Bruin Soccer Camp

Austin attended the Bruin soccer camp this year. I was a little nervous as it was Tuesday-Friday from 8:30am-11:00am and I thought I would have to make him go after the first couple of days. Boy did he surprise me! He would be the first one up in the morning, eat his breakfast, brush his teeth and get all ready without me having to ask. Not only was he doing soccer camp but he is still in the middle of his baseball season, so I was super impressed.

I kept asking Austin how camp was going and he would always have one word for me-"good". I didn't get much more out of him than that! The Junior Varsity and Varsity players were the coaches of the camp. The last day they scrimmaged. Here is Austin going up against one of his coaches.

He did tell me that they learned the "Ole'" song and sang it at the end of each day... I think. I know he had a good time and it was good for him to get out there and play with guys he hadn't played with before. He did know alot of the kids at camp, not that he would inform me as to who they were... boys are so different than girls!

One of Austin's friends that I do know and knew would be at camp was Mack. Austin gets nervous to start something new so I told him Mack would be there and that was enough to get him out to the field. Luckily for me they were in the same class. I'm sure that was one of the reasons he never complained about going!

Trampoline + Water = Summer Fun!

May has been a pretty hot month! I hope that doesn't mean it's only going to get worse for our July and August months! But there is one way we like to stay cool in the summer... the good ole' sprinkler under the trampoline!

Avery is showing us her water hose dance! This was one of my favorite things to do in the summer time when I was growing up and it just never seems to get old! In fact I have to set a timer or else they would stay out there for hours with the water running!

This picture cracks me up... Avery looks like she's ready to climb on Austin's back! Looks like she stole someone's bounce!

And I had to take a picture of my little spectator. She really wanted to get up on the tramp, so much so that I had to put her swimsuit on. But anytime I got her close to the trampoline she refused. She likes to jump by herself still and there were a few too many crazy monkeys jumping today!

Kansas City Royals Game

Our main reason for going up to Kansas City was because we were given some tickets to go see the Royals. Randy and I LOVE Major League Baseball, and this was my first time to the Royals Stadium. I was so excited but also a little nervous about how the kids would do.

We got to the stadium early and had plenty of time to walk around and find some fun shirts, hats and other souvenirs.

We also got to watch batting practice and try to catch some balls. The Royals were playing the Colorado Rockies so we were watching them do their batting practice. Austin brought his glove to try and catch some balls. Randy, Austin and Addie sat front row on the first base side while Avery, Ashton and I got the tickets that were given to us so we sat a few rows up from home plate.

Here I am with Addie and Ashton before we left to go sit in our seats. I had no idea just how great our seats were going to be! We got to go into the Diamond Club Lounge and hang out. We could have stayed in there and watched the game perfectly but we went down to our cushioned seats probably about 7 rows or so up from home plate. It was amazing! We stayed there until about the 5th inning and then went out to Randy's seats until the 7th inning. We went up to the top for the 8th inning and then left the game at the top of the 9th. The kids did GREAT! I couldn't believe they made it so long! Now when they see baseball on the TV they get really excited, even Ashton! Sadly the Royals lost 7-11, but it was a great game and we had a great time!

Coolin' off at the hotel pool

As I mentioned, the kids went swimming twice. As soon as we got checked in we had to hurry and change into our swimsuits. The hotel we stayed at was actually a Holiday Inn and Waterpark so we went and checked out the waterpark. It looked like a lot of fun but it cost to go and we didn't get there early enough to make it worth it. We actually asked the kids if they wanted to do the waterpark or just the indoor pool and they chose the indoor pool.

The indoor pool was less crowded so I think they liked having the pool basically to themselves. There was also an outdoor pool but it was still super cold. We let the kids swim, then went to eat dinner, and then came back for another round of swimming.

Avery, Austin and Randy were the only ones who actually got in to the pool. Addie and Ashton were a little timid and decided to be spectators with me... but the others had a blast as you can tell from the smiles on their face!

The little girls were warmed up to the idea of swimming by the second time we went to the pool. But they still enjoyed sticking their feet into the hottub more than swimming in the pool!

Great start to our summer!

So Friday was the last day of school and Saturday morning we decided to take off to Kansas City to start off our summer the right way! It was completely last minute but we were offered some tickets to go see the Royals play baseball so we went online and got a great deal at a hotel. Here we are enjoying dinner at our Hotel.

Do you see this smile on Avery's face? That was because kids under 12 ate free on the buffet at our hotel. Avery's dream come true! She couldn't believe that she could try whatever she wanted... she kept telling us this was her favorite vacation ever! I got such a kick out of how happy she was.

Here are the kids enjoying hanging out in our hotel room. We went and got lots of treats and bought a movie off the TV (Old Dogs) and hung out in our room... after swimming twice that is!

Here's Austin and Addie wrestling on the bed... waiting patiently for dad to get the movie started!

Last day of school!

Addie's last day of school was a week earlier than Austin and Avery. As soon as she was done, she thought she should be riding the bus with the older kids so I had to explain to her that we have to have summer first before she gets to go to her new school! Addie loved going to school and I know it was because she LOVED her teacher, Ms. Jill. She was such a great teacher and I appreciated how much she truly cared about Addison individually. We are so sad because Ms. Jill is moving to Tulsa and Ashton won't be able to have her. Addie learned so much this year and she is so excited to start Pre-K next year!

Avery and Austin's last day of school was Friday, May 21st (also Tropical Day... hence the outfit!). Avery also had an amazing teacher and once again we are so sad because Mrs. Hindman is moving to Dallas so the rest of the kids won't be able to have her! We LOVE Mrs. Hindman! Avery had an amazing school year. She really excelled at spelling. I couldn't believe how quickly she could remember the spelling of some words. Math was a little bit harder but she pulled off all A's on her report card!

Austin also enjoyed his teacher, Mrs. Mims, although he is not as vocal about everything like the girls are! Luckily Mrs. Mims will not be moving like Addie and Avery's teachers! Austin does really good with reading but he super excels at math like his dad! I love watching his brain go to work as he tells me answers to certain math problems. I never once had to explain math to him, in fact he would do it all by himself and always tell me now easy it was. He definitely didn't take after me with that!

As I mentioned, the last day of school was Tropical Day and also the last assembly of the year. Randy, the little girls and I went to the assembly. It was a lot of fun as they sang lots of silly songs and handed out awards. Austin received the Citizenship Award. They choose one boy and one girl from each class who has shown superior attitude and listening skills. Way to go Austin!! So proud of you! Another great school year over... here comes summer!!

Ahoy, Matey's!

The third graders at Avery's school put on a pirate play for the other students and for their parents. Avery has been talking about this play for so long... she was so excited! Here she is by her friend Presley Burch.

She kept debating on whether or not to try out for a speaking part. She decided to try out for one, but not a main one. She was so excited when she found out she got a part! She had to say, "Ahoy mateys, land ho and here we go!" She did a great job speaking into the mic, I could understand every word she said. Here is Avery with her friend Kaitlyn Smith.

It was a really fun little play and they put a lot of hard work into it. Avery was very animated with her facial expressions and I'm pretty sure I could hear her singing above the rest of the pirates! She was so darn cute!

They did their play twice, once during school and then another time that evening. We came up for the one during school. Austin was there too, but he had already gone back to his classroom when I took this picture. I brought the girls back for the evening performance while Randy took Austin to his baseball game. The girls and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around! Great job, Avery!