Go home with a headache

From my daughter's volleyball team, and of course she wins the rest of her matches.

This always happens. We call it the mom curse. If I'm there, she loses, if not, she wins.

Especially true, it seemed, when she was on the basketball team. I used to just go outside and look in through the stadium doors. That way my bad karma wouldn't affect the team.

Mom, come to the ball game

I thought about this and at first decided no, and Gary didn't seem to care.

But after a glare from my daughter, I gave up my me time and decided to go along and watch Auburn Boys b-ball beat KEntlake.

During the game, gary kept shouting at the ref. - about his calls, all unfair when against the Trojans. Some I agreed with, but some I just shook my head.

After the game, I told Jennifer she could accompany my loving hubby to the game next time and listen to it.

"Why do you think I want you to come?" says she sweetly.

She got on the jv volleyball team

Yeah. I was hoping she would.

Of course, as she explains it, it sounds like they will call her in for a specific spot (digging in the back) and then she's out again.

Oh well, if she's happy, I'm happy. Although I still wish she'd take up soccer instead of v-ball, given her 5.2 height. With soccer, there would be no question she'd be on varsity. But she's just not going that route. Even her dad as given up with the argument.

Is it a tall person's world?

"Mom, I'm short.l Why can't a I be tall like you?"

Those were the words coming out of Jennifer, between sobs, as we lay on my bed earlier this week at about 10 pm. I was just going to sleep, when Jennifer came in, stated she wanted to talk, and laid on top on me, to make sure I was awake.

Alright, already, I'm awake. They had just had the last day of tryouts for the volleyball team, and no , she wasn't going to get on the varsity or jv team - as some of her taller classmates had - but she did have hopes for the "c" team, which are usually all freshman. But what if she didn't get on that team? What if she got on the lame fourth team, which are the players that would otherwise be cut? What if she was too short to get on any team?

You get the gist of the conversation.

I really didn't know what to tell her. Gary and I had both encouraged her to go try out for soccer, where speed matters (which she has) and not volleyball where they usually favor the tall kids. Oh and she's trying out for basketball instead of swimming this winter, and not softball in the spring.

In middle school, tallness really didn't matter, since the kids where all over the place in their growth spurts. But now, in high school, and a large high school at that, it does matter, and the coaches for both the v-ball and b-ball teams will be looking for the tall ones.

Jennifer, tho she has a killer serve, is 5 foot 2 inches, and probably will be that for the rest of her life (I'm 5.8 or 5.9).So, what to tell her.

I think I came out with something like "we'll be proud no matter what team you're on" or something my sleep fogged brain could tape together. But I'm not sure it helped. And I'm not sure these conversations are going to get any easier.

I just hope she gives soccer a try next year.

Back from b-ball camp

And sitting on hard bleachers up in Anacortes for hours on end.

However, in the end, a good time was had by all. When I first walked up to Jennifer -after not seeing her for a week - she put a finger up and shot me a glare that said "don't you dare hug me," and then she asked for $$ and if we'd brought any food. Sigh. Still the walking ATM and snack bar - although she was affectionate later, once her friends were out of sight.

Gary and I were the only parents from the JV team up there Friday night, which was odd, until the coach explained. Many parents for V and JV use this as a vacation from said kids. But more and more parents showed up as the weekend wore on, and we traded stories about our kids, Cascade Middle School and what's ahead at Auburn Senior High.

Gary even got to tell some parents on a select Canadian team to shut up, after they got after their kids and the opposing team. And wouldn't you know it, they did shut up and were suddenly his best friend for the rest of the tournament. Odd. Eh?

High School, the final choice

It looks as if J is going to Auburn Senior High School. She's registered (and they didn't lose it, not once) and she's waivered and in the honors program.

It came down to where the majority of her friends were going AND (before you start pelting me with snarky comments about being the adult) checking out the honors program. You must understand she's in a school that is now a bit in the hood, and has great honors program. And she's thrived, and found a good set of friends that we'd hope she'd group up with three years ago when Thomas Academy closed, and scattered her friends (then) to the four winds.

So there it is. I do plan to at least talk to her biology and math teacher, and maybe lit, and check out how enthusiastic they are about their jobs. But for now, the decision's been made, and she's signing up for the sports teams as we speak.

Frustration on the Court

Arrived at J. b-ball game yesterday, and I'm wondering if I'm a jinx.

The scores were fairly close, and then the girls seemed to lose steam, and ended up losing by 15 points. Happened last time I picked her up at a game as well. When Gary picks her up, the team wins. I'm about ready to assign this duty to him.

However, not only was J. discouraged about losing, but the fact she got to play very little, and that the coach threw a gatoraide at the bleachers during the game. He said later he wasn't angry at the team, but come on, middle school girls can't process that. Most grown women I know can't process that. They think you missed and hit the bleachers instead.

So what to do. I know the principal was at some of the game watching, but I don't know if he saw this outburst.

Mom, I may not make the cut

In eight grade, it isn't "you show up, you play" anymore. To get the kids used to high school, eighth grade teams are done by the show up, play before the coaches and cut or pick method.

So it begins. She'll be trying out formally for the basketball team on Monday, and I'm worried that if she doesn't make it, what will I say.

Better have the hankies ready.