Trophies were Earned

     Most of my weekend was dominated by the Nightmare at the Rock soccer tournament. I lost some "shut-eye". We had to get up at 6:00 for one game but that was the least of it. I hope the dogs slept better than us.
     Our first game on Saturday was successful. We won 3-2 with a nail-biting end. The next game taught us a lesson. Never eat with the team. We ate too much and no one was focused.  We were shut out, 6-0. We played Lexington F.C, an amazing team. They could pass well and dribble around everyone. All their players were well conditioned.

     The weather was the only thing to complain about on Sunday. The wind bit at uncovered fingers. Even the grass was chilled. The fields were frozen Sunday. Our cleats collected frost on them thus making saturated socks.
      Our early morning game was a tie and that got us into the championship and we played Lexington again in the afternoon. This time we made sure not to eat too much before the game. The weather was much better, no stocking caps were needed. We scored two goals, which was a victory. Yet,  we lost by the same amount. At least we were the first to score on Lexington the whole weekend. 
     Because we were second, we got a big team trophy and everyone received their own smaller trophy. They are neat little things. 
     The dogs had lots of time to themselves. We were glad to see they were all good doggies when we came home. They were happy to see us and Hoover had to checkout the trophy. 

 

Best Experience Ever!

During the Nerf gun battle

    On Friday, I had a good time. I got to spend time with some friends and play laser tag. I went to a friend's birthday party. And I also got to have another friend at the party come to spend the night. The dogs, fortunately, controlled themselves when we arrived home, except maybe Hoover. They were nowhere near us when we had a Nerf Gun battle.

We also had time to build the "Cozy Corner!" We made a slight change in design, yet it was fun!

    On Saturday we went to the Kohls cup. My parents were volunteering and this gave me a very cool opportunity. I got to drive a golf cart! I got in and had an instructor. I accidently floored the cart though. I almost hit a picnic table. Then I was all over the road and clipped a ditch. Mum says I overcorrect. I finally parked in front of a tree. At least I didn't hit it.   
   On Sunday, Cutters had a rematch with Columbus. The game went well. At first it was downhill, 1-2 was the score. Then I had my second goal of the season and that made it 2-3, because the other team scored again. Then down to the last seconds we tied it, 3-3 was the final score. We had many chances  to score yet all but the three the goals went in.                

Getting ready for Bradford Woods

    Monday was a great day. We went to Bradford Woods! It was amazing! There was one thing that I did not like though, we had to leave!
    We were split into two groups: cabins and trail groups. I was in the Agape cabin and Gopher trail group. Agape was one of the better cabins. It had two restrooms and different rooms and bunks. Even a flatscreen TV, fireplace and kitchen. We didn’t use any of them but you get the point.         
   The Gopher trail group went on a history walk and learned about the Bradfords and their land. At night we had a Night Experience. There was a campfire where we watched skits and sang songs. We then walked in the night and listened to the woods.
   The next day was the Dutch Auction. We brought random items and listened to categories that were read out. Then we would have to make a skit for that category in 30 seconds.  Some ideas were hilarious. For best camp cheer, we had someone say, "I didn’t choose the woods life, the woods life chose me." And then we chanted Bradford Woods.
    I know I'm definitely going back to Bradford Woods in the summer and as a high school senior to help with the 5th graders. I don’t know what the sled dogs did while I was away but I know they were excited to see me, at least two of them were.

    

Fall Break Fun

     This weekend I got a four day Fall Break. We got to rebuild the "Cozy Corner" blanket fort. I am glad to announce that the fort was not destroyed by "Hurricane Hoover". I don't know why he didn't attack but it was possibly because Nikita stood guard at the fort. She is worse than "Hurricane Hoover" when she is in the mood. With Nikita as guard, we slept like kings.

      I'm glad I slept well for the next day we practiced soccer. We have a created a new exciting drill. Mum hurls the ball at the goal and I have to block it without hands. I have to tell you, Mum can really throw some hard balls. Yet the drill has side effects. Mum got a sore arm and shoulder. And I gained a few bruises. It really is a lot of fun!
     On Sunday we had ODP. I enjoy practicing with kids throughout the state. We practice in the morning and scrimmage in the afternoon. It is kind of like IU soccer camp.        

    Jilly is a sweet fluffy Malamute at Northern Lights. She is not the friendliest with other dogs and you need to be experienced with other Malamutes. You will need a six foot fence because she is a very crafty escape artist. However, she is a very sweet girl. Jilly is affectionate and warm, winter is coming. Here is link for more on Jilly: Jilly 

   In other sled dog news, Lizzie and Hoover can dig long and large trenches. They dug along the whole side of our garage. We're not sure what their motivation was for digging, maybe a mouse or rabbit. They continue their squirrel hunting. They came close to a success. A squirrel visited our yard, yet it escaped up a tree with sled dogs in close pursuit.
    I should probably end this post, Lizzie is wanting some belly rubs.

Rain Out and Hoover's New Hobby

     This weekend it turned out to be very wet. We would've played 2 games but ended up with 3/4 of a game and one was cancelled. I think the team did well even though we lost 3 to 5. I wish the rain had held back. I belive we could've come back and beaten Terre Haute.

     The game was cancelled when a storm came. This storm continued on to Bloomington and lingered for the night and morning then left. The Cutters fields were saturated. So, we had no soccer on Sunday. I was hoping to get back at Westside. I guess that won't happen for a while.

     Hoover has found a new hobby. Staring at rocks. We found him in a stalking stance last night. We thought maybe there was an animal down in the rocks but didn't see anything. He looks at the rocks and just stands there. Lizzie and Nikita are dumbfounded at what he does and stare at him. They soon get bored and leave Hoover to his rock collection. 
   Hoover is also finding new activities to do. He gets his red ball and plays a dog version of Lacrosse. Of course Lizzie must play as well. Watch this video and see what happens. I hope you enjoyed this latest post. Hope to see you next time.

The Gentle Giant Passes On

      I have sad news today. If you have been following my blog from the beginning, you would know who Pulaski is. He was the one who stole my doughnut. He passed away September 30. He died of the same ailment as my parent's dog, Dakota. He had bone cancer.
     Pulaski shared some great memories with us. Here are just a few of them.  
     We got Pulaski in October. We called him the "Gentle Giant" for he was so huge, larger than Hoover! Yet like all of our fosters, Nikita bossed him around. But he had some of his own moments. I let my guard down once, and my doughnut was snatched!  Pulaski gobbled it down.
     Once when the roof was being changed at our old house, there was a lot of banging. When dad came home, he couldn't find Pulaski. He finally checked my room and the jolly good fellow was fast asleep on my bed. It was not easy for Pulaski to get up on furniture.
     We taught Pulaski how to play. He didn't know what to do with toys before. When we showed him the toys, he learned and developed his own play: ripping off tags. Pulaski would woof, a lot,  when he was in a playful mood. Of course this scared Hoover who would stop playing. 
     When Pulaski was adopted in January, we took him to Petsmart to meet his new family. He started doing the Malamute's classic howl. Many people took interest in him and some even snapped photos of him. Pulaski met his perfect owners and journeyed to his new home and new name, Montana. I'm glad I was able to be apart of Pulaski's life and get to know and help him find a home. He was sweet big boy.