Golf Camp

Osten got his first taste of golf this week in a camp in our neighborhood.  The week ended with a 9-hole tournament.  Here's a family shot on his last hole of the Palmetto course.  Osten spent hours at the driving range this week after camp and thanked us numerous times for a fun week at camp.  After giving it some thought, he's decided to trade in his soccer cleats for golf clubs.  We're excited for him to try something new! 

More Soccer

This soccer season got off to a bit of a rough start with the boys being outscored and often outplayed.  But they still managed to have a good time playing the game--which is really all that matters anyway--and they were finally had the game of their season two weeks ago.  It was a wet, gloomy day.  But those boys played their hearts out, and each one of them scored at least one goal.  Osten even made an impressive corner kick.  It was a game to remember for sure!  And win or lose, I hope Osten will continue to love the game.

 Celebrating with two of his classmates after their big 10-0 win!

Soccer

Osten is having another fun and exciting soccer season.  He still loves to play, and we enjoy watching him.

It's been a big deal this year to have his own Powerade at the games.

They work up quite a thrist on the field!

Team huddle with the coach - who coincidentally also coached Osten's tball team!

Field Trip

Osten had his last 1st-grade field trip yesterday - a dophin cruise.  Here's a picture that his teacher sent me.  (Osten, Carson, Wilkes)

Swim Team Banquet

After much anticipation, Osten received a trophy, a medal, some more ribbons and a certificate from Head Coach Jennifer and Assistant Coach Jamie.

He was pretty excited to have another trophy to add to his collection, and this one has his name on it!

Way to go, Osten!

This photo pretty much sums up his feelings about his first season on swim team.  What a classic shot!  We couldn't be more proud of him, and we look forward to many more years on swim team (for him and Marci, too)! 

More City Meet

Getting ready for the 25M backstroke.

Go, Osten!

Leave it to Marci.  She got the skinny on the free sunglasses and scored a pair for her and her brother!

Marci and the girls!

City Meet

Our first City Meet was quite an experience!  Osten did a great job and had lots of fun.  Here he is warming up in the big pool at the Aquatic Center.

One of his buddies from school, Harry, also swam in the meet.

Osten (and Marci) were so excited that I brought one of their all-time favorites (Pizza Lunchables) as a special treat to enjoy between races.  It has become our tradition to eat them on big swim team days. 

Proud, proud Mama!!

More Swim Team Fun

Osten seemed to enjoy watching his teammates race and cheer them on almost as much as he enjoyed racing himself.

And Marci didn't let her season-ending injury hamper her fun!

And it was always fun watching Skylar swim and hang out with her between races.

Osten and the fellas! 

Freestyle

Here's Osten getting ready to race his favorite stroke, freestyle.

Swimmers take your mark, get set . . .

B-E-E-P!!

Great race, Osten! 

Swim Team

One of the best suprises of the summer was Osten's first experience on swim team. He absolutely loved it, and the first year was a huge success! Of course, part of that was hard work and part of it was beginner's luck. And being at the top of his age bracket was a big help, too. He'll be back at the bottom of the heap next year, and we are grateful to have all of the successes of his first season to remind him to continue to work hard and have fun.

Here he is getting ready to swim the backstroke.



Go, Osten, go!

Taking a water break between races.  Cute!! 

Goggles (Optional)

A friend just sent me this picture of Osten from one of this year's swim meets.  How in the world his goggles ended up around his mouth on the backstroke, we'll probably never know!  I do know that it wasn't his sister's doing.  In any event, he still swam his little heart out.  It was a great season, and we are so thrilled that he enjoyed it so much.

Swim Team 2012

A friend was able to snag this shot from the group photo session the other night.  Osten is on the front row, near the middle, with his black goggles on his swim cap.  What a great-looking team!

First Dual Swim Meet

Osten had his first dual swim meet last night, and he did great!  He swam the 25-yd freestyle and backstroke.  And we learned today at practice that he received two ribbons!

He got 3rd place (35.20) in the Boys U6 25-yd freestyle and 4th place (48.56) in the Boys U6 25-yd backstroke.  Way to go, Osten!

In Other News . . .

Thankfully, we've been able to find a new and more fun use for the kitchen chalkboard.  It's gone from a disciplinary tool to a tracking device for one of Osten's favorite past times.  A month or two ago, Osten started trying to punt a light ball over the house.  Most days after school, he heads outside and will kick and kick and kick the ball some more to see if he can clear the roof.  We finally told him that if he kept at it, he might be able to get the ball over the roof by the end of summer.  Lo and behold, last week he came running in the house to announce that one of his kicks had sent the ball into the backyard.  (Of course, he's also found the low spot on our roof!)  Well, all it took was that one little success, and he's been punting his heart out with a renewed determination.  Just last week, he was so thrilled with the results of his efforts that I thought his accomplishment warranted a little recognition.  So we now have a fun use for the kitchen chalkboard.  And, as Osten aptly noted, we can always write down Marci's name on a piece of paper . . .   

Face Paint

Ever since he was little, Osten has loved to have his face painted.  And the more paint, the better!  After the recent fun run at our church, one of the teenagers painted his face.  And I think it was his favorite one yet!  I love the fake teeth she painted on his bottom lip.  He kept looking at himself in the mirror and couldn't wait to scare Daddy when we got home.