UIL 2022...

Although, I posted about about Roen's UIL ceremony, I never got around to posting about the boy's events and how they placed. 

Roen participated in what he has done every year, chess and NumberSense. Little Roen is following suite of big brother and Micah and seems to be pretty good with his numbers. He seems to grasp and learn new math content quickly. Because he is a boy who has one speed: as fast as you can, he tends to be pretty good with mental math. In the same way that mental math comes naturally to him, so does mental chess, which is basically what UIL chess is. Though Roen didn't place as well as he had hoped, I am still proud of this boy. He ended up placing 5th in both and came away with two 1st place team medals. More than anything, I am proud of the competitor that Roen continues to be. He is my humble little guy, who offers smiles and friendship, even in the closest of competitions!

Remi got the opportunity to add a few new events to his UIL competing. His TMSCA teacher put Remi in Calculator and Science and then he also competed in his typical Chess and NumberSense. Because Remi is in TMSCA, he didn't have to try out for his extra events, his teacher just nominated him- which he happily accepted! Remi placed 2nd in Chess, 2nd in NumberSense, 4th in Science, 4th in Calculator and then ended up with two 1st place and two 2nd place team medals. The day this boy walked out of the school weighted down with medals, ribbons dangling from his fingers, well, lets just say that his smile was worth a million bucks! Where Roen is humble, Remi is intense. He takes these competitions very seriously and I always know without a doubt, he will literally give it his all, until the very last second!

I love these boys and all their unique differences. I love that as different as they are, they are also so much alike it's crazy! Way to go, boys, you make this momma so very proud!

UIL Ceremony 2021...

UIL is an event both of my boys have come to love! They love working hard and getting to compete with and against some of their best buds! I am so proud of all these little Wildcats and so thankful for the coaches who make this fun and successful!

I wasn't sure if a celebratory ceremony would even happen this year because of Covid, but our coordinator fought hard to have this event to honor these students and this was one time of many, that I was super proud to be a part of such a wonderful school!

UIL 2020...

UIL seemed like it was all over the place this year! 

We started practices in the fall for our competition typically held in December. However, with Covid going around, it got rescheduled over and over- I think maybe three times it got moved. Not only that, but it was done virtually, so the typical excitement wasn't there.  By the time competition actually happened, I think coaches and students alike were all ready for it to be over and done with! I'm not gonna lie, letting go of those 7:20 practices 3-4 times a week was pretty nice!

I didn't get a picture of the boys on competition day because it really was just a normal day at school. Both boys competed in number sense and chess this year.  Chess is something they have done every year, but number sense is new for them both. This was actually Roen's first year it was an option, and he was all-in excited, ready to go for it! His dream is doing math as quick as possible without showing any work!

Remi on the other hand was a bit on the fence. He actually started going to practices just because he loves math that much. He is not my child who likes to be rushed. He is my perfectionist and wants time to mull things over, so the whole part about being timed isn't his ideal. But, he ended up making the team, and I was super proud! 

Both boys ended up placing and they were as proud of themselves as I was!

Roen: Chess 2nd Place, Number Sense 3rd Place

Remi: Chess 3rd Place

Rem didn't place in Number Sense this year, but boy did he love all that he learned! I have no doubt UIL Number Sense will be on his list to try again next year! 

Way to go, boys!

(Remi is top row on the right, Roen is second row from top toward the center)

UIL Here We Come...

Well, all the chess the boys play in their free time has paid off. Both boys got notes sent home Friday- Remi made the 3rd Grade Chess Team and Roen will be the 2nd Grade Team alernate. This is something Remi puts a lot of love and time into and one of those 'little victories' that made him feel as smart as he is!



I sure do love seeing these boys do things as brothers!