Happy Father's Day!!!!

As much as Steve and I are struggling right now to keep our family afloat, the one thing I can always count on is how great of a daddy he is. I am so lucky to have found a man who cherishes his kids as much as my honey does.

He loves to read to them

Looking at our vacation photo album with Aaron









Throw them


Throwing Aaron while on vacation in March













Work with and teach them


Raking leaves with Noah















Play with them


Playing the drums with Noah in Animal Kingdom










Being silly with them


Feeding Aaron to a crocodile










Watch movies with them













Protect them

One of my favorite shots of Steve and Aaron from this year













and imitate them

crawling through the sprinkler with Noah last week







The boys and I both know he will always stay by their side















and has been since the day they were born

Steve's first day at home being a "daddy"
2002







Thank you, Steve, for being such a great Daddy and being a blessing to our children.

I love you.

Weekend Fun 06/15/09

Riding the swam paddle boats at the pond at John Ball Park
































Climbing to the top of the waterfall at the zoo









































Making s'mores in the back yard


























Father Son haircuts

Noah's Awards

Yesterday was Noah's last day of school. He had a half day but the last hour was the awards assembly for the 1st through sixth grades.


Here is Noah before the assembly started, wearing the tee shirt that his teacher made for the class with their class picture on it.
















Each teacher brought their class to the front and presented them with fun awards, character awards, and/or academic awards.

Noah's teacher gave each student an individual award based on their performance in class. Last year his award was the "Star Reader" award, but from what I gathered, most of the kids were pretty great readers by the end of the year, so that award went to the little girl who had improved the most.

As the awards were given, you could see the kids wait excitedly for what their award would be. No big surprise what Noah's ended up as:

Science Lover Award. He was quite excited


Sorry about how blurry it is. I have a very hard time with settings in their gymnasium.









After a very long hour and all the other classes had been complete, each of the "specials" teachers came up to present their awards. First, art, followed by music, and then PE.

The kids had participated in the president's fitness test and Mrs. M presented "Best in Class" awards for several events.

Noah received Best in Class awards for both pull ups (1 pull up) and quarter mile run (2:06)








He was most proud though that he got the National Fitness Award and the accompanying patch. Only two kids in his class and only one kid in each other grade earned one.










He was one proud little boy!!!

Picture Moments From The Weekend 5/11/09

Mother's Day gifts on Sunday












A special visit on Friday














With the cousins at Meijer Gardens on Saturday












Noah playing catcher at Friday's game

Wordless Wednesday: Character Moments

Practice Number 3

Games start next week on Wednesday. Coach said uniforms should be coming on Friday. Last night's practice was so funny. The kids are trying to learn how to field the ball, but once they catch it, they have no idea where to throw it. Luckily, the coach laughs with them and no one feels bad.

Last night, one little boy got hurt, and Noah was almost in tears when it was time to go because he wanted to be sure that the other little boy was okay. He wanted to wait until everyone else left so he could ask him if he was okay.



He had some misses, but hit the ball all three times he was at bat.











Learning the stance










He sometimes needs to be reminded to use his non-glove hand to pick up the ball












Doesn't he look like he's having fun?

First Time Roller Skating

We went to a birthday party for a friend at a roller skating rink a few weeks ago. It was the first time either of the boys had been on skates.



Aaron was a bit timid at first, and gave up after a few minutes of being scared.



Steve took him off the rink and went to return the skates. The worker there gave them the plastic kind that attach to his shoes.












Then he was a happy boy and skated to his heart's content.

















Even falling down was an adventure for him.

















Noah started out timid as well, but found that he was happy to just work his way around holding on the the side.

















After he saw one of the second graders in his school skating around, he decided it was time to try to let go. I was so proud of him because every time he fell, he got right back up again.
















Of course, he did have a pretty big spill in the party room, but after a little bit of TLC, he was willing to go back out and try it again.
















Definitely an activity that we will do again.

Noah's First Day of Little League

First time realizing that he needs to wear a helmet when batting






















I love his facial expressions when he hits












Ooh, just missed it





















Getting a few pointers from the coach
















Trying it again

I think he's actually smiling in this one

















Returning from "the tree"










The practice wouldn't be complete without some kicking of the dirt





















or drawing in it














"Thanks, Daddy for bringing me a sweatshirt. I was cold."




















Practice ended with a few laps around the bases










I hope his enthusiasm continues. It was so fun to watch him play.