Bunking on a Battleship

 

Tanner had the amazing opportunity to go with his Scout Troop to Camden, NJ to spent the night on the Battleship New Jersey.  The itinerary consisted of time to explore the ship including Barber ship, Brig (jail), Laundry, Print Shop, etc. 

Strategizing in the War Room!

He means business!

Checking out the radar. 

Missiles are ready to go.  

Chow Hall 

An outside view 

After their Battleship adventure was over, they headed to Philadelphia and did all the sights and sounds of that city, including the Liberty Bell pictured here.

Glad Tanner is still enjoying Scouts and for all the cool opportunities it gives him!

Jefferson Cup

 

Riley (and Dave) just returned from spending the weekend in Richmond, VA for the Jefferson Cup. 

The Jefferson Cup is regarded as one of the top rated youth soccer tournaments in the Country.  The tournament accepts teams from 36 States throughout the country.  It's a tough tournament to get into - in fact, they turn down ~500 teams/year.  In 2021, it was ranked as the #1 overall youth tournament in the USA.  This was our first year getting into the tournament and, needless to say, we were excited for the opportunity and experience!

It wasn't great timing for Riley, because last weekend, as she dove for a save in her soccer game, she strained her iliopsoas (hip flexor) muscle.  So, it's been very painful for her to run or move her left leg in certain motions.  So we rested and iced it and stretched it as much as possible this past week and them put her in the game and hoped for the best!

Their first game, they played a team from North Carolina, which ended in a tie 0-0.

They secured a win 1-0 against the second team (from New Jersey) they played.  Two games down and so far, nobody had been able to score a goal against us. Yay!  

Sadly, after two games, her hip was too sore to play in the third game.  Thankfully, our team has another goalie and she was able to fill in.  But we ended up losing that third and final game against a team from West Virginia.  So we ended the Tournament 1-1-1.  

We had some fun off the field too!

Saturday night team dinner!

Riley's Team (that's Riley in orange - goalie jersey)

Severna Park Premier Green 2010 (U13) Team

Lucky Charms

 

On St. Patrick's Day, my kids woke up to this.... a Scavenger Hunt!

A close up of the first clues....

After following all the clues around, they ended up in Ella's room where they found their St. Patrick's Day baskets with goodies inside.

My High Schoolers.

My Middle Schooler

And my Elementary Schooler.

This kid.... Had in this adorable St. Paddy's Day outfit (which you can sort of see underneath) and then she throws this jersey on over it "because it's green and my soccer teammates are doing the same thing.")  So much for the cute outfit! 😏🍀

I tried to make Seminary fun by doing an object lesson using skittles making a rainbow.

And I made them each a Pot of Gold to bring home.

I left these out for Riley and Ella to come home to....

While I raced out the door to get Tanner to Sailing practice and Lacey to watch Lacey in her first High School Tennis match!

Also, the local paper, the Severna Park Voice was delivered on St. Patrick's Day and we were excited to see Riley in the paper 😊🏀

And last, but not least, Ella was able to go with her Integrity Lacrosse Teammates to the University of Maryland Women's lacrosse game and got on the Jumbo Tron!  That is her to the left with the multiple hats on - of course. 

Top row with Germany hat.

Holding a sign supporting their Coach, a former University of Maryland lacrosse player, who was honored at halftime.

All in all, a pretty "lucky" day 🍀

You're Looking at the Newest Member of the......

 

Severna Park Tennis Team!!!!!

Way to go, Lacey!!  So proud of you!!!

For the past two seasons, Lacey has been a part of the Unified Tennis Team, playing tennis with athletes that have special needs.  She's thoroughly enjoyed doing this and it's been a great experience, but she's been dying to be a part of the "real" SPHS (Severna Park High School) Tennis Team.  Our school of >2000 kids only has a Varsity Team.  Most schools of this size have multiple teams - a Varsity, JV and a frosh/soph or second JV team, but not ours.  Ours just has a single team - a Varsity team that takes only 12 girls and 12 boys.  She tried out last year and didn't make it (they only took two freshman).  She was heartbroken and I wasn't sure she had it in her to go for it again.  But she gave it all she had this past year  - taking lessons, doing summer tennis league, got a new racket, new court shoes, etc.  And it paid off!  Try-outs ran from Wednesday of last week through Monday of this week.  And we were all SO excited when we found out she made the team!!  What a great life lesson for her of perseverance.  And if at first you don't succeed.... try, try again.  

So excited for her to have this experience of being part of a team and all the opportunities she will have.  And so excited for the season to begin!  Congrats, Lacey!

Alexandria Soccer Kickoff (ASK) Tournament

 

I think Riley's favorite part of tournaments is the chance to eat out at her favorite places!  Her team participated in a tournament in Alexandria, VA last weekend and made it all the way to the Finals!

It was a tough 0-1 loss in the Championship game losing by a Penalty Kick after a very questionable call - and Riley was of course the goalie, so it was a frustrating way to end the tournament.  And I had to force Riley to pose for this picture and smile through her tears.  But to make it all the way to the Finals and get 2nd place in the Tournament is still an accomplishment!  Way to go Park!

Camping and Black-Belting

 

Last weekend, Tanner went with this Scout Troop to Camp Pioneer in Dillsburg, PA for the "Scoutmaster's Kitchen Competitions Trip."

That's Tanner on the right building a fire and making breakfast. 

Tanner is second from left in the 'Merica hat. 

And he also is now one step closer to becoming a 2nd degree black belt!