Soccer Sundays

Learning to play different positions ... starting the game off as goalie this week ...



Getting some encouragement from his awesome buddy Maggie ...





Back on offense, taking it down the field ...



And he shoots ... he scores ...

4H Shooting Sports

For years, we have tried to figure out a sport or activity that would interest Connor. 

As a little kid, he loved baseball from t-ball through rookie league, but lost interest quickly once we hit major league and kids starting pitching and you were allowed to steal bases (as a catcher, it was challenging to say the least). 

Basketball and soccer both had too much running. 

Next, he tried lacrosse for a few seasons, and though interesting for us as parents to watch, he just didn't love it. 

He doesn't love anything, and unfortunately, most youth sports are set up for those who have to love it. Otherwise, you're not going to enjoy practice four or five nights a week plus two or three games a week (hello, baseball and lacrosse). It's easy to get burned out if you're not passionate about the game or competitive by nature. Connor likes to play, but he doesn't want to play every night of the week. And that goes for any sport he's every played or tried.

This year we signed him up for 4H Shooting Sports. It's only one night a week, with several weeks off in between some of the different events. There's pistol and rifle at the range, there's trap shooting at the outdoor range, and there's archery at a semi-indoor range.

Tonight, Connor went for trap shooting. It was interesting. And maybe, just maybe, something that's not going to burn him out in a matter of weeks or months since it doesn't ask for four or five nights every single week. It rotates every few weeks, and you can miss here and there without any issues.

We ended the night at one of our favorites, P.F. Chang's. Connor says he can get used to this part, at least!

TOPSoccer

Soccer Sundays with Xander ... Sawyer and Connor got to come watch today, too. Xander has moved up and over to the oldest team, Team 3, this year ...







Raising Cane's after ... because they're ALWAYS hungry at this age ...

TOPSoccer

This season, Xander has moved up to the oldest group, Team 3. It will be different than in year's past, but he just keeps getting bigger and strong, so it's time. He may be one fo the youngest on the team, but he won't be the smallest!











And that big smile means he just scored another goal!

Main Event

In between basketball games for Xander, we decided to take the boys to Main Event for a little break with Aunt Kelly ...

Arcade first ...









Then the ropes course ...























Then back to the arcade ...

State Tournament, Round II

Second day at the Special Olympics state basketball tournament in Louisville ...

Waiting in the stands before the game (Aunt Kelly and Connor's buddy H along for the ride today) ...



Taking their seats just before the opening announcements ...



Excited to play and for a chance at another shiny medal today ...



Getting a little too aggressive on defense with the other team ...



Runner's up this time around ... winning a shiny silver medal instead of a shiny gold medal (he was not happy with this turn of events) ...



Team picture after the game (he's ready to throw the silver medal on the ground) ...



We asked for a thumbs up on the shiny silver medal but he gave us this version of an upside down #2, and I think it pretty much sums up his opinion of coming in second ...



And the enormous cheering section that came out to support Xander today (Cousin Joseph, Uncle Daniel, Aunt Kelly, Pappy, Daddy, Connor, Grammy, Sawyer, Mommy, Cousins Josh, Katie, and Jessica with little cousins Xavier, Liam and Landon in front - thanks to Connor's friend H for taking the group photo for us) ...



Late lunch at Cracker Barrel afterwards, however, was approved ...