The Season Opener

After weeks of practicing and a couple of scrimmages, the season opener for the Mountaineers had finally arrived! I think I was just as excited as Holden. After a quick warm-up, a couple of stretches, it was time to announce the teams. Upward has a cute way of announcing each player before games. They turn off all the lights, play loud music, turn on the smoke machine, and then over the loud speaker announce each child to run under the streamers to center court. It is really so cute, the kids get such a kick out of it. And did I mention, the kids get to pick out a nickname to be announced with their real name? For example, Holden was announced as "Holden "The Batman" Port". Yes, he picked it! But really how often do you get to pick out your very own nickname, so Batman it is!

After a quick prayer, it was time to get the game started! Each game is divide into six 4 minute quarters. With 10 players, each player gets to play 3 quarters, which works out great. As I said before, this was Holden's first experience with basketball. I expected him to be a little timid and nervous but little did I know his objective was to get the basketball! And he did! Aggressive little sucker!!!

He dribbled and finally had a chance to shoot and.....SCORED!!!! Can you believe it, he made a basket! We went crazy!!! (literally) And little mister did too! What a great memory for his first game!!

I have decided that 5 year olds playing basketball, has got to be one of the cutest scenes ever! We laughed, cheered, and laughed some more. I have a feeling this basketball season will bring us great memories with plenty laughs just wait and see!

Rylan's first chapel!

Every Thursday Holden attends chapel at preschool. Families are invited to come and participate each week, and week after week I am there. Not just because he looks for me in the audience but I enjoy seeing him sing, dance and learn new bible stories. Half the time I end up learning something new too!

Rylan also attends school on Thursday but his class has not participate in chapel for obvious reasons...they are TWO!! Until today!!

I knew Rylan would love it. Miss Marsha does such a fabulous job teaching the kids praise songs, bible words, sign language, and bible lessons geared to their age. What is there not to love! Now, I did not want Rylan to see me since I was not sure if he would cry or try to run over to me. With that said, I sat a couple of rows back. But I captured some of the sweetest pictures! I love how Holden is looking for Rylan's class to come into chapel and then when Rylan notices Holden is sitting across the room. Priceless!!!

And I love how Rylan is looking up to see how big the chapel room is. It must feel huge when you are little!Uh Oh!!! Then he sees Momma....

No tears but he did look back every two seconds to make sure I was still there! Thankfully, it did not stop Rylan from listening and dancing...which is the sole purpose of chapel.I am anxious to see how he does next week. My guess, my baby is becoming a big boy and will do just fine!

Never Say Never!

Before having children or even getting married I had a list of things I said I would never do. Here are just a couple of examples....

First, I said, "I will never live in the suburbs, I am a city girl." Yes, even before we had kids we made the decision to buy a house in the suburbs.

Next, I said, "I will never, ever drive a mini van." Right before Rylan was born, Kevin took it upon himself to trade his car in for something new. And what did he surprise me with, a mini van. Yes, I was kicking and screaming! But ever since, I've been sportin' the swagger wagon in the suburbs!

And finally, I said. "I will never allow bumper stickers, decals, or magnets on my car. They are tacky! That is where I draw the line. Nothing is allowed to go on my car, ever." Well, low and behold, what do you see.....a magnet plastered on the car!! And no, we can not be like every other person with junk on their car and place the "stuff" of the back trunk. Oh no! Holden has decided he likes it on the side of the car! Why? Yes, that is where he sits and he is the basketball player and wants to show everyone! I know I am terrible but I have hidden the magnet several times but somehow it keeps making its way back to the car. Oh, the things I allow!

As you can see that list has come back to haunt me on several occasions and today marks another one. So, the moral of the story, NEVER SAY NEVER!

1/1/11- Happy New Year!!!

1/1/11!! What a great date....make a wish! As a New Year's Day tradition our little family enjoys a special breakfast to welcome the new year. The boys love waking up to surprises! Once again we had fireworks, better known as poppers, more champagne, and 2011 pancakes! As you can see we had a fun morning!

New Years Day would not be complete without the traditional black eyed peas, greens, and cornbread. Yes, I am into traditions, but this year I found a new black eyed peas recipe that was similar to mine but had a little twist, it added a coin for good luck! So here is to good luck for the New Year!

Typically, I do not make new years resolution but rather goals for the year. Nothing big, just goals like organize a couple of rooms, finish some projects, but most of all have fun with the boys! I know some days feel like they are the same over and over but as I look back on the past year, there are so many great memories we have together. As I look to the new year my wish is to laugh more, have fun new adventures as a family, find great new places, and savor every moment with the boys because I know it will not last! Happy New Year! Welcome 2011!!

New Years Eve 2010

My friend Robyn decided to invite a couple of families over for a family friendly New Year's Eve party. And as always, she went all out! There were cute decorations, fun hats, great food, fun drinks and so much fun for everyone! The kids had a blast! I do believe the highlight for the kids were the sparklers! Then we had the kids countdown at 9:00 for the new year. And what New Year's countdown would be complete without champagne and blowers! The kids could not get enough! The sparkling grape juice, you know is pure sugar...perfect for New Years! Really, it was the best scene to hear all the blowers and the kids going crazy! Isn't that what New Year's Eve is all about, the kids and fun memories! Finally, fireworks courtesy of Kevin, hmm what to say....let just say it is a good thing the police did not come to arrest him! Whew!! What a perfect New Year's Eve shared with great new friends, family and lots of fun! Cheers!!

Boys will be boys!

There is just something about having boys, there are always accidents! I think they just go hand and hand! The latest causality happened on Wednesday night. Holden and Rylan were suppose to be cleaning up all the books they pulled out to look at in Holden's room when all of a sudden I hear a loud scream and crying. Immediately I drop the Pyrex pan of chicken all over the oven, yet another mess, and race upstairs to see what happened. Holden decide to give me the play by play of the accident! Apparently, Rylan jumped off of Holden's bed, something he does often, and must have landed wrong on his foot. He cried for a bit but then wanted to eat dinner. He seemed fine at bath time and went to bed fine also. Then, at about 10:30 he woke up crying and it was downhill from there...he was up all night crying and repeating "Foot hurt, foot hurt." Once our doctors office was open, we went for a check up and just as I suspected they sent us for an x-ray. The results thankfully were just a sprain! Look at Rylan's poor little foot,doesn't it look pitiful! But that has not stopped this little munchkin from running around and having fun! I guess it is true, boys will be boys! I think I just need to brace myself for more accidents to come with these two little monkeys!