PACER Test

I was finally in the gym a couple of weeks ago for Rylan's 3rd grade performance and got to the posters with the PACER test results from the fall.  All the kids in 3rd-5th grade participate in this in the fall and spring during PE.

Here's a description of what the PACER test is:

The objective of the PACER is to run as long as possible while keeping a specified pace. Students run back and forth across a 20-meter space at a pace that gets faster each minute. A point is scored for each 20-meter distance covered. The test is easier in the beginning but progressively gets more
difficult.

Here are the posters for 3rd and 5th grades.  Notice who is second in each grade level!

Swish - Basketball Champions

Carter and Rylan were on the same basketball team this season (every other year they are in the same age bracket).  They played with Brentwood Ball Club (they also play baseball through this organization) in the 9-10 year old division.  They picked the name "Swish" as their team name.  Brian was the head coach with Jeff (Carter's baseball coach) assisting.  Brian was able to get our two boys, Jeff's twins, and some kids we know through baseball.  And the two unknowns that he drafted turned out to be great kids too.

The team was 8-0 during the regular season.  There were many close games but the boys somehow won them all.  They finished second overall in the regular season as there was another undefeated team they never played who had a greater point differential.

This week was the in-house tournament for the league.  Swish got a first round bye and then played the #7 team on Thursday.  They won by 5 but it was only in the last couple of minutes they led by that much (final score: 20-15).

This morning they played the #6 team in the semi-finals.  It was another tight game that went back and forth at the end with Swish winning by one (final score: 25-24).  Then Swish played in the final an hour later against the #1 team.  The game went into double overtime with Swish pulling out the win (final score: 24-22).  And Carter scored the winning basket!

Now the boys advance to the county tournament that begins on Monday.  There are ten leagues in the county, and Swish is the #5 seed and gets a first round bye (I have no idea how the seed the leagues).

We are so proud of this team!  Every single person contributed.  Everyone scored during the season.  Everyone rebounded, had steals, etc.  I think this is the first time the boys have been on a team like that.

The coaches came up with superlatives for each player and handed out certificates after the game (along with trophies!).

Back Row (L to R): Coach Brian, Carter (Team Captain), Jack Henry (Mr. Rebound), Woods (Best in the Paint), Collins (MVP), Coach Jeff

Front Row (L to R): Jackson (Mr. Clutch), Christopher (Black & Blue Award), Rylan (In It to Win It), Dash (Rookie of the Year), Luke (Mr. Hustle)

Go Swish!!!

Charlotte

Our sweet Charlotte passed away a couple weeks ago on February 7th.  Unfortunately we were in Florida at the time and she was being kenneled at our vet's office.  While I feel horrible that we weren't there to be with her at the end, at least she was with very compassionate and loving employees at our small vet office and wasn't alone.

I'll try to write a summary of her last few years soon.  Right now we are still getting used to not having her around (including not tripping on her and constantly vacuuming dog hair :) ).