Arts And Academic Night

Thursday was CRAZY!! It started at 3:00 when I picked up Case and Ledger from school.  We did our usual wait in the parking lot for 30 minutes for Brody to get out of orchestra.  From there it was home to drop off Brody, Case and Berkley so I could run Ledger to music class.  I ran back home to grab Brody, Case and Berkley and we headed up to the club for swim team practice.  Jeremy grabbed Ledger from music class at 5:00 and they were off to baseball practice.  Immediately after swim team practice, we jumped back in the car, changed into baseball clothes on the way, and headed over to Shepherd for Case's baseball game.  When Jeremy finished baseball practice with Ledger, he and I switched positions and he stayed with Case at the baseball game while I took Brody, Ledger and Berkley over to the school for Arts and Academic night. This was a new thing for us so really, I had no idea what to expect.  Truthfully, I didn't really want to go. I was in a super bad mood from a phone call that I had received earlier that day and I just wanted to go home and go to bed.  Brody was begging to go because he had entered some art work and a poem into the contest months back and he was curious to see how he did.  Although I didn't want to,  I took Brody, Ledger and Miss B. to the school.  I am so glad I did! We walked around and saw the kids art work and then headed over to the gym where the art projects for the contest were entered.  There were some wonderful drawings, 3-D art and and poetry.  The kids all did an amazing job.  It was very therapeutic to walk around and just look.  The principal then started the awards ceremony.  Would you believe that Brody won a medal in the 3-D art competition and the poetry?  Ledger won a medal for reciting his poem, "Little Bo Peep."and Case, who was not there, was recognized for winning honorable mention in the District "Voices" writing contest. As soon as the teachers give me back the poems and stories they wrote, I will post them.

This poor boy was exhausted by time we got to arts and academic night.  He had already been to music class and baseball practice.  He was hungry and sleepy! I loved his cute art work.

How about this handwriting?  This kid is the best!

Brody entered his robot that he made in cub scouts.  He is so proud of this thing.

Brody with the other winners in his category.

The medals these boys won were so nice!  The backs were engraved with their names, date, and school.

Ledger with the other poetry recitation winners for kindergarten.

I am so happy we attended arts and academic night.  Although Case was not there to be recognized, he too was a winner tonight.  I am seriously so proud of these boys and their willingness to put the energy and effort into things such as this.  Way to go Felstead boys!  You guys are awesome!  

A Party At CASE Field

Yesterday Case celebrated his 8th birthday party with about 30 friends and family.  He wanted a sports party at the retention basin by our house.  Lucky for him, it was April break on his actual birthday so we were able to have his party on his birthday.  

As the friends arrived, they played basketball and ladder golf in the front yard.  We could have stopped right there because they were having so much fun!

Ladder golf is so much fun!  Thanks to Sugar and Jim for bringing it home from the cabin!

When most of the friends had arrived, we walked over to the retention basin for 2 hours of sports.  Jeremy made this huge whiteboard to use to keep score.  

First up, flag football.  Jeremy and I divided the kids up into teams and let them play.  Wouldn't you know, Hunter intercepted the ball and almost got Cases flags in the first inning.  He was on FIRE!

Ledger quarterbacking for his team.

Brody got into the spirit of the competition by dressing in all his favorite sports gear.

Huddling up before a big play.

Matix and Jefferson ready to play!

These boys had a ball playing flag football.

The teams.

Chandler, Case and Quin.  These boys are all in Mrs. Spencer's class together.

Matix is Case's friend from Red Mountain Ranch.

Jeremy coaching Case's team.

Watching Jackson play is so fun!  This boy is hilarious!

Kim coached the other team.  Her strategy, "Someone get open!"

Brody runs right down the middle....in between EVERY kid!  So funny!

Chandler making a touchdown!

You are too cute Jackson!

Jeremy and the Broncos

Kim and I with the Warthogs.

Flag football with 25 8 year old boys is BIG TIME! Can you see the intensity in their eyes?

After flag football, we divided the teams up again for some dodge ball.  This was a HUGE hit!

You're out Matix!

Thank goodness the balls we used were super soft!

Yes even I played dodge ball!

Next it was onto tug of war!

I seriously have no idea how the kids had any energy left after the other two games.

I totally lost track of time because honestly, everyone was having so much fun.  I looked at my watch and it was 12:40.  The party was over at 1:00 and we hadn't eaten, sang, had cake and ice cream or opened presents.  I quickly started texting the parents telling them to not come till 1:30. 

We ran back to my house and ate lunch.  Case was VERY specific as to what he wanted for food.  On the menu:  Little Caesars pizza, Port of Subs, fruit and veggies, soda, and Gatorade.

Jordan and Miss B. heading over to CASE Field.

After a quick lunch, it was back to CASE Field for a game of Medic.  My sweet friend Julia let me borrow these foam discs so we could play.  The kids loooooved it.

Ledger had a ball until he got hit.  

Even Miss B. got in on the action.

Cave and Presley stayed away from Case field and played in the backyard.  Smart kids!

For dessert, Case requested mint chip ice cream cup cakes from Coldstone. Yummmy!

Happy Birthday sweet Case!

This was the BEST party ever.  The boys did a great job playing the games.  This was the perfect party for Case! Happy birthday are-man.  We sure love you and can't believe you are already 8!

It's Great To Be 8!

This cute kid is 8 today.

He is funny, smart, thoughtful, obnoxious, witty, and cute.

This kid is an athlete.  He is good at every sport he plays. It's really not fair.

He is super helpful around the house but cannot stand to put his laundry away.

He likes to make his own breakfast to help out.  (scrambled eggs, english muffin, oj)

He loves to shoot hoops before and after school.

This boy is a good friend. He has lots of friends.

He is picky about his clothes, shoes, hair and food.

His teeth make me happy.

He could care less about making his bed or keeping his room clean.

His favorite phrase right now is, "What do you mean mom?" For example, I can say, "After swim team you have baseball." His response, "What do you mean mom?" My answer, "That's what I mean Case."

This boy loves sandwiches from Port Of Subs and pizza from Little Caesars.

He gets really grouchy when he's hungry.

This kid knows all the words to every song on the radio.

He can dance and move like you wouldn't believe.

This boy is sensitive and soft on the inside but rough on the outside.

He will make you laugh with his funny observations.

Miss B. thinks he's the greatest 8 year old in the house.  He does whatever she wants.

I too think he's the greatest 8 year old in the house.  

I love everything about this boy.

Happy 8th birthday Case-Man!

I love you love you love you!

We're Going To The Zoo Zoo Zoo

 Today I had the opportunity to go with Ledger and his class on a field trip to the zoo.  This boy was so excited he could hardly handle himself.  I'm not really sure if he was more excited for the first ever bus ride, or the actual zoo. 

 The buses were over an hour late so by time they came, he was ready!

 Can you see how exciting a bus ride can be for a 5 year old?

 I was in charge of these 4 boys.  They were so nice and did a great job at the zoo.

 I have learned from past experience that on field trips, all  kids want to do is arrive at their destination and EAT!  I was prepared this year with snacks and water to share.  So I'm happily feeding the kids as we look at the animals when my cell phone rings.  It is Ledger's teacher.  She informs me that one of the kids in my group has severe allergies and she has his epi-pen in case he has any issues.  WHAT!?!? I start panicking about the snacks I have been feeding this boy.  No way am I going to shove an epi-pen in some poor kids leg because he stops breathing.  I start asking the parents around me if they know anything about allergies.  Luckily one of the mom assures me that the snacks I have been feeding this boy are "peanut free."  Thank goodness cause that could have been bad!

 Ledger was our guide at the zoo.

 The boys and the rhino.

 The orangutans were a HUGE hit!

The Komoto Dragon was just creepy!

I had so much fun with Ledger and his friends today on the field trip.  I loved holding hands with him as we walked, I loved sitting with him on the bus, and I loved eating lunch with him in the hot sun.  

Tuesday's

It's that time of year again.  It's time for swim lessons with Miss Carolyn. This little lady has had the countdown going since November.  She talks about Miss Carolyn at least twice a week.  She could hardly wait to see her today.  She wore her favorite new swim suit and brought her new princess towel.   Although the weather took a turn from the 80-90 degrees it has been, this little lady didn't mind a bit. She was in heaven swimming with Miss Carolyn today.  Now that we are back into swim lessons, our Tuesdays are going to be a little insane.  The day starts with preschool from 9:00-11:30.  Then it's off to swim lessons from 12:00-12:30.  Then its back to our side of town for tumbling with Miss Brenda from 1:45-2:45.  After we grab the boys from school at 3:00 then we come home, change our clothes and head up to the club for swim team.  Phewwwww...I'm exhausted already and it's only the first day!