I spent a lot of time reflecting today upon Cal's sophomore year. Meg, Cameron and Brett flew through school pretty easily this year with only a few minor hiccups along the way. Cal's year was different. Although he started out on a high with an outstanding performance on his tennis team, the broken ankle was a huge set back to his year in sports. He followed that up with his first broken heart and then the disappointment of yesterday.
The bright spot in all of this has been the friendships Cal has developed this year. He has created some bonds and a lot of memories that will be with him always. The family favorite has always been Jayce. It was awesome to see him and Cal grow this year through some pretty challenging situations. As I watched them chest thump at the softball game Tuesday I couldn't help but grin. Yesterday when they realized that Wawasee was not going to advance to regionals Jayce walked right up to Cal, put his arm around him, hugged him and said it would be ok.
Jayce is right. That is what friends are for - to remind you that there is a tomorrow and they are always there for you. Hats off to Cal's friends for helping him through his sophomore year. Even with the broken ankle, broken heart and broken dreams, they were able to have a wonderful time. The trash bag Tuesday crowd is always welcome in the Heinisch home.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
Golf Sectionals
Cal's team teed off at 8 a.m. this morning. They were all pretty pumped up to start and very optimistic about their chances. They played with Triton and Northfield in threesomes. Mom, Dad and Parce were there to watch Cal play. By the time Meg, Cam and I showed up at noon, he was already on the 18th hole. At that time I found out that Jayce and Kyle came to follow Cal around as well. I thought that was just awesome, and they seemed to have a great time being his gallery with Parce.
Cal had some problems putting, but overall played well. He shot an 80. Rasmus surprised everyone with a 36 on the front, but had some trouble on the back. He still finished well with an 81. Tristen shot a 79 with an eight on the last hole and Jeffrey came in at 75. The boys were in second at the turn with a 151 and overall were looking pretty good with a 315.
As they were the first group off, we had to wait at least two hours for the other 11 teams to finish. We knew they had a chance, so it was worth the wait. Parce and Mom took Cam home with them as Dad had already left to play in the best ball. Meg went to Brooklyn and Avery's for a little while. Cal, Jayce, Kyle, Tristen and Jeffrey passed the time by eating Little Caesar's, telling stories and playing poison. Mason headed home early as he did not have a great round which left only Rasmus and I to hover around the scorer's table awaiting the teams finishing.
In the end it was pretty disappointing. Wawasee finished in the dreaded fourth place with only three teams advancing. Columbia City shot an outstanding 299 to win the sectional. Warsaw was at 308 and Culver Military Academy finished third with 310. Tristen was inconsolable. His beloved Grandpa died on Wednesday and he really wanted to make it out of sectionals in his memory. When the team didn't advance, the boys only hope was to advance as individuals. Tristen missed it by two shots and Cal by three. Jeffrey does get to move on. I was proud of Cal for congratulating him before we left.
I know today was very disappointing for Cal, but when Doug and I reflect upon the golf season we are very proud of him. He improved over last year. He worked very hard this week with the goal of helping his team. He posted his best nine hole match score ever this year with a 36 and he finished third as an individual in the Bruin open. All of this and he still has two more years to go.
Cal had some problems putting, but overall played well. He shot an 80. Rasmus surprised everyone with a 36 on the front, but had some trouble on the back. He still finished well with an 81. Tristen shot a 79 with an eight on the last hole and Jeffrey came in at 75. The boys were in second at the turn with a 151 and overall were looking pretty good with a 315.
As they were the first group off, we had to wait at least two hours for the other 11 teams to finish. We knew they had a chance, so it was worth the wait. Parce and Mom took Cam home with them as Dad had already left to play in the best ball. Meg went to Brooklyn and Avery's for a little while. Cal, Jayce, Kyle, Tristen and Jeffrey passed the time by eating Little Caesar's, telling stories and playing poison. Mason headed home early as he did not have a great round which left only Rasmus and I to hover around the scorer's table awaiting the teams finishing.
In the end it was pretty disappointing. Wawasee finished in the dreaded fourth place with only three teams advancing. Columbia City shot an outstanding 299 to win the sectional. Warsaw was at 308 and Culver Military Academy finished third with 310. Tristen was inconsolable. His beloved Grandpa died on Wednesday and he really wanted to make it out of sectionals in his memory. When the team didn't advance, the boys only hope was to advance as individuals. Tristen missed it by two shots and Cal by three. Jeffrey does get to move on. I was proud of Cal for congratulating him before we left.
I know today was very disappointing for Cal, but when Doug and I reflect upon the golf season we are very proud of him. He improved over last year. He worked very hard this week with the goal of helping his team. He posted his best nine hole match score ever this year with a 36 and he finished third as an individual in the Bruin open. All of this and he still has two more years to go.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
First Day of Summer
The alarm rang early this morning, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get up. Last night we hosted the sectional dinner for the golf team and I had spent a lot of time cleaning my classroom and the house. I was up and at the teacher breakfast before most, however. It was a nice event with several teachers retiring and a lot of fun stories shared.
I headed to Milford after the breakfast to finish up my room and required checklist. I got out a little past my 11:30 a.m time as I helped Mr. Voirol renew his license online. The staff also met with Mr. Woodard for about a half hour. He wouldn't come to the retirement breakfast, so we roasted him in his room instead.
After that my official start to summer began. Cam was playing golf with my Mom, Cal was at Rozella with his team and Brett was at work, so Meg and I went to Maria's for lunch. We had a surprise visitor when we got back as Parce was sitting in Mom's driveway. We all hung out with him until Doug got home.
Cam, Meg and Brett visited with Parce until nine or so. Cal went with my Dad to work on his golf game for tomorrow's sectional. Doug and I were invited by his attorney to attend a private showing of the South Bend Civic Theater's performance of "To Kill a Mockingbird." There were drinks and h'orderves to start and then the show. It was fantastic. For a small theater group they did an awesome job. Intermission brought some great desserts and the evening ended close to ten p.m.
I was exhausted by the time I got home, but it sure was a wonderful start to our summer vacation!
I headed to Milford after the breakfast to finish up my room and required checklist. I got out a little past my 11:30 a.m time as I helped Mr. Voirol renew his license online. The staff also met with Mr. Woodard for about a half hour. He wouldn't come to the retirement breakfast, so we roasted him in his room instead.
After that my official start to summer began. Cam was playing golf with my Mom, Cal was at Rozella with his team and Brett was at work, so Meg and I went to Maria's for lunch. We had a surprise visitor when we got back as Parce was sitting in Mom's driveway. We all hung out with him until Doug got home.
Cam, Meg and Brett visited with Parce until nine or so. Cal went with my Dad to work on his golf game for tomorrow's sectional. Doug and I were invited by his attorney to attend a private showing of the South Bend Civic Theater's performance of "To Kill a Mockingbird." There were drinks and h'orderves to start and then the show. It was fantastic. For a small theater group they did an awesome job. Intermission brought some great desserts and the evening ended close to ten p.m.
I was exhausted by the time I got home, but it sure was a wonderful start to our summer vacation!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Awards
Today was the last day of school for students and middle school awards day. I am not a huge awards person, but it went pretty well. Cameron's elementary awards were yesterday morning. It was as long as ours today, which was a little much for him. He sat there a long time to receive his 100 point AR trophy. He was happy with that and vowed to read 300 points next year.
Meg's awards day was different. She was up and down so often I think that she might have gotten tired. She earned the physical education certificate, was recognized for being the spelling bee champion, was awarded a trophy for being only one of two students in the fifth to eighth grade to complete the honors reading program, was a scholar athlete and on the principal's honor roll for all A's this year. I was proud of her and her accomplishments. She has worked hard to overcome the issues she has had with her eye. She deserved to be rewarded.
Cal's last day went well also. He finished with all A's and one B (in chemistry.) There are no awards for high school sophomores, but Doug and I were proud of him for rising to the challenge that we put on him academically. He just made it in English and Health, but that's alright with me. It was a tough year with the promise that junior year will only be harder. Until then he can enjoy his summer.
Meg's awards day was different. She was up and down so often I think that she might have gotten tired. She earned the physical education certificate, was recognized for being the spelling bee champion, was awarded a trophy for being only one of two students in the fifth to eighth grade to complete the honors reading program, was a scholar athlete and on the principal's honor roll for all A's this year. I was proud of her and her accomplishments. She has worked hard to overcome the issues she has had with her eye. She deserved to be rewarded.
Cal's last day went well also. He finished with all A's and one B (in chemistry.) There are no awards for high school sophomores, but Doug and I were proud of him for rising to the challenge that we put on him academically. He just made it in English and Health, but that's alright with me. It was a tough year with the promise that junior year will only be harder. Until then he can enjoy his summer.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Oh What A Night!
Cal came flying in after school today to let me know that Mr. Perek had sent out a "strange email" to everyone. It reminded the student body that trash bags were not appropriate attire for school. I asked him if he had been wearing a trash bag when the email was sent. The answer was a resounding yes! He headed off for practice and I laughed about that all evening.
I know that Mr. Perek does not want to squash their fun. He just wants to curtail it a little for more appropriate times. Tonight at the softball regional was one of those times and everyone enjoyed their energetic spirit. Those same trash bag wearing boys showed up early for the game with their chests painted and all of the green haired wigs they could borrow from Cameron. The school had prepared for them as there were bleachers in left field reserved for the student body. They had enough shirtless boys to spell "This is Our House!!" Cal and Jayce led the cheers in between innings. It was a lot of fun to witness and a great way to end their sophomore year. Unfortunately, the girls lost 3-2 in a very close game. They are a young team and it should be a lot of fun watching them next year, hopefully, with more cheerleading from the student section.
Meg also had a wonderful night with her friends. Jacob and Jared had an end of the year/late birthday celebration. There were eight boys and four girls. They went swimming, played on the trampoline and shared stories of their wonderful seventh grade year. Mercedes spent the night afterward. The girls were dead tired, but full of smiles when they put in "Pitch Perfect" at 10 p.m. Not sure they made it much past the first scene.
I know that Mr. Perek does not want to squash their fun. He just wants to curtail it a little for more appropriate times. Tonight at the softball regional was one of those times and everyone enjoyed their energetic spirit. Those same trash bag wearing boys showed up early for the game with their chests painted and all of the green haired wigs they could borrow from Cameron. The school had prepared for them as there were bleachers in left field reserved for the student body. They had enough shirtless boys to spell "This is Our House!!" Cal and Jayce led the cheers in between innings. It was a lot of fun to witness and a great way to end their sophomore year. Unfortunately, the girls lost 3-2 in a very close game. They are a young team and it should be a lot of fun watching them next year, hopefully, with more cheerleading from the student section.
Meg also had a wonderful night with her friends. Jacob and Jared had an end of the year/late birthday celebration. There were eight boys and four girls. They went swimming, played on the trampoline and shared stories of their wonderful seventh grade year. Mercedes spent the night afterward. The girls were dead tired, but full of smiles when they put in "Pitch Perfect" at 10 p.m. Not sure they made it much past the first scene.
Monday, June 2, 2014
New Furniture
Today, Meg's new bedroom furniture arrived. The men had it set up in less than an hour and Meg and I spent the rest of the evening getting her room set up. The furniture looks great and her new purple saucer chair matches perfectly. There is finally enough room in her dresser to fit all of her clothes. It should be a lot easier to put her laundry away.
Cameron was almost as excited as Meg. His packaged arrive this afternoon as well - a new telescope. It took us a little while to set it up, but once we did, he had a great time with it. He even took it down to Dad's to show it off.
Out of the two new purchases I was with Meg, but it was fun to see both excited. Meg's furniture is a little big for her current room, but eventually she will have use of the upstairs master bedroom and it should all fit perfectly. For now she will enjoy the extra space in her bed and dresser.
Cameron was almost as excited as Meg. His packaged arrive this afternoon as well - a new telescope. It took us a little while to set it up, but once we did, he had a great time with it. He even took it down to Dad's to show it off.
Out of the two new purchases I was with Meg, but it was fun to see both excited. Meg's furniture is a little big for her current room, but eventually she will have use of the upstairs master bedroom and it should all fit perfectly. For now she will enjoy the extra space in her bed and dresser.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Magic Tricks
Today I stayed home with Cameron while Doug and Meg went to our neighbor's son's graduation party. Cameron really didn't want to go, and I was ok staying with him. I used the time to catch up on some computer work, and Cameron spent the time practicing his magic tricks. He had several of them to try, and although most did not work exactly as described, he had a lot of fun experimenting with them and I enjoyed watching him.
Cameron's interests are not always the same as his peers and he seems to relish in that fact. Most of his friends do not play golf, try magic tricks, learn to lasso or order a telescope online. Cameron is like his siblings. They all march to their own drum and I love that about them. We have rules about academics and work ethic, but overall they are allowed to follow their own dreams. They may not always succeed, but their perseverance is ever present.
Cameron's interests are not always the same as his peers and he seems to relish in that fact. Most of his friends do not play golf, try magic tricks, learn to lasso or order a telescope online. Cameron is like his siblings. They all march to their own drum and I love that about them. We have rules about academics and work ethic, but overall they are allowed to follow their own dreams. They may not always succeed, but their perseverance is ever present.
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