Skateland, Here We Come

Ready or not Skateland, here we come. Skateland had a Labor Day special, and since the kids were off school, decided to take them for some skating fun. Caleb and Madelyn have skated maybe twice in their life, and Abigail has never skated, but is dying to try her Heely's she got for her birthday. So, we picked up Madelyn's girlfriend, Hannah and away we went.

I remember growing up, and skating, skating, skating. We would even make our own skateland in our driveway. We loved skating. And here my children can barely stand up with skates on. It is such good exercise and so fun...

The girls seemed to do more skating...although this was Hannah's first time, so she was just learning. I even put Caleb's skates on (yes, my 9 year old son wears the same size shoe as me :), and went around the rink with Hannah and Madelyn a few times. Madelyn was actually doing quite well. Caleb did well, but wasn't into it as much. He was more interested in the video games...go figure.

My original intent was not to have Abigail skate...just hang with Mom (we didn't even rent skates for her). But she decided she wanted to go out there in her Heely's, so away we went. Not sure if we were allowed to do this, but we did it anyway, and noone said anything to us... Abigail didn't want to stop...she wanted to keep going around and around. I think she actually skated more than any of the others. She had a blast.

The girls, with their skates off went out and did the Hokey Pokey when the Skateland Dinosaur came out. And they even went around, "pretending" to skate with their shoes on. It was kinda funny actually...until they got caught.

So, I guess we need to visit the skating rink a little more often...for some exercise and fun. We'll have to plan a family trip...I would love to see Joseph in skates :)

Happy 35th Birthday Daddy!

Yep, the old man is having another birthday! He turns 35...and wants nothing more than to spend time with his family. Him and I even went out for his birthday the weekend before, so on his "birthday weekend" (or should I say birthday week...around here, we have birthday week), he could spend it with his family.

So, Friday night we let the kids choose dinner (with a little help from Mom), and we went to Red Robin. Then came home and watched a movie as a family. Saturday night, after all the sports saga was over, we let the kids choose dinner again (with no help this time), and we ended up at Peter Piper Pizza. Joseph had just as much fun as the kids by the way :) Sunday, after church, we just hung out as a family, then bbq'ed ranchera meat, made homemade salsa, nacho cheese and chips, the whole works - YUM! The kids played soccer in the backyard (one of the favorite things to do with Dad).

Jacob and Abby spent more time tackling eachother. Dad, as always, was permanent goalie.

Even Bella and Jazmin played a little ball.

After a nice dinner, we sang Happy Birthday with a cupcake that Mom worked so hard on (ha).

And Dad even let Abby blow out the candle.

Then Dad let everyone else have a birthday candle and sing Happy Birthday to them. Especially since Jacob thinks it's his birthday anytime you sing the song. (He wants to know where his happy birthday is.)

It was a perfect weekend for Joseph, doing exactly what he wanted to do, to be with his family. He absolutely loves his kids and puts them first above all else. He can be in the middle of a Dallas Cowboys Superbowl game, and if the kids ask him to come play soccer in the backyard, he will drop everything for them and not even blink an eye (or shed a tear :). And they (and me) are so thankful to have such a loving, caring, thoughtful, unselfish Dad.

Joseph is the backbone of our family, the one who reminds us that it is all about family. He is the most unselfish man I know...buys nothing for himself and only thinks of his children. For his birthday, I asked him what he wanted...his reply verbatum: "I want a cute outfit for my girls from Justice, a video game for my big guy (Caleb), a special toy for my little guy (Jacob), and a purse for my wife." Need I say more...he is the best and I thank the Lord everyday for bringing him to me. I love you Honey!

The Monster in the Middle

That's the name the opposing team has given him anyway...The Monster in the Middle. He is a lean, mean, fighting machine...okay, maybe not lean...but definitely mean! Most of the teams he has faced, he is usually the biggest kid out there. There was a team with a few "Caleb's" on their team, which was quite obvious they went out and recruited. But he was still double-teamed the whole game...and Caleb still produced.

Most of the teams get very frustrated with Caleb, because they can't get past him on offense, and he blows through people on defense. They don't know what to do with him, and they can't stop him. He's had 3 QB sacks, 2 fumble recovery's, caused 3 fumbles, and several touch down assists...and there has only been 3 games so far this season. He even got to run the ball 4 times last game, for 25 yards. He absolutely loved that. Caleb's not my fastest child, but he has great hands, he has good movement, and he's just BIG. Kids are hanging on to him and he's still running. He is really loving the game of Football...I always knew it was his passion!

I unfotunately don't have pictures because I'm usually off with Madelyn at her events while Joseph takes Caleb to his. The one time I brought my camera, my batteries died...I was so upset. Hopefully I'll get some pics before the season is over. And hopefully he continues to CRUSH his opposing teams :)

Hilarious Hat Day

Every week Abigail's class focuses on a letter of the alphabet...and everything they do that week is based on that letter. Well, this week happened to be H week...so for Friday she got to decorate a Hilarious Hat and have a Hilarious Hat Parade.

She was so proud of her hat, and so were we. Mom thinks she had the best hat there...or should I say the most Hilarious Hat :)

Abigail just loves school and is so excited to go everyday. She loves taking her lunch, packing her backpack, making her own water bottle. She has totally stepped up and is so big and responsible. It makes me a little sad that she's growing up, but I'm so proud of her and her growth.

Mrs. Lang says she's doing absolutely wonderful. She is kind, considerate, respectful, and she is doing great academically. She is a leader in her class and friends with everyone. She is also the first to clean up and help everyone else clean up. She kinda takes control and helps get things done. We are so proud of our Abigail Morgan!

Caleb's 1st Annual Football Jamboree

Caleb had his first football Jamboree this past weekend...kind of an opening ceremonies to kick off the season. All of the football teams from his league play a few scrimmages against eachother, they have different contests (dash, throw, etc.), there are vendors out there, cheerleaders... everything you can think of. We played at the side fields of the University of Phoenix Stadium where the Cardinals play. It was neat to be over there and feel the atmosphere. Many of those boys dreams is to play there someday...

It was hot, but it was windy, so it wasn't too bad in the shade. It was so fun watching Caleb in his first ever tackle football game (even though it was only a quarter length). And boy was he on FIRE! He played the entire time...both offense and defense...Lineman of course. He did play Center the majority of the time on offense. He played so well, I was so proud of him.

Caleb is, of course, the biggest boy on his team. There are a few other big guys, but not as big as my BIG GUY! The other teams out there had quite a few big guys on their teams as well...boys just as big as Caleb. But that didn't slow him down. He was kickin' butt and taking names. He had kids looking over to the sidelines at their parents, with that "what do I do" look, not knowing what to do with Caleb...because they couldn't do anything.

He's still working on his blocking skills. PopPop has shown him a thing or two (PopPop played football for ASU), and he is working to perfect those skills. When he does, he will be a serious threat! I can't wait...

He had a fumble recovery that he was very proud of...

He had a many many great blocks...

He even had a QB sack, that I happened to get play by play of. That pour QB didn't have a chance...

It was a great first day to hopefully a great season. GO CRUSH!!!

Jacob's First Day of Preschool

It has finally arrived...my baby boy's first day of preschool. Jacob is the first and only child to receive 2 years of preschool. He is one smart cookie, and it's not like he needs the social atmosphere...we just felt he needed this for structure (and my sanity). The whole way to school, Jacob kept telling me he didn't want to go to school. "I just want to go home Mom," he kept telling me. His teacher's, Mrs. Wilkins and Miss Wilkins (a mom/daughter duo) are phemominal teachers (Miss Wilkins was Caleb's 1/2 grade teacher and I just love her, and her mom is a National Educational Speaker and just wonderful as well). They are so soft spoken and so nurturing, but Jacob still wanted nothing to do with them. He didn't cry or anything, but he was just very sturn that he did NOT want to be there.I somehow got him distracted and I snuck out. When I came back to pick him up, he was SOUND ASLEEP. Yes, SOUND ASLEEP on the floor. They have reading time at the end of the day, and they dim the lights, and it happens to be around Jacob's nap time. So, he took full advantage of the opportunity and fell fast asleep. I didn't believe it at first. When I went to pick him up, he was dead to the world. He stayed asleep with me putting him the car, taking him back out of the car, and bringing him into the house. It was obviously a very exhuasting 1st day of school...

The best part, is when he woke up at home, Miss Wilkins called him to let him know how proud she was of him. She told him he was the best at sharing, the best at helping, the best at leading. He was just GREAT! I was so impressed that she actually called to share this with him. But then again, she is phenominal! Jacob talked to her for a little bit (I heard him telling her how he fell asleep in class), and they said their goodbyes.So, here comes Thursday...day #2. This time Jacob decides he WANTS to go to school. He had a great time on Tuesday (before falling asleep of course), and he's decided that he likes school after all, and that he wants to go. YEAH FOR MOM! His favorite part is putting his lunch bag and water bottle away. They sing a little tune while they do it...and he sings it at home now. He has to show everyone his Spiderman lunch bag. BTW, this Spiderman outfit he's decked out in is his absolute favorite. He asks me to wear it EVERYDAY! I have to tell him it's dirty and he can wear it next week. Thank goodness he is okay with that.When I go to pick him up at school...once again...Jacob is SOUND ASLEEP! And the only child in class to fall asleep BTW. This time he's curled up next to all the stuffed animals. So, when talking with Miss Wilkins, she tells me the story of how she noticed he had his head down at his desk while they were doing desk work. Miss Wilkins seemed a little concerned and went over to talk to him. She thought he might be sad and wanted to find out what was wrong so she could help fix it. Jacob's not responding to her, so she proceeds to tickle him a little. No response! He wasn't upset...he had simply put his head down and fallen asleep :) So, they gently picked him up and place him in a cozy spot next to the stuffed animals on the story time rug. It was so cute, and kinda funny. I of course didn't have my camera either days, so Mrs. Wilkins took pics for me, and hopefully I'll be getting them soon...

So, there you have it. Jacob's very busy first week at preschool. Sooo busy, it just knocked him out!

BTW, all weekend long, he wanted to go to school. And wondered why he couldn't go. He didn't understand that it wasn't a school day, so I finally had to tell him she wasn't there. He told me "We can go pick her up and take her to the school. I know where she lives, she lives by Target." Okay, we have no idea where she lives, but apparently Jacob does (HA). He absolutely loves school now and wants to keep going. Yeah for Jacob! Yeah for Mom!

Jacob telling me he's 3 years old and ready for school. And he promises he will NEVER fall asleep in class again. We'll see about that :)Here is one of Jacob's school projects from the first day of school. The color for the week is RED and the shape is SQUARE...And Bella taking off with Jacob's work. It was almost WW3 trying to get the homework back from Bella. The "my dog ate my homework" trick can become reality....

Let Them Be Little!

It doesn't matter how old the boys get...they are still boys. From my 3 year old to my 9 year old...they are both still, well KIDS.

I sometimes forget Caleb is still 9, because he is soooooo big and mature for his age. Until I see this...and I remember, he is and always will be my baby!!!! It reminds me of the song, "Let Them Be Little." They're only little for a short time, so let them just be. I have to continue to remind myself of this always, since I want them to grow and mature into great leaders, I often forget to just "Let them Be Little."

Jacob was so proud of his tower he build all by himself...with Darth Maul on top, and all the Star Wars guys surrounding it. I had to close my eyes, and he led me into the playroom. He led me right in front of it (thank goodness I didn't trip over anything else along the way). Then he says, "ready, open your eyes" with his big crooked smile :) He was so proud...and so was Mom.

As for Caleb in his battle...we were just the obstacles he had to overcome, to fight evil...

By the way...with Jacob, everything has to be "THUMBS UP."

Abigail's First Day of Kindergarten - YEAH!

Abigail could NOT wait for this day to come...to go the school with big sissy and brother. Unlike Madelyn, who had a very rough first year, having to unattach herself from her mother's hip...Abigail sailed through her first day with flying colors. She was so excited and had a great time.

Abigail is on the PM Tops program too, so she goes to school the same time Caleb and Madelyn do. It's very nice in our carpooling...I only have to go to the school once...absolutely wonderful!

Her teacher, Mrs. Tina Lang is such a sweet, nurturing lady, who is also a great academics teacher. So, Abigail has the best of both worlds. We are so excited for this year and Abigail growing and maturing and learning...

Abigail already knows all of her letters and sounds, can spell her first and last name, is attempting to spell words on her homework (ex. ball is spelled bol...that's how it sounds, right?) can count to 50, knows numbers to 11, and is in the process of beginning to read. She seems further ahead of her older siblings at this age...maybe that's what happens with each child...either way, she's doing great.

Mom and Dad are so proud of her and her hard work. She loves her homework, and loves to write. And of course, absolutely loves to sing...which is probably her favorite part of the school day. We look forward to a very successful school year :)

Abigail's brother and sister were excited to start school again too. Caleb has Miss O'Brien again, but is in Ms. Dean's 5th grade Math class (and already bringing me home 100% - GO CALEB!). He is starting the year off great! He has a great attitude, is organized with his TONS OF HOMEWORK, and is loving going to school. Madelyn is in Mrs. Yeargain's class. She didn't get in the same class with her dear friend Sadie, but they get to see eachother in Math class and at recess. Mrs. Yeargain is a phenominal reading teacher, and teacher in general and comes highly recommended. I'm very excited about this year for Madelyn. She is starting the year off great too. Still getting used to the new homework load (lots more homework in 3rd grade), but she is my organized student and will be just fine. Already acing her spelling tests...but that doesn't suprise me. I'm looking forward to a very successful year for all of them.