Beach Party Gymnastics for Catherine....first place

Catherine's team took first place in the beach party gymnastics meet last week.  I wish I could upload the video of her doing her first back hand spring during the match.  That move has caused us more heartache than you could imagine.  She has only started in this competition business since October and she has tried so hard to master this move but has come up short so many times.  I think at one point she hurt her wrist so she has stayed away from it....until now.  She's our most sensitive one and doesnt really like doing the things that scare her the most and this has certainly got into her head.  She did so good during this meet though.  I was very proud watching her at least try it and sure enough she pulled it off like a champion. Of course i'm bias towards her.  She really loves doing it and just to see the smile on her face makes it all worth it.

      and here they all are up on the first place podium....its their olympics and they competed like champions!

Catching up....Jimmy playing winter baseball..in the snow

     Jimmy plays AAU baseball that starts in November...no, usually they start practicing indoors all winter but as soon as they get their chance to get outside they do....which is fun.  They had their first practice game when the Red Sox were in Florida just starting their spring training...but they had 80 degrees and sun.  Jimmy's team had 28 degrees and snowbanks on the sidelines......oooooo it was cold.  He's the catcher.  Yes, he's getting so tall.  At 5'8 he's grown quite a bit this year.

Wizards basketball

The Harlem wizards were in town and the kids wanted to go see them. 

    laura really didn't want to go until she saw her friend Emma there

          Jackie getting tomahawks autograph on his basketball shirt

Oh my Jackie

     A couple of weeks ago Jackie came off the bus and informed me that there was a need for an emergency family meeting.  Apparently, he was moving out.  All seven years of him.  In the morning he had been horsing around (no, not him) and as I went to grab him and slide him off the couch he slid like he was on a wet floor and went flying.  It was quite funny but he didnt find the humor that everyone else did.  As everyone laughed at him he didnt appreciate it and he must have stewed about it all day.  Well, the umple got wind of it and attended the family meeting that night and shortly all was forgotten.  I had put it on facebook and what followed was a flurry of phone calls so he demanded it be taken off.....it was quite funny.
     So i curse the day i taught him how to use to phone and memorize my phone number.  Yesterday, he called me while i was at work and he was in quite the frantic state.  He just didnt understand his math homework and you would have thought the world was gonna end right there.   I asked him what in the world he would do if I didnt understand it either...i must admit, that is a valid question because the way they do math now in school I even get confused.  Well, he told me that in that case it looks like he's headed to home schooling.......I believe there was a bit of the Nickelodeon channel shows there.  Well, i got home and I think all he needed was for me to sit next to him because he handled it like a pro.  The au pair hiring was postponed.  dag nabbit !!!!
     Anyway, he continues to provide us with humor every single day.  I wish I could find the time to write down all the funny things he says.  He really is a smart and sweet kid, just a tad bit naughty at times.  Last week we were headed out to the bus and the garbage truck pulled up out front just as they were headed into my car for the short trip to the bus stop.  The guy gets out of the truck to grab some of the garbage barrels.  Jack so matter of factly throws up a wave to the garbage man and the guy waves back....it was as if they were Ernie and Bert saying hello.....I dont know why it struck me as so funny and cute but its just one of those moments that melt your heart.  Other times i want to strap him to the time out chair but mostly i think i'll keep him.