I received these beautiful flowers at my sons final varsity home game, even though we homeschool, our children have participated in JV and Varsity soccer and basketball at our local public school.
It is always bittersweet when one of my children are getting ready to graduate homeschool and possibly leave the nest. It is a relief that we actually made it from start to finish but sad that time has gone by so fast.
Go Eagles! Go Raphael!
One of my girl's has already started soccer practice for the 2015 Fall Season. Each one of my 6 children are color coded in my planner. That way when I look at that date and time I can easily tell by color who that particular event is for. It just makes it visually easier.
I cannot believe it is already that time of year again, mama taxi service in full swing.
I joke around and say, " Malcolm was born on a basketball court." That is because ever since he was a wee tiny baby he has been attending his siblings games. At one point, we had five of our children playing on at least four different teams.
Our special little boy took to the game immediately, he loved all of the activity: the fast-paced running back and forth, the ball being thrown, baskets being made, the loud whistle blowing and the exciting cheering crowd.
Before Malcolm could even walk his physical therapist motivated him to stand with our support by placing this hoop in front of him. Well, he has come a long way since then and now he is practically running from place to place and trying to dunk some b-balls.
This lil' boy never ceases to amaze me with his determination and love of life! He is so thrilled that he can actually get in on the game!
The older kids are so excited for him, they like to play with him and teach him some skills. It is such a sembiotic relationship! How I love to be able to witness these moments.
For the very first time today Malcolm played basketball with his two brothers and his lil' sister. It was a scene that stole my heart!!!
Our children are very athletic and have played basketball and soccer for many years. I joke with people and say my daughter was born on a soccer field.
My son, who has Down Syndrome, is now two years old but has been a fan at his older brother's and sister's basketball and soccer games from his infancy. He sits in the bleachers cheering his little heart out and watching the big events.
There are certain issues that make it harder for kids with DS to do gross motor skills like: crawling, standing and walking. This is due to what is known as hypotonia, a state of low muscle tone.
Our family, Early Intervention and an orthopedic doctor have decided that he needs a bit of extra help in this area. This is not necessarily the case for all kids with DS, each individual child's needs and family style's are different. The walker apparatus above is called a gate trainer and it can be used temporarily for an aid in the process of leg strengthening exercises.
Malcolm, also got these fancy othodics yesterday. The design on them is called, tornado. We think that may turn into his new basketball knickname. I never knew having a kid with a "disability" could be such a joy but it makes my heart expand more each day.
Malcolm's PT came up with the idea of using a basketball hoop as motivation for our lil' fan. It is the perfect idea for him considering this is a natural happening in our family. Malcolm always tries to express his desire to go outside to be with the other kids at our in yard hoop.
He was absolutely thrilled, to say the least, to get to play his very 1st game of b-ball today. He actually scored a couple of times. I think this has been one of the highlights of my life! Thanks to a dedicated team of therapists, a dedicated family and a very determined little boy, he is on his way. He's Playing basketball!!
You go lil' torado!
These are the words I heard my son say to his younger brother in the dorm room after the game on Saturday, "I prayed before my game." That's all I needed to hear! Joseph was named, Rookie of the Week, by the NECC. I am so happy for him!!
September 5, 2011
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Elms College freshman forward Joseph Coleman (Easthampton, Mass.) was named the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Rookie of the Week in men's soccer as announced by the league office on Monday.
Coleman netted his first collegiate goal which was the equalizer in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over New England College in the Blazers' 2011 season-opener. Coleman's score came with 23:48 remaining in the contest and set the stage for Elms' impressive comeback win
I am going to get my Elm's College T-shirt today because my son has a game tommorow at 12 o'clock. He got accepted to Our Lady of the Elms College and is about to embark on a new chapter of his life.
He was home schooled all of his life and has played soccer ever since I can remember. DH coached him in the younger years and later he played town REC sports and then Suburban traveling team. His high school years he continued to home school and played soccer forthe local high school on Jr. Varsity and Varsity. He ended up winning Western MA All Star and was recruited by Coach Streeter at Elms. His new team is The Blazers.
Climbing to New Heights in 2011September 1, 2011In 2011, the Elms College men’s soccer team will field a squad that boasts nine returners and nine newcomers who will provide a tremendous balance of experience and athleticism as the Blazers look to climb to |
Over the years there has been many times I have questioned my vocation to home school and have felt inadequate to do so. I would say a prayer with the kids to entrust their vocation to St. Joseph. I needed peace of mind to know it was in God's hands.
At the Western MA All Star game, Joseph played on a soccer field with a statue of Our Lady of Grace looking over it. This was a sign to me that she was taking care of things.
| No. | Name | Yr. | Pos. | Hometown | Previous School |
| 1 | Ryan Sullivan | Sr. | G | Agawam, MA | St. Mary's Westfield |
| 2 | Thomas Rivers | Fr. | D | Hope Mills, NC | South View Senior |
| 3 | Tavish Leland | Jr. | M | Bridgton, ME | Lake Region |
| 4 | Conor Rieker | Fr. | D | Agawam, MA | Agawam |
| 5 | Joseph Coleman | Fr. | F | Easthampton, MA | Home School |
| 6 | Anthony Nitri | Fr. | F | Feeding Hills, MA | Agawam |
| 8 | Adam Schnopp | Sr. | M | Pittsfield, MA | Pittsfield |
| 9 | Joelle Reyes | Fr. | F | Lynn, MA | Lynn Classical |
| 10 | Ziggy Jonathan | So. | F | Springfield, MA | Science and Technology |
| 11 | Robert Watson | So. | F | Enfield, CT | Enfield |
| 12 | Adam O'Grady | So. | M | Somers, CT | Somers |
| 13 | Michael Peloquin | Jr. | G | Chicopee, MA | Chicopee Comprehensive |
| 14 | Josh DiNoto | Fr. | M | Branford, CT | Branford |
| 15 | Alex Rodriguez | So. | M | Fitchburg, MA | Montachusett Regional Vocational School / Mountain State University |
| 16 | Ahmed Kafel | Fr. | D | Foxborough, MA | Foxborough |
| 17 | Brendan Reed | So. | D | East Longmeadow, MA | East Longmeadow |
| 19 | Jonathan Coyne | Sr. | M | East Longmeadow, MA | East Longmeadow |
| 22 | Leonardo Barrios | Fr. | D | Lynn, MA |
Lynn English
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Tommorrow I will be attending my first game and I can't wait to see him do his thing!
Trust in the Lord, give everything to Him and He will see things through!
G0 BLAZERS!!
I haven't really volunteered over the years to help out with fund raising or anything else for that matter when it comes to the kids sports. Getting them to the practices and games was about all I could handle. Recently, at one of the games, I was talking to another mom and I got the job of sewing 100 bean bags for a bean bag toss which will help our team to raise some money.
The bean bags will be sold for $1 each and tossed into the middle of the gym at half time. Whoever comes the closest to the middle will get half of the cash from the sale. My mother, thank Heaven, helped me with the task. We had a great time cutting, numbering, sewing and chatting. It took us about three times getting together to complete the job but we got it done.
I enjoy doing projects with my mom, we are like best friends but lately with her running the Pregnancy Care Center, Bethlehem House and me trying to manage a family and home we don't get to do as much as we would like too.
It was bitter sweet when we finished but I'm sure we will have another mission sooner than we think. For now, we can retire our title as the Bean Bag Brigade and get ready for Thanksgiving.
Our son is playing on a summer soccer league this year. It a good opportunity to kick offmy shoes and sit back and relax. We usually spread out a blanket, nibble on a few snacks and enjoy the game.
Baby Eliana even gets in on the fun clapping and shouting, "Go, Go!"
After work, Joe went to his game and gave it his all.
After the game was over big brothers helped lil' sis walk to the van. Doesn't this just warm your heart? I just love these great family moments.
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