Coffee for Breakfast

We arrived in Springfield on Monday, March 14th. We will be leaving tomorrow, six days later. Homeschool Basketball Nationals is a very tiring week, but one we look forward to each year. I'm not sure how many games we attended this week. There were alot! My 14 year old daughter had 5 games. She had a great week with her friends, and made some wonderful memories! I'm exhausted and longing for my own bed and some home cooked food. Even though I'm feeling this way, next year, during spring break... I'm sure we will be back!

Summer basketball!

The Lady Titans enjoyed a wonderful evening celebrating an awesome year of basketball. Basketball season is always very hectic, but full of memories. I love the night of the banquet. Not only because it signifies the close of the season and the hope to catch up on life, but remembering why we spend our time doing this. Throughout the season, I often wonder why! Basketball consumes too much of our lives at times. I love to watch my girls play, but it is just sooooo daily! On the other hand, devoted practice time is necessary to compete at the level they play. Another reason the banquet is so enjoyable for me is to see just how beautiful and girly these awesome athletes really are. They work so hard at practice and during games. We see them all year sweaty, red-faced, and dressed in athletic wear. They are beautiful girls always, but it's nice to see them all dressed up! We enjoyed a delicious fajita dinner, celebrated their accomplishments, and absolutley enjoyed the company.

Packing and all the other preparations that are required for 5 people to go on an 8 day trip are enough reason to need a vacation. I already need a vacation from my vacation. If you can call a week long basketball tournament a vacation...hmmm. Either way, vacation or work, I'm ready to get out of town. I need a change of scenery. Actually this yearly event is one that is greatly anticipated by my whole family. What could be better? We get to spend an entire week watching our girls play basketball, eat out, and spend time with friends. We love it. We will be heading to Springfield, Missouri in a couple of days. We reserved our room in plenty of time to get a suite, unlike last year. I'm attending to all of the last minute details, like occupying kids for 9 hours in the car. I think I'm almost ready to go!

Today was the last day of an eight week volleyball camp. Aubree attended each week for an hour long class. They were the "Tween Titans". She had a great time and made some new friends. Her coach was awesome and we look forward to working with her in the future. We may have found a new sport for Aubree. Today for their final class they showed off all the new skills they learned. Afterwards we enjoyed a reception with punch and cookies. The girls were also invited to attend the volleyball banquet in November. Good times.

Click here to view this photo book larger By the way, my 14 year old daughter, Kaitlyn took the cover photo. It turned out amazing.

We are back! Missouri was great. This was my first trip to Branson. It was beautiful. We only spent one day in Branson but it was a full day. We managed to go to The Butterfly Palace, Ripley's Believe It or Not, and the Shanghai Circus. We all loved the Chinese acrobrats. They were awesome. We spent the first week of our trip in Springfield. Our daughters competed in the National Homeschool Basketball Championships. They placed 2nd in the 5A division. Kaitlyn also received an All American award. We look forward to next year and have plans to see lots shows in Branson next time. I will post pictures later of our trip. It was great to "get away" for a week, but it sure is nice to be home.

Here are some cool basketball pictures from the season...

As basketball season is wrapping up for the year we were wondering what to do with all of our extra time! Well, last night we found the solution. We signed Aubree up for soccer! Yes, sometimes I feel like I'm crazy. I don't really need to add to my already "too long to get anything finished" list. But I think that Aubree has seen enough of the inside of a gym. We are ready for an outdoor activity. As far as the other girls go, they are ready for a b-r-e-a-k. We still have the National Basketball Tournament (which is always a blast). Then we have our banquet. After that we all look forward to cheering on the youngest Bracknell doing her thing.

We began our school year last week. My camera is broken so I didn't get the "1st day of school" pictures this year. Maybe in a couple of weeks. We started out busy, but that's great. Kaitlyn and Kyla are playing homeschool basketball this year. Yay! They have started practice and love it. Aubree just completed a 3-day basketball camp. She had a blast. She can't wait to be on a team. Aubree is also involved in a homechool class this year. She is studying Europe and famous artists this semester. We have a fun year planned full of field trips, science projects with Dad, and lots of just enjoying being together!

Basketball season has finally come to a close for the year. Don't misunderstand! I DO Love BaSkEtBaLl!!! I don't love for my life to be consumed with basketball. I was very proud of Kaitlyn. She not only played on the Jr. High team, but was invited to also play on the High School Varsity team. She was very honored and did an awesome job on both teams. (Not bad for a 7th grader!) By the way, if your child attempts to play on two teams at the same time, it will consume practically every day of your life. Consider yourself warned!

Aubree's first soccer game was this morning, at 9am. She had a blast. Participating in an actual game made her understand so much more. We are "soccer illiterate", but I think we will all catch on pretty fast.

Yes, I am now an official "Soccer Mom". I have been a baseball/softball/twirl/dance/scout/gymnastic/football/basketball mom, but never a soccer mom. This is our first year for any of our kids to play soccer. We are completely clueless. Aubree had alot of fun at her first practice last night. She learned alot, as did we. I am looking very forward to their first game. Now I just need to buy my husband the above t-shirt!