Like mother like daughter

So I embarked on my next coaching endeavor. I am coaching Gretas’s T-ball team. 10 girls on the team. And I feel like I’m back in my element actually coaching a sport that I love. And Greta is wearing my number 10 - another perk of being the coach’s daughter! 

We had our first game last night and a few lessons that I have learned.

1) Greta hates running as much as I did when I played softball.

2) five and six-year-olds like practice more than games as there is much more action

3) if you are enthusiastic, they will be enthusiastic

4) never show fear, they are like dogs and can smell it

5) praise, high-fives and encourage

6) coaching your own child is harder than coaching any other kid on the team

7) always hold the batter’s bat when you are near them. Already one hit to the head and it did not feel good

8) there is progress after each practice and game 

9) snacks are still the bets motivator 

10) never take things to seriously! 

Can’t wait for a great season! 

Influenza takes down 3 of 4

It all started ok Friday, April 4th and lastest through the 13th. Longest week ever!

First victim - Lola. Diagnosis on Saturday morning. Positive for influenza A. Fever 104.  Feel better date and no fever for 24 hours, Friday April 12th. 

Next victim - Greta. Started Monday, April 8th. Fever 102.5.  Feel better date with no fever for 24 hours, Friday April 12th 

Finally victim - me. Started Tuesday, April 9th evening. Fever 103.  Feel better date with no fever for 24 hours, Sunday, April 14th.

Ryan was in quarantine upstairs and remained healthy. 

Dentist Appointments for the Girls

Successful dentist appointments for all of us Delaney girls! It was Lola’s first real visit and she was so proud to sit in the chair and open her mouth. Teeth looked great! Gretas went about the same. I also love (or don’t love) their honesty that they don’t always brush at night or don’t floss a lot. LOL. But it’s all good. Still zero cavities. 

Highlight of the visit was that our favorite hygienist Amy said Greta has a tooth that is a hair wiggly. Oh boy - the excitement on her face. Amy said she really had to work at it but it’s a ever so slightly wiggly. 

Sorry non of Greta. 😳 Oops! 

Greta can read

I had a such a proud moment that at the end, I hide a couple tears. Greta has always loved books and being read too. We started reading every night when she was only days old. As she grew, there were days we read for hours. When she was going into kindergarten I was nervous... was she supposed to be able to read? Because she couldn’t. Would she learn quickly? Would she want to? Then enter amazing kindergarten teacher, who is patient and kind. And before I knew it, great was reading words and short sentences, her popcorn words, and even a few short books.  

This  weekend, she made me so happy and proud. She read Green Eggs and Ham - all by herself. I maybe helped on 2 to 3 words. And the best part... she was proud of herself! So very proud. And that is something that she hasn’t been. She’s always nervous and worried about reading out loud to others. But tonight I realized that her teacher and me and others cheering her on have also been instilling confidence. And as a mom, I realize this might be more important than anything. Cheer them on. Praise them. Help them. Let them learn. Let them grow. And at the end, hug them, kiss them, and tell them how very proud you are. The smile on her face said it all. And even though I didn’t get it on camera, that moment will always be in my heart. The day Greta got confidence in her reading and was proud of herself. You go girl! You are going to do many, many more amazing things! 

https://youtu.be/MoxXBDcK1-I

Upward Basketball Season

I was lucky enough to be able to coach Greta’s first year of Upward  basketball.

I learned a lot and I hope the kids learned a lot too. 

Here’s what I learned... 

1. Things never really go according to plans but you just have to go with it.

2. Kids genuinely want to make you happy. Sometimes it took a little while to get us all on the same page but we always got there and they worked hard.

3. If you are happy and energetic, your kids will follow. Show them you want to be there. Show them you care. 

4. Kids have big hearts. During the last few games, I was really trying hard to get the last few kids a basket during the game. And never once did the kids not want to help. When I challenged them, they all said- “we’ll pass them the ball.”

5. Basketball and learning about Jesus work well together. I loved teaching the kids and watching as they learned and grew. 

6. Treat each kid as an individual. I had lots of personalities and it took a while to learn what motivated them and how to get them to focus but we got there. And i was happy to be part of it. 

7. Coaching your kid is an adventure of its own. And we are getting better. At first she didn’t want me to be her coach and at true end, she asked if I could be her next coach. And that made me so happy! 

8. Other parents are more than happy to help... you just have to ask. I’m still working on this one. LOL

9. It’s not easy but when at the end your kids all hug you and want to high five you it’s worth it. And when parents tell you that their kid has called you Princess Abbey the whole season or thank you for being patient or tell you they hope you’re their coach again. It makes me hope I was doing something right.

10. I can’t wait to coach older kids! LOL. 

Hair cut

Greta has been asking to get her hair cut for a while now. So I finally gave in. And I love it. She looks so cute and I’m sad because she looks a little more grown up too.  Best part - so much easier to brush and it stays out of her face more. 

Cousin Snow Fun

Well the snow never stops and it’s been so cold... but at least it was finally nice enough to enjoy the snow.