Waco weekend

This weekend we spent Friday night through Saturday in Waco. We had several great reasons for the trip: visit one of Kevin's best friend's James' family, visit one of our huddle kids, Aryn, at Baylor, and go to a Baylor football game. All was accomplished, and all was wonderful! It was fun for me to be on Baylor's campus, although I felt a bit old looking at all the new buildings. Here's Jake hanging out while we're waiting for Aryn...

One of the new buildings is the science building. It's gigantic and beautiful. Here's Kevin and Aryn showing it off...

Jake made fast friends with James and Amber's boys, Kelton (6) and Kolt (3). It was a lot of fun for us to see them playing together, especially for Kevin. James and Kevin were childhood friends and they are very close so it's great seeing their own boys start a friendship. We attempted a posed shot before we left. Here are the best I got...

So that's an attempt at a posed shot. Here's what the boys actually looked liked when they were together. Wrestling, playing, and laughing...

We also had a great time at the game. Aryn is in the marching band. Here he is....somewhere...

Actually, we got really lucky and REALLY got to see him as the band was lining up for the half time performance. He was close enough for us to yell "hi" and for him to give us a wave and a great big Aryn smile....

Here's Kevin and Jake supporting Mommy with a "Sic 'em Bears!"My beautiful, blue-eyed boy...

He really loves watching sports' games. I don't think we've come across a sport he doesn't seem interested in...

and the fam...

Jake and Mommy

Today, Jake and I had a "Jake and Mommy Day". Kevin was at an out-of-town cross country meet, and we had no "plans," so the day was ours. I loved today. I love the chances to just hang out with my boy and have fun however we want. I don't want to ever forget how precious these days are.

We ran an errand to Target, made a free fossil craft at Lakeshore Learning, had a picnic and played outside at the Arboretum, and shared a cup of Amy's Ice Cream. Nothing too special, just a fun day together, but the favorite part of the day came nearly first thing.

The very first thing Jake wanted to do when he woke up was play baseball. Without a reason to rush to breakfast, we did just that: Mommy was the pitcher and Jake the batter. After one exceptionally good hit, I looked at Jake in a way I know I look at him when I'm feeling sentimental and proud. I didn't say one word, just looked at him and Jake said, "You're so proud of me, Mommy." I then replied to him, "Yes, you're exactly right, Jake, I'm so proud of you." He was exactly right, and I'm so glad he knows that with only just the look on my face. I hope that's something he knows for the rest of his life, and not only by the way I look at him, but by the way I tell him through my words and actions for as long as I live.

I don't want to have a post without at least one picture, so here's one I took these morning. I think the name that suits this face is "extra cheesy." This is what Jake looks like when he says a VERY exaggerated "cheese" for the camera...

First Day of Preschool 2011

Jake started preschool today. He's back at the same school, but now going two days a week. We started some new first day of school traditions this year that I hope we can continue thoughout Jake's childhood (even when he grows so big he thinks it's dumb). The 3 of us went shopping together the day before school started and let him pick out his "first day of school shirt" and his "special first day of school snack." Neither shirt nor snack was what Mommy would have picked, but that's what makes it fun and special. We also both put Jake to bed (usually just one of us does this), read a special school book together, Bible verse, and family prayer. In the morning, I made a special breakfast--this year french toast!

With all the prep and hype, Jake genuinely seemed excited and ready to go. He even let me take this picture of him in front of school...

Once we got outside the classroom door, however, Jake was a little apprehensive and even told me, "I want to go home!" We unfortunately missed his orientation, so this was Jake's first time to see this classroom and his teachers. I think he was really expecting to go to the same class and see the same faces as last year even though I'd prepped him for the change, so this was not what he was expecting. I did have to leave him in a few tears, but I was able to see through the window on my way to the car and the tears were already gone. Here are Jake and his teachers, Ms. Irene and Ms. Tanya. This is after school when I picked him up and there is a smile on his face!

Some things I want to remember about this first day:

*Jake was so excited about his new Diego shirt. After breakfast, I was cleaning up and he went back to his room and came back out dressed in it! He put it on all by himself and it was on perfect!

*Jake looks like he was in a first day schoolyard fight b/c he had a collision with his footboard two days before school started.

*He asked about his friend Patrick who was in his last year's class. When I told him he wasn't in his class this year, Jake told me, "He's at home taking a nap."

*He wore his backpack all the way to his classroom.
*He picked out mini Oreos for his special first day of school snack. (I knew it was going to be something sweet!)
*When I picked him up at the end of the day, the teacher said, "He is really good at basketball, and he loves to dance!"

*I tried to "interview" him afterwards to try to document his first day. He barely answered any questions, but here's a few...

Q: What did you do in school today?

A: Play

Q: Do you remember your teachers' names?

A: Not Ms. Linda (last year's teacher). She's at home.

Q: Did you have fun today at school?

A: Yes.

Q: What was the most fun thing?

A: I can't remember.

return to P. A.

My parents took Jake and I on a final summer trip back to Port Aransas. For me, the trip wasn't so great--I began feeling sick the first day and by the second day was in the emergency clinic where I learned I had something called adenovirus. It wasn't until the last day when I was actually able to get out and really enjoy myself. For Jake, on the other hand, the trip was great, and that was really the most important thing. He had fun doing lots of things. He had a fun time eating. Here he is at a restaurant one night...

You can't tell what he's holding in this one, but it's a fried oyster! My dad got them for an appetizer and Jake loved them! What a crazy boy...

He had a fun time playing in the ocean...He went to the beach everyday. My parents would ask him, "Where do you want to go? To the pool, beach, or fishing?" and he chose beach every time. Here's what he does when he is finished with the camera...He had fun feeding the seagulls. We weren't allowed to feed them on the balcony this time, but Jake still kept them happy on the beach...He had fun playing in the sand...He was COVERED...He had fun building sandcastles with Mommy (when I was actually able to get out)...We're hard at work...This picture is for Daddy b/c we know you love this style of sandcastles. We missed you so much! Jake made the one in the very front all by himself....Jake had fun using this bamboo as a bat to play baseball on the beach...and of course, he had fun spending lots of time with Papa and Grandmama! Thanks for a great trip!

Cohen turns 4!

Last weekend, Jake and I headed to Gainesville to stay with Nana and Big T for the special occasion of Cohen's 4th birthday party. Jake had really been looking forward to seeing Cohen and going to this party so he could barely wait until Saturday morning. Cohen's birthday was full of water fun in his backyard. Here's Jake running across the slip 'n slides...

There were also some cool relay races. This was Jake's team. As you can see, he's the smallest. He seemed excited and ready to participate, but when the time came, he gave his turn away. Oh well, all that matters is that he had fun, and I know he did!

They also played with water balloons and this big parachute...

The big hit of the party was this homemade water slide. They hosed the slide down and the kids ended in a baby pool. They all loved it! Here's Jake going for a turn...

Here's a pic of the cute cousins. One of Cohen's friends came up to him, looked at Jake, and immediately asked if they were brothers. I'm sure this won't be the last time they get mistaken for brothers...

As you can tell from the pics, Jake was at Cohen's side pretty much the whole time. This is the way Jake wanted it, and he's fortunate to have such a wonderful big cousin that also enjoys him too. Cohen did a great job of playing with and including Jake even with his other older friends being all around. We are very thankful for the special, sweet friendship that is forming b/t them.

After all the guests left, Cohen and Jake had the backyard to themselves, and they played for awhile on the slide with Big T. Later that night, we asked Cohen what his favorite part of the party was, and he said it was this time. I thought that was so sweet.They would both grab onto the slide, then Big T would bring on a big wave and they'd come crashing down into the pool. They laughed and laughed every time...

We stayed through the afternoon so we could spend some family time together. Jake's favorite thing is baseball right now, and he wants to play wherever he is. He found Channing's bat and this little helmet and was ready to go...I've gotta include this precious girl. Her Tia Chandy brought her very first sponge rollers, so they tried them out. I didn't get a picture of her cute curly hair, but I did get this one...

Rock 'n River with Nana and Big T

Nana and Big T came in for a visit at the beginning of August. I didn't get many pictures except for the day when we went to the Round Rock Rock 'n River pool. We all had a great time enjoying this special outing. Here's Nana and Jake floating the lazy river...

Jake loved this little froggie slide...and down he goes...

The water definitely wore him out. Look at that sweet, tired face in Daddy's arms as we were about to leave...