Coach Michael

Mason has been with Michael for two years now. Tryouts are happening now so we aren't sure if next year will bring change. 

The trio

Digitized

Cindy and I upgraded our phones and somebody else benefitted as well. 

Last tourney of the year

They lost their first game 3-7. The first half they were down 0-6. Coach moved Mason to defense and told him to start yelling and getting physical, including pushing and tripping, which he took to heart, and was not easy for Cindy and me to watch (especially since we didn't know the orders that had been given). Mason was eventually awarded "Man of the Match." Cindy was yelling at him to keep his arms to his sides - and he continued to ignore her. We clearly forgot that clause about no sideline coaching this game. He flattened one kid and we heard the other team talking about "number 10" as we were walking off. (Pretty sure it was the kid in the last picture below.) Nobody got hurt, I guess they're learning the game. But it's hard to be the mom. Tomorrow I'll work harder to be a silent sideline contributor - and make sure Cindy does the same. I should write that sentence 100 times.

Pushing? it looks more like holding to me.

Little soccer brother

Bamboo

Car full of bamboo

Surviving a younger brother, by mason

Masons school project

Last regular game of the season

The Gunners came in a very close second place. These two knuckleheads helped lead the team.

Nathan and Kenzie

Indoor/outdoor office

Today I supervised this guy:

as he installed broadband in our house. 

So now I have an indoor office:

And an outdoor one:

While our kids did stuff like this:

And tomorrow I go back to the real world. 

Two down

It's spring break here. The older two each got on a plane to see cousins today. Kenzie went to San Fran to see Janel and Ryan, and Mason went to Vegas to see Sarah and Kyle. The planes departed 10 minutes apart from each other in separate terminals but Cindy managed to get them off without incident. Ermias is next door watching the Mariners with Grandpa and has sleepover plans with Grammy and Grampy later this week!

Three states, four houses

Ermias was very excited to stay at Grammy and Grampys for "two nights!" No pictures from them, but we could hear the excitement in his voice as he reported reading, playing cards with Grammy, eating his favorite foods and getting special 1:1 attention. 

Mason had his kind-of day, boulder-climbing and hot-spring jumping in Red Rock. 

Kenzie and Janel hit the water park and got matching henna tattoos. 

Cindy and I, on the other hand, escaped on a Wednesday evening to Bainbridge island for dinner on the way to our beach. Everybody's happy. 

Easter

We spent a delightful weekend in Port Townsend. The weather cooperated and we had a first glimpse of what summer might look like.