Hooked on Gaming

Zachary explains the rules of a newly created game to Peter and Zach

There is a multi-generational fascination with gaming in our family.  Our boys love playing games of all different varieties and our official game 'closet' takes up almost an entire book case (in the master bedroom of all places!).  But the types of games that come in boxes only make up a small portion of the actual game playing that goes on around here.

Zachary's creative genius for inventing games goes way back to his early childhood.  From the time he could engage his friends or younger brothers in playing games (any game, inside or outside) he would spend the majority of the time making up complicated, intricate rules and explaining them.  Sometimes the playmates would tire of the game long before it ever even started. 

Zachary prepares for battle, using a ruler for placement of the players.

A (self published) author at ten years old, Zachary used The Bloodwrath characters to create a role playing game called QTM.  Several of his good friends took to QTM and some of their playing sessions lasted well over five hours.  One legendary session on the ride to BSA summer camp in Idaho lasted eight hours and nearly drove the driver right off the road!

Cousin Violet helps Grandma Billie with her hand at Hearts.

Peter, Grandma Billie, Joseph and Zachary play a round of Hearts on Thanksgiving weekend.

Any game will do, but the new preferred pass-time for Zachary is DnD.  With borrowed books handed down to him by a good friend who used to play DnD with Tim, and the use of pod casts and websites and tips from long-time players, Zachary has amassed quite the store of DnD know-how.  He recruited a group of friends from his swim team, who get together regularly to role play using the DnD platform.

Zachary's dice collection

Ultimately, the creative energy expressed in devising, revising, and strategizing in the worlds of gaming gives more than hours of entertainment and fellowship, it grows brain cells and develops problem solving and communication skills.  For that reason, on Zachary's high school (home school) transcript, I shall award him an A in Gamesmanship.  And for his brothers and gaming friends, an honorary A+ given for going with the flow.

Learning to Jump Rope

--- 1 ---
With a reunification plan in place, foster twins Luke and Leia moved out on Monday morning.  A few of us shed tears; others breathed a sigh of relief.

--- 2 ---
Due to complications with the reunification plan, foster twins Luke and Leia moved back home on Thursday.  A few of us shed tears; others breathed a sigh of relief.

--- 3 ---
Zachary's varsity swim season started this week.  We are especially grateful for his driver's license on the days when he leaves for dry land training at 5:45AM.  Friday Zac left even earlier and posted CAUTION tape and a "closed" sign at the foot of the staircase where the swim team trains; but his coach saw right past the stunt.  "Well played!" said the coach.

--- 4 ---
Due to an overdue cross country uniform, Ezra sat on the side of the pool for the first day of diving practice.  In the days that followed, he learned a new dive: the front double.  As the sole diver for his team (so far) his performances at meets will be especially important this season. So will his grades...one in particular far less than acceptable on his progress report.  I spoke with his teacher who admitted that Ezra's grade might improve if he stopped listening to his iTouch during class.  LISTENING TO HIS iTOUCH? WHAT iTOUCH? IN CLASS? 

A lengthy, complicated conversation with Ezra ensued; this matter is officially unresolved.

--- 5 ---
During a rousing game of Apples to Apples Junior, I brought out my jump rope to illustrate a point.  Who knew I had a jump rope?  Looks of terrified humor spread across the boys' faces when I actually used the thing.  I guess they aren't accustomed to seeing me move quite that quickly. 

 
--- 6 ---
Never having attended a formal PE class or school recess, our children could not jump rope.  Even Zachary could not string together more than two or three jumps.  Tim demonstrated his fine jump roping skills, throwing a double their way and speed jumping and twist jumping as well.  Ezra, too, showed off his fine jump roping abilities. The bar was set!

--- 7 ---

The pursuit of learning to jump rope took center stage in our home school for Joseph and Peter this week. Both are accomplished jump ropers now, with only a few welts and one broken rope handle from jump rope related "incidents".   
For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Commended {National Merit Scholar Award}

AJ and Zachary at Sacred Heart Catholic Church

on the occasion of the presentation of their Parvuli Dei Awards

circa 2006

2011 National Merit Scholar Commendable Award Recipients:

Zachary and AJ

home schooled 

Life Scouts in the Kentucky Fried Dragon Patrol, Troop 3

running start students with university on the horizon

talented

athletic

voracious readers

outstanding young men.

Congratulations on your awards Zachary and AJ~
Your futures look bright!

Swimmer of the Month {Zac}

Zachary = September Swimmer of the Month

Zachary re-joined the club swim team last spring to train and prepare for his senior varsity swim season this winter.   Passionate and determined to improve his times and techniques, Zac's taken up residence at the local pool, working out twice a day on many days.  Praise came his way this week in the form of 'swimmer of the month' award.  Sweet job, Zachary!

Photo above and award write-up below from the BBST webpage.

Zac stepped up and filled a leadership role that was missing at the beginning of the season. His attendance was the highest of any BBST athlete during September. Zac is one of the first swimmers in the water each day. He leads by example, working hard, being respectful of the staff and the facility, and exemplifying what it means to be a ‘Blackfish’.

Zac has shown how attendance directly correlates to results, as he is swimming close to his best times in practice each week. His confidence is growing, his technique is improving, and he has been doing an amazing job.

Zac is on track for a very successful year. It is easy to predict his success, as he is working hard every day, attending practice, and actively working to improve.

Home Sick {Summer Camp Blues}

Zac sleeps out on a recent troop camp out in Leavenworth.

Imagine my surprise when Zachary appeared on the front doorstep this afternoon!  Unfortunately ill 3 days into BSA summer camp, he came home to rest and recover.  That makes 3 of us who have fallen to the flu-like illness which is going around these parts.  It's an odd time of year for a stomach flu to sweep through town, but it's making our rainy, stormy summer complete.

"They are just getting over the flu..."  famous last words of the placement-social worker on the day Luke & Leia were placed in our care... but by the (growing) roster of those who have come down with intestinal sickness since their arrival, it would be safe to assume that at least one of them was still contagious upon joining our family.  Not to cast blame, rather to take a note for possible future foster pre-placement Q&A.

Note to self:
Please add "Have they been symptom free for 24 hours?" to standard inquiries regarding future foster placements...

Displaced for Charity {New Foster Placement}

From teen den to twin haven in under two hours: priceless

An urgent placement request yesterday involving 11 month old twins gave our family an opportunity to be of service to the homeless.  Tim and I discussed it, and agreed to meet with our boys to come to a family consensus before committing.  Peter jumped at the idea, thrilled at the thought; Joseph groaned, but consented with a "no changing diapers" clause.  Zachary's answer was wise, "It's not really my choice to make. I am willing, but don't expect a lot of babysitting."  Fair enough.

Zachary's sacrifice involved more than meets the eye: his bedroom was the only suitable place to set up two cribs on the same floor as our master bedroom as the law requires.  In an extreme act of charity, Zac gave up his bedroom.  In a little over two hours he dissembled his bed and moved almost all his belongings downstairs and helped set up the cribs.  This generosity is not in any way out of character, but it is heartwarming to see our nearly 17 year old son so willing to give up his own comfort zone (in more ways than one) for the sake of needy strangers.

Charlie hangs out with Zac in his temporary shelter.

Loving friends delivered a crib, car seat, and high chair which they (quite suddenly) did not need anymore when their foster child was relocated with a family member.  A Craigslist seller willingly delivered and assembled a second crib within an hour.  Phone and email offers of clothes, toys, equipment and even a dinner for our family poured in within minutes of a request for help on the local CatholicMoms e-group.

A rough night, with several wakings and one lasting over an hour (with screaming) has left us a bit fuzzy today.  Peter hopped out of bed at 6:30AM to offer assistance with bottles and diaper changes.
We still have plans to worship at our usual daily Mass, expecting that we could spend most of the time in the way back.  Already several moms have offered to assist us so we can be there as always.  Time will tell!  This morning nap is precious...

Sleeper boy

Spectacular Saturday {Titlow Park & Pool}

Zac and his brothers and cousins, poolside at Titlow Park

Zac stretches out in the 200M butterfly

Decidely a day to enjoy outdoors, our first summer Saturday spent at Titlow Park with family and friends kicked off summer with style. Zachary's swim meet at Titlow's outdoor pool brought us close to our family and friends in Tacoma who joined us for picnic and playtime at the park. At our home away from home, we gathered to share a meal and visit in a shady gazebo; a few steps from the swim meet, surrounded by grassy fields, with views of the Puget Sound beyond the train tracks, right next to a playground.

Grandpa Pete with grandkids MacKenzie, Peter, Brendan, Jacob and Joseph

Days like this are to be cherished, even with the awkward moments like my enthusiastic greeting to Jacob with, "Hi Brandan!" How Jacob has grown! Now nearly as big as his big brother, Brendan, he caught me off guard. Nevermind the fact that I had already greeted Brendan. Jacob looked at me with a surprised, curious grin and vehemently declared, "I'm not Brendan!"

Cousin time at Titlow Park, Tacoma, WA

 Under the shade of a gazebo at Titlow Park, Grandma Patty, Niko and Mike enjoy memories of Christmas Eve.

• Trooper of the day award goes to Aunt Michelle, who came to join  us at the park despite the fact that she's on crutches following knee surgery.  With very limited parking, Titlow is not exactly crutch friendly, but Aunt Michelle trekked down to be with us for the day.  
• Biggest loss of the day goes to Uncle Peter's iphone, which splashed into his coffee mug as he pulled up to park at Titlow.  Not the first time this phone's taken a swim, we do hope it will make a full i-recovery.
• Best swimmer of the day goes to Zachary, who was also the only swimmer.
• Best dressed for the day goes to brothers Niko (17) and Mike (almost 16), who have a real sense of style (even if long sleeves seemed odd on such a warm, sunny day).

Climbing trees, throwing the football, chasing the soccer ball, wrestling on the grass, relaxing in the sun,watching trains and cheering for Zachary made for a wonderful Saturday at the park.  Our day at Titlow Park will long be remembered as a highlight of our 2011 summer.  And we have the pictures to prove it!

Ski 2 Sea {Race}

Another spill in the canoe!

At the end of the 18 mile course Tim paddles to shore, where the mountain bike leg begins.

Adding excitement and danger to the 2011 Ski 2 Sea race, Tim and Josh's canoe flipped.  Shocked by the extremely cold Nooksack River, but able to keep their wits about them, they held on to the canoe and their paddles.  With limited assistance from the rescue units posted at the known danger zone, they were righted, bailed out, and back on the course with a only a 30 minute delay. Losses included one crock and a pair of sunglasses, neither of which was missed as much as the 30 minutes!

Strangely, a heckler with a megaphone was positioned on the shores of the river at the sight of the canoe flip (a predicted hazard along the Nooksack River), and appointed himself the sarcastic narrator for the play by play when canoes overturned. His unkind and not-too-funny comments put an added dose of humiliation upon our shocked and frozen canoeists as they regained their composure before shoving off to complete the race.

Peter, Joseph and our little friend B. await Tim's arrival in the canoe on the shores of the Nooksack River in Ferndale.

Friendly competitors, Alain and Darin bring home their canoe as their mountain biker takes the wristband to begin his leg.

On water so choppy the kayak course was cancelled shortly after her departure, Tanya (#144) reaches the final finish line at Marine Park in Bellingham; completing the final miles of the 100 mile, 7-leg Ski 2 Sea Race.

On his Ski 2 Sea debut, Zachary (16) ran the 8 mile, 2,200 foot drop between the skiing legs and the road biking leg.  Ezra also competed in the run, placing 98th out of 500 runners! His photo here.

Our 2011 Ski to Sea Team:

Mark, Tanya, Tim, Eric, Kristy, Josh, Will and Zac 

The party after the race, hosted by Tim's parents, provided the 8 members of our team with a chance to share their adventures and memories from each leg, and to compare bruises and sore muscles.   Already the talk turned to which leg each person would (and would not) be interested in doing next year, in the 101st Ski to Sea race. 

Team captain Eric gave a nice recap for the team's performance in this year's S2S race:

Well, that was great fun (despite another canoe dunking and a mountain bike course I would consider sadistic) and lucky weather (with the exception of rough winds for the boats). We're nicely in the upper half of teams, 226th of 500 overall and 60th of 157 in the rec open division. We moved that wristband 100 miles in 10 hours, and I say that's pretty good by any standard.

I will second that. 
Great work team!

Season's Best {Swim & Dive}

Zachary dropped 2 seconds in his 100 butterfly at the district meet; and .6 in his 50 free.

2 PR's~ not bad for a day's swim!

He's training with the state team, and will travel to the state meet as an alternate.

Great season, Zachary!

Ezra finished 5th in the district for diving.

Here's one of his final (and best) dives.

Congratulations, Ezra!

Clean Cut {Zac}

District swim meet tomorrow; body shave tonight.

Countdown to Shave {Scruffy}

The baptismal candle is lit from the pascal candle and passed to the parents and Godparents of the newly baptized with the words, "Receive the light of Christ."

Our acolyte, in desperate need of a shave and a haircut

Tomorrow's the day I've been waiting for... the day Zachary's hair comes off.

The scraggly swimmer 'do' will soon be replaced by the clean cut look.

Peter will soon look like a hippie compared to his big brother!

Zac is threatening to shave off his eyebrows, too...

That would be a new look, wouldn't it?

Stay tuned!

Hit and Run {Ice}

"Mom is like the hug bank; whenever you need a hug, she'll give you a hug.

Of course, I don't often want a hug."

~Joseph (12)

Zachary could use a hug.

His car has been parked since last Friday night, when the snow and freezing weather hit.  We decided it would be best if he wasn't out driving on the icy roads, and he agreed.  

Yesterday evening I asked Zac if he would go pick up Joseph and Peter from their swim team practice, to which he replied, "In the dark?  On the icy roads?  In your car?"

I thought twice, and took another trip to and from the pool myself, assigning him a job in the kitchen instead.  

En route, along the main arterial, I had to swerve into another lane to avoid a giant section of a fir tree which had snapped in the high wind and was dangling upside down blocking the entire lane like a wall of evergreen. Was I ever glad that it hadn't been Zac behind the wheel at that moment!

Today the weather warmed up a bit, and it seemed safe enough for Zachary to drive to swim team practice.  Unfortunately, his car wouldn't turn over.  The battery probably got zapped from the cold spell.  As he and Ezra were coming back toward the house to ask me for a shuttle to the pool, Zac noticed that his rear license plate was dented... and the frame was broken off... and there was amber colored broken plastic on the ground... and there were two large cracks to his back bumper... and the car had been pushed forward about six feet from where it had originally been parked Friday night in the snow.

Zac's car was hit!  And the driver left without owning up to the accident.  Nice.

So much for keeping the car safely parked during the icy weather.  At least we were able to keep the kid safe!

Oddly enough, it was in that very same parking spot in front of our house a few years ago that our van was crashed by a neighbor's nanny who was distracted with her cell phone.  

Maybe we need to put up a cement barrier to protect our parked cars from the neighborhood drivers!

Double Season: XC

With two high school XC runners in our house, there's double the reasons to cheer at XC meets.

Today Sehome HS swept the NW Conference Championship Meet!

 Zac participated reluctantly in XC his freshman (@ homeschool) year, never having participated in school sports (or school anything, really).  We simply required that he participate in HS sports, for important reasons like serious physical fitness and personal discipline.  

Zac was excited to run his sophomore (@ homeschool) year (2009-2010), 

and Ezra joined the XC team reluctantly last year as a freshman just a few days after he moved in with us.

This year, Zachary had decided not to join XC due to his class schedule at WCC, and Ezra entered his second XC season a bit iffy about his desire to participate.  We have encouraged {required} Ezra to either participate in high school athletics or find a part-time job; 

he's chosen school sports every season so far.

On the way home from the first day of practice this season, Ezra told Zac that the XC coach said "Hi" and that's all it took~ Zac decided to turn out for another season of XC.

Both Zachary and Ezra finished the XC season strong this afternoon at the 1A/2A/3A NW Conference Championships.  Did I mention that their team swept the event?

Fun stuff.

Runner on the loose
Zac participated in his first ever high school cross country meet yesterday. He ran well, and was pleased with his performance.

I asked him, "What will you always remember about your first cross country race?"

He answered, "Chances are, I won't always remember that race."

Well, he might not, but chances are, his father and I will.