The end of another great hockey season

Wednesday was the last hockey game. It was Spencer's 8th season and Tyler's 2nd. I missed a few games towards the end, what with having a baby and living in the hospital for a couple weeks and all; but my mom watched Chloe so I could go to the play-off game. They lost 3-1 to their cousins (Alec, Jacob and Peter), so that was a bummer, but I'm so proud of them. Spencer scored the most goals of the whole division this season - 28!! The next highest going into the play-offs were 20, then 15, then several 10's. Tyler got a lot more comfortable on his skates, became more aggressive and stopped a bunch of pucks. Now we get a couple weeks off before it starts up again. I want Dallin to play, because I can't think of anyone tougher than him (except maybe Levi!), but so far he's not interested.

Spencer's Debut

Last Saturday was Spencer's first piano recital. He's been playing for 5 1/2 years, but I've just been teaching him myself. He got to the point where he was getting better than me, and last year I realized he needed a new teacher. So when we were at Tyler's violin recital in June, we talked to several parents who highly recommended their piano teacher to us.

He played two songs and did a great job. We all really enjoyed the recital. The boys especially liked the hot apple cider and cookies afterwards.

We have been very happy with his teacher. His name is Torsten Juul-Borre, and he's a professional concert pianist from Denmark. The downside is that he's pretty expensive, but we figure it's okay because we avoided paying for lessons for 5 years. He has just the perfect style of teaching for Spencer. He is interesting, funny, and very strict about minute details (which has always been Spencer's weakness), and we've already seen a huge improvement after just 4 months. Spencer loves his lessons, loves to practice, and still can't pass by a piano without stopping to play.

Hockey

Just like school, hockey is winding down for the year. It's been fun to watch Spencer really improve over the past 2 years. In the beginning he was more of an observer (we were happy if he ever touched the puck), and now he's one of the top players. He said that as his skills have improved, he cares more about his own performance than whether or not his team is winning. Which is good, because they're in 4th place out of 4 teams again this season. One thing I'm especially impressed with is that he passes to everyone, even the newest players. He says he remembers how that felt.

Facing off with his friend Ryan. Too bad they're on different teams this season.

He's especially good at maneuvering the puck past a crowd. Unfortunately he's had a few penalties this season for hooking.

It's just fun to watch him, and he has become so much more responsible. He gets all of his gear ready on his own (there's a lot of gear), and pushes us all out the door to get there on time. It's been really good for him.

Capitals Vs. Sharks

Last night was the big game. Dave got off work early, and as soon as Spencer got home from school they packed their sandwiches and headed up to San Jose. Sorry the pictures are so grainy - they took my old camera, and I guess there wasn't enough light.

They were both SO excited about going. Spencer said he tried not to think about it at school because it would make him too anxious. It rained the whole way there, but they got there in plenty of time.

They got some boo's for their jerseys, and it got worse as the game went on. But they weren't the only Caps fans there. They saw a few other jerseys in the crowd. The Sharks won 3-2. The game ended at 10:00 and they were home by 12:30.

Someone gave Spencer this fun shark balloon hat during the game. He was so excited this morning, telling us all about the game. He said it was even better than he imagined, and they had a blast. Dave slept in.

I love the teeth.

I looked out the window and what did I see...

...Two boys swaying in the little plum tree. "Ahhh! Get down from there!" The branches are not very strong, and they've already broken some. "Wait, let me get my camera first."

My boys are such tree-climbers, but we don't have any good climbing trees for them. Or that's what I thought. This stinker goes to the very top and sways the whole tree from side to side! It scares me to death.

Last night at dinner Dave told us about when he was little and climbed really tall pine trees in his yard. He'd get to the very top, and then he'd let go! The branches would catch him all the way down. He said it was really fun, but he'd get a bit scratched up. "Don't try this at home!" I said. Now I know where they get their crazy, no-fear, tree-climbing genes from.

Hockey!

Hockey is done for now. I was happy to get my new camera in time to take pictures of the last couple of games.

Spencer's coach likes all the players to take turns being goalie. Spencer dreaded his turn all season, but the time finally came a couple weeks ago. They won, so that was good. He blocked some shots and did a good job, but thankfully the puck spent more time on the other side of the rink.



Dave usually meets us there after work, and Levi's so happy to see him.

Last week was the championship. We went into the night in 4th place (out of 4 teams), won the first game and lost the 2nd. So we came in 2nd place overall. Spencer had a good season. He really liked his coach, who gave him just the right amount of direction from the sideline.

He does really well on face-offs.

#4 is his cousin Jacob - this was his first season. Alec and Braden played too. We were really hoping they'd all be on the same team this season, but my friend pointed out that her kids always play just a little harder when it's against their cousins.

His team, the Stars

His coach, Corey

His new friend, Ryan. His dad played hockey when he was younger, and they all (including Dave) love to play 2-on-2 (kids vs. dads) Saturday mornings. Now we have a couple weeks off before the next season starts.

Meet Rex

I am not a pet person. I used to love animals when I was little - cats, hamsters, fish. I thought they were so cute, and I was always trying to talk my mom into letting me keep stray cats. And then I had kids and decided they were way cuter. Plus they more than fill my need to nurture, and I don't want more work. Now my kids are the ones begging for pets, but we're limited in our options because of Spencer's allergies - dogs, cats, and basically anything with fur. Once we watched our friends' hamster while they were on vacation, and Spencer had red itchy eyes for a week. It's actually provided me with a great excuse not to have to own anything more than fish. And whenever one of our fish die, I'm secretly happy inside that I get to put the fishtank and supplies back into storage. Well Spencer has been working really hard to get a reptile for the past year or so. He asked for a snake for his birthday, and we just laughed. So he decided to save up for one. When he was up to $80, he asked me to take him to the pet store. He's so dang persistent, and he wore me out. There weren't many snakes to choose from at Petco, but this cute little bearded dragon caught our eye. While all the reptiles were sleeping in the back corners, this little guy was all excited, watching us intently as we walked by and running back and forth. So Spencer bought him and named him Rex.

He eats veggies, crickets and millworms. That's way better than mice.

Spencer has had so much fun with him. Rex loves being held, and he'll just hang out on Spencer's shoulder.

So far he's been a great pet. No noise, no smell (that I've noticed), and very entertaining. When he's bigger we can even get a leash and take him on walks. Now if we can just keep him alive.

A sweet birthday gift

One of Dave's patients took him up in his plane for his birthday. Spencer & I got to tag along.

It always surprises me how close the beach is.

I have to admit I was a bit nervous when I saw the size of the plane (tiny!), but it was a very smooth ride, and I totally relaxed once we were in the air.

Spencer got to be the copilot. He flies constantly on Google Earth, and his cub scout den leader let him fly in his simulator a few months ago. He was so excited to do this.

He took us up to our town so we could find our house. It looks just like Google Earth.

Then we flew along the coast back to the airport. We were in the air for about an hour.

He took so much time explaining everything to Spencer, even walking him through the preflight check and letting him check the fuel level.

One of our favorite places in the world, from an angle we've never seen before.

Back on the ground. See what I mean about being a tiny plane?!

That was sure fun! He told us he'd take us up again, like in October so we could see migrating whales. Once he saw 60 of them! Now Spencer's not sure if he wants to be a marine biologist or a pilot.

Cub scout day camp

Last week was cub scout day camp, and Spencer & Tyler had a blast. I went one morning to help out at one of the stations - making walking sticks. First they stamped the leader grips, then they laced them onto the sticks and added beeds and feathers. I had so much fun with those boys! The older ones were very able and independent, but they were a little wild. The younger boys were super sweet but needed lots of help. Amazing what a difference just a couple years makes.

The climbing wall is always a huge hit. They also did bb guns, archery, swimming, sports, science and lots of arts and crafts. It was a beautiful week - mostly in the 80's.

Spencer won the prize for the fastest climb out of 92 boys! He did it in just 10 seconds.

On the last day they invited the parents for lunch, skits and awards. Here's Tyler and his group. Those skits are always very silly. Dallin was laughing hysterically - they're right at his level.

Hard to believe this is Spencer's last year there. He wants to be a junior leader next.

Tyler loved his first year at day camp! He was sad to see the week come to an end.