The Accidental Boilermaker

Croninger had another great basketball game tonight. They won 22-2.  Evelyn played the 1st quarter which I thought was the 5th quarter but it wasn’t.  Then she was put back in at the end of the 4th and then the game finished with the 5th quarter. Which makes sense, but all the other games have started with the 5th.  Anyway, the 5th quarter was the most exciting because Evelyn scored her first two baskets and her third grade friend Jillian scored her first basket. Evelyn also shot her first free throws, but she did miss both. 

 Evelyn had an away game at Towles Intermediate school on Friday. Towles decided against a 5th quarter but Evelyn got some playtime as Croninger was ahead the entire game.  Today was a day spent at church. Jameson had his upward game at 10.  He looked good and had several baskets. They only had 5 players so everyone played the entire game and you could tell Jameson was getting tired. After Jameson’s game, we went out to lunch to a new bagel restaurant as part of savor Fort Wayne. Then it was start back to church for Evelyn’s double header.  Evelyn’s team won their first game and lost their second by two points. She had a couple of baskets and a few assists. The coach wants Evelyn to work on dribbling hard to the basket and so he makes sure she has opportunities to practice that during the game. It was fun to watch her and when it worked, to see the confidence and excitement on her face. 

 Today’s snow day excitement was that Harper, Willow, and Violet came over. Last minute Sarah needed somewhere for the girls to go to give her mom, who has some health issues, a break.  I said yes, we could all do e learning together.  The girls didn’t have nearly as much school work as Evelyn and Jameson but they were happy to either join in or give them space to finish an assignment.  Gym was a big hit. Of course we had to play outside. Overall it was a really fun day. As of right now, tomorrow is only a 2 hour delay. 

 It was a snow day. We got around 6 inches. We started e learning at 10 and then went outside at 11 to shovel and play in the snow.  Then it was lunchtime and more school work.  I needed to shovel again before Nate came home and the neighbor kids were outside so Evelyn and Jameson played outside again. Nate suggested sledding when he came home and as much as I love sledding I was not confident it was a good idea. All our snow stuff was wet, we hadn’t eaten dinner, and Jameson still had homework to finish. But Evelyn and Jameson really wanted to go so we did. Of course it was lots of fun. They both found friends from school. Evelyn’s friend had never been sledding before and didn’t have a sled but Evelyn was so willing to share. All in all, it was a good idea because tomorrow is another snow day. 

 Evelyn felt much better on Saturday. She and I stayed home from Jameson’s upward game but it sounded like he had a good game with several points and apparently one amazing and clean block.  We let Evelyn play her upward game too in the afternoon. She looked good and had one basket but her team did lose. Jameson enjoyed reading his new books. It snowed on Sunday about 2-3 inches. Just enough to have fun. 

 Jameson is 7! It was a somewhat crazy day. Evelyn did not feel well starting last night so she stayed home from school. Jameson asked for bagels for breakfast as nice change from his usual coffee cake.  We were only able to open a few presents in the morning since Nate needed to be in Marion. Jameson understood and wasn’t upset that he would have to wait till after church to open the rest.  Evelyn got Jameson a new football plus a Lego set and some football trading cards. Nate found him some GI Joe army men.  When the ibuprofen was working, Evelyn had fun with the figurines too.  Jameson asked for pizza for dinner so we tried carry out from new restaurant and it was really good. Nate came home and I left for church since I was in the nursery. Finally, I got home and while on zoom with my family Jameson opened his presents. His last request - a chocolate Texas sheet cake. I got Mimi’s recipe, which was Granny Heinz’s recipe, and it turned out delicious. Super ch...

 Evelyn had her first regular season basketball game. Jameson and I did not get there early enough to get seats which was somewhat unfortunate because Evelyn mostly played the “5th quarter.”  This extra quarter happens first and the score doesn’t count but it does allow younger or less experienced players a chance to get some game time. Since we couldn’t really see and Jameson I think was disappointed, I spent most of that time trying to appease him and then ended up talking with his teacher who was still at school. I got a seat after the first quarter and by that time Jameson had found a friend to play with. Nate was also there; he was just more willing to sit on the floor.  Evelyn got to play the last two minutes. I think the excitement of being ahead and the volume of noise in the gym with everyone cheering or yelling kind of overwhelmed her, but she said she had fun and was happy her team won. 

 Upward basketball games started today. Jameson’s team looked really good for only having one practice before today. Jameson got into a rhythm and had several baskets. He was quite scrappy too and fell down several times. I think the final score was something like 30-2. His team also only had 5 players so everyone played the entire game.  Evelyn’s team also looked good. Her coach was happy because everyone got a basket. Evelyn’s defense was on fire. She stuck with her girl and really fought for the ball. She’s not quite as aggressive on offense though. Her team won 44-12. 

 The Croninger girls basketball team had the opportunity to attend a Snider high school girls basketball game tonight.  The croninger girls got to hangout as a team, then watch the high schoolers warm up. At halftime, they played a 5 minute intrasquad scrimmage.  Jameson got to hang out with Chidera, who shared his popcorn. They watched the game together with another brother of a teammate. So Evelyn was with her friends and Jameson was with his and Nate and I enjoyed a very competitive basketball game. Snider won in overtime!

 Evelyn and Jameson went back to school today. We snuck in one last Christmas with Oma, Grandpa and Mimi over the weekend. Jameson continued his candy fairy mischief.  Thankfully not in the middle of the night, just early in the morning. And he enlisted Evelyn’s help.  We played lots of games, mostly dominos.  Mimi likes to play on the keyboard or piano when she visits. She and Nate practiced playing O Christmas Tree. We went for a walk with Grandpa and everyone got muddy, especially Evelyn. 

 Evelyn had basketball practice yesterday and Jameson had to stay home with me and clean.  I asked him if he wanted to place a piece of chocolate on the pillows for our guests who were arriving in the afternoon.  He thought that was a great idea and even wrote a little note so everyone knew the chocolate was for them.  He was excited to show Mimi, Oma and Grandpa their little treat when they arrived. Skip ahead to 2am this morning. Jameson woke up, went downstairs, got his candy bag out of the pantry and picked out some candy. He started in his room and gave Evelyn a piece of chocolate. Then he visited Mimi sleeping in Evelyn’s room; thankfully he didn’t wake her up. Then he came into our room where I woke up and he told me what he was doing. In the moment I only kind of understood but I was awake enough to tell him he couldn’t go into Oma and Grandpa’s room next.  I was worried he wake one of them up and they’d be very confused.  Jameson climbed into bed w...

 Today we had the chance to help take of some horses. My friend Victoria volunteers at a ranch that uses horses, especially ones that need a good home, to help kids from all walks of life. It was wet and muddy and somewhat cold, but not terrible. Evelyn loved it. Jameson tolerated it.  He mostly ran around with Lucas and Freddie. I think he liked all the barn cats more than the horses.  Evelyn’s favorite part was scooping the poop. Seriously.   Jameson became more interested when Victoria brought out Spirit for us to brush. He had some good questions then.  Evelyn was excited to do whatever needed to be done. She and Addie made a good team. I enjoyed just getting to experience something new. 

 We were able to spend New Years weekend in Michigan. Friday afternoon we arrived and celebrated Isaac’s birthday.  Saturday morning Isaac and Joshua took us rock climbing. It was a lot of fun! It was also a little anxiety producing as neither Nathan nor I have climbed in a very long time and Evelyn and Jameson have never been rock climbing. But everyone did great and learned something new. In the afternoon we opened presents and relaxed, enjoying each other’s company. Later in the evening, the kids got to play Mario kart and ring in the new year with some sparkling juice.  Sunday morning we attended church and were able to listen to Grandma Pat play the organ. The afternoon fun was the annual woodworking project. This time, wall hangings made from tree cookies.  There were also some yummy desserts. Isaac made a lemonade pie and Joshua made the cutest pikachu cake.  Monday morning Ben asked if I wanted to take Tornado out for a walk. Sure why not, this is an exp...