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!)

Wordless Wednesday

Wes (10 months) and Kris, Southern Miss Coliseum - September 2003

FLASHBACK: NECA era ends

The way our baseball league is designed you play in the same division for two years. It works out well. The players spend the first year learning from the older teammates and then in turn showing what they've learned before moving up to the next level. The teams are given names of businesses/organizations that support the program and our team was NECA/IBEW. He played on this team for his first two years of coach pitch. Then he moved on to play for Central Sunbelt for the first year of the next division. At the beginning of this season we learned that this sponsor was not returning and our team would be ...you guessed it - NECA/IBEW! So, Wes has had the unique opportunity to have the same team name for three seasons :)





As his second year in this division - his fourth and final season of coach pitch - came to an end, we have lots of memories and friendships to hold on to and look forward to making more!

Wes was fortunate to be selected to play All -Stars at the end of the season and we are in the throws of practice and a series of three tournaments. He is enjoying being able to play baseball for a little longer! I'll post more about this experience once the season ends.

Wordless Wednesday

Ann Elise (19 mo) and Wes (almost 4) - September 2006

Wordless Wednesday

Wes, 13 months - USM BSU Missions Banquet, November 2003

How is this happening?

In the Spring of 2007 Wes started his adventure in baseball. That first experience playing T-Ball was priceless. He was so ready to tag out the runner and hit home runs! He loved to talk baseball and played every chance he got.


How did we get from that to this? Wes has started his fourth and final season of Coach Pitch. It is hard to believe! Next year he will enter the world of Kid Pitch.


Not much has changed with this big boy. He is just as eager to make big plays and smash the ball! Most afternoons still involve a backyard game - the only differences are he has a little brother that wants in on the action and he has to finish his homework first :)

Wordless Wednesday

Wes, 4 1/2 - September 2007

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 :)

God's Top 10

At Wes and Ann Elise's elementary school each grade has a set musical they perform. The second grade always does "God's Top 10". The music teacher works very hard teaching the songs, motions, and speaking parts. With this program being about the ten commandments, she has them dress in Biblical costumes.


Every second grader participates by singing along with every song and at some point throughout the program has a speaking or acting part.


Wes was part of a skit with three other boys from his class. They acted out the words to the song "God's Holy Day"- getting a few laughs :)

(Wes is second from the left)

What a cute show! They did such a great job!

Upward Basketball

Our Upward Basketball season came to an end just a few Saturdays ago. Both Wes and Ann Elise participated this year, having a blast! Kris was busy, busy seeing as he coached both their teams.

Wes played for the Rhinos. He really played hard and had a good season. Kris and Coach Mark came up with a Rebound Reward that really motivated the boys to hustle. What young boy wouldn't push and shove for every rebound knowing they'd be rewarded with an extra snack?!? HA!


Ann Elise played for the Greyhounds. This was her first experience with basketball. She did really good learning the skills and we were so proud of her for participating! But, it may take another season or two for her to feel comfortable about taking the ball from someone :)

Another successful season of sports behind us and headed into Spring baseball!

Wordless Wednesday

(Wes, 22 months - September 2004)

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 :)

Wordless Wednesday

(Wes and Kris - Walnut Street Bridge, Chattanooga - March 2006)

Fall Sports

We just completed 2010's run with fall sports. This year Wes participated in flag football and Ann Elise participated in soccer.



In years past they have both played soccer, mainstreaming our family's Saturdays. However, this year Wes wanted to give flag football a try. It proved to be a little challenging as both their games were scheduled for Saturday mornings - but we made it work! Ann Elise always had two games so the family could for sure see one. And, Kris would end up taking care of Ann Elise (he coached her team) for her second game while I bussed the boys to flag football.


Wes really enjoyed flag football. He, of course, loved being the quarterback on occasion. He much preferred playing on offense and reaping the reward of a touchdown to blocking and actually chasing down flags :) Hopefully he will grow to understand that it takes both sides to win a game! It was really fun experiencing in this new sport and watching Wes learn how to play.


Ann Elise had a great season of soccer. Once she gets her foot on the ball and gains confidence she really hustles. She makes a good little midfielder! It was always fun to see her excitement after making a goal (of which she made many)! At this age the fields are still pretty small and a few times she was kicking the ball from midfield and it rolled straight into the goal! HA!

Flag Football at The Rock

As birthday season rolls around at The Five Dubs, I kick into party planning mode. However, this year I was struggling due to some things God has been doing in my life (which I will post about soon). I didn't mind Wes having a party, per say, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money or have people spend money on gifts. Wes understood this and was fine with it, but still asked to have some fun celebrating with his friends.

As it turned out, their were three boys in Wes' class celebrating birthdays within a week of each other. Their moms and I got together and came up with a super plan - we would throw a party for all three boys and have the guests bring a donation to Homes of Hope for Children. Win-win situation :)

(Birthday boys - Ben, Wes, and Joey)

A flag football party was planned and before long all the details started falling into place - bigger and better than we ever dreamed! The boys got to play at the Rock!






After a good dose of planning plays, executing passes, running the ball, and pulling flags the boys were treated to a tour of the Athletic facility - locker room, weight room, and all!

(Daddy with the birthday boy)

We had a super turnout and the boys got to celebrate with all their buddies. We could not have asked for better weather to celebrate. Fun, fun, times!

(all the party guests)

The boys were asked to bring $5 as a donation to Homes of Hope for Children, but they well exceeded that request - they gave $285!!! I had spoken with our friends who serve as the house parents and discussed buying a Wii game and they suggested buying some kid cereal. But with this larger amount of money more can be done! Way to go guys :)