January 16, 2007
Claire Invited to Prestigious Excellence Tournament in Houston!
Claire was recognized by her coaches by setting a great example of putting herself in a position to take advantage of opportunity. To paraphrase Claire’s Head Coach:
...at 5pm on Friday evening Claire got a call from the Houston Excellence tournament (top 12 get a spot in the main draw, another 16 players get into the qualifying draw for the remaining 4 main draw spots). This is an extremely high level and important superchamp tournament. Claire immediately organized for the trip down to Houston Friday evening. She did not get on the court (indoors-2-2 no-ad scoring) until late in the day on Saturday. She lost 6-7, 5-7 to the #3 seed, but played with courage and showed herself that she can definitely compete at that level. She went out of her way to take advantage of that competitive opportunity. This will give her confidence in her abilities and positive energy knowing she did everything he could to take advantage of that opportunity.
Two of the character traits that champions show are commitment and determination. Claire’s Head Coach is very proud of Claire and rest of the ATA players who prepared well last week and who gave themselves the opportunity to compete this weekend.
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September 12, 2006
Mazel tov, Eliot!
Eliot Blatt celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on September 2! It was amazing to watch the culmination of Eliot’s 3 years of preparation to be a man and continue his familiy tradition. We all thoroughly enjoyed the Bar Mitzvah, Kiddush luncheon and formal dinner and dancing party (with a tennis theme, of course) at Barton Creek Country Club.
Posted by Jim at 8:44 PM | Permalink | Comments () | TrackBack
August 27, 2006
Claire Wins First Open Tournament
Claire was the Champion of the Girls 14 Superchamp draw of the Allen Samuels Chevrolet Sunburst Junior Open this weekend!
Congrats to Claire for playing so well finishing with a 6-4 6-0 victory over the #1 seed, a very good opponent!
Claire is highlighted with several other ATA players for their great achievements over the weekend on the Austin Tennis Academy website.
Posted by Jim at 8:07 PM | Permalink | Comments () | TrackBack
July 25, 2006
3rd Annual Cahill Family Prime Beef Cookout
We spent the weekend in Lorena with our friend Steve Smith, his son Stevenson, his fiancée, Karen, and Stevenson’s friends, Robert & Dillon. The weekend was non-stop Texas fun, boating and pistol and skeet-shooting & and our 3rd annual Cahill Family Prime Beef cookout!
Kate and Meg on the tube:
Deb skiing up a storm:
Scott shooting a pistol at the sunflowers:
Posted by Jim at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments () | TrackBack
March 24, 2006
Preparing for March Madness
Scott really enjoyed his first season of basketball! His third grad team, the Falcons had a great season! His strength is defense, where he can be physical.
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Skiing, Sledding, Tubing Over Spring Break
During Spring Break Meg, Scott and I hit Utah to do some skiing, sledding, tubing and generally having a great time. Meg loved skiing and she transformed her "pizza" wedge into some pretty parallel turns. Scott wasn't the biggest fan of skiing, so Scott and I spent some time playing chess in the Stein Erikson lodge. It really started to snow when we went tubing and Scott tried the mini-snowmobiles. We had lots of fresh snow every day.
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March 18, 2006
Scott's Cotillion Adventure
Scott is now a graduate of the 2006 Cotillion season! He has mastered the dance steps for the fox trot, waltz, two step, cotton-eyed Joe, just to name of few. He also learned about the importance of a firm handshake and eye contact.
Jim and I got to join him at the end of Cotillion dance.
Here are some photos from 50s night and western night.
Posted by Deb at 6:23 PM | Permalink | Comments () | TrackBack
December 21, 2005
Award Winning ATA Christmas Party
At the Austin Tennis Academy Christmas party, Meg received a first place trophy for her fall team tennis team, as well as the team sportsmanship award.
Not pictured, Claire also received a first place trophy for her Gold team team tennis team. Just to round out the evening, I also received a coaches sportsmanship medal.
Posted by Jim at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments () | TrackBack
July 24, 2005
Meg Consolation Draw Champion!
Meg is the 2005 Barton Creek Jr. Open Girls 10s Consolation Champion! She followed in the family tradition, since Claire was the Girls 10s Main Draw Champion in her day and Kate was the Girls 10s Consolation Champion!
Posted by Deb at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments () | TrackBack
March 8, 2005
San Antonio ZAT tournament report
Unfortunately, I couldn't be in two places at the same time. As you've read earlier, Claire was playing in an Austin/Georgetown Champ tournament, while I was with Kate and Meg in San Antonio. Let me say that Kate's first round match was pro style. Let me set the stage by saying that Kate had lost to this same player in the first round of the last ZAT tournament. This time was a different story. Kate came out swinging from the warm-up. She was in command of the match. The opponent ran Kate from side to side to no avail. Kate beat the #1 seed 6-1 6-3 - ouch! Kate was very consistent, but hit some impressive winners as well. Her serve had some major pop factor. Her coach simply said Kate played "brilliant" [add a British/Scottish accent] and "perfect." The opponent didn't know what hit her.
Meg had a good match against a scrappy player. After Meg's 112 ball inside-out forehand rally against Coach Newman last week, I was not surprised that Meg could be consistent. She did a great job, but lost 8-3. However, actually I thought she was ahead the whole time. After all, I'm her mom.
Too bad the tournament was rained out. I'm confident Kate would have won the main draw and Meg would have been consi champion. After all, I'm their mom.
Posted by Deb at 9:54 PM | Permalink | Comments () | TrackBack
Homage to Grandma June a.k.a. Beauty Queen
I must post an ode to my mother, Grandma June. This past weekend, at the impressive age of 82, she won a beauty pageant in Corpus Christi. The judges rewarded June's amazing outward beauty as well as her obvious inner beauty. I've been told that the judges were particularly impressed by her service in the Navy in WWII, teaching Navy pilots.
They marveled at her talent in her youth of ballet in toe shoes as well as tap dancing in toe shoes. Grandma June still has her keen sense of humor, as evidenced by her conversation with Kate and Meg on our recent visit to Corpus Christi. Kate and Meg said something to the effect of "we think you'll win the contest" and she said with her famous dry humor "everyone thinks their Grandma will win."
We also enjoyed her favorite attendant, who she calls "Ray" even thought that is not his name. Anyway, I close this homage to Grandma June by saying that we all marvel at her hearty constitution and her joie de vivre. We love you Grandma June!
Grandma June and sister Dee Dee
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