Month: March 2018

LA Lower Level Gymnastics State Championships

Leave 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 :)

IMG_4960

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

IMG_4963

IMG_4966

IMG_4967

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!

DSC_0907

DSC_0911

DSC_0913

DSC_0915

DSC_0920

DSC_0921

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!

DSC_0928

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.

DSC_0929

DSC_0930

DSC_0932

DSC_0933

DSC_0936

Her next event was Floor where she scored a 9.375…placing 3rd overall!DSC_0979

DSC_0980

DSC_0985

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!

DSC_0987

DSC_0989

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!

DSC_0993

DSC_0994

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.

DSC_1001

DSC_1002

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!

DSC_1030

DSC_1032

DSC_1034

DSC_1040

DSC_1037

Ribbet collage

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

 

 

 

 

Jules’ Kindergarten Field Trip – Strawberry Farm

Leave 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!?”

IMG_4929

DSC_0594

DSC_0519

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!

DSC_0520

DSC_0523

DSC_0525

DSC_0530

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!

DSC_0533

DSC_0536

DSC_0546

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.

DSC_0561

DSC_0565

DSC_0549

DSC_0595

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

DSC_0575

DSC_0580

DSC_0585

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.

IMG_4932

DSC_0599

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 :)

IMG_4930

IMG_4934

Annual EGGstravaganza!

Leave 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.

DSC_0246

DSC_0252

DSC_0248

DSC_0247

DSC_0264DSC_0277p

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

DSC_0270

DSC_0286

DSC_0326

DSC_0343

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!

DSC_0376

DSC_0382

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

DSC_0389

DSC_0390

DSC_0399

DSC_0401

DSC_0419

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

DSC_0432

DSC_0436

DSC_0437

DSC_0439

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

DSC_0452

DSC_0457

DSC_0461

DSC_0465

DSC_0467p

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!

DSC_0476

DSC_0512

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

DSC_0483p

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!

DSC_0491

DSC_0493

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!!!

Ribbet collage456

March Madness

Leave 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!

IMG_4781

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!

IMG_4648

IMG_4629

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!

IMG_4759

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 ;)

IMG_4815

IMG_4817

IMG_4818

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!

DSC_0001

DSC_0004

DSC_0005