The "First" Week

First Week of First Grade....

 He had a great day (week) and his only complaint was not enough homework.  He'll change his tune soon enough.  He's reconnected with old friends and made several new - loves his teacher, and giggles at the "teeny" kindergarteners.  We celebrated at our favorite hangout - Der Blokken - best mac and cheese around!

First Soccer Game - in which he scored his First Goal!

 I was sure the game would be a riot to watch - I've seen them practice - but they actually did really well!  They got 3 or 4 goals (plus one for the other team) and kept in the game.

 The only truly funny part of it was that they could not keep the ball in the game.  There was a lot of throw-ins and corner kicks.  A Lot,  The girls' game we watched afterwards did not seem to have the same problem.  And that made me laugh.

 Ethan (#14) was far more involved in the game than he had been in basketball - but that could be because there's only 3 of them out there at a time.  You really can't tune out....

 I was proud of him.  He kept at it - even when I could tell he was getting really tired.  That's a long time to run for those little legs!

 A fabulous opener for the Puma Cubs! 

Part 2 - Baseball

All summer, we wanted the boys to go to a Mariner's game, but the summer flew by and we still hadn't gone!    Luckily, the last real day of summer, there was a game in the middle of the afternoon - perfect!  As I still had a lot to do at school, and I only really like the food at baseball games - not the actual game, my dad got to go with the boys.  I'm not sure who was more excited - Lucas or Brian, but the excitement level was high!

 They met Upa at the stadium, and had fun taking it all in.

 I don't know much about the game - except that the boys were full of energy and probably slightly obnoxious....

 But they loved it - and had a great time.  Once again, Lucas enjoyed getting his picture taken - so funny.  He is so shy around people he doesn't know - unless they are in costume.  Then he is fine.

 It was a gorgeous day and the boys loved being able to watch with Daddy and Upa.  What a great way to wrap up their summer!

Disclaimer:  By the end of two days in a row in Seattle with the boys, Brian was Ex. Haus. Ted.  But I was wonderfully relaxed :)

Last Weekend of Summer Part 1

This picture is horrible - but it commemorates Ethan turning in his final Summer Reading Sheet for a grand total of 30 hours.  He's already started planning out how he's going to make 100 hours next year. Awesome!

 Friday night we headed out to my parents' house to watch some BSU football.  I hate football, but I do like decorating for a theme - and so the boys and the car got all dolled up.  Only Lucas took the "dolled up" a little too literally.  The picture cracks me up!  It was fun to suprise Brian with our enthusiasm for all things Blue and Orange.

 Ethan particularly loved the painted hair and the boys had a fabulous time playing football with Uma outside.

 Sunday was a day for me to work in my classroom as the boys headed out to PAX (video game convention) in Seattle.  Brian worked at his game's booth on Friday and then took the boys with him to explore on Sunday.  This was Ethan's 3rd time going and Lucas' 1st.  They were excited.  To say the least.

 Brian kept me updated by sending me cute pictures every now and then - I loved it.  We were a little nervous that Lucas would be a bit obnoxious as he'd had kind of a rough week (post birthday crash)...

 But he was awesome.  Brian said he just kept repeating, "Thank you Daddy.  Thank you so much for bringing me this time!"

 I think Lucas' favorite part was all the people in costume.  He wanted a picture with all of them.

 I'd tell you who they are, but I have no clue.

 The boys were very proud of their Daddy - got to see his game's booth and felt very important.

 I think their very favorite person to meet was Batman.  How exciting is that?!

 The Pokemon posters were also high on the list though - that was very exciting too.

 They ate at the same place that Ethan and Brian ate at his first PAX.  Traditions?  I think I'm starting to rub off on Brian!  I love me some sentimentality!

The boys had a blast and came back exhausted and covered with "I love video game" buttons - which Ethan tried to sneak onto me.  All 3 boys were talking a mile a minute about their day and all their fun.  Happy happy boys.

Happy 4th Lucas!

Dear Lucas,

      Your 4th birthday was my favorite one yet.  You knew what you wanted to do, and you could not be persuaded otherwise.  But of course, that's who you are and who you've always been.  You will not compromise when you are passionate about something - and having a baseball party was so very important to you.  And you did NOT want to watch baseball - you wanted to play it!  And that is something I love and admire about you.  You have never been happy to sit and watch - whether it be sports or TV.  You'd rather be doing, conquering, going....  You are my mover and my shaker...

     All your family members pooled to get you the outfit you wanted - each piece specifically picked out for you.  And you were so excited to open each part.

When the outfit was complete you just couldn't get over it - and neither could I.  You were the cutest baseball player I have EVER seen.

We went to the park where you love to play - rented the field that you've dreamed about playing on - and even got you a baseball cake.  You were in absolute awe!

Uma and Upa met us there (to join us and Angie and Nick), and gave you some big boy clothes to start us off.  Because you are now a big boy.  I can't believe it.

Once you got out on that field, you were in heaven.  You absolutely loved playing - though you quickly ditched the tee for real pitches.

You had so much fun with your friends - laughing and cheering - and most of all, bossing everyone around.  You even told people that "It's my birthday and my mama said I can do what I want."  Which was not true by the way.....

It was so much fun to have your cousins there - and Cole loved running the bases too.

You're pretty lucky to have such great friends.  Everyone was just glad to be there to celebrate you and have some fun!

You declared yourself coach and spent just as much time "manning the field" as playing - and you loved it.  I could not believe it when you gave your precious whistle out to your friends to wear.

I don't know if I've ever seen such pure joy in you - and I will treasure that memory in my heart always.  You are my little baseball man - the little boy who takes it all so seriously.

We had a whole lot of issues getting the food on the table because of a crazy wind tunnel- -but Uma, Upa, and Sonia worked some magic and you got your baseball meal of hot dogs, nachos, and caramel corn.  The plates flew all over, but you all managed to eat.

The wind also caused issue with the candle-lighting,

but Upa persevered and you got to blow out the match at least!  I don't know for sure what your wish was, but I'd bet my life savings that it was to repeat this same party again next year!

Your silly mama forgot to bring forks, so we all laughed some more as we shared "family forks" and invented a new use for tortilla chips.  I loved watching your face as you opened your presents - pure gratitude that your friends had thought of you.  You are one special kid!

On your actual birthday (a few days later), I let you pick anywhere you wanted to go for dinner - assuming I'd be stuck at McD's....

But no!  You wanted "Barnes and Novle" - which sounds pretty silly till you see their desserts.

Ethan and I sang to you in front of strangers and you gobbled that up, and then marched over to the kids' section to spend your birthday money on books.  Because you are such your own little person Lucas.  A little person that I love so much.  You bring joy to your family and to everyone else you meet as well.  I pray you never lose that uniqueness - and always realize that it makes you special.  Even when you drive me crazy - you can always make me laugh.

I love you little man.  Happy Birthday!

Love, Mom

Waterfront Park - Silly Pictures..

I really have no words - or at least not many...  We tried to keep them from getting wet, but then realized it was futile and we might as well let them have some fun - E leading the way!