Summer Re-cap #2

I posted back in June about Wes' Spring baseball season and mentioned he was selected to play All Stars. Kris and I have talked for years about the pros and cons of continuing the season at this age.  We have been pretty set with our convictions, but decided to let him play this summer.  He had a great time and learned a lot by being on a team with lots of good players.  Being on an All Start team brought a few decisions to my attention that I had not foreseen me making! 

First up was whether or not to follow the team and sport a mohawk.  As the collage proves, I said yes, and Wes couldn't have been more proud!

Second up was wether or not to paint the van in support of our team.  Once again, as the collage proves, I said yes, and Wes was very pleased!

Seeing him sport his All Star uniform definitely brought it's excitement!  This was also our first team to play with that had t-shirts made for the families.  Not only was it fun for us to support Wes in this way, but it kept the game night wardrobe simple for this mama!  (When we were unloading at the first tournament, I got so tickled at Bankston Hays - he had tucked his batting glove in his pants...just like the big boys!)

The season ended sooner than we had hoped, but not short on memories.  Wes made new friends, learned a new position and several dugout cheers, and how much fun it is to WIN!  (And I learned that when I let go of what I want, it can MAKE a little boy's day!)

S-L-O-W-L-Y

We are s-l-o-w-l-y getting things back in order after returning from nearly two weeks in China. Kris and I are both dealing with jetlag, but our family routine still calls :) The big kids register/meet their teacher for 3rd and 1st grades tomorrow morning. All the school supplies are purchased and labeled. Their uniforms are washed, ironed, and hanging in the closet. I have been making notes on afternoon snack ideas. And I have a new routine/chore chart brewing in my head. Guess those last four sentences mean a new school year is upon us!

Once this week gets going I'll blog about our amazing trip and the experiences God granted. But before I get busy with that I'll be blogging about TWO very important days!

Easter Portraits

We took the kids to Southern Miss' campus to snap a few pictures in their Sunday best. I couldn't resist posting a few. I really thought they turned out sweet!


They are just getting too big :(


I don't know that Ann Elise's days of smocked dresses are gone for good, but they are definitely fewer and farther between. But to see her happiness over this "big girl" dress and her delight as she looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but smile :)

Oh, how I love these children!

Easter Weekend

We had a great weekend! Easter is always a welcomed treat for a long weekend usually means we are all home from school/work and get to do things as a family without too much rushing around. We had a couple of fun things on our to do list and got them all accomplished!

We certainly wanted to get in our tradition of dyeing a few eggs.


This can be a little stressful. Since there is dye and breakable eggs and all! But, I must say this year was a little more relaxed. It wasn't too long ago that our dyeing experience went on with these sweet faces and hands :)


We also had an impromptu Easter Egg Hunt.







This year proved to be exceptionally fun for Bankston Hays. He totally got the idea of "hunting" and was so happy every time he found an egg! It reminded me once again how precious these young years are...everything is so new and exciting. I guess it was really the first time he had experienced an Easter Egg Hunt. Last year we had the Wicked scheduling snafu and previous years he would have been a little young.

And continuing on the secular note...the Easter Bunny left each kiddo their own basket of goodies:)

The Perfect Pick

A few weeks ago Bankston Hays had a check up with his pediatrician. It had been a year since our last check-up and I wasn't sure how he would react to all the measurements and prodding. (You see, the kiddos of The Five Dubs have a tendency to scream and cling throughout the whole "check your weight and height" routine and then watch intently and ask questions as they prick your finger. Fun times of being a mom, I tell ya!) He did great! After being weighed and having his finger pricked the nurse let him pick a toy out of the treasure chest. His perfect pick ended up being this little squeaky frog.


You might ask why a squeaky frog was a perfect pick. It was perfect because as our wait for the Doctor was getting a little long, Bankston Hays suggested we play "Hide and Seek Frog". It turned out to be the most fun! We took turns "hiding" the frog while the other kept their eyes closed and counted to 10. Each new hiding spot brought a squeal!


I love that he came up with this game on his own. Their little imaginations blow me away. Moments like these bring to light that being a mom is such a reward.

And for the record...I have mentioned in previous posts his affection for football. Yes, he wore the helmet to the Doctor and yes, he has been seen "making tackles" in the grocery store aisles while wearing said helmet. The above picture is evidence :)

My Memory

I am a pretty organized person. I always have a list going in my head or on a note pad. I like routine and efficiency. I frequently play "games" with myself that help me remember or "accomplish in less time". Yes, I might be a little crazy. However, no matter how much I practice - my memory, or I should say memory loss, still surprises me!

The other day I was busy in my closet putting away clothes. Bankston Hays was right along side doing his thing...dressed in a Southern Miss football helmet, singing the fight song, and pretending to run through the big helmet onto the field.

The more time I spent in my closet my putting away clean clothes project turned into a swapping winter clothes for summer clothes project and BH wanted to channel his energy elsewhere. He asked if I would help him get into the hamper. Sure, why not? It was empty and it'd keep him contained/entertained a little while longer while I finished up.


He was having the best time in his "cabe". With his imagination, I think he could have stayed in there for hours! He was just a playing and I kept doing my thing. I had finished up and was ready to start the next thing on my list. I left the closet and came back a few minutes later to put something up...to be greeted by BH innocently rising up out of the hamper...I SCREAMED!!! I had totally forgotten he was playing in the hamper!


Where is my memory?????


See - told you I might be crazy - totally went and got my camera and had my three year old reenact scaring me so I could blog about it :)

Liese's Little Love

We have always called Ann Elise "Liese (Lee-see)" and our Liese has many little loves. One of her loves is critters. She has always enjoyed roly polies, worms, frogs, etc. And with our recent warm weather she has been in heaven! We have seen so many caterpillars :)

When we were pulling into the garage the other day this one was waiting for us!


She jumped out of the van, scooped it up, and quickly became it's best friend (or nightmare)!


She loved on that caterpillar all afternoon. She carried it everywhere, built it a home, and fed it.


She even convinced her little brother it's feet tickled!


Liese has such a sweet tender heart. It is definitely one of my favorite things about her personality :)

Spring Break 2011 Recap

Southern Miss' Spring Break was the week before the kids so that really messed up our planning! They should really check with me before they make their schedule! HA! With Kris out of town the week before, it led us to have a rather low key break. Wes and Kris (he is the coach) had several baseball practices scheduled but other than that we didn't have much planned. I tried to think of a few fun things to do locally to help pass the time. However, I needn't plan much because the kids' creativity always wins out! The first day of Spring Break I walked outside to find they had "built" a life size spider web! Who knew a whole roll of boxing tape could provide such entertainment?!?!?


I know the pictures don't do their work justice but - believe me - it was impressive! They had even rounded up mittens, hats, etc. to get caught in the net and serve as the spider's bugs.


I absolutely love when all three are playing so cordially and working together! To see them have so much fun and use their imaginations is just as much fun for me :)

Another day we made an outing of visiting the library and a local park. While they were playing the ice cream truck made his rounds. I never carry cash, but this day I had a few dollars and decided it was worth a Spring Break Splurge! Who needs Walt Disney when you have the Ice Cream Man?? (I kid!!!)


They each picked out a mega popsicle and loved it!


Another favorite event of Spring Break - well, Spring in general - is watching the Golden Eagles play baseball. Nothing like running the bases after a game :)

Wes as Star Student

In the Fall I wrote a FLASHBACK post about Ann Elise's Spring at Preschool. One of the memorable events of that semester was her turn at being Start Student. It turned out to be a lot of fun putting together her poster! Her classmates really loved seeing what Ann Elise has looked like over the years and learning more about what she likes to do.

The whole Star Student experience was new to us as Wes attended a different Preschool. He had never really had a time set aside just to him (which was fine!). In first grade he had a little taste when he served his turn as Fantastic Reader, but with that everything was related to his chosen book. In second grade they do serve a week as Star Student (on a smaller scale from Preschool) so we were excited a few weeks ago when Wes had his turn! It was equally fun to put together a poster of pictures and things he likes. And I think his classmates had just as much fun learning new things about him!

And now I am a happy (well-balanced and slightly anal) momma who has a Star Student poster for both her older children, not just one :)

Like Father, Like Son

It didn't take long after Bankston Hays was born for family and friends to start exclaiming how much he favored Kris.


As his personality has developed, we have found them to share more than just blue eyes, hair color, and cow licks. They have similar facial expressions


and mannerisms!



These last two pictures were taken a few weeks ago while watching TV. I couldn't help but smile seeing father and son enjoying an afternoon the exact same way!

SIX is spectacular!

Happy Birthday, Ann Elise!

Six years ago my Wednesday started out pretty normal. I was still two weeks away from my due date and had a lengthy "To Do" list I was plowing through. I remember Wes and I heading to Wal-Mart around lunch time. I was checking off a grocery list that would allow me to make and freeze several meals for our family before the baby's arrival. I had a few contractions while walking around pushing that heavy buggy. But nothing serious. After all, I was induced with my first child. We swung by BSU after our shopping trip and hung out for a little bit. While sitting at Kris' desk I had one of the biggest contractions to date...was talking to the BSU intern at the time and had to stop talking while it passed. But, hey, it wasn't that bad. After all, I was induced with my first child. We headed home and had a normal afternoon. I got the groceries put away and started preparing for supper. Cheesy Rotel Chicken Soup was on the menu. Kris made it home from work and he and Wes were having a good ol' time. I was in the kitchen chopping the rotisserie chicken - the last ingredient to complete our supper - when I began to notice I was having contractions. I kept plugging along. Then I realized...these may actually be coming in a pattern. So, Kris and I started watching the clock, and yes, there was a pattern. We called the hospital and they assured me it could be nothing. Take a Tylenol and get off my feet. After all, I was induced with my first child. While sitting on the couch "resting" the contractions continued to come and were getting closer together. I decided to go ahead and take a shower "just in case" we went to the hospital. I never expected to stay because, after all, I was induced with my first child. The whole time I was in the shower the contractions were getting more fierce. I can remember shaving through them. I can remember hollering to Kris (standing right outside the shower door with a stop watch in hand) when another one started. We decided we definitely needed to go...the contractions were right at 3 minutes a part. I got myself ready, we called Kris' parents to come up to the house and watch Wes while we casually went to the hospital to make sure I wasn't in labor. After all, I was induced with my first child. We left our house at approximately 7:45 that night and drove straight to the ER. I can remember telling Kris that the county really needed to get on the ball and repave their roads. I can remember grabbing the handle above the passenger seat of our '97 Honda Accord and squeezing as tight as I could while breathing through each contraction. I can remember Kris casually driving up to the automatic doors of the ER and walking me to the desk (he left the car running - after all, I had been induced with my first child). The lady started asking questions as to how could she help. I don't remember her finishing her question before she figured it out and called for a transport. A nice, young, aide arrived with a wheelchair and within seconds started pushing me in the direction of the OB. Kris left me at that point to go park the car. He would just see me upstairs. After all, I was induced with my first child. I continued to have very uncomfortable contractions while my hips were squeezed in that collapsible wheelchair (also not the un-bumpiest of rides!). When we got to the floor they wheeled me into a preliminary exam room. No big deal. Just a quick check. The nurse didn't even have me put on a gown. After all, I was induced with my first child. She started to check me. I was watching her face as it went w - h - i - t - e. She then casually says, "Um, let me go get the other nurse and see what she thinks." Uh, OK. The second nurse comes in, checks me, and her eyes become as big as saucers, and she says "Girl, you're complete! Let's have a baby!" And about this time Kris walks in from the parking garage. Talk about thrown in the fire! After he heard those words he jumped in and followed along for the ride! He didn't have time to ask any questions. I think he just focused on keeping his composure. I am pretty sure terror was all over my face! They got me out of my clothes and into a gown and hurriedly wheeled me into the delivery room. I remember a swarm of people ascending on my room and working like crazy setting up monitors, taking vitals, asking me questions, etc. I remember thinking and even voicing...I don't do this without drugs! To which they gently and calmly replied...you'll be fine! I remember the OB on call coming up to my side of the bed and asking me my name, who was my doctor, had I had any complications during this pregnancy, etc. I'll spare you anymore details, but the doctor kept me from pushing for another second or two until she was in her place. And within a minute we heard the most precious words..."IT"S A GIRL!"...at 8:10pm (25 minutes after we left our house).

I remember looking at Kris in awe

1. that I had lived through natural childbirth
2. it was over just.like.that.
   

and hearing him repeat "I can't believe we have a girl. I didn't know I could have a girl." as he watched them care for her under the warmer.

(February 2005 - days old)

Ann Elise entered this world on her terms and to this day she has her own way of doing things just the way SHE likes them.

(November 2010 - 5 years old)

A little about Ann Elise at six:
(I saw these questions on a blog I enjoy reading, Lots of Scotts)

What are you afraid of? mascots
What are you good at? climbing
What is your favorite food? chicken nuggets
Where is your favorite place to go? McDonald's
What does God help you with? obeying my parents
What is your favorite Bible story? "you know the one about the supergirl who gave Joshua and those other men a safe place to hide from those big, bad guys and fresh pine straw to sleep on" (Rahab)
What is your favorite color? pink and purple
What would you do if you got to pick the activities for one whole day? watch PBS Kids
What do you want to be when you grow up? painter
What is your favorite memory from your life so far? having birthday parties and getting presents

My sentiments of our only daughter turning six are no different than the ones I posted about her big brother turning eight. Life is flying by. I constantly feel as though their little lives are running water. I am simply cupping my hands to catch it. Yet, it runs through my fingers and spills over the edges. I can't contain it.

I better not tarry with that thought lest another pass me by :)

(September 2010 - 5 years old)

You are our sweet doll and love you so very much!

FLASHBACK: Wrapping up the Holidays, Vol. 3

We decided to take down most all of our Christmas - leaving the main tree and our Christmas Card garland - before we left town for Christmas. It was a little conflicting to empty our house of the season before it even arrived! But I knew it would be easier to accomplish with Kris' help, and considering he would be out of the country when the kids and I returned, it was the best decision. I am glad I didn't have that hanging over my head when I got home. And I am equally glad we chose to leave up the main tree!


Even though the middle of January was approaching before it came down...I must admit I was sad to see this sight go!

I really enjoyed this view late at night once the kids were in bed and the house was quiet. Something about that glow was extra peaceful and brought me company. I passed the time alone reading and watched a few movies that Kris wouldn't miss. One such movie was Letters to Juliet. I thought it was such a fun, cute movie. I couldn't have picked a more perfect story to entertain me. It was time well spent!

Blog Worthy!

For those of you who have children deathly afraid of mascots...there is hope!

Wes has been terrified of anything resembling a mascot his. entire. life. I am talking about some serious wailing and gnashing of teeth - like crawling under the bleachers, kneeling behind Daddy's legs, even scouting out Seymour's whereabouts from across the arena just so he'd know where he was lurking at all times...and don't even think about suggesting a high five!

But as of last week, the tides have turned....


Wes has found a friend in Seymour :)