The Basement, 7.0

Had a spectacular dinner at Busch's tonight. Blackened swordfish with crabmeat. Pictures to follow.

The Basement, 6.0

Took The Wife and The Playmaker to The Bank to watch the Phillies smash the Cubs today, 12-1.  Home runs for Ruf and Ashe.  Solid 5 innings from Ethan Martin.  After the game we hustled back to The Basement and swam from 6-7:15.

The Basement, 5.0

Knocked out 43 and 44. That's how we roll...

The Basement, 4.0

Took the kids out for pizza tonight -- our annual tradition the night before The Wife comes down.

The Basement, 3.0

Quick Hitters:

• Shaved 13 seconds off our 4.25 mile time this morning.

• Body-surfed for over an hour this morning.

• Split a wiffle ball double header (3 inning games) with The Playmaker.

• Bought a new pair of Avalon Nike Dri-Fit shorts to run in.

The Basement, 2.0

In the olden days we'd get up in The Basement and rip off 6 miles in under an hour and not even feel anything.  One hundred years later, we have bone on bone in both knees -- and that's why we now hump the elliptical every morning. But down here, we still get after it.  We can push out 10 or 11 days of running. Instead of six miles, we now jog four every morning. And our splits are much (much!) slower. This morning was 4.25 miles in 45:47. That's about an 11 minute mile -- clearly not great.  But who cares?!?  That's the point of The Basement; there is no point down here! That's the beauty of vacation. And that is the beauty of The Basement.

The Basement, 1.0

Went to the Phillies game last night. Got up early and hit the road this morning at 7:45. After a stop at ... wait for it ... Wawa, we arrived in The Basement around 10 AM. Raided a store for Eagles gear, then did the grocery shopping. Although the house comes with a cleaning service (and was spotless), we still put our own touch (read: OCD/anal) on it from 1-5 PM. Wanted to make it absolutely perfect for the next 14 days. Then took the kids for a dip in the ocean from 5:30 - 6:30. 

Stay healthy. Stay safe.

Here we go ...

Into The Basement.  A week earlier this year, on account of The Playmaker's Sister entering the high school sports world. Check back tomorrow.  We are back on our every day posting schedule.

Stay healthy. Stay safe.

Recap...

The second week of basketball camp (7/15-7/19) was a good one for The Playmaker.  He had games of 14, 8, 16, 10, 8, 16, 12 and 16.  Unfortunately, his team lost in the semi-finals. For the second week in a row he won the Best Playmaker trophy.

Giggle...

Best we can do...

A championship loss ... but some SERIOUS hardware!!!

The Playmaker's first place team lost in the camp championship today. He led his team to the finals with a 14 point semi-final performance.  In the championship game he was held to 8 points -- his low for the week.  However, at the conclusion of camp he was given a trophy for being named Best Playmaker in the camp.  (The irony of the award's name is surely not lost on us.)  Also, he finished second in the voting for Most Outstanding Player.  All in all, a great week of basketball camp.

Day 4

Consistency.  The Playmaker had two more wins (to improve to 7-1), with 12 and 14 points in those games.  Best move of the day?!?  Nursing a 2 point lead with under 2 minutes to play, he buried a deep step back in the right corner from 18 feet to clinch the morning win.

Day 3

Two more wins for The Playmaker's team, which is now 5-1.  He led the team in scoring in both games with 12 and 16 points.  Also, his 2-on-2 team won the championship.  In the clinching victory, he scored 8 of his team's 10 points in a 10-8 contest.

Day 2

The Playmaker led his team to a morning win with 14 points.  In the afternoon win, he netted a career high 20 points.  Also, he led his 3-on-3 team to the championship.

Suh-weeet...

First day of our annual two week summer basketball camp was today.  The Playmaker tore it up. He scored 17 points in a 22-21 morning loss.  In the afternoon game, he netted 10 of his team's 20 points to get their first W of the day.

Ugh...

Summer league basketball team dropped to 0-3 tonight.

Must be the coaching...

Dubya...

If this doesn't give you the chills, you're a frigging commie...

Woo! Hoo!

Held our four team Family +1 Friend Fantasy Football Draft today.  Check back tomorrow for our roster.

(Hint: We are a mortal lock to win the championship...)

Happy July 4th

Stay safe. And Happy Fourth of July!

Can't wait...

Just prepped nearly 9 pounds of chicken wings for July 4th.

Tuesday...

Good day today.  Really good day.

Felger

"This is a soft team of losers..."

"Some questions require lubrication..."

#Winless4Wiggins . . .

Michael Carter Williams (and some Iranian Guy)

As Marv says, "Y-E-S!"

You are a bad team.  Your best player is a good, but definitely not great player.  You are offered two lottery picks for him, one of which is a player who would have been the first pick in the draft had he been healthy.  And by moving your good/not great player, you become The Leader in the 2014 Andrew Wiggins Sweepstakes.

 

Should you do the trade?!?

 

Yes. Yes. Yes, again.

 

Nerlans Noel + 2014 Lottery Pick > Jrue Holiday.

 

 

Y-A-Y ...

We had a zillion snow days this past winter.  In the world of pay-me-now, pay-me-later, teachers paid later.  Much later.  So where as last year the first day of summer vacation was June 20(!), this time around it's June 28 -- as in today.  (The Playmaker and The Playmaker's Sister were done two days ago.)

Our goal this summer (other than having a relaxing and healthy one with The Family) is to get something -- something! -- accomplished every day.  And, yes, of course we have ... wait for it ... a LIST.  Today we had the annual maintenance of the central air conditioning. (***You just can't get this info anywhere else...)

Another goal, which we failed to achieve last summer, is to take one picture every day.  Could be something we did, something we bought, a dish we ate, a book we finished.  Anything.  Today's picture is of the kids eating lunch at Cheesecake Factory.  

Lastly, as is our annual tradition on this day, here are some 90210 first day of summer videos. Enjoy!

Woo! Hoo!

Last day of school before summer vacation!

Oh -- and we hope the 76ers get some Cody Zeller tonight...

W O W!!!!!!!

Last day of school today for our own kids.  We went to The Playmaker's Sister's 8th grade awards assembly today.  She pocketed ... wait for it ... FOUR academic awards, including The Granddaddy of Them All: The President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence.  It comes with the presidential seal, as well Osama's signature.  It took us less than two minutes to tell anyone and everyone sitting around us that the award would be far more meaningful if it had Dubya's John Hancock on it.  We then entertained the masses with stories of how our grandparents were friends with Dubya's parents up in Kennebunkport.

(FYI ... Our last day of school is tomorrow.)

Not good...

And we're back...

Much to talk about over the past three weeks.  And we will certainly go back and update each and every day but for now...

Had our first summer league basketball game last night.  We are the head coach.  We played the defending champions and lost, 54-27.  We were getting crushed at the half, 29-4.  Yes, 29-4.  The other coach switched to a 2-3 zone and we torched his defense.  We were outscored in the second half 25-23.  The Playmaker was our leading scorer, as he busted the zone for 10 second half points.  He shot 5-9 from the floor, with all of his baskets coming from 15-18 feet on the wing.

Final AAU toruney of the spring...

Two games today and one tomorrow.

Comeback for the ages...

Down three runs in the last inning, Your Angels scored four times to win the game, 8-7.

The Playmaker tied the game in the last inning with a 2 out, 2 strike RBI single to left field.  He also scored the winning run of the game.  He was 2-3 at the plate with a season high 3 RBIs.

Final Game of regular season...

With a win, there's an outside shot we can take second place entering the playoffs.

Off to BP and a bullpen session

Last regular season baseball game tomorrow night.  Playing a team we've never defeated before.

M-M-M Good...

Quality three day weekend.  And the finish line of school year is within sight.

Honor...

No sports, 2.0

Hanging in the home office while The Wife takes the kids to see the in-laws.  Two hours of solitude.

No sports, 1.0

Parents coming over for a lunchtime BBQ of sausages, Pub Burgers, corn on the cob, Chicken Caesar salad and watermelon.

Woo! Hoo!

We cut the lawn yesterday and then ran our AAU practice.  We now have no sports until next Wednesday.  And we canceled on getting together tonight with friends for a BBQ.  Yes, the three day weekend is here.  And we're more than ready for a weekend of relaxation, good eats and family time.

So enjoy the weekend.  Stay safe. And don't forget why we actually get to stay home from work on Monday.

All we need is one pin, Rodney...

Had our final AAU practice tonight until next Thursday.  We have a sports free weekend, our first since September.  Wow.

Wow...

Trailing by 3 runs in the last inning tonight, we put up a 4 spot win the game, 15-14.  The Playmaker pitched the third and fourth innings.  He gave up 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 4.  At the plate, he was 2-2 with 2 RBIs and a walk.  He had a double in the first inning and a single in the fourth.  The win was huge as it clinched the third seed in the playoffs.

The big Four-FIVE...

The Wife turns 45 today.  Of course, she will get treated like a queen.

(Just like every other day...)

Baseball ... Ugh

We lost again in baseball yesterday. The Playmaker pitched the 2nd and 3rd innings. He yielded 1 walk, 2 hits and no runs. He also struck out 3. When he left the game we were winning, 7-4. One inning later, with our new pitcher, we were down 8-7 -- which was the final score. At the plate The Playmaker was 0-2 with a walk and an RBI.