A's End Their Season With a lot of PRIDE!

The A's played their final game against the Dodgers on Saturday. Although they lost, they are a GREAT TEAM!!! Not only has Peter learned how to be a great baseball player, but he has found new friends and become closer to old ones. The A's were graceful losers. They were the first ones out of the dugout to congratulate the Dodgers. This Friday we'll finish the season with a team picnic and a pick up game. (parents against the kids?) It's very exciting to be one of the parents who gets to celebrate the Mighty A's! Congrats you guys!

Is This Really Something a Mother Should Have to Say to Her Child?!

This is Ella. She's 5. She's bright, funny, kind and a wonderful daughter. Today I had to say something to her that I never dreamed I'd have to say as a mother. I said,
"ELLA!!!!!!!!!!!
DON'T LICK
THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
That's the first time I've ever had to say that to one of my kids. Will it be the last? Stay tuned!

Austen the Graduate

Huge hugs and congratulations to Austen! He graduated from Randolph Elementary School yesterday and is headed for Junior High School in the Fall. Austen had about 65 kids in his class. Most of them have shared their days since Kindergarten. They are a great & diverse group of kids. Austen has a super sweet group of close friends, and I know he counts all of his classmates as buddies. Here he is (center) with Lance (l) & Kyle (r). Special thanks to all of the teachers & staff who made Austen's years at RES so great!

The graduation ceremony was adorable. I had some tears, but they were all happy, amazed tears.
So happy that Austen is growing up & so amazed at how quickly these little people became strong, smart pre-teens. When did that happen? My favorite part was the slide show that the kids put together. The background songs were, "Finally" by Fergie &"Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts.
I know I wasn't the only Mom with a few tears... Congrats, Austen! You're a star!

Happy Birthday, Ella!

Ella turned 5 on Saturday! It's hard to imagine, since she's our "baby"! I had a lot of those Mommy Moments all day; remembering the night she was born, the 3 sibs coming to meet her in at the hospital, wondering where the time has gone and how I've survived having so many (amazing) little ones! I think birthdays are a gift to the parents to remember how lucky they are to have the gift of their children.

We went to see Horton Hears a Who (four stars & six thumbs up!) and then came back for a sleepover here with the Famous Ashworth Four. It was a great day. Happy Birthday Ella-bean!

Red Stripes!!!!!!!!

The boys tested for their Third Gup Red Stripe last night and passed! Now that they are Red Stripes, they are only 2 testings away from their Black Belts. This is where the hard work begins.
Not only is there the strenuous physical work, but also the discipline & humility needed to earn these last high ranks! Master Chase had the boys do 20 push-ups in front of the rest of the gym as soon as their new belts were tied! Time to get humble and work hard!! I am so proud of you guys!!!

Here's a link to the Blue Wave Tae Kwon Do Association. If you're in the Northeast, there's probably a gym near you!

Rocking in the Randolph Dojang

One of the coolest things that we ever got talked into doing, is TaeKwonDo. A long time friend named Master Peter Chase "chased" us around for a long, long time telling us that we should have the boys participating as students. We finally joined them up about 18 months ago. Gerry decided to join with them. Cora started in September and I hope to join with Ella in about a year (when she's old enough.) Master Chase and his son, Master Tom Chase are amazing instructors full of great encouragement and constructive instruction. It's a fabulous workout, too! Can't wait to get myself in the dobak (uniform!) especially for the hips, etc!

I didn't know a thing about TKD before we joined and thought it was all about self defense and fighting. WRONG! Happily, it teaches lessons of patience, perseverance, self-confidence & good sportsmanship. Although the boys also enjoy team sports, this is a sport where you get out exactly what you put in. There are a number of great families in our dojang (gym) and I am so psyched that this is part of our lives.

Last week, Great Grandmaster Lee visited our dojang from South Korea. Yes, he came to tiny Randolph Vermont but he is also "touring" the region. There are many Blue Wave TKD dojangs in New England. The boys and Cora were so lucky to benefit from his instruction. It was great to watch the class!

Here's a group shot. Notice all of the black belts in the crew. Master Gordon White, pres of the Blue Wave Association, Mister Michael Wood and Mister Matt Wood all visited our dojang to work out with Great Grandmaster Lee. As you can see from the color of people's faces, it was a
serious work out!