January was all basketball! In addition to Parker Rec basketball with Coach White (Sun Devils), Michael also played with Liberty Middle School (Wolves). Challenge School doesn’t have sports teams so he played with his home school- Liberty. It was a 3-week season from January 16 through February 5. Practices/games were Monday through Thursday at Liberty. I took 1 ½ hours of vacation time every one of those days so I could pick Michael up from Challenge when they dismissed at 3 pm to get to Liberty in time for the 3:55 pm practice/game. Michael knew a few of the 60 boys from elementary school and we also saw some familiar faces on the opposing teams including a current Parker Rec teammate who just happens to be Coach White’s grandson! We saw Michael’s 2017 Aurora Rec coach and all of those teammates too. Chris even got stopped at work by a parent he sat by at one the games! And a true blast from the past- a preschool classmate also played for Liberty (but on a different Level 1 team). The 60 boys were divided into 6 teams of 10- three Level 1 teams and three Level 2 teams. Michael was on the red Level 1 team with an elementary school G.T. friend. It was an exhausting but fun month!
Monday, January 1- We started 2018 with breakfast at Mimi's Cafe.
Saturday, January 6- Michael really is on the verge of being too big to snuggle. The big book on the floor was the book for the second test (Fundamentals of Insurance Planning) for the ChFC designation Chris is working on through The American College. He took and passed! the test on the 29th.
Sunday, January 7- The week 1 prompt for Amy Johnson-Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge was "start". I started a visual family tree project for Michael. I’m hoping to do something similar for Kyle and Keila. Thanks to all who have provided information and photos when I’ve asked! The collage on the left is me, my parents and grandparents and the collage on the left is Chris with his parents and grandparents.
Saturday, January 13- First Parker Rec game of the 2018 winter season. White (in white) at Harmon 40-9. (Michael is # 3.)
Sunday, January 14- Michael is ready to let go of some Legos. It's going to be a process to get the sets back together. Balls and Legos are not friends.
Monday, January 22- Michael's team was the first coach named- the red team. Their first game is Thursday! (Liberty Middle School)
Thursday, January 25- Five *****! the Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg.
Saturday, January 27- White (in red) at Booher 40-10. (Parker Rec)
Monday, January 29- Liberty 6th grade boys Level 1 teams with Coach Moore before the game against Thunder Ridge Middle School. (Michael is # 25 front and center.)
Wednesday, January 31- Liberty Red (in white) vs. Falcon Creek 29-20.
Thanks for reading! See you next month...
With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.
Thomas Fowell Buxton
