Julia upgrades bike

Julia's 20" bike looked like it was ideal for a 6 year-old. So, we dusted off a bike from the shed, pumped up the tires, and headed out for a test ride. Julia stood on the scale holding both bicycles. Even though the new one was a 24" with a much bigger frame, it was 3 pounds lighter (27 lbs).

We needed some re-hydration 8 miles into the ride! Julia's is on the 'new to her' bike.

This cop was going to pull me over for speeding ... if he could catch me!

Route we followed, pace was 'relaxed'

Map key:

1. Metro stop. Recharged two metro cards for RJ's field trip with Sara as chaperone.
2. 7-Eleven. Critical stop.
3. Doug tries to outrun the Fairfax County cop.

Takeaways:

• Julia is a much better biker on a properly sized and lighter bike.
• Biking 11.2 miles with a flu was not a good idea for Doug. 

Selects - first tourney

RJ's "Selects" team played in an 8-team tournament over the weekend. The first 2 games were blowouts: 12-2 and 8-0. The third game ended in a 2-2 tie which means they qualified for one of the semi-final games. The semi-final game was tied after OT so it came down to a shootout ... and they won ... and RJ got a shootout goal.

Team Picture prior to Game 1 (7am in Ashburn, VA)       

During 4 hockey games Julia met some siblings, drew some pics, and played card games

Video of RJ scoring a goal during semi-final shootout.

Final game, 2-0.

Lined up for the final game

After the final game victory

RJ at 5:00pm in Leesburg on Monday ... it's going to be a long, short week

One incident ... in the first game a rather obvious boarding call would have led to a lot of fights if RJ's coach didn't convince the ref to give the King's jerk player a game misconduct. Even RJ was ready to jump into the fray.

The Plague

Oct 19, 2024 - Nov 12, 2024. The month that will live in infamy.

A fever that refused to be cured by antibiotics and refused to be diagnosed by any blood or urine test made the month a tired one for Doug.

A visit to the ER led to a short (and not productive) stay in the hospital

Max Daily Temperature

Sara made the infectious disease Dr. test for Eptein-Barr virus.

This doesn't look good!

ESPN Scam

We gave up on politics and the local news, so we watch ESPN (Extra Stupid Promotional Network) most mornings. We usually (a) complain about the selection of the top 10, (b) complain vociferously about the number of advertisements, (c) complain that ESPN is a scam. 

Well ... today ESPN proved "c" to be true ...

ESPN is a scam

High School Open Houses

RJ is super interested <sarcasm> in touring potential high schools. To show his enthusiasm for academics he set his only criteria that any school he will consider must have a winning hockey program. 

Doug is making a good impression

Bad Night Sleep

I had the brilliant idea to drive to Lancaster, PA the night before to a meeting so I didn't have to wake up at 4am and drive.

The result ... 

The scene outside the Hampton Inn at 4am

Hallway outside my room

The other bonus was that to control the damage, they turned off the water. So I showed up unshowered and unshaven for my business meetings the next day.

Church Picnic

The St. Luke Church picnic was squeezed between a cross country meet, a hockey game, 2 soccer games, the 7-8th grade parents party, and a sort-of sleepover.

Julia winds up with the 'red' ball (one with the most Velcro). With persistence, she managed a bulls-eye which earned her a piece of candy

RJ is always up for game of laser-tag. He's the bright yellow guy (cross country shirt)

pic

Not pictured ... Doug working the grill for 3 hours in the sun on a super-humid 80+ degree day.