Happy 7th Birthday To My Little Man

Dear Austin,

Today you turned 7. Seven years seems like such a long time, but they happened in the blink of an eye. What a handsome, mature, caring, kind, grown up little boy you have become.

You are still all about baseball. You would pick playing baseball above anything else on earth, and are so good at it. I love to watch you play. You would play all day every day if you could, and often do, getting in trouble for hitting balls in the house. You even make your sister play, and get mad if she doesn't play "right". And if you can't play baseball, you are watching it or playing it on the computer.

You are so smart, and although you don't really like to read much yet (at least not as much as you like to be read to), you are very good at it. Math is your favorite subject so far. Your teachers love you and say that you are so well behaved and smart and a good friend. I couldn't ask for a better, more well rounded son. You are amazing, and I so often forget that you are only 7, having such high expectations for you, but you so often meet them. You are kind hearted, and kids love you. You are every one's friend, although your loyalties still lie with your best friend Kaehler, who shares your love of all things baseball. You are still daddy's boy, and daddy often says he wishes you were around when he was your age, because you would have been inseparable...much like you are now.

You have lost four teeth, (front top two and front bottom two), and enjoy seeing what the tooth fairy brings to you hoping that the coins will fill a spot in one of your coin books. You are the youngest member of the coin club here, and enjoy collecting and going through coins with your daddy. You are still a little shy in doing the 'show and tell' part though. You love to watch movies, and still love Scooby Doo. You are into Bakagans, and have several although we still haven't figured out how to play the game yet! You like Monopoly (and other board games), and are getting almost as good as your daddy, which is bad news for me. You love to draw and color and make lots of pictures for your dad. You also love to swim, and can dive better than mommy can. You can go all the way to the bottom of the deep end to pick up the toy divers we throw down for you.

Most of the time you are very good with your sister, who loves and adores you. I know she can get on your nerves, and I know that you are often very ornery towards her, but I also know you love her very much and would do anything for her. You are her Nahnie, her best friend. My hope is that you and she will forever be close, and that you will always look out for her.

I love you Austin, and I am so proud to be your mommy. You have brought so much happiness and smiles and laughter into our lives. You will forever be my little boy.

Austin letting Aubrey help him open presents.

Austin's new Bakugan.

We had Austin's party tonight at Chuck E Cheese's with most of his good friends. I never did get a really good picture of him there; he was so busy playing he hardly stood still except to open presents and blow out his candles on his Bakugan cake! Oh well, he said he had a great birthday, and really that is all that matters.

Way Back Wednesday #10

Austin's first baseball. He still plays with this ball daily with his sister, they take turns batting it around the front room (it doesn't quite look as nice and clean anymore).

First Day of School

Austin on his first day of second grade. He was probably smiling at a cute girl as she walked by. Definitely too cool to pose and smile for his mommy. What a handsome, grown up little man.

Way Back Wednesday #9

Austin's first t-ball and bat. He was barely one in this picture.

At The Park

Aubrey and I went to the park (or pahk as she calls it) the other night after it cooled down a little. She wanted to take her bubbles, so she entertained herself with those for a while, then we had to feed the ducks. She was excited to learn that ducks like leftover pancakes in addition to stale bread.

Catchin' Some Baseball

We are getting geared up to start fall baseball in a few weeks. Austin is pretty excited, as am I. He is going to try pitching machine, so it should be interesting. His best little friend will also be on our team, so that will make it all the more fun! Fall ball runs through October, so more baseball posts to come...

We are also protesting, refusing, reluctant excited to start school next Thursday. I think I am still in denial. I am so very sad this summer is coming to an end, but am looking forward to all that second grade will bring for Austin. We have been trying to cram as much fun as possible into the last few weeks of summer vacation, including finally catching a RedHawks game. Here are the kids enjoying some baseball that is not being played by Austin!

Way Back Wednesday #8

Peek-A-Boo

Aubrey at 4 months. I just love this picture of her. What a cutie!

Way Back Wednesday #7

August 2007, Aubrey was less than a month old. She is checking out Austin's nose.

Aubrey at 4 months old, still infatuated with Austin's face.

My Little Champion

T-Ball is officiallly over for the summer. Austin's last regular season game was at the end of June. The Red Sox went 8-8, but managed to win their division! Austin was definitely the star player, I am such a proud (and loud) mommy. I love to watch him play. Most of the players on our team had never played before, so Brian is taking a lot of credit as coach for their season win. We would have done a lot better if we could have gotten most of them to come to practice every week, but not everyone lives/breathes baseball like we do. No one on our team wanted to play in post season tournaments, so we were thrilled when our Red Sox friends asked Austin to join their team across town for a weekend tournament. There was sure a lot of pressure on Austin; our friends had told the team they were bringing in a "ringer" for the tournament, and that Austin was a superstar. He proved them right. He did such a good job! He and his best friend made 99% of the outs that were made, and were on fire with their hitting. We went 2-2, didn't make it to the championship game, but we had so much fun and celebrated our weekend with a lot of pool time (of course). We can't wait until baseball starts again!

Austin fell asleep clutching his first place trophy. I am sure he is dreaming of baseball...