Sharp Shooter!

Great day at regional contest last week!  He said he made 22/25 (I thought it was 23).  He was the first shooter and the second guy made 24.  There were 13 and many really were doing well - not much room for error with these boys. We were happy he held on to 2nd and received a medal. Top 12 in state for sure (he may have won at a different regional, who knows). We were all happy for him.  Our neighbor was there, too, and also placed 2nd in his group.

First Day - a New Version

The first day of school rolled around last week.  This year looks a bit different.  After much discernment, prayer, and research, we decided to try homeschooling.  So away we go.  I still had to capture some pictures.  Luke was still sleeping, so he missed out.  Here's the rest of the gang:

 

 

May the fun begin!

Ready for Action!

The older two are playing fall baseball with a new team. They seem to have some great coaches, and they say the practices are, "the best ever, like MLB!"  Good to see them having fun. We bought some catcher's gear - he's ready to go! Looks like we will also have a pitcher/short stop. First game is next week.

Who are these growing up kids?

Looking good to me.  Can't believe how much older they look in these pictures!

Spring Sports in full "Swing"

We had a nice break from practices and now we're back to practice 3 nights a week and typically a game at least one night a week.  It sure is noticeable when that change happens.  But, the kids are having fun and it's enjoyable to watch them.  Hard to believe we have just two weeks of school left!  YEAH!  We are all excited - Mom included!  Leyton & Nathaniel have had 2 baseball games already, Jacob is winding down on soccer games and his baseball games will start in the next couple weeks.  It is fun to watch and really see the difference each year.  These third graders are playing more and more like a real baseball game!  They are both having lots of fun and doing well - making good defensive plays and both hitting the ball.  My competitive nature still makes me want to say more than a mom should, but I think I am doing alright.  Sure is something about enjoying baseball games on nice days!

Happy 9th Birthday, Leyton & Nathaniel!

Unbelievably these little twin baby boys turned 9 somehow this year!  They sure have grown.  They are becoming very nice young boys.  Nathaniel enjoys reading, basketball, baseball, Legos, cap guns, listening to music, and helping Dad.  Leyton enjoys basketball, Legos, Wii, studying and reading (well, just kidding about the studying and reading), and listening to music.  Leyton LOVES seeing Catherine each day.  He can't wait for her to wake up in the morning and always spends extra minutes after school visiting with her.  They both really help out with their younger siblings.  Nathaniel will read to Anne and this morning he was doing puzzles with her.  He has such a gentle way of talking to her and it is sweet to hear.  It is crazy that they will soon be headed to 4th grade.  KU, Miami Heat, and St. Louis Cardinals are easily their favorite teams to follow.  They both work hard at school and are very responsible about getting their homework done pretty much on their own - a new change in this household!  We are very blessed to have such nice young boys and this year will be another fun year to see how our oldest boys grow and change.

Happy Birthday to...

...well, all my children.  It seems I missed posts for all of their birthdays except I caught Catherine's first.  SO, time to catch up.  We'll get Anne, then Leah, Jacob, Leyton, & Nathaniel.  We are into our odd year of ages.  Anne turned 3 in July, Leah 5 in October, Jacob 7 in December, and Leyton & Nathaniel 9 this month!  Wow. 

Quote of the Day

I was in the kitchen washing dishes at the sink and was looking outside and saw the kids all playing together (except Catherine - she's napping).  It made me smile seeing them having fun together coming up with what to play next and getting along great.  Nathaniel came inside and I told him how I enjoyed seeing them having fun.  His reply, "Yeah, life would be boring without brothers and sisters."  For our family, I agree.

End of an Era

So this picture makes me really page back a few years to when Leyton & Nathaniel were about 4; well, really it started around age 2 and continued until around 5. Oh the days with all the guitar playing we've done. I have lots of footage recorded of their singing and dancing to their favorite hits by Jim Cosgrove & some Ralph's World. This guitar has been through a lot. It's Leyton's. They now have electric guitars that they enjoy, but he sure got some use out of this one. It seems like it was Willie Nelson or someone who had their guitar long enough to cause similar wear from the strumming (not the broken end of course, ha). Anyway, before I got rid of it, I felt compelled to get a picture.

Happy 8th Birthday, Leyton & Nathaniel!

Here are my big boys from the first day to this 8th birthday. They sure have changed!

Wow, how times change! We wished these big boys a happy 8th birthday! It is so strange to think back to January 7, 2004 when they surprised us with their arrival -- about 8 weeks early. Leyton was born at 10:25am at 3lb 13oz and Nathaniel was born at 10:27am at 4lb 3oz and officially we were parents. They are such wonderful boys, each with their own traits and personality. They've now been in different classes for 1st & 2nd grade and it still makes me smile when I ask them about their school day and who they played with at recess...they each name their brother every time I ask. I'm glad they are close.

They are also good big brothers for all of their siblings. They play with everyone and care about them. They'll also help me out when I need it, to get something done for one of the little kids. Nathaniel has especially been taking care of Anne lately - he reads to her, helped her get jammies on the other night, sits by her in the van when she asks him to. Very sweet to watch. Leyton always has such a nice way of talking to the kids, too. For example if Anne has something that is his or that he wants or that she shouldn't maybe have, rather than just take it from her, he'll say, "Anne, may I please have that?" Typically she hands it right over. It's just nice to see the gentle nature instead of just grabbing it and upsetting her.

As far as hobbies, I'd say they are both really into basketball and enjoy baseball. They LOVE Legos, KU and now are pretty big Cardinals fans. Nathaniel continues to enjoy working on projects around the house and building or fixing things with Patrick. Leyton enjoys projects also, but I think would rather shoot baskets outside. I'm wondering if either of them will pick up free throw shooting contests? I was thinking about that recently since I used to always do those.

We really love these two boys and look forward to a great year with Reconciliation and First Communion. They have been busy preparing and are doing a great job. The first 8 years have gone by quickly. Crazy to think that in 8 more years, they'll be getting ready for driving! Happy Birthday boys!

Soccer Pictures 2011

Leyton & Nathaniel played soccer on one team, 4 on 4, and then Jacob played his first season this fall, 3 on 3. They had a lot of fun. Everyone had goals (even though we don't keep score), they were all pleased with the season. It is neat seeing the older boys actually start really playing these games! I must say, though, that Blue Valley Soccer Complex is enough to drive me crazy on the weekends - it gets very busy and hard to get in and out of. Yikes. Just so many people all over! But, so goes the way of soccer around here. Basketball starts at the beginning of December and all three boys are going to do that as well. Should be fun!

I wasn't able to get a picture of Leah at the games, but Anne sure is a cute cheerleader!

First Day of School 8-18-11

What a great day! I can't believe how much older the kids seem even after the first day. I think especially Leah - WOW - in preschool. So hard to believe. She just looks older to me now. She really enjoyed her first day (even though it was only for one hour). Jacob did great going to his first day of kindergarten. He's very familiar with the room as Leyton & Nathaniel were in the same room for kindergarten, with the same teacher; and Leyton was also there for 1st grade with Mrs. Hensler again. Nathaniel even showed him around a bit, "You can hang your backpack over there, where ever you want." Jacob sure is growing up, too. He said he had a lot of fun and would be going back tomorrow. And then my big boys...second grade, really? It is so hard to believe?! I'm like a broken record, but how can they seem to change just so quickly? I'm very proud of all of them and look forward to a great year. My little Anne was a champ today following everyone around and tagging along with the drop offs & pickups. What a great little gal. Good thing I have more time at home with her! My oh my...

I love you...

"to 'nafivity' ---and beyond!" My sweet words to hear from Leah at night. The kids & I have migrated from our "I love you more"'s to this. Each of the kids says it a little different, but Leah's is pretty sweet. It's one of those things I want to remember just like that - before she learns the right way to say it, which if you haven't figured out, is "infinity and beyond!" Nathaniel has his own way of saying it, too, and he'll always ask me, "Mom, do you like how I say it? Is it my own way of saying it?" It sure is and I love hearing it every way they say it.

Anne's working on it, but for now we get, "ook" (book), "un mor" (one more), then when you tell her you love her, she says "more-more-more", followed by "bye." Sure love her, too.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...

Baseball is off to a great start. Leyton & Nathaniel are playing their first year of pitching machine and it has been great fun for all of us. Nathaniel really likes catching, and Leyton enjoys pretty much anywhere. They both are making great progress. We've all been playing in the back field a lot, too...the whole family. It's so much fun. The games are fun, too, and we all go and enjoy them. Jacob has three classmates that are usually there as their big brothers are playing, too. You know, it's that nostalgia associated with coming home later in the evening with a crusty kind of dust film on top of sweat from those summer evenings at a baseball game. Interestingly, they had a game last Saturday in 98 degree heat at 4pm, and not a single kid complained about it. Truly showed they were just out there having fun.

Reading to Anne

Anne really loves being read to. All the kids do, but lately it's been fun to enjoy just how much Anne likes it these days. Before nap, before bedtime, any other time you can, she'll sit & listen & enjoy books. At naptime & bedtime, she'll say, "One more, 'kay?"...over & over again. Sweet. And I love how the boys enjoy reading to her. Nathaniel especially has been wanting to read to her. She'll just lay down and listen. I came across this picture from a few months ago of Nathaniel reading to her. Just a cute picture of the two of them. Hard to believe she's going to be 2 in less than 2 months!

Mom Retreats, Dad & Kids Party

This past weekend I had an excellent retreat. My team gave the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat to the next group of 30 women from our parish. It was really a great weekend & Patrick & I are so glad we have participated in this program. Patrick & the kids got to handle things on their own. I think they did pretty well. When I got home on Sunday afternoon/evening, I asked Nathaniel how his weekend was & he said it was good. I asked him if he by chance cleaned his room. His reply, "No, I was too busy going out to eat." That made me laugh. Sounds like they went out for lunch Sat., out for dinner Sat., and out for breakfast Sun. I'm just glad they had a good time. I also brought home some left over desserts for the kids...I am wondering if they'll think Mom should leave more often? Hopefully not. It's hard to define exactly, but the retreat & formation process has been great for us and I think it is an awesome thing for our parish. The ways it can change people's focus & path is just so encouraging and I think no matter where you are spiritually, it has so many benefits. I know that what convinced Patrick to go was that he'd heard about it so much from my doctor & he thinks a lot of him. I had been curious for a while after my parents went to it. A time commitment so worth doing! Funny that one of the men on Patrick's team mentioned how they wouldn't be meeting weekly anymore and he said it felt like they were all breaking up. I am sure they'll make a plan for what to do next. For today...back to the laundry, groceries, work, and the routine.

Nathaniel's Class's Mass Planning

Well, this week was a big week for Nathaniel. His 1st grade class had their first opportunity to plan the All School Mass. He read a petition and he did great. He practiced it every day for a week and were very happy to watch him read it. They also did a skit/game for the homily. It was basically a two option multiple choice - either stand or sit to show the answer you selected. It was fun. You could see how proud they were of this first opportunity.

Nativity Video

Here's a link to answer any burning questions about the kids' days at school:
Day at Nativity

Recent Picture Update

I realize not the most exciting picture of Jacob, but it's the main one I had recently & I had some of everyone else...couldn't leave him out?!

Leah modeling one of her new spring dresses. I love this one. She happens to have a ribbon tied around her waist for kicks - not really part of the dress, obviously.

Anne sporting a barrette. She's really starting to get used to having her hair up. I love it! I shouldn't though - as I've pretty much always had short hair?!

Just a great morning picture. She loves to wear sunglasses.

The big boys after their last basketball game. They really had a lot of fun. I think it's been their favorite sport so far. They've really had great coaches, too. It was a three-on-three league which worked great for them. Sometimes it was hard to watch, though, as I can't help but have a little bit of competitiveness in me. You can only press at half court (not a big deal), but there are also no steals & you have to pass at least once before shooting. All great fundamentals for their age, but sometimes you just wanted them to grab that ball right out of the opponents hands as it sat there so openly, just waiting to be taken. Lots of fun.

Happy 7th Birthday, Leyton & Nathaniel! (1/7/11)

Another part of our Happy New Year times (along with the year, and Patrick & I's anniversary - 13 this year by the way) is the wonderful celebration of Leyton & Nathaniel's birthday. What a fun day. It was a Friday and I was actually able to arrange being off work, so that was extra nice, too, to spend the day with the family. I took treats to their classes in the afternoon and got to read a couple of books they chose to the classes as well. Then at home, we had an at home family celebration that evening. The menu they chose was "breakfast for dinner" so we had bacon, scrambled eggs, chocolate chip pancakes, and wheat pancakes. Yum. They all enjoyed it quite a bit. Aunt Stacy came by and was able to join us as well. We had decorated chocolate chip cookie cake for dessert.

As we always say, time sure flies. These boys have come a long way and are such nice boys (I'm biased). Nathaniel is really a thinker and he enjoys playing basketball, doing projects around the house, and reading, along with Star Wars and playing with his siblings. He has a great smile and a huge heart. In fact, he really helped Patrick today with the basement as Patrick has started the framing for finishing the basement...Patrick put up a wall section which will go to the storage area and Nathaniel said, "Dad, where's the door?" Patrick mentioned several times today that he sure is glad Nathaniel mentioned that! Ha. Nathaniel is a very hard worker, too. He always likes to work and do his best. He's told us that his teacher says that in first grade, you "always have to be busy, always" in reference to him getting his morning work done (sometimes some of the kids have a hard time getting it all done). A patient, sweet, loving boy.

Leyton is laid back about almost everything and is pretty content going with the flow. He is, however, a perfectionist. He likes to have all of his school work perfect and takes pride in doing his best. He also enjoys basketball, reading, and playing all sorts of things. He enjoys Star Wars, KU, and playing with his siblings. He takes good care of his younger siblings and they often go to him with their questions on how to do something or how to spell a word. He's very good with them and really makes Anne laugh. A carefree but caring, loving, sweet boy.

Hmm, I'm pretty sure they weigh around 55 lb each now...imaging their start at just a total of 8lb: Leyton was 3lb 13oz, Nathaniel was 4lb 3oz! Crazy. Boys, the true gift of your birthday is you! We love you!