PICTURES

Here are some awesome pics that my neighbor took of Jake playing baseball.

Read to bat
Crossing home plate

Making an out on first base

The fans (Will C, Allie, Lauryn, Sami & Will P)

Jake with the ball in his hand ready to make an out at first.

ONE WEEK OF SUMMER DOWN

The first week of summer went surprisingly well! The kids didn't fight & actually hung out together. I was shocked!

We had a Scout picnic for Jake. His last Scout event, he's decided to give up Scouts because he is too busy with other activities. I have to say that I was happy he gave it up (I was the leader & that means one less activity for me). Anyway, we went to our friend's house which backs up to the woods. There is a small creek that the kids spent tons of time wading in, catching toads and just playing. They had a bonfire and smores too. We had a great time & both kids came home exhausted & filthy.

Jake had a doubleheader on Sunday. His team won one & lost one. He had an amazing (lucky) catch in the outfield & he was pretty happy about that. After the game, the entire team & their families came to our house for a BBQ. It was a lot of fun.

Allie & I had a girls afternoon on Friday. Jake went with a friend to the Children's Museum in Coralville, so we painted pottery, had lunch, shopped & then came home & crashed. It was fun!

The kids finished up VBS last week. They had a big pool party on Thursday evening. It was chilly, but they still went swimming. I don't know how they could stand the freezing water!

The kids have been playing outside non-stop. The neighbor boys and girls have been coming and going. They are having a ball so far this summer. We also went to see 2 movies on rainy days. The movies "Up" and "Night at the Museum 2" were both cute.

Jake has been going to basketball camp a couple of days a week. He is enjoying that. Allie starts softball this week & can't wait.

Scott & I also celebrated our 13 year anniversary yesterday. Hard to believe it has been that long! So much has changed since our wedding day...kids, new house, new jobs, new cars, vacations and so on. It's been an adventure & I can't wait to see what happens the 50 years!


Allie painting her pottery
Half of the people at the baseball picnic

Jake's baseball team:
Front left to right: Mason, Paul, Nick, Carter, Mitch & Ben
Back left to right: Coach Newton, Sam, Luke, Jake, Reese, Austin, Will & Coach Bennett

LOVE YA MOM!

My kids are both very different. Most of you know that. Allie loves anything art-related. She loves to draw, color, paint, mold things in clay, use chalk and so on. She loves to dance and ride her scooter. She is good at reading & likes it. Math isn't her strong subject. She is quite clumsy and very affectionate. She is always hugging her mama, giving me a kiss for no reason, leaving me little notes/pictures, telling me how awesome I am as a mom. She isn't afraid to show her feelings. She is truly a sweet, sweet child. I feel so needed and loved around Miss Allie.

Jake on the other hand loves anything sports related. I've sat through numerous soccer, football, baseball and basketball games. He loves to kick a ball around or just run for no reason. He loves to ride his bike...fast! He loves math & could care less about reading. He is a nice kid with a heart of gold. He'd never intentionally hurt someone's feelings and he truly cares about people. He's a neat kid. HOWEVER, he doesn't hug or kiss. He doesn't tell me how awesome I am over and over. I rarely get a note or pictures, Mother's Day & my b-day is about it. What he does is pretty cool. EVERY single time he leaves me, whether going to a practice, a friend's house, school or just outside to play, he simply says "love ya mom'. That's it. Those three little words are SO cool & mean just as much as Allie's constant affection.

While each kid has a different way of showing their affections, each one is pretty special & I cherish them for their differences. I cherish the daily pats on the back from Allie & love the simple "love ya mom" from Jake.

HE! CAN! HIT!

Yep, you read that right. Jake got his first hit of the season last night. Ok...he did hit a foul ball last game & I was proud then, considering that was the first & only contact he'd make all season. Last night he actually HIT the ball! I cheered SO loud & was beaming for that kid. I suppose that I should mention that the ball landed in the DAMN shortstops glove on a lucky catch (his glove was on the ground...a inch & he would have missed). So, he was out. He didn't seem to mind because HE GOT A HIT!! Ok, you get the picture.

Jake was up to bat a couple of other times & got walked, struck out swinging (which is new for him) and his last strike out was called at a ball that hit the plate & was called a strike. It was bad. I'm not just saying that either (that is when the base ump went & talked to the plate ump). Did I mention my kid got a hit??

Jake did a good job at 1st base & also played right center. His fielding is usually pretty good & tonight was no different. Oh, did I mention my kid got a hit?

The game didn't end so well. It was a doubleheader and we lost the first one 9-3 and the second on 5-4. I will say that the ump during the second game was AWFUL & even the base coach thought he wasn't calling things right. Oh well! Did I mention my kid got a hit???

I will attribute Jake's hit to my brother's countless hours last weekend working with Jake. He threw tons of balls at him & fixed some things too. Thank you Michael! I will also say that it didn't hurt that I threw balls to him yesterday afternoon & made sure he could still hit :) I'm willing to bet Michael's instruction was worth more than mine. Did I mention my kid got a hit??

Ok...I swear enough bragging. But, um, it is my blog & well a mama can do that every now & then. So, I did & now I'll be done (until hopefully Sunday's game when he's a hitter).

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

Last week was another full one! I worked all week & the kids enjoyed lots of fun things during their last week of 3rd and 1st grade.

There was snow cone days sponsored by student council. Each snow cone cost 50 cents and after 2 days the student council made over $1000. Pretty amazing.

I co-chaired the 2 day annual talent show for the 4th year in a row. It was another success. Jake's group danced again & did well. Allie and her friend Jordyn brought down the house with their version of Hoedown Throwdown by Hannah Montana. They got the loudest cheers for the day.

We had a week long coin drive come to an end. The kids raised over $7200 & got the opportunity to dunk the principal and some teachers in a dunk tank. The teachers were great sports & of course the kiddos loved it.

Awards day brought the student council awards for both Jake & Allie. Jake also got a garden club award. I was nominated for a volunteer award as well. I was one proud mama after all was said & done.

I got to go to Allie's class picnic on the last day of school. I loved it! I was also invited to Jake's end of the year ice cream party. They showered me with a cool card signed by the whole class and a gift bag of goodies for my time spent with his class.

Jake had a baseball game on Wednesday night. They lost, but Jake had some great fielding on 1st base and he even hit a foul ball (he eventually struck out & was walked too).

Allie went to a pizza party with her Daisy troop the other night. She got her patch & awards for selling so many cookies this year.

Jake played in a weekend-long soccer tournament. They won Friday night, lost 2 games on Saturday & lost on Sunday. They 6th placed overall. Jake had 2 goals in the tournament & played well.

This week brings: vacation Bible school, baseball practices, 2 doubleheader baseball games, Jake's basketball camp and catching up on housework.

Jake & his best buds (Ben, Jake, Adam, Paul & Nick)

Nick, Jake & Adam

Allie & her best buds (Madison, Allie, Andrea & Morgan)

Carmen. Ashlyn & Allie

Allie & her award for being on Student Council

Jake & his student council award

Dr. Reid in the dunk tank

Jake crossing home plate

Talent Show group (Ben, Olivia, Jake, Makenna, Paul & Sophie)

Allie & Jordyn ready for the Talent Show
Jake fighting for the ball

Jake booting the ball

Allie & her friend Ryan during the soccer game

PHOTOS FROM LAST POST (FINALLY)...

Sami, Allie & Lauryn, little sisters of Jake's baseball team mates.

Allie & her dance friends

Jake & Michael

Kim & Allie

Jake, Lucas & Allie

Scott, Drew & Allie

Jake after Field Days

Allie after Field Days

Jake at Field Days

Allie at Field Days

HIGHLIGHTS

Another busy week has gone. I subbed all week. Here are the highlights of the kid's week:

Tuesday: Allie had a Daisy meeting after school. It was their last meeting of the year. They are having a pizza party & award night this week. Soccer & baseball practices were rained out.

Wednesday: We had Talent Show practice after school for both kids. They are looking good. The show is in a few days. Jake's baseball game was rained out.

Thursday: Not much happening after school. A nice change.

Friday: The kids had Field Days in the afternoon. It was a hoot getting to hang with Allie's class playing silly games. After school, we had Jake's make up baseball game. They lost big time...22-0. It was a LONG game! Michael, Kim & Drew came to see the game & spend the weekend with us. Scott's sister Kelley, her hubby Mike & son Lucas made a surprise visit for pizza & playing in our backyard. They were on their way to a friends & stayed for about an hour.

Saturday: The day started with Kim, Drew & I taking Allie to dress rehearsal for her recital. While we were at rehearsal, Michael took Jake out & practiced his batting. Once we all returned home, we grabbed some lunch & headed out to Jake's soccer game. His team lost 4-3 in the last minute or so. Jake then went to baseball practice & off to a sleepover at his friend Adam's house. We grilled out & hit the beds early...a long, busy day made us all tired.

Sunday: My parents came to visit. We took them to the ball diamond to see the progress that Michael had made with Jake's hitting. My dad had a few pointers for him too. After lunch, Michael, Kim & Drew took off for home while Mom & I went to Allie's recital. After the recital, my parents took off for home & we went to see Jake's baseball game. They lost again 6-4. Jake didn't have a hit, but took a great swing & got walked twice. He also looked good on 1st base.

This week: (I'm subbing all week)
Monday: snow cone days, baseball practice, talent show practice
Tuesday: snow cone days, soccer practice, talent show practice, Daisy party
Wednesday: talent show, baseball game
Thursday: talent show, baseball practice, Godfather's night
Friday: awards day, last day of school, soccer game (tournament)
Saturday: 2 soccer games
Sunday: 1-2 soccer games, vacation Bible school

**Pictures will be posted later....

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

We had a nice, relaxing weekend. The kids and I spent Saturday with my friend Cathi & her girls. The kids played together while we gabbed. We grabbed some lunch & ice cream too. A fun day!

On Sunday, Scott was home with us. We ran a few errands, practiced Jake's batting, grilled out & played with our new washers & bean bag game. I was the CHAMP! Yep, I beat Scott! He even admitted if we ever play teams with other people, he'd want me on his team (that usually doesn't happen).

Monday was spent on baseball. Jake had a quick practice & then a long game in the drizzle. Our team won, but Jake's still not hitting the ball. Frustration & now a lack of confidence isn't helping matters. I feel so bad for the kid! He was thrilled with their first win though.

My dad continues to improve daily. He is home & walking with his walker. There have been a few bumps in the road, but he is doing well. He says his hip feels great!

This week brings: last Daisy meeting, 2 soccer practices, 1 soccer game, 2 baseball practices, 2 baseball games, a b-day party, rehearsal for Allie's recital, Allie's recital, Field Days at school, work for me, Talent Show practice for both kids and some of my favorite people visiting this weekend (my mom, Michael, Kim & Drew).

Allie playing bags
Jake playing bags
Allie on our swings

BUDDING ARTIST

I have a budding artist on my hands. Miss Allie is always doodling or drawing her newest masterpiece. She draws on sketch pads, little notebooks, scratch paper or even the sidewalk with her sidewalk chalk. She puts her "keepers" into a portfolio for her fans to adore. She loves to create things too. Give her Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, pom poms and some googly eyes...who knows what she'll make. Take her to the local bead store or pottery shop & she goes nuts putting together jewelry or painting pottery. SHE. LOVES. ART.

When you ask Allie what she wants to be when she grows up, she always answers an artist. She also has a Plan B, which is to be an art teacher. SHE. LOVES. ART.

So, the other night I went up to her room and she was on her bed with her portable desk. She had her sketch pad and markers at work. She told me she had made a picture for her music teacher Mrs. Dreyer and that she had copied it from one of her art books. I was shocked!! The picture was pretty good...for a 7 year old. We showed it to Scott and he was even impressed. I guess we might have a budding artist on our hands! SHE. LOVES. ART.


Here is the picture she copied:

Here is her version...pretty good 'eh?

I'M BACK!

Yes, I know it's been well over a week since my last entry. You'll understand why as you read what has gone on since the last time I posted!

The biggest thing that happened was that my dear dad got a new left hip! Yep, he finally took the plunge & had a hip replacement. It happened bright and early Monday morning. Fortunately, Scott was able to take the day off & handle things at home so that I could spend the day with my mom & siblings waiting for Dad's surgery to be over. Everything went smoothly at the hospital & dad was in his room by late morning. As of today, he's walking & very ready to go home. Now if the docs would just release him! I can hardly wait to see the change in his walk...hopefully it will be goodbye pain & limping!

Scott did a great job being "mom" for 24 hours. I left on Sunday afternoon and headed to Michael & Kim's house for the night. Scott had a long list of things to do while I was gone. He managed getting the kids to their activities, feeding them, making sure that they were clean, he did homework, laundry & even changed all of the bedding in the house. He said that he was ready to get back to his usual job on Tuesday.

Jake had 2 baseball games last week. Friday night was a make up game & it poured during the entire 2 hours we were there. The boys didn't look good & we lost. Sunday's game was a little better. We looked good & scored some runs. We looked decent. Jake got on base twice on Sunday, not because of hitting the ball but because of a walk & a wild pitcher that hit him. Jake's having some trouble hitting the ball. We've been working with him nightly and when he does get a piece of the ball, it goes so far. Just got to get him consistent in his hitting!

Jake had a soccer game on Saturday. They lost. Jake had several assists and looked good again. The team looked better this time too. One more game & then the long tournament weekend. Hopefully we can get a win!

Allie is practicing like crazy for her end of the year dance recital. She can hardly wait to hit the stage again!

The kids had Beach Day at school last week. They had a student council picnic this week.

My sister & her kids came for a visit over the weekend. We had a nice time hanging out. They got to see Jake's soccer game & he was thrilled. Maddie is so funny! She had me laughing a ton.

Allie had a playdate with her buddy Ryan. Jake had playdates with Jacob O & a b-day party for Nick.

I had a carnival meeting last week. Looks like I have agreed to co-chair it again this year. We have our committees set & October will be here before we know it.

I've been working in the library at the kid's school. I have been really busy there, but am enjoying myself. The Talent Show is quickly approaching. Both kids have an act ready to go. Snow cone days are coming up too & I'm handling that.

Not much left of the week...a baseball practice, a PTA pickup, work, Jake's poetry fair, Gold Star Teacher Award program, soccer practice, Talent Show practice and the long holiday weekend. Scott is working on Saturday. We have NO plans on Sunday and Jake has a baseball game on Monday. Allie wants to go to a movie & Jake wants to hit some baseballs...I think we can squeeze those things in on Sunday!

Drew lovin his Auntie on Sunday night

Maddie & her chocolate bar at Jake's game

Jake getting ready to pass off the ball

Jake & friends (Ben, Carter & Adam) at Beach Day

Allie, Andrea, Morgan & Ashlyn at Beach Day

3 GOALS!

Yep, Jake scored 3 goals during Saturday's soccer game. He looked awesome! Ok...I know, I'm his mama, of course I thought he looked awesome. A couple of other mom's commented on his good game too, so I think REALLY did do great. He played great defense, scored goals & had an assist as well. Unfortunately, the team lost 7-4. Maybe next week??

I had to share Mother's Day with Scott's birthday today. We had an overall nice day. The kids both made me letters in school. They were perfect! Allie brought me breakfast in bed (a Diet Dr. Pepper & a Pop Tart). We went to lunch as a family & ran a couple of errands. Jake had baseball practice in the afternoon. We grilled out steaks for dinner & then while Scott did some yardwork, I took Jake to the batting cages to work on hitting the fast balls. It didn't go so well, he got mad, then I got mad & we left. On the ride home, we both cooled down & decided to go to the park. I pitched to him while he hit balls & we had a blast. He almost took me out though with a line drive...I was able to get out of the way before I got hit (thankfully).

This week:
Monday: volunteer in Allie's room, dance, Talent Show practice, baseball practice
Tuesday: soccer practice, baseball practice, carnival planning meeting
Wednesday: noon dismissal, teacher luncheon food, baseball game
Thursday: baseball practice
Friday: garden club, Beach Day, soccer practice
Saturday: Mandy & the kids come to visit, soccer game, Jake has a b-day party to go to
Sunday: baseball game


Jake is the one scoring the goal!!

WHY I LOVE MY MOM


In honor of Mother's Day, here are just a few of the reasons that I love my mom, there are tons more, but I can't list them all:

• she gave me life
• she went without lots of things so that I didn't have to go without
• she was a stay at home mom & was always waiting for me after school
• she taught me how to bake
• she made me use manners
• she made me think I could do anything I wanted to do
• she has told me it is ok to say "no" to people's requests
• she told me I was pretty, smart, kind & many other things to boost my self esteem
• she taught me how to plant flowers
• she made me go to church and religious ed
• she supported my great decisions (UNI) and my not so great ones (track)
• she taught me the importance of volunteering
• she taught me how to love unconditionally
• she forgave me for my teenage years & other bumps in the road
• she made me get a job in high school
• she taught me to spend within my means
• she gave me my sisters & brothers (who are my dear friends)
• she gave me a curfew so I wouldn't get into trouble
• she told me stories about her childhood
• she made me write thank you notes
• she played games & colored with me for hours upon hours when I was little
• she made Christmas magical
• she listens to me vent, regularly
• she spends time with my kids doing what is important to them
• she got to know my friends & had to know who I was with
• she always made me feel important
• she didn't let me quit things I started
• she encouraged me to breast feed
• she taught me to turn the other cheek
• she made me help freeze tomatoes & corn in the summer...I hated it then
• she gave me tons of traditions to pass along to my kids
• she took off work to help me after my kids were born and when I've been too sick to care for my kids. She even came to my aid when the stomach flu hit our house...that's brave
• she made me learn to be independent
• she never expects anything from me or uses guilt trips
• she become one of my dearest friends and I love her more than ever!

SOCCER, BASEBALL & MUSEUMS, OH MY!

Jake had another soccer game last weekend. He also had another loss. They played hard, but just couldn't get the win. Maybe this weekend?

Jake also had his first baseball game this week. Our team looked great on defense, but didn't do so well batting. Their pitcher was fast & no one was able to hit off of him. We are the young team in this league, so it might be a long season! After the game, we ran to dinner with some of the team. It was a rowdy crowd.

I was able to spend the week at Museum School with Jake's class. We went every day this week to the Grout Museum District and learned about the history of our city. What an interesting and exciting week. I sure am pooped tonight! The kids were a bit wound up...maybe because of the full moon??

The kids and I met my sister, sister in law & the kids in Williamsburg on Sunday for some summer clothes shopping. We always have so much fun together. Scott was in a golf tournament for work & it sounds like he had fun.

I am subbing for the rest of the school year at the kid's school. I'll be in the library & am looking forward to seeing all of my favorite faces when they come in to check out books.

This weekend/week brings: ballet class, talent show practice, 2 baseball practices, 2 baseball games, 2 soccer practices, 2 soccer games, a carnival planning meeting, volunteering in Allie's room, a swimming b-day party, a sleepover, Scott's b-day, Mother's Day, Beach Day & subbing all week.


Nick, Jake, Madison & Marae at the museum
The baseball team (Jake is #2)

Jake at his soccer game.

Allie by our blooming tree.
Jake & Paul before their big game.