Ethan and Ehlana:
Happy 17th Birthday, Will Carter!
The top news of the day for us is the start of football and cheer squad tryouts; and it feels very different to be doing that this year instead of watching on as we did last year for Naomi and Aaron. We wouldn’t normally be involved in Will’s birthday adventures – even with him being Caroline’s big brother, but since he’s trying out for the football team and likely to be our quarterback; we were included in some of his birthday fun. While we haven’t spent much time with Will before now beyond contact we’ve had through Caroline, we like Will; and he is one of the team leaders as one of the best players and a senior. Since we’re on this part of our story, I can report that Aiden, Aaron, and I did well today and impressed Coach Robinson. Sure, Aaron made the team last year and is sure to do that again this season, but Mr. Robinson is happy with Aiden and me too; and is already comparing us to Michael and Tim. We love that, but the comparison is also accurate; since Aiden and I want to play the same way as they did – as wide receivers. We aren’t the only guys in our class trying out for the team, but Miles and Joshua were the only other two guys to earn positive attention from Coach Robinson; while our other friends aren’t doing very well compared to the older teens.
While we had a good day; so did Ehlana, Naomi, and Sophia with their cheer squad tryouts. Naomi will keep her spot on the team – along with Samantha Norton; and they’re sure that Ehlana and Sophia were the best of the Grade Nine girls. They’ll only be on the squad for football; so at least two of the other girls will be able to try out for the squad that works the basketball courts and season. Taylor Robinson is the cheer squad captain this year, and while the official choices won’t be made until Wednesday; Ehlana is sure that Taylor is impressed with her – and with Sophia; and Naomi’s vote will count for a lot too.
The actual training today wasn’t a surprise; we worked hard; and Aiden and I do have talent for catching footballs and gaining yards after the catches. Being shorter than the older guys makes that a bit of a challenge, but in some ways; that’s more-true for the quarterback candidates that need to make the throws to us while dealing with taller defenders. Aiden is two inches shorter than my still-short five-foot-eight, and I am a bit faster because of that difference, but we’re both among the fastest for quick direction changes; and have great vertical leap abilities. Timing for both is important too; and our math skills come in very handy – even if most of the guys would just laugh at that idea and truth.
Other than Tai Chi by the river and a hot breakfast, football or cheer squad workouts cover most of the ‘what’ we’ve done to this point in our day. Ehlana and I are home now, but only long-enough to get cleaned up and changed and packed for our overnight plans with Cassie and Michael. We’re getting the first chance for a sleepover with them – and with Naomi, Aiden, Sophia, and Aaron. Cassie and Michael are going to be busy every night this week with cousins, nieces, and nephews ahead of the holiday weekend; so we’re glad to get the time with them tonight. Yes, we were at the Inn for the late buffet with them, and they – and Grandma and Grandpa – came home with us to visit for another few hours, but we had to share them too; so we are going to enjoy the longer visit with them tonight.
Those stories can wait for our next report, though we should add that we had fun last night – including with the co-ed cuddling and nap time with Naomi and Aiden that we enjoyed after Cassie and Michael eventually went home after their visit with us – and about an hour after grandma and grandpa moved on to their home for the night. We really are glad to have them home again – even if we won’t have much time to spend with them before we start school next week.
We should offer a world and political news report today, but the circus is still rolling along without any serious changes that would actually help the people directly involved in any of the current conflicts that need to be stopped. That’s especially true in the Middle East and Ukraine; the killing and destruction continues with no end in sight that isn’t bad or worse; and we’re not going to let all of the bad put a damper on the love and joy we have here at home. Instead of going on about the world politicians most-responsible for all of the awful problems, we’re going to wrap this up; finish getting ready to go; and then head over to Cassie and Michael’s for the rest of the day.
Until next time, live with love, fellow Magi of the Light!
