New England Classic

Over Memorial Day weekend, Emily and I traveled to Cape Cod for the New England Classic soccer tournament.  The New England Classic is a three day tournament with more than 150 teams, ages U10 through U18.  Thankfully, at the younger ages, there is no "knock out", so Emily only played on Saturday and Sunday.  Her U9 premier team played in a U10 division and really did a great job.  They ended up 1-3, but two of the losses were very close and they controlled the play in 3 of the 4 games.  Overall, this was a not a good tournament for Emily.  She played okay in two of the games and then really went downhill.  As a parent, it can be very frustrating to watch her play - when she is "on", she is pretty much unstoppable; but when she's not, she hampers her team by even being on the field, making bad decisions and taking up space.  One very positive note - the two halves she played goalie she did very well, notching a shut out in one and allowing two goals in the other (in the second half of that game, 6 goals were allowed, so two was excellent); she also gained some confidence punting the ball (which is ironic, as she no longer wants to play goalie, but is playing the position better than ever).  So now, we wipe the slate clean and head into tryout season, keeping our fingers crossed that her lack of consistent play does not prevent her from making the team next year.

Happy to be in Hyannis after a 4 1/2 drive on Friday afternoon/evening.

Watching the older girls play.

She was co-captain of the second game (in goalie gear).

One half of shut out work.

This was just prior to a nice shot on net.

After their win.

Pre-game discussion.

U9 Sporting Girls.

Sturbridge Village

Last week, the third and fifth graders went on a field trip to Sturbridge Village last week and I was asked to chaperone the third grade class (I was also asked to chaperone the 5th grade class but Elizabeth said she would prefer that I not....).  As it turned out, both grades stayed together during the time that we were there, so I was able to be with both girls.  Although we've visited Sturbridge Village as a family before, they had fun exploring it with their classmates and taking a "class" at the school house.

Third grade

Fifth grade

Baby lambs were born earlier that week.

Emily, in lamb heaven!

Being questioned on their lessons by the school keeper.

Emily working on her writing.

Chaperone selfie.

Emily and her newest lamb.

Spring Concert

Last Wednesday evening was the annual spring band and chorus concert.  For the first time, both girls were in the spring concert, as the third graders learned the recorder in preparation for starting "real" instruments in the fall.  Although I was dreading the recorder concert, I was pleasantly surprised by how well they sounded.  Emily has really enjoyed playing the recorder and I am quite sure that she will decide to play an instrument in the fall.  The Advanced Band played very well.  The band director gave them the extremely challenging William Tell Overture, because they quickly mastered the other difficult song that the gave them for the concert.  It wasn't perfect, but it was pretty good for a band composed of 5th-8th graders.  Lee and I were very proud of our girls!

Emily and a few other third graders helped their principal lead the school in the Lord's Prayer. 

Emily, ready to play.

William Tell Overture

Elizabeth being recognized for making All State Band.

Northridge Overture

These girls are the best.

Love these kids!

More Lacrosse

Elizabeth has been playing a ton of lacrosse this spring and she's really enjoying it.  Her team gets better and better each time they step on the field, which is so great for them, the parents and the coaches to see.  They almost always play against towns with well-established programs, and while they have been able to keep the score close in several games, winning has been elusive.  Until last week, when they pulled out their first win 10-8.  The statistician didn't tell the girls the score until the game was over, so even in the final seconds, they were playing tough.  It was a such a great game to watch and I was so proud of how Elizabeth played.  She had some great runs, some great passes and played some awesome defense.

Elizabeth plays middie, which means that she can (and does) run the entire length of the field.  She is expected to play offense and defense.  Here she is, defending.  She was able to stick check this girl and take the ball from her.

Crowning Mary

The day after First Holy Communion, all of the children are invited to crown Mary.  They wear their First Communion attire and sit together and can have any of the items that they received as gifts blessed by Father.  Emily had the wore the cross necklace my mother gave her so that it could be blessed, which was very emotional for both she and I (and my mother, when I told her).  They also sang to the congregation at the end of the service.

April Odds and Ends

A few photos and videos that didn't make it into April posts.

Flute recital selfie.

Elizabeth and Alex, her flute teacher.  Alex is working toward her Masters in Flute Performance and we attended one of her recitals, which was spectacular.

Lacrosse car wash.  Brave souls, letting these munchkins wash their vehicles!

They took a break from washing to do a little sign holding.  The line of cars was backed up to the street when these cuties were advertising!!

Grandparents Day with Marie!

Reading at mass.

Elizabeth and Lucy, after the play.

Emily had to memorize a poem for her April book report.  This is the final stanza of The Road Less Traveled, by Robert Frost.  To say that we were impressed that she was able to memorize the entire poem (and relatively quickly, too) would be an understatement.

Communion Party

After the First Holy Communion service, we had a small gathering with our family at our house.  It was nice to spend time with everyone and Emily had the chance to take photos with her family, mingle and open some very generous gifts.  Elizabeth was an enormous help to me, handling the responsibility for most of the set up while I was getting Emily ready and Lee was picking up the food.  It's amazing how grown up she is becoming.

The beautiful cupcake-cake made by my friend Jody.

Sisters.

With Auntie Kathy

With Grammy.

Family photo.

A beautiful cross from Uncle Joe and Auntie Karen.

The girl loves money.  Who wouldn't?!