Busy Summer Days

Summer is in FULL swing at the Morris Abode.  We have been very busy with Jason's baseball games (of which we have only attended one), Corwin's t-ball games.  He is in the midst of a tournament right now.  It is obviously very exciting for him.

The kids have enjoyed a week split between Grandma and Grandpa's house and Nana and Pa's house.  I spent a week at Camp Niangua playing in a praise band, and Jason was busy with baseball.  So, we shipped the kids off for some grandparent time.  They loved it, and I thoroughly enjoyed a week's "vacation".  Playing piano, singing, and serving others was a ton of fun for me, but I was sure ready to see my kiddos by Friday evening!

It's hot here.  I bought Ella a little pool at Aldi the other day, and we busted it out at 9 a.m.  It was already almost 90 degrees.  Any later in the day would have been too hot!  She likes the water!  I have a feeling all three of ours will be little water bugs.  Corwin LOVES it, and Owen does too--as long as he has his swim ring securely around his waist.

We have a couple weeks and we'll be headed off to Pensacola Beach, Florida.  I can't wait!  It will be an exhausting trip with two rowdy boys and an infant, but we have lots of hands to help:  Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Shelby, Aunt, Kaysie, Ethan, Emerie, Eliza, and our friends:  Lisa, Bob, and Shayden.  My next post will probably be pics from the white sand beach!  I hope you're all having a nice summer.  We sure are!

Memorial Day Camping

We went camping with my parents, and my brother's family over the Memorial Day weekend.  It was perfect!  The nights were cool (which was nice since Jason, the boys, and me were sleeping in a tent), and the days were hot (perfect for water play)!  The water was a little cool, but not bad when then sun was in full force.

Owen loved riding in Uncle Shelby's boat, and swimming "in the yellow lines," (which is the designated swimming hole, by the way).

Corwin thoroughly enjoyed his cousins' company and he played very hard all weekend.

This was Ella's first experience with the lake.  Boating, being outdoors, sleeping in Grandma and Grandpa's trailer... she loved it all.  We put her feet in the water, but she shrank away from that.  A little too cool, I guess.  She was a trooper!  It was exhausting for Mommy and Daddy, but she did great!

Corwin tried his hand (or feet) at wake boarding.  He got up, but couldn't stay up.  It won't be long, though.  All he needs is a couple more good tries and he'll have it down.  He got tired real quickly, and cold.  Sitting in that water waiting for the boat with a big board tied to your feet is tiresome.

Corwin and Emerie had the same smile.  Two front teeth missing, and one permanent tooth halfway through.  He is 6 and she turned 8 that Saturday.

Ella got sleepy and took a couple naps on the boat.  I know the feeling....

The kids loved "The Serpent."  Well, Corwin loved it.  Owen had a love/hate relationship with it.  The first time he rode it he loved it, until it flipped on us.  Fortunately, I was sitting with him.  He wouldn't let go of the handles and was being dragged by the creature.  Then, when he came up, he saw that the boat was still going (turning around, but going).  He thought Uncle Shelby was leaving us, and screamed, "NOOOO!!!  UNCLE SHELBY, STOP!  DON'T LEAVE US!"  I told him he was coming back, but he didn't believe me until he saw the nose of the boat headed our way.  The next day we made him get back on it.  He didn't want to AT ALL, but he is the personality that you have to push him through his fears.  Once he pushes through, he loves it!  The above picture was after we made him ride.  He loved it and wanted to do it again the next day.

Like I said, Ella did great.  She stayed on schedule, and was happy the entire time.  But, camping with a baby is a ton of work.  One night I went to bed at 8:45 because I was spent!  Moving her stuff around all the time, setting up and breaking down the pack-n-play, taking care and monitoring her brothers, ... I was beyond ready for bed!

T-Ball Madness

Corwin's summer t-ball season is well under way!  His team has gone undefeated thus far.  (Yes, they keep track of wins and losses here.)  Corwin is hitting well and learning to field a ball much better.  This is his third year playing, but first year playing t-ball.

He is doing very well.  It has been good for him to play t-ball.  he is learning to catch and field a ball better.  He is playing third base and batting "in the two hole."  :)  Jason is working with him quite a bit, too.

Ella enjoys Bubby's games.  Well, she just enjoys being outside, period.  This particular night, she was awfully sleepy.  His games are often during her evening-nap time.

The other night, Corwin hit a home run.  He cheered all the way from third base to home plate.  His Daddy wasn't very pleased with his behavior, but I had to remind him that the kid is 6 years old, and it was his first one.  He also made the out to win the game that evening.  He tagged the runner to get the third out.  He had a good night.

Summer Break -- May

Corwin said, about a month ago, how excited he was for summer break, because that's when we got to travel all over the place!  Ha!  He is wishfully thinking, isn't he?  Well, he isn't totally wrong.  It was last spring and summer that Jason "found" himself on 6 months paid vacation, so we did actually do a lot of travelling.  However, we are more tied down this year with high school baseball and t-ball, and a little thing called "Ella."  She makes travelling more difficult, but not impossible!

So far, we haven't done much.  Jason just finished up his high school season, and t-ball has begun.  We did sneak in a quick trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house to meet our new cousin Kole, pick some strawberries and gooseberries, and visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa.  It was a fun couple of days.  Otherwise, we're just enjoying our days at home.

Owen is having to learn to share again, and Ella is having to learn to live and nap in a noisier house.  I have to break up a lot of fights and try to teach the boys to play together again.  That... is exhausting.

Ella is almost 6 months old now.  She spends her play time on the floor with her toys, or in her "monkey jumper."  She is just now beginning to sit up by herself.  She is still a little wobbly, but she gets a little better every day.  She is beautiful, sweet, and very happy.  She is a good eater, and as long as she is on her Zantac, is very pleasant company.  The boys LOVE her and are constantly talking and playing with her.

May isn't over yet.  In fact, right now, we are packing for a weekend camping trip with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Shelby, Aunt Kaysie, Ethan, Emerie, and Eliza.  The boys are super excited and cannot wait to get there.  I am praying for strength and patience, as camping with an infant is a TON of work.  I hope I can squeeze in an hour a day of floating on a raft without hearing, "MOM...!!!"  I may be dreaming, but a girl can hope, can't she?  :)

"Cleaning Up" in Kindergarten

Well, Corwin is no longer a kindergartner.  Thankfully he passed kindergarten and they are progressing him on to the first grade.

We finished up with Play Day, where he played t-ball, long jump, ...

... jump rope, and sack races.  He came home with four blue ribbons that day.  He was a very happy boy.

Graduation Night:  Here's a picture of my little graduate.  I'm reluctant to see how he looks in 12 years (2024) when he graduates from high school.

There are approximately 40 kids in his class.

He pridefully won the P.E. award in his class.  He stood there for a very long time enjoying the applause of the audience.  (If you can see, the teachers in the background are laughing because he just won't sit down!  Does that remind you of anyone?  Yes, he is very much like his Daddy.)  :)

Finally, Kindergarten diploma in hand!  Hello, first grade!

We were very blessed for Corwin to have such an amazing first year of school.  He did great academically and behaviorally.  He is so excited to now be a first grader!  Now, for approximately 100 days of summer vacation to enjoy!!!