Colin's Hope Tri - Kiley's First Ever

Kiley was so excited about doing this event. A few weeks before we ran through transitions. She was great the whole way. She says she loves swimming the best but I can see her doing really phenominal on the bike and run too.

Courtney helped her through through the transitions and I took some pictures.

We are really proud of her first effort in this very cool sport.

Club Jollyville

She's on the team!!!

This past weekend sydney went to a tryout for middle blocker. I don't think she was at all nervous about it but Courtney and I certainly were.

Syd hadn't really practiced this summer and had petty much decided she wasn't going to play. When we found out the team she was on last year was not going to have a U14 team Courtney looked around for another option. She found Club Jollyville. Such an outstanding program. It's very mature and we believe it will increase Syd's skills and build a team mentality that she has lacked in the past. 

When we arrived I thought the whole team would be present but instead it was the Club Director, the U14 coach, and one other strong blocker who was trying out for U15. 

The other girl was a strong freshman volleyball player that was the only one to make the JV team at Westwood. Syd stayed with her every step of the way. Syd was obviously tired towards the end but we talked about that before the practice so I knew she was ready when her muscles to start giving out. 

She powered through and after the tryout  they were both offered a spot in the club. I was ecstatic!! So proud of our super strong, super tall athlete and role model for her younger sister. 

2014 Club Jollyville tryout

Firsts

Kiley is getting ready for her first triathlon. I'm super excited. This past Sunday she did her first brick workout at distance. I wasn't sure how well she would hold up but she is strong. After a strong 25m swim we took a short break and did a bike / run transition. I was particularly impressed when her side was hurting and she powered through the run. Great job cutie pie!

Syd is growing so fast. It's really funny that I have to look up to her now. She has started soccer practice and is trying out for her second year of club volleyball with a different organization. With everything going on outside the house, I asked her to make dinner for the family while Kiley and I were out training. She made the most excellent spaghetti dinner with a broccoli side and some yummy rolls. She is so dependable these days. This summer our little independent girlie also saved up to buy herself a Mac Air. So proud of her dedication persistence and willingness to help out the family. 

Jake is having a great start to the year. It may not seem like a big deal but it is to us and probably to him. He's doing his homework when he gets home from school. Twice, this week alone, he has asked if I could come back later because he was reading or trying to finish a paper. I didn't say a word. I left the room and gave him the space. Like I said, maybe not a hug deal for your teenage boy but huge for ours. He seems to have a renewed fire for getting things done. Sure he still games a lot and is mostly in his room but I see him working with a desire to do well like we haven't seen before. 

So happy for out kiddos and what they are doing with their time!!

First day of school, CCE - 2014

Kiddo Chronicles

Kiley

On Wednesday while Courtney and I were at our small group Kiley was telling the dogs, "no ma'am. no ma'am." I think this is what her teacher at Rising Stars tells her when she is doing something she is not suppose to be doing. :)

Speaking of Rising Stars, they recently had a picnic on a park down the street from the School and I had fun running her around the park to the different playscapes. She also got on one of the big kid swings and was almost pushing herself. It was very cute, but then again most of what she does I think is very cute and very sweet.

Today Kiley was incredibly cute, once again. I think that's the most stated phrase on this blog. In this episode Kiley strapped one of her babies to a stroller and was pushing it around the house really fast. Saying up the hill, and go go go....like she says when we run together. When she passed the little bench where her water bottle sat from earlier she would stop and give some to her baby then take a sip herself. Then she ran off again. She did this a couple of times then when the stroller was kindof getting in her way she started dragging it behind her. I couldn't help but laugh outloud. She continued to stop for water in the same way. It was getting pretty close to her bedtime so I suggested that we get her baby something to eat in her baby highchair and kitchen upstairs. We did that and with the help of Sydney eventually got her to bed. Soon after books, prayers, singing and a little solo time she we fast asleep.

Sydney

Sydney is really growing up. This past week she has been so responsible with her homework and has even been keeping up with her reading which is a really big deal. She isn't crazy about it but does it anyway. Her penmanship is incredibly neat. It's very close to perfect....even though it isn't quite as neat as on an engineering blueprint that is exactly what it made me think of. Part of it is the girlie in her I'm sure.

She's been incredibly helpful and patient with Kiley and her brother. There is still the typical brother/sister, sister/sister spats but she's mostly looked out for her lovely siblings. This weekend Courtney was away working on moving her elderly aunt from Corpus to Austin (Tante has made some great improvements from where she was but were definitely anxious to have her closer so that she can be supported more often by more of us) and I was so thankful to have Sydney here. Kiley had a major blowout. If you have or ever had young kids you know what i mean. ha! Well sydney helped pull things together by getting me and Kiley what we needed every step of the way. I was so thankful she chose to be with me this weekend. Not only for that reason but I like having she and Jake around on the weekends. It gives us a chance to bond, and this was definitely a bonding moment without the rush rush rush feeling that we sometimes get into during school days.

Sydney had her first volleyball game of the season today. She's doing Dr. Johns Volleyball. They have practices and scrimmages as part of the program. Today she told me she really liked playing. I was so happy to hear that. It's a tough sport that with her height she'll have a real advantage.

Jake

Our oldest boy is growing up too. 5th grade is really challenging him. Especially math. He picks up on most everything very quickly but long division is really a challenge. I know he will get it but it's difficult to see him struggle. we will continue to be there for him by encouraging him, guiding him and praying for him. And just like everything else he tackles, he'll overcome this obstacle too.

i can't wait for LAX to start up again. he likes it alot and enjoys playing it with his friends. it's a sport im not entirely familiar with but it's fast and rough. two things that jake likes.

Jake also adores his youngest sister, it's so cute to see them interact. He chases her when she wants to be chased, he lets her have the run of his room, for the most part and he finds music that she really loves.

As I was typing this up Syd has dozed off. I covered her up and snuck away. our kids are great, sweet and have wonderful hearts....and i really enjoy that about them. :) 'night all.