Where Have We Been???

Ok...so I've been told that I haven't posted in a while! Guilty! To say we've been busy since school ended would be an understatement! You would think that now I'm out of school that would be true, but that's not the case! So, here's a tiny snapshot of what's been keeping us so busy...

Jacob finished Kindergarten in May! It's unbelievable to think I have a 1st grader! He had an outstanding year in Kindergarten and we couldn't have asked for a better teacher. I'm amazed at how well Jacob can read. Even though I see the progress kids make everyday at my job, I only see the beginning of their quest in reading. I never get to see the "finished product" so it's been fun to watch my own son develop these reading skills and read on his own! He loves to read the bedtime story for the evening to his brother & sister. So cool!!

Jacob's last day in Kindergarten!

Of course baseball had kept us busy w/both boys. They both just finished up their seasons.

Kade was a pro, of course! What did you expect?? I would often overhear other parents and spectators in the stands comment on what an awesome little hitter he was, not knowing he was my son! Watching my little (and I mean little...he was the smallest & youngest kid on the team) slugger walk up to the T to bat, you wouldn't expect much, but then when you least expected it...BAM...Kade would hit a line drive shot to the outfield and leave others in awe of his batting abilities!! He even tried to throw a few kids out at 1st base. If you've ever watched a 3 & 4 year-old t-ball game, you would understand how rare it is that they actually make a play! The norm in the field is to run as fast as you can after the ball, dogpile your teammates and hope that you come up w/the ball in the midst of all of the wrestling!! It was a fun year for Kade and needless to say he loved it and can't wait to play next year!

Jacob had a great season as well! The games they didn't win, they only lost by 1 or 2 runs. He played first base and rarely missed anything thrown to him! He also hit his 1st triple this year! I forgot how competitive I can be when it comes to baseball! Now I know how hard it is for parents to sit in the stands and not yell (not in a negative way) at their kids! It's nearly impossible!! Being a new team, it was a learning year for all of us! We learned all the crazy alternative rules to coach pitch, that you can't always count on an ump to be consistent and that most teams play dirty and are out for blood & guts forgetting that our kids are only 6! Overall, Jacob had a great time and made lots of new friends in his teammates. We're even looking in to playing Fall Baseball this year! I'll keep you posted!!

In between all of the baseball, I had my annual dance recital...yes, I still dance in my old age. Someone asked me recently how long I have danced, so I did the math. Since I was 6, I've only missed 2 and a half years of dancing (1 year right after I graduated college and 1/2 year after having Kade & the year I was pregnant w/Mckynlee) which adds up to be 24 and 1/2 years!! I still love it! I may not be as skinny as I was in my young days and may not be able to move in the same way, but it's still fun and I can't imagine not dancing!! I'm so excited because Mckynlee starts her 1st year of ballet next year @ the same studio, so we'll get to share the dance stage next year!! She can't wait(& neither can I)!!!

My dance girls...Ali & Missy

We were able to attend a Tulsa Driller's baseball clinic w/Jacob's baseball team a couple of weeks ago. It was really fun! The boys got to get on the "real" field and work on baseball drills w/the Driller's players. It was lots of fun!

Jacob's Team - The Pirates

The Simpson's @ Driller's Day

As if we didn't have enough to do, the kids started swimming lessons too @ Miller's Swim School in Tulsa! This is Jacob's 3rd year to have lessons, so he's my pro. Kade was in the baby class last year where Mike or I could get in the pool w/him, but this is his first year in a "big kid" class without mom and dad. I was nervous at first not knowing how he would react to being in a class w/out one of us, but he has done great!!! He shed just a couple of tears the first day, but that was all! Mckylee started the Diaper Dolphins class, which is the baby class Kade was in last year where parents get in the pool too. She loves it!!!! The teacher even uses her for the "example" most times. She's my little daredevil and isn't afraid of anything, including the water!

Kade & Jacob waiting for their swimming class to start!

Mckynlee & Daddy ready for swim class!

Last, but certaintly not least...Mckynlee is officially potty trained!!!! YEAH! She wears big girl panites all day (the same pair I might add...we haven't had an accident in weeks)! The first day we were home together after school ended, we switched straight over to panites and that was the end of diapers for us! That's all it took for my boys too! One day at home w/underwear and we were finished with diapers! The Pull-Ups people wouldn't have any use w/me because I think their product is unneccesary! Don't get me wrong...Pull-Ups are great at night, but in my opinion they're just false security for kids. Ok...there's my 2cents, but I just think many parents waste valuable time putting their kids in Pull-Ups. If they have to wear a Pull-Up, then they aren't ready to be "Potty Trained" otherwise they wouldn't need a Pull-Up, get it?? Wearing Pull-Ups doesn't equal Potty Trained in my opinion. Ok...that's my Preschool Teacher opinion...I'm done! :)

Well, that's our first half of the summer. Oh yeah, did I mention I'm working on National Board Certification?? Well, I'm on board for this next school year so wish me luck! I'm going to need it! It's a long, tedious process, but it's doable! It's a personal goal of mine that I've wanted to attain after receiving my Master's degree so I thought now is the best time as ever. I applied for the scholarship and was accepted so there's no turning back now! So...if you don't hear from me often, especially after school starts, it's probably because I'm typing National Board entries & not blogging!!!




I hope everyone's having a great summer!

Jenn