What We've Been Up To! Part 1

So I decided it was time to post what we have been up to the last few months. A while back I took the first year of my blog and made it into a book. I love to look back at the pictures and stories. I realized that by slacking on posting this last year I have missed out on a lot of memories. My book (when I get to making it) for this year will be missing a lot because of my laziness. So in an effort to sort of catch I am going to try and post a lot the next few days. To make it easier for me it will probably be in two or three longer, picture filled posts. So here is part one of many:

BASEBALL:

This year Ethan decided to play t-ball again. I signed him up with the expectation that it would be similar to when he played last year. One practice and one game per week. Man, was I wrong. I don't know if it is the area we live in now or just the league that we signed him up in, but they are serious about t-ball!! It started out with practice 3 days a week! I couldn't believe it was 3 days a week for 6 year olds! Anyways, it ended up not being too bad because Eric decided to help out and be an assistant coach so Ethan and Eric would just go together. After a month or so of practice pre-season games started. It was then that I realized how serious these people took this. The teams we played had obviously been practicing as much or more than us and you could tell that most of them had been playing for years already. It was crazy! We didn't do so hot in the pre-season but as we got into regular season we did much better. I found out the pre-season teams we played were in a more competitive league so that's why they were so much better. The teams in our league were a lot closer to our skill level. We ended the season in 3rd place. I would like to say the whole season was fun and great but Ethan actually got burned out on baseball about half way through. I think 3 or 4 days of baseball per week was too much for him.

The following picture is how he looked pre-game the first half of the season:
He was actually excited to play and go to the games. This is how he looked pre-game the last half of the season:



It was typically a fight to get him dressed and in the car. And he ended up in tears saying he hated baseball and didn't want to play anymore before most games and practices. Needless to say we were all happy to see the end of the season.
Even though the end of the season was a little rough I think he had a good time. If you ask him if he had fun he says yes. If you ask if he wants to play again he will quickly say no, but I think overall it was a good experience for all of us.

Here he is running for home. Since I can't remember if he got tagged out before he made it, I will give him the benefit and say he scored the run. It looks like he was going to get there first doesn't it?

Leaving first base! Notice Coach Eric in the background.

Emily and Emery were a little hard to entertain during the games so we usually ended up with suckers or snacks from the concession stand. Here they are just hanging out!

SEA WORLD:

In May we decided to make what has become our annual trip to Sea World. The kids love it and since it isn't that far away we can just make it a long weekend. This year we were lucky enough to meet Eric's parents there! It was great to see them and be able to spend some time with them.

We love to go in May because it is not too hot and there are no lines or big crowds. Ethan did have to miss a day of school but it is worth it to miss the summer heat and the summer crowds. This was the first year we were going to do the water park since it is only open on Saturdays in May. The kids were so excited! Our plan was to do the last few show and rides on Saturday morning and then spend the afternoon at the water park. As luck would have it, the morning was perfect and then it rained all afternoon so they didn't get to swim after all. They were so disappointed. We braved the rain though and were able to get a few extra shows and enjoy the rides with no lines after it stopped. They also got to put their swim suits on and play in the little splash zone, so that made it a little better.

Here are Emily and I riding the Shamu Express. This was the first year she was tall enough to ride. She had to have an adult with her, but she was so excited and wanted to ride it over and over! Thanks to no lines, she got to do that!

One of Ethan and Emily's favorite rides is the Texas Splash down! You can't see Emily in this picture because she wanted to be all the way in the back.

Here they are in the splash park. Ethan never stood still long enough to have his picture taken. And as you can see from the pictures Emery wasn't too sure what he thought. One minute it was fun, the next it was not so fun!

Last year when we went we Dined with Shamu and the kids loved it so much we thought we would do it again. It really isn't that much more expensive then eating at the cafes in the park but the food is much better. It is also a fun experience. You really get to see the whales close up . Here's a picture that Eric took from right in front of our table.

This year we decided to check out a wildlife ranch that is on our way home. It was an interesting place. The kids thought it was really neat to see all the different animals that close up.

This is an ostrich sticking his head in the car in front of us. We were smart enough to roll our windows up so we didn't pecked to death. They kind of scare me.

I wasn't too scared of the other animals although some got a little too close at times. Her is the zebra eating from my hand. The kids were so excited that it stuck it's head in the car.

I wasn't too excited about the cows. For some reason they like to lick anything they could. It was so nasty to have clean cow slobber in the inside of my car. The kids thought it was the most hilarious thing they had ever seen!

We also stayed at a great hotel that had it's own water slides and lazy river! We only wish we had more time to hang out and enjoy all the fun they had to offer at the hotel. We all had a great time but I think we decided next year we will try a new destination. Sea World is fun but after 3 years in a row Eric and I are ready for something new and different.


SWIM LESSONS:

The first week of summer Ethan and Emily had 2 weeks of swim lessons. This is the second year they have taken from Miss Carol and I am still amazed at how good she is. Ethan and Emily are turning into great swimmers. They both used to scream if water even splashed in their faces. Now Ethan will jump off the diving board and can swim the length of Miss Carol's pool. Emily can swim the shorter length and they both are doing well on their backs. It was great to see them learning so much and doing so well. We love Miss Carol!!

Ethan jumping in. She wanted them to jump in like pencils. Ethan took it very seriously and always reminded the kids who belly flopped of face planted that they were supposed to be like pencils.

Emily never belly flopped or face planted, but she had a hard time keep her legs straight. Cannon ball (sort of)!!

The last picture is Emery just hanging out. Keeping him away from the water wasn't not the easiest job.

The rest of the summer has been filled with lots of fun trips, concerts and of course swimming! Look for more posts to come about all those fun activities!