4 Wheels to 2 Wheels....

Brett has been asking to take his training wheels off for a couple of weeks. The day finally came and he was so excited. At first. For being a little daredevil, he was extremely cautious when it came to trying to ride his bike. He wouldn't keep going fast enough to keep the bike up no matter how good Mike's pep talk was.

He mastered the "lean" and was trying really hard. See the tongue hanging out? That's when you know he's really concentrating.

He'd make it a few feet and then just stop pedaling. We all know what happens when you stop pedaling and don't put your feet down.

You got it. Wipe out. A handle bar to the ribs.

And he's done. He wouldn't get on the bike again after that. He wanted his scooter.

Guess we'll try again another day.

Daredevil...

Let's Play Ball.....

This is what we've been up to every Monday and Wednesday evening since the end of April. Colton is loving baseball this year. It's more competitive and the kids are pitching.

Here's Colton warming up. Right after I took this picture, he looked at me, shook his head and said, "geez Mom, really?!"
Here he is playing first base. One of his favorite positions.

Here he is pitching. His favorite position and my most stressful position. I get so nervous that he's going to hit somebody (which he has) and more afraid that he's going to get drilled by the batter (which thankfully he has not).

Playoffs start next week. Go Blue Jays!

Brothers....

On Easter I attempted the near impossible feat of getting a decent picture of my boys together. When they both are dressed somewhat decent and when they are both looking at me with an unforced smile.
Here they are posed by the tree in the front yard. Then a distraction. A car driving by and they both say cheese while turning their head to see who's going to catch them looking all dorked out. Then boredom sets in. Colton is clearly annoyed and Brett's making faces to entertain himself.

I must have said something hilarious (as I'm one to do) as Brett is laughing while Colton is attempting to remain composed as he wouldn't want me to think that he thinks I'm funny.

And here it is. I love this picture of them. This is who they are and I love them to pieces.

Can You Really Be 9???

I cannot believe you are already 9 years old. I never understood what my parents were saying when they told me, "the older you get, the faster time goes." Now, I get it.
What an amazing kid you are. You are so smart. You are so witty. You are so sensitive. You are so boy. You have no idea how much I love you! Happy Birthday buddy! Mike and I made a decision when we started having kids that we'd have family only parties until the kids were school age. Then we'd have a family party and a kid party. When Colton turned 6 in kindergarten, we gave him a choice. If you want to go somewhere for your birthday and have your party, then you don't get a gift from mom and dad. If you choose to have a party at home, then you get a gift from mom and dad. Maybe we are harsh, but those destination parties aren't cheap! I will tell you that every year since his 6th birthday, he as always chosen a destination party. This year was GrandSlam.

These are some of his closest buddies. They are a great group of boys.

Laser Tag was the hit of the party. They went in with team strategies and came out sweating and replaying every twist and turn and shot taken. Of course their team always won no matter what the scoreboard said.

Off to the bumper cars. I have never heard a group of nine year old boys giggle so much.

The hardest part of the day? Trying to figure out what trinket to cash all their tickets in for.

Last but not least, the birthday cake. Colton requested a baseball cake this year. I have so much fun creating the birthday cakes. I have overheard him bragging to his friends, "you should see the cakes my mom makes. She's better than the store." Thanks bud!

Guess Who?

This is Brett's new obsession. Guess Who. In both the Superhero version and the "reg-le-ur" version. We don't just play the best out of three. It's more like the best out of 37. Watch out. He's pretty good!

PS - don't mind the uncovered outlets. I removed them for painting and they've since been covered up.

Face Lift.....

It took us 9 years, but we finally updated our kitchen counters. When I was trying to find an "old" picture to compare the counter tops, I realized I've done an exceptional job at avoiding taking any pictures of my kitchen. I had to dig back to Colton's 6th birthday in 2006 to find one.
We went from a lovely country blue laminate: to Yorkshire Brown granite. I.love.it.

I painted the kitchen Behr's Pale Honey right before the counter tops were installed.

Did you all see that faucet? I put that in and hooked it up myself. That's right. I didn't sustain any injuries except for a butt cramp as I was curled up under the sink. My boys were quite impressed. Now it's onto the living room to finish painting.