Balance

Not the kind of balance needed to hit a good golf shot or excel at gymnastics but the kind that helps you live a productive life. Both boys do that well by doing by getting good grades, playing an instrument, participating in all types of sports and being generally a nice people. Sam got recognized by the faculty for being the most balanced person in eight grade this year. I'm sure Dylan was right up there as well.

Here's the official definition of the award.

Sam embodied the International Baccalaureate characteristic of "Balance." The IB Learners profile states, "they understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others."

Skol Vikings!

We had it all this season. Three proficient passers, a great running game, a long game no one could match and a stingy defense that scored almost as many points as the offense. This was likely my last coaching gig and I couldn't be happier I ended it on top with these gentlemen.

Heisman

Dylan was our biggest threat on the ground. His speed and cutting ability made it tough for the defense. He also has an extra gear when he gets outside and scored an important running TD in the championship game. He also caught a lot of passes and was our third QB. No team could get anywhere on his side when he played cornerback and he had the most sacks on the team with a half dozen safeties, including a huge safety and final drive stopping sack in the championship game.

Anchor

Sam played safety on just about every down this Spring. It's the furthest back position and has the job of recognizing the play getting to the ball quickly. Not many teams got the ball over him during the season and he picked off around a dozen passes. He also played a all of offensive positions and was our second QB. He threw, ran and caught many TD's.

Another Championship

The boys brought me another NVFFL championship on Saturday. The played two great games, beating the Bears 34-14 and the Saints 20-16. The saints game was a tight one with some great defense on both teams. We beat them in the Fall when they were undefeated and have been gunning for us ever since. They didn't beat us in four try's this season and they were pretty bitter. Oh well, we are done with flag now so the league is all theirs going forward.

Night Out

I went out with Thom and Donkey on Wednesday. Good times catching up on a very nice night in DC. I don't do happy hour that much anymore.

The Ref

Sam filled in for a missing referee for a game on Saturday. He said he only got a couple comments from coaches but handled them well. He may do this as a job this Fall.

Jenna

They were both looking good before the dance.

8th Grade Dance

Dylan went with Jenna. Sam went with his brah's. they looked good in their new suits.

Pops Concert

The final middle school concert takes place on the back parking lot of the school. Band, Orchestra and Chorus all belt out a few tunes to cap off the year. Orchestra did a Led Zeppelin tune and the band covered a Queen song among other hits. We picked up their new suits afterwards in preparation for the 8th grade dance.

Head Start

The boys have been busy the past couple weeks and it's going to continue all summer long. They have begun attending spring football training at their future high school and have officially been selected to the JV summer basketball team. It's basically means they will have one or two practices and/or games every day of the week for the foreseeable future.

Here they are learning how to be linebackers. It's a likely position for them if they learn to hit, which comes later.

Runnng Wild

The boys had a great game this morning in a 35-21 win over the Falcons. The win give us a first place seed in the playoffs in a couple weeks. Sam picked three passes and pulled off an impressive one handed catch the end zone to seal the game late. Dylan had a TD and a safety that turned the tide on a close game. He really had two safeties in a row but the first one was spotted on the half yard line, incorrectly in my view but he went right back at the QB and got him again. That safety gave us a 1 point lead and the ball. It also gave us the ball and momentum which we used to roll up the Falcons.

Butterflies

The boys were invited to work out with the High School JV team tonight. They were a little intimidated at first but seemed to do quite well. The coach gave them a taste of what high school practice will look like with a ton of running. The are doing a track workout with them tomorrow. Games next week.

Tailor

We didn't do much this weekend but did manage to spend a fortune on suits for the boys. They look good in them and I'm hoping they last a few years. Besides all the consuming, it was a very quiet weekend with some extra sleep and good workouts for everyone.

Pyramid Concert Night

Middle school and high school together. They sound brilliant.

Boxed Out

Dylan doing a great job keeping the defender out of the play. The Mean Green Machine lost 4-3 after leading late in the game. Dylan had a really good game.

Another Win

The little (big) Vikings won another close one today. We had to think hard about the best way to beat the Bears 28-20.

Striker

Dylan played up front in the soccer game today. They ended up losing 3-1 but Dylan had a couple nice shots on goal but no pay day.

Great Show

Go see this before Ben Platt leaves the show in November. You will thank yourself later. I would see it again but I only see three or four shows a year so maybe Groundhog Day or Hello Dolly instead.

All Star

Sam was chosen for the Raising Freshman All Star team. The game was Wednesday and fun to watch. It was pretty wide open basketball for the fun of it. Sam played well. I think dylan is an all star too but only two were chosen from the Twain team. Sammy looks thrilled in this picture.

One World Trade Center

Calatrava

This is the Santiago Calatrava World Trade Center transportation hub. It replace the Path station and subway terminal that used to be under twin towers. It took 12 years to build but it is pretty impressive. Not as cool as the Milwaukee Art Museum and it's moving wings. We visited this and the 911 Memorial on Saturday.

New York Weekend

(see full post)

Sent from my iPad

Before Avenue Q

Darth Conductor

Mr. Helm conducted the bands rendition of Star Wars at tonight's concert with a Vader mask and light saber. Dylan played saxophone brilliantly.

Corner

Dylan's team ended up drawing 1-1 today. Lots of good defense on each side. Good sports day for the boys. They played a great football game, coached a 3rd/4th team and then dylan played a solid soccer game. All in the rain.

A Soaker

The boys played a near perfect game against the Falcons this morning in a driving rain. The final was 36-14. Dylan ran for three touchdowns and Sam threw for a TD and anchored the defense that didn't allow a score until late in the game when we started slacking off a bit. Dylan has a soccer game at 6 so a fire was necessary to dry his shoes. That and I wanted one last blaze before summer.

Entering

The boys won a tight game against a close school rival West Potomac. Their future high school coach was on the bench with them which made it even more intense. One more game on Wednesday, then payoffs next week.

Coaching Debut

The boys got a chance to coach a third and fourth grade flag football team today and loved it. Dylan, Sam and Mick did a fantastic job teaching the team some plays, managing the clock and making sure everyone got to play. They almost won too, bringing the team back for a 6-20 deficit and tying up it up with a minute left to place but losing on a long touchdown run. I was proud of how they handled the team and made sure the kids had fun. They may try to get their own team this fall.

Stockholm

End Zone Bound

Wet and nasty day. Perfect football weather.

Vikings 1-0

Both boys scored in a relatively comfortable win against the Saints. It was a re-match of last years final that the Viking won. We we lead the whole game but got a little sloppy at the end to win 26-19. The Vikings will be competitive again this year. Lots of talent on the team.

Missing Vacation

Busy week after a great vacation. I miss hanging out with these two all day. Nicole and Mom too.

City Hall Selfie

Had a nice tour of Stockholm city hall, the place where the Nobel Dinner is held every December. Walked across the bridge to Gamla Stan to see the national cathedral and do a little shopping. Back at the apartment for lunch then another trip out to see stuff in a bit. We are keeping busy.

Streets of Gamla Stan

Vasa

The vasa museum was fun this morning. We explored that part of town after that then all took naps. Dylan found us a great Austrian restaurant in a remote corner of one of the islands that comprise Stockholm. Best schnitzel and goulash sine Vienna a couple years ago.

Gamla Stan

Triplets

We found the boys long lost brother while walking around Gamla Stan after our visit to the Palace and Nobel museum.

The Palace

This is where the current Danish Royalty live.

Blossoms

Copenhagen is a few weeks behind DC in the cherry blossom blooming business.

Ice Cream

We can get them to walk miles for ice cream. We got a couple more miles in this afternoon after a short rest from this mornings activities. Here we are in Nyhavn.

Top of the Rotunda

The oldest functioning observatory in Europe.

Good Night

Tivoli at night is very pretty.

Reverse Landmine

Fun night at Tivoli.

Christianborg Palace

We all slept about 10 hours before getting up and exploring more of Copenhagen. Breakfast, Christianborg Palace, the Danish Jewish museum and some shopping. Recharging now before heading to Tivoli.

Good Night

Had a nice day getting to know the town a little, rested and went back out for dinner at Gorms pizza. Very good dinner and a nice walk back to the apartment. Time for 9 hours of sleep and a bunch of sightseeing tomorrow.

Apartment

We are on the top floor or of this building. That window with the pull above it is one of the bedrooms. It's a nice place, from nay but nice.

Not Taking a Nap

Powering through the jet lag and learning a little about Copenhagen.

We're Off

A little snack and pre-flight music in the United Lounge. I plan to post a lot the next week or so.

Guarding a friend

The boys lost to their Hayfield high school friends and rivals tonight by 1. It was a hard fought game with a big crowd from both schools. This is Dylan guarding his buddy Bryson down low.