Fun Wrestling Events! & I'm Tired!

 My goal for this year was to create more fun and hype at our dual meets.  WHY did we have to have so many home meets in the same weeks?  It was fun but so tiring!  And so much organization and planning.  

I'm going to have to reevaluate and decide if it was worth my time. But the events were so fun.

This week we did a teacher appreciation event & senior night.

We also had a girls dual on Wednesday, so 3 nights in a row--2 of them huge events at Shorewood.  Also Tuesday was important because if we won, we got into the first ever WA Dual State Tournament.  

Shoreline Area News Article I wrote about the Teacher Night.  

Sarah helped deliver the message to the teachers.  I used AI to help me summarize all the nice things the kids said about their teachers. 

Derek giving intense feedback to Max after a match.  

Ben getting a quick pin. 

We did win, so Saturday (which was going to be a day off) turned into a dual meet.  We sat one of our best kids, who is recovering from an injury, so we went 0-2 at Dual Meet state (we could have won the 2nd match with Lukas, but decided not to risk it as he recovers for next weekend's district meet.) 

I think the teachers really enjoyed the event on Tuesday.  They seemed touched by the invitation, the gift, the t-shirt and recognition.  Sometimes (often, all the time) teaching is pretty thankless.   Also, many stayed for the match, and it was the first match they'd ever seen. So that was really fun too.  I hope they wear their shirts to school and hype up wrestling to their students. 

Wednesday we went to a match at Kamiak, although we wrestled Shorecrest and Mariner. 

It wasn't a great night for us.  Finley had a great match.  Sarah beat the two Shorecrest girls at her weight.  But then Sarah got pinned by the Mariner girl.  Ulyana hurt her knee.  The girls season continues to be a struggle for everyone but Finley.

We did a combo Senior Night on Thursday, boys and girls.   It was super fun--we had the Stormray, the drum line, a balloon arch, and the senior singlets/heads (hilarious).  We had 13 seniors to honor.  So it wasn't a short night.  But we kept it organized.  We only had a couple of girls matches.  Then the boys handed it to Lynnwood.  

Sarah ended up getting pinned--but she did get a takedown first. 

I love creating fun events.  But I gotta pace myself better next year.  Whew.  Thankfully we are on to the post-season now.  Sarah hurt her knee in practice on Friday, so she didn't wrestle yesterday, sadly.  But it seems like just a bruise, so she'll be back for districts.

Ben did well at Dual state.  He made it into the 3rd period with the kid from Hermiston--getting teched while everyone else got pinned.  Then he beat the kid from Snohomish.  We missed both because we were at Lady Hawk for the morning (so no photos).  We got to Edmonds Woodway just in time to see the last two matches that sealed the loss of the 2nd dual.  But then I stayed with Derek and we watched the rest of the tournament.  It's more fun to watch when you have no skin in the game.  Hermiston destroyed everyone.  Also we got to see ALMOST a bench clearing brawl between Edmonds Woodway and Lincoln.  Derek had to go into cop mode and push people back, etc.  It was crazy.  (And some bad officiating.) Just practice this week--and starting to get ready for 5th grade camp.

We also bought plane tickets this week to go to Omaha in March for the Junior College National Championships.  Don't know if Libby will be wrestling, but some other Shorewood Alums will be--so we're going!  Then Ben and I will go to Orlando from Omaha to Brad's wedding.  Going to be a crazy weekend! 

Let's go Ben! 3-0 On the Weekend!

 Ben had a great weekend of wrestling.

He took 2 forfeits for the team, helping us win 2 dual meets.  Then we had 3 more dual meets (we went to a dual tournament--and I got to go since the girls were taking a week off).  He got 3 wins! 

He also finished off his first semester of high school with an ALMOST 4.0.  He did a great job on his health advocacy project.  Super proud of this young man.  His hair is getting curly too!  Love all my curly haired kiddos. 

So I'm 49...

 Crazy!  I feel like I've been ancient and decrepit in many ways since my injury at 37....so I guess I don't really feel older. 

I did allergy testing on my skin this week.  I'm allergic to fragrances.  Lots of them.  But that doesn't really seem to explain my SUPER sensitive skin & eyes.  So trying to eliminate some of my supplements. Sadly one of them REALLY helps with my reflux.  

Anyway, I could go on.  So yeah, this body is aging.

But I'm still getting a lot done! I'm still kicking (you know, low kicks)!  

I was really really thankful for a lighter week of wrestling and 2 days off of school.  (One teacher work day where I got a lot done!). The other day off was my birthday where I tried to get a lot done and was kinda unsuccessful. It was irritating.  But anyway, I'm thankful to be 49--as opposed to the alternative.

I'm ready to get finish this wrestling season strong--so we can start middle school wrestling.  Ha. 

But I feel like I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. (Maybe I already posted this?). But happy birthday! 

The Ups and Downs of Wrestling Season

 This has been a rollercoaster of a season.  Ben's stitches meant that he was out for a couple of weeks.  He got a chin cup headgear and has been back at it, but has taken a bunch of forfeits.  

Since I last blogged we had 2 big girls tournaments, Girls Gut Check and Kelso and a big boys tournament called Gut Check (The boys also had NW Duals, where Ben didn't wrestle due to the stitches).  We also had the Woodinville Girls Wrecking Ball Tournament. (You can see why I haven't had time to blog obviously.) 

Summary.  For Sarah, Gut Check was barfing in a trash can during both her matches and a medical forfeit.  Ugh.  Trying to figure out what's happening here.  We've made two med adjustments.  Kelso was better.  She went 2 and 2--and ALMOST had that 3rd win.  Very happy she made it to day 2. 

Then this week the barfing started again.  She only wrestled one match at our dual on Wed due to barfing (and didn't win).  But she got a good win on Monday (37 second pin) (and took a forfeit.) 

Yesterday in Woodinville, we tried out dramamine and she was able to wrestle--sort of.  She still felt nausea and was slow/tired.  (They only have "less drowsy" dramamine.) I can't even.  So we're working on connecting with her doctor again ASAP and seeing what else we can do.  We are battling opponents on and off the mat! 

For Ben: He went 2 and 2 at Gut Check (super proud of that!), took a forfeit for Edmonds Woodway match and for the Shorecrest match.  He then also won an exhibition against a Shorecrest 113.

We have 3 weeks left until districts.  I am exhausted.  Deeply.  But, also excited to try to wrap this season up strong.  With less vomiting.  Ugh.  

We had a great turnout for the SW v. SC match.  It was a "Blackout" night--where you wear black.  People really got into it!  I've put a lot of energy into making matches fun this year as a way to *hopefully* get more girls to turn out next year.  We'll see. 

Kelso weigh in on day 1. Before we knew that one of these kids was going to fail skin checks.  We haven't successfully had the whole team wrestle at a single event yet. 

Kelso in in a SUPER hot cafeteria. 

This match was SO close.  She almost had it. 

Rhinos at Kelso.  3 of them won championships.  Maybe next year?  Haha.  Look at those huge brackets.  We were super proud of Finley, the first ever SW Kelso champ. 

Ben getting a FF at Edway

Love this pic of Ben pinning the SC kid.  

Winning the SPARTAN CUP! 

Sarah with a Woodinville win! 

I think also at Woodinville

And a bloody nose too! 

Libby also got to take a FF for her team this week, and wrestle in a tough tournament where she went 1-2.  Then she coached her littles at a club tournament today.  

Happy New Year!

 Okay world.  I screwed up the chocolate fountain...again.  For real.  You'd think I would remember not to add cream.  But I forget every time.  Next year I'm just buying the chocolate fountain stuff in a carton.  Over it.  

But we had a fun night at Maren's.  I made homemade pizzas.  I ruined the aforementioned many pounds of chocolate.  We played different games, I enjoyed learning a new game with Alayne and Brett that included bandits on trains.  I was just getting the hang of it when we rang in the new year (it was closer to 10 pm this year...wow we pushed it.) 

 

Here's to 2026...maybe a year with less stress?  Haha. 

Before it went crazy foamy. 

Christmas Eve--had us in stitches

 Literally. But let me start with the amazingly fun games and activities before dinner.  I had a roll the snowman/gingerbread man/gingerbread house/Christmas tree activity that people seemed to really enjoy.  Except for one person who wrote that they were drawing under duress (haha).  

I also had a ping pong ball game where you had to bounce it into a muffin tin to win presents (which were all cheese and crackers for the appetizers...)I know. Cheesy :)

We did musical candy canes (music plays--when it stops you grab a candy cane...the one without a cane is out.). It was really hilarious.  I kept having to replace the candy canes as the grabbing got violent.   Libby, of course, won. 

The ring toss was played--but not as much as in years past.  

Then we had dinner.  All went well.  It was a yummy soup potluck.  The Winco rolls were ON POINT.  Salad and veggies were great.  Christmas juice was extra yummy because I remembered limes. 

We sat in a circle and played Twas the night Right before Christmas.  I updated the text this year with even more Lefts and Rights.  Unfortunately, there were a balanced amount so that you kind of kept passing the same gift back and forth.  I'll need to update again next year. I had enough gifts that everyone got to play.  (Movie theater candy boxes.)

Then we sang some songs and Derek read Luke 2.  No nativity this year--with no littles it didn't seem worth it to haul out the costumes.  

Then on to donuts and hot cocoa.  People were laughing and chatting when I heard a huge thud. 

I rushed to the dining room and saw Ben twitching a bit on the floor.  I almost fainted myself.  Thankfully it wasn't a seizure.  Libby had apparently been choking him out (as one does, I guess in this wrestling family). Ben apparently said, "I refuse to tap out."  Then went limp.  So Libby let go of him.  But unfortunately he actually had passed out.  So he pitched forward right into the wall.  I saw him twitching just as he was coming to.  It could actually have been a lot worse I guess.  He has a major black eye and his chin had a huge gash.  

As luck (or spiritual promptings?) would have it, I had invited Connor and Chunie to dinner.  Chunie, if you recall, was the one that stitched up Sarah's eyebrow in Oct.  Now, Connor (who is a facial plastic surgery resident) got the chance to stitch up a Norton with Chunie on the assist.  Seriously.  I was so thankful they were there.

And I was also a hot mess.  Derek's response, "Libby, when you choke someone out you have to let them down toward you."  My (internal response) "Never, never, never, even pretend to choke someone out. AHHHHHH!"  

Anyway, while Ben iced, people continued to chat and munch while the doctors went home for supplies.  (That they now keep on hand due to us...although apparently one of the things they needed was a wrapped gift under their tree, so they had to do an early Christmas real quick.) 

Most of the guests left before the actual stitching.  We all cleaned up while the docs worked on Ben.  Libby was super helpful, feeling pretty bad about the whole thing.  

Then Grammy was like--Pajamas?  And they were like YES!  (Including Ben).

After Grammy got pics with them in the traditional pjs, the kids went up to watch a movie while Santa did his magic (since Derek had to work on Christmas day.)   I sat down and cried.  Oh boy.  I hate to see one of my kids injured.  Especially when Ben was supposed to be our 113 pounder at a 2 day tournament in OR in 4 days from the injury.  Big team consequences.  

Then I rallied and we set up the scavenger hunt. 

I told the kids they had to walk it!  No running!  (And they did.) 

They were super happy with their gifts.  They each got 2 pair of shoes and lots of new socks.  

They enjoyed their stockings. Then we all crashed out at like 11 pm.  Which is SO past my bedtime.  

So--merry Christmas?  I mean, yes.  But man, does it really blow that Ben can't wrestle for a couple of weeks.  99% of the night was amazing (including that we didn't have to go to the ER.). But negativity bias is real. What will we remember?  It'll always be the Christmas of the stitches.  

Holy cow.  First time I've seen that pic.  Gross. 

This year's pjs. 

The pic to show there is no ill will. 

I was most excited about the mater crocs.  And I think he was too.  He mentioned them off-hand...and didn't think I'd be able to find them. 

Libby really needed new air forces, as her old ones were a few years old.  Gross. 

Sarah was convinced she was only getting one pair.  So happy I found another great pair for her! Docs and Alegrias. 

Another fav gift.  Haha.