A little tball action

We spent our Saturday mornings this summer at tball games.

Sam loved it.  Really loved it. 

Eric got to coach Sam's team and he loved it.  Really loved it.

Sam had several friends on his team and they are just at the right age that they can actually play the game, a little bit anyway. 

Sam got really good at hitting this summer.  He and Eric would practice out on the driveway any chance Eric was home early enough to do so.  I loved watching Sam gain confidence in this game.

And Max. 

Oh my Max.

He begged and begged to play tball this year. He wanted to be just like his big brother.

But he lost interest after the first few games and did not want to play anymore.

He shed many tears during his last 2 games because he didn't want to run, didn't want to catch, and didn't want to hit.  Hmmmm.

Luckily, I had some licorice in my purse and bribery did the trick to help him finish strong.

He also got a trophy, which made it all worth it.

He tells me that next year he just wants to take swimming lessons.

And we'll have to see, but maybe we'll be watching little Jake play tball in a few years...

Slaters!

We a had such a good July!

Some of our best friends from Toledo just moved to South Bend for a year.

Yeah, it's 3 hours away, but we'll take it.

They came down for a quick weekend trip in July and we loved seeing them.

Sam and Jack are best buddies.  They just get along so well.  Always have.  It's so fun to see them together.  We showed them some of our Indy favorites...the Children's Museum, Monument Circle, and of course, the Wynbrooke pool. 



I loved hanging out with Candace...staying up late to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies was a favorite of mine.

Until next time, Slaters! 

We can't wait!

Kindergarten Baby

The day finally came.

Kindergarten started today!

This is a big milestone and I've had all sorts of feelings leading up to this day.  I've been nervous, sad, excited, and worried. It may sound dramatic, but I feel like this is a day that changes your life forever.  Sam is now is school for good.  Our family's schedule now revolves around the school's schedule.  No more lazy mornings together.  It's just going to be different. 

School is good.  School is wonderful. In fact, all growing up I loved school.  Really loved it.

But sending Sam to school today was hard.  He's not just mine anymore.  I have to share him a little more, and I hope his teacher can see just how smart, fun, kind, happy, and wonderful he is.

We went to the school yesterday to meet his teacher and see his classroom.  He was thrilled, and it really looked so fun.

Sam woke up this morning so happy and so excited for his first day!  He could not wait to catch the bus.   

We waited at the bus stop with his one of his best buddies, Adam.  I was so glad he had a friend to sit by.  Sam showed no fear whatsoever and basically leaped onto the bus.  He felt so grown up and so independent.  His bus ride to school was his favorite part of his day. 

And don't laugh, but I totally followed the bus to school. 

 I wanted to see Sam in his classroom and you know, just make sure he made it okay.

He did.

Sam was so happy!

Max wanted to stay for kindergarten, too.  He wore his backpack and everything just in case they let him stay with his big brother.

Today was a success! 

I was so proud of how excited and ready Sam was for this big change.

And I was proud of the fact that I was able to hold back my tears...in front of Sam anyway!!

Three Cheers for Kindergarten!

Washington DC

Washington DC has been on my list of Must Do's for awhile now.  It just seemed to get pushed further down the list as my little family has grown and become busier and busier.

Then Ally decided to intern in DC this summer and I couldn't not visit her, right?  It's only a 10 hour drive away.  Totally doable.

Especially when my mom offered to come to Indy and make the drive with me. 

So last week, we went for it!

(Poor Eric had to stay home and work.  Such is life these days.)

The drive there was, um, long.  And super rainy and stormy and slow and scary.  Sam, Max and Jake were angels, and we made it there safe and sound.  Thank goodness!

I also fell in love with my van all over again.

Best travel vehicle ever.

It was so fun to see Ally in her element.  She knew the ins and outs of the metro.  Thank goodness, too, because it was all I could do to make sure 3 little boys made it on the train.  The worry of when and where we were going was left to her!

Our first two days were wet and rainy, but we put on our walking shoes, grabbed the umbrellas and got to business.  It was so fun!

I don't think you can use the word 'vacation' when talking about a visit to DC.  It is an exhausting trip full of lots of walking for little feet. 

 

The Museum of Natural History was a hit for the boys...once they woke up, of course.

The boys loved the insect exhibit.  They couldn't get enough of the spiders, moths, and termites. 

We did a little wrestle mania at the Washington Monument.

We lucked out because my dad was able to meet up with us on Friday.  It was so nice to have him around.  He pushed the stroller, carried boys on his shoulders, took the kids swimming and was just fun.  Thanks Dad!

The Eastern Market was a highlight.  Lots of fun flowers, produce, jewelry, and seafood.

Oh, and really nice vendors who don't charge you a cent when your 3 year old knocks over a shelf and breaks his ceramic frogs.

The Air and Space Museum was a definite must. 

We also ventured to Mount Vernon.  It was beautiful.  George Washington was a good, inspired man.



Actors wandered around Mount Vernon answering questions about George Washington and his family.  Sam kept asking the actor below what he knew about Abraham Lincoln.  When the actor answered that he didn't know who Abraham Lincoln was, Sam was shocked!  The whole actor-role-playing thing didn't quite make sense to this 5 year old.

The animals at Mount Vernon were a hit for the kids.  They loved the sheep, chickens and horses. 

I loved the Lincoln Memorial. 

Nothing like a little time out at the Lincoln Memorial.  Ha! 

 Sam and Max nearly fell off a 15 foot retaining wall while being goofy and wrestling. 

What am I going to do with them?!

Arlington Cemetary.

The boys were quiet and respectful.  I think they could tell this was a special place.

Sam begged and begged to go on the paddle boats on the Potomac River.  My dad and I caved and put on the sweaty life jackets with he and Max.  The kids loved it!  

A tour of the Capitol was a highlight for me.  So much history, so little time.  I've been inspired to take another US History class.

Mr. Jake seemed to attract the attention of foreigners where ever we went.  They loved him.  Here he is in the Capitol with a group of fans.  They would all pinch his cheeks, make kissy faces at him, and take his picture.  He was in heaven.

The beautiful Washington DC temple.  Doesn't it look fake?

It was so fun to wander this amazing city with family.  Ally was the perfect tour guide.  I'd highly recommend her services.  She puts mints on your pillows and leaves towel animals, sunglasses included, on your bed at night.  What more could you ask for?

Thanks Ally, Mom and Dad for all of your help and patience!  It was a week we'll never forget!

XOXO