Wednesday, July 27, 2011

B-NUT

B-NUT is Bennett's nickname on his baseball team...he doesn't mind it unless Brady says it :) Anyhoo, Bennett was chosen again this year to represent his team in the league All-Star Game. Because our team won the league, they were able to choose four players to play in the game and Scott got to coach. It was a very hot night (but what night lately hasn't been very hot??) our boys played great and we won!

Bennett, Kyan, and Connor...representin'!


Bennett hit a double that tied the game at 2-2...we ended up winning 6-2


MauMau would not be happy to see Cate laying down and eating...this is a BIG no-no with her :)


Scott did a really great job coaching the team. He spent a lot of time figuring out the line-up so each kid got to play in their favorite positions and all have equal playing time. The above picture is of Mr. Positive giving a great speech after the game about how awesome they all played and he pointed out a specific play each kid made that impressed him....which impressed me :)

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All teams/ages in the baseball league were invited to the Grizzlies Baseball game last night and all 1st place teams received their medals. Bennett was really excited to get to parade around the field and meet the players. As usual, we had a huge cheering section for Ben...17 fans to be exact :)

My dad ran down to the field to high-five our boys :)
Mr. Positive was interviewed on the field and gave a typical Scott answer...."we had a really good year and the kids had a lot of fun. We won some really great games and lost a few hard-fought ones. I'm proud of every player and it was an honor to coach them".


Photo-bomb!

Scott and The Rive may never learn to play nice.
Cate loved the inflatables
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Another successful baseball night!

Clarification

I've had two inquiries regarding Cate's socks in the previous bowling post. Yes, she is wearing mismatched socks with Teva sandals. No, this is not the norm. Well, the mismatched socks are. We do not match socks in our house...ever. When they come out of the dryer, I throw them into a huge basket and when the kids need a pair, they grab two random socks and put them on. My kids do not wear shoes when they're playing outside, but they do wear socks. Which, naturally, destroys socks quickly and I'm often left with orphan socks. Rather than throw them away, I did away with trying to match them and it's been years since anyone in this house has matched. Just the way it is here at Casa Smallie. As for the sandals, Cate put the socks on when we got to the bowling alley but they didn't have her shoe size (7) and because everyone else was wearing socks, she had to and then she put her shoes back on. It made my skin crawl the entire time, but sometimes you have to take one for the team :)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Bowling

AMF bowling has a great summer program...2 free games per kid for everyday of the summer. Just sign up online and each Sunday, they email coupons. Last week, we joined Crista, Logan and Hunter for a few games...the kids had a great time and it cost me less than $10!

Bennett had great form and Scott was a little worried that bowling may be his best sport :)



Cate danced the entire time and her skirt was always in motion!


Brady also danced the entire time...and "helped" Cate bowl. Which usually meant he tried to push her ball down the ramp and she would scream at him...fun!



Somebody's beating her big brother :)

Mr. Crabby. Most teachers are happiest during the summer. Not Mr. Smallie. I think it's because he needs structure and a schedule everyday. He wakes up and starts whining.."what are we doing today? I'm soooo bored". I told him next year he's teaching summer school!


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Deeeewishus

Who destroyed Papa Jim's birthday cake???

I DID!!Happy 55th (+ alot) Birthday!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU :)

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Eh.

I left channel 280 TLC on while I showered and Cate caught her very first episode of Toddlers and Tiaras. Clearly this was a very inspirational show for her.....

Swimsuit competition? Goggles add a great touch :)

Dance competition?


She's all about practicing her walk and wave :)


Yeah, I don't think so......

Monday, July 18, 2011

High Divin'

On Sunday night, we celebrated Keaton's birthday at the Woodriver Aquatic Center. The kids had never been there before and they were excited to go down the waterslides and see the high dive (not go off it). However, peer pressure is an ugly beast and both Bennett and Brady ended up jumping off it a zillion times. Ben was very unsure from the moment he laid eyes on the platform :) but he sucked it up and saved face by joining his friends in line! His face is priceless! He said it felt like time stopped on the way down!
Brady, of course, jumped off the minute the older boys said they were going up.


Cate stuck to the small board. She spends HOURS every week jumping off the board at Paddlers. Most of the time she will wear her floatie so I don't have to get in the water, but sometimes she wants to jump without it and I tread water to make sure she surfaces before she kicks over to the side. I think that by the end of summer she'll be flying solo!



Scott and Cate on the waterslide. She did not love this. No tears but when asked if she wanted to go again, she said "NEVER!"

Working on her favorite stroke...backstroke!


Friday, July 15, 2011

Growing Garden

After years of talking about it, Scott and Brady finally planted a garden. Well, more like my dad probably got tired of hearing about it, showed up way too early one morning and tilled up half of our yard, left a dozen plants, and Scott and Brady dropped them in the ground. Regardless of how it came about, we now have a very successful garden in our backyard!

We're growing green peppers, banana peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, and carrotsWith lots of rain storms, plenty of hot hot sun, and careful tending, our plants are growing at an extreme rate and veggies are starting to appear
First tomatoes starting to come in




The zucchini and cucumber plants are taking over!


Hopefully these will one day be pumpkins ready for carving



Our first pick! No idea what to do with it since no one in the house eats peppers!