The Accidental Boilermaker

 It was finally warm enough to go sledding. The hill wasn’t busy and everyone had lots of fun.

 Week 3 of basketball. Jameson had a good game. For part of the game he was matched up to defend a boy much smaller than him, but he did an appropriate job. Toward the end it got switched up to a kid more his size.  Evelyn’s game was super exciting.  It was like watching a real basketball game. Her team was down most of the game but came back and won. The last period Evelyn was matched up to defend our pastor’s youngest daughter. It was interesting because they know each other pretty well and she is a very good player, but Evelyn did great and stuck with her. I asked Evelyn if she was nervous since it was just a close game and she said she tried to just focus in the moment.  Jameson joining in on the post game huddle. Evelyn and Jameson are very involved in each other’s team.   After basketball we went downtown to check out winterval. We spent most of our time at the botanical gardens. The new theme for the showcase garden is under the big top.  We bundled ...

 Yesterday was basketball. Evelyn and Jameson both had good games. You can tell they are slowly getting a feel for the game.  Jameson’s team especially seems to be good at passing and sharing the ball. For lunch we tried a new restaurant.  Evelyn and Jameson got bubble tea and Nate and I got Vietnamese sandwiches.  Today it snowed. We got about 3 inches with maybe more coming tomorrow morning. I got to go out and run in the snow which is just about my favorite thing in the world. Then we shoveled and played outside. After lunch, we went out and played some more. Jessa from next door even came over to play too.   

 Jameson turned 6 today! He requested coffee cake for his birthday breakfast. He also wanted us to hide downstairs until he came down and surprise him. Which we did.  Evelyn got Jameson jerky and bacon. He also got a few new Lego sets and a new chess board.  He brought in pirate’s booty for his birthday treat at school.  He also had basketball practice, so he brought snacks to share with his team - fruit snacks, pretzels and Gatorade. The favorite activity during practice is to race each other to the coach and back.  During dinner and dessert we got to talk with Grandma Pat and Grandpa Paul and zoom with Mimi, Uncle Jeremy and Hans.  Jameson also asked for brownies on his birthday. Typically we only do a special breakfast, but hey why not. You only turn 6 once. 

 Evelyn and Jameson have started playing basketball at our church. Evelyn practices on Tuesday night and Jameson goes on Thursday.  Games are on Saturday, so it will be a busy two months.  They both had fun at their first two practices and then today was their first game. Jameson’s age group doesn’t use a referee or keep score. The coaches are allowed on the court with their team. Jameson scored two baskets and did really great on defense. He earned the gray star for a job well done on offense.  Evelyn’s age group does keep score and has two referees.  Coaches have to stay by the bench. But the refs did a really good job of teaching. If a girl double dribbled or travelled they stopped play and explained what happened, but they let the team inbound the ball and try again instead of turning over the ball. Evelyn’s team did win. She was given the red star for good work on defense. 

 Our third and final Christmas was a dessert and present fun filled time. We celebrated Isaac’s 10th birthday on Thursday with yummy mint brownies. And the kids ran around and around and around and never seemed to be tired but they finally fell asleep. Friday the kids went to the Hope College workshop and made their own peg game. After that, Pat, Amanda, and I went out for coffee.  For lunch, we went out for dessert.  Isaac had wanted to do dessert on his birthday but the restaurant didn’t have any reservations for Thursday. Friday lunch was perfect though and very delicious.  Later on we opened presents, played with presents, and had pizza for dinner.  Evelyn, Jameson, and Isaac painted their peg game. We counted down to “midnight” with sparkling grape juice; milk for Evelyn.  Saturday before we left, there was still time for a game of Catan.  And lots of trips in the cat backpack.  Jameson didn’t stay awake for this car ride home.