Her First Volleyball Season

Sarah decided to give volleyball a try for the first time this fall.  She was on a team with a few of her friends and some of the same girls that were on her softball team.

Game 1 - 9/8/18

The girls all seemed a little nervous before the first game.

They played alright.

They ended up losing two in a row and lost the game.

Popee and Nanee were glad to come and watch Sarah play.

Game 2 - 9/15/18

We were out of town so Sarah was unable to attend this game.  Her team won though, beating Clearwater.

Game 3 and 4 - 9/22/18

Game 3

With 10 girls on their team, they took turns rotating in during the games.

They were ready for these two games.

They played well and won game three easily.

Below, with one of her good friend's Brooke.

Game 4

They played well during this game too.

Sarah's underhand serve looks good.  She likes practicing at home with us.  My parents gave us a net and volleyball poles and we have had fun bumping, setting and practicing serving the ball at home.

They won the first game of the match and switched sides to play game two.

They worked a lot at practices on calling the ball so that they wouldn't let it drop, watch it drop, or run into each other trying to get the ball.

They won this match easily too.

Popee and Nanee were there with us to watch both games that day.

Game 5 - 10/8/18

This was a fun game to watch.  The girls have improved and are getting better at playing together.

I love it when I see smiles and high fives on the court after points are scored or they make a good play.

Good job Sarah!  I am glad you decided to play volleyball.  I knew you would like it and be good at it!

Sarah had a big cheering section for this game... Popee and Nanee, Aunt Lindsee and cousin Will, Uncle Ernie and Aunt Judy, and us.

Tournament

There was a single elimination tournament at the end of the season.

Game 1

Our team was prepared and played well.

Sarah did good serving again.

She served the game winning point in the first game.

Yay!  They advanced to the next round.

Game 2
Game 2 of the tournament was easily won too.

Hooray!  They advanced again...moving on to the championship game.

Game 3

This team was a bit tougher to play.  They could hit the ball back some to us and had a few girls who were good servers.

It was bit of a nail biter during a couple plays.

We did it!  They won!  1st Place!

Great job girls!  What a fun season to watch.

 Sarah was happy to have Popee and Nanee there again today with us to cheer her and her team on.

My Birthday

I turned 41 in September.  I love birthdays, especially my own.  I had the day of fun all planned out a couple weeks in advance.  We started out watching two of Sarah's volleyball games.  They won both games.  Happy birthday to me!

Next we headed to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Red Lobster.  My birthday always falls during the "never-ending Shrimp" time at Red Lobster.  YUM!  Happy Birthday to me!

After lunch we started playing games on my birthday game list.  (I picked some of my old-all-time faves.)  SORRY was first on the list.  We played it in teams, Mom and Sarah, Dad and Silas, Phoebe and I, and Eric by himself.

Silas is super competitive, like Eric and I, and at one point his team was not doing so well.  He wanted to quit.  Some of us got a good (quiet) laugh out of his pout.

Phoebe and I won the Sorry game.  Happy birthday to me!

The next game of the day was PIT.  Pit is a high-flying, fast, loud talking, trading game.  The kids had never played it before this day.  They loved it and so did I.  Happy birthday to me!

Eric was the PIT winner.  (He is my hottie husband who would do anything for me.)  I love my husband.  Happy birthday to me!

Rummikub was our next game.  Sarah and Mom were partners for this one again.

Phoebe and I joined up again.

And, Silas and Dad were a team.

We played three games.  Phoebe and I won the first one, Dad and Silas won the second game, and Phoebe and I won the third one.  YAY!  Happy birthday to me!

The last game of the evening was Big Boggle, the world famous 3 - minute word game.  Phoebe was on my team again for this one.  Everyone else was on their own, including Silas.  He did well though and found a few words each round.

Sarah and Eric each won a round.

And, Phoebe and I won a round.  What a great little game partner she was for me all afternoon!  Happy birthday to me!

I have always loved presents!  (Seriously, who doesn't love presents?)  I got some great gifts from my parents, my kids, and Eric that evening.  Happy birthday to me!

To end the evening we ate cake. (Cake is my all-time favorite dessert.)  A super-duper delicious yumm-o cake, made by my super-duper husband and fantastic kids.  Happy birthday to me!

And, last but certainly not least, that super-duper husband of mine ordered me exactly what I asked him for... a purple chrome book and a wireless printer.  Happy birthday to me!

Thank you Eric, Dad, Mom, Silas, Phoebe, and Sarah for making my birthday exactly what I had planned and so much FUN!  

Happy 41st birthday to me!