NCHS Volleyball Tournament

The boys enjoying a team building night of pasta and TV and general shenanigans at one of the player's homes.  The parents hosting were kind enough to invite the parents over for the last hour for drinks and conversation.  We enjoyed getting to know each other a bit more, as well.

The Benet freshman volleyball team was a lot of fun from the start.  It helps that they started out undefeated for the first month and won two tournaments!  Their second tournament (and second championship) came at Naperville Central on a beautiful, sunny April day.   John and I used the time between matches to walk around on the Riverwalk, and I walked home after the tournament while John waited to collect William and all his gear.   

We played the tournament hosts in the championship game and for whatever reason we were listed as "Wolves" on the scoreboard instead of Benet or Redwings or Wings.   I found it hilarious and we kept saying "Go Wolves!"  I guess that's what happens after 8 hours in a high school gymnasium.....

 

Benet Volleyball

We've been waiting all school year for high school sports!   The boys volleyball season began mid-February with open houses and then rolled right into tryouts and the season.   Games run from mid-March to mid-May with spring break off (yeah!).   

William switched from DS (Defensive Specialist) to Libero for the season, but I'd say it's a fairly similar role for him.  He's the team's best serve receiver and scrappiest hustler at digging balls.   And he's finding his voice - and the ball - for second touches when needed.  He has also been a reliably strong server, so overall a great start to the season!

Six of the boys on the A-Team play or have played club volleyball (five at 630 Volleyball and one boy from William's prior team).   So that group all plays together really well and has good court presence.  The three that don't play club volleyball play football or basketball so are strong athletes at the net.      

The team is off to an 8-0 start after three duals and one weekend tournament championship.   The B-Team is off to a 3-0 start.   Only 12 boys tried out this year, so they play a rotation of 9 at the A-Team games and then play a rotation of 3 + 6 at the B-Team games to make sure everyone gets a lot of playing time and support.   Because William is the libero for A-Team and on the court most of that match, he is one of the three players who does not play any B-Team minutes.  The six A-Team boys that supplement B-Team are mostly a result of the positions that are needed to fill out that rotation and get reps for certain positions.  For example, the squad's arguably best player plays as the B-Team libero but is the A-Team setter and an outside hitter. 

For my part, I'm really enjoying all the families!  And the entire program seems very organized, which I love.   For example, at the parents meeting there was a sign up sheet for everyone to pick one match to provide the boys dinner (or breakfast or lunch for Saturday tournaments).   So the kids get drinks, fruit and sub sandwiches or nuggets delivered to them at school so they can eat together before they suit up or get on the bus for their 4:30 or 5 p.m. court time.  It's great because we usually don't finish on the courts until 6:45 or 7 p.m. and they're ready for second dinner by then.  It's already a production to send the kids to school with two backpacks; I'm glad we don't have to send them meals, too!     

Disney Spring Break

For spring break, we were able to get away to the warmth and sunshine of Disney World.  This was the first March we had been there, and the weather was amazing.   I kept saying this was my favorite weather we had ever had - sunshine but not melting and no rain.  

John was already in Florida for a business trip, so got us checked into our hotel and had pre-shopped for Gideon's cookies before we arrived!   William and I were happy for the late night snacks!  We did a split stay between the newly remodeled Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge (which I loved!) and Old Key West (which had very spacious rooms).    

Fun with Photopass during the week

Magic Kingdom fireworks from the DVC Top of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower

And when we arrived before dark:

Moana's water adventure in EPCOT was new to us:

John and William went to Animal Kingdom without me one day while I was working, and I loved watching their progress via photos posting on My Disney Experience

My office view at Boulder Ridge:

Since we were staying at Wilderness Lodge, we finally tried the character meal at Artist's Point.  It was Snow White themed.   It was fine. 

At Magic Kingdom we did the pirate's scavenger hunt in Adventureland for a little change of pace.  It was fun to see the stops and details and something new!  I got a few fund pictures of the changes in Frontierland including the almost done Tiana construction.

Only a few months until William can get his learner's permit....I'm guessing this is a look we'll be seeing more!   He and I were doing our own thing at Magic Kingdom and tried to get in one more ride at Buzz Lightyear but it broke down right before we were getting ready to load.   They swept the queue and it was a little creepy with the animatronics.  

A very relaxing trip which was great to sneak in during tax season and volleyball season busyness.

Cute Pictures

 These pictures posted in reverse chronological order but date doesn't really matter.

Rosie came to stay with us.  Trying to make the girls sit for a photo before a walk.  This one is a good representation of their personalities!

Lucy is always the seeker of the sun.   She has a moon shaped pillow that she uses as a chew toy more than a pillow.  Here William decided to tuck her in for her nap in the splash of sun.

We finally took down the tree the first of March.  I had considered it briefly in January but we were gone several weekends for volleyball and then when the basement flooded, we moved stuff out and upstairs instead of adding more to the basement.  Finally took it down the night before John got home from an international trip.  Good thing we didn't wait for him to help because he brought home COVID and spent the next week in bed.

Getting them both to show off their teeth.  William got braces - replacing the Invisalign from August.  Cautionary tale when the ortho pushes Invisalign as a panacea that if your kid constantly eats because he is growing, and enjoys cooking (and needs to taste test), and wants sports drinks on the court, that none of those are times when trays can be worn and it will eat into the 22+ hours a day you need them for effectiveness.  One month into brackets and no complaints.  

I probably have 20 pictures on my phone of Lucy napping on the deck.  She likes to start closer to the house but as the sun moves, so does she.   This is the last spot before it's time to head inside.  

Twins!  I don't recall here if William was on his way to volleyball practice or getting home.  But I don't think this was planned!

With all the cold weather, I made an enrichment treat for Lucy by freezing Greek yogurt on this nubby plastic bone.   It entertained her for 30 minutes or more.