LA Lower Level Gymnastics State Championships

March 28, 2018March 28, 2018Leave a comment

We packed the car and headed on a 3 hour road trip to the gymnastics state championships in Lake Charles. Jules came along for the trip; however, we left Easton with his grandparents. He’s not a fan of sitting and watching :)

We arrived Saturday afternoon (she competed on Sunday morning), so we spent our time in the arcade and by the pool area.

We had breakfast with some fellow gymnasts the next morning, and then we were off to the arena. It was a lot bigger than her normal meets. She seemed fine, but my nerves were all over the place!

The first event she competed on was beam. I was shaking. My husband does not understand why I get so nervous. I said you grew up playing baseball…you don’t understand!

She looked so smooth, and she scored a personal best on the balance beam….a 9.600! She tied for first place in this event.

Her next event was Floor where she scored a 9.375…placing 3rd overall!

By the time she got to Vault, we could tell her nerves were really starting to show. After the vault, the gymnast should go into a handstand and hold it…and then fall flat on the mat. For Kennedy’s first vault, instead of going into a handstand…..she did a cartwheel! I was just staring…what in the world did she just do!? She quickly recovered and did the handstand to finish the event. LUCKILY, the gymnasts get two vaults…and the judges take the highest score of the two. She rocked the second vault and ending up scoring a 9.650 placing her first overall for vault!

Later that day in the car she told me, “Mom I was so nervous…all of a sudden I realized I was doing a cartwheel!” I told her at least she got up and finished!

The last event was bars. She had a little slip on one foot (you can see clearly in the picture), but she had a GREAT save and recovery. She basically did her discount using one foot! She scored a 9.325 placing her 5th on Bars.

When award time came around, she was all smiles. She scored All Around 2nd Place for Level 1 (E)! We are extremely proud of all of her hard work. Not too shabby for her first year competing!

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Here she comes, Level 2! Jules says she can’t wait to compete herself!

Jules’ Kindergarten Field Trip – Strawberry Farm

March 26, 2018Leave a comment

For Jules’ Kindergarten field trip, we visited Liuzza Land Farms – a strawberry farm with so many activities for kids. I went on this trip with Kennedy last year…it’s one of my favorites! The farm is decorated so perfectly, and everything is so organized. When it was time to leave, Jules said, “already!?”

Our first activity was picking some delicious strawberries. We were able to get in the fields and pick a crate for each of us to bring home – the kids enjoyed eating them when we got home!

Our next stop was AgVenture Land where the focus was “farm to table”. The kids became farmers and had to collect their goods to sell to the market. They collected milk, wool, and eggs. They had to bring their goods to the market and sort them in baskets. After their hard days work, they were treated to an apple!

Next we met some goats and donkeys around the farm. Jules fed them apples…they were eager to eat anything! We then took a mule ride around the farm.

Next we headed to the enormous jumping pillow and hill slide – these were Jules’ favorites!

Lastly, we took a relaxing guided wagon tour around the fields – over 500 acres! We learned about fertilizing, harvesting, packing & cooling, and delivering the produce.

I had such a fun day with my Jules. I loved spending some one on one time with her! I know she enjoyed it just as much as I did :)

Annual EGGstravaganza!

March 22, 2018March 22, 2018Leave a comment

The kids were counting down the days until Aunt Connie’s Easter party she throws at her house every year. The crew just keeps growing, and everyone has a good time.

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Our annual visitor, Mr. Easter Bunny himself, made his appearance. The kids all ran up to him when he came around the corner.

After the bunny hopped away, it was Easter Egg Hunt time! They had one yard for the older kids, and one yard for the younger kids. Easton picked ONE SINGLE EGG. He opened it, found a candy, and sat down and ate it while watching the others finish the hunt!

Jules found the GOLDEN EGG! Her little eyes lit up when she came running with that egg.

After they were nice and sugared up, the kids enjoyed sack races around the tree. Even Easton wanted to play! He did surprisingly well!

Next up was piñata time! More candy to add to their bags!

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The girls enjoyed stacking hoola hoops together to see how many they could balance at one time. I told them they should join the circus! They did great!

Amidst all of the excitement, Kennedy lost her 5th tooth! I love that crooked , holy smile!

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It was a WINDY, but pretty day. All of the kids were in bed early from all of the games and excitement. We can’t thank Aunt Connie enough for putting this on every year. They surely look forward to it every Easter!

To give you an idea of how our crew has grown, I went back and pulled the first Easter party picture. Don’t drink the water around here!!!

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March Madness

March 19, 2018March 20, 2018Leave a comment

What a bad Mama I am for not updating in almost one month! The days are rare when we can just relax lately. The older the kids gets, the busier they get – I have deemed myself a professional taxi/Uber driver.

Our Harley Marley turned 10 years old this month! He still gets into trouble, but he is the sweetest. He is slowing turning grey/white on his neck and back. We love that old man! The kids in the neighborhood sang Happy Birthday to him wearing Paw Patrol masks!

Now that the weather is a lot warmer, Dad takes the crew fishing after school during the week. They each have their own pole, and are oh so proud!

Jules is still practicing gymnastics, and has mastered her backbend kickover! She has a pretty good teacher ;) They play gym class almost every night.

Kennedy went to the eye doctor, and landed some pretty cool frames. They are for classroom use only (not full time), and she is taking really good care of them, surprisingly! Jules was upset she didn’t get a pair!

They all had a blast at their school’s Spring Festival. The rain held out for us on the day we attended. We came home with about 7 goldfish (Easton won two by himself)…we let the fishies go swim with their other fish friends in the pond ;)

Jules has been practicing for her upcoming Kindergarten Graduation, Kennedy has been practicing for her upcoming gymnastics state meet, and Easton has been “trying” to practice on the potty.

We are anxiously awaiting the Easter Bunny’s arrival…and some surprises for the kids in the near future!

I literally look at my calendar day by day nowadays and just pray it tells me where to go next LOL. Living the busy life, but loving every minute!