Ulster Hockey Tournament

On Saturday we went off to watch Zeek playing in the Under 12 Ulster Hockey Tournament. It is played on these water based pitches. It is not unlike AstroTurf, it feels plastic, but instead of using sand to preserve the turf, they regularly water them. It was very interesting to watch. Zeek's team were considered the underdogs for the day. They played hard and well, all of that training paid off! Warming up:
They started off playing round robin, the days events planned out like this; 6 games would be played by all teams, then the semi and then the finals. One of their matches:

So it was one game on and one game off, Rachel and Corbin made them selves comfortable in the car during the breaks.
I realize now that I am one of those parents who shouts encouragement from the side lines, I mean, it is soooooo exciting, how could you not? Pete and I were hoarse at the end of the day.

Well, the team did exceptionally well! They made it into the semi, but just before the game their coach pulls them aside for a pep talk, he tells them that if they got into the final it would only be the 5th time for their school. And then of course he said that it didn't matter if they didn't because they had tried hard. (but I don't think anyone was listening to that part)

So this is a picture of them after they won, INTO THE FINAL! I tell you I was screaming, jumping up and down, hugging Pete and crying all at the same time. (sound silly? Who cares, that moment ranks up there in my top most exciting, I'm going to pop if I don't shout or cry excited moments) And that was just me, you should have seen the boys! They all piled on top of the boy who scored the goal, and couldn't stop smiling. (I am sure Zeek even smiled in his sleep that night, I know I did.)
So then it was into the finals (remember, now it was 5 times they had done it) I am not a nail biter, haven't bitten for probably 18 years or so, but today was different, bite I did! They played their best, gave the other team a good run for the cup, but didn't get it.

To me though the fact that they got into the final was enough, I just couldn't believe it. What a great day. Here are some of them with their medals, oooh, shiny silver.

The team:
And what happens to boys who play all day in the sun? They pass out at the nearest available moment. He seriously is asleep here, and in case you are wondering, no the medal has not left his side since. What an achievement.


Well done Zeek!!!!!

I finally understand women

The Mourne Mountains

Pete took us to the Mourne Mountains for a hike. We started down in a natural forest which runs along the beautiful Glen river. We spent ages exploring the river and bits of the forest, it was so lovely to feel warm and enjoy the outdoors. The kids were learning how to use compasses, they were all pointing the direction we were heading and telling us which direction that was.Then you break out of the tree line and are treated with views out over the sea, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Belfast! We stopped along the river in the sun and had a pick nick. It was really lovely.We all climbed up through the forest and came to the rolling hills basking in the warm sun. Cheryn, Corbin and Pete stayed there and Rachel, Zeek and I went on up. We were heading to the highest point in Ireland, Slieve Donard. It is 849m high. All the way up the valley to the Mourne wall, then turn left and up, up, up to the top.
I measured our hike on google earth and it said we had hiked 2.8 miles to get to the top. However, a lot of the way you were looking sharply up to see where the next section of path was. The steps were big, I was wandering what they must feel like to Rachel, some coming up to her waist.After 2 hours of climbing we made it to the top! The views were amazing! Pete was very impressed with us, he didn't think we would be able to make it to the top (having done it before he knew how hard it was.) Zeek and I had to stop and rest regularly, but Rachel just powered her way up. She didn't rest, didn't even seem tired, just carried on up and up! There were a few hikers that we passed that mentioned how amazed they were at her ability to just go. This is us at the top.While we were at the top, a guy offered to take a photo of the three of us, it was so funny, because I just have a small point and shoot camera. He took it and screwed on the base for a tripod, then he positioned the tripod at the correct distance, zoomed, adjusted, and then took one photo! He then reversed the whole process, I thought it was so funny that he had gone to all the trouble, but it is a nice photo, so I suppose it was all worth it after all.On the way back down again, we had to try and race the shadow along the valley because it was starting to get cold.My old Otter Trail knees started playing up and so the walk down was not so pleasant for me, but I had to go down, there was no other way, so down I went! And do you think Rachel was even the least bit stiff the next day? No, but Zeek and I were like two stiff boards!

What a great day out, thanks Pete for suggesting it. We all made memories.

Easter Parade on Monday

We went into town for the annual Easter parade yesterday, it was great. I was surprised though that there was not one float or depiction that related to the Saviour, sad...

I also went on this ride with Zeek, the seat rises up and then drops you. I screamed every time! It was scarily fun.

Easter Sunday

After Church on Sunday we had a quick lunch and then went for a walk along the coastal path near Ballyholme. It was one of the nicest days ever. We walked to the secret beach (so named by our kids, because you have to wait for low tide to get to it and you can't see it from the path).

Pete and I lay in the grass in the warm sun (it felt like the first time I had felt heat from the sun in ages!!) we also watched flocks of birds, listened to the sea, explored rock pools (Cheryn discovered these star fish), built dams, and there was not one fight amongst the kids for a full three and a half hours! It was such a great day.

Then the kids discovered these menhir looking rocks and were pretending to be Obelix. They also decided to carry these rocks all the way back to the car. It was a great team effort, all taking turns or carrying together. They carried them for about 1.5 miles! I was amazed that they made it. Just shows what you can accomplish as a team.

He lives! All glory to His name.

3D Movie

The kids were watching a movie this morning. We got these 3D glasses with the film. If you look really closely you can see their ingenuity. They had taken sellotape and stuck the glasses to their foreheads because they kept falling off. It only shows on Rachel's forehead in these photos, Corbin's hair was in the way.So exciting when the things in the movie jump out at you!

Great thing to catch your son doing in the sun