Engleberts in Missouri [miz-er-ree]

Tonight was supposed to be the last volleyball game but we still have one game to makeup because of the snow storm. Thank goodness because soccer has already started. She’s still not that great at serving and volleying but the cuteness factor completely makes up for whatever is lacking in the skill department.

We’ve been having some bad weather here the past couple of days. The kids were out of school again yesterday because of another ice storm. That’s the 8th “snow” day they have had this year. Since only 4 days were set aside in the school calendar, it looks like Violet’s school year will be extended. If the weather continues like this she might get out of 4th grade just in time to start 5th grade. Snow days don’t affect April & Jon this year - they’ll graduate on time regardless of how many days they miss. You can guess which kids pray for a snow day every day.

Volleyball practice was canceled last night also. That is a sad thing. Violet’s team can really use the practice. Not that they didn’t win their match on Monday. They did - all three games (25-18, 26-24, 25-18). It’s just that there wasn’t much volley in the game.

Volleyball at this age is all about learning to play - most of the girls have never played before and are starting at ground zero. Mostly, whoever served won the point because the girls can’t seem to hit the ball back yet. And passing to other teammates? Fuhgitaboutit. For one brief instant during the second game there was a little back and forth action but it didn’t last for long.

Violet’s serves aren’t that dependable yet. Maybe she’ll get it across the net. Maybe not. Practice was rescheduled for Saturday morning. Maybe she’ll get better. Maybe not. But she is enjoying playing and being part of the team and that’s really what it’s all about at this age.

More pictures on my flickr site.

One thing about being a SAHM that is hard is telling your kids no they can’t do this or that activity. After all, YOU’RE HOME ALL DAY! What else have you got to do except cart them (and their friends) around here and there.

Luckily, April and Jon are both old enough to drive themselves anywhere they need to go. Violet is the only one who still needs to be carted around. And boy does she need carting around. Holy beejeesus that girl’s got a social life!

Beyond the play dates with friends and various sleepovers and what not, she also belongs to an ever-lengthening list of groups and activities. We no sooner finish with one activity and there is another one starting. Currently she has PSR (Sundays), Girls Scouts (Mondays), Book Club (Tuesdays), and Awana’s (Wednesdays). Apparently 4 days a week just wasn’t active enough for her because now we’ve added Volleyball with practices on Thursdays and games on Monday evenings after Girl Scouts.

These are camera phone pictures! I love my new toy essential piece of communications equipment. :-)

Since she’s never played volleyball before she has a lot of room for improvement. The coach has a number of practice drills that the girls are supposed to do at home. April has been kind enough to help Violet out with her drills. That’s good. Cause it’s still too cold outside for me to want to hang around out there for very long. And bad. April’s never played volleyball before either. Of couse, she can’t exactly get Amber or Steph to help her since they don’t live here anymore, and Vicki gave volleyball a very brief try before deciding that she not only didn’t like it but had absolutely no VB skills.

Beyond the time commitment for all these activities, there’s the financial one. No wonder some parents don’t encourage their children to play sports. Every new sport requires yet another investment in clothing, shoes and equipment. If anyone tells you that participating in sports is a priceless experience for your child don’t believe them. I have the receipts to prove them wrong!

Although they are improving with every game and practice, the Kiwi’s losing streak continues.

Sadly, Violet needs less help learning to be a good loser than I do with learning to be a good spectator. I stand on the sidelines hollering advice, groaning, and wanting to scream “What the hell are you doing? The goal is wide open!”

I say wanting to scream that because I’m NOT one of those out-of-control sports parents that scream hurtful or foul things at the players and refs. The ones who reduce their children to tears as they come off the field, hurling criticism after criticism instead of offering a hug.

No - I’m not that bad. But I do offer a lot of advice from the sidelines. Because, well, Violet could be a really good soccer player. But, after Violet screamed “I AM!” at me from the field yesterday I think it might be time to tone down the advice a little. Or maybe alot. So, because I’m so annoying, Violet and I have come up with a code word that means “Shut up Mom - you’re not helping here!”

It’s unlikely that Violet will be a professional sports star - it isn’t one of her personal goals. Regardless, there are so many benefits that come from playing sports like boosting self esteem, increased social skills and the ability to manage disappointment as well as success. Also, studies show that children who participate in organized sports are less likely to drop out of school, more likely to attend college, tend to avoid risk taking behaviors such as drug use and are less sexually active at an early age. All things I’d like for Violet more than I’d like her to be a “sports star”.

So I am going to learn to leave the coaching to the Coach. Keeping it fun so that she will always want to play. My role will be to cheer. Thats it. Just cheer.

Remember how I told you that they don’t cancel soccer games because of rain? Guess what? They don’t cancel because of snow either.

The colder weather they promised us earlier in the week has arrived. This morning it was 29 with an afternoon high of no where near warm enough to play soccer. In fact, we’re currently under a SNOW ADVISORY and FREEZE WARNING! We could get 2 inches of snow tonight.

As bad as it was for the little kiwi to play soccer with the snow slanting in their eyes, the cold, icy wind gusting, the slippery grass and even slicker ball, I have to say that my personal sympathies were with the spectators. Those kiwi get to run around and generate a little heat. We parents were forced to stand on the sidelines giving up our cold weather gear to our children as the weather worsened. I really missed my gloves I can tell you that!

The kids are out of school tomorrow for the Good Friday holiday and Lent is almost over. Hallelujah! (Sorry, I forgot that the Alleluias won’t be dug up until Easter Sunday). I am so ready to be done with fish and meatless meals. The Boy decided to give up all meat for Lent this year. Having to come up with something specifically for him to eat every night is a hassle I’m ready to be done with - cause you know the rest of us weren’t going to give up meat for 6 weeks. The Boy is looking forward to some kind of meat extravaganza on Saturday and has requested burgers, tacos and turkey. I was thinking something more like Tuna Casserole. But that’s because I am a mean mother :-)

But I’m a good grandma. My bunchkin got his Easter basket in the mail today - just in time since Steph is taking him to visit Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa B for Easter. Vicki and Amber will be over for dinner and treats on Sunday. Hope you have a wonderful Easter and that you don’t need snow shovels for your egg hunt!