Tennis and Track

This season has keep our evenings pretty busy with practices, meets, and matches. Bella decided to try out tennis this year and Graydon is running track.

At our school, tennis is not an option until high school. Bella has hit around with Andy throughout the years but, other than that, didn't come to the season with much experience. Bella's coach has been pretty impressed with Bella's tennis ability and decided to put her on the Varsity team right away instead of starting out on JV. She is the only freshman on Varsity. That brought with it a lot of nerves because it meant Bella would be playing girls who were older and more experienced. We figured this would be a learning season for her and kind of expected that she would have a lot of losses because of her inexperience. However, that hasn't been the case. She has been showing up and has been winning! Against seniors! I love watching her play. She always gives 100% to whatever she does and I am so proud of her effort. 

A sweet mom from the team takes photos at all of the matches and I got some pics of Bella from her. 

This is the one photo that I took. 

Graydon decided to participate in track this year. Even though he doesn't technically go to Hauser yet, they let the 6th graders participate because some of the schools they compete again begin junior high in sixth grade. 

The tricky thing about having kids in different sports is that often times, they have events on the same night and never in the same town. I wish I could clone myself because I hate choosing between events. And I LOVE watching my kids do their thing - whatever it is - and I hate to miss it. 

Graydon's current track events include: 200M, 100M, 4x100 relay, and high jump. 

The look of determination! 

High jump is still a struggle for him - he hasn't been able to clear the bar yet. But I mean. . . look at the height he is trying to get! The good news is that he isn't getting down on himself for not being able to do it yet. He expects that, with practice, it's something he will be able to do someday - if it's something that he really wants to accomplish. 

Good effort, Graydon! 

These are busy days, but they are a lot of fun too! 

The Wild Outdoors

It's campfire season. Andy and Curtis have built quite a few fires already this season. These times around the fire end up being nice times of bonding for our family - especially during these busy May days. 

The fire has been useful for a little bit of outdoor cooking as well. 

Andy bought the boys a BB gun and Curtis has been doing a lot of target practice. He's getting pretty good at hitting the bottles. 

We also got some motorized dirt bikes. It started with the little red one on the right and somehow they multiplied into three bikes. They are already getting a lot of use as there is a lot of property around us for riding. 

Don't worry, he wears a helmet when he rides. 

We're looking forward to a lot of outdoor fun now that the weather is getting nicer and we just have a few weeks left of school!