Wrapping It Up

This past weekend was a busy one, indeed.  What with the welcoming of the new family member, Todd out of town overnight Friday and all day Saturday, a snowstorm, the chess tournament, making cake, changing my hair color yet again (I'm going much lighter this time), the boy's birthday, church, teeth were falling out of kids left and right, grandmas came over for cake.  It was craziness.  And exciting!

One of the highlights of the weekend was Joey's and Tommy's first ever chess tournament.  The boys found out a few months ago that their school has a chess club and immediately began begging to join.  I quickly taught myself how to play chess and then introduced them to the game slowly.  On Saturday they decided to test out what they know.  

Joey had been apprehensive because chess is hard.  And he doesn't like losing.  Put those two things together and the kid wasn't sure he wanted to be in chess club anymore.  Still, he had already signed up so I told him he needed to follow through with the tournament anyway.  I'm so glad he did.  Joey ended up winning 4 out of his 6 matches and finished in the top 10 in his division (out of over 40 kids).  He was so proud of himself.  And of course, I was proud of him too.  I was most impressed with the grace in which he handled his losses and how he kept on trying.  It was awesome.  Our school took home 1st place in his division.

Tommy did wonderfully as well.  He won 3 matches, had 1 draw, and 2 losses.  He came in 12th out of 38 kids in his division.  He was thrilled and I was very happy for him and proud of him too.  Our school took home 3rd place in his division and his teacher allowed him to have the trophy for the weekend. Eureka!

It was a long day.  We started at 8:30 and got home from the tournament around 4.  I think they were mentally drained by that point.  I also have to give special props to Ben (who played chess all day while he waited during his brother's matches) and Grace for being such patient, well behaved little monkeys through it all.  I was a proud mama all around that day. 

Sunday was Joey's birthday, as you all know.  We usually try to let the kids pick a special activity for their birthdays (Ben picked sledding and Tommy is contemplating all his options for his birthday next month) and Joey chose to go bowling.  

I have not been bowling in many, many years.  I have never been a good bowler.  Down right bad, actually, but I was game to give it another try.  Who doesn't love bowling?  

After we all found the right size shoes and bowling balls we got to work.  Surprise of all surprises, I bowled the best game of my life and ended up with a 128.  How I managed that I will never know. The next game I got a 74 (a more normal score for me) and all of the boys ended up beating me. Oops. 

Joey won the first game for the kids and Ben won the second game.  Everyone was a good sport and had a lot of fun.

Todd has the perfect form, doesn't he?  Good bowling form, too.  hehe!  Of course Todd whooped us all, but he also pulled a muscle in his back.  And my arms were sore the next day.  We're getting old.  Bah.

After bowling the grandmas came over for some cake, presents, and baby Joey videos.  Joey got his coveted B29 Superfortress model airplane and at the end of the day he said this was his best birthday ever!  Then he remembered his big swimming birthday party at the indoor water park last year and said it was a tie.  Still, I'll take it!  Yay!

It was a great weekend all around.