Conquering Another Fear

This boy continues to amaze me. Where we live, after one year of t-ball, 1st graders begin machine pitch. Three days before his first game was the first time he practiced with the machine. On the second pitch, he connected but was hit by the ball and was left with a bloody and bruised thumb. After that, he wanted nothing to do with machine pitch. With some encouragement, he stood at home plate three days later and swung as hard as he could. He hit several foul balls, and finally got his first hit the last time he was up to bat. We are so proud of him for conquering his fear--he continues to assure us that he is not going to be afraid to try new things--hard things.

April 11, 2015

Game two: You love playing catcher! (April 18, 2015)

The Easter Story According to Carter

Me: "Carter, can you tell me 'The Easter Story'?"
Carter: "Yeah, it's about God and Jesus. Jesus went in a coop. No, not a coop."
Caden: "A tomb!"
Carter: "Oh, yeah! A tomb!"
Me: "Did He stay in the tomb?"
Carter: "No! He said 'April Fools!' Because He loves us so much."

Easter 2015 (Caden 6, Carter 3)

Dear Caden,

I am so proud of you. Last Saturday, you played in your last basketball game of the season. This was your first year of basketball and you improved tremendously throughout the season. In your last two games, you found a love for stealing the ball. When you steal the ball, you run by me and give me a thumbs up. It melts my heart. On the court, you cheer for your teammates' successes and that makes me so proud--it is selfless. You did not take a shot all season until your last game and you scored! Andy Nelson from The Register Guard captured your excitement after scoring your first basket. These pictures of you are priceless to me because they capture you and your excitement for life. Keep shooting the ball, Caden Baden! We love you!

Mom

Caden (6-years-old)
(Photo credit: Andy Nelson)

(Photo credit: Andy Nelson)

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Wayne Gretzky

Kindergarten Days

Shutterfly is offering a free 8X8 photo book through Tuesday (shipping $7.99), which motivated me to quickly create Caden's kindergarten memory book:

Click here to view this photo book larger

You'll love Shutterfly's award-winning photo books. Try it today.

Tooth Fairy News

This boy is going to lose another tooth...

This boy thinks he is going to lose a tooth, too...

All About T-Ball

Because of the rain, I wasn't planning on taking any photos of Caden playing t-ball today. It was his turn to be the catcher and pitcher today, so I had to run to my car to get my camera. It was almost too much for this momma's heart. He did a good job playing catcher and he didn't let a ball roll by him while being pitcher. I hope he is always enthusiastic, passionate and willing to try new things.

Caden's #1 fan watched from the playground :).

LOVE this face!

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game..."

Soccer, basketball, now t-ball.

We gave Caden the choice between playing soccer again or playing t-ball. He chose t-ball. I wasn't as excited as he was about it; I thought it would be boring to watch.

Well, I was wrong...kindergarten t-ball has to be one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Look at those little uniforms! When the ball is hit, most of the team runs to get it...it's precious!

All of these firsts and milestones are making me sad. I want him to be "5" forever!

#10

(I was trying to take a photo of Caden's cleats and the little girl next to him kept playing "footsie" with him (see cleat photo)!))

A Visit from the Tooth Fairy!

This boy is growing up too darn fast! Last weekend, the Tooth Fairy made her first visit to our home. According to the dentist, she will be returning soon. (Since I took a photo of it, I don't have to save it, right?! I'm not quite sure where the more reliable Tooth Fairy put it!)

04-07-14

First Tooth!

Resourceful!

My bathroom buddy found a way to keep himself entertained...

In his defense, he only has one wrecking-car.

Monster Jam!

Carter usually gets left to visit Nan when I take Caden on "field trips" on the weekends. I thought Carter might like Monster Jam, so I gambled and bought him a ticket. He surpassed my expectations and was exceptional for the entire show (it was over two hours!). Someone is growing up on us. He even decided to begin using the potty this week, but that deserves a post of its own :). Both boys absolutely loved Monster Jam. Caden was so excited that his friend was able to meet us there. If you have young kids, I guarantee they will enjoy the show. Both boys have been asking me to take them back to Monster Jam since we left! (Don't forget ear plugs--I didn't realize how loud it would be!)

Dear Sunshine,

Please stay out a little longer!

Sincerely,

Mommy of two active little boys

First park day of the year!

This little boy asks to go to the park every day!

Snow, Snow, Go Away!

In December, right before Winter Break, we had five consecutive snow/ice days, which is extremely unusual for Eugene. We are in the middle of another unusual winter storm. School was cancelled Thursday and Friday because of snow/ice and I am starting to wonder if school will be open on Monday. We still have about 1/2 foot of snow/ice on our deck, limbs/trees are coming down all around town, and many people are without power.

I prefer to stay curled up on the couch in weather like this, but I braved the cold today for about ten minutes to capture some icicle photos:

Macro

Frozen Spring Buds

For some reason, I am drawn to b&w icicles.

Frozen Leaves

BBQ Icicles

Basketball Days

Three weeks ago, Caden began basketball camp. In just three weeks, his dribbling skills have improved so much! He seems to enjoy basketball and we like it because it slows him down a little. During basketball practice, he answers all of the questions and hams it up a bit for the audience, which made me wonder about his classroom behavior.

I was relieved this week when he brought home an award for his "excelente actitud y participacion en clase" (excellent attitude and participation in class). We are so proud of him; he is working so hard to learn Spanish. It is good to know that he is doing what he is supposed to be doing in class and hopefully only making others laugh at appropriate times.

Dribbling with his "arm bar" up.

Look at that follow through!

Welcome 2014!

2013 came and went. We ended 2013 with five snow days, Christmas with our families, and the flu. After having the flu, I'm positive I've never had the flu before. We all spent one week of Winter Break on the couch. Thankfully, we are all well now and are looking forward to Spring Break!

During Winter Break, the boys were able to spend some time with their cousin, Brody. It is so much fun to watch the cousins bond. I told the boys that if they took one nice photo for Nan, I would give them a few M&M's. Brody said in the cutest voice, "I sure do like M&M's!"

So, here it is, the only photo we have of all three boys looking at the camera and smiling...

Caden (5), Brody (2), and Carter (2)

Our Christmas Card Photo

A Small Gift from Above

Lately, during my planning period, light has been seeping into my classroom just perfectly. When this happens, stress lifts and I am able to breathe more deeply. Every time this happens, I can't help but think that it is a small gift from above.

Fall Photos

Since having kids, fall has become one of my favorite seasons--it passes by way too quickly. Here are a few photos from Dorris Ranch, the pumpkin patch, and Halloween. This was the first Halloween that Carter had an opinion about who he wanted to be. I was disappointed that the boys would not be matching, until I realized they were both going to be "Mike"--Michaelangelo and Mike Wazowski.

Both boys enjoyed trick-or-treating. It was especially fun to watch Carter choose his candy--he examined it carefully before deciding which piece to take.

Playing in the fall leaves at Dorris Ranch.

Carter loved the hay ride.

It is impossible to get a photo of these two together. When I ask them to stand next to each other, it turns into a wrestling match.

Daddy said they had to pick out a pumpkin they could carry themselves.

Examining the pumpkins.

Found one he could carry.

With one hand even!

Michaelangelo!

Excited that he actually got to play with the nunchucks that Uncka bought him (I can't wait until he has kids!).

Mike Wazowski!

He always tells us, "Be back!"

I was trying to take a photo of his "Mike belly," but he just kept showing me his belly.

Kindergarten Days

Dear Little Man,

We are so proud of you. So so proud of you! You just began kindergarten and are in an extremely challenging kindergarten program. It breaks my mommy heart that every day has not been easy for you, but deep down I know you are going to be better prepared for life because you have been willing to take on something so challenging. 

You played in your first real soccer game on Saturday and you almost scored a goal. You were so close! Next time, buddy! (At your request, I will keep cheering!)

Daddy and I are enjoying watching you try new things, but we feel you are growing up way too fast. I told you that I was going to keep you "5," but you said, "I am going to turn 6!" I'm glad you will be "5" for just a little bit longer.

We love you Caden Baden!

Love, Mommy & Daddy

P.S. These photos are actually from your last day of preschool (pajama day). We will take some new kindergarten photos soon!

Spunky, Alive, and Determined

Dear Carty,

You turned "2" this summer and mommy is just getting around to blogging about it. . .I wonder why?! You keep us SO busy. SO busy! You are active, fearless, mischievous, a climber, a tease, and you forget you are "2" and not "5" like Caden. You become easily upset when you cannot do something you think you should be able to do. 

You love airplanes, Monster's Inc., playing outside and at the park. You were born knowing how to be a little brother; you spend most of your day wanting anything Caden has and imitating anything Caden does. It is a good thing he is such a good role model because you adore him.

Watch out ladies. . .you are a charmer! When you are being corrected, you kiss us or sing "You and Me" from Monster's Inc. You love to sing and dance. Your favorite songs are "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Jesus Loves Me," and Alicia Keys', "Girl on Fire" (I need to post the video of you and Caden singing "Girl on Fire." You entertained us all summer).

You are teaching mommy and daddy patience. . .lots of patience. I hope you are always spunky, alive, and determined. Boy, you are going to move mountains!

We love you Carty Bart!

Love, Mommy

P.S. You are 37 inches tall (97th percentile!) and 32 pounds (89th percentile).

Flying a helicopter

Your "I hear an airplane" face.

Airplane!

You love your planes!

The Ring Master

My youngest brother married his high school sweetheart today. It was a beautiful wedding and I can't wait to see the photos. According to Caden, he was the "ring master." When I explained to him what his duties entailed he asked, "That sounds like an important job. Can't they find an adult to do it?" He is always making us laugh.

"The Ring Master" (5-years-old)

Cousin Brody (2-years-old)