Kerian's Crazy Life: Mom and Daughter Weekend of Basketball in Shawnee Mission

Elyse and I had a great "mother daughter" weekend. We headed to Des Moines Friday night as Elyse had a choir competition and I had to work our PTO Family Fun Night. We decided to go half way to Kansas City and stay in Des Moines, as we would get there later in the evening, and then head to KC/Shawnee Mission Saturday morning as the Lightning did not play until late afternoon. We were both exhausted when we arrived in Des Moines and had a good night's sleep before heading to Kansas City.

Elyse's Lightning team is made of freshman and sophomores as many tournaments are by grade level. Well, not this one. They moved Elyse's team up to play in the 11th and 12th grade division! At first, the girls were freaking out. Then they saw what they "thought" was one of their opponents and realized they could win some games.....later they found out those teams were Jr High teams!!!! Then the "older teams" showed up and the real games began!

Elyse scoring (hidden in middle)

The Lightning Red gave it a good go the whole weekend, even after starting out slow and having many turnovers. They could have won the first game but just did not come out strong enough. The second game that evening was against a new team we have not met before, and they were giants! All the girls played well but couldn't pull off the win due to the other teams pressing us and us turning over the ball.

This was the first tournament all of the girls on Elyse's team were there for a tournament so it was nice that was nice to see. The frustrating part was they hadn't played all together and obviously, the other teams there had.

We ended up going out for dinner as a team, parents and all, as well as Elyse's coach, Coach Doud. It was fun and the girls had a wonderful time, even though they were exhausted! All you could hear was giggling and laughing until the food came.....then you needed to stand back as they were HUNGRY! We got in the car to head to the hotel and Elyse turns to me and says, "These girls are like family to me Mom!" It was so sweet. They are a great bunch of girls who are there to have fun, play basketball, and not worry about the petty stuff teenagers sometimes do.

Elyse makes the shot - number 40

Sunday we returned only to find out we were to play the Lightning's top team of juniors, Lightning Black. Elyse did not sit out much the day before in the first two games, and being the team is a lot about equal play time, she sat out the first part of the game. When it was time for her to go in, she was ready! She faced the biggest girl on all of the Lightning black team and did fabulous with her! It was fun to watch them play each other, but again, we did not come out on the winning end.

Elyse ready to go in...on floor with head on elbow.

Elyse was so sweet the whole weekend, giving me my mother's day gift late Saturday night at the hotel, lots of hugs, and we had a lot of giggles the whole weekend. The drive down and back was quick as well and easy (that is a sign we are in the car too much)! When we were leaving the hotel we had been at two of the last three weekends, I said, "Goodbye Shawnee Mission", and Elyse quickly added, "until next year"! I know she is loving the Lightning! I am so glad as we are too!

Lightning vs. Lightning. Elyse number 40

She has practice this weekend on Sunday and then we have a weekend off. When June hits, it is 3 day tournaments every weekend and Wednesday night practices! Elyse finishes Lightning play in July, goes to volleyball camp, and we go directly to South Carolina for a week and North Carolina for a week. Then it will be August and we start all over. What a summer!!!! Gotta love it!!!

Go Lightning!