The new Ryan

It was a big internal debate within myself - car or no car!  I finally went with a car.  It really just happened because a deal came along and helped me made my decision.  So...here it is, the new Ryan:

Nice and shinny!!

Checking it out with grandpa, see the clean engine?

Feels Gooooooood!!

I want to go take it for a spin

Grandpa wants to go along too

A good game after all

Indeed it was a good game.  Everyone play hard and well.  Even though we didn't win the championship game but everyone was a winner in that they tried their best.  Although some of us could be better but they are not there yet.  The final score was 32-22.  Julian had 7 points which is not too shabby for a big boy playing down low.

I tried filming the game but I just couldn't do it.  I can't film and watch at the same time so I chose watching and Anna has to do the filming.  I took some snapshots from the film and share it with you guys here.  Not the best quality but it is what it is, enjoy!!

I have put some making in to help identify Julian.  His number was 8 and he's one of the bigger boy there.  He's usually right around the basket down low because of his size and skills.

If you are interested, I have more pictures here.

Rebounding

You think Julian is a big boy, look at the boy he's defending

Taking it up strong underneath the basket

And 1

Good 'D' Julian

Hustling hard down low

Looking to pass to the center

Way to close the baseline

Ryan got his driver license today

Congratulations to Ryan. He got his REAL driver license today. Like it or not, he's stuck with this picture for the next 5 years.

I was so glad to find out the DMV is open today. I'm off work today so we got up early and went to the DMV. We waited for a few minutes outside for them to open but this is the way to do it though if you can. We were in and out in about 10 minutes rather than an hour.

So, does this mean we can and should ask him to go get milk and bread when they run out? Should he be paying for any of his own car expenses, such as gas, tickets, repairs, insurance... What kind of curfew should we put on him or any at all? Why do I have so much to think about when Ryan is the one who just got his new license?

What responbility comes with a driver licenses? Let's me see.... taking his brother to games and his friends, picking up someone, spare driver in a long trip, taking himself to places.....yea, I'm beginning to like this.

Man, I wonder how much is his insurance. I just hope it's not so much that I have to get a second job to pay for it. Anyways, it's exciting. I think this is acutally a mile stone for Ryan and a turning point in his muturity.

Go Rockets - to the championship

Good job Rockets!!  We won today's game so we are advancing to the championship game.  When we got to the gym this morning, we were told that we have two players sick and not sure if they will play.  I thought to myself please don't be Zach.  The coach disappointed me and said Zach is not feeling well.  He'll be here but not sure if he can play. While warming up, I saw Zach walking in and I thought, 'what a trooper, come to support the team when you are sick too.'  Turns out, he was ready to play and we're glad that he was, the result may be different if he wasn't.  See, Zach is a very small kid (may be just under 5' and skinny) and he's only in 6th grade but he's a big part of the team.  He's actually a very good all around player.  Had he been a regular size kid, he would have dominated the league.

Anyway, we ended the first half with 23-6 us leading.  Thinking we had this in our pocket.  So we sit Zach for the third quarter and boy it was a scary quarter.  We ended the third quarter with 28-26, only a 2 point lead.  The other team had like 16 unanswered point.  The game just came out of our pocket and jumped up in the air.  My heart was pounding.

Last quarter, Zach was back in and quickly we pulled away finishing up the game with 50-26.  I think the 3rd quarter woke everybody up.  The last quarter was a very well played quarter.

Thursday opponent is a much better team.  It's going to be a good game.  We need to be awake for the whole game.  Let's go Rockets.

Basketball season is ending

I think I might be a little withdrawn with Julian's basketball season coming to an end.  But before that time, I'm happy to announce that Julian's team is the number one seat.  Play off starts this Thursday and the championship game is next Thursday, 02/24.  We will playing the number 2 or 3 seat team.  Both team are tough opponent.  Some last minute coaching to do.  Got to work on his offensive skill underneath the basket and around the paint. I will be back with the result.  For those of you what are interested, you can see the whole season's record and standings here.  Remember, Julian's team is Rockets.

Something interesting that I can't seems to understand.  The top three teams are Rockets, Spurs and Heats.  Up until the end of regular season, Spurs always beat the Rocket, the Rockets always beat the Heats but the Heats always beat the Spurs.  How does that work.  However, one Saturday, Julian and I stayed after his game to watch the Spurs plays the Heats and we discovered that non one from the Spurs can shoot and only one boy can drive.  So we told the coach that we must play zone on defense and shut them out to force them to shoot outside the paint.  That did it, we shut them down effectively and we beat the Spurs the next time we play them.  A little preparation always help.