Monday, July 14, 2008

My Favorite Summer Blog

Yes, what you are seeing is Connor in underwear. Diego underwear to be exact. Mommy bought him some underwear and a potty seat to see if he was ready. He does love the underwear. Just that he forgets to take the diaper off! He wants to wear them with a diaper under them all the time. My little Comedian. I guess I got my answer.

Fireworks!

We headed out to Memaw's and G-Dad's the weekend after the 4th and the boys couldn't wait to shoot fireworks. Of course, Connor thought it was so funny to blow out the match before they could light the pump. It took Daddy many, many tries before he could beat Connor to get it lit.
Jack loves lighting fireworks and wanted to do it all by himself this year. It made me a bit nervous but Daddy let him. Connor got to hold his first sparkler this year. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
Now, notice I said my boys love fireworks! This is where Bailey parked her fanny. In the garage as far away as possible. She has always been scared of the noise they make and is not thrilled to see them.
We also got to do Connor's favorite thing, feed the Neigh Neigh's.
Again, the boys loved feeding the horses but Bailey wouldn't get close enough to feed them. I keep hoping she will outgrow a few of her fears but not yet.
Daddy rode them all three around the pasture on the tractor and they love it.
Connor loves to "drive" the tractor.

It was a fun Sunday at the farm!

Outrigger Island

VBS was in June and really we spent the whole month getting ready and having it. Don't get me wrong I love helping to make it so special for the kids, but it definitely takes a toll on all of us.
Bailey's friend Kylie went with us this week and the girls had a blast.

Connor was in a classroom for the first time and he loved it! He didn't cry once when I dropped him off and he could see me during the day and not get upset. He would smile and say Hi mommy! This is Connor with his buddy Mason. They are so cute together.
Of course, Jack had a blast. This is Jack and his buddy Clay clowning around. In their class picture they are doing bunny ears to each other. Oh well, that fits the two of them perfectly. These two have been friends since they were around 6 months old.

All in all, VBS was a huge success. The director, Chelsea does an incredible job of organizing and running it. The kids loved it and now finally our summer can begin.

My Favorite 8 Year Old

This is what our playroom looked like at 1:00am. Six 7 and 8 year olds laying in sleeping bags and playing our gamecube and their Nintendo DS's. This was the biggest birthday adventure Greg and I have had so far... We started the evening with our family coming over for a cookout and cupcakes. Jack got everything he wanted and more. We gave him a new "moto" style bike he had been wanting. He also got several lego sets he wanted and new games for his DS. He got a cool archaeologist set to play outside with. He is sure that he wants to be an Archaeologist when he grows up. He also got a set of matchbox cars that he gave to his baby brother because he has so many and Connor really wanted them.
After the family dinner all Jack's friends showed up. While Daddy cooked the dogs they bounced and bounced and bounced. That is my child completely out of control in mid air.
Here is the tent that they were suppose to sleep in that night! It didn't happen for several reasons. I am the one who decided not to put them outside. It was really humid and hot and I was afraid we would never get them to sleep.
After playing outside and eating our campin' cookout we headed in to have cupcakes with worms on top! Then he opened more fun gifts. After that Daddy asked them if they wanted to go to the High School baseball game. We can walk to the field just one street over and 4 of them jumped at the chance to go to a High School game. Then they went to Blockbuster and got a movie to watch.
While they watched the movie the had seconds on dinner and had root beer floats and popcorn!
They really just loved hanging out and playing games and eating! Yes, I stocked up on snacky foods. And it was a good thing. One friend ate four hot dogs! I don't think I could ever get Jack to eat more than one! Around 12:30 we began the long process of getting them into bed and trying to get them to sleep. Finally, at 1:20 when I checked on them they were all snoring! Thank goodness because three of them had a baseball playoff game the next morning at 10:20!
Happy 8th Birthday, Jackson!
I still remember that night eight years ago that you came into my life. You came in with a bang and haven't stopped since. Every time you walk up to me and hug me and tell me you love me I still melt. God has blessed us with a wonderful first born son. Continue to honor God and your mommy and daddy.

Friday, July 04, 2008

End of the Year Zoo Trip

Bailey's Kindergarten class went on a year end zoo trip in May. Her sweet teacher, Mrs. Lehner, broke the kids into several groups and we took off to visit all the animals. We had a great time, everyone in our group was so well behaved.
A few kids you could tell didn't get to the Zoo often and were just amazed at all the animals.
Bailey's best friend, Serena was in another group but Bailey had fun anyway. I could tell why Bailey was so liked by her classmates, she was very sweet to everyone, including them in things and helping them if they needed it. There is one little boy though, who likes her a lot and keeps trying to kiss her. I've got my eyes on him!!!

More Spring Soccer

Jack played soccer this Spring also. This picture was the same game day as Bailey's and Jack was the co-captain too. I think they won the coin toss. Jack is almost always a forward. He is agressive beyond belief and is wherever the ball is. Scoring was tough this year. His team wasn't gelling well together and they lost most games.
He seems to have a definite aptitude for soccer. We are checking into special soccer clubs and practices. He needs some tough coaching and fine tuning of his skills.
Jack was so agressive that the other teams seemed to target him a bit. He (not OK) tends to put his shoulder into the other players as they run along beside him. Which causes the other team to push and trip him alot! You can see the other players hand on Jack's back. If he breaks away they almost always push him down. In this game he and number 20 had a battle all game. Jack is also the team drama king! He tends to end up on the ground so he makes the most of it and rolls and moans. Which also almost always gets him a free kick because the other team gets a penalty. In this pic he is running the ball with his best bud Clay. They had fun together.

Jack hates to come out of a game. He would play the whole game and has when they were short players. I have to say that I love to go to the kids soccer games. I love to watch Jack play so hard and Bailey get so excited.

Spring Soccer

Bailey played soccer again this spring. Her little team has been together now for a while and are becoming a good little team. This particular week she was one of the captains at the start of the game. I think they lost the coin toss. She is still timid and a little shy even on the soccer field. Once the game gets going though she usually begins to get aggressive.
She was playing half back during this quarter and was waiting on the ball. She is a pretty good defender. She tries hard not to let the ball past her.
She does stay focused during a game. This season she scored goals in several games and was so proud of herself. She also looks really cute in her uniform with her hair pulled up in a "pony".
Way to go Bailey!

A Special Two Year Old

Connor had a very special two year old birthday. Yes, it was in April!!! I am way behind. He loves Diego and wanted a party with Diego. So, Aunt Tamara came as "Click the Camera".
My friend Sam's did a great job on the cake. I would normally make the cake but had a few things going on and didn't think I could do it justice.
We had a big Mexican fiesta with all our family and the kids loved playing in the backyard. Connor just loves having all his family around him.
He also loved tearing into the gifts and had a little help from sister, brother and all his cousins!
Greg and I feel very fortunate to have our big boy Connor in our family. A year ago he got very sick and we were faced with the unthinkable. We say a prayer of thanksgiving everyday for Connor staying healthy. When those hard sick times come around we are just grateful for the doctors we have and the care he gets. We stay focused on our blessings.