Butterfly Ball 2014

All dressed up for their fancy date!

Green Belt!

Eric was awarded his Green Belt this morning at Krav maga.

 waiting for his turn

 Sensei tying Eric's Green Belt

 Eric was all smiley when Sensei stated that he was "this close" to jumping to the Green/Brown belt.  It was Eric's goal to jump a belt.  He is motivated even more to do it next time!

Asah!

Green Belt Testing

This is belt testing week for Eric.  He is striving for the Green Belt.  Testing is today and Thursday, with Belt Graduation on Saturday for those who pass.

 Sensei had Eric demonstrate the forward kick series to the class.  This is the Flying Front Kick.  Eric is a fan of all the Flying Kicks

 Sensei also announced to the class that Eric had a perfect assessment sheet from his classroom teacher!  All 5 ratings from Mr. Shreve.

 Cresent kick

 Escaping a choke hold from Tyler

 Escaping a bear hug hold from Brett

 And fighting back!

Doesn't Brett look scared?!?

3rd place!

CHS Hoops Fest

This weekend the Maverick's played the CHS Hoops Fest tourny.  Our coach discussed playing a one day tourny in Jamestown instead to give us a chance to play some different teams from the Eastern part of the state, but the parents preferred to stay local.  We played Rough Justice, Warrior Pride, the Storm and the Cougars.  A near identical set of competitors from the BHS tournament a few weeks ago.

First up was Rough Justice.  We've only played them once this year, and they beat us.  Same result this game.  It was a close game with several lead changes.  Mavericks were up by 3 with a few minutes left to play, then fell apart and lost by 9.  Jonathan has zero points and 4 rebounds.

Next was the Warrior Pride.  Mavs won by 30 plus points.  J had 2 points and 4 rebounds.

This morning, we started our day against the Storm.  This team has been more competitive this year than they were last year.  Our games with them this year have been close.  This morning we beat them by close to 20 points.  J had 2 points, 5 rebounds, and one block.

 Tyler, our 'money maker', sinking some free throws

 I believe Jacob sunk this shot

J setting a great pic for Tyler

The Mavericks had the #2 seed from their pool, so they next played the #2 seed from the other pool for 3rd place.  Ugh.  The Cougars.  It was another typical Cougars-Mavericks game, with several lead changes.  I don't think either team ever led by more than 5 points.  I think they were up by 3 at halftime.  It was tense.  It was tied at the end of regulation.  3 minutes overtime.  Mavericks win by 2.  The boys all played so hard.  The Cougars have a great group of boys on their team.  They show good sportsmanship every time we play them.  Hate to see either team have to 'lose' the way both teams played.

As with most of the tense games, I did not focus too much energy on pictures.  These were the only 3 I took of that game!

So proud of they way our team played and how they never gave up in OT! 

Only one tournament left-The Fast Break Jr Grand Am in Grand Forks 2 weeks from now.  Will we face the Fargo Flames???? 

Conversations between 11 year olds

The boys have 2 buddies over tonight.  Their conversations over pizza at supper included

1. The missing Malaysian airplane, and their theories of what happened
2. The crisis in the Ukraine
3. Potential candidates for President in 2016
4. Worst Presidents of all time
5. Best Presidents of all time
6. The driving forces behind slavery, and the real causes of the Civil War
7. Which Presidents have been impeached, and was Nixon really a 'bad guy'
8. Joe Biden-worst VP ever

It was quite amusing.  I will add that Don and I just silently listened.  Although, I did have to high 5 Braydon when he stated the worst 3 Presidents were Obama, Clinton, and Jimmy Carter.

Spring is Springing

Our home last night....
Grilled burgers ( no pics to share of those)

Roller blading

 Scootering

 Golfing

 And tree climbing

Eric's haircut

In early December, Eric got a haircut.  He did not want a haircut.  He hates leaving the house, especially on a Saturday morning.  I told him it would only take 15 minutes.  That's how long it takes Kristin to cut it.  (Kristin doesn't work Saturdays, and it is very difficult to get the kids in to see her during the school year, so we just went to the place in downtown Mandan.....)
Anyhoo, I got Eric to the haircut place at the scheduled time, and the young, young gal was ready for him.  I sat down with a fashion magazine to learn about fashion.  15 minutes went by.  20 minutes went by.  30 minutes went by.  Finally, 40 minutes later, Eric came out to the waiting area.  He was giving me a look.  It was not a pleasant look.  I paid for the haircut.  I did my best to contain my laughter, and to prepare myself for Eric's post 40 minute haircut rage that I was sure to follow.  The second we stepped outside of the salon, Eric asked "How long did that take, Mom".  I could no longer contain my laughter.  At least Eric laughed with me.
Fast forward 3 months.  His hair is quite, quite shaggy.  Haircut again scheduled at the place in downtown Mandan.  Eric wants to 'grow his hair out' a bit.  I asked him what he was going to say to the gal when he went back for his haircut.  Matter of factly, he states "I want a 15 minute haircut, just clean up the sides and leave the top long"......