Have you ever been woken up from a knock at your door with the doorbell ringing nonstop at midnight! We did last night and it was actually quite scary! We live on a busy country road and that exact situation I have nightmares about! We both had just fallen asleep and Charlie whispers "Allie, wake up I think someone is knocking at the door" then shortly after that, the doorbell rang. I jumped up and I was shaking not knowing what was going to be at the front door. My heart was pumping out of my chest and so was Charlie's. Charlie grabbed the shotgun and we both walked to the entry flipped on all the lights. The old lady at the door about had a heart attack too when we appeared with a shotgun!
Turns out the neighbor at the end of the road let his dogs wander again! Two big sheep dogs! They are very distinct. I knew exactly where they belonged. This husband and wife shouldn't have been driving as they were visibly intoxicated! The dogs were in the middle of the highway we live on and they almost hit them. They were concerened and stopped. Then they proceeded to try to get the dogs to go back home and Charlie decided he would go help. I watch way to much crime, law and order and profiling TV. I am in the house thinking what if this was a ploy to get him out of the house, what if he doesn't come back and these people with summer teeth do something to him....
summer teeth~some are green and some are gone!
After about 1/2 hour Charlie came back thinking they successfully got the dogs to go home but here it followed him back to our house and there he sat on the porch as we decided to heck with it and went to bed.
If I see those dogs one more time up here I am calling the animal services!
Busy Wife and Mom to 3 boys... blog with thoughts on raising three boys, life, running, and easy recipes...
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
My Grandpa and Grandma
Growing up in rural Minnesota, I have fond memories of my grandparents farm. I spent many days there with my grandma in the kitchen licking out the bowls of frosting from her cakes she would bake for just about everyone in Mower county or going out in the field with my grandpa. I remember those long hot summer afternoons as they sat and they watched the world go by or all their grandchildren running through the yard usually half naked. I remember picking rock or riding in the tractor and falling asleep behind the seat as we bounced through the field as the dust flew by. I remember riding in the truck with my grandma taking my grandpa his lunch out to the field and running it out to him in an old bread bag. There were days spent all day outside and Grandma would just yell for us just to make sure we were still in ear shot of her and if we came in before we were told she would find something for us to do. It brings a smile to my face thinking of my childhood days with my grandparents. If you lived in Grand Meadow or near this small town, you know Truman and Teresa. It also makes me miss them very much. They are still in Grand Meadow, MN. They no longer live on the farm as they sold it to my cousin but they live in town, in a house that is much easier for them to keep up with. It also saddens me to think that my own children won't have that kind of experience with their grandparents because we chose to move away. I loved sitting and listening to grandma tell me stories of years gone by and about Jesus. As I became older, those stories mean so much more as my own faith has grown. Little did they know the influence they had on me then, still affects me to this day and I am grateful for them for teaching me about life, love and faith! They are still together as they celebrated 58 years together. I love you Grandma and Grandpa! A Farming Man—Allison Jacobson
Just blowing in the breeze
Tractors coming round the bend
Out behind Nelson’s shed.
There’s an old man heading out to the field holding a beer
He’ll be gone all day long in his John Deere.
In the country there’s no better place than here.
There’s a big black lab
No place he’d rather be but on this piece of land
A farmer’s life holds many stories
Some forgotten and some he is sorry
Gray hair and callused hands
Hard work define this man
Doing all he can
this Farmin man
Honest man
Workin to make that dollar from Uncle Sam
On his land
This farmin man
His hard work for the day has just begun
He won’t be back until it’s done
Looks out on his crops so green
Best year that he thinks he’s
seen
Farming has treated him good
And he’s done all that he thinks he should
Loved his life
Loved his kids and his wife
Lived off the land
Working until his hands bled
Time to settle in for the night
Til break of daylight
Gray hair and callused hands
Hard work define this man
Doing all he can
this Farmin man
Honest man
Workin to make that dollar from Uncle Sam
On his land
This farmin man
Life in the country
living at a slow pace
Living the American dream
The dream everyone’s trying
to chase
Farming’s pretty much all he knows
Spends each night praying that his crops will grow
the tradition can carry on for all his kids
and be proud of what granddad did.
Teacher Gift Ideas
If you are looking for an easy creative teacher gift I can share with you what I did. I think they were cute.Thermal Reusable cups with lid/straw and monogramed with their initial filled with single drink packets of crystal light lemonade and tea with a slip on it that says....
"Thanks for quenching my thirst for knowledge!"
I forgot to take a picture of Jordan's preschool teachers gifts, but I found some really pretty wine bottle stoppers with glass flowers at Southern Seasons and I put a card on them saying...
"Thanks for helping me blossom"
If I remember to snap a pic I will post...
"Thanks for quenching my thirst for knowledge!"
I forgot to take a picture of Jordan's preschool teachers gifts, but I found some really pretty wine bottle stoppers with glass flowers at Southern Seasons and I put a card on them saying...
"Thanks for helping me blossom"
If I remember to snap a pic I will post...
A child with SMA
An old friend I used to work with in Rochester, had a daughter born with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). Luckily, they were able to detect her condition quickly and early. Braylin is still holding on at 15 months after 1 year ago this month she was was diagnosed. It is a horrible genetic terminal illness.
The motor neurons affect the voluntary muscles that are used for activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control, and swallowing. It is a relatively common "rare disorder": approximately 1 in 6000 babies born are affected, and about 1 in 40 people are genetic carriers. Sad thing is you wouldn't even know if you are a carrier unless you had some genetic testing done during your pregnancy. Usually healthy pregnant women do not have that test done. I know I never did with any of my pregnancies.
SMA affects muscles throughout the body. Weakness in the legs is generally greater than in the arms. Sometimes feeding and swallowing can be affected. Involvement of respiratory muscles can lead to an increased tendency for pneumonia and other lung problems. Sensation and the ability to feel are not affected. They are more susceptible to other illnesses ,since they have a weak immune system. Intellectual activity is normal and it is often observed that patients with SMA are unusually bright and sociable. There is little known of this disease among the general population. Parents who have and have had children with SMA are trying to do more to bring it to the attention of researchers to find a cure for the genetic fatal disease. The parents of SMA children go thru a hell that test your relationship, patience, strength, and faith in God. When I read their journals about their sweet little girl, I usually ends up in tears. I don't know how they do it! It gives a new perspective on life.
Their strength is a testament of their love to Braylin and to each other. One day after reading their journal, I came up with this and thought I would share it on my blog. I feel comfortable posting this as I have shared it with them and they were touched and appreciated it. I hope SMA is disease that will be cured and people will become more aware of this disease.
The motor neurons affect the voluntary muscles that are used for activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control, and swallowing. It is a relatively common "rare disorder": approximately 1 in 6000 babies born are affected, and about 1 in 40 people are genetic carriers. Sad thing is you wouldn't even know if you are a carrier unless you had some genetic testing done during your pregnancy. Usually healthy pregnant women do not have that test done. I know I never did with any of my pregnancies.
SMA affects muscles throughout the body. Weakness in the legs is generally greater than in the arms. Sometimes feeding and swallowing can be affected. Involvement of respiratory muscles can lead to an increased tendency for pneumonia and other lung problems. Sensation and the ability to feel are not affected. They are more susceptible to other illnesses ,since they have a weak immune system. Intellectual activity is normal and it is often observed that patients with SMA are unusually bright and sociable. There is little known of this disease among the general population. Parents who have and have had children with SMA are trying to do more to bring it to the attention of researchers to find a cure for the genetic fatal disease. The parents of SMA children go thru a hell that test your relationship, patience, strength, and faith in God. When I read their journals about their sweet little girl, I usually ends up in tears. I don't know how they do it! It gives a new perspective on life.
Their strength is a testament of their love to Braylin and to each other. One day after reading their journal, I came up with this and thought I would share it on my blog. I feel comfortable posting this as I have shared it with them and they were touched and appreciated it. I hope SMA is disease that will be cured and people will become more aware of this disease.
An
Angel entered our world
Braylin,
a sweet baby girl
To
love and to hold
A
perfect little child
but
may be just for a little while
that
Is what the Drs say
But
you keep defying those odds every day.
Chubby
cheeks and big blue eyes
When
she cracks a great big smile
It’ll
get you every time
Love
little things and surprises
Like
holding you so tight
Tucking
you in at night
Laying
by your side
Wiping
the tears aside
As
you keep fighting for your life
This
pain we feel
It
Cuts like a knife
We
just keep taking it one day at a time
This
was not in the plans
And
we are doing all we can
Surrounded
by love of family and friends
He’s
got you in his hands
Here
today, or gone tomorrow
How
long until that day of pain and sorrow
When
he is calling you by name
We
can’t explain
Now
how our life is forever changed
No
one can seem to know
The
emotions that come and go
Or
how much mommy and daddy love you so
When
I look to the stars above
I’ll
be sending you all my love
That
twinkle so far away
Will
be better than a wave
And
then I faintly hear you say:
Mommy
and daddy I’ll be okay
It’s
better than the books you read to me
Bigger
than the deep blue sea
More
beautiful than you can believe
Even
better than your dreams
Close
your eyes and you will see
He
has me wrapped in love, peace, and harmony
Don’t
you worry about me.
We
will meet again
When
our journeys come to an end
I
can run to you and take you in my arms
And
never let go
For
Jesus Loves me this I know
You
and daddy told me so
And
I love you both more than you’ll ever know!
~Allison
Jacobson
Visits!
May was filled with a month of family visits!
We had my parents come and stay the last week of April into May. They were here over their birthdays so we celebrated their birthday with them. We had fun just hanging out and relaxing by the pool while they were here. They got to see a couple of Braedyn's baseball games and see Cooper play hockey. Sam and Mickey surprised us with a visit and came with Chloe their 8 week old little girl. So I got see my niece before she goes into kindergarten! How quickly one forgets how little they were! Seems like yesterday I was bringing home each one of them from the hospital! She is a cute little thing! Jordan kept asking if he could have a baby sister and I said, "you do for like five days so enjoy it because we get to give her back". I also realized having another newborn in the house that I am definitely done having babies. Makes me sad and relieved all in the same breath. We had a great visit and the time always goes so fast.
Then a week after they left, Boyd and Helen came. Charlie's parents drove down from South Dakota for a long weekend from a Thursday to a Monday. We also had a great time with them. They were here over Mother's day so we celebrated that holiday with them! The boys had a lot of fun and Jake ended up getting spoiled from Grandma J. too. Jake never had human food until she came to visit. That's okay though, that's what Grandmas are for, even if you are the pet!
Our next house guests are coming in June after school lets out and the boys are excited to see their cousins from South Dakota. Jeana (Charlie's sister), Helen, Jake and Zach are coming. We haven't seen them for over a year. It will be fun to see how much they have grown and see how they interact with each other.
Here are some pics from visits...more to follow when I get them downloaded.
We had my parents come and stay the last week of April into May. They were here over their birthdays so we celebrated their birthday with them. We had fun just hanging out and relaxing by the pool while they were here. They got to see a couple of Braedyn's baseball games and see Cooper play hockey. Sam and Mickey surprised us with a visit and came with Chloe their 8 week old little girl. So I got see my niece before she goes into kindergarten! How quickly one forgets how little they were! Seems like yesterday I was bringing home each one of them from the hospital! She is a cute little thing! Jordan kept asking if he could have a baby sister and I said, "you do for like five days so enjoy it because we get to give her back". I also realized having another newborn in the house that I am definitely done having babies. Makes me sad and relieved all in the same breath. We had a great visit and the time always goes so fast.
Then a week after they left, Boyd and Helen came. Charlie's parents drove down from South Dakota for a long weekend from a Thursday to a Monday. We also had a great time with them. They were here over Mother's day so we celebrated that holiday with them! The boys had a lot of fun and Jake ended up getting spoiled from Grandma J. too. Jake never had human food until she came to visit. That's okay though, that's what Grandmas are for, even if you are the pet!
Our next house guests are coming in June after school lets out and the boys are excited to see their cousins from South Dakota. Jeana (Charlie's sister), Helen, Jake and Zach are coming. We haven't seen them for over a year. It will be fun to see how much they have grown and see how they interact with each other.
Here are some pics from visits...more to follow when I get them downloaded.
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| fell asleep on Gpa's arm, tired out from swimming! |
A Great Day!
I woke up wondering if this was a good idea or not...A birthday party for about 11-12 two year olds. It was pouring rain, cloudy, gloomy and the weather wasn't looking very good for the day. We were supposed to see remnants of a tropical storm hitting the coast but it was short lived. As I went for my monring I run, I said a few prayers. He always amazes me~He was listening! I got ready to go and pick up Jordan from preschool and the skies became blue and the sun was beating down. It turned into a beautiful day! Birthday parties for young children, when you are away from family, are very hard to do. He sees his brothers having birthday parties with their friends and of course he wants one too. Jordan celebrated his 3 year birthday today after his last day of preschool. We had it at the house and it was perfect! He had his preschool class over after their last day. His birthday is not until June 10th but I did this last year and it was so nice to just have his special day with out his big brothers around and I can really enjoy it too. They get out of school on June 7th. It was just long enough for everyone to play, eat lunch, and have cake and they were all pretty exhausted. Then it was off to get big brothers from school, do homework, and Coop had hockey...yes, I am exhausted now too.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Jake
Jake is getting bigger! He was neutered in March and it made him a calmer puppy! He is a pretty good pup! He loves chewing on things. He gets excited when new people come over to visit. That's all to be expected of a puppy. He is very protective of the kids, Charlie and I. He has all of the 5 1/2 acres to roam as Charlie had put up the electic fence and he wears the collar except for at bedtime when he goes to his kennel in the garage. I think that keeps him so happy. We trained him on it and after a couple of times getting zapped he knows his boundary. He has not jumped in the pool yet. I thought labs like the water but I am fine with him just watching us swim. I don't need the pool filled with black hair. He is funny when the boys go under water and they pop back up he barks at them! When he was gone that day to have his surgery it was weird to walk outside and not have him there to greet you. He is our other child and he is loved very much. He has also become a pretty good running partner too.Here is a recent picture of Jake he is 7 months old...
Run Mommy Run!
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| My Biggest Fans! |
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| Amy and I after the race! |
We will be running another race together next Saturday, June 2nd in Durham. It is Running of the Bulls 8K (5 Miles). It starts in the old Durham Bulls ballpark and also ends in the ballpark. It was were they filmed the movie in the 80s. The Durham Bulls have a newer ballpark they play in now.
I am blessed to have such a great friend to run with and we keep each other motivated! It makes running a lot more enjoyable! I love running and that is my release from daily activities. I also enjoy the accomplishment! I think it is also my drug:) I do have to say I enjoy the endorphins! There is such a thing called runners high! The boys are either going to love it or hate it as they also become my running partners some days...Jordan in the stroller and the other two on their bikes. Cooper likes to run if I only do 2 or 3.
I am not planning on running any events again until fall. Amy and I did the Ramblin Rose 1/2 Marathon in Durham as a two person relay last fall and we are ready to tackle the whole course ourselves this year! That is October 21st.
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Amy and I and our kiddos. Her oldest ran the 4 mile! |
Braedyn's Favorite Breakfast!
Braedyn has this every sunday, it has turned into a tradition. Sunday rolls!
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| YUMMY! |
Need some meat on those bones!!!
School Year for 2012 Coming To An End!
It's here ~ May madness! The school year is wrapping up. A lot of firsts! Jordan's first year of preschool, Cooper's first year in kindergarten, and Braedyn's first year at a new school, Hillsborough Elementary.
We couldn't have been more pleased with our move to this new year round school. We absolutely love the school and the staff. Most of all the schedule! The boys have made such strides in their education. I love their passion for learning!
Braedyn worked his butt off after finding out this school was ahead of where he was at. He was in the bottom level reading group at the beginning of the year (you might have an idea now why we switched) (no challenge) and now he is one of the top 3 readers in his class and is leading reading groups. His teacher has him helping kids in his class. I feel quite lucky that I can just tell him to go do his homework and all I have to do is check it, but sad when it came to fractions and he needed help, I said you need to have your dad help you out with that! Oh things to come, I hope he pays good attention in Math because momma can't help you out with that. I know how to balance my checkbook and that's about it! They did practice EOG's to wrap up the year. They really stress the kids out with EOG's here. He has a made a lot of new friends at his new school and tells me daily how much he likes it there. Onto 3rd grade next year! Wow, weird to say that!
Cooper's kindergarten year was great! He loves school! However, he does not enjoy getting up in the morning. He takes after his momma! His reading amazes me. These days they really start early! He had a lot of fun and his teacher was great and so enthusiastic! I helped out when I could and he has made some great friends. They just wrapped up a play which I have posted here it is in two parts....It was the Princess and the Pea. He was a Very Cute Prince! He had his kindergarten wrap up and "graduation" a couple weeks ago. I shed a few tears because I can't believe how fast it goes! I do miss having him at home. He will be into 1st grade and again Wow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyfrEe3VZMo&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHC-yraY9qE&feature=youtu.be
They will be doing their field days on June 4th and Jordan and I are going to help out. Their last day of school is June 7th which is a half day and they go back July 16th. It will go fast!
Jordan had his first year of 2's preschool. He loves Ms. Melissa and Ms. Betty. He gets excited on school mornings. He enjoys it but also enjoy his alone time with mommy. It was also nice for me to get a couple days a week to myself in the mornings while he was at preschool. His last day of preschool is May 30th. So he will have a couple more weeks just with mom before the boys are out. He will be in the 3's preschool class next year twice a week. Here's Jordan singing his ABC's he missed a couple letters:) I can't figure out how to save to my computer...you have to log into facebook...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3506846662713
We are looking forward to having a break and no more driving back and forth and getting up early!
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| First day of school! This year flew by! |
We couldn't have been more pleased with our move to this new year round school. We absolutely love the school and the staff. Most of all the schedule! The boys have made such strides in their education. I love their passion for learning!
Braedyn worked his butt off after finding out this school was ahead of where he was at. He was in the bottom level reading group at the beginning of the year (you might have an idea now why we switched) (no challenge) and now he is one of the top 3 readers in his class and is leading reading groups. His teacher has him helping kids in his class. I feel quite lucky that I can just tell him to go do his homework and all I have to do is check it, but sad when it came to fractions and he needed help, I said you need to have your dad help you out with that! Oh things to come, I hope he pays good attention in Math because momma can't help you out with that. I know how to balance my checkbook and that's about it! They did practice EOG's to wrap up the year. They really stress the kids out with EOG's here. He has a made a lot of new friends at his new school and tells me daily how much he likes it there. Onto 3rd grade next year! Wow, weird to say that!
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| Cooper and his teacher Ms. Spence |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyfrEe3VZMo&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHC-yraY9qE&feature=youtu.be
They will be doing their field days on June 4th and Jordan and I are going to help out. Their last day of school is June 7th which is a half day and they go back July 16th. It will go fast!
Jordan had his first year of 2's preschool. He loves Ms. Melissa and Ms. Betty. He gets excited on school mornings. He enjoys it but also enjoy his alone time with mommy. It was also nice for me to get a couple days a week to myself in the mornings while he was at preschool. His last day of preschool is May 30th. So he will have a couple more weeks just with mom before the boys are out. He will be in the 3's preschool class next year twice a week. Here's Jordan singing his ABC's he missed a couple letters:) I can't figure out how to save to my computer...you have to log into facebook...https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3506846662713
We are looking forward to having a break and no more driving back and forth and getting up early!
I'm Back!
Sorry, I have been so bad at keeping up this blog. Yes, it has been quite awhile that I have found time to get back to this blog and I guess I will recap March and April and May...it's been so hectic with sports, schools and everyone's schedules this spring I don't know where the time has gone! So this may get long:)!
The last post was about Cooper's thumb sucking...we are still struggling with it. He goes in spurts. He really wants to stop and sometimes catches himself or Braedyn is quick to let us know. We did the Malvala on his nails but after awhile he decided it wasn't that bad after all...grrr that was our last stitch effort. According to the dentist, that seems to work for everyone she knows who has tried it. As we know, Cooper's not the norm! At least he's only doing it when he is tired or going to bed but we continue to keep trying and be patient. So if you see any weird contraptions on his thumb he hasn't broken it, it's our last effort to get him to stop!
We enjoyed our three week intersession break in March for spring break. We just hung out at home and opened up the pool! The weather was so nice and since getting a cover for it and turning on the solar panels, it kept the heat in. It was nice to just be home with them and enjoy our time together and not have to rush out the door.
This spring Braedyn's spring baseball little league started. He is playing in Hillsborough again with HYAA (Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association). It's pretty competitive and he loves it. He is in the machine pitch league and this is his last year in that league before moving to kid pitch in the fall. The pitching machine for this league is set at 40-45 mph. I don't think I could hit it (that's not saying much)...it seems pretty fast. He is doing great this year! His hitting streak continues thru 7 games!!! When he got a double this last game, his smile was from ear to ear. Daddy is helping coach and he is really good with the kids. Both boys love baseball and have found a way to hit at home...but I'm not sure if I like their idea. So they got tired of chasing balls and mom was to cheap to go and get a pitch back net, they decided they would hit tennis balls against the house...they have not broken a window -yet! This sounds silly but it sure has helped both their swing. They are out there everyday for hours just hitting it against the house. They bounce it on the driveway and then swing away...it also gives Jake a good workout chasing the balls. I guess I will let them do it until they break a window in the house or in the car. Charlie was in the car wash one day and continued thru to the dryer and saw something fly by the window - he thought the vehicle was falling apart...no- it was just a tennis ball that had gotten lodged somewhere in the Hummer!
Here's some pics from baseball... Grandpa Bode makes a cameo...my parents were here and happen to catch some games and Grandpa kept the books! I bet that brought back some memories for him coaching my brother's games thru school. It was special to see him sitting in the dugout with the team and sitting with Braedyn and Cooper! I am thankful he and the boys both got that experience! Baseball is coming to an end in a couple weeks for us. Braedyn wanted to try out for travel 8U All Stars and he more than likely would have made it since we know all the kids in it and he is at that skill level but mom put her foot down. We talked it over and he also decided he just wants to have fun. Agreed! Practice four times a week and tournaments on weekends...they are 8! I want Braedyn to enjoy baseball for a long time. I could go on and on about this topic -that's for another blog. Kids should be kids they have all their youth to be involved. There is such a thing called Burn Out! Everything in Moderation...I try to follow that rule:) So instead of travel ball I told Braedyn he could pick a camp to go to and he chose Carolina Little Tar Heel camp so he will be attending that for a week in June. He went last year and loved it. It was a bonus for him last year, because his favorite player for the Tar Heels who also got drafted by the MN Twins, Levi Micheal, was helping out with camp. I grew up a Twins fan, as will they, but for them growing up in Chapel Hill they are Tar Heel fans too! How great for boys to grow up near a college campus and have access to things their mom and dad did not. Even if we were still in Minnesota I don't think I would have taken the boys to MN Gopher baseball camp...downtown Minneapolis...everything is so accessible here! Just down the road! Lucky Boys!
Cooper really enjoys baseball too but with his birthday being in July he doesn't make the cut off date for the league that he should be in. They have a strict policy on age in HYAA. He would have to play t-ball again and he did not want to play t-ball. Last year, parents were worried he was going to hurt someone because kids in that league sometimes would rather play in the dirt then play ball! He would smoke the ball and he has to play with younger kids... So he decided to get back to hockey in March. He missed it. He took almost a whole year off but you wouldn't know it. He didn't skip a beat. His goal is to make the mites team this fall so I called to see if he could move up to a different group. He was supposed to be in the Rink Rats group which is 3-5 year old and he doesn't turn 6 until July. I talked to the program director who has known Cooper since he was 3 and he agreed Cooper could move up. We didn't really know what ages would show up since it says Learn to Play is for 6-13 year old. Most of the kids are 9 and 10 and in 3rd grade because they play in the squirts league. This has made Cooper's skill level vastly improve! He is beating kids that are two-three years older than him. He's got the drive to take on the fastest skater out there and try to beat him. He doesn't like to get beat. I love watching him because he amazes me out there. It's also fun because he doesn't really know how good he is -he is just having fun-which is the best part!! He just goes to lessons once a week during summer then fall league will start up! He is excited for that. That will be his sport of choice at least for now. He will be going to Carolina baseball camp this year in June with Braedyn. Hockey camp wasn't going to work with school schedule since we start school in July! I don't have any good pics of hockey because its too hard to get some good shots. I will try and get some this summer...
So lil Jordan who gets carted around to all these sporting events just takes it in. He has voiced his opinion a few times! He wants to play hockey with Cooper and wants to play football when he gets bigger. He asks me daily, if I will come watch him play football at Carolina! So cute! So he will start skating lessons this fall, about the same time Cooper did. At least I have all the gear to hand down as Cooper out grows it. We will see how that goes. I can't believe how fast the time goes. A friend asked us to sign him up for t-ball who's son is the same age and it got me thinking. Wow, that's when Braedyn and Cooper started playing t-ball. I did not sign him up. I can't take on another activity right now. If he ends up not liking skating he might try soccer with his little buddy Thomas. I want my summer with my boys to be enjoyed at home playing and swimming in the pool. Summer goes by way to fast for us and they grow up too fast!
Now onto school and another post since this one is so long!
~Allie
The last post was about Cooper's thumb sucking...we are still struggling with it. He goes in spurts. He really wants to stop and sometimes catches himself or Braedyn is quick to let us know. We did the Malvala on his nails but after awhile he decided it wasn't that bad after all...grrr that was our last stitch effort. According to the dentist, that seems to work for everyone she knows who has tried it. As we know, Cooper's not the norm! At least he's only doing it when he is tired or going to bed but we continue to keep trying and be patient. So if you see any weird contraptions on his thumb he hasn't broken it, it's our last effort to get him to stop!
We enjoyed our three week intersession break in March for spring break. We just hung out at home and opened up the pool! The weather was so nice and since getting a cover for it and turning on the solar panels, it kept the heat in. It was nice to just be home with them and enjoy our time together and not have to rush out the door.
This spring Braedyn's spring baseball little league started. He is playing in Hillsborough again with HYAA (Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association). It's pretty competitive and he loves it. He is in the machine pitch league and this is his last year in that league before moving to kid pitch in the fall. The pitching machine for this league is set at 40-45 mph. I don't think I could hit it (that's not saying much)...it seems pretty fast. He is doing great this year! His hitting streak continues thru 7 games!!! When he got a double this last game, his smile was from ear to ear. Daddy is helping coach and he is really good with the kids. Both boys love baseball and have found a way to hit at home...but I'm not sure if I like their idea. So they got tired of chasing balls and mom was to cheap to go and get a pitch back net, they decided they would hit tennis balls against the house...they have not broken a window -yet! This sounds silly but it sure has helped both their swing. They are out there everyday for hours just hitting it against the house. They bounce it on the driveway and then swing away...it also gives Jake a good workout chasing the balls. I guess I will let them do it until they break a window in the house or in the car. Charlie was in the car wash one day and continued thru to the dryer and saw something fly by the window - he thought the vehicle was falling apart...no- it was just a tennis ball that had gotten lodged somewhere in the Hummer!
Here's some pics from baseball... Grandpa Bode makes a cameo...my parents were here and happen to catch some games and Grandpa kept the books! I bet that brought back some memories for him coaching my brother's games thru school. It was special to see him sitting in the dugout with the team and sitting with Braedyn and Cooper! I am thankful he and the boys both got that experience! Baseball is coming to an end in a couple weeks for us. Braedyn wanted to try out for travel 8U All Stars and he more than likely would have made it since we know all the kids in it and he is at that skill level but mom put her foot down. We talked it over and he also decided he just wants to have fun. Agreed! Practice four times a week and tournaments on weekends...they are 8! I want Braedyn to enjoy baseball for a long time. I could go on and on about this topic -that's for another blog. Kids should be kids they have all their youth to be involved. There is such a thing called Burn Out! Everything in Moderation...I try to follow that rule:) So instead of travel ball I told Braedyn he could pick a camp to go to and he chose Carolina Little Tar Heel camp so he will be attending that for a week in June. He went last year and loved it. It was a bonus for him last year, because his favorite player for the Tar Heels who also got drafted by the MN Twins, Levi Micheal, was helping out with camp. I grew up a Twins fan, as will they, but for them growing up in Chapel Hill they are Tar Heel fans too! How great for boys to grow up near a college campus and have access to things their mom and dad did not. Even if we were still in Minnesota I don't think I would have taken the boys to MN Gopher baseball camp...downtown Minneapolis...everything is so accessible here! Just down the road! Lucky Boys!
Cooper really enjoys baseball too but with his birthday being in July he doesn't make the cut off date for the league that he should be in. They have a strict policy on age in HYAA. He would have to play t-ball again and he did not want to play t-ball. Last year, parents were worried he was going to hurt someone because kids in that league sometimes would rather play in the dirt then play ball! He would smoke the ball and he has to play with younger kids... So he decided to get back to hockey in March. He missed it. He took almost a whole year off but you wouldn't know it. He didn't skip a beat. His goal is to make the mites team this fall so I called to see if he could move up to a different group. He was supposed to be in the Rink Rats group which is 3-5 year old and he doesn't turn 6 until July. I talked to the program director who has known Cooper since he was 3 and he agreed Cooper could move up. We didn't really know what ages would show up since it says Learn to Play is for 6-13 year old. Most of the kids are 9 and 10 and in 3rd grade because they play in the squirts league. This has made Cooper's skill level vastly improve! He is beating kids that are two-three years older than him. He's got the drive to take on the fastest skater out there and try to beat him. He doesn't like to get beat. I love watching him because he amazes me out there. It's also fun because he doesn't really know how good he is -he is just having fun-which is the best part!! He just goes to lessons once a week during summer then fall league will start up! He is excited for that. That will be his sport of choice at least for now. He will be going to Carolina baseball camp this year in June with Braedyn. Hockey camp wasn't going to work with school schedule since we start school in July! I don't have any good pics of hockey because its too hard to get some good shots. I will try and get some this summer...
So lil Jordan who gets carted around to all these sporting events just takes it in. He has voiced his opinion a few times! He wants to play hockey with Cooper and wants to play football when he gets bigger. He asks me daily, if I will come watch him play football at Carolina! So cute! So he will start skating lessons this fall, about the same time Cooper did. At least I have all the gear to hand down as Cooper out grows it. We will see how that goes. I can't believe how fast the time goes. A friend asked us to sign him up for t-ball who's son is the same age and it got me thinking. Wow, that's when Braedyn and Cooper started playing t-ball. I did not sign him up. I can't take on another activity right now. If he ends up not liking skating he might try soccer with his little buddy Thomas. I want my summer with my boys to be enjoyed at home playing and swimming in the pool. Summer goes by way to fast for us and they grow up too fast!
Now onto school and another post since this one is so long!
~Allie
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