The Gal Way Piper & Hawks Extravaganza

Basketball season is upon us.  Our schedules are cram packed with practices and ballgames.  I can't imagine what it would be like if all three kids were playing.  Karson and Isaac are keeping us in constant motion, coupled with Matt's weekly bowling matches, homework and the holidays, I am PLUM worn out.  I am actually looking forward to the chaotic holiday break just so we can actually SLOW down and relax for a bit.  

 Isaac's basketball team is fairly young and quite inexperienced.  They really are trying their very best but just don't have the skill set that most of the teams in this division have.  The odd thing about boys basketball in comparison with the girls division is that their is an actual DRAFT to keep coaches from stacking teams.  The entire draft night (back in October) was a joke.  There were literally about 200 boys ages 8, 9 & 10 at Phil Moore park running around like hooligans--it took about 45 minutes to get everything organized.  The boys were grouped and coaches got to assess their skill sets, and I'm guessing get each boy placed on teams where everyone is playing at an "even" level.  The last two teams we've played beat us badly, and I can tell very quickly that the entire DRAFT thing wasn't that effective.  However, Isaac loves playing and doesn't seem to concerned with their 3-game losing streak.  He has a blast and seems to be slowly learning all the in's and out's of the game.

Karson's team, the Spartans, on the other hand, are a FORCE to be reckoned with.  They are all fierce competitors and highly aggressive.  I imagine we're going to get in lots of foul trouble this season.  The girls have all kinds of plays and are constantly running a full-court press which really messes teams up since pressing is new to this division.  The world of youth basketball requires a huge learning curve in each division--the rules and allowances change each time you advance.  I love all the girls on this team and am looking forward to watching them play and grow.

Karson has decided to give up piano for a little while.  She had such a strong desire to play and has put about two years of work into learning.  However, lately, she simply doesn't have much free time to devote to it.  It makes me sad because she plays so beautifully and is a natural at it.  The decision to learn how to play was hers, and I allowed her to make the decision to give it up as well (although deep down I hope she'll decide to play again after a few months of rest).

The most amazing piano teacher on the planet-- Ms. Maggie Copeland.

Karson's winter recital piece "The Galway Piper and Square Dance".

Things are finally winding down at work.  We just wrapped up our youth theater performance of A Christmas Story: The Musical, and I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  I will spare you all the behind-the-scene-details surrounding the event, but I am quite thankful it's over.  The kids and production were nothing short of amazing!  We celebrated as a department today with an ugly Christmas Sweater Party/White Elephant Gift/Mellow Mushroom fun!  I am fortunate to work with some pretty wonderful people.