Where's our bumper sticker?

Dearest Jackson and Colt,

We might not drive a mini-van any more and our cars aren't adorned with stickers -- but we are 100% "<insert sport here>  Parents"! 

There is only 1 (two, if we're lucky) night each week that we aren't with y'all on either a baseball diamond or a soccer field.

Colt, you've been asking to join a team sport for almost a year now!  We told you that kids in diapers aren't allowed on teams and I think that ended up being a small part of your eventual potty training success.  When registration time came, we tried to sway you towards gymnastics, dance class, or soccer....but you were adamant about wanting to play baseball.  You were placed on the Bulldogs and you became a team player right away (a very different approach than the one your brother took)!

 Your first ever game had unseasonably cold weather!

 But your enthusiasm kept you warm for your first time at bat.

 Way to make it to 1st!

 The post-game snack was one of your favorite parts : )

Here are a few more scenes from your most recent game...

Could you be any happier to be running towards home plate???

 3 and 4 year olds have amazing sportsmanship!

Jackson, you are becoming a veteran at this point.  You are playing your fourth season of soccer and your sixth season of baseball.  Your soccer team is new (yet again) this year but it's my favorite so far!  Your coach played Division I soccer and he has a knack for coaching.  (You played indoor soccer with him this summer so I might've mentioned this already.?.?.)  He also recruited you to play in an Academy league for him so that has taken things to another level.

First rec. game

 First academy game

 The academy fields are huge!!  I can barely see your sweet footwork!

These Tigers are in their 3rd season together.

Which means you and Tyson are in your 3rd season together.

 In 7U, the coaches have to pitch from a standing position AND from further away.  You still make great contact with the ball, though!

 Only a few games in and we're already getting special requests for next season.  Colt, you want to play soccer.  And, Jax, you say you're ready for football.  

We're not going to be able to see out of the back window with all these stickers!!

 

Quick excursions

Dearest Colt and Jax,

Our schedule lately is enough to make me homesick.  I'm back to working 50 hours per week at school and after school we're usually at a practice or game of some sort.  Knowing that our fall weekends would be packed full, we used our two "free" weekends to venture out to visit friends.

For Labor Day weekend we drove to Houston to see the Lakes.  They've only been in their new house a few weeks and you both enjoyed the vast play area upstairs.  You also enjoyed Suzanne's idea of going to an indoor gym that was filled with bounce houses!

 Not only am I excited about exploring Houston on our trips to see them -- but I'm also excited to stop here on our drive home every time!

 A family friend (Grandpa's best friend's wife) was in town for a business trip so we headed into Dallas for a lunch date with her.  You two were excited to find one of the #DallasBIG signs along the way...

In your defense, you can't read yet,

 I'm glad we fit in some time for friends when we did because we're in full-blown GO! mode now. 

 

The one where we all go back to school

Dearest Boys,

As it is with all good things, summer break came to an end.  The weekend before we all went off to school, we celebrated at Grandpa & Grandma's club house (just like last year).

Y'all let me take your picture with the princesses; therefore, I let you go through the bounce house 283 times, chow down on popcorn & sno-cones, and get balloon animals swords.

The next morning we were all struggling with the hustle and bustle that comes from getting a bunch of tired humans ready.  Luckily, we had a week to get used to our new routines - thanks to my training schedule.

But Monday, August 25th, was the real deal!  I had to rush off to my own campus and Daddy had drop-off duty.  (That means you're just going to have to imagine the sweet chalkboard signs that y'all would be holding if it weren't for my job responsibilities.)

 Colt, you started at your new preschool.  You seem to like your new friends, your teacher, and the school lunches.  You seem unsure about the work load and the required nap time.

Your first ever homework assignment

  Your classroom has a video feed and I try to look at it only once a day ; )

You're the cute blond in the blue shirt in the lower left.

Jax, you're a first grader now and you still think school is great.  ESD remains your favorite as that seems to be where your friends are and you're allowed to play sports from 3:00 (end of school) until 5:00 (when you get picked up).

 

We're all aboard The Energy Bus so I know it'll be a great year!

The End: Weeks 8, 9, and 10

Dearest Boys,

The past 3 weeks have sped by in a blur and now we're here at the end.  The end of summer vacation.  The end of sleeping in, staying undressed until noon, swimming multiple times per week, mid-day play dates with friends, careless nights, and late bedtimes (just to name a few).  While I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around these past few weeks, I know they've been filled with birthdays, laughter, and even a few tears.

The few pictures I managed to find are helpful for my memory though...

There was a trip to the Arboretum with these friends.  Y'all ran around the Children's Garden and just enjoyed being boys.

 

There was also a visit (our first ever) to Hawaiian Falls, courtesy of Grandma.  She took us there with her tickets and even tubed the Hawaiian Halfpipe with us!

Then the tears came...on August 7th, when we said goodbye to Stephy.  Mommy and Daddy made a last minute decision to send you to preschool this year, Colt.  So on her last (of 4) summer days, I sent the 2 of you to spend one last day with Steph.  I couldn't even find the words to tell her that we were leaving and sobbed on her shoulder instead.  Steph has been an integral part of our lives for 5 years now and she had a big part in helping to shape the both of you.  I'm not sure how much you boys will remember her in the years to come, but I will never forget her patient heart, soothing voice, or nurturing spirit.

 This week we took you to your well-check appointment where we were reminded that you top the charts!  You weigh 46 lbs. and you're 42 inches tall!  The doctor (who is new to the practice) complemented you on your social skills and asked, "Are you always so happy?"  : )

Jax, we had another fun first this week!  Your school rewarded you for reading by giving you a free ticket to Six Flags so we went yesterday with Michelle & Brody.  We had great weather, a great low-crowd level, and great friends to ride rides with...so it was a GREAT first trip! 

 And now we're in full "Back to School" mode...bring on the new clothes, school supplies, and Meet the Teacher nights.  **fingers crossed**

Party like a dinosaur

Dearest 4-year-old,

Yesterday we hosted your birthday party and attempted a dinosaur themed afternoon.  Grandma was the first guest as she arrived early to help with preparation.
 

 I had her snap a quick family picture before everyone else got there.

Soon thereafter, your friends came to party.  Everyone headed into the backyard for swimming and bouncing.

Full disclosure:  I forgot to take a swimming picture so this is from a few weeks ago!

 After an hour of celebrating in the hot sun, everyone came inside for some dinosaur grub.

 The boys sat at one table and spilled their drinks while trying not to wrestle.

 The girls sat in the dining room and made up stories about dinosaur princesses.  (not even kidding)

 All the kids ran upstairs to play when they were done eating....all, except you.  You shared the chair with Michelle and read some magazines.  Probably a highlight of your day ; )

Next up was presents!  Your friends gathered around closely as you tore through the treasures they gave you.  While I can manage a classroom of 23 students with ease, keeping 11 little ones organized during present opening was a daunting task -- and that's my excuse as to why I have zero pictures of you opening any of your great gifts.  I did, however, get everyone quickly arranged into a group formation before we moved on to the cake...

 

The last celebratory act was the smashing of the pinata.  Each kiddo got to take swings at it but it remained intact!  That's got to be good luck or something, right?

No worries, as Daddy busted it open after everyone had a turn.

 Grandpa and Grandma were the last to leave so I snapped one final picture ... and I think your chlorinated eyes and sunburned cheeks tell the tales of a fun afternoon.

 I hope your remember your birthday as absolutely ROARsome!