W21 of Y3

Honor Roll

Connor made the Vicenza High School honor roll for getting a 3.0-3.5 GPA for second quarter!

Good job Connor!  2 quarters in a row!!!  

I'm so proud of him for working so hard to keep his grades up and getting off to such a great start in high school, but... I'm even more proud of the man he is becoming and his character which is more than its weight in gold! The world would be a much better place if there were more people like Connor in it!  So proud of him!

Madagascar

Tryouts for the youth musical at the Soldier's Theater was this week.
They had to split the auditions up by age groups over 3 days because so many kids tried out for it!

Whitney's tryouts

She had to sing a solo from the script

Group dance that they just learned on the spot

Aiden tried out the next day

He also sang a solo

and danced!

They both got parts.  Whitney is a lemur and Aiden is a Zoo guest, Foosa, and Police Officer!!!  

So proud of them for going out of their comfort zones and trying out!  It was extremely nerve racking but they proved they could rise to the occasion and do hard things!!  Good job Aiden and Whitney!!

European Championships 2017

Wiesbaden, Germany

The kids and I skipped school and work and went to Wiesbaden on the team bus to watch the Junior Basketball games in Wiesbaden, Germany!  

Driving through Switzerland.  Lake Lucerne. Gorgeous!! 

Early Saturday morning at the hotel... ready for a fun day!

Warming up

The team with their coach!  Go Celtics!!

Opening ceremony with all the teams

The players all shook hands before the games started.  Too bad this didn't really help the sportsman ship of the games but... it was a nice gesture!

National Anthem.  Gets me every time...

Here we go!  Me - Ball of nerves.... oh my gosh!!! So exciting!  He seems cool as a cucumber!

First game was against Aviano, Italy.  Aiden started every game during the tournament.

I love Aiden's intensity.  His eyes are ALWAYS on the ball.  He is always looking for the opportunity to steal the ball.... and he usually does!

They turned the score clock off after 3rd quarter because we were winning 20-50.

Whitney kept herself occupied walking/running the track upstairs during the games. lol!

We played Wiesbaden for our second game.  We knew they would be tough to beat.

We beat Wiesbaden. 32-45!

Last game of the day was against Hohenfels.

Vicenza won. 48-26!

Undefeated after Day 1!!!!

Not sure who was having more fun... the team or the Moms!!

So proud of my little baller!!

Walking downtown Wiesbaden for dinner

We took up 4 tables!  The staff was so nice though... everyone kept commenting on how nice it was to have have decent customer service for a change after living in Italy!

Schnitzle mit pommes.... beautiful sight!

Walking home with full bellies and tired bodies after a very full day!

Day 2:  first game was against Kaiserslautern.

We lost.  Final score: 63-49
The boys were sad.  This qualified them to compete for only 3rd place. 

Third place game was against Wiesbaden... again.  

We were ahead until 3rd quarter and then the weight of the last 2 days caught up with us.
The boys were exhausted! Final score: 60-41.

Despite two bad losses and poor sportsmanship from the opposing teams and the parents.... he's still smiling!

Despite it all... they were laughing and having fun just a few hours later at McDonald's. 

The rest of the way home was quiet.  Everyone was tired and it was a long ride home.
Either way, it was an honor to be able to compete at the Championships and and experience we will all remember!
This team came a long way over the season.  Our coach really brought them together and helped each one of them improve.  They should all be proud of themselves.  I am!