Gold Belted Gabe

This past weekend was an extremely busy weekend for us but a good one. My parents came to visit and brought my sister's kids with them. The kids all had so much fun playing together, like they always do. Though the highlight of the weekend for Gabe was testing for his Gold belt in Karate. It was that much sweeter for him since he was unable to test the first two times. He was so excited that he was ready to head to the girls' basketball game in full Karate attire. He did such a good job during his testing and Matt's worries that he wouldn't be focused because of his cousins proved to be fruitless. Here are a couple of pictures of his kata.

Gabe's Baseball Season

Last night was Gabe's last regular season baseball game. The season was not a winning season. In fact they didn't win at all, except for good sportsmanship. Saturday we had hopes that they would get their first win but those hopes were dashed with a 1 point loss. Last night that all changed. The Pirates won their first game with a 1 point win. They could have won by more but conceded their last at bat so they could celebrate their win. The pure joy and elation that those kids expressed was something to behold. This win was the perfect cap to their season of baseball. We took Gabe to Toot's, Gabe's favorite restaurant, to celebrate. And we weren't the only ones!

Gabe playing in the outfield.

Gabe's hit that got him to second and then batted home! He also got a couple of RBIs during the game.

Gabe crossing home plate!

They start tournament games next week and then will have a party to end the season off right. Even though he didn't play on a winning team he had a whole lot of fun playing and is planning on playing again. And we are so proud of him for having such a great attitude this season!!

Happy 9th Birthday, Gabe

Today my baby boy turned 9!! Nine I can't believe it... That's 1 year from double digits, 2 years from middle school, 4 years from being a teenager, and 6 years from learning to drive. My baby boy is growing up so quickly. Just nine short years ago my baby looked like this...

And now he looks like this...

Great picture, huh? He might not appreciate this one but I loved it!

Gabe had an awesome birthday. His birthday started on Friday with cupcakes for his class, and last all weekend. He is really into Pokemon right now so I made some Pokeball cupcakes to take to his class. Here is what they looked like. And boy was he excited!

On Saturday, Gabe invited a couple of friends over to help him celebrate. Gabe and his friends enjoyed pizza, laser tag, cupcakes and ice cream. Because of a weather delay Elizabeth and I headed to the ball fields instead of the party. But Matt, Abby and the boys had a great time! Here are a couple of pictures that highlight all the fun the kids had.

Because I had already made Pokeballs for Gabe, I decided to go a little further for his party. So I took some of the most popular Pokemon and made those into cupcakes. Meet Pikachu, Jigglypuff and Charmander.

And then today we had our traditional birthday pancakes. Gabe also got to open his presents from us and his sisters. All in all I think he had a great 9th birthday.

Happy Birthday G-dog!!

Snowmageddon January 2011

We've been out of school since Sunday. We found out Sunday night that we would not be having school on Monday. Monday morning we woke up to 5 inches of snow on the ground. It was an awesome snowfall for a Tennessee winter. The kids were so excited to see all that snow on the ground and being able to play in it was that much better.

Elizabeth had a whole lot of fun walking through the snow covered trees. Just look at that grin on her face.

Abby had a lot of fun sledding down the hill. I loved seeing the look of pure joy on her face.

Gabe had an awesome time sledding with a neighborhood friend.

Matt, Abby and I made a snowman together.

Elizabeth and Abby enjoyed helping Daddy shovel off the driveway. I was counting my lucky stars that we had lived in Indiana where it snows. We had the snow shovel and sleds that most people down here don't have. It was nice having everything and not having to search the stores for the few items they do stock. If only more places carried the snow pants and bibs.

Abby and Elizabeth were willing to pose for a few pictures for their Mama.

We've had fun in the snow. But at this point the kids and I are going a little stir crazy. We are going on our 4th snow day and I think we are all ready for school to start back. I wouldn't mind another snow storm this winter but I am ready for this one to be one of the past.

Love of Reading? Sometimes.

Gabe loves to read when he has chosen the book. It is hard to get him to read a wide varitey of books. We discovered Gabe's unwillingness to read books that he had not heard of through either a movie or tv series at the book store several weeks ago. In an attempt to get him to read a wider variety of books I have started giving rewards for each book that is read. I started this shortly after our to the book store. I kept trying to get him to choose something that would be new to him. Matt and I would show him book after book and he would say no. Then he would come to us with Star Wars, Bakugan, Pokemon, etc. I'm not saying that I don't want him to read these at all. I just want him to read other things besides books based on tv series and movies. So we decided that we would choose the books and then reward him for reading them. The only thing is that I am now reading each and every book as well so that I can test him so that I am sure he is reading them. But I do love this picture because in this one he is reading for joy and not because I am telling him to. This book is along the same lines of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. If only there were more books of this style or another Diary book.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Last week Gabriel came home with his March at Home School Project. This month's project was to make a Leprechaun Trap. His instructions were to brainstorm ideas, choose a do-able project, illustrate the trap and it's parts, write complete sentences on how to use the trap with simple sequential steps and then to make the trap.

Gabe really had a blast coming up with ideas on how to catch a Leprechaun. Most of his ideas were not "do-able". His ideas were things like, have a turtle with laser eyes in the doorway and when the Leprechaun comes into the room a cage will drop down on him. So I guided him to the computer to see what we could find out about Leprechauns and how to catch them. We found out that Leprechauns love anything shiny such as gold, like shamrocks, ans since they are cobblers (shoemakers) they also are attracted to shoes. So we took all this into consideration while making the trap. Gabe liked the idea of making a stick trap. A trap with a stick that when pulled would drop something over the Leprechaun. So with that we started trying to figure out what we would need to make the trap. Looking through the recycling we found an cake container. It would be perfect for the stick trap. But then we had to decide what to do with the center section of the container. After a little brainstorming we decided to cut out the center and make a hole for the Leprechaun to fall into. So now as Gabe said we have a double trap. We hung a string from the top which when pulled by the Leprechaun trying to get out of the hole would pull the stick from the lid trapping the Leprechaun. We then set about decorating the trap. And here is what we ended up with.



Gabe was so excited to take his trap to school this morning. He was even asking if he could practice walking with it so that he wouldn't drop it on the way into school. I can't wait to hear about how everything went and what happened at school. I wonder if he will catch a Leprechaun today.

From Basketball to Soccer and Martial Arts

We are moving from basketball into soccer. Well, at least Abby is going to be playing soccer. Gabe didn't enjoy the sport when he played so we are signing him up for Martial Arts, just don't know which one yet. So before we get into the soccer and the Martial Arts thing I wanted to look back at our basketball season. Both Gabe and Abby had a great season and enjoyed it a lot.

Gabe started the season out very unsure often passing the ball as soon as he got his hands on it. After some practice and encouragement from us, his grandparents and the coach he started trying to dribble and shoot the ball more. In the last four games he scored at least one basket each time. In his final game he actually got fouled and shot a free throw. He didn't make it but at least he hit the rim and didn't air ball it. Gabe surprised us all with his hustling up and down the court. Looking at his face you could see the effort and determination that he would get the ball and guard his man. He loved playing and had been hoping that there was another session of basketball starting. Since there wasn't we will continue to practice on his ball handling and shooting skills and see where this new found love of basketball takes us.

Abby also had a great season. During her first game she was so unsure of what she was suppose to do that she stood around watching the action. With a little coaching though she came out of her shell and was all over the court. She was a hustler. She seemed to be all over the court rebounding the ball and trying to block shots. She made her first basket in the third game and boy was her brother jealous. From that point on she had at least one basket every game. And the smile on her face was priceless. She was often a little aggressive when it came to the ball though. There were times she was trying to take the ball from her own teammate! Which was pretty normal it seemed for the whole of that age group. But it did bother both Matt and I a little. So much for us teaching sharing!! There were several parents who commented on her ability and her energy and said that she is really good. But we will just have to wait to see if her interest remains on basketball or wonders off into another uncharted territory.

The season will be ending officially this weekend at the YMCA with a trophy ceremony. We still aren't sure if we are going or not since our Spring Break starts this weekend and we are trying to figure out something fun to do. So anywho that's it for basketball now onto our next adventures in sports. And for your viewing pleasure a few shots of the kids playing.