Final Days of School

And that is a wrap folks - That is right, they are now officially home with me!  YIKES

Looks like they are pretty darn excited about it too =)

Holy moly here we go!

Golfing with Goomba

One of the goals Drew had towards the end of Kindergarten was being able to golf with Goomba - not his brothers, not with his brothers, just him and Goomba and finally, it happened!  He did it.  Wondering if he got a swing clinic too.

Does it make you wonder what these 2 were chatting about - I can assure you someone was chatting!

Taking your time and making the putt - not sure if that is Drew's forte

Curious what part of golf this is??  lining up the putt?

Huge thank you to my folks for taking this little guy out - but really the bigger thing is just really being a part of his life.  Growing up he will have 2 more cheerleaders in his corner and that is really huge.

Vermont weekend for Soccer

Didn't I just have a Baseball blog??  Well time to find your soccer cleats and head to the soccer tournament in VT - but first, lets take a breathe and blow out the candles for this amazing guy!  #thisis41.  I couldn't imagine being on this ride of life with anyone else.  You AMAZE me in so many ways!  So open your gifts and keep this family rolling!

Right up to VT - look at the bed made for 1 - one little drew man.  2 chairs together - how much longer will this last??  I seem to remember doing this in college.

now onto soccer - Amazing to see Nick so simply change gears.  suit up and score a goal on their first game.

some of canton's finest =)

Does this happen to everyone on vacation??  yup, alternator??  sadly there aren't too many repair shops in VT open on Saturday, they towed it to Boon dock garage - well named and thankfully had it fixed by Sunday...

In the meantime, lets conquer our fears (you don't see me up there do you??) everyone needs a photographer...)

no problem and smiling almost the whole way.

This Q-T finished as well

Seriously buddy, you don't have to do this....

now THIS guy - did pretty well - look at those legs!

I will admit, he was terrified at the end and stopped after level 2 - which I was grateful for.  Cher was a rock star trying every avenue imaginable to get him to come down...he had to do it on his time and when HE was ready.  met this guy?

Want to see a few video clips??

https://youtu.be/nsf7wKbpf2U

In case you were wondering where I was during all this - was there any question??

THIS is more my speed and quite honestly, plenty of fun

MUCH happier on the coaster - you could actually control the speed - Drew wasn't interested in using the breaks....

A little hot tub time for the boys...

The things to love about VT - the green mountain state 

Chris work up to the double whammy - Father's day AND his birthday.  This shirt says a lot about what goes on at our house....

those are the smiles I was looking for!!

just wanted to capture a little of the ground we got to stay at.

Loved the coaster

Shane got to go solo - I knew he was in control.

These 2

remember we are still ubering rides to the game - thank you Fortes!

 

Future soccer guys -

So during the last 2 soccer games Chris drove with Tim to get out mini - at Boon dock repair - IN THE BOON Docks - they both missed the games and it was father's day and his birthday.  So I HAD to find a great spot on the way home to feed my foodie

We did it!!  right on the marina!

Couldn't have planned it better if I actually planned it

Boat car and all! (no not our car and hopefully our car works better than this one,

Birthday dessert - yes please!

If he were to smile bigger his tooth may fall out - photo cred, Nick

What a weekend that normally kicks off summer - but this time, we go back to school for just 3 more days.  Great weekend chilling with Canton folks in VT - one beautiful state.  Great soccer too -!

Love from a friend when you just may need it the most

There are some days when I am just shocked by the timing - here is this amazing package that I was so excited to open as it takes me back to the days of being in her overly organized closet with so many great articles of clothing that she just doesn't wear and wants to pass them along to you - so now she even boxes them upend sends them my way - oh Chelcy how I love you - let me count the ways.  Now being a Texas Girl I need to ask why so many sweaters?!?!  I am the lucky recipient - but its not that cold out there!

Because 20 minutes later, THIS happened.  Yup, just headed out to visit a friend, got the address wrong and apparently this home over mulched this section - The Passat literally SUNK.

Mark - nicest guy ever - and Rebecca died laughing when I called her.  Pretty sure she looks to me for humor relief.  Was a little concern if the folks in this house would be unimpressed by the state I intended to leave the mulch in.....

Moving on......

Drew's Kindergarten Celebration

Kindergarten is such a sweet tender social learning time for kiddos and I couldn't be more thankful for the Teacher we had this year.  Mrs. Theriault has just the right amount of bubbly fun, pizzaz, personality, love and structure for this sweet child.

I know Drew gave you a run for your moment, and I am so very thankful that we could all work together to bring out this guys' many talents.

Mrs. Theriault really puts the time into a beautiful kindergarten celebration meant to really tug at your heart strings.  This one was no different.  Just watching it again as I blog (3 month later)  I am still touched.  Thankful my mom could be there too.  

Wait, who is this guy?!?!  wasn't he just IN this celebration and now he is the usher?!?!  When did that happen?

Still my sweet Shane

https://youtu.be/nKrOXM-nOoQ

There is a part in the video (below where the kids grown up and get to bring a flower to their parent - part of me could be sad that in that moment Drew wanted to bring the flower to my mom - but there is a bigger part of me that rejoices that Drew can bring that flower to my mom - that she can love and be that comfortable with her and have one more loving parent in his corner.  Or maybe she just lets him have more screen time than I do!!   hehe

Congratulation Drew - now its onto the big time =)!

No more participation Trophy's this one was EARNED

This game - where to start?

 I figured since nick cant sleep and is currently writing (for the first time) in his journal it might not be a bad idea to write it all down now too.

AAA final tournament start with a rough game against the top team - a game where they literally pulled out all the stops to win (and they didn't)!  Stops like intentionally walking the batter (that just so happened to be Nick) yet still not winning.  As luck would have it, 4 days later we got the chance to play them again.

Most heart pounding game of baseball I have seen.

Nick pitched the final 3 innings.  His buddy Julian was the catcher the ENTIRE game.  (they only play 6 innings and we were considered the guest - so that means the home team is last ups)  Stick with me.

Inning 5 - (if you wonder if this is all about Nick - remember, I am his momma - so YES, it is!)  the next 2 batters had some serious strikes thrown at them and got struck out - Nick looked so strong and confident on the mound!  So proud of him - but there is one more inning and we were only up by to.

our at bats were sadly non producing.  Derrick got on base, and stole all the way to 3rd, but didn't make it home.  Still only up by 2.

Final at bats.  The kids started to hit Nick's pitches,  not big hits, but getting on base.  A ball was hit between 2nd and 3rd, shortstop almost fields the ball, but nick cuts in and grabs is sending it to 1st Vinny grabs the throw for the first out.  They keep getting little hits.  

Matter of fact, the bases get loaded.  A runner makes it in bringing the score to 9-8.  A runner heads up on a short hit to Nick.  He grabs it and sends it home which Julian fields and it on the base - textbook like.  The Ump calls the runner safe.  EVERYONE is on their feet and coach Ty runs at the UMP faster than I have ever seen.  It was a force and apparently he didn't realize.  The other UMP comes in to verify that he saw the out.  

Now we have ONE MORE OUT.  The kiddo takes the plate and Nick has this crazy smile on his face.  I am certain he throws a ball or 2, the kiddo swings once, foul (strike) than he throws a solid strike - the kid never swings.  Nick walks into Julian to grabs the ball with a HUGE smile on his face (my heart is pounding and yes the bases were loaded.  its 9-8 this could go 2 very different ways.  The crowd is SO QUIET and Nick is WAY more composed than I would EVER be.  He sends a strike in and the kiddo doesn't swing - and the game is OVER.  Pretty sure my voice resonated through our small town as I was elated nick got to enjoy this feeling.  That these Phillies got to enjoy this feeling. THEY DID IT!

I LOVE this photo of the coach's smile.  At one point (as the bases were loaded) he walked into Nick to talk to him as most coaches would do at this point.  In my mind I thought he was saying - are you o.k.?  Can you do this?  I asked Nick later - what did he say??  He said - I only have you - and you will throw this kid out.  You will do it.  He empowered the kid, he didn't let him question himself.  Can you tell I really like this coach?  Coaches can have such an affect, an impression on kids - this guy surely did on nick and I LOVED seeing it.

The other great coach - Ty - he LOVES baseball and is rather shy outside of that.  So he enjoyed the connection with the boys.  He played 3rd base coach and often sent the boys from 2nd all the way home with waving arms.  He loved seeing their expression of 'really??  Keep going???' as he ENTHUSIATICALLY signaled them home.

Here they all are with EARNED trophies in the grasp - no more participation stuff.  These things matter.  I see Derrick off to the side, not wanting to be recognized for his HUGE home run the game before.  the modest slugger and teammate.  I LOVED seeing this team come together.  The players for the first time. the players that love baseball, the kids cheering for each other.  Heck on the final pitches I had an earful of kiddos behind me cheering for Nick's final pitch (sure I wish I had a photo - but I was there and that was better)

so we get home and Nick delivers the play by play as best he can - he can't remember every detail but he can tell you how he feels.  I ask him for one picture before bed.  what does he do?  He asks if he can wake up Gertie to be part of the photo.  Love everything about this.

That smile - that poise - I hope he continues to enjoy the true exhalation that sports can deliver.  Sure there are lows, but the successes really are awesome.

Go Leadbetter Go - loved his recap to Uncle jay that night =)!

Want to know his walk on song??  Here you go!  can you guess where his inspiration came from??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY&list=PLcXvntD3lnUfoCyLMO6FE-Kl_usqG5g-h&index=1

Bobby Bones!

Favorite school pictures

Paul Cryn still comes to Cherry Brook every year to snap some photos.  Next year I vow to record the photo session as he had ME belly laughing.  He lines up the boys and tells jokes to them, picks up them, sends fake chickens flying, all in the name of catching them in the most beautiful smiles.  This year he absolutely nailed in it catching them exactly where they are in life.

I have said, this was the year of the Nick - sports were his thing this year and he was at the top of his game.  He may never be the biggest, fastest, most talented kid - but I can attest that he is a great kid to coach and will always try his hardest.  This baseball season is surely one I will never forget!

This year Shane established his first group of friend that he looks forward to seeing all day.  He will play just about anything with you - as long as YOU are happy.  He wants to play soccer to be with his buddies and baseball too.  Often times he surprises himself with his ability.  Still this goofy lovey kid's smile will forever melt my heart.

This one says it all - I am absolutely DARLING - but watch out - he just might turn on a dime.  His abilities this year in kindergarten had me astonished.  His quick reading and confidence (when he wants to show it) far exceeded my expectations.  I hope you never get bored in school because if you do, you just aren't realizing you have got this and so much more kiddo.  Please know how stinking' awesome you really are.  Go with that!

Thank you Paul Cryan - I treasure these photos more than you will ever know!