March Gladness #SOL16 16/31

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Two Writing Teachers

Even though it was pouring and windy and gross this morning, I don't mind March... that much.

Of course, it's busy - this week includes lots of student meetings and family reading night on top of my regular schedule.  Does that stop me from getting way too exciting about basketball and competition?

Nope!

We have a family competition connected to the March Madness basketball games.  Each member of the family picks one team per region to win.  The person who picks the team that goes the farthest gets a restaurant gift card.  If I'm the winner, I usually make the kids read a book (tee hee) or deep clean their rooms.  

This year Lindsey is away in Michigan on a service trip with spotty internet service.  Since she was not able to participate, I asked her friends, Mikayla and Emily, if they wanted to be part of the fun.  

We decided to make our team picks on Monday night.  Jeff was in charge of making Skype work  to chat with the college girls.  Allison called from her boyfriend Eric's house (just across town) and they joined the process.

It was a blast chatting with Emily and Mikayla.  We had tours of their rooms (unexpected!) and made snarky comments about Emily's beloved Spartans.  Allison relished in picking teams that weren't quite the tops seeds while Eric tried to overrule her decisions.  Mikayla and Allison were bummed that their current and future schools didn't make the cut.

Need to find a reason to chat up your kids and their friends?  A friendly competition does the trick. 

 

Currently SOLC #19

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Two Writing Teachers

Currently

I'm in the family room with a gaggle of teens.

We have the first round basketball games on the big screen.

The random comments,silly stories and one-liners are flying around the room.

I'm balancing on an exercise ball, trying hard not to fall over, typing away at the blog.

Everyone keeps checking their brackets, yelling at the screens.

It's an interesting kind of bonding.  It's fun.  

I'm sure they are all ready for me to head back upstairs.

But I'm gracing them with my presence.

Lucky kids!

Watching basketball with the kids is a good detox

On the night before the last day of school before spring break.

Currently 

I'm in the family room with a gaggle of teens.

March Madness SOLC #18

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Two Writing Teachers

I can be a full out sports fan or I can be casual about it.  I love to watch football, even though I don't know all the rules (and annoy my oldest daughter with my questions).  Basketball is fun to watch because of it's fast pace.

For the past few years, my family picks their favorite team from each March Madness division.  Lindsey (oldest) is our athlete and sports fanatic.  She has no problem picking teams - she actually knows their stats.  Allison (youngest) picks teams based on their location or mascot.  Jeff has absolutely no interest in sports, but he has enough information from coworkers and rankings to pick some decent teams.  I remember names and reputations, so I pick Kentucky, one underdog, and two middle performers every year.

We keep track of who's team survives the farthest through the tournament.  We have fun trash-talking and bugging each other about their picks.  The winner gets to pick a dinner out (and dessert!), so the stakes are small.  

It's fun to have a little competition in the house.  We are also usually home together at some point during the tournament because of spring break.  March Madness is an enjoyable distraction for the family.

New team, new sport SOLC #19

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Two Writing Teachers

My daughters are having two different experiences as the lacrosse season revs up.

New Team

Lindsey (senior) is playing at the varsity level for the 3rd year.  Her team has a few return players and many new players who moved up from JV.  They are missing 8 girls who graduated last year. Lindsey's learning a new position, moving from defense (stay near the goal) to defensive wing and offense (run the whole field). Lindsey is figuring out the strengths of her new teammates, and how she can fit her strengths with theirs to get the win.

New Sport

Allison (sophomore) is playing lacrosse for the first time.  She has played catch with Lindsey in the backyard, but this year she decided to go out for the team.  Being involved in a high school sport is a completely different experience than participating on her poms team.  She's now at practice or a game six days each week compared to her two or three days of practice and a football or basketball game.  Allison is easily coached, and she is learning that after the game she doesn't have to ask the coach for specific pointers.  She is still trying to figure out what to bring to practice and how to get there on time.

Mom is Hanging in There

I'm trying to keep my sanity as I send one off to her practice in one car, then shuttle the non-driver when she needs to be there.  Sometimes they can ride together, but youngest struggles with time management (her leaf does not fall far from my tree!) and she has been left behind.  Dinner has become one of three options:  frozen Lean Cuisine, pick up something on your way, or crockpot meals (I search Pinterest daily!).  If all else fails, both girls have loads of snacks in their bags.  Yesterday I watched both girls play in 45 degree weather with 20 mile per hour winds.  My lacrosse bag now has two blankets, hat, mittens and extra socks!

I'm excited that both girls are playing.  They will both find joy in being part of a team effort, even if they are completely exhausted by Saturday afternoon.  Now I'm off to cheer on the teams!