The Party!

D chose a basketball theme for his party.  So, we went with the Mavs...they were the champions after all!!

 A blue basketball cake was the request...

 This was our first friends' party.  D invited 5 boys so including him, we had a total of 6 boys over for the party. They began by decorating Team Jerseys.

 The girls got to decorate as well.

 Then each boy made a team pennant.

 Coach's Playbook tic-tac-toe.  We divided the boys into teams and they had to strategize together as they played tic-tac-toe.

 Training camp was next.

 Uniform dress-up relay.  The boys had to put on shorts, shirt and shoes, all quite big on them and make it down around a cone and back so the next player could go.

 Ball between the legs...this is much harder than it looks but very funny to watch!

 Of course, a basketball party is not complete without a shoot-around.

 Pinata observers...waiting for their turn for a chance to hit the basketball pinata.

 Then it was a battle for the candy.

 Lunch was quickly eaten as the time had gotten away from us.

We finished up the party with cake and ice cream!!!

It came!!

Just one day late, D got the gift he most wanted...a Messi soccer uniform.

He put it on as soon as it arrived and didn't take it off until bedtime.

D's 8th Birthday

Flying down the slide at Pump it Up!

 This is D's birthday in reverse...we ended our fun at Pump it up!

 Before that was lunch at Jason's Deli.

 Our first stop of the day was Putt Putt.

 D got a Mav's shirt...yeah, okay gift but not related to soccer.

 And a basketball, which at the time we bought it, before soccer season, he was really into basketball.  However, it's been replaced with soccer, once again.  So, not such an exciting gift.

 But the last one, the promise of a Messi Jersey was the redeeming gift. Unfortunately it hasn't arrived yet, but I know D will be faithfully watching for the mailman!

 All three kiddos...so ready for D to open his gifts.  The gift bags were from the girls so they were just as excited as he was.

 Presents and cinnamon rolls.

 My eight year old!

 So excited to be the Birthday Boy!!!

First day of school

Here is my pre-K student!

Third grader

First graderAll my students!!

School

The kids are practicing their time line...part of the history curriculum.

Second Half of Summer

Hard to believe summer is over! Here's a summary of the second half of our summer. It was great!!

D attended a soccer camp (thankfully indoors) and had a great time.

Part of the camp included a "World Cup" and D chose to represent Argentina. He made a flag to support his team for the playoffs.

I am so proud of my kiddos! They all did the knee board behind Grandpa's boat. They even attempted to ski. In fact, L was just about up and D got up his very first attempt.

L on kneeboard

E on kneeboard

D on kneeboard (above) and skiing (below)

We had some friends visit (1 adult and 4 children) and we did tons of fun stuff together. We went to a water park...

We went to the zoo...it was VERY hot!!!

We played putt putt golfWe played in a water sprinkler park

and hung out at the house.The big boys played lots and lots of soccer.Here's the whole clan ages 9, almost 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, and 3!Summer...we are sad to see you end!