Playing Catch Up, Part I

All about Mason. Age 11 (CRAZY to think he is getting so OLD!). Serious sports fanatic. He played flag football, soccer (travel), basketball, baseball and is playing tackle football right now. His baseball team found serious success- OREGON STATE 9/10 DIVISION LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPS! This was the most amazing moment to watch. Mason was playing catcher and his buddy Sam went to the pitchers mound to close the game out during the last inning. The two have been playing baseball in our backyard for the last four years. Throwing so many balls, it paid off.  Big time.  We played for the title game on Wednesday 7/28/15. His baseball season started in January with hitting, so the team certainly worked hard and came a long ways! 

Mason is finding success at Toledo Middle School right now, too. His teachers are old friends. Or siblings of old friends. He likes school and is finding friendships with some quality kids. He is loving the farm life and the freedom of a gator or four wheeler. 

Mason with his coaches Left to Right- Doug Schow, Mitch Williams and Rich McIlmoil

Most of the team during pre-game Left to Right- Jarrett Armstrong, Our AWESOME Catcher, Aiden Stanton, Kai Carson, Cole Shaffer, Justin Randolph, Sam Tsiatsos, Jace Schow, and Mitch Williams. Not pictured here are Derek Begin, Noah McIlMoil, Griff McIlMoil, and Brady Hutchins.

8 Happy Years!

The First Four Years. Plus four more, the kid is eight. And in eight more, he'll be sixteen. It really is simple math, time flies, when your happy! He's happy!

2008

2009

2010

2011

 2012

Hello Summa, 2012

It's here, weather  whether, we like it or not. Don't get me wrong. We like the warm weather, trail runs, camping trips, mountain biking, evening walks, trips to the park, jaunts over to the Pendleton water park, we just like it more when Daddy's home to enjoy it with us. Here's to the first dispatch. The day prior I ran 8.7 miles on the XTerra bike course. It was one of the most exhilarating runs to date and I can't wait to go again. Only, him being gone seriously cramps my style.

Enough of my selfishness! The man of the house turns EIGHT next week! More on that next time.

Five. 4. Three. 2. One!

MaKenna is FIVE! Celebration JJ style this year. After a her choice dinner at McDonalds with the Miller family, we headed out at five a on her actual birthday. She felt special and celebrated. It's all that matters!

4. The number of OUTS Mason had in his last baseball game, go BUDDY!

The little three year old is a straight-up dog lover! A wanna- be dancer. Has her first year of pre-school under her belt. She only cried two out of three days per week, for the entire year. Heart-wrenching.

2. Michelle and I finished her first, my second, half marathon. Together, well I left her somewhere on mile one, but watched her finish! Minus her telling me to "kiss her ass" we enjoyed our sister time to the M.A.X! And we plan to Rock a City next year, too. 

ONE dog left today! JJ, Grandpa Dan and Grandpa Bob left this morning, after a quick visit here to watch one baseball game of Mason's and MaKenna's first dance recital. Where she shook her groove thang to Sugar Pie Honey Bunch and trumpeted her left elephant arm! Rightthissecond she is playing dance recital and bossing Morgann. Girls will be girls.

Avalanche!

Look at Mason! He skiedtumbledlaughedcriedgiggledand went really fast at the bottom, down Rock Garden at Anthony Lakes. That would be his first Diamond. Ever. I just so happened to be on the lift with some gals and caught him in action. Then I hurried off to catch up. Nearly creating an avalanche.

For reals, nearly creating an avalanche. Or at least, given the conditions, it really felt that way.

HAPPY SPRING BREAK! The kids are with JJ and Grandpa Dan. Whoa. Time to get busy!

Don't go asking for the moon, kids.

Or should it read, iPod. iPad. LeapPad. Computer. Bike. BMX bike. Kindle Fire. Barbie. Baby. Wii Games. Leapster. Yikes. So, what are you getting your small children?

We stumbled upon this Santa at the Soroptomist Festival of the Trees. I don't really think they were prepared. But Mason and MaKenna, hopped right on. Morgann screamed. And although she feels too old to scream, we I let her. Get away with it. It was going to be fine. We I don't have to have her in the picture. My, the things I have learned to look past with a number three. I'm so glad the he's pushed it. Santa and Earl. And at minimum, we had her in the picture. There was no touching. She wouldn't even grab the candy cane from him. But he's not going to disappoint her this year!!

Fall Field Tripping

Today, MaKenna took a field trip with her class to Mrs. Stonebreaker's Pumpkin Patch (the same one Morgann hit up yesterday). And although I wasn't there (I wasn't there yesterday either), I can see that the girl, front and center, in bright pink had a blast. Surely, that is what the wide open grin is saying! It's screaming it for heaven's sake.

There is no worrying about MaKenna and school right now. She counts the days over the weekend until she sees Mrs. Onjukka again. By the end of the year, she will be counting the minutes seconds. MaKenna is loving every single minute, of every single hour, of every single day spent at Heidi Ho. We love her being there. Growing there. Learning there. And making friends for life there. I've made a few friends for life there myself, right there in the Heidi Ho hallway.

Me. Me. Me. Me. I want on the gurney and I want to try to lift the air tank. Which by the way, Mason could not. Those are heavy! After four trips to the fire station, the second grade interactive tour is by far the best. I can't believe how much I learned today with Mason and his class! We walked the mile to the La Grande Fire Station and then took a bus ride back to Central this morning. I felt this is where I needed to be. To be eyeing the teacher and students, ensuring my decisions have been OK, so far.

So, what do you know? That a city fireman's gear is 45 pounds. And that a little discipline goes a long way. The more I am around Mason's class the warmer my heart feels. It certainly isn't Mrs. Onjukka. But nobody else is her. Mason's second grade teacher is unlike any other teacher he's had. (For me, she may be a little Mrs. Pauls-ish.) At first that felt bad, given all the other circumstances. After spending ample time in the classroom this year (weekly reading groups and Art lessons) my mind is...swaying. Swayed.

Mason brought home his first weekly progress report! Last year he earned E's (excellent) nearly everyday. It was almost a given, I began to wonder if he deserved them. After seeing the box next to excellent checked and reading her comments- Mason is very capable, hardworking and responsible. He is a thoughtful student. I. Like. Her. Mason likes her. The truth is, I started to like her last week. And what I like is that he truly deserved those marks. He's that good and I know she doesn't just give those E's away! This is working!

School Picture #1 of 3

Seven years young. Seven words to describe--handsome, determined, goofy, sporty, caring, worried, and sweeter than any other boy.

Second Down

Remember these boys a year ago? First grade. First down. Now here we are, Second Grade. Second Down. Both happily with their Dads coaching. And on the same team this year. As you can tell the men take this City League Football serious. And do a seriously great job! The boys are serious. Seriously, enjoying every single second of their Saturday double headers!

Speaking of seconds. Second grade, so far, has been interesting. As Mom, I know the Principal. She knows me. We are on the same page. Mason is in the same class. Learning with few obstacles thus far. If there's another obstacle, we'll change things. For now, he stays put. 

School day! (SICK DAY)

**Update. For as cute as these smiles and as happy as the faces are, I am slightly surprised we ended up being home at 11A. Sick day. Mason's stomach hurt. But, I really don't think so.

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My little squirt.

Today a friend shared with me that she had heard that Mason's teacher uses a spray bottle on the students in her class this year. Like you would an animal? She replied yes. She asked if Mason had said anything about this. He hadn't. I wouldn't expect him to. He mostly has only shared that his teacher is a little bit mean. But overall, she's okay. She'll do. We heard a few horror stories going into the year. But my initial feeling was that a little structure just might do the kid a lot of good.

A little bit of prompting. She lets us take our shoes off in class. She makes us walk the track for PE. She is mostly nice. I am a good kid in class. I don't get sprayed. But Gxxxxx, did. Well he has a few times. I don't want to get sprayed. I'm afraid to get sprayed. I worry about getting sprayed. Mom translation, this is not okay!

For the last two years, I haven't felt like I have had to volunteer. In the class. Every week. I have volunteered, just not that structured. It was not necessary. At tonight's Open House, I signed up for every Thursday from 10:00 to 10:50. I get to help with a reading group. I get to see what is going on in the classroom. I get to watch him interact. Because who am I kidding. It's really all about him and knowing he is safe and comfortable in this learning environment. That he can actually learn there and not worry.

I did have a little side conversation with the School Principal tonight. I casually asked to schedule a meeting for the next day. She was nice enough to see me then. When I shared my concern, after she drug me in her office, she shared that I was the second parent to report it. The other reported this morning. The school will be looking into it. I should know more by Friday.

I also just marked my calendar for the first Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meeting this year. September 20, in the school library. What else can this Momma Bear do? Oh I did that. Finally. Remembered to sign the kid up for football. And the hubby up to coach said football. Checked. That. Box. Wa.Hoo.

Watch Out Second Grade!

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Conklin Contenders!

I moved up with Mason. Coaching U9 soccer has its perks. But it also has its downfalls. 1. Noaction shots 2. More competitive teams 3. More soccer knowledge needed

Like I said. There are perks, too. I love the kids! Our team is super diverse. Most of the kids haven't played before, but they smile and have fun. And that is what it is all about! I like getting to watch Mason grow. As a soccer player, a young boy and friend. It's pretty funny to watch him flirt, too. I may be bias but he pretty much rocks every position! One of our stronger and younger players! Big bonus, Aunt Cassidee and our old neighbor Rick are coaching right along my side. Or I'm along their side.

Don't mess with 7.

1. Mason turned  7 on June 21. And. I. Am. So. BAD! I didn't even wish my favorite son a special Happy Birthday on our blog, that day. I did celebrate his seventh birthday with my inlaws at his dinner choice, pizza. Ice cream cake and presents were involved. Along with games at the pizza joint. Mason got some cash, we took him straight to the toy section where he spent that cash. And loved every second of it (we don't do that very often).

2. Next up. Mason's friend party. My worst cake to date remains the very sad attempt at a princess cake. This bike idea isn't far behind that cake. Given the fact that after riding their bikes around the Birnie Park trails and devouring hot dogs and chips, seven boys polished off every last bite of cake and cupcake. It must have tasted GOOD! I delivered with this party.

3. On June 21, Mason was in Toledo where he celebrated on his actual birthday with JJ, Grandpa Dan, Michelle and Daddy and of course his girls, MaK and Morgann. He was given the freedom of the farm for a week and rode his bike miles and miles, up an down. I think overall, Mason had an exceptionally successful birthdaymonth.

*I can't wait to share pictures from Mason's camera! Life from this kids view.

Daddy's First Race!

Saturday was race day! The kids and E participated in the annual Solstice Triathlon/Duathlon at Morgan Lake. Earl rode his mountain bike (in my place) for a team. I think, underneath the mud, you would see a little bit of a smile. Minus the small bike issues, he kind of  really liked it.

 Mason LOVED the mountain biking, too. The run, not. so. much.

Pictured below the Duathlon's youngest competitor! And number 80, because that and her medal were all that mattered to this doll.



Here's to more races! More family! And more fun! Because that is what these days are all about!

Hello Second Grade

And good bye first. With that good bye we also say so long to Mrs. Cadwell, quite possibly the most organized and awesomest first grade teacher ever. We are hoping MaK has her, too.

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We're Ready to Jump!

We are still biking. In fact, my replacement for the Solstice Triathlon next week, mastered suicide hill this morning. That makes for a proud wife! I know my teammates will be in good better hands. My wound is healing and next week, I am spinning whether it feels good or not! I must MOVE!

Not that I care to jinx any sort of good news we have, I can't help but share. Our house SOLD, so we really are moving and quick! July 7 we sign and officially close on July 8--pending all inspections. The house we offered on, worked out. We'll be living in a nice little cul-de-sac where our kids can....ride bikes on the street!

And in two weeks there is a little boy in our house that turns SEVEN! He's requested a bike riding birthday party. Complete with some sort of course. I'm still trying to figure that one out! A course and the cake.

Jettie-Pie...

Is home.e.o. And overwhelmed with love and fingers. He's slightly nervous around Morgann. But other than that, we couldn't be happier. We have good reason. He sleeps all night!

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Ba...batt...batters...Batters UP

It's the very first game of the season and we didn't get rained  snowed out! Let's Go BIG Blue!

Run #5, RUN round those bases as fast as you can!



Just imagine 9 kids out on the field all in their "ready stance." Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. For some. Kind. Of. Hit. From a parents stand point, I will say this is 10 times better than t-ball. All the kids were able to field the ball, throw the ball, hit the ball. Have Fun.

Mason, take it to home plate and let's call it a game. I'm sure the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees during those 3 innings.

And that my friends, was our first game of the season. 13 to follow.

Hair Today

Gone Tomorrow.