Field day!

Today was CCS field day and it was super! Super fun and super, super HOT! Scott and I came in the afternoon which is when the races took place. The kids had been talking up their races for over a week and I had no idea what to expect. Sam doesn't even have PE as a 1/2 day kindergartner so I knew he had not practiced nor did he have any idea about the distances he was to run. But, let me just tell you...these kids can run!! Must get it from their mama!!

Emma ran the 200 and got 2nd place. She won at least 2 red ribbons.

Sam was really the man today. He is a rock star runner! Scott and I were really surprised by his endurance. He ran the 400 and finished in second place. Yes, Amy B, second place. You better check your pictures :) The funny part is that I don't think he was really supposed to run it so he got down to the start line late. He missed the part about how you can cut in to the #1 lane so he ran the entire 400 in the #2 lane!

Here he is for his relay! He won 2 blue ribbons and 1 red ribbon today.

Emma and her friend Lillian in the shuttle run

Claire ran the 400 relay. She ran really hard. She ended up being the last leg.

And here are the results...Both relay teams were given blue ribbons. I think Tierra's legs are longer, but I also think Claire slowed down when she got to the finish line. Why are all the kids so afraid of the CAUTION tape?! I think they think it is going to hurt them. They all slow down as they approach it.
It was a great day. The kids all get different colored shirts and are divided into teams by Mrs. L the PE teacher. Her dad helps with field day every year too. I do not know him, but I love how excited he is for the kids and how he makes it really official with the gun shot starts and all! I also loved this year how parents were really encouraging kids to finish their races.

Claire, Emma and Sam were so tired after field day we headed home. Thunder and lightning had threatened early during field day, but had passed without any rain. We wanted to take them all to FroYo tonight only to get poured on! Absolutely poured on! It was not exactly the way I had pictured it, but it was still a good cool ending to a long hot day!

A Weekend in St. Louis

When we have visitors we always love to show them all St. Louis has to offer. This weekend we had all 6 LeBaron's in town. We did a lot in one weekend. Here are some highlights:

Grant's Farm. Notice Emma's new bangs! She really wanted them. I gave in. She likes them. I am happy with that :)

Stingray tank at the Zoo. Sam was soaked. He loves this exhibit. Brendan and Sam also really enjoyed hearing about and seeing the horseshoe crabs.

Claire got lots and lots of baby Jillian time!

Girl Power!

Make your own sundae

Piggy back rides

Lots of fishing! This is a 13.5" bass- don't forget the extra half inch!!

Girls fished too. They did not have the same luck, but were not disappointed.

Sunday it got very hot so we headed to City Garden to cool off and climb on things!

and in things...like brains! Sam calls this sculpture "the brain."

We also watched the LOST season finale. It was a little disappointing, we thought.

What a great time we had. We are tired tonight. The A/C decided to go out last night on the hottest day we have had so far this year. The kids all slept in their underwear in the fort they built and did not fall asleep until almost 9 pm. The LeBaron's headed home this morning. We will miss them.

What I will do for my little boy

I have this friend who is sort of crafty! Or maybe persuasive is a better way to describe her. And well, I have a hard time saying no. Maybe this friend knows that. I am not sure. Either way, all I know is Wednesday afternoon I got off the phone with her and it was decided that I was taking Sam and her son to the Cards game the following afternoon in the rain!

I was not panicked about the rain. I was not panicked about having the boys in large crowds or even finding the seats. I was a bit panicked however about getting to the actual Busch Stadium. I have NEVER been to the ballpark by myself, ever! Scott encouraged me to go and gave me money for parking. My other friend, who gives great advice, told me to park as close as possible even if you have to pay through the nose. So, I did. Scott gave me a 20 and I gave the man a 20. He gave me a ticket on my dash and told me to park in the spot just west of the white minivan. What he did not tell me was that I was going to have to do a 5 point turn to get into that spot. All while 2 little boys in the back are saying "I think you are about to crash into that one!" I finally got us in the spot, grabbed our rain jackets, tickets with food coupons and we walked only 2-3 short blocks to the ballpark!

Luke and Sam with "Stan the Man"

The weather ended up being delightful! No rain, some clouds. I was just glad I did not have to apply sunscreen to anyone. That is another thing I am bad about and the fact that I had someone else's fair skin child would mean a guaranteed sunburn on a sunny day.

My crafty friend had snagged these tickets for a great deal and they included tickets for a hot dog, bag of chips and a soda for FREE! Who could say no to this opportunity to look like a really cool mom who loves to splurge at the ballpark?!

The dogs always taste good at the ballpark. The seats were really high up! We had a lot of escalator time. The boys had fun. Sam knows all of the players and calls them by name. He is beginning to call Albert, Albert now instead of Albret! I frequently refer to him as Albret just to see if he will catch it. Luke took several pictures of Sam and me. All of them included only half of Sam so this is what ya get!
We left at the top of the 9th. Cards lost 4 to 1. We were hoping for a win, but had fun anyway! Thanks Amy for the tickets!

How parents are too busy to plan you a big party when you turn 6, so instead you get 6 parties!!

My little boy is 6. My little boy loves to fish! He has been planning his birthday party since his last birthday party and I am sad to say that it went from a full day with his full class, with a boat and trolley motor at Busch Wildlife to a few hours with 2 friends at Oak Knoll Park. However, I do not think he was the least bit disappointed. When the fishin' is good, this little boy is happy!

Here is Sam reeling one in. Notice how bent his rod is!

He is the absolute cutest fisherman I know :)

Here it is, a blue gill!

Owen got one too!

And so did Jonathon

The boys stayed at the pond while I went to pick up the girls a little early from school so they could join in the fun. Claire was an excellent basketball ref. and generally a great big sister!
Claire and Emma decorated the chandelier with a fish. Gotta love our party decorations! After some hoops we all enjoyed a Maggie Moo ice cream cake. Sam chose banana with Reese's cups for the ice cream filling with chocolate cake and snickers on the top. There could not be a better choice in my opinion.

Silly boys!

That marks the end of party #1. Next came Friday, the day of his REAL birthday. Snack time was already booked at school with someone else's birthday so I went to eat lunch with Sam where the entire lunch room got to sing him Happy Birthday! After school we headed down to Festus to spend the night. Sam wanted to eat at Steak n' Shake for his birthday meal. It was gross, but he loved it so HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM! We forgot to bring his present with us so on his actual bday he didn't even open any presents. Sad you might say. But I disagree. He did not say anything about this which once again, at least to me, proves that I have the sweetest boy ever, indeed! That wraps us party #2. Saturday, after softball games, we finally let the boy unwrap a present. It was Wii play which he has been wanting. Why? because it has fishing!(party #3) On Sunday Papa Bill and Grandma Lynne came in town to stay with us and on Monday night we had party #4. Dinner and then real presents...radio controlled car and SORRY! Of all the gifts, SORRY was the one he had been longing for.
Since we got bumped to Monday to bring in treats for school, we had to bring in lemon cupcakes with sprinkles (party #5). And this coming Sunday. Some might call it Mother's Day, we will be having party #6! Another cake I am sure. Presents from my side of the family and such. I will just be proud that day to be his mother! And I hope I can beat him at SORRY!

Softball Saturdays!

All of our Saturdays from the end of March through the 8th of June are booked with 3 softball/Tball games. The weather has been nice and although hectic, very fun!

Jenna and Emma playing the outfield. I love how ready they look!

Daddy was the 1st base helper and I can tell he is yelling, "Run, Emma, Run!"

Ready to hit

And she gets one! Emma is a pretty good batter! I love how she is smiling in this picture.

The hardest part for Sam is having to wait his turn in the line up.

Keeping his eye on the ball, even if it is on the tee!

Contact!

And a little tongue action! That boy and his tongue!

I did not make it to Claire's game this Saturday, but I will have to get some pics of her this weekend.