I thought I'd start with Conner, he's had a month full of WOW!!! We'll Start his month on April 30, 2011. Birthday number 14, which fell on a Saturday, but he was kind enough to let us wait until Sunday to celebrate. It always is a joyful moment when Conner has recieved priesthood ordinances. We gathered as a family in the bishops office. Meagan and Sarah were both home from school, so the room was full. We then went home to CELEBRATE. We had his favorite chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner, and then the presents. Sheldon and I forgot to fully communicate here. So somehow he probably received twice as much as I planned, but humble Conner kept it all on the downlow and just celebrated with what he received. Always some type of remote control object, we varied a little this time and went for a "rocket". Sheldon's big gift for Conner was tanzinte. I didn't know what it was either, but I've seen video and know now it makes big loud noices when shot at. We then had a ice cream cake. Sydnee and I had bought trick candles, but Conner saw them and made very sure they weren't on his birthday cake.
Now onto just a few days later, Wednesday, May 4th. He was at the end of his season of lacrosse. Their team had done amazingly well, and were number 1 in the league, losing only one game. Conner had been a consistent player, not the top shooter, not the top assist, but just always where he needed to be when he needed to be. The team as a whole had been playing at the top of their game, passing, catching, shooting, and defense had just come together, and it was really enjoyable to watch them. Not only were they playing solid, but the entire season, they'd been a second half team, always seeming to take their game just a little bit higher during the second half. The way the seatings went we were playing the #4 team Del Webb. This team had given us a challenge our first game of the season, but then the second time we played them it was a very sound win. Our team wasn't worried, until at the end of the first quarter the score was 0-4 (Del Webb), Second quarter we did a little better but they were still out playing us 3-8. I was at the score table, which in some ways was a blessing... other ways a curse, score keepers are "neutral" we can't cheer (HARD), but I also didn't have to sit next to parents/fans who were trying to tell the boys how to play their game. Third quarter no score by either team...Fourth quarter, we started out scoring right off ...I thought YAY, here's our rally (quarters are 10 minutes long with stop time)... but no we didn't score for another 7 minutes (but anyone who has watched very much lacrosse learns quickly no margin of points is safe -- it's a quick game and a little like basketball can change in seconds. With about 3 minutes left in the game we started our rally, and with less than 30 seconds left on the game clock our defender threw a cross field pass (our coaches were in absolute shock it made it to one of our players, who passed it and then we scored the tying point. At that point sadly, the other teams goalie received a penalty (the kid couldn't control his temper and said something) which meant he had to sit in the box for 1 minute -- Penalties happen throughout the game of lacrosse (similar to hockey) when the player is in the box the team plays a man down. This is a hinderance to the team, but they are in the penalty for a minute or two and then immediately back out on the field once the penalty time is up. In the two years Conner has been playing I've never seen a goalie get a penalty, the disadvantage here is the goalie wears different gear, he had to take it off to let another player wear it, which really meant there was no way he could play in the game again (time outs are not long enough for the changing to happen again). The refs let the new goalie practice for a few shots and then the last 10 seconds of the game was played. No goals so overtime started (with their goalie still in the penalty box). Overtime is 4 minutes and sudden death in lacrosse. Del Webb won the face off then back and forth about our fourth time down we scored and won the game. WOW.
Three days later we played the final game, we came out playing our game this time, it wasn't a blow out, and the other team put on their game in the fourth quarter, but without the intensity of Wednesday nights game we won 5-4. The first championship for Leavitt Middle School in Lacrosse. That night we learned Conner had been chosen for the all-star team which played a fun game the next week. (Interestingly enough Miller the middle school that Larson and Holden played at won it the two previous years). It was fun -- It has been one of those ideal seasons two practices a week less than 5 minutes from home, 1-2 games a week, great kids. A friend said she was so grateful her son had a chance to play for such an ideal team. It was good. And I will always be grateful to the coaches for the sacrifice and time they give to make it all possible.
This week was also a little highlight for Conner. With middle school drawing to an end the school had 8th grade award night Tuesday. (I thought these might be as simple as his 7th grade awards that only took 30 minutes -- I was hoping so I could make it to my meeting) I soon realized that after 30 minutes the awards portion hadn't begun this wasn't going to be a quick night. I won't deny Conner was hoping for one of the two "big" awards. He had mentioned that he'd been in several times for meetings with the principal, but we wouldn't know for sure until the end of the night. As the evening went on it was easy to reflect on Conner's desire to learn. He yearns to be taught and learn. His biggest frustration at school is he doesn't learn. His math teacher has been kind enough to help him go faster than the rest of the class. Conner received the Honors Award (3.5 and good citizenship for 3 years of middle school), then he received the Math student of the Year award (where his teacher shared that often Conner teaches the class -- this isn't the only class he does this in). Then he received the straight A's for all four quarters this year and the straight A's for all three years at middle school. Then the principal came to announce the principals award (one is given to a boy and one to a girl) Mr. Wipperman explained how the went through this process and then announced that the winner this year was not only involved in school, but went above and beyond in all his classes, every teacher recommended him, (a few kids at this point started saying Conner, its Conner), he is always willing to help classmates in need, he was on the championship lacrosse team, (at this point most of the kids started to say Conner, Conner, Conner... I felt bad for the young lady who received the award because we really couldn't hear what nice things the principal said about her, but still the same she was ecstatic she was chosen (Conner was fairly pleased too). I'm sure there are other kids that are great students too that is sometimes what is hard about these awards there are more than just one great student. It was a good night. One that even though may have been a little long was enjoyed by Conner.
