The Nets Fall One Point Short...

...but are all still winners in our books!

Basketball Season is the GRIND - I don't care what anyone says!  The season is long. It's winter and very cold.  It gets dark early.  It's HARD!  If you're weak, you won't survive, especially at the middle/high school levels.  It's just as taxing on us parents who are taking kids to practice, picking them up, arranging for transportation when kids have games on the same nights, eating concession food for dinner, leaving the house at 6:45 AM and not getting home until 9:00 PM, making sure homework is done, jerseys/socks/sports bras are clean and laundered, and the list goes on and on.  You love it and hate it!  I felt the exact same way as my kids do when I played, but both Miles and Karson continue to press on and work hard.

Miles D2 season came to an end last night losing in the Championship game by one point to the Rockets.  We made it passed three teams, one of the teams being the #1 Seed in the tournament  and undefeated- which was a BIG win for us with a last second three-pointer.  Miles is quite the ball player scoring 23 in the semi-final game and 15 in last night's game. Both teams started face guarding him or he probably would've scored more.  He's small but mighty.

Small but not mighty enough to win the tip over this young man =/!

It was a great season, and I have to admit, I'm sad seeing it come to an end.  Karson has another week of games before the district tournament begins.  I was telling Matt last night that I think it's really cool that all three of our kids made it to the Championship game(s).  Karson and the Spartans won the Gold Bracket Championship game in 2015.  Isaac and the Thunder fell short and came in 2nd in 2017.  Miles followed suit with The Nets.  Very, very cool that they all made it to the final game though =).

We have a pretty great army of Miles supporters and fans!  Up next...Middle School ball??  Stay tuned.

BOYMOM#14 - It's an Experience

My son is 14 today.  It's hard to believe he'll be a freshman at South in the fall. Last weekend, he had a friend over who looked like a grown man and made up three of him - like Schwarzeneggar and Devito from the movie Twins.  When I walked in the house, Isaac came right up to me, wrapped his arms around me, and gave me a giant hug.  He does this most days when I get home from work.  Affection is his thang - he gets that from Matt.  He's not shy about his feelings, even with his friends around.



You'll usually find him in his room strumming on his guitar, combing his hair =), playing his Xbox, or rearranging his closet.  If he's not in there, he's at the movies with Seth, at pap's with Mae Kathryn and Cocoa, or at Meme's riding the golf cart around wrangling up boys from the Jody Richards area to play basketball.

Getting better and better each day at playing his guitar.

He's eaten more Schwan's chicken fries than anyone I know and can drink an entire gallon of chocolate milk.  Zaxby's and AZZIP are at the top of his list for favorite dining options.

What can I say:: teenagers are weird!  Karson and Isaac love the tradition of being in their swimsuits on Snow Days.  They've done this two years in a row.

Isaac didn't spend much time in the snow on Monday, but while he was out there, he reminded me of an EarthRoamer plowing through the snow and covering himself in it.  He had puddles of water inside his rubber boots.  I made the mistake of slipping them on to run outside.

He's a kid that's simply fun to be around.  I don't know many teens that have his sort of confidence and non-conformist attitude.  If you're in a bad mood, he'll make you smile.  If you're in a good mood, he might annoy you with his energetic go, go, go personality.  He's pretty cool and has kept us entertained since the moment he entered this world on TUESDAY, January 25.  The second child in our mix and our second Tuesday tot!  This, I'm going to change my blog name to Three Tuesday Teens as Miles will turn 13 and all my tots will be teens.

465 Day Snapchat streak with my boy!

 

He wanted to have a birthday party, and I told him he could but would have to plan it on his own (which he did).  Since his birthday landed on a Friday this year, it was perfect.  He sent invites, collected RSVP's for pizza and told me he'd like a cookie cake.

 Best behaved teens ever!  It was a successful evening, and a few buddies stayed the night.  Happy 14th Isaac Matthew - you've kept us laughing since day 1!!!

Bring it 2019!

Our Christmas vacation started off with a quick trip to Lexington to watch the Lady Spartans compete in the Traditional Bank Classic at Lexington Catholic High School.  The following week, we hosted our own tournament at South - the Farmer's National Bank Holiday Bash.  Our two-sport Varsity athlete, Karson, decided to sign-up for the track team this year and plans to add a third sport into the mix this spring.  She's been doing a lot of driving, and we've been keeping up with her log.  I actually called the KSP today to see when/how early we needed to make driving test appointment.  We're a little anxious to get her on the road driving herself to all these practices/games/meets - whew.  Thank goodness for our neighbor (and her teammate) Brooke for getting Karson to/from some of her b-ball events over the holidays.

The kids had a big Christmas.  We spent Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's house.  I didn't capture much but did manage to get a few pics.

Thank goodness it was a beautiful day.  Matt, Dad, Paul and Uncle Mike snuck over to our house and assembled Miles's gift for Christmas Day - a TRAMPOLINE. Being the mom of two sons, I can totally make this statement - boys are oblivious.  Everyone was a little concerned Miles might notice it in the backyard.  It didn't concern me one bit.  First, the giant trampoline box had been in our garage since November.  Second, our boys rot on the couch during breaks playing Xbox so getting them to actually go outside and run around would be odd.  And, third, if we pulled the blinds closed (even during the day), there is no way Miles would suspect anything.  The plan worked and we were able to open the blinds on Christmas morning and reveal the BIG surprise.  He was so excited.

We've had other trampolines but they either rusted out or blown away and been damaged by the wind.  Fingers crossed this one will last him a little while.  He's a bouncing machine.

 Isaac was our early bird on Christmas day.  He's always the first one up, and this year (thank goodness) it was a little after 7 AM.  His Christmas request - a guitar.  He's been slowly learning how to play the last couple of months and gotten pretty good.  Movie posters are also HIGH on the wish-list.  Three new ones were added to his collection - two more Star Wars and Alien.  No wall is safe in his room.

We pulled off a nice surprise for Karson as well - a new iPhone XR.  Apple was running a nice 1/2 special during the holidays.  She's not been happy with her 6s for quite sometime and was tickled by the gift.

 It was a rather expensive Christmas for us, but honestly, our kids don't ask for much and overall are content with what they have.  It's exciting to spoil them when we can.  As fast as the years are going, we won't have much longer with them at home.

Our yearly tradition with the Warder's - an escape game.  This year we decided to stay in BG and do one of the Mind Bender rooms.  It was our quickest escape ever - with 25 minutes left on the clock.  I took us some pirate gear since our room was titled Captain Mayhem's Revenge.  We ate at Mariah's afterwards. 

We spent New Year's Eve at Paul and Shannon's goofing off and singing karaoke.

Hopeful 2019 will be as joy-filled as 2018!

The Twelve Days of Christmas, Not Really...

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 12 basketball games in one week.  Just kidding, but it sure does seem like we spend more time in a gym than at home these days.  Miles is playing for the undefeated Nets team this season.  He's hooping it up with his buddy Hunter (left).

 It's hard to believe this is his last year of rec. basketball.  I'm not sure how passionate he is about continuing on with the sport past 6th grade.  I asked him at one point if he thought he'd try out in middle school, and he seemed indifferent about it.  I love watching him! He's exciting on the court, and he's good.  I'm hopeful he'll continue with it, but time will tell.  He might also have the opportunity to play on the boys golf team in middle school, so I guess we'll see how everything plays out next year.  Until then, we're having fun with the current season!

Quality time is spent together at Rich Pond Elementary School gym/cafeteria.  It's sometimes the only time Matt and I can hang out throughout the week.

 

Our Special Olympics friends on the BG Express and BG Force played last weekend.  It's always a treat watching them compete. They are always excited to have SWHS fans there to support them.

 

 Karson continues to power through basketball season.  I especially love the picture above captured by the BG Daily News.  I love how she's attempting to block-out.  I call this picture "Short Girl Problems."

 

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 11 crazy relatives...I've certainly got more than that, but we made our annual family trip to Opry Mills last week.

 We begin the trip at Dave and Busters where the kids spend tons of dough to come away with Fun Dip, Sweet Tart Straws and Nerds Ropes.  At least we didn't end up with stuffed animals this go around.

 We did a little shopping and ate lunch at Claim Jumpers. Normally, we do an IMAX movie, but Isaac wanted to get back home for the Youth Group Christmas party.  Plus, Karson and Matt wanted to go see the Special Olympics b-ball games (mentioned above).

Isaac loves GPYM and our fearless leader Brian DeHerde.  He came home with a Spiderman Chia Pet which is currently nestled in my kitchen window waiting to sprout.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 10 Gingerbread Houses and three cute builders.  Every year SKyPAC hosts a fundraiser called Gingerbread Homes for the Arts.  One of the layers is our Community Day where families can come in, watch/listen to entertainment, visit Santa and build a Gingerbread House.  We usually have quite a few leftover which means I always bring one home for the kids to build.  I snagged one for Mae Kathryn this year.  She was extra cute assembling her creation.

 Me: Mae Kathryn who's your #1 best friend?
MK: Mouse (aka Miles)
Me: Who's your #2 best friend?
MK: Mouse
Me: Who's your #3 best friend?
MK: Eyeyik (aka Isaac)
Me: Who's your #4 best friend?
MK: Karson
Me: Who's your #5 best friend?
MK: Pap

Doesn't get much cuter than age 3!!!

All my favorite people who help me keep my sanity at SKyPAC School Day Matinees.  We welcomed around 900 kids to SKyPAC during the GHA event.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine winter formals...and finding attire to wear.

Isaac and his 8th grade buds at the South Warren Middle School formal. Thankful my nephew Evan Maglinger supplies us with a steady stream of clothes.  Isaac doesn't sport a lot of "dress" stuff, but it comes in handy for events like formals. 

 Karson and her friends at South Warren High School's Winter formal which was the SAME weekend as the middle school.  Aren't they lovely?!?  Hard to believe we're already halfway through K's sophomore year.

I LOVE this picture.  It reminds me of something off The Bachelor.  This young man, Harrison, and all his dates.  Such a cutie!  He did buy Karson's ticket to formal, so I'm guessing she ended up with the dramatic FINAL ROSE - hah!

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...two notes that made my heart happy from teachers...

If you know Isaac, you know he's a character.  He's witty and loses (or gets grounded from) his phone on a constant basis because of his smart mouth.  To know him is to LOVE him!!! I got the funniest text from his Future City teacher last week.  Such a ham!  Karson's Spanish teacher sent me this email a few weeks ago.  We've been surrounded by great schools and teachers in Warren County.  I'm thankful my kids are so loved!!!

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a farewell to Thanksgiving lunches at Plano.  Miles group was the last to go this year.  I haven't attended the lunch in year's because the boys never really seemed interested in me coming.  This year Miles asked at the last minute if we'd come eat with him.  Sniff, sniff - love my little Panther.

The three amigos playing in the leaves!

 On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, more SUGAR than I can handle.  Good grief!  What is it about this time of the year where you pig out on SWEETS 24/7.  I've eaten Puppy Chow, Chocolates, snack nuts, flavored popcorn, and the list continues.  It's insane how terrible and AWESOME I feel.  Tis the season for belly aches but totally worth it!

Karson and I made her new favorite Christmas treat - TIGER BUTTER - this weekend.  It's almost gone.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, THE POGUE FAMILY CHRISTMAS.  We spent Sunday afternoon visiting with my dad's extended family for the holidays.  Since Christmas is a tricky time for getting everyone together, we try to do our family Christmas early in the month.

 The kids were so good this year, they got presents from Santa Claus!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, my YEARLY Snapfish photobook.  This sucker is a Labor of LOVE each year.  I usually don't complete the current year until almost an entire year after the fact.  Thank goodness for this blog account - I'd forget all these fun details and memories!

 

 On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, school Christmas parties to round out the week.  I'm happy Matt is able to be at Miles's school events.  He was able to go to his Winter Party on Friday.  He told me Miles's face lit up when he came in the classroom.  It's hard to believe this is his last round of Plano parties!  Graduation is looming...

 

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TITLE for the South Warren Spartans!  What an exciting season they have had!

 On the first day of Christmas, my true love (Matt) gave to me, three of the greatest Christmas blessings I could ever ask for!  We are truly grateful to have these three in our lives.  At the end of the day, family is what really matters.  We couldn't ask for a better one!  Happy holidays from our family to yours!!!