The boys wanted to try soccer this year. Since none of us knew anything about soccer, Daymia and Bret taught them the basics and Justin played along as well.
After showing up to the first practice in their regular shoes I was given a crash course in cleats and shin guards and how to be a sufficient soccer mom. We each learned our parts rather quickly and every Thursday and Saturday for eight weeks we put in our time on the soccer fields. Five of those eight weeks found me wrapped up in blankets with my head covered and my eyes peeking out through the bitter winds and rains of spring while my sons ran around the fields warmed by adrenaline.
At Hyrum's first practice and game I felt like I was sitting through a glorified recess. However, within a couple of
weeks they started to work together and apply the basic techniques they were learning.
Nathan's team was a bit more organized and by the time the season came to a close they were ready to take on the parents in a scrimmage. Nathan didn't even ask his parents to play but instead went right to Bret and Daymia. It seemed very fitting since they had taught him how to play in the first place.
After the first few weeks of soccer Hyrum started constantly complaining about his stomach hurting and feeling like he was going to throw up. I attributed it to nerves since he was a little cautious about going for the ball after being knocked down and smacked with the ball a couple of times (the coach's son had played for 2 previous years and was pretty aggressive). When the complaining became more frequent I took him to the doctor. We found that he was having stomach cramps from dehydration which was likely brought on by the weather warming up so suddenly and running for an hour at a time for soccer plus all of his outside hours and surviving on his winter water habits. We were told to simply increase his water, wear a hat and add in some electrolytes.
Then the doctor (who we had never been to before) asked about the status of his heart murmur. I looked at him funny and didn't know how to respond. We discussed that he could hear a murmur and since it has never been looked into he recommended an EKG. The office scheduled it for the following week. The pediatric cardiologist in Boise reviewed the test and it was determined that Hyrum does have minor irregularities that we will have checked in 6 months and 1 year to observe changes as he grows unless he shows signs of breathing trouble, fainting, or fatigue before then.
Hyrum was so still and calm that the test that we were warned could take about 45 minutes only took 30. After the test he kept staring at the screen and asking questions about what he was seeing. The tech was so great to point out chambers and valves and much that was over his head (and mine) to ease his curiosity. He giggled just a little as the screen showed two valved beating in rhythm looking as if they were clapping.
As I sat watching the technician take ultrasound pictures of his beating heart and listening to each little beat I became a teary eyed. The last time I heard his heartbeat he was nestled under my heart and I waited in anticipation to meet him. Seeing his heart beating in real time sparked a new appreciation in me for that precious muscle and it's role in life.
The end of the school year brought another orchestra concert for Justin as well as the usual tests, essays, and projects.
His only picture from all of that was one he took while sneaking onto the roof of the school after the orchestra concert. I'm not sure how ideas like this cross a boy's mind but I'm sure it has to do with putting two boy minds together in a moment of boredom.
Nathan's class closed out the school year with a Japanese folk tale, The Terrible Leak. Under the guidance of Mrs. Ashmore the class created a village set and put on a wonderful production.
Nathan, the comical thief, and McKay, the animated wolf, stole the show. McKay's mom Katie and I shared a good laugh after the show reminiscing about our Marsh Valley days in the drama department.
Hyrum's teacher this year came directly out of student teaching last spring to run her own classroom in the fall. There was a great learning curve going on for her which meant that I needed to supplement Hyrum's studies a little more than usual but I appreciated her many efforts to take the suggestions of parents and grow with the needs of her class. She began the year with more interest in decorating her classroom and surrounding every subject with an owl theme but ended the year with full concern and focus on her students. To express our thanks we gave her an adorable owl pillow to go with her themed classroom.
Nathan and Hyrum also wrote a Thank You note for their individual teacher expressing
You are special to me because . . .
What I loved most about your class this year was . . .
My favorite thing you taught me . . .
Thank you for . . .
From Hyrum: What I loved most about your class this year was learning how to do minuses.
From Nathan: Thank you for being my teacher, making me smarter, helping me improve my reading and writing, and being kind.
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