How About Golf?

A few week's ago Grace asked what sports were in her blood.  So I rattled off the sports that everyone in her blood line had involvement with - baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, bowling (lots of that) and golf.  She looked at me and said "golf; I think I'd like to try that".

So off I go on an adventure to find golf lessons for kids.  Even with the likes of google and bing, it's not easy to find them.  Luckily while lunching with a contact of mine, I mentioned Grace's interest and she was willing to dig a little for me - it didn't hurt that she works at a local hotel with a golf course.

Low and behold they have a junior golf program and offer lessons.  A few email exchanges later, Grace was on the books for a lesson.  She was both excited and nervous but ready to try it out.

Last night we got to the course and her instructor took her straight to the practice range.  He asked her to grab the club and was impressed that she knew exactly how to hold it properly.  The rest of lesson was about how to move her body and follow through.  He was a great instructor - praising her for the great shots, offering encouragement when she was a little off and knowing when the change focus to avoid the frustration tears.  At the end of the lesson, he told me she did a good job for this being her first time out.

After we got in the car, she told me she really had fun and likes golf.  She also informed me that she's going to need gloves since she got a blister on her hand.  Her next lesson is next week so we'll see how things progress. 



Grace Made the A/B Honor Roll (again)

Monday was another milestone in the Buckelew household - it was third quarter report card day!  Grace's hard work paid off as she made the A/B Honor Roll for the third consecutive time.

She went up math 98 and science 94; stayed the same in language arts 90; but slipped in social studies 89.  Hopefully she'll end the year on a high note.  Her only worry is the EOGs (end of grade tests) in May.

Her reward was dinner of her choice - McDonald's.  But we have promised her that should she maintain honor roll status for the entire year she can go to Build A Bear.  Only eight weeks of school to go!!

Grace's New Face

Over the past few months Grace has sat closer and closer to the tv and pulled her books closer to her face.  When she went in for her checkup in January, I had the doctor do a quick vision test.  Of course she came back to say that we should probably take her to an eye doctor for a full exam.

We finally did over spring break and learned that she, like most of my side of the family, would need glasses to help her see things far away.  First of all I have to say that Vision Loft is an amazing place for your eye care needs; second VSP vision insurance is awesome!!

Yesterday I received a text that her glasses were ready, so we went to pick them up after school.  She was so excited that she could see.  She is also being very careful with them taking to heart what the lady at the store told her "If my glasses are not on my face, they are in the case; if they are not in the case, they are on my face!"

Oh My

Go ahead - yell at me - I haven't been posting.  Sometimes time gets away from me.  So let's try and recap March and early April.

Grace has been doing well in school.  She is still taking karate and will test for her high brown belt this week - that's four belts away from a black belt.  Pom (cheer dance) is winding down; her dance recital is in June and she may be finished with performing.  Then again she could change her mind again.  She has also expressed an interest in golf - so we are getting her set up to take a couple private lessons to see where that goes.  I learned my lesson with horseback riding - ease into things with Grace, don't dive in head first.  She also paid a visit to the eye doctor and needs glasses.  Surprisingly she is very excited about it.

What can I say about Adam - he's Adam.  He is still doing great at school; loves every minute of it.  Of course we are still dealing with our other issue (the potty) but he has been making an effort to try every day.  I just know he'll get there and we'll be able to look back on this and laugh (right?!?)

David is still plugging away at work.  He's also been able to devote some time to building his airplane models. 

And me, I'm still burning the candle at every possible angle but here's a quick summary: I traveled to NJ in early March, I took over Grace's faith formation class for the rest of the year, I attended the Mary Kay conference in Charlotte and the meeting that I am planning for my IAAP division is coming along nicely.

Easter was very relaxing for us; we hung out at home.  The kids made a cake Saturday night and then Sunday morning they were surprised with their baskets and a note from the Easter Bunny about some eggs to find.

Now if I can just keep up with these updates - all will be right with the world.

Bring Your Mommy to Lunch

Now that Adam is back into a solid daycare setting, we get to go back to doing fun things.  For instance, today was Bring Your Mommy to Lunch day.

He was so excited this morning when I reminded him that today was our special lunch date.  When I dropped him at school he said "You're going to work but you're coming back for lunch right".  And I told him "Of course I am, I wouldn't miss it".

So at 11:00 I hurried out of work and went to school.  There were lots of mommies there.  He had the biggest smile on his face when I walked in the door.  His usual routine at that time was to make up his cot for nap before lunch so I watched him do that and then he put together a few puzzles while we waited to eat.

When the food was ready each child and mommy washed their hands and took a seat.  We had spaghetti, salad, peaches and bread.  Adam ate almost everything then cleaned up our plates and headed to his cot.  His teacher told him he didn't have to rush since it's a special day but he's got a routine and he was sticking to it.

I read a couple of books with him and then had to come back to work.  It was so nice to spend a little time with him in the middle of the day.

Snow!!!

The past couple of years we've been lucky to miss out on the snow that has burdened our family in the north.  But that's no fun for the kids.  Sure we had some ice in January and school was closed for the day - but you can't play in ice.

Well the kids finally got what they've been wishing for, a little snow.  I was in Hartsville this past weekend for an event at Coker.  While in a meeting I learned that it was snowing so I called home during a break.  David said there were a couple of flakes but nothing exciting.  That was short lived.  As I drove home and turned onto the side street that led to our neighborhood, it happened.  Snow started falling faster than you could believe.

I pulled into the driveway and went inside to tell the kids.  Mind you, when I parked the grass was green.  In the five minutes it took to go inside and say the word snow, the grass was covered.  Grace & Adam grabbed their coats, hats and gloves and ran outside.  If they've learned one thing about snow in the south, they've learned that it doesn't last.

Both of them had a blast.  They were throwing snowballs, catching flakes on their tongues and simply enjoying the best part of winter.  After their cheeks were nice and rosy, they came inside for some hot cocoa and to warm up before going back out to play some more.

Of course by Sunday afternoon the snow was gone but it lasted long enough for them to have a good time!

Celebrating Mardi Gras

As you know, yesterday was Mardi Gras; the big celebration day prior to the start of Lent.  This year we were invited to join some of our friends for a Mardi Gras dinner.  Of course it was a chance for all of us to prepare genuine New Orleans cuisine since that is the hometown of the American Mardi Gras celebration.

Our hostess Jennifer made jambalaya and gumbo; Melanie, who is from NOLA, brought sauce picante; I tried my hand at building the perfect muffaletta; and Kate prepared pralines.  Of course the evening was not complete without King Cake.

The kids donned their beads, masks and other Mardi Gras party favors and tried their hardest to get the piece of cake with the baby hidden inside.  Thankfully they didn't get it because that would mean that we have to host the dinner next year.

We are blessed to have great friends who never miss an opportunity to have a good time.  Even though it was a "school night" we had a blast and the kids were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning!