Connor's Home!!

 We were all happy to hear that Connor would be staying with us this summer again.   Ramsey was even more excited than we'd anticipated.  

Here's Ramsey literally waiting for Connor to pull in the driveway.

Aaaand, he's back! 

First Spring Soccer Game

Another soccer season has commenced!   The boys have YOUNG coaches this year.  Due to lack of adult volunteer coaches, two awesome soccer-loving 5th Graders offered to lead Ramsey's spring team; Team"Sounders".

Though young, these 5th Graders aren't messing around.  The kids have two practices per week (evenings at 6PM), in addition to two scheduled games per week.

Due to the rain/crummy weather, the first two games were postponed/canceled.  The boys' first game was Monday evening at 7:30PM (a little late for a school night - ugh), but the sun was shining (for once this month!) and the wind was very minimal.  We didn't freeze!   Formal pictures were scheduled before the game, in addition to an impromptu practice.

Ramsey was named one of the two team captains for the first game.  He seemed pleased with this!

This is only Ramsey's second year playing soccer.  Last year, he learned the game and progressed overall.  This evening, I was very pleasantly surprised (nay, shocked) at how he's improved just since Fall Soccer!  (Eric had a long day of traveling, so he remained at home, not feeling well.)

Ramsey was hustling, going after the ball, dribbling, and passing.

He did a great job, too, when he was placed on Defense.  He had a few nice steals!

I was proud of him and he looked like he was having a great time.

He played Goalie position for the second quarter (no pics).  He had one extra amazing save, catching a booted ball in mid air.  It was a crowd-pleaser and Ramsey beamed with excitement.

The boys did lose the game 3-1, which was OK because Ramsey was so happy after the game, he was literally bouncing.   If the kids continue to progress during the rest of the season, the remaining games will be fun to watch.

Obsessed With Sabaton

 Ramsey has a new obsession; Sabaton.   Sabaton is a power metal band from Sweden that combines heavy metal with Celtic folk, Norse chant, metal, orchestra/symphony, large choir, plus some hints of church hymns.   Their songs are written about historical war events and people; large battles, rages during wars, and significant warriors/heroes.  Their music is... well... awesome!  (Eric and I are even going to one of their concerts in October.)

With this new great love of Sabaton comes LEARNING, understanding, and inquisition about the great wars, historical events, and brave and powerful humans who fought with tremendous passion.   It also provokes more creative play time with his soldier guns, swords, shields, camouflage clothing, eyepatches, boxes, army guys, etc.

"Sword Excalibur"

"Running Through the Battlefields"

 And, with Ramsey's "must know" attitude, it also puts forth his willingness (nay, "need") to learn every word of his favorite songs (which there are a multitude).  For only seeing videos on YouTube and hearing the songs only a handful of times, he's got them memorized.  The lyric videos DO help!

Ramsey's rendition of "82nd All the Way", complete with pauses for guitar riffs, opening beats, etc.  This is a song about Sgt. Alvin York (from Tennessee), one of the most decorated soldiers of WWI, who won the Medal of Honor for his bravery and heroism.

Another of Ramsey's favorite Sabaton songs is "The Unkillable Soldier", which details the war career of Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart.   This steadfast man was shot multiple times (face, head, stomach, ankle, leg, hip, ear), lost his left eye, survived two plane crashes, tunneled out of a POW camp, and tore off some of his own fingers when a doctor declined to amputate them. 

This is Ramsey dressed up as Sir Adrian.  Notice he's got his hand missing in the picture below.  🤣  This kid!

One more video of Ramsey singing a Sabaton song, "Attack of the Dead Men", which dictates the fight during WWI between the Germans and Russians at Osoweic Fortress, whereas the Germans were attacking with might (and chlorine gas to boot).  The Russians, wearing gas masks, kept pushing forward and prevailed, despite the Germans' best efforts. 

Eric couldn't find his gas mask for Ramsey to play with, so Ramsey improvised.  I'm not sure how he came up with toilet paper for an alternate solution.  😂

I love that Ramsey is so eager to learn through the songs, videos, and play.  I also love that Ramsey will jam out in the car with me, to metal music.   Eric is happy that Ramsey will finally sit down and watch war documentaries with him! 

#Sabaton #SabatonRules!

Spring Concert '22

 Spring Concert Day at school... a day Ramsey has been anticipating for months!  He's been quite excited.  And, his classmates (and Music Teacher Mr. Wilson) have been working so diligently.

We got Ramsey's picture the morning of the show, of course.

There were two live-streamed performances for family members who couldn't join.  Just because I was curious, I logged on for the morning show.   

I also attended the afternoon show (Eric had a business meeting, but watched the morning show).  

I made sure to get a good spot in the crowd.  😊

The second graders performed three songs.  I recorded two, but SHOULD HAVE recorded the song called "Hope".  It was so sweet, it brought tears to my eyes!

They also performed a song called "Easy Does It" (see video).

The last song was entitled "Ollie's Song".  The kids were so cute, doing their little actions!

Jack O'Ramsey

 Jack O'Ramsey?  Or, perhaps Ramsey O'Lantern?  Either way, this kid's mouth is looking sillier by the day!  He came home from school with one of his front teeth in his pocket (wrapped in a Kleenex).  

The other one front tooth loose too, but Ramsey won't let us wiggle his teeth much.  He hates losing teeth!  He wants to stay a kid forever.  I hear ya pal, I hear ya.  😉

Hero

 I don't often feel like a "hero" (in fact... never really!).   When I opened up Ramsey's school folder yesterday and found this sheet, tears filled my eyes.  

Then, the final version came through on Ramsey's SeeSaw app from school, with a video of Ramsey reading it.   Awww!

Ramsey, you're my hero too.  😊😍😘🥰

Pelican Lake

 There's actually a lake not too far away that's named "Lake Pelican".  The last few days, it's as if our lake is posing for that namesake.

NEVER have we EVER had so many water birds hanging around.  There are pelicans, egrets, and gulls, all hovering, swimming, and getting their fill of fish.   It's quite magnificent really.  And, also a bit loud.  😊

By the time I took pictures, many of the birds had gone farther north.  It was still quite a sight!