SWIMMING, FOOTBALL AND OBAMA

Yesterday was a busy day in the Beaver house. I had documented most of it but this morning I accidentally deleted all images.
Obama and Biden were coming to Fredericksburg. They were to start speaking at 6 pm. Around 4:30 the kids and I went to downtown. We had to park a few blocks away. The line went around at least 1/2 the campus. We got in line around 5 it starts to rain, and rain and rain. No point walking back to the van b/c we still were going to be wet, so we walked slowly in the line. Around 6 it finally stopped raining and we got onto the college campus(b/c so may people were leaving). Crowds and crowds of souls. Obama still wasn't there. Donavan between being sopping wet, cold and very weary of the hoards of people began to cry. There was no way were going to be able to see a thing so we finally gave up around 6:50. Reports say he got there a little after 7 but by 7:15 it was pouring rain again. We were glad we were in the nice warm car. I tried to be a good mom and let my kids see history in the making...I am sure my kids will thank me and not make fun of me in 25 years!
Conlan's football team won 20-12. The team gave us bit of a scare in the first half. Conlan recovered a fumble on the 3 yard line which resulted us getting the ball back and scoring. Conlan and the quarterback are working really well together. Since it was wet yesterday the coaches tried putting a towel in Conlan's pants so the quarterback to dry his hands. Conlan vetoed that idea.
Donavan team lost again, but Ray said they are playing better and D-man was 2/5 in his quarterback skills.
Colleen swam well. Their relay team won! Colleen took time off her breaststroke (1st place), dropped in her IM (3rd place), added 2 seconds in her fly but still got second.

Raining Friday

I hate when it rains on Fridays, b/c you spend the whole evening wondering if they are going to cancel Saturday activities. We have two football games and a swim meet tomorrow. The swim meet will be a go no matter what, and I have put Gram in charge of that. Only Colleen is swimming and it is in town and will be short and sweet.
Colleen's b-ball team lost last night. It was not pretty. 42-6...Colleen did score 2 of the points:) They played a team that has played AAU b-ball together since they were 9. Colleen did make the school announcements for outstanding overall play on Tuesday game. She is doing a great job on defense. She shot a lot yesterday and they rolled around on her. At least she was hitting the goal, most girls on her team were all about the airball!
I am exhausted from my full week of work. Today we did CPR/first Aid. I will leave that duty to Ray. I have no desire to be a hero.
Donavan and I did a bit a shopping today. The boy has grown a foot this summer, well maybe 2 or 3 inches. The weather got cooler this week so we had to break out the long pants. DIDN'T WORK FOR THE D-MAN! Hopefully this weekend I can go thru his drawers and dispose of all clothes that are size 8 and under. Darilyn...a sack of clothes might be coming your way!
Darlene's baby is still in the hospital. Keep her family in your prayers. Ryan is doing fine but one of the nurses wrote down that he was blue on Tuesday night, so that is holding up his discharge. The doctor said no later than the 1st, but they are getting antsy. Darlene is holding up well but the emotional toll is wearing on her, she is ready to have her baby in her arms 24/7, not every 3 hours for 10 minutes.

Can he keep it up?

Ray seems to be much more productive when I am not home. Today he and his dad power wash the deck and house, yesterday he really cleaned the bathrooms with bleach and everything! Colleen told him he does a good job cleaning but she can't find a thing.

This getting up and taking a shower as soon as I get out of bed is something I am going to have to get use to again. Yesterday we learned about fire safety, human rights, compliance, and all about the board's website. Today I met with my supervisor, she had me watch dvds and videos on discipline and positive behavior techniques. Apparently beating or screaming at children is not an option:)

Colleen's first basketball game

They played hard but lost 32-21. Colleen did start and played over half the game. She did a great job on defense.

Happy Birthday Kendrick

First day on the job

Today was a good day. We spend the morning filling out no more than 20 forms, and getting a TB test. This afternoon we got diversity and harassment in the workplace training. We also did a drug screening. Tomorrow is also filled with information on how to behave. Wednesday I might actually get to see what I will get to do for my job.
My friend Jennie became a grandmother yesterday! It is funny how one day we are the same age and in a matter of 24 hours she turns into a grandma and I still have kids in elementary school. Now I will always be younger:)

Center may not be his calling!

Flag football

Conlan's team won!

They won 28-0. There is a slaughter rule, so the last 20 minutes of the game the other team got to keep the ball. I was at Donavan's game so I only saw the last 2 minutes and by that time Conlan was no longer playing. Ray said he did a great job. He even played defense a bit and made two tackles. Conlan is enjoying playing center.

Cedar Forest News Team

Our elementary school is starting a newscast for the mornings. To be on the news team you had to fill out an application and be recommended by your teacher. Conlan came home last week and fill out the application and made sure I signed in all the right places. He declared he wanted to be a sports guy. Yesterday he found out he made it. He was so excited. It says something for the kid who has spent more time in speech than anything else! Conlan's motto is "If I practice I can do it."

Leadership Traits

Colleen has been invited to the Virgina State Swimming Banquet. She is going to receive an award for outstanding leadership in swimming. Being the mom I am, I thought "everybody" got invited, but when I asked if she needed to go I was told differently. Only the Virginia swimmers that have qualified for a national level meet and the swimmers nominated for this award are invited to attend. I was told she needed to go! Also this week Colleen was chosen for team captain on her basketball team. The coaches pick the hardest working player for the week. Colleen got the nod for the first week. Her first game is Tuesday! Colleen has also been working on starting a Fellowship of Christian Athlete club at her middle school. She has found a faculty sponsor and today she was suppose to talk with the principal. We have been very proud of her for wanting to work on this.

Ray and I gave it another try!

Ray and I tackled the Rappahannock River once again. The river was moving much slower and down quite a bit. We spent some of our time walking and dragging. I should say Ray was walking. I was doing some kind of slip and slide walk. We had a great time. The day was full of sunshine and blue skys. We saw a bald eagle. We also didn't tip the canoe over!

Donavan insights

Donavan was watching TV with me last night and a VIVA VIAGRA commercial came on. Donavan told me that was disgusting and why were they talking about such things. A few minutes later a commercial came on about a Dad trying to explain to his little girl how babies were made. The Dad was trying to ignore the little girls questions.
At the end of the commercial Donavan said " I know why the Dad didn't want to tell his little girl how babies were born" I smiled and said "Why?" Donavan started explaining to me " There are things that little kids don't need to know about yet." I said "Like What" Donavan in his authority voice said

"We don't need to know if our heart is healthy enough for sex!"

The 80's are back!

Colleen went to a 80's birthday party today. She was not so sure about the big hair!

Conlan's football Game

Conlan's season started today. They played Lancaster and won 20-0. Conlan played center. He did a terrific job. They didn't fumble any snaps! Conlan recovered a fumble by the running back. It was over 90 degrees today, so it was very warm for the boys. Gram and I thought it was very hot for us! Conlan is number 52 with the blue shirt hanging out!

Football clip 2

Conlan's Football Clip

D-man's flag football

Ray and Donavan played their first flag football game today. Ray said they played great, but they did lose 14-0. D-man played Q-back and had three completed passes!
He is the tall blonde kid, #8:)

I HAVE A JOB!

Last week I interviewed for a job being a classroom behavior specialist, ie working one on one with kids that have emotional issues. Today I got the call I can start orientation on the 22nd. I don't know whether to be happy or to cry. Our new elementary school will have an opening and it would be a pure blessing if I can be with the boys.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

QUINDA IS 74 YEARS YOUNG TODAY!

A trip to Montpelier

Ray and I did a "retired people" activity. We drove to Orange and did the Montpelier thing. They have completely restored it back to James Madison time.

43 and hearing Quinda come out of my mouth!

I consider myself a pretty hip mom. I listen to pop music, read Perez Hilton, and have been known on occasion to turn up "I Kissed a Girl" and sing right along. Last night Colleen and I were watching the VMA awards, so she could see Jonas Brothers. I didn't like anything Russell Brand was saying and let Colleen know that he was an idiot. (Thankfully she agreed, since he was picking on the Jonas Brothers.) When Lil Wayne came on with his underwear showing on purpose. Quinda came out in full force. Colleen was laughing at me b/c I couldn't get over the fact he was spending all his time making sure his pants didn't fall down pass his knees! If he wants to show his boxers walk out with no pants on don't belt your pants under your butt. STUPID STUPID Then a band called Panamore came out, the girl was screaming some song so I flip the channel to Fox News. I noticed Colleen was singing along. She ask why I turned the channel, don't I know that song... it is on the radio all the time.
When did I get out of the loop? when did I stop listening to screaming? and when did I start telling a kid how stupid MTV is? HMMMMMMMM I also turned the TV off shortly after the Jonas Brothers and told Colleen we can do without the rest! What is happening to me???????

What a difference a day makes

Yesterday, Thanks to TS Hanna it rained all day. Today the sky is pretty and blue. We always need the rain, so I am not complaining. It will also be the last Saturday that won't consist of football or swimming til Thanksgiving.

Colleen's poem for English

There is a Dolphin Inside Me


There is a dolphin inside me,
Jumping from wave to wave,
Happy and talking every day,
There is a dolphin inside me,
Fun and playful all the time,
If I don’t bring joy it will be a crime,
There is a dolphin inside me,
Helpful and loveable just like me,
A great swimmer in the sea,
There is a dolphin inside me.

Colleen had to write a poem for English. She started complaining on Thursday night about how it was too hard. Why couldn't she be creative like Brooke? Yesterday she didn't even want to think about it, so this morning she sat down with me to help her. We looked over the assignment. Once she picked a dolphin as her animal she went to town.

BABY NEWS

Ryan Keener was born on Sept. 2. Ray weighs a whopping 3 pounds. He was 2 months earlier, but so far he is doing great! Ryan belongs to one of best buddies Darlene.
Her blood pressure had been high on Friday so they put her on bed rest. Tuesday it was still high, so they sent her to the hospital be monitored and did a sonogram to find that the amniotic fluid was extremely low. A C-section happened shortly after. Darlene and Ryan are doing well so far, but keep them in your prayers. Ryan will be in the NICU for a few weeks. Anyone who knows Darlene knows she likes being in control and this is going to be challenging for her.

YES!

COLLEEN MADE THE BASKETBALL TEAM! WE GOT A TEXT MESSAGE SAYING "YES!". We won't be able to talk to her until after 5pm.