracket! Talk about exciting. Every player had a moment that contributed to this victory, which was the best part about it. H made me super proud by 1) being named a full-time captain for the rest season and 2) despite and injury, coming out and playing the final game. They were down 0-2, H came out, worked so hard, and ended up assisting a goal. They scored another right after that. The game ended in PKs. So exciting.

week051315e
Our little bleeding heart plant actually came back. It reminds me so much of my Oma.

week051315f
Gretel's favorite place to drink water from.

week051315g
C was invited to run for the 7/8th grade track team. They are short long distance runners, so he participated in the 1600m event. He ended up coming in 4th place with a time just under 6 minutes. It was an all-out sprint at the end as C tried to catch one of his friends who goes to a different school. He almost got it. He ran the mile earlier in school this week with a time of 5:49. I don't know how he does it, but it's pretty incredible. (H is a pretty fast runner too, by the way. He got a time of 6:09 for his mile. They definitely get the running gene from Brian.)

06 May 2016

Last Week in Moments

week050616a
It was a cold rainy weekend filled with soccer games and fires. In fact, this was the place to be. One dog is lounging on top -- one is on the bottom (the door is open.)

week050616b
Brian was out of town on a guy's weekend near Lake Geneva. The boys and I started a game of Monopoly. Three days later, I'm proud to say that I was the victor. All but 2 of the $500 were in my pocket.

week050616c
An 8:00am soccer game 45 minutes away on a Sunday morning. Brutal. Brian surprised H by coming to it! H was selected captain, and scored the first goal for their team. It was great.

week050616d
My niece had her confirmation. Afterwards, we went to my sister's house for dinner. It was so great seeing everyone.

week050616e
It was a big week for my boys. C was invited to run the 1600 meter with the 7/8th grade track team by the coach. And we got a call from the principal saying that H was nominated student of the quarter by his teachers, and is invited to a dinner to celebrate! (I didn't even know there was a student of the quarter.) It was announced when H was in PE, and he thought his friends were lying when they told him about it. He said he never thought it was something he'd get it, and doesn't know anyone who's gotten it who isn't a straight A student. See? Hard work and effort does pay off. Way to go kids!

Oh, and C made this pig in art class. I kind of love it.