Play Ball!

So we are just wrapping up the season of softball. This was Lily's first year of t-ball and when no one else volunteered to coach they called up Jamie who they know won't say no. It was a rough start...Lily liked climbing the fence more than she did practicing, and I couldn't even go to the first couple of games because if I was there she would rather come sit with me and watch! That of course is a little embarrassing for the coach...as he announced to the team parents at the second game..."go figure the coach's daughter would be the houlligan of the team!" At one point he told Lily that if she didn't participate then she couldn't play and that would make him very sad to coach a t-ball team that she wasn't even on! It got better throughout the season, but she never did warm up to playing in the field...she only liked batting - we told her that there are no DH's at this level!
Ellie on the other hand really got into the softball thing this year. She met some new friends that she will be going to Stafford with next year, and they had a great time! It was a big year as they went from the coaches pitching to the girls attempting to pitch. Last weekend the girls college world series was on and after Ellie watched these girls she ran around the house pretend pitching and then asked if she could pitch at the game. The coach gave her a shot and she did very well for her first time! She was also the cheerleader of the team...teaching everyone the cute little chants (where she learned them I'm not sure?!).
Just as the relief of the season was over (I have been a permanent chauffer for the past 2 months!) they asked if I would sign them both up for soccer next year! What ever happened to the indoor sports where you stay warm and dry?!

Jalen turns one!

People always say how time goes too fast...me included...but it's these occasions that you really mean it...this year went so fast! I can't believe that Jalen was born a year ago, he has grown up in so many ways, but lucky for me, he is still my baby in many ways as well. Here's a few fun facts and stats...
Weighing in at 8 pounds 9 ounces at birth he is now a solid 23 pounds
He came out with the loudest cry I had ever heard from a baby...now it's the loudest scream (no joke for those of you who haven't heard it...it's ear piercing!)
For the first week he had his days and nights mixed up so wasn't sleeping well...we fixed the day/night problem but he still doesn't sleep well (I'm up at LEAST once a night...and that's on a good night!)
He was not much of a cuddler as a baby, he preferred to be in his swing all by himself...now he gives the best hugs and slobbery kisses and LOVES to be rocked to sleep (I do the first round, Daddy gets the second round)...I know, I know...bad routine but he won't be a baby forever!
Of course all he ate as a baby was milk...while he eats a little better now, it's not much! He won't take a bottle, and it depends on the day whether he likes baby food. Needless to say he is still very attached to Mommy.
He had no teeth...still no teeth...not even one!
All he did was lay around bundled in a blanket...he is now crawling, pulling himself up on everything from the couch to my leg and walking around anything...his latest favorite is walking behind the rolling fire engine he got for his birthday.
All he could do was cry (again, really loud)...now he says "ball" and "papa" and when he is really sad he cries "maaaaaa", but I've yet to get a true "mama" - did you really expect that his first word would be anything other than "ball" with who his Daddy is?
A few of his favorite things:
mommy...a given
daddy...especially when I won't give him what he wants
ellie...he reaches his arms for her because she will take him to play
lily...she makes silly voices and makes him laugh
ball...any kind
being outside...rain or shine
the swing...he'll sit in it for hours as long as he has the girls to watch
ice cream...who doesn't?
toilet...i know gross, but i think it's only cause it's so off limits
remote control...he's a boy
stairs...so far he can only go up...scary!

So we had his first birthday party at Papa and Grandma's house and it was a beautiful day for it...we set up the jumping castle (which he loved!) and played in the kiddie pool and had cupcakes with blue frosting. The whole family was there to celebrate and we had a blast! This is such a fun stage with Jalen (exhausting...but fun!) It's happy and sad all at once...there is so much to look forward to, but sad that my sweet baby days are over. Now the true colors of a boy are coming out...
ready, set, go!

Disneyland!

We surprised the girls with a trip to Disneyland for Lily's 5th birthday! We have gone for Caleb's, we went to Disneyworld for Ellie's, and now it was Lily's turn. We woke them up at 4:30 in the morning and asked them if they wanted to go to Disneyland and when they said yes we said let's go! They couldn't believe we were going "right now"! We went with Papa and Grandma and Lacey, Caleb and Addie. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and spent four days between the Magic Kingdom and California Adventure. The "big" rides were where we spent most of our time this year since all the kids were tall enough. Lily's favorite was Space Mountain, and Ellie and Caleb's favorite was the upside down roller coaster California Screamin'. We met all the characters and had them sign our autograph book and we had Lily's birthday dinner at Ariel's Grotto with all the princesses. We drove to Huntington Beach for a morning and played in the ocean. I told Jamie to wear his swim shorts which he did, but he didn't notice until we got there he was the only adult in swim wear. I told him I was the official photographer so he needed to play lifeguard. He always says he doesn't like the beach but he was still in the ocean jumping waves even after the kids had gotten out! Jalen loved the water and would squeal whenever a wave would come up over his feet. Lily preferred to hang back and cover Daddy with wet sand and Ellie and Daddy liked to be out going under the waves when they came crashing in. There was a High School Musical 2 parade which the girls of course loved and even got to dance in with the cast members. Papa was Jalen's official "babysitter" and Grandma had Addie whenever we all went on a ride. Grandma had a broken foot so she rented a motorized scooter which all the kids loved riding on with her. It was a busy four days but as always so much fun...there is a reason it's called "The Happiest Place On Earth"!