BASEBALL

Last Tuesday I had my first baseball game of the season. We won 9-4. We had are second game on Thursday and we won 23-2. I have my third game tonight at 6pm. Last year we went undefeated throughout the season. Only two players moved up a division. I play first base and center field. I play machine pitch for Wake Forest rec. Our team name is the River Cats which is a minor league baseball team for the Oakland Athletics.

WATCH THIS

LIBERTY

Royce taking a jump shot

Team huddle

Champions

I won

Jump shot

Last week my family and I went to a home school basketball tournament at Liberty University in Virginia. My dad coaches a varsity boys basketball team. They got first place in the 1 A division. They came in 16th out of all. I won first place in the eleven and under three point competition. We staid at the quality inn we got there last Wednesday and left Saturday afternoon. My sister Amanda played on the girls varsity team. Me, Sarah, Amanda, Eric, mom, and dad all went to the tournament. The varsity girls got 4th out of all. I HAD A GREAT TIME!

SNOWY DAY

I'm having fun in the snow while it lasts

Funny Homeschool video

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

My friend and I made a gingerbread house to put in a contest last Saturday. We got together three times last week the first time we planned what we were going to do the second time we put it all together and the third we decorated it. We used these candies and things: pretzels, icing, gumdrops, gum, mini m&ms, marshmallows, mini vanilla wafers, peppermint sticks, graham crackers, red licorice, ice cream cones and gumdrop rings. We got first place in the competition.

THANKSGIVING

Last night me and my family went to the Dohertys house for Thanksgiving and there were five families there. We played ping pong and I wasn't half bad except when I played Luke. For dinner I had turkey, a roll, and some fruit and a piece of oreo delight cake. We played football and I fell down and got a big cut on my knee but I am ok.

3 Things I Am Thankful For:

• my family
• my playstation 2
• sports
  

Ken's Corn Maze

My Short Story

THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

by Jason Herbert

Chris arrived at the soccer field thirty minutes before the start of the championship game. It was a beautiful fall morning and his team, the Red Bulls, was playing against the Rapids for first place in the city tournament for 10 & 11 year olds. Chris saw his best friend, Luke, and some other teammates kicking a soccer ball to warm up.

"Hey guys," he called as he jogged up to them. "Where is Coach Robert?"

"I don't know," answered Luke. "He's not here yet."

Chris looked surprised. "That's not normal," he exclaimed. "Coach is always early!"

Just then, Luke's dad got a call on his cell phone. After he hung up, he walked over to the boys, looking concerned. "Boys, I have some bad news. That was Coach Robert on the phone," he explained. "His little girl fell off her bike and broke her arm, and he is at the Emergency Room with her right now. It looks like he won't be able to come to the game."

Chris slumped his shoulders in dismay and moaned, ''oh no.'' Today was Chris's first time playing goalie because the regular goalie was sick. Coach Robert had promised to be there to tell him what to do. Luke's dad looked at the shocked faces of the boys standing around him. ''Don't worry,'' he reassured them. ''I'll be your coach today.'' He patted Chris on the back.'' It will be okay , Chris. I'll help you.''

Before the game even started, Chris was so nervous that sweat poured down his face. Tensely, he looked at the players on the other team, who were practicing their goal kicks. He got a knot in his stomach as big as an elephant! The Rapids was the only team the Red Bulls had lost to all season. Chris knew that they could kick the ball really hard.

Soon the referee blew his whistle and it was time to start the game. The green team got the ball first and the game began. By halftime, the score was tied 3-3, and both teams were exhausted. Luke sat down next to Chris on the grass and declared, "Good job in the goal, Chris. You are doing great!"

"Thanks," Chris replied, " but they scored three goals on me." He looked very depressed.

Luke's dad stood up and looked at the boys. "You guys are playing hard, but you need to spread out and play your positions. Defense, I want you to scoot up a little. And remember, this is the championship game! Let's win for Coach Robert!" Eveyone cheered. "Okay guys, hands in, " he continued. "Now on three, everyone yell 'Red Bulls'. Ready?"

All the players stood up and put one hand in the middle of the circle. They shouted, "One, two, three, RED BULLS!"

The referee blew his whistle and it was time for the second half. Playing hard, both teams remained scoreless until Luke kicked one into the back of the net. The Red Bulls were in the lead, 4-3! Delighted and relieved, Chris was thrilled that no one had scored on him during the second half. The game was almost over, and it looked like his team was going to win!

Then with 5 seconds left, Chris's teammate, Paul, was called for a hand ball inside the goalie box. That meant the Rapids would get a free kick against Chris in the net. All of his teammates had to stand outside of the box, so it was one against one. Chris was a nervous wreck! his hands were sweaty, his stomach hurt, and his heart was pounding. Not surprisingly, the other team put their best kicker against Chris . Chris bent his knees and spread out his hands to each side.

''Make yourself big!'' shouted Luke's dad from the sidelines.

''You can do it ,Chris! Come on!'' called his teammates excitedly.

A goal would put the game into overtime. The pressure was on! The other player lined up for the kick. Chris stared at the ball. The whistle blew and the other player kicked the ball as hard as he could toward the corner of the net. Chris dove at the ball and just got his fingers on it, sending it sailing up over the top of the goal!

Chris's teammates cheered loudly and high-fived each other. Now the other team had a corner kick, which went straight into Chris's hands. As he punted the ball down the field, the time expired. The Red Bulls had won! Chris's teammates joyfully carried him off the field on their shoulders. Chris's mom and dad ran over and gave him a gigantic hug. Smiling, Luke's dad called out, "Ice cream for everyone at Dairy Queen! My treat!"

THE END

Soccer Game

Last Saturday I had my first soccer game of the season. Our team name is the Everton. In the first half I played striker. In the second half I played goalie. I scored the only goal for my team. It was a very hot day and I drank two bottles of Gatorade and a half of a bottle of water. The other team won 5-1. I had a lot of fun.

working hard for the ball

taking a rest

fancy footwork

Durham Bulls

On Saturday night my mom and dad and I went to a Durham Bulls game. It went to fourteen innings. It was a really good game even though the Bulls lost. I did a pitching machine and on my last pitch I had to guess how fast I threw the ball. I guessed forty miles per hour. My guess was right so I got a mini bat. We had a really good time.

runner's camp

Last week I went to runner's camp. I had a lot of fun. I was in the nine year old purple boys group. The things that we did were high jump, long jump, javelin, shot put, discus, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 16oom and hurdles. On Saturday morning we had try outs . We got to pick two field events and three running events. Only three Kids got in to each field event. I qualified for high jump and long jump and I also ran in 100m, 200m and hurdles. On that night we had our track meet. I came in first for long jump, I came in third for high jump, I came in third for 100m , I came in second for 200m and second for hurdles. We almost had to cancel the track meet because of lightning but after twenty minutes the storm went away. I want to do it again next year.

Baseball

On Tuesday night I had my first baseball game. We won 12-1. I played first base and center field. I have another game tonight at 7:00. This is my first year of machine pitch. So far I really like it.

MY WEEK

This week is my last week of school. This week is also the last week of our co-op. So to celebrate, all of our co-op is going to see Prince Caspian this Friday at the movie theater. And after that we are going to a friends house for a pool party. Tomorrow is also our last art class that my mom teaches us. And yesterday was also my last science class so we had a little party. Tonight I have my first baseball game. My team name is the river cats. And tomorrow is also my yearly testing at my friend Owen's house. His mom is the tester.

Soccer tournament

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Great Players

There have been many great basketball players. Four of my favorites are JJ Redick, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird. JJ Redick is the ACC all time leading scorer. Michael Jordan holds the NBA record for highest regular season scoring average with 30.1 points per game. Kobe Bryant is the first guard in NBA history to be drafted out of high school. Larry Bird is one of the best clutch players in NBA history. Players like this make basketball exciting.

ALEX

My brother Alex came home for the weekend. His birthday is on the 22nd. He is turning 23. He is in Maryland right now for Army training. He left yesterday. He does not start until the 6th. After Maryland he goes to Fort Hood, Texas.

Name

I was just sitting around thinking wat I was going to write next. Then I thought of a question. If you could pick your own name, what would it be? I would be Luke.

Basketball

Right now my basketball my team is in a tournament. We won are first game by one point. It was a really good game. My team was ranked number 3 and they were 6.

Our next game will be harder. they will be the number 2 seed. Here are some videos from my last game.

Art class

Every Wednesday my mom teaches art to me and some of my friends. yesterday my mom taught us about form and imagination. last week we learned about shape. I think art is really fun.