May Odds and Ends

A few May odds and ends.....

Uncle Mike took in a soccer game when he was out visiting for First Communion.

Emily's lacrosse teams doesn't score many goals (three pass rule is always in effect), so she was pumped when she scored in a game in mid- May.

This snapping turtle had to be persuaded to take a different route during a soccer game.

Trying to kill a fly with the "Executioner".

Elizabeth getting some time in a Magic game in the brutal heat.

U9 Girls - they've come a long way this season!

4-1 win to end the season.

Love these girls.

Nine

Our beautiful, amazing baby girl is nine today.  I think that I say the same thing every year, but I just can't believe how quickly time flies.  Over the last year, Emily has grown in so many ways.  She has a fabulous sense of humor and an infectious belly laugh - when you hear her laughing, you just can't help but join in.  She is a great little athlete.  God has given her amazing athletic ability and when she is "on", there is no stopping her, there is no one better on the field.  She is strong, fast and smart - but at times, frustratingly lazy and unmotivated (something we hope that she will grow out of).  Much more important than her athletic ability, Emily has taken us by surprise in the classroom this year.  Although she's always been a good student, her teacher really encouraged her to bring things to a new level this year and she has really impressed us with how well she has done.  Her brain is like a sponge and she is eager to learn anything and everything.  Much of her spare time (including hours each week traveling to and from practices and games) is spent reading and she also likes to write stories.  She has a very deep love of Jesus and all things relating to the Church.  Emily took her First Holy Communion preparation very seriously; she loves reading her children's bible; and she is constantly pushing us to watch various biblical shows on television.  Her heart is huge and she is always looking to share hugs, kisses and snuggles.  Lee and I are truly blessed to be her parents and we can't wait to watch her grow over the next year.  Happy Ninth Birthday Emily!  We love you so much!! 

The Last Recital

Emily's Irish step dance recital was on Saturday and I think that after nine years of traditional dance and Irish dance, we may have attended our last recital (gasp!).  Emily loves Irish dance and we think that she's very good at it, but she highly dislikes attending classes and is ready to move on to something else - or, in her case, ready to have a day of rest during the week. 
Like last year, the show was nothing short of spectacular.  The younger children are good, but the older students are simply amazing.  This year's performance featured four world medalists (top 5 finishers in the world) - Griffith Academy has a ton of talent, no doubt about it.

Irish dance costume.

Ballet.

Some of the older students.

Finale.

Our beautiful girl.

Field Day

Field Day was Thursday and the girls had a great time.  Pre-K through 8th grade are together through the day and I have to say that 3rd grade really seemed to have a great time.  The 7th grade was the only other grade that was as "into" it as Emily and her classmates, but they had a tug-o-war title to defend!  Overall, it was a really great day with lots of laughter and fun.

Third grade is a very athletic, and competitive, class.

Chaotic soccer game.  Elizabeth played really well in this game, although I don't have a single photo of her playing.

Third grade tug-o-war.

Victors!

Fifth grade tug-o-war.

Julie and Lee, hanging out.

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.