Last Days of 4th and 2nd Grade

 

Brent and I attended Kade's 2nd grade End of Year celebration. It was quite cute - Kade received the "Mathematician" award from his teacher and I couldn't get the camera up fast enough! Look at that smirky smile.... same as his Dad. 

Kade's teacher also had a little game "If you think you're smarter than a 2nd grader" and it was a fierce competition between Brent and I.... he kept taking away my points! Sure enough - Brent secured First place with 3,534,993 gold and I came in Second with 3,187,976 gold pieces. Argh! (At least we beat all the other parents!) 

The next day was supposed to be Field Day, but they had to postpone until Thursday due to the bad air quality from the Canadian wildfires! It was a gorgeous day for Field Day - not too hot and sunny! I volunteered for water activities and it was a blast - next time I won't wear my tennis shoes. 

I only came to help out during the 2nd/3rd graders slot - Brock could care less if I was there. I'll plan to volunteer next year for sure when he's a 5th grader though. :)

Kade and his teacher with Fudgie the Whale (the class pet!)

The last two months the boys have been walking themselves to the bus stop! Tried to get a picture of them in action, but they saw me with my camera and ran! Oh boys! 

Friday, June 9, 2023 - last day of 4th grade for Brock and 2nd grade for Kade! 

Oh Kade - you've got character! (And yes, I blew the angle again this year to really see how much they've grown.... I'm going to try REALLY hard next year to get it right!)

Left: August 2022                          Right: June 2023

Baseball 2023 Season - Part III

Kade's second to last game of the season, he was selected to be catcher for an inning! He's the cutest!

Truly all the kids "caught" like that. Just let the balls hit their chest and then rolled them back behind them. It's just funny. 

He even had cousin Blaine there watching him in that game! Watch out Blaine - Brock is gaining on you!

Certificate time - Kade received "Most Enthusiastic" - HA!

Kade's last game of the season and look at that stance!

If a Diamondback caught a fly ball during any of the games, one of the coaches was handing out free milkshake coupons. Wasn't he nice that on the last game, he gave one to all the players regardless! Goodberry's gift cards! Yum! 

At the end of Kade's last game, the designated snack family opted to hire an Ice Cream Truck to meet us in the parking lot after the game! Free ice creams for all the Diamondbacks! What a treat! (And who cares that it was 10:30 in the morning!)

Kade - Diamondbacks 7-8 - Spring 2023

Brock's last game was also a 9am start (albeit a different day). The boys were ready to go! 

Brock started pitching and after the first inning we were winning and everyone was excited! 

It was a close game actually! The Mets were up, then we were down, then one run ahead. It was a nail biter! 

The Mets pulled through with Brock pitching 4 innings and Reid pitching the last! Go Mets! 

Final Score = Mets 7, Rockies 5.

Time for an End of Year Baseball Party at Ruckus Pizza!! We took over the entire outside patio. Pizza, buffet style. I was responsible for organizing the pizza party and Brent ordered the trophies and drafted the speeches. Brent took center stage in front of all the players and parents and shared a memorable moment about each from the season. 

I am honestly so proud of Brent coaching Brock's team - I see just how much goes on behind the scenes and I know first hand how much time, energy and effort Brent put into this. I think it was truly a memorable year for all the boys - especially my husband. 

This is the day Blaine was here - he got to watch Brock play baseball in the morning and then Kade that afternoon!

Such a great picture of Brent's Mets!

Too funny - posing with the fire hydrant!

A great year for Brock! He really developed his pitching - perfecting his #1 (Fastball), #2 (Curveball) and #3 (Slider?). Brent received lots of compliments on his left-handed pitcher. 

Brock's Carolina Swim Meet & Spring Fling

 

Lifetime Cary met up in Chapel Hill to swim at the Koury Natatorium swim meet. This was a long course meet - a full 50 meters (without doing a turn). 

Brock's first event - 50 Meter Fly. 

He did REALLY well - 39.59 - cutting his time by .85 and qualifying for a spot at the North Carolina Age Group Championship (Statewide meet) in July! Another bag tag coming for Brock!  

Second event - 100 Meter Free. 

Not bad! 1.22:73, besting his time by 1.42 seconds! 

Last event - Breast stroke. 54.03, adding a bit of time to his entry time of 51.67. He did this event about 15 minutes after the second event, so we think he was a bit tired. 

With Baseball as our main focus this past month, he did REALLY well for not being as conditioned as he would have been. Good job Brock! Another awesome part - Blaine was able to just walk across the road from his apartment and come watch Brock swim! 

On Tuesday, May 23rd, the boys' school put on a Spring Fling to showcase some of the Q3 and Q4 electives. Kade's class was part of the presentation and he wanted to show off what he had been working on! Had to get our Chick-Fil-A fix first!

There's Kade under We've Got the Beat - a joint class taught by both the Music and P.E. teacher!

He's so pumped!

Happy 50th Birthday Brent!

 This is a tribute to my wonderful husband and best friend..... 

You turned 50 last month. May 18, 2023 to be exact. I have been blessed enough to be there for a quarter of your life and I would love to honor you with a walk down memory lane. :)

We met in March of 2010 and right from the start, I wanted to spend more and more time with you. Our first picture together, just short of a month together! 

April 11, 2010

You took me to destinations I had never been before!  I am still enamored watching you win at Blackjack and, especially, Craps (most confusing game ever in Vegas!). Your most important lesson, that you are now teaching the children, when to leave the table so you keep your winnings! 

You asked me to marry you and we flew to Hawaii for a destination wedding. It was the best decision and I would do it all over again if you asked me. 

Your love for dogs is such an attractive trait. A dog whisperer and a walking dictionary of all dog breeds. Gizmo, Diesel and Oscar were so lucky to call you their Dad. 

And maybe I'm biased, but I find you incredibly attractive. ;) 

You are the most amazing father to our children. You are teaching them honor and truthfulness and kindness and loyalty and friendship and family and I can go on and on... I am so happy to take on this parenting thing with you!

All the places we go and all the things that we do - I want to do with you. 

You have already taught the boys so much - they look up to you more than you'll know. 

No matter what you put your mind to, I know you will succeed. I have watched you run mini-marathons, interview and accept new jobs, teach yourself car mechanics, coach boys' baseball - you flourish at everything when you set your mind to it!

You're the best Father to our children. I knew you had it in you! ;)

Four-legged children too!

You can grill up the best tasting steaks, hamburgers, fish, pork and even whole turkey. And I love that you are so open to refining your craft and wanting to make it better. 

From Kade: 

I love dad because he teached me algebra and exponents and other math.

He is very nice and warm to me. I like to fish with Dad. HEART LOVE YOU!!!!!! have fun!

From Brock: 

I hope all the things you have done have been very fun. I love daddy because he likes to play baseball with me. I love you!(:>)

Having the opportunity to wish you a happy birthday and celebrate the life of my partner is a true gift. I love you so very much and love our life together. I wish you the happiest of birthdays and hope for many, many, many more celebrations together.