provincials

this past weekend Jeff, Hannah and Adam trekked up to Sudbury with the Bluewater Wrestling Club for the Provincial Wrestling Championships. 

 i hated not being there, although i didn't miss the weather they drove through and into!  one of the things that is hardest for me with being a larger family is when part of our crew needs to stay behind because of other commitments.  i understand it, i just don't like that part....i'm a die hard wrestling fan.  i love watching my kids on the mat.  

i love the whole experience~ just being there together with them, and it is tough when i can't attend.  maybe this sounds like i'm whining, i'm really not.  the six of us who stayed behind had a nice weekend too.  we rented a few movies, had some take-out, enjoyed a snugly baby, and made some yummy Superbowl treats as well.  it was all fine...as a side note, it always amazes me how untouched our bed appears on the mornings when i crawl out of it alone.  when it's just me, i settle in the very middle with a comfy pillow on each side of me, and i think i literally "cocoon" with very little movement the entire night.  barely need to straighten a thing when i wake, just a light pull up of the blankets and away i go!  plus, the freshly washed sheets are extra delightful (is it odd that i enjoy clean fresh sheets as much as i do??) so sleeping was not a problem at all this weekend.  and that's important because the waking hours were busy, as usual.  as the days progressed, however, it was so nice to receive updates from Jeff on how my wrestlers were doing.  he knows how much i hate to miss a tournament, so he's really great at sending me pictures and results as they occur.  of course, i have to share a few to capture these years forever.  cuz wow, they are whizzing by at breakneck speed....

above, Hannah in blue that match.  she finished second to the girl in red, taking home silver.  her dad said she wrestled smart and strong.

below, Adam in red, winning that match to secure bronze for the weekend. 

nice weekend.  proud dad and coach, right there.  livin' the dream, he'd say....

and a tournament is never complete without the element of adventure with teammates.  half the fun is sharing a hotel room with buddies, staying up late, eating out, and lots of shenanigans in between, which i'm sure i only know the half of....Adam and two friends were apparently hilarious on these diving platforms.  all three are pretty fearless on a wrestling mat, but introduce heights and it's a bit of a different story! :)  Adam got as high as third from the top, while they watched a tiny grade-eight girl effortlessly launch off the top board.  great for their grade-nine egos! haha...good times and memories.  there he is, a white speck with black shorts he'd borrowed (hadn't brought a suit because there wasn't a hotel pool), just before hitting the water and while the shorts were still fully on his little backside.  haha...

 beyond grateful for the physical health and wellness of my crew.  such a gift to engage in life through sport with able bodies and strong minds.  so thankful for opportunities such as these!