Fall Ball and more

Every fall weekend has been consumed with baseball.  Usually both days, with a practice sometime during the week!

Since the Phils made an early exit, someone has to keep playing, right?

This is Alek's first season of pitching, he loves to pitch.  I dont like it so much, stresses me out. 

He is so into it though, which I do love.

It is a rollercoaster, pitches great to 2 batters, walks a couple, strikes out one, walks more.  Very hard this age group to pitch too, you have 8-10 years old on the team--with very varying heights! He definitely stuggles to find that strike zone with the shorter players!

What I do love is how no matter what happens, he wants to get back right back out there. 

we love that he has hussle, is usually the first one running on to the field from the dugout, it always focused on the game, it is cute to watch.  He loves to play.  He has caught a bunch the past few games and does so well.  Now I love watching him catch, I secretly hope that is his position--maybe that is because he would be just like his daddy?

Alek had his buddy over after one game, so we decided to enjoy a gorgeous fall day and head to Valley Forge park.  Maks bailed, he wanted to stay home with dad--I think he heard the word "hike" and didnt want to exert the effort after a late night at the neighbors the night before.  Thats my little old man!

I haven't done the sites at Valley Forge in a long time, just usually go for a walk there.  But we decided to check out Washington Headquarters.

The boys were cute.  They had been to Constitution Center a few weeks before with Liam's family, so they were putting together pieces of history they had learned. It was fun to watch.

The Headquarters is mostly all orginal rooms, floors, walls. Very cool to see.  Alek kept saying how daddy would have to duck in a lot of these rooms.  I explained that men were alot shorter back in those days!

They loved the kitchen house, especially the fake chicken roasting!

Their favorite was the soldier huts.  Alek asked if we could build one in our backyard.

They loved the "bunks". 

We spent sometime at the Valley Creek too, throwing some stones in, finding cool rocks and awesome leaves.  Alek even found alot of "beach" glass there.  He asked if they were still called beach glass since we found it at a creek?

We took a long hike through the woods, the boys had a great time looking for hiking sticks, climbing on trees and looking for the biggest leaf ever.  It was a great day, wish Maky would have joined us!

Maybe next time!!

The week of Maks

 Birthdays generally last a week or so around, at least that is what it seems the last few years!

 Lots of celebrating, lots of presents, and lots of cake. 

That's right Maks, You are Awesome!

For our family night on his actual birthday, we had dinner and then creamed filled chocolate chip cookies. 

They were a big hit.  He loved his new beyblades, Battleship game, tail ball and t-shirt.  Though seems like Alek and Daddy love the Battleship game the most!

 Next up was the big birthday bash at the gym!  Maks was so excited to have his best buds and fave rock star cousin Jake.

Lots of running, jumping, flipping and climbing!!

I love maks' face when he first goes up on this, it is combo sheer terror yet excitement!!

In the end, he loved it.  He got to do it again at gym class this week and this time he was flipping forward and back!

Great to land in the soft pit!

Loves diving in the pit!

Climbs the rope to the ceiling--You are one strong kiddo!!

So in the midst of watching all the excitement, I forgot to the order the pizza.  So I had to run out in search of a pizza to be done in 15 minutes. I left the party in the capable of hands of LaLa and my neighbor. 

Thankfully the nice people at Hennings market heated up two pizzas and I was back in under 20 minutes!

The kids snacked and the pizza arrived just in time.  Then it was time for cake. Another awesome cake from my friend Jen! Of course being the together mom I am, I forgot forks--seriously who forgets food and forks for the kids bday party.  I need a personal assistant!  Thankfully the gym had a box for us and no one had to use their fingers!!

The party was a great success, Maks had a blast.  The fun continued as Big Mike and the girls came back along with Den Jr and his family and LaLa , Jakey and Jimmy.  The adults got to relax with a cocktail and some real food. 

The boys always love when the girls sleep over. 

The next day, Grammom, Poppy, Granny and JoJo came over for some more birthday fun and cake (ice cream this time, thanks Grammom!). 

We had a nice lunch, Maks was spoiled with more presents and then we headed off to cheer Alek on at his baseball game.

What a whirlwind weekend, Maks you are so lucky to have such great friends and family!!

The weekend prior we headed to the beach to celebrate with Pop and Noni.

It was a crisp fall weekend at the beach. Saturday was great for playing in the sand, looking for the perfect rock and shell and of course racing our scooters down the street.

Such a handsome birthday guy you are--those front teeth are coming in quick, no more sticking that tongue between your teeth!!

On a shell hunt with Pop!

Sunday was rainy and chilly so off to the bowling alley we went.  The boys did not want the bumpers up, but after many gutter balls they asked.

Pop was offering monetary rewards for strikes and spares.  I got quite a few of them, but apparently I was not included in that incentive.  Maks managed to almost bowl himself down the lane at one point.

A great time was had by all!  We wrapped up the day with a trip to Walmart for a run down the toy isle and then had an awesome dinner at Grotto.  Can't go to the beach without getting my Grotto fix!

Monday was nicer at tthe beach, cold and crisp, perfect for a long walk on the beach. 

We were sad to head home, I for one will be wishing the winter away so we can head back to the beach again!!

And the week prior to that, friends came over for some Friday night fun!

Pizza, drinks, fire and smores on a crisp fall night.  We had leftover sparklers from the Maine wedding, so the kids had a blast lighting up the yard. 

The week(s) of Maks have come to an end.  Maky I hope you had an awesome time, you are such an amazing kiddo and we love you so much.  You make our lives full and complete. 

We hope 7 is your best year yet!!!

7

October 12, 2012

7 years old!

Wow, how can that be true?

 My how far you have come.  October 12th will always be extra special, not only because it was the day you were born, but he was the day we first met you, first touched you and first held you and kissed that sad little face.

While we were not there the day you were born, this was the next best thing, meeting you and celebrating your 1st year of life!

 From then on you have made life an adventure!!

You are a funny, fascinating, intelligent, and strong willed little man.  

You crack us up multiple times a day, with what comes out of your mouth.  

 You are your own person, you march to the beat of your own drum.  You do what feels right to you and you dont worry about what others think--I love that about you!  You stand up for yourself, yet are a good friend and full of compassion.

You are growing like crazy, you are now 51 inches tall and now have surpassed your brother's height from that age!  Watch out Alek he is catching up to you!

 You love school, legos, bike riding, beyblades, drawing and climbing anything and everything. 

You are loving gymnastics and quickly loving up levels.  Your strength and flexibility awe me.  I love watching how hard your focus and try.    You are an awesome 1st grader!!  Your reading has taken off and I love watching how well you sound out words you dont know and I love how you read stories to me.  I still love that you and your brother curl up in bed and he reads to you.  You are doing so well in school.  You have gotten perfects in your spelling and math tests and are excited each day to go to school. I hope that love of learning always stays with you.

So, happy 7th Makadoo--we lovvveee You!

Thanks for bringing such laughter and adventure into our lives.

We love you to the moon and back!

School Daze!!

September begins our Good bye to summer and our Hello to school.  Our tradition is for the kids to pick out their special dinner for Labor Day for our Happy School Year celebration.

This year they wanted hot dogs on the grill and mac cheese.  So I made some homemade mac and cheese and also suprised them with some crabs which Alek was thrilled about.  Maks enjoyed a few crabs too, but he was more than to content to shovel in some shrimp--one of his faves!  The dinner was extra fun when Tim stopped by to help out with the crabs. 

We had a great dinner and talked about our excitement and expectations for the upcoming school year.  Alek's main goal is to write everything in cursive, Maks is looking forward to library and gym and getting to experience his first full day year at GS.  He is extra excited he got Alek's 1st teacher too.  We are happy to as Alek loved her and had a great year with her. 

After dinner we checked out our new baby fish in the pond and then went inside to get all our gear in order. 

Early to bed, need to have full energy for the day ahead!

This year I changed up my schedule so 2 days a week I am getting the kids on the bus and then heading to work a little later.  It is great, I love having the extra time with them in the morning and love taking the bus to school those two days. 

They are handsome and ready with their new back packs (thanks Pop and Noni)! And just because they have wheels doesn't mean they are racecar and demolition derby cars---Maks!

The first 2 weeks of school have gone great. It is wonderful to see Alek have excitement over school back and his self esteem alot higher than last year--hopefully the bully is gone for good!!  He loves his new teacher and excited over being upstairs this year. 

Back to school night was good. We met the new principal and I like her so far.  Got to meet Aleks teacher who I had known nothing about, but she is great. So cute and so energetic.  It was great hearing all the plans they had for the year, including raising and studying crayfish in class and mailing Flat Stanely to someone out of town and seeing all the places Flat Stanley gets to travel.  Alek is also able to participate in strings this year, he surprised us but wanting to and being really excited about it.  He is now deciding between the bass, cello or violin.  I hope parents dont have to know how to read music or help, otherwise we are in big trouble!

I love Maks' teacher, she is truly one of those great teachers for boys. She gets them, she has 2 of her own.  For their back to school night, Maks class did self portratis which were taped to their chairs for the parents to see. Maks of course made himself a Ninjago--we should have known.  He also wrote that his teacher was nice and beautiful.  Mrs M and I were cracking up, she said Alek wrote pretty much the same thing back then, so she knew Maks had to be his brother. 

So we are off to a good start all around.  We are in the swing of things, Maks at gymnastics, Alek at fall baseball--he can't wait until his pitches in his first game!

We have been enjoying the gorgeous weather too which inspired me to take the boys for a hike in the state park near us.  Alek loved grabbing the map and I just prayed we didn't get lost.  The trail was harder than I thought it would be, but the boys did great.  Alek and I kept betting when Maks would fall in mud or trip over something. It took about ten minutes before Maks tripped over a root as he was talking non stop.  Gotta love the kid!

Yea, the joy of boys.....always carry hand sanitizer with you on a hike!

Checking out a cave, Maks was a little worried there might be a bear!

Alek taking a break, it was a long day after the baseball game and a hike. 

They had a blast skipping rocks and looking for fish.  They were extra excited when a horseback riding group came through and they decided that is what they want to do next. Maks asked if he could make his go super fast.  God help the horse that gets Maks!

They found some fun things to climb and scale.  And Alek was psyched to hit the jackpot on acorns.  He came home with a pocket full!

Maks managed to stay clean until we turned around to head back and then he misjudged a jump distance and landed right in a puddle of mud and possibly some horse poo.  Thankfully it was all on one foot. 

After the hike they begged to go to Castle Park, so I kicked back in the shade and caught up with my People magazine while they played.  Afterwards we hit the diner.  Us and all the white haired crowd at 5:30 on a saturday!  They looked at us like we were invading their turf.  It was fun though and they were quiet and good.  We spent our time coloring while waiting for our food.  It was an awesome mama and sons day. 

I really enjoyed sitting by the creek watching them play and look at stones and just breathing the moment in.  It all goes by so fast.

I am glad I have kept up this blog for them and for me.  It is great to look back on the little memories that may have slipped my mind.  I hope one day they enjoy reading this and laughing at all the fun times they have had together.