Drew 7U Spring Baseball

Our Drew just completed his second season of Little League baseball.  He really has made great strides as a ball player this year!  We are so very proud of his hard work, focus, and determination!

This season, Drew was able to play for Coach Eddie and the Braves again.  His number changed to #10, but other than that, it was pretty much the same set up as the Fall.  :)  If you ask him, he will tell you that he liked playing 1st base, "pitcher" (the Coach pitches, but they have a designated kit "pitcher" that makes plays once the ball has been hit), and catcher.

The coach's wife asked their family photographer to come and do a photo session for us again.  He did a wonderful job!  I will always treasure these pictures of my Braves guys.  ;)

 This picture seriously takes my breath away every time...

He was ready, the ball just didn't get to him quite in time.

 On April 5th, Drew had a 6pm game.  He was tired after school, and I worried that he may tank.  Then, he goes out there and hits a double followed by a triple!  He also made 3 outs at first base!  He seriously never ceases to surprise me, this kid.  So proud of him!  He earned the game ball for his stellar game.  :)

Drew earned the game ball again on May 23rd.  The mighty Braves were in their first play off game.  The game was tied, and Drew's team was the last at bat.  Drew hit a walk off home run to win the game!!!  I stood at that fence at screamed at the top of my lungs and jumped around like a crazy person!  Haha!  I told Wade that I fully expected an email from the Commissioner banning me from the fields for excessive celebration.  ;)  I've never seen my boy so happy!  He went into the dugout and cried tears of happiness.  So, so sweet!  Clayton said they were "sports tears," which are much different than regular tears, apparently.  ;)  So much emotion and adrenaline for a little 7 year old body.

 His Daddy was pretty proud also!

 At the end of the season, the coaches nominate a few players to play in the All Star game.  Coach Eddie nominated Drew!  It was kind of mass chaos - the coaches met the kids right before the game and scramble to make a line up and batting order.  They didn't know the kids, so it was wild.  In addition, the coach for Drew's team had the flu, so assistant coaches and Dads filled in.  They weren't used to pitching to 7 year olds, so the pitches were high and fast.   Drew's team didn't win, but it sure was fun!

 Each of the kids were awarded a medal.  Drew wore his proudly and then promptly stored it in his safe as soon as he got home.  ;)

 Drew's All Star Team

 At the end of the All Star game, Owen fulfilled his life long dream of running the bases.  Ha!

 Grammie, Papaw, Aunt Leigh Ann, Uncle Corey, Mak, and Morgan all came to D's All Star game.  So kind of them to spend their Saturday with us!

It was a fun season of watching our Drew man play!  We are so, so proud of him!

Legoland with the Littles

Yesterday, Clayton got to go to Obstacle Warrior Kids with his friend, Marshall.  I decided to take advantage of a day with just my littlest Loves and took them to Legoland.  I found a coupon for $10 admission, so off we went!

 We finished the day off with a ride on the carousel.  They wanted to ride together in one of the spinning booths.  Drew was hamming it up for his little bro, and Owen was laughing his head off.

It was a fun day for me & the littles.  Clayton had a blast with his buddy as well.  :)

Owen's Birthday Playdate

My Owen's birthday falls at a crazy, busy time of year.  We always have end of school madness and tons of baseball on our calendar.  This year, we opted for a belated, low key, playdate party.  I told Owen that he needed to pick 5 friends, so that we could include siblings.  He chose 5 friends - mostly from preschool.  A gym near us set up an obstacle course for the kids.  We ate cupcakes, opened presents, and celebrated our boy!

After the obstacle course, the sweet ladies passed out glowsticks to the kids.  They turned off the lights for glow in the dark scooter races and a dance party.  Perfect for my boy!

We love celebrating our sweet grand finale baby!  What a blessing he is to our family!

Owen's Preschool Graduation

My baby graduated from preschool yesterday!!!  Wahhhh!!!  Why must they grow???

Seriously though, it feels like the end of an era!  I have had a baby/toddler/preschooler (or some combination of the three) at home for the last 11 years!  This has been such a sweet, sweet stage of mothering!  I'm not quite ready for it to end.  Sniffle, sniffle.  :(

I have heard mamas say that you enter the "sweet spot" when all of your kids are in elementary school.  They are independent enough that you aren't physically caring for their every need.  They still want to be around you and will choose you over their peers most of the time.  You can have actual conversations and relate to them on a whole new level.  I feel like we are definitely entering that phase, and I am so excited about that!  Part of me wants to have a preschooler until the end of time, though.  ;)

The school arranged for a professional photographer to come and take pictures in their cap and gown.  Oh my heart, how cute is he???  This picture will make an appearance in his senior slideshow, for sure!

 They asked the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up and then photoshopped their answer on their picture.  Owen has said for over a year now that he wants to be a rock star.  Haha!

 His very first day of preschool and his very last day of preschool.

Man, he has grown up a lot!  He is such an amazing kiddo.  Makes his Mama proud!

 He spotted his people when they were walking in to Pomp and Circumstance.  Love his little wave and smirk.  ;)

 He performed the songs so well and did all of the hand motions.  Yay!

 Waiting off stage for his turn to get his diploma.

 The kids each got a turn at the mic to introduce themselves, say their age, and tell the audience what they wanted to be when they grew up.  It was precious!!!  There was a unicorn doctor, Hello Kitty, a guy who fixes things, an ice cream lady, etc.  Prec-ious!  Our boy apparently made a career change that morning, much to our surprise.  He walked up there and said, "My name is Owen.  I am five years old.  When I grow up, I want to be a Navy Seal."  Ha!  He does love to swim and isn't afraid of anything.  Maybe so...

 Mrs. Godfrey & Mrs. Ross - love them!

They were so good to my boy!  He made cards for them and I wrote down exactly what he told me.  I kid you not when I say that he dictated, "You inspire me." to Mrs. Godfrey.  So sweet!  She went on and on about how much she loved his card!  I just pray that his Kinder teacher next year is just as wonderful!

 Daddy & I were so proud of our baby!

 Mrs. Leah & the girls came to the graduation.  So sweet of them!

We are extremely proud of our little graduate!  Oh the places you will go, Owie O!  We'll be cheering you on the whole way!