Golf

About 3 months ago, maybe longer, we were watching some big golf tournament on TV. In the latter part of my life, I was around golf. I caddied a time or two for my mom and stepdad. When I was older, I worked at a country club and one benefit of that was I was able to take a lesson or two. The Pro said I had a good swing but I think he just wanted me to continue so I would actually pay for my lessons.

Anyway, Boop really enjoyed watching the tournament and expressed a desire to learn to golf. Well, I know that golf isn't the cheapest sport out there and I sure wasn't going to dump a ton of money into something I wasn't sure he would stick to. So, I started asking around. Trying to find out the best avenue for a young boy wanting to explore the game of golf.

A man that I serve with at church, who is an avid golfer, volunteered to take him out and hit some balls. His wife about week earlier, texted me with a picture of a junior golf set at Goodwill for $13! So, Boop has a set of clubs, and the man has since taken him out and shown him how to hit the ball.

Daddy found him a titanium driver that he is going to cut down and I am going to get him some whiffle balls before we have a neighborly accident. My sister's husband likes to golf, so maybe one day they can go out and hit a bucket of balls. Paul can hit them but isn't much on the finer points.

When our friend dropped Boop off from hitting some balls I asked if I need to quit my day job and get ready for the tour. He kind of chuckled and said maybe in about 10 years or so.  Like so much in life "who knows" but is having some fun right now . . .

Shooting Range

My husband is a law enforcement officer and an avid hunter.  Well, an avid hunter before the kids were born.  When we were first married we would go to the shooting range together.  My husband reloads and likes to collect guns of all types.  So, it only made sense to pass on the knowledge and hobby to the kids.

A couple of months ago, a friend told us of a local pistol club that opens up every second Saturday of the month to kids who want to learn to shoot.  The dozen or so men out there teach gun safety and shooting skills.  The big kids had been there once before.  And then had the opportunity to go a couple of weeks ago.  They all love it and are pretty good at it too.

It is a progressive kind of class.  Every time the kids shoot they have the opportunity to move up to the next harder skill level.  They are given awards and pins and encouraged to compete.  The men who run it keep track of all of it.  And are super encouraging.

The run such a tight ship that I was able to take all four kids (including EG) and really never once have an issue.  Daddy showed up a little later, which was good, because he was able to really spend time with each kid and give a few pointers.  NG is a natural shot and is advancing pretty quick.  LM takes a little more time but knows exactly what she is doing, doesn't need any help and is progressing nicely.  Boop is like his daddy in that even though he is right handed he is left eye dominant (not sure if I have that exactly right) but he has to shoot in a way that isn't exactly comfortable or feels natural.  But, the minute daddy was able to correct him, his shooting improved greatly.

The kids have really enjoyed it as have daddy and I.  Unfortunately ballet will start up and it will be hard for us to participate.   But, we look forward to getting out there again maybe one more time before then . . . 

Pickers

So, one of the hobbies my hubby has is to go "dumpster diving."  Well, really not dumpster diving more like "picking" or, well, I am not sure what to call it.  But he is not above seeing someone else's trash as his treasure.  I shudder when we are driving down the road and he sees something that has been discarded and he sees great potential for it.

I will admit, sometimes he gets some things that are useful.  Many times he will pick something up that might have parts for something we already have so he is able to fix it with out paying for parts.  Many times, though, I just kind of shut my eyes.  Especially when he finds things in our neighborhood.  

Well, the above pictures are of two chairs he found discarded in our neighborhood.  The neighbor was moving and selling them.  Apparently no one bought them because he found them on the curb.  And proceeded to toss them in the back of his truck.

He has spent the last week or ten days fixing one up.  Sanding the wood, replacing rusty hardware and then painting it.  I have to admit, I am pretty proud of his "pick."  These chairs ain't cheap brand new.

We have placed this one on our porch and he will set to work on the other one.  I have a new appreciation for his "hobby" . . .

Run, Family, Run

This past Saturday we "ran" our very first race.  Ever.

Back in January, a friend of mine invited us to sign up for a race or two, and then we would use that as motivation to "train" a couple of time a week.  Well, about two weeks ago, she and I looked at each other and realized the race was coming up and neither family had really "trained."

Oh well.  We participated anyway and had a great time.  It motivated us to really start taking exercising a little more seriously.  Our race weekend started out with a free spaghetti dinner on Friday night for the racers and all their family.  It was crazy to me how many people we knew or recognized.  I guess lots of runners in town.

For some reason I had registered hubby even though I knew he had to work.  I was kind of dreading getting up at the crack of dawn and taking all four kids to run in about 35 degree weather.  But we had friends there.  Friends always make things better!

We all started out together but that was the last we saw of anyone.  Mr. J had the two little girls in a double stroller and he ran all the way.  Running the 5K in 35 minutes!  The boys crossed the finish line right before him and Boop and his friend JD won second and third place for their age group.  They had their names announced, given medals and had their pictures taken.  Quite unexpected!  NG and her friend E came in around 40 minutes and Little Mama and another friend right after that.

I don't think I had the greatest time ever "run" in a 5K.  :)  But, I had a great time and was totally motivated to finish.  My friend and I came in around 50 minutes.  I just loved the feeling of actually accomplishing something!  I liked the runners high that I had until about mid-afternoon.  Then my hips and legs started to hurt.  But that was expected!

The run was through a really neat neighborhood and it was cool to see the pretty houses.  It was kind of hilly so that was a challenge.  It has motivated NG to start running on her own and she wants to run in the next race.  She has even asked for running clothes for her birthday.  We will see how long it lasts.

I kind of like it though, because it has motivate me to get in a little bit better shape.  Glad we stepped out of our comfort zone on a chilly Saturday morning . . .

While We Were Home

One of Boop's bestest buddies had a great outdoor birthday party a couple of days after we got home from DC.  It was a family party with a bunch of fabulous families.  There was football, food and  a shooting range and bow and arrow target.  A total boy birthday party.  Yet fun for the whole family!

The girls sitting on the back porch eating their lunch.

The boys doing the same.

Mr. J giving some shooting and safety instructions.

The men setting up the shooting range.

I think the boys are getting some type of army, camouflage face paint.

The girls patiently waiting their turn.

The other Mr. J showing Boop how to shoot a bow and arrow.  (That is now on his Christmas list.)

Daddy and Mr. J loading the guns for target practice.  The kids did really, really well watching and listening and being safe.

Boop shooting the bow and arrow.

Boop shooting his new 22.  Daddy taking the time to give him the finer points of shooting.

Love my boys!!!

The boys waiting patiently to shoot.

The girls turn at the bow and arrow.

Little Mama taking aim.

Nature Girl getting the hang of it.

Big boys turn!!!

These dads rock!!  All of the grown up men were so patient teaching each boy and girl safety and how to shoot.

Nature Girl's first couple of shots were right on.

Little Mama listening to her daddy's instructions.

So sweet!

My turn!

Before hubby and I had kids, we would go and shoot a little bit.  It was fun.  I enjoyed the challenge of learning how to shoot.  Guns are one of hubby's hobbies.  I would love for all the kids to be comfortable around guns and learn how to shoot if that is what they want to do.

We had such a great time with all the families.  It was a great way to celebrate Boop's friend's birthday.  One for the memory book . . .