About Us

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

It seems the love for baseball gene that Dan carries has been passed along to Evan. As long as Evan doesn't start talking about his fantasy baseball team (or stealing my iPad to check the scores), I'll retain my sanity. It seems they're not the only fanatics though. Thanks to Evan and his best pal, Teddy, Dan has found a kindred baseball spirit in Teddy's dad, Brian. They're co-coaching the boys' baseball team at the Y this summer so we're all getting our fill of America's pastime. I even caved to the peer pressure and bought a Reds maternity t-shirt.

Last weekend we all headed out to the Louisville Bats game, the AAA farm team for the Cincinnati Reds. Teddy and Evan are only two weeks apart in age, so we reasoned it was an extended celebration of the boys' birthdays and "baseball strategy" for coaching 4 and 5 year olds had to be discussed (I can barely type that with a straight face - ha!). Baseball jokes aside, we've really enjoyed getting to know them and hanging out.

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Amy thinks the boys look like they could be brothers. They do get them mixed up at school a lot. Of course they're usually in cahoots so it's easy to do!



(See why I had to buy the Reds shirt now? My inner teenager had to fit in!)





Picking their line ups.



Can't go to the ballpark without buying treats!

iPhone
[iPhone)

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Some Random Summer Fun

Our school system has moved to a balanced calendar starting this fall, meaning longer fall, winter, and spring breaks and a shorter summer one. So we're making the most of the two months we have before Evan starts Kindergarten. Evan wrapped up one t-ball season and started another. He had a blast in Little League, befriending another Evan, who also is in the same summer camp with him, with THREE more Evans. Social security says the name is around #45 in popularity, but I think it must be top 5 in our little city!

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Our church also had their annual picnic at a local park. Evan didn't like these slide things last year, but now he loves them.

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Four of us in our class are pregnant. Don't drink the holy water.



The idea for this next photo was the brainchild of my friend, Mary. She's the one on the far left above. The outtakes of a 9 months pregnant woman running out of the frame are pretty funny. She had her baby boy a week after this was taken.

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Why can't I get photos like this when it's my idea? He had to imitate the little girl before him, that's why.

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And what's summer without cooking on the grill in the backyard? Evan has a mean hot dog face.

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This is the "I have to eat vegetables too, face?"





Friday, June 14, 2013

Stress Free Birthday

I've thrown a family birthday party for Evan every year. I said after last year we'd switch to a 'friend' party knowing that he'd probably enjoy that and get to play with his friends. Then he switched schools and his birthday fell on the same day as graduation. So we simplified. We had cake at home the day of his birthday. He got to open his presents from us and my parents who stopped by for a few minutes, then the next day we got together with his best friend, Teddy and family for a pizza lunch. SO much less stressful than planning a big party and he had a blast.

This is how we start pretty much every morning - iPad and breakfast while I get ready for work.

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Only this day he got to open a present too.



The only thing he asked for this year was a Stuffie, which he discovered thanks to the brilliant advertisers on the Sprout channel. Mamaw and Papaw delivered.

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His big surprise gift from us this year was his first bicycle.

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It came with a police siren. In hindsight, we could have not installed the batteries for that particular feature.





It rained off and on that day and was windy, and the next day we went out and bought him a helmet.



Happy kiddo.





Pre-School Graduation

I'm going to channel my inner Brit and do a "proper" post on Evan's preschool graduation ceremony. I snuck in a photo on the birthday letter, but I haven't said enough good things about the school where he spent the last two months of pre-kindergarten. We made a decision to move him earlier this spring and I wish we had done it last fall. He learned so much and our anxiety level went way down knowing he was in good hands and was happier. The school itself is nationally accredited and equipped to handle children of all needs and abilities, which gave all the kids greater diverse exposure. At the beginning of the ceremony Goodwill's President presented an award to a local teen who volunteered his time to build a giant fire truck play set for the kids outdoor jungle gym. Without instructions. He earned his Eagle Scout badge for it.

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Then the kids processed in. I was a little worried he might step out of line when he saw us, but he put on his best demure face and looked cute as ever standing with his class.

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He had a great teacher, Ms. Jessica, who also happened to be leaving after five years here on the day of graduation so it was a somewhat bittersweet day as she presented awards to her last class. She named the awards after brands of candy. True to form, Evan received the Smarties award, for "always seeming to know as much as the teachers."

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Ultimately he had five great teachers / assistant teachers. I am so grateful to all of them - Jessica, Dianna, Chynna, Olivia, and Dean. (The teacher:student ratio at this place was amazing!)



He also wanted to pose with the Director, Mr. Paul.



Evan's enjoying a summer off from school and having fun with friends at camp before the big Kindergarten jump this fall. Five years came and went so quickly.

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Here we go!