Jiu-Jitsu competition

About two years ago, Jack started Jiu-Jitsu and through all his other activities, he has stuck with it. Last December, he did his first competition and it was a eye opening experience. He was out within 30 seconds but it taught him that Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a 50 minute class a couple days a week - it is competitive, and kids go hard and fast. He wasn't swayed with the first competition and wanted to do another one. Perhaps it is because the Olympics are on and talk of medals is in the air, but at his second competition, he said that he didn't want a participation medal or even a bronze medal, but a gold or silver medal. So this is how the day went...

Arrived at the competition, watched his younger team mates compete for an hour and got weighted in.

Waited for about 30 minutes, went onto the mat, warmed up and sat down with his competitors. 

Got coached up by one of his coaches. 

Went round one - and won with 4 points to 2 points. His last two points were earned in the last 30 seconds of the 3 minute round. 

Round two - won by having an advantage even though no points were scored. 

Telling me "I'm in the FINALS!"

Round three - looking at the clock and score, realizing he was down.

But came in second - earning himself a silver medal! 

So proud of this little man for achieving his goal!

Gymnastics and Jiu-Jitsu

Brooke had her gymnastics performance - she loves performing and being on stage. She was able to show off her handstands and cartwheels. 

Jack participated in his first ever Jiu-Jitsu tournament. Although he didn't win (ref called it), he enjoyed the experience, learned a lot and earned a huge participation medal that he loves.

Baseball and Soccer

Jack's fall baseball and soccer season finished up last week. It was a crazy 2 months of practices and games that took up almost every day of the week, but it was fun. Jack did "kid-pitch" baseball and was able to pitch a few games. Jack got hit by the baseball early in the season and was really shaken by it. It took a bit, but he eventually got over it and no longer jumps out of the box when he is at bat. Jack really seemed to enjoy his first season in AYSO soccer. Next fall may be difficult as he will have to choose between fall baseball and AYSO soccer, but I'm not for doing both again at the same time!  Brooke is still really enjoying soccer... may have to put her in AYSO soccer next fall.

Cub Scouts awards & space durby

This whole Cub Scout's thing is new to me but so far, so good. Since our camping trip in early October, Jack has been working on several belt loops. At our last pack meeting, he was awarded 6 belt loops and a patch (which I still need to figure out how to attach to his shirt!). He was SO excited to earn his patches and belt loops.

The cub scouts had a space derby, which entailed making your own space rocket ship. We purchased the "kit", which has 2 blocks of wood, 3 sheets of plastic (for the fins/wings), rubber bands, propeller and a few other small items to construct the rocket. I warned Jack upfront, that since I was the one helping him, he may not win but we'd have fun together doing it. He didn't win any races, but he did win "best Halloween decorated ship", so that was great. And I got some tips for next year - as well as the race car derby coming up next year.



Jack learned about the flag - what the colors, stars and stripes stand for - as well as how to fold a flag. Here he is with his den and a flag from the civil war. 

Keeping up with Brooke

Brooke is such a good sport... just about every day, she gets carted around going to one of her brother's activities. Fortunately, she has a friend to play with and we make good use of the time by either doing homework or practicing her gymnastics. Of course, there is time to just be a little girl and play around. 

At gymnastics. She is learning cartwheels, round-offs, handstands and back-bends.

Keeping herself and friend, Autumn, occupied during her brother's soccer game.

While her brother had his own baseball game, Brooke enjoying going to an Angel's game with friend, Autumn.

Happy, encouraging sister watching her brother's game.

At a friend's birthday party, Brooke took to the climbing wall. She made it all the way across, every time, without falling. 

At the friend's birthday party, Brooke battling with a school friend. 

Jack's sports

Jack has a very busy schedule. He has soccer practice Monday evenings from 5 - 6pm. Jiu-Jitsu Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:10 - 6pm. Baseball Thursday and Friday from 4 - 6pm... although those tend to run longer. Saturday is an hour of a soccer game and Sunday is a 2 hour baseball game. 

Baseball practice - on first base getting coached by Daddy.

Pitching!

Soccer.

At bat.

Soccer.

Cub Scouts

Jack wanted to do Cub Scouts this year. Although I know nothing of it, we're giving it the old college try, and jumping in feet first... along with too many other activities! We had our first official cub scout event on the 2nd day of school at the 9/11 flag raising ceremony. I think Jack was a bit nervous since we haven't had one den meeting or anything. But I managed to put together enough of his uniform to be presentable (missing our den # badge). He looked adorable in his uniform, if I do say so myself! And I was so proud of him for being a part of the meaningful ceremony - and earning his patriotic badge for it.

AYSO Soccer & Jiu-Jitsu

Jack really wanted to do soccer this fall. The kids took an AYSO soccer summer camp and both really enjoyed it, so we decided to see how Jack would do on an AYSO team. I was wary.... the first time he did soccer, he was just under 4 and my cousin was the coach. There would be the ball... the cluster of kids following the ball... and then Jack trailing behind kicking down all the cones. Then in the Spring of 2011, Brooke wanted to do soccer so we signed her up and Jack said he'd do it with her. The way their birthdays fall, they were on the same team - with Brooke as the youngest and Jack as the oldest. Although Brooke did great, Jack and another player (who is now on his AYSO team) dominated; by being the oldest by far.

Since I didn't see the kids at the soccer camp this summer, I've only recently seen Jack's soccer skills and I'm impressed! See photo below - look at the determination on his face during a scrimmage. And at his first official AYSO soccer game -- Jack scored his team's first goal! He had several other goal kick attempts but hit the post or went just outside -- but he had the most attempts. He is also learning to pass and control the ball.

Jack earned another stripe at Jiu-Jitsu!

Brooke's hair and love note

Just recently, Brooke came out of the shower with her hair still in a pony tail. I explained to her that she always had to take the pony tail out in order to effectively wash her hair. The next day I told Jack we needed to get his hair cut soon.... and that Brooke would need to get her hair trimmed before school started. She pitched a fit -- she does not want to get her hair cut because she wants LONG hair. So later that night, as the kids were sent upstairs to shower, I was surprised to hear from Jack, "Mommy, Brooke is cutting her hair!"

I ran upstairs and found her bend over the bathroom trash can, office scissor in hand, cutting her hair... come to find out, she was trying to cut out the pony tail. Why she couldn't come ask me to undo it (as she does most nights), I have no idea. I also don't know why she decided to cut it out in the first place but then to also continue to cut as the tuffs of hair were falling to the ground. 

She has a tuff in the back (see first photo), as well as a group of hair in the front (see 2nd photo). I'm tempted to give her bangs since she is already about a third of the way there! 

AND.... she was in soccer camp for a week. On the last day, she was awarded the MVP player! She was also given the below love note from a teammate! Crazy.... 5.5 years old and already getting love notes.... trouble! 

Note says: My Song
I can not explain how beautiful you are.
It drives me insane, your like a shining star.
I love to play with you. It makes me crazy.
Just baby listen. I love you, I hope you like me.
I think your different from all the other girls.
When I see you, my head spins in swirls. 

Jiu-Jitsu & Family Bday Party

Jack earned a new belt in Jiu-Jitsu this month. He had to earn 7 stripes to get to this level -- big deal for him!

We went to my cousin's son's birthday party at Scooters Jungle. The kids had so much fun with the big slide and zip line, as well as I had fun playing foose ball with them!

May review

As my mom nicely pointed out, I've been slacking on updating the blog, so here is a recap of the month of May.

Brooke loves her soccer. She scores at least one goal at every game. She even decided to go to soccer instead of going to an Angel's game one Sunday.

Brooke has made fast friends our neighbor, Autumn. She lives two doors down, is just about the same age as Brooke and will be starting Kindergarten at the same school with Brooke in September. Here they are cuddling on the couch watching a movie.

 Jack ended his baseball season. He was awarded two game balls during the season and had a lot of fun. It was great to watch him improve his skills and understanding of the game. At one point during the season, he said he didn't like being catcher (Scott thinks because his glove isn't a "catchers" glove so it hurts his hand). But then Jack realized - on his own - that a catcher gets a lot of action during the game, so there were several times he volunteered to be catcher.

Jack's school did a mother's day breakfast. I was so glad to be able to spend some time with him at school and look at all the great work he did for me.

Both the kids have been getting a lot of use with the pool. Here Brooke is on a Friday evening just playing in the spa by herself.

Jack was in a school play as one of the announcers. He practiced all the time and knew his line by heart.  

This is how dirty Jack is when I pick him up from school. Between basketball and handball, the boy has dirt covering his arms and hands (both sides), and streaks of dirt down his face.

We took the kids to the the battleship USS Iowa. They were on the USS Missouri in Hawaii almost 2 years ago. It was great exposure and a learning experience for both of the kids.

 This is how Brooke fashions the pool noodles as flotation devices in the pool. However, she doesn't really need them. Her swimming lessons have really paid off. She can do the freestyle - learning how to breath sideways right now and is learning the backstroke.

We went to Jack's open house at school to view all the amazing work he has been doing.

Scott and I had an adult night out with good friends!

Jack and Mommy day at an Angel's baseball game.

Brooke with her new bike! We told her as soon as she learned to ride without training wheels, she could pick out her own big-girl bike. She choose Strawberry Shortcake.