Versing the Tar Heels

Chooch enjoys playing all sports, but here lately, he is especially interested in basketball. He's on a city league team, the Rockets, and has really enjoyed the season. The team has 2 great coaches, who care about all the right things, in the right balance...the kids having fun, learning basketball skills, and winning. The Rockets have had an awesome season, with only 1 loss in city-play, but we had a crucial game on Saturday morning against the only undefeated team in the league, the Tar Heels.

Chooch woke up bright and early and marched into our room and announced, "Today is the day that we are versing the Tar Heels!" Chooch has used the word 'versus' as a verb for a long time now, and I never have the heart to correct him because it sounds so cute when he says it!!

We all piled out of bed, ate some breakfast, got ready and headed out to the basketball game. Chooch was really excited and it turned out to be a pretty good game for him....

He made three free throws (I think) but more importantly, he was really into the game and even had a couple of fouls called on him!! Basketball is a different sport for Chooch because of its aggressive nature and it has been hard for him to get used to people bumping into him and pushing him to fight for the ball. But, it seemed like the light really went on Saturday morning and he was right in the middle of the action, toughing it out with the rest of the boys!!

The game ended well for the Rockets, too, because we walked away with a win and we're now in first place in city league play (the other team lost another game last night). One more game to go on Saturday morning...if we win, then the Rockets will be city-league champions. Let's not talk about if we lose, though!!

Kay-Girl Rides a Horse!

We gave Kay-Girl a choice of basketball, gymnastics/dance, or horseback riding lessons this Winter and she chose horseback riding, hands down. It took me awhile to get around to calling, but I finally did and we went for her first lesson this week. She was SO thrilled and just couldn't wait until Thursday, the day of her lesson. We came home after school and she changed into her jeans and boots and then headed out for the barn. Kay-Girl was chattering the whole way, excited about her first lesson.

When we arrived at the barn, we met the girl who was giving the lesson and she told Kay-Girl it was time to meet Ralph, her lesson horse. We walked into the barn and when the girl opened up the door to the stable, Kay-Girl stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Ralph, the LARGE lesson horse. I don't think Kay-Girl had any idea how big horses are when they are up close and personal. She was very nervous and didn't really want to go into the stable, so I went in with her and we brushed Ralph together until she was less nervous. Eventually she warmed up to Ralph and the girl giving the lesson.

Here are some of the best pics of the big event...first, here's Kay-Girl leading Ralph around the ring...she looks so small, doesn't she???

And here she is getting up on the saddle for the first time (with a little help from the yellow steps!)

Proper riding form and all...

One of the exercises was for Kaylie to try riding with no hands...look at that little grin!

At the end, I caught this picture of Kaylie sneaking a pet on Ralph's nose:

On our way home, I asked if she had a good time and if she wanted to go back next week for another lesson. She said, "Momma, I want to have riding lessons EVERY day of the week. Maybe not on Saturday or Sunday, but definitely on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday." I told her that she needed to get a job!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Kay-Girl's New Haircut!

We went for a hair appointment yesterday and Kay-Girl decided to cut her hair short!! She has been talking about going shorter for a couple of months, but I had put her off, afraid that it was a rash five year old decision. So, yesterday was the day...

It came out really cute, but I keep staring at her because she just looks SO different...so grown-up, I guess! Where did my little girl go??? And, I have to admit that I had a small tear in my eye as she was getting it all cut off....