Christmas lists

This year we are trying a new approach to our kids Christmas lists and the kids time frame of getting us their lists is closely approaching. The kids were given the following, and instructed to list only one thing per line.

For Christmas this year…

I want:

I need:

I will wear:

I will read:
For fun, and for memories, I thought I'd share the kids lists this year.

MyKayla
I want: Rico Reserve Bb Clarinet mouthpiece XO
I need: jeans
I will wear: long sleeve shirts
I will read: Hourglass series by Myra McEntire

Jarom
I want:
I need: College supplies/ necessities
I will wear: soccer gear, including a light jacket
I will read: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilynn Kenyon

Breanna
I want: Chair for bedroom
I need: School uniforms
I will wear: sweatshirts
I will read:

Joey
I want: Nothing
I need: Batting gloves
I will wear: Button down shirts (prefer solid colors)
I will read: Dance with the Dragons by George Martin

Jordyn
I want: iPhone life proof case
I need: Softball bat
I will wear: Sanuk (size 9)
I will read: Divergent series by Veronica Roth

Jayson
I want: Minecraft for the xbox
I need: Pajamas
I will wear: Alabama football jersey
I will read: Magic Treehouse books

Last weekend together....for the summer

Last night at home (Saturday) and they chose to play video games! What else is new!!! But at least they spent it together and even Bre got into some of the dancing (hopefully I will be able to upload the videos at another time!)

Our last day together, Sunday, and we were able to stop and pick up Jordyn so she could spend at least one day with all of us this summer. We decided to take the kids to the beach to allow all the kids who have been at our house to get some sun, they only saw about 5 days of sun the entire summer.

And of course the only picture I get of MyKayla my finger is in the way

Sand chair

Monkey see, monkey do

It's too HOT!!!!

For almost the entire summer give or take 8 days we have had nothing but pouring down rain, okay more like flooding rain, lightening and thunder storms. Today is the 4th day out of the entire month of July we have sun (and yes it is supposed to be the last day of sun for the month). We have gotten over 18 inches of rain in just July alone (and it's only the 26th) and last month I believe we averaged about the same amount, if not more.

All the kids, with the exception of Joey who had a baseball game first thing this morning have been hanging out inside for the majority of the day, so at 1:30 I told them to all get out...literally! I didn't care what they did, except play basketball because I have a broken window close to where the hoop sits, but they had to get out and I would let them know when they could come back in (with the exception of water and bathroom breaks).

Jarom and MyKayla decided to try out hitting a wiffle ball with the tennis rackets and Joey and Jayson practicing hitting and pitching, thankfully we have a large enough yard there was rarely any interference between their activities and my attempt of laying out to get a little sun! This lasted about an hour and then the complaints started..."It's TOO HOTTTT!!!!!"

The solution...a hose, a few attempts with two sprinkler heads, the yard, and the trampoline!

Sprinkler #1, which eventually got broken...oops

Sprinkler #1 jimmy rigged under the trampoline

Trying to figure out if sprinkler #2 can work hooked to the trampoline

Best solution, hook it to the opening while everyone takes turns jumping

It's no fun waiting for your turn to jump, even if you are the one who just finished!

Whoo hoo it's finally Jarom's turn!

17 days of rain out of 19...what to do???

The kids are so sick of the rain, and being trapped inside the house. Too be honest I am sick of them being inside too as all they seem to do is watch TV or play video games all day and all night long.

So we are off to the closest indoor pool, which only charges $1 per person for a 5 hour swim session. Usually during storms the kids don't want to go swimming as the pool has huge metal doors which means that during these storms the pool has the possibility of closing, but today they were so bored they were willing to take the risk. I have come down with an amazing summer cold so I agree to drop off Joey, Jarom, MyKayla, and Jayson at the pool and return about 4:45pm to pick them up.

After dropping them off Bre and I hang out in the upstairs viewing area to make sure they get situated with their belongings in the pool area and that someone is keeping an eye on Jayson.

Jayson hanging out in the shallower area while the older kids have a bit of fun in the deep end before I leave

Goggle adjustment

Trying to figure out if Jayson can hang out in the deep end or who is going to take the first 'shift' hanging out with him in the shallow end

'Not it!' just kidding, all of them decided to move to the shallow end with Jayson as the deep end was pretty busy

Just another day with Nerf guns

But this time Eric had to get involved!

Jayson makes the All Star team!

Since we have had to make several trips to and from Baldwin County over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to watch many of Jayson's practices and some games.

5/28 First practice

6/8 1st game, 1st time at bat (second batter)

1st  run of the game

2nd time at bat...and it's a TRIPLE!!!

On his way to second base

Making his way to third!

Slides into 3rd...and he's...SAFE!

Waiting for 'the hit' to bring him HOME

On his way home, for another scoring run!

Unfortunately game two didn't have the same results, Jayson struck out each time at bat. And day two resulted in a rainout, which was rescheduled Monday, and then rescheduled again for Tuesday, which we were not able to attend.