Wrapping Up Baseball

Baseball remained a huge part of our summer up until last week. 

Adam's game really improved over the course of the weeks, with his interest in the game growing significantly, as well as his desire to practice at home between games.  His coaches were amazing- the best we've had in any sport so far- and his teammates were fun.  They all had a lot of fun on the field and in the dugout.  There were many beautiful nights that made for an evening of family fun at the ball field. 

 Adam's team made it all the way to the final four.  The first game of the tournament was a fun win, the second game was a super awkward win in which the Phillies hustled to make a comeback from a 2-7 score to a 7-10 win.  It was a high stress game in which the other team had an extra inning to bat, which put them ahead on the scoreboard but we still ended up winning the game because of the double-header hard stop.  By the end of the game none of the boys (and many of the adults, including the other team's coach) realized what was happening until the Phillies quietly took their victory and quickly took off of the field.  

And then came the final four.  For days leading up to the game Adam talked about scoring and winning and how much he didn't want to get ice cream that night (our season-long deal was that we would get celebratory ice cream on the night of his final game).  It was a tough game though- storm clouds threatened the whole night, a cold wind came through, and the scoreboard barely budged all night.  Our team, who usually plays well together with high energy and fun, was dragging.  The game ended with a 1-4 score and a lot of sad faces and tears.  

Adam's coaches have been the best we could have possibly asked for.  They were kind, encouraging, and consistent.  I was amazed and disappointed at the behavior we witnessed from some of the adults throughout the league this season.  I think Adam's team was the best of the league, in behavior, effort, and all around fun.  It was a great season that ended with a hard loss.

Ice cream helped a little.

And so did a few tears, a conversation about the value of disappointment and loving something enough to keep trying even when you're not winning, and a good night's sleep.

And now we're back to playing ball in the backyard.  It's a lot of fun when we're all out there together!  Much to Adam's annoyance there isn't someone available to pitch to him at will all day long, but I think baseball is going to remain a part of our summer, and we'll be back to the fields next spring.

Art Festival

The art festival has become one of our our favorite summer traditions.  I think last year was the only time our whole family has gone together, otherwise it's always been fun for five.  We have all really grown from festival to festival.  The days are long but the years are short...

 The skies were cloudy but that can't deter us from having fun.  Otherwise we'd be sitting in the house all summer AND all winter long!

We've been to the festival enough times to have our favorite stations, but this year we discovered a few new ones as well, like coloring the giant banner that rose up into the sky and "tagging" the skateboard bench that will go into DSM's new skate park. 

And self portraits!

It is so fun to see how creative everyone is when given the various tools to draw, braid, color, paint, and craft.  They are all so unique- just like their personalities.

 And of course, everyone remembers the year (2015) that some of the balloons went floating into the sky and a certain few children of mine had a meltdown as a result.  We've come a long way in those few years- going out with the kids no longer feels like a challenge.  Every day is an adventure!  

This time was another year of fun, and Leah gave me a small heart attack when she said, "Next year I can probably just come here with my friends!" The years are short indeed.

The Things I Find

Ferocious giant kitty attacks innocent glitter fairy!

Noah-Isms

N, after spilling something on the floor- Oh for great!

M- You mean 'oh great'?

L- No, that's how he says it. 

*****

While accompanying me to the grocery store.

N- That person is buying candy.

M- That's fine.

N- Why is he buying candy?

M- Because some people like to buy candy.

N- I like to buy candy.

M- We're not buying candy today. 

N- Then why can he buy candy?

M- Because people can make their own choices with their money.

N- ... ... I want to make my own choices!

*****

M- Look!  Our crabapple tree is blossoming this year!  Soon there will be little crab apples on it.

E- Apples that you can eat?

M- No, they're too little to eat.  They're not really apples.

N- Are they crabs???

*****

N, while sitting on the couch- Daddy, can you give me a hug??

*****

N, while waiting his turn to talk at dinner table- I... I... I forgot what I was going to say!

*****

N- I just don't understand why I have to be the smallest person in this family!  I don't want to be the smallest person in this family!  I want to be bigger than all the other kids!  I should have been your first baby so I could be the biggest one of all!

M- Well, we could get a dog that is smaller than you.  Then you wouldn't be the smallest in our family anymore.

N- No!  That doesn't work!  I want to be a BIG KID!

*****

Noah, Noah, Noah.  In the hope that this has changed dramatically by the time you can read this, you need to understand that there was a time when you were grossly offended by pretty much everyone and everything in the world.  It is a personality trait that you brought with you from heaven.  At the time of writing you are four and three quarters and it hasn't let up much.  I'm sure as time goes by you will continue to lighten up and find less offense and offense by all of the things.

Your blanket that won't stay wrapped up tight.  Your brother that always scares you.  Your sister that left you upstairs alone.  Loud noises.  Neighbor kids who won't listen to you.

I hope.

And I love you!

Goodbye School, Hello Summer!

 Maybe I say this every year, but man, we really had to drag ourselves to the last day of school.  But we made it!

Of course my early bird Adam was happy to get up and going to every day of school, right up to the end.  2nd grade does an ABC countdown which helped immensely with the desire to keep going back all the way to the end.

And a fun field day helped too. 

 Noah and I celebrated our last day of mommy-and-me togetherness time before the kids all came home for the summer.

 And we've been serious about the business of play ever since.

Secret party forts- 

and magic tricks- 

 and shadow puppets- 

 

 and read-a-thons

and fairy gardens-  

and exploring new places- 

 This is a pretty typical Iowa day- threatening clouds aren't going to stop our fun!

And of course there have been popsicles and playdates and late nights and lazy mornings and so, so, so many trips to the pool.

 Because that is what summer is all about!

Girls Weekend

Because sometimes it's nice to remember who else you are, in addition to "Mom" and "Wife".  From the moment I landed until the moment I left again, this girls weekend in Park City, Utah was a wonderful one.  The hiking, swimming, walking, eating, laughing, tea-ing, spa-ing, shopping, sleeping, barre-ing, gifting, and bonding were just perfect.

  

   

 Until next time ladies (because there must be a next time!).