First Baseball Game-Grizzlies

The boys had received free tickets (for reading 10 books in one night)to the Fresno Grizzlies baseball game so thought it would be a great new thing to do. We got there right as the gates opened which meant we still had to wait another hour till game time.The boys did pretty good considering how warm it was. We were in our seats chillin and trying to keep the kids occupied and the field manager (?) came over and asked the boys if they wanted to go out onto the field with Parker the Bear (mascot) and warm up together. Ofcourse they both were like,"yeah yeah!!" Totally excited about it. So, a few minutes later Dave took the boys down onto the field and I took pictures. I tried to get some good ones but the darn baseball players kept getting in the way.I was able to get a few though...Then they came back and sat down and a few minutes later, the game started. Ofcourse they were thirsty so we had to get drinks and then ofcourse they were starving (we had just eaten) but we said they had to wait a while on that. The game got rollin and we were all getting into it. They were learning alot about baseball and actually enjoying it.So a while later, Dave got them dippin dots in little helmets to help cool them off. Then ofcourse a potty break and more beggin for more food-I had snuck in some snack packs so they started munching down those and by then it was almost 4. We had been there since a little before 1 so we were all hot and sweaty and they were losing interest big time-so was I. Well, Camden also kept spitting water out on me so I took the rest of the water in the cup and tossed it on him so we had a little water fight-which was pretty fun cause it was helping cool us down. Well, it was about 4 by this time and we were getting ready to leave and one of the players walks by with a ball and ofcourse everyone is yelling,"throw it over here". The guy looks our way and Cam has his little hand up so he walks by the gate and motions for Cam to come and get it so Cam got to go and grab the ball. It was pretty cool. He has been smiling ever since. I asked Cam why he thought he was the one to get the ball and he said,"because I yelled out I was their number 1 fan" Goodness gracious!!! So funny. Well, we left the top of the 7th inning-we were ahead 7 to 1. It was a great game. But 3 hours in the sun is long enought for me. I know they say baseball is as American as apple pie but I do not like the heat.

Baseball part 2

just a few more pics

Time for Myself

With the kids at grandma and grandpa's, I got to get a little scrapping done. I was able to work on 4 different pages-still need journaling on a few but for the most part, pretty happy for what I got done.

Big question from a little boy

Yesterday the boys spent the night at grandma and grandpas house. I received a call from grandma telling me Cam had a question he wanted answered. Okie dokie-thinking it had something to do with either a movie they could watch or a certain sweet but no-it had to be more grown up.So Cam gets on the phone and I say, "Hi sweetie, did you have something to ask mommy?" He says,"Yes mom, how do babies get in their mommies tummies?" Ok-did not see that coming. Trying not to gasp I quickly think of something and answer,"Well sweetie, when a mommy and a daddy love each other very much, God puts a teeny tiny seed in the mommies belly and it grows into a little baby." He pondered it for a second and then answered,"ok, thanks." Phew, that seemed to suffice him. What the heck, he is only 5. Kid has such an inquisitive mind-I am a little afraid of what the next question might be. I was pretty proud of myself. For such an out of the blue question, that was pretty quick thinking.

Bowling

Dave and I wanted to do something special for Cam since he has done so well in school so after his award thing, we had a family day. We let him pick where to eat and the activity. So, he chose A & W to eat-mainly for the root beer floats and then bowling. The weekend after school is out, Bay gets to pick where to eat and what we do for his special day (which he has already informed us we are going to the movies to see the new Night At The Museum movie.)We have only been bowling one other time as a family so this was quite fun. It was so adorable watching them run up to the line and chuck their ball. Cam won for the longest it took for the ball to hit the pins and Bay won for the funniest run/dance to the line. It was so comical watching them . They each had their own "way" of doing it.Next time we have got to bring a video camera to catch it. We actually had a lady come over and comment on how cute they were and how they had their own style-too funny. Cam even gave me some "pointers" and when it was not Bay's turn, he was off and about playing Star Wars battle in his imagination.Man, that kid is going to be a writer. Well, ofcourse Dave won both games but I was proud of myself for getting at least 100 on both games.The boys did so well, Bay was actually ahead of me on the first game for at least the first part.He actually got a strike...Afterwards, it was getting late and Cam was exhausted (he had been up since 5-saying he was too excited for the day to start) and Bay was hungry so they were both grumpy so home we went. Cam was out by 7:30 and Bay fell asleep by 7:45. Yeah!! Early night for Dave and I. I finished reading a book I had started ("The Gurdian" by Nicholas Sparks) I love his writing. I cry almost every time with whatever book I am reading of his. Then I started another one ("The Reader") I looked up and thought I saw a flash in the sky but thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Well, a few minutes later, Dave's friend Kirk calls him and tells him there is supposed to be a really strong wind and storm coming. So we look outside and there is lightning lighting up the sky. The wind started picking up so he had to take down the awning thing we have outside so it won't blow and get ripped up.Minutes within him finishing up, the wind picks up, the lightning is closer and the thunder is booming. Well, I make him put the kids mattress on our floor and we put both boys in our room-there is no way I could sleep with all that was going on if they were in their rooms too far away. Ofcourse the boys sleep thru the whole thing. I had the hardest time falling asleep. The thunder was so loud that it boomed and the lights on our nightstand clinked making noise. Thunder is not the one that scares me but it was quite loud and you could almost feel the ground boom. I do not like the lightning at all-unless it is far away then I think it is pretty cool to watch. My worst fear is a fire-either not being able to reach the kids to save them or being on fire fighting for my life so when I see lightning all I think of is fire. And there was a ton of it going off all the time. It was so bright, it just kept lighting up our room. Ofcourse I start worrying-our bed is right under the window so it is freaking me out. Probably the worst place to be sleeping during all of this. Well, I was finally able to fall asleep but I am quite tired this morning. Thank goodness it is over. Here's to sleeping good tonight....

Bowling-part 2

Just a few more picks of our bowling day. One of my favorite things was watching them try and get their fingers in the right holes. Such hard work and concentration....

Awards for Camden

Yesterday was a little award program for Camden. I would not really call it a program but more of Mrs. Erickson (the principal) calling names and the kids going up to the front to get them. I was so hoping for a kindergarten graduation but they do not do that here. It was quite cute though watching the kids go claim their "rewards" (as Cam calls them) Dave was able to take the whole day off of work to come and watch and then to do something special as a family. Camden received all awards. He earned the "ABC" award-for knowing all uppercase and lowercase letters and sounds," 123" Award-for knowing his numbers, writing them and correct sequence, "Spelling Bee" award-for reading and writing all 30 kindergarten sight words, and the "Principal's Medallion"-for reading and passing comprehension of level 3 DRA. The only award he did not receive was for perfect attendance-which , in my book, will probably never happen and its not a big deal. We are all so proud of him and all he has learned this year. He is so excited about 1st gade. I am first looking forward to a break.

Memorial Day

Today the kids had the day off in honor of Memorial Day. It was nice not waking up at 5:45 and rushing around getting everyone ready for the day and out the door. Dave had to work so he used my car-for the air conditioning and the boys and I got to stay home all day today. I love days where you can just stay in your jammies all day-I so wish everyday was like that. I did have quite a long list of To Do's but that was fine. Not everything got done but I got a nice chunk of it crossed off. I also got to start working out again-man taking 2 weeks off for the surgery, I am out of shape again. I have to still go slower than what I would like but I will get back in shape again. That stupid medication they had me on made me put on 10 pounds-yuck!! The boys and I had a good day. They played together so nicely while I was cleaning-which some days is rare so it is always nice seeing. We played, read books, went outside in the little pool for a little over an hour-you know me and heat, played Disney monopoly (again) and took a turn on PS2. Dave brought home Taco Bell-so nice not having to cook. Now, the boys are coloring and already rubbing their eyes. They are already ready for bed so I think it might be an early bed time. Dave and I might watch a movie and then turn in early-we were up pretty late the last couple of nights and the week is just starting.I am going to tape the new episode of Jon and Kate Plus Eight-I will be watching it tomorrow. Now, I am getting ready to check emails and read another chapter out of a book I just started (The Guardian" by Nickolas Sparks) Tomorrow is coming -only 14 days of school left and then the school year is over. Wow-looking forward to it.

Hard Day

The sunday before my surgery, was kind of a tough day. I knew we had to do the surgery-more for my health then anything else but knowing there would be no more kids in our future is very tough.Especially because we had already started monitoring my ovulation (since Jan)and checking out info with the insurance company, so to let that dream go is hard. Well, it was a different service-their anniversary celebration so they were having people go on stage and hold signs. Those that had an addiction would hold up a sign that one side said,"used to be addicted to meth" and then the other side saying,"Now I have found an addiction loving Christ." Or another person with a sign that one side said,"I used to be depressed" and the other side,"now I find complete joy in Christ." Well, all was wonderful. People were singing and clapping and then a family got onstage (a mom, dad and 3 kids) Their sign read,"I used to be barren" and the other side said,"Now we have 3 beautiful children." Then it kind of hit me that after this procedure, I willl be barren. No more kids. That was a pretty big shock. I think I had been sort of in denial and just going thru the motions, not really thinking about it but that word just hit me and I started crying pretty hard. Believe me, I am not a crier-especially with people around. I do not even like to cry infront of Dave. I purposely watch sad movies with just me because I hate crying.Well, then Dave started crying too. That was tough because it made me cry harder. We just hugged and cried for a while and then I finally stopped. Then life continued. I think it just really hit what exactly we had to give up. Dave had already felt a little guilty for not being able to just get pregnant on our own so I just never wanted to get too emotional for fear it would make him feel bad. I know it is not his fault and it just couldn't be helped but it was still hard dealing with. So I usually did not talk about it-not wanting him to feel bad. So all the emotion came pouring out with what seemed like for hours. I feel better now-just sad sometimes. Like when we see a newborn or see a beatiful pregnant woman-which seems like they are everywhere these days. It will take some adjusting to. I know that I am very blessed to have the 2 beautiful and healthy children that we do have. They are amazing kids and I just want to constantly be reminded of that. I am taking a small break from making cards and gifts for others-I want to start focusing on my scrapbooks. I feel like I have been neglecting them lately and I want to surround myself with my family-by documenting and reliving the stories. I walked into the living room this morning and saw my kids looking thru our scrapbooks and talking about them. This is why I do this-for moments like this.I do not feel this is a hobby-to me it is more of a way of life. Not wanting to forget what we did together-life is too short. I wish I would have written more stuff down when Bay was little. But I do try and write even the littlest things down here on my blog so I do not forget them. Theses are the moments we live for.Life is too short.

Scrappin'

I absolutely love these pics of Bay-they were back in 2004. He was just a little over 3 but so funny. What a cutie pie.I usually try to journal on my pages but figured, his motions pretty much told the story.

Date with Hubby

Saturday, Dave took me out on a very long overdue date. Grandma and grandpa watched the kids and off we went. We ate at Red Robins which is one of our favorites and enjoyed sitting and talking without a million interruptions. It was weird actually finishing a conversation.Afterwards, we went and saw,"Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." I thought it was pretty cute. We have not seen a cutesy romantic movie since like we were dating. We usually have to see some sort of action flick so it was nice seeing something more girlie. Then we went to Cold Stone Creamery-another favorite and pigged out on yummy mint ice cream with cookie dough. Wowser's delicious! Then it was time to run to Target and pick up the kiddos. It was so nice spending time together as a couple and being able to enjoy each others company without kiddos taking up all of our attention. It was a great afternoon.Love that man!!

My May kit for the design team

So, here is my card and my layout for May's design team entry. It is a little bright but it works. Only one more month to go and then either reapply or not. I do not know. I do enjoy the discounts and the free stuff but I like to pick out my own stuff to create with.Well see...

Tired of homework

This is the last week of homework for Camden. Can you tell he is burnt out. The homework assignment is to write the steps to tell someone how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Here is what he wrote..
First bun. Next peanut butter. Last bun. Oh, P.S. put together.

I thought that was hilarious so I did not make him change it. I figured he had turned in completed homework from the start and this was the last packet so why not.It might even make Ms. Moua giggle.

Last day helping in Bay's class

Today was my last day helping in Bay's class. Again. where did this school year go? Only 16 days left of 2nd grade. I had to take a couple pics of Bay with his glasses on. He looks so adorable in them. Mrs. Douglas is working on helping them work more independantly to prepare them for 3rd grade. We are so proud of Bay. He has done such a great job this year. He only had to pull one card this year-fantastic, he has improved on his working independantly skills (more S's than N's) and is getting straight A's-he is getting 2 A+, he has passed 3 of his timed math facts and will be getting another award for art-already received an award for writing, and he has made some great friends at Freedom. He is still in the highest reading group and loves reading in his spare time and even is improving on his maturity-ofcourse it seems to be a very slow and tiring process. He has also lost 5 teeth since October and is realizing his potential. He is such a bright boy and I know he has such a wonderful future no matter what he chooses to major in-I think he is going to be an engineer the way he likes to find out how things work and tries to figure it out on his own and his love of drawing and building with legos.Way to go Bay-you so totally ROCK!!

Drop Off

Yesterday was a huge step for me. I usually park and walk Cam to his classroom but he has been begging me to just drop him off and let him walk by himself. Here was our conversation yesterday morning....

Cam:"Mom, can you just drop me off at school today? John and Stephano's mom do it all the time."

Me:"I am not their mommy. I like to make sure you get inside the classroom safely. I love you peanut."

Cam:"but mom, you know I wait by the wall every day and I stay there and do not move until Ms. Moua comes out and tells us to go inside."

Mom:" I know, you are very responsible. You do what is asked of you and I so appreciate that but this is a big step for me and for you."

Cam:" I know but I need to start preparing for 1st grade and you are just going to be dropping us off then and there are only 17 days of school left.Please!"

Mom:" I do not know hon-you are only 5."

Cam:"I am not 5. I am 5 and a half. Plus, daddy told me you need to rest still because you are doing too much. This way you don't even have to get out of the car.PLEASE!!"

Mom:"Ok, fine. We will try it today and see how you do ok?"

Camden:" Whoo Hoo."

He was so excited. How could I say no to that sweet little face. So, I caved. Ofcourse he did great-I knew he would but it was still hard for me. Ofcourse, I did not leave till I saw another mommy out there waiting.Man, too old too fast.

AWANA Awards Night

We just got back from AWANA Awards Night. I could not be more proud of my 2 guys. Camden received a ribbon for completing his first book-first year in Sparks and a pin for completing his review book. Bailey received a ribbon for completing his 2nd book and a plaque for completing his 3rd and final book. Bay was the only one to receive a plaque. He was just beaming from ear to ear. As they were getting ready to go up to get their awards, Bay turns to me and asks if I am going to clap when they call his name. Ofcourse I said and I am also going to take pics. He says "ok but don't forget to clap mom."And after they came and sat back down with us, he was a little emotional. I told him I was so proud of him and so proud of how hard he worked to receive the awards. He looks up at me with tears in his eyes and says,"Mom, I am so proud of myself, I might cry" Well, I just about lost it but looked up at him and said go ahead-you should be very proud of yourself. After the awards were handed out, they served ice cream sundaes and Bay was telling how he was the only one to get a plaque. I do not know if I have ever seen him so proud of himself it brings him to tears. It was a really great evening.Now off to enjoy ice cream with my hubby

Reading

OMG, How cute is this? Camden was reading a book to Bay and Bay was sweetly helping him with the big words. They were getting along so nicely-it was awesome. I love that they both are readers. Cam loves reading-now that he can and Bay, some of the time, will kindly help his brother. So these moments are sometimes few and far between. So glad I was able to capture this little piece of heaven.