Another Win

The Varsity scored another district win today, 58-20. There were blocking and snapping issues during the 1st half on extra point attempts, so after getting knocked down on his first kick (they called a roughing the kicker penalty), Aaron still only went 2 for 5. But in the second half they got things together. He had good blocking and managed to hit all three he attempted. 

It was a hot game, which was not what we were expecting, especially after freezing through the JV game on Thursday night. It was one of those autumn days in Texas where it warms to around 80 and the sun blazes down unabated and it suddenly feels like June, but you are dressed for October! 

Next week, a tough non-district game then back home for the district showdown with our rival school. Should be a fun one!

Middle School has a week off before their last contest. Elizabeth will start basketball soon since the volleyball team lost their playoff match. No rest for the weary!

Great Aunt March

We were right! Elizabeth will bring all her talents to the roll of Aunt March in Little Women, The Musical. It goes on stage the end of January, so they will work hard and fast but I'm very impressed with the cast list and looking forward to their production. 

Elizabeth is happy. It really is her kind of role--one that can have a comedic element and one that gives her lots of room for characterization. And I don't think they are going to do Aunt March's song, so she won't have the extra stress of that, which is good since the whole thing coincides with her last basketball season. 

She's gearing up for a busy, busy winter, but then she is like me in a lot of ways and sometimes keeps up with her life better when she has more she has to do!

JV Rolls to Victory

We drove 3 hours, round trip, to find a JV team to play. We finished them off near the end of the third quarter, 48-0. 

I love watching JV games because Aaron and all his friends play. (Of course varsity is fun because all of Elizabeth's friends play!) He had a good game, even though his PATs were only 2 for 5. In his defense, his regular holder wasn't there and the snaps weren't the best. On the 6th attempt, the snap sailed over the holder's head. Aaron picked it up and threw it in the end zone where his friend Asa caught it! So, in essence, he made that PAT happen, too!

He didn't have any passes thrown his way, but he did have a three yard run on offense and a great shoe-string tackle on a kickoff that prevented a touchdown. Mostly, though, our strength (and speed) came from a new freshman (just transferred in therefore ineligible for varsity this year) who was almost unstoppable when he touched the ball. It bodes well for next year's varsity!

I was glad they got to play one last JV game, but it was a hurried and harried trip for the parents given that the game started at 7:30 and the boys all have a 9 weeks test in their math classes today! Hopefully winning on the field won't hurt them in the classroom!

Audition Time

It's that time of year again--time for musical auditions. With a girl-heavy drama class, the new drama teacher chose Little Women, The Musical for this year's production. Jeff and I saw it a year or two ago and I was pleasantly surprised. The biggest problem? Elizabeth has wanted to play Jo in some kind of production of Little Women since her freshman year. But this Jo sings throughout the whole show. And while Elizabeth's singing is better, I really don't see her as up for this part. 

Anyway, she had her audition yesterday. Here was her report: My monologue was good. My song was better. But my improv ROCKED! She said the music teacher was in tears she was laughing so hard!

The cast list goes up tonight. I think she'll still be a bit disappointed when she doesn't get Jo (you know how you know something won't happen but a part of you still fantasizes that it will), but she knows there are stronger singers and she will be okay with it. I'm thinking she'll get Aunt March, which could be a very fun role if she makes it that way. 

Tune in tomorrow for the big announcement!

Last Middle School Home Game

Well, Nathan did himself proud today. Of course, it was against a very young, very weak team, so the glory had a bit of taint to it. 

In the 36-14 win, Nathan threw four touchdown passes and ran for one touchdown. He also had a interception hit him in the hands, but he couldn't hold on. They managed to play the whole game (not 45 them) because they played the 7th graders a lot. It was quite amusing, really. They'd put them in on offense and it would be 4 and out. The first team defense would come in and actually push the other team so far back it was as good as an offensive drive! But at least the little guys got some experience that will help them next year.

Middle school has a bye next week.

Next up: JV!!!

Homecoming:Part 2

Elizabeth's hair was truly a work of art. This picture doesn't do it justice!

Lana and Aaron

Dad crashes the picture. I wish the shadows weren't on their faces because I loved this picture!

Aaron and Elizabeth

Brandon and Elizabeth

Everyone looked great and had a good time at the dance. Next year won't be quite so hectic without a girl to get ready. Aaron dressed 10 minutes before time to leave. Starting with the hair appointment, Elizabeth's was more like a four hour ordeal!

Homecoming: Part I

It was a busy but fun day yesterday. Everything really began with the all-school pep rally at 2:30 and pretty much didn't end until nearly midnight last night! The games both went well. Both middle school and varsity actually played full games! Nathan had two touchdown passes and a couple of long runs. He made one solo tackle that I remember. They won, but I can't remember the score!

The varsity won 68-24. Aaron was 7 for 9 in kicking. The JV offense went in for a drive. Aaron switches out at wide receiver and actually had a good pass thrown to him, even had the ball in his hands, in spite of a defender right on him, but before he could grip it good he got bumped by a second defender, bobbled it and dropped it. There is actually a JV game on Thursday, so he'll get some real playing time then.

Of course the pinnacle was halftime and homecoming court. In our small school all the seniors are on the court, so that's why in some of the following pictures Elizabeth is in her formal gown.

Elizabeth and Jeff. It's hard on her daddy that she is growing up!

Elizabeth with her friends Leah and Roxanne. All the girls looked so beautiful last night!

     This is Aaron and his good friend Lana, who is his homecoming date. 

                         Aaron and Elizabeth before school Friday morning.  

The dance is tonight, so look for more pictures and updates tomorrow.

Early Exit

Nathan's team played well again, winning over another very good team by the score of 51-32, even with one of our two-way starters out hurt. Nathan caught a touchdown pass and threw some good passes as well. His tackling on defense was the best he's done all year. But in spite of all the good, Nathan made an early exit from the game. In the 4th quarter he got sacked hard. Hit his head on the ground and got up woozy. Now he truly knows the meaning of "getting your bell rung."

He sat on the bench for the remainder of the game with a monster headache, but all in all, he's fine. The homecoming hoopla will kick in and he'll be more than ready to play the game on Friday.

Piano Competition

Nathan had the first of his several piano competitions scattered throughout this school year. He came away with a Superior +. Can't do much better than that! It's been awhile since he received marks that high. He was very pleased. And, of course, it helps that he has worked very hard on this piece. It's amazing what that child can do when he puts a little effort into it.

And Our Team Keeps Rolling On

Another big win for the varsity last night, 62-12. The game ended at halftime. Aaron didn't have such a great game, though. He only made 4 of 8 point after attempts. One hit the crossbar--again. How do you do that TWICE in one season? But his dismal performance wasn't completely his fault. The six in on those PATS are all non-starters, mostly sophomores. Last night, their blocking wasn't all that hot. In fact, Aaron actually got knocked down--twice. One of those times we got a roughing the kicker call. Anyway, as you can see it really didn't affect the outcome of the game, so that's good.

Next week we have two middle school games, the varsity game--our first district opponent, and all the homecoming activities. We'd better get rested up this weekend!

Hard-hitting marathon

The middle school played again today. It was a hard-hitting game against a big team, but we still won. I can't remember the exact score but it was in the neighborhood of 60-36. Nathan's stats didn't look so good today. Lots of dropped passes. A couple of fumbled snaps. Several missed tackles. And an interception. But he did catch an extra point pass and threw one touchdown pass. He had a couple of good blocks, too. And the game lasted 2 1/2 hours, which is long for us. Since he plays both ways, he came home exhausted. 

Next up: varsity game on Friday night. And next week--homecoming week--middle school plays on Tuesday and then again on Friday, before the varsity. It will be a busy, busy week!

Homecoming on the Horizon

Homecoming is a week and a half away and we have dates! Woo-hoo! Actually, this isn't/wasn't/hasn't been a problem for Aaron. There are any number of girls at school willing to go with him. His problem is the asking! But we finally browbeat him into it. At least, Elizabeth did. He asked a girl in his class who he is good friends with.

Elizabeth is always harder. Usually she balks at asking someone from outside of school, yet no one at school asks her. But this summer, when she and Aaron worked at a camp for refugee children, they met a guy (also a senior) who goes to our rival school. In fact, he's their quarterback! He is good friends with some of the guys at our school and his best friend is going to the dance with one of Elizabeth's friends. She asked him and he said yes. 

Come Monday, the week of festivities will begin, culminating in the dinner/dance on Saturday night. You can be sure I'll post pictures!