Same Old Song and Dance

Basketball. Cold. Work.

Well, like the last zillion weeks (it seems anyway) that sums up our life right now. It's not a bad thing (well, except for the cold weather. Boo. Hiss.), just getting a tad bit monotonous. I'm just ready for warmer weather, as I'm sure most people are!

Hurricane update - Mike's team closed out their regular season with a 50-something to 18 win over the conference champion from a couple seasons ago. Considering that there are 32 minutes in a basketball game, 18 points isn't very much. Their opponent also only made seven field goals and shot 17% from the field. I know that some of you aren't sports-minded, but I'm sure you all get the awfulness of that stat. Yeah, Mike kinda stresses defense, haha.

Conference champs celebrating after cutting down the net.

The beloved seniors after their last game in Wilmington's gym.

Mike looking so jolly before the game. Can we say intense?

Taylor cheesing and Michael checking out the cheerleaders. Little booger!

We had a little post-game party at our house Friday night with coaches and some of the parents. It was nice to relax with friends. It seems I've developed a real fondness for wine. :)

Yesterday, Mike had two basketball meetings, one for the conference and one for the entire Southwest District. It's there that they vote and find out the coaches and players that make the all-conference and district teams. Sorry, details can't be revealed until after the season is over! Just a reminder, Mike's team has a first-round bye and plays the winner of Bellbrook/Little Miami in the second round of the sectional on March 4th at Lebanon High School. If they win, they play in the sectional final at noon on March 7th at the University of Dayton. Go Cane!

Because we haven't watched enough basketball lately, the kids and I went down to Cincy to watch my nephew Noah (he's 7) play. His team lost 5-4. Now there's some stellar defense, haha! My other cutie nephew turns 12 today. Happy Birthday, Jacob! The kid is already 5' 6" tall and quite the sports nuts. His basketball team is also doing really well this year! Before you know it, I'll be watching his high school games.

Now, on to my kids. Taylor is as fun as ever, but I think the cold weather is starting to drain on her as well. She's constantly talking about summer, swimming and vacation. I recently bought both kids a few things from the Gap (my favorite store) for our trip to Myrtle Beach in April and she couldn't wait to try on the warm-weather duds.

Doesn't see look all "big girlish" in her jean skirt and tank?

Michael is doing great, too. He runs all over the house now and has recently started trying to jump. He squats down and pops back up, but his feet don't leave the ground. It's hysterical! He's not a big fan of the camera, so I haven't caught it on film yet. Here are a few other shots from the week:

I love my puppy! He was the butt of a few fat jokes Friday night. :(

Michael Man after swiping Taylor's jammies.

Taylor after defeating me in Pretty, Pretty Princess. Yes, the bear beat me, too.

I've gotta run. Have a good week!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

A Whole Slew of Things

I've got to get better at keeping up with my blog! I always wait too long and then end up with a dozen things to write about. It's the picture thing that gets me. I could write until the cows come home, but adding pictures is kind of a pain.

We've been good. The weather has cooperated some so we've been able to escape. At this point in the year, I have such cabin fever that sunny and 45 degrees is suitable "go outside and play" weather. I love seeing Michael walk around outside. It's so cute.

"Yeah Mommy, I'm big."

Taylor in mid flight.

Mike and I don't really do the Valentine's Day thing, but I do play it up for the kids (well, Taylor). I volunteered to help out at Taylor's school for the V-Day party. Those little kids are just too sweet. One little boy ran up, threw his arms around me and said, "Taywor's Mommy, I wove you." I'll miss her classmates and teachers when the year is over!

Taylor playing Musical Chairs at her party.

The Bean Bag game.

The Hurricane suffered their second loss of the season last Friday, falling to Walnut Hills in overtime. You haven't lived until you've taken two kids under 5 to a school in the middle of the ghetto and sat on jam-packed, OPEN bleachers for three and a half hours. Nothing like holding your squirmy 14-month-old boy the entire game because you're afraid he will slip through the craptastic stands. Fun times, I tell ya. It ranks right up with with the worst high gyms I've ever been in, and I've probably been in over 100 gyms. Okay, I'm done whining now.

Anywho, the 'Cane are now 17-2 and undefeated at home. Not too shabby! They are currently tied for the conference lead and play a really bad team Friday to wrap up the regular season. It's been a great year and I wish them the best of luck in the postseason.

Last night was Senior Night and I made the kids shirts with the three seniors' names. I've been doing this every year since Taylor was seven months old! Mike didn't have any seniors last year, so it was Michael's first year of getting a shirt.

Cane kids.

Michael, Daddy says you need to get lower in your defensive stance.

Taylor - Senior Night 2009

Taylor - Senior Night 2007

Taylor - Senior Night 2006

Taylor - Senior Night 2005

Here are a couple random pictures. Enjoy and have a great rest of the week!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Life's a Beach

The warmer weather and our recently booked Spring Break trip to Myrtle Beach have inspired me to change the blog colors to something a little more beachy. Hope you enjoy.



We had a good weekend. Mike was crazy busy with basketball (game Friday, scout Saturday and tournament draw on Sunday) so the kids and I were a team. We played outside some and visited Grandma yesterday. It was nice to get out of the house (I think we all felt that way!). Mike's team won Friday (15-1) and earned the No. 1 seed in their sectional. They took the bye and play on Wednesday, March 4th. Go Cane!



I haven't taken any pictures lately, so I'll share some from this time last year. Can you believe how much the kids have grown?




Have a good week!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Yep, you win some and you lose some. But I've got to tell you, there was a whole heck of a lot of winning going on around here this weekend.

Congrats to the Steelers on their record sixth Super Bowl victory!

The whole fam, decked out in our black and gold (or pink and white in Taylor's case).

Wow, what a great game! Can I get a "woot" for Super Bowl MVP and former Buckeye Santonio Holmes? That was an incredible catch. Gotta give the guy props for stepping up his game when it mattered most.

Those are some strong toes.

Mike was so nervous at the end of the game. It's funny to see, because he never appears nervous when he's coaching or pretty much any other time. I'm happy for him. He's a real fan to the core. I'd also like to point out that the Steelers won the Super Bowl when Taylor was 1 and when Michael was 1. No, we're not having more kids. :)

Mike, pre-game.

There was another big win this weekend. Mike earned his 100th career coaching victory Friday night at Amelia. I'm so proud of him, not because of the numbers, but how he handles himself as a coach. He teaches his players about so much more than basketball. His goal as a coach is to see his players succeed in life. It sounds cliche, but with him, it's right on. He's been blessed to coach some great kids and I've thoroughly enjoyed coming along for the ride. I love it when his former players come to visit. Hats off to Mike and the current and former players from Wabash and Wilmington.

In between all of this winning business, we had some time for shenanigans. The weather finally improved, so we got to play outside! Champ got two long walks this weekend and Taylor and I built a really cute snowman on Sunday. The snow was almost like clay yesterday.

Our masterpiece.

She's so proud. Side note: Did you know that Super Glue works on carrots? Taylor insisted on a carrot nose, but all we have are mini carrot sticks. I glued a few together for the nose.

Champ was beat after his long walks. This picture totally describes Taylor, by the way. She's in a football jersey and pink Princess dress, relaxing with her beloved dog.

I've resigned to changing Michael on our bed now. He almost flips himself off the changing table and just takes off when I attempt to change him on the floor. The kid is so strong! He gets distracted by the fan in our room so I get about 3 seconds to change him. What an adorable smile.

He's in the "attack the camera" stage. It's so hard to get a picture of him without being charged.

I have to admit, we skipped Mike's game Friday. It was over an hour away and the weather was still pretty bad. Instead, we got him a cookie cake and congrats card. To pass the time, I took the kids to McDonald's PlayLand (and brought the Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer).

Taylor loves playing at McDonald's.

Michael is getting big enough to enjoy the smaller playsets!

We do have a playset at home, but it didn't look too appealing this weekend...

Back to work now. Hope you have a great start to your week!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel