Saturday, June 23, 2012

Team Nederlands

Another new experience; another great soccer season!  After winter conditioning soccer, the girls played on a spring/summer soccer league.  On this league, the field is larger than what they have played on in the past, providing them a great way to prepare for the Fusion's season, which they'll be starting in the fall!  Today's game was against Mexico.
Grace usually plays center defense; today though, she played right D.   Awaiting the start of the game....
Setting up for a corner kick...
 At half time, they were up 1-0.  They play two 30 minute halves, with a five minute break between each.
Orange throw in...Megs does the honors.
The defense holds its own!  They don't see a lot of action.....here, Grace is Right D, Megan Left D.


Today was the last game of the season.  They won 4-0.  It's been a great run.....leading to an undefeated season!  Next Saturday is the tournament, which will run all day.

~Wee

Friday, June 22, 2012

Water Fun

Water is one of the best ways to beat the heat right now!  The girls are finishing up their spring soccer season and are in the midst of conditioning for the Ft. Wayne Fusion's (the home school team) soccer season.  So after doing five 100 yard sprints and running a mile, they came back and joined the neighbors in a water balloon fight.  Since they were all soaked, I assume everyone got cooled off!

~Wee

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Field Day 2012

Today, marking our final day of school, was the annual Eager Explorers' Field Day.  I spent my morning with Group 5 - the 12 and 13 year olds, which included both Megan and Grace.  I attempted to also keep track of where Leah's group was so I could capture her events as best I could.

LEAH:
Leah ran the 400m in 1 minute and 54 seconds ~ 2nd place.

 Her time for the 50m was 9.8 seconds ~ 3rd place.
 About to cross the finish line of the 100m, with a time of 19.41 seconds ~ 3rd place.
 At the high jump, Leah cleared 2 feet 4 inches.
 This is the starting line for the mile run with all the younger runners.  At least they all attempted, but not all completed.  (Leah is right in the middle.)
On your marks, get set, GO.......and they are off.
Leah came in 1st place in her age group for the mile, clocking in a time of 8 minutes 15 seconds.  I was amazed with the pace she kept up for her age level!
Playing tug-o-war at the "play" station.
Other stats include:
Ball throw - 19 feet
Long jump - 4 feet

GRACE:
Grace at the finish line of the 400m, with a time of 1 minute 26.8 seconds ~ 2nd place.
I didn't get Grace's exact clearance, but it was 3 feet and some inches.
On the long jump, Grace jumped 7 feet 5 inches.
Finishing up the mile run with a time of 8 minutes 54 seconds ~ 3rd place.
Other stats include:
Ball throw - 55 feet
50m - 8.3 seconds ~ 3rd place
100m - 16.49 seconds ~ 3rd place

MEGAN:
Megan finishing up the 400m, with a time of 1 minute and 15 seconds ~ 1st place.
 On the high jump, she cleared 4 feet 2 inches ~ 1st place.
 Long jump was 8 feet 11inches ~ 2nd place.
 At the finish line for the mile.....her time, 7 minutes 51 seconds ~ 1st place.
Other stats include: 
Ball throw - 54 feet
50m - 7.34 seconds ~ 1st place
100m - 15.16 second ~ 1st place

Another school year is behind us!  Now, on to summer......

~Wee

Monday, May 21, 2012

Our Garden's Debut

I just have to brag about what Alex finished up for us this weekend.  The soil in our garden plot is horrible, has been for the eight years we've lived here.  This year, we decided to no longer fight against the natural clay soil we live on and do a raised garden.  Originally, we were planning to do a 3-level-high bed, but when the first level was put in place, we decided we liked that better.  Alex got creative with the remaining cement blocks and made what Megan has named "our cactus," tripling our original plan!  We had our dirt delivered on Saturday, and the plants were planted.

I couldn't be more excited to be gardening this year, especially with GREAT soil!
~Wee


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Beyond our Backyard

We look forward to this time every year....the Amish cutting the field behind us.  Yesterday, using two teams of horses, they cut and raked the hay.  Today, using four teams of horses, they raked it into strips and then baled it.  So fascinating to watch!  It's a full-family affair!


~Wee

Monday, April 23, 2012

Cincinatti Home School Convention

This past weekend, we drove to Cincinnati for the home school convention.  We had a van load of eight.  Megan, Honor and Graham took up the rear seat, but you might wonder where Graham is in this picture.  He spent the majority of the trip riding on the floor under sleeping bags and these girls' feet!
                                    
 In the exhibit hall at a science booth feeling "play snow."
 Every night we'd sit around and share highlights from our day, then plan our course for the following day. 
 While we Moms were going through the seminar schedule, the four kids entertained themselves.  It was so fun watching them interact, etc.!
 Sitting in the Grand Ballroom Friday morning awaiting John Stonestreet's talk on "Challenges to your faith you need to know are coming."
 Highlights included meeting our favorite professional story teller, Jim Weiss....
....and Tom Clark, the founder and author of our Math curriculum (from 7th grade on up).  What a fabulous speaker!  We also listened in on talks given by the authors of our Latin program and science curriculum.
 Outside our hotel, The Garfield.
 Our traditional morning routine....a stop off at Starbucks for our much-needed caffeine fix.
 How we got to and from the Duke Center each day.....walking four blocks through downtown Cincinnati.
 It was so fun having the girls go with me this year!  What a joy to experience this together!
~Wee

Monday, February 27, 2012

A Cousin Sleepover

Last Friday night, we had the privilege of hosting my 2nd cousin and her girls for the night. It was SO fun having them here and allowing the time for our girls to connect/re-connect, much like we did growing up. We had a blast!

The girls jumped right into playing games, giving Tonia and I the chance to "catch up."
Playing Life,
Scattergories before bed,
and Clue Mysteries on Saturday morning.

Sweet silliness before they had to leave......
Tonia and her girls
Though it was time to leave, her girls wanted to stay. What an honor to have these gals visit!
Thanks for coming, gals! We really enjoyed it! Let's do it again sometime!!!!!
~Wee