THE KRAKEN

The ravine to the right of our house has gotten deeper and deeper over the years (and is getting uncomfortably close to the shed, which is just up the hill to the left, barely out of shot in these first two photos). The kids have decided that this ravine is the best place ever to play and they now call it The Kraken. We figure, as long as they wear old clothes and mud boots, and carry their walkie-talkie with them, they might as well explore and make believe and make memories. At least, until poison ivy overtakes the area in the spring and snake season begins...

WALKING BUDDIES

I love puppy-sitting Zy. She can get Buster moving better than anyone!

FIRST "FRIENDLY"

Cora's Rec+ Team (the River Belles) played their first round of "friendlies" over in Jackson today. It was SUPER cold and the girls really struggled through their first game, but once they got rolling, they showed us that their hard work at practice is paying off! If you like soccer action shots, here are a bunch of Cora doing her thing during a non-tournament "tournament" (nothing on the line except bragging rights, so low pressure, but a great way to get some real practice in against some good teams from our area).

Game one:

I thought she looked so silly in her cold weather getup... white thermals, pink socks on top of that (and held down over her hands, which were also wearing gloves), and a neck warmer folded over double to help keep her ears warm. Obviously James and I weren't much warmer sitting still on the sidelines, so we did a lot of pacing...

Game two (still cold, but sunny now, at least):

WINTER BLOOMS

ELG

Jay attended a meeting downtown at the Lower Mississippi River Museum with the Emerging Leaders Group. (The ELG is a 3-year commitment and he's in year one. They participate in a LOT of trainings, meetings, and special programs. He's really enjoying it!)

BLUE & GOLD 2019

Our handsome Webelo

Jay was recruited to hold the annual donation speech poster boards...

We had a nice potluck banquet this year and the boys had a good time. No awards tonight, just an evening of fellowship!

PIANO RECITAL 2019

(I need to hunt down the recital pamphlet so I can record the songs he performed...)

Ms. Ruth awards her students with pins and certificates

Since Sammy started piano this year, Cora had a buddy to enjoy post-recital refreshments with!

GET READY TO RUN MISSISSIPPI

The kids participated in a (FREE!) regional 1-mile racing event today that their PE teacher has been training them for over the past couple of months. Each grade ran separately (wearing different colored shirts), sending 10-15 kids out in waves every 30-60 seconds. They were able to compete (their race bibs had timing chips on the them) if they wanted to (running their fastest) without visually competing (they passed kids on the course and were passed by others, many from different waves or even grades). Cora had plans to go out with Noah and get herself another speedy mile, but then she found Allie (her soccer friend who attends another Vicksburg school) and decided to go with her instead. They ran fast, just not consistently (there was walking and talking and giggling, of course), and they had a great time out there together! James did his usual thing, just taking it easy and getting it done. He didn't know anyone there in his grade, which was too bad, because he likely would have worked a little harder if he'd had a buddy.

James and Cora (and Marie and Mason and Noah) with Mrs. Mims before the race

Stretching with the 4th graders, led by a tie-dye clad volunteer:

He hung out until the last of the 4th grade waves, then took off quickly

Bummed when he passed us that he wasn't finished yet, but he started running again and made it through to the finish to collect his medal

And then it was the 3rd graders turn to hit the course:

Allie definitely pushed her at the end!

Happy smiles with those finisher medals!

(Cora ran a 9:32 and James ran a 12:37)

GETTING READY TO SALE

Today's Girl Scout meeting was all about prepping the girls for Booth Sales!

Congratulating (almost) all the Girl Scouts who placed at the Science Fair last week! (We were missing Cara Beth - she won her category!) It always impresses me how many of our girls are part of special groups at school, make their way onto the Leadership Wall, or are recognized for Principal awards or otherwise. They are clearly a very smart and talented group of young ladies!

SOCCER SPECTATORS

The girls didn't get enough soccer over the weekend, so they attended the Warren Central High School girls game this evening. Never a bad idea to learn some moves from the big kids, and always a good idea to give them extra opportunities to build team camaraderie!

(Chloe, Addie, Emma, Allie, Cora, Laney with coach Daniel and coach Jay supervising)