A FUN SUMMER DAY

We spent the day yesterday filling up water balloons for the 4th of July waterfight. We have 500 for the 4th and 200 for the kids to play with yesterday. They had a great time & then we had make your own pizza night afterwards. FUN!

Today, I am like a little kid waiting for Christmas. I love the 4th of July!

Allie making pizza
Mitch, Paul & Jake with their pizzas

Jake breaking a balloon over Allie's head

Mitch nails Jake with a balloon.

Here's 500 of the 700 balloons we filled

ALLIE

Allie informed me tonight that she is planning to babysit when she is 15 & will do that until her art career takes off. I'm still chuckling!

STURGIS FALLS & OTHER STUFF

Scott & I had the best weekend! On Friday, we sent the kids to Michael & Kim's for the night, then to my parent's house for the rest of the weekend. Why? Some of our old college friends came to town for a get together. We picked last weekend because it was Sturgis Falls & there is a ton of stuff to do. We had the best time catching up & laughing about our UNI days. It was great!!

Allie is doing well in softball. She can hit the ball & field pretty well. She loves it, so that is great. Jake continues to enjoy baseball. His team still isn't doing great, but they are improving each game.

My sister & her kids came to visit overnight to see each of the kiddos play ball. My parents came up for a day to catch one of Jake's games. They'll be back later in the summer to see Miss Allie play.

The kids are having a great summer. We decided not to join the waterpark for the first year in 6 years! I was a little nervous about that, but they are having a great time running & riding their bikes around the neighborhood & playing with their friends. The other day, Jake went out at 10 a.m & came inside at 10 pm. He was outside all day long. All meals were served outside & he loved it.

We are looking forward to the upcoming 4th of July. I'm sure it will be a blast as always. The kids are so excited...I think that the 4th ranks right up there with Christmas for my kids!!


The whole group (front: Kari, Me, Cris, Mike back: Brian, Scott, Stacy, Betsy, Jodi & Dan)
Allie, Maddie & Ben watching a movie

Me & my some of my old roomies at Suds for old times (Cris, Jodi, Me & Stacy)

Allie crossing home plate

Allie ready at 3rd base

FUN WEEK!!

Last week was full of adventure...like always!

Jake had a game on Wednesday. Another double header. They lost both games. Jake played well. He also had a doubleheader on Sunday. They lost the first by one run and won the 2nd game by 5 runs. His team made a TRIPLE play in one of the innings. It was so cool.

The kids went to a play date at Austin & Sami's. They had a great time playing in the nearby creek. They came home with 5 tadpoles as their "pets". The tadpoles last until today's due to the heat...

Allie & I went to Drew's first b-day party on Sunday (Jake had a game). We weren't able to stay long, we wanted to get home for Jake's 2nd game. I got to hang with Drew before the party goers arrived, so that was nice. I can't believe he's 1!

We got to meet Will's girlfriend at the party. She seems really nice & we look forward to getting to know her. Allie enjoyed the slip & slide at Michael & Kim's house. She opted to go down it in her clothes! I wasn't too thrilled with her. I can't wait to pay Michael back for his encouragement!!

Friday night was the annual girl's night at my friend Kim's house. This year's theme was ugly bridesmaids dresses. We had great food & drinks, along with a lot of laughs.

We've had several storms here the past few days. Sunday we had a tornado warning. There was a tornado that struck in a small town near us. Today the sirens went off because a tornado was spotted near the Dome, which is really close to us. Too close for comfort. We hunkered down in the basement until the storms passed by.

Drew is "1"
Miss Maddie, my niece

Our pet tadpoles

Ugly bridesmaids dresses (front Cindy & Kristin...back Kim, Karen, Cathi, Steph, Kristie & me)

Jake on 1st base

3:30 A.M.

3:30 a.m. That is what time my cell phone rang this morning. That is when a little, sobbing voice on the other end of the phone said "mom, I miss you, can you please come get me". Of course, I answered "I'll be right there". I stumbled around in the dark & made my way to the garage. I drove a couple of miles to pick up my crying daughter from her friend's house. I'm pretty sure that I didn't see a single car driving at that time. She met me in the driveway. I apologized to her friend's mother. She cried most of the way home because she had "missed me SO much". When everyone got up this morning, the boys were completely unaware of what went down overnight. Guess they must sleep soundly!

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?