Independence Day!

It's officially a tradition! To ring in the holiday, we had our second annual pancake breakfast at our house--just friends, but a total blast! Rob was the pancake man.

 And he set up backyard games for the kids . . .

I called the friends! We had 60 people this year--I seriously wish I could have invited everyone, but our yard is only so big! See all the minivans? Totally hilarious!

 We went straight from the breakfast to some baseball fields for a softball game. Our ward (Shoal Creek Valley) dominated the other one (North Kansas City)! It was pretty much all big adults playing. Robbie hid in the outfield but finally got the courage to go to bat. He hit it on his first try and all the men somehow always missed the ball so he could get on base! :) I was sitting with friends and the young women--his cheering section was riotous!

 

Then we headed to our friends', Dan & Jolyn Smith, for a barbecue, water fun, and amazing fireworks! Dan bought some crazy mortars or something--tons of them that shoot into the sky. For hours, every time a floating lantern came near, the guys tried to shoot it down with another firework. Hilarious!

My sweet friends, Rebecca and Jolyn!

Ty and his best friend, Dillon.

James, Dan, & Rob

The day never seemed to end. We left the Smiths and headed to our neighbor friends, the Gilchrist to light more fireworks and our lanterns! I was going to blare the Tangled soundtrack, but is just didn't happen--next year!

It was a great day! I took Jimmy home around 10 and Rob ended up going to yet another neighbor's after that and the big boys went to sleep at 11--but it was a great day! So grateful to live in America; so grateful for freedom!

Ty!

My darling little Ty is 5! I can't even believe it!

 

He helped me make his Superman cake the day before . . .

 

 

 

And on the big day, he got breakfast in bed! He requested a smoothie and toast (I think mostly because he ordered it last year . . .)

 

And, as always, he had a slip 'n' slide party

 

with a piñata!

 

I try and try, but it near impossible to get a good picture of this handsome little guy. These were my attempts. I love the last one--totally a Ty face!

 

He got a much-wanted bow and arrow set!

 

He is currently obsessed with dinosaurs. He can name them and tell you if they are a carnivore or herbivore. He can tell you who is fastest, smartest, dumbest, or largest. His favorite: A Spinosaurus.

 

And for the other favorites (at least during for the brief moment during the interview):

Color: green, blue, and red

Sport: Soccer and football

Food: artichokes

Toy: "I don't know . . . the dinosaur thing with the like armor on it's head. That's one of my favorites."

Friend: "You know! My family! Dillon is my second best friend."

Movie/Show: Dinosaur Train

Candy: Tic Tacs

Song: "Not Silent Night. It's Away in a Manger."

Place: Fun Run

Animal: Sabertooth Tiger

Drink: Egg Nog

Book: "I don't have a favorite book."

Thing to do with Robbie: Play soccer

 . . . Jimmy: "I don't really like anything with him. But maybe sing songs to him."

 . . . Daddy: Superheroes

 . . . Mommy: "Just play with you. That's it! That's it, Mom."

When he grows up he wants to be: An airplane pilot

 

Ty is HILARIOUS!!! Just this last night, I was brushing his teeth and saw pee on the floor by the toilet AGAIN!!! Ty seriously couldn't aim to save his life! "Who did this!?" I ask. Ty just twisted his mouth to one side and pointed his finger at his face. Then he said, "Mom, I think I need potty lessons!" I busted up laughing!

 

He's faster than bullet and sharp as a whip. He pretends to be tough all day--doesn't like over-sappy situations, but throughout the day, he constantly says (when no one is looking), "Mom, I need a hug and kiss!" It's sweet. He loves to color. He always asks crazy questions that I can't answer (How old is God? If the Earth slowed down, what exactly would happen to us . . .). He's full of fun facts, like how fast an orinthromimus can run (the fastest dinosaur), that suns are actually stars, and that caracals can jump ten feet. He's a little science-kid  . . .it's cute. He loves dancing to loud dance music and is super self-sufficient. We love him so much; not a day goes by that he doesn't make me laugh hysterically or melt from his sweetness! We love you, Ty!

Baseball Season

Robbie started his first season of competitive coach-pitch baseball. Our neighbor, Morrie, was the head coach, and Rob assisted along with a few more dads (including our beloved pediatrician who found Jimmy's tumor!) Robbie was amazing! He had some of the most amazing plays ever! One kid from another team smashed a ball like 40feet in the air (a big deal to kindergarteners) and Robbie (having done this drill a million times with his dad outside) calmly gaged the distance, got right under it, and caught the ball for an out. The coach on the other team even went up to him in disbelief, asking if he had really caught it! It was so great. He's a great hitter and fielder, and sharp and alert on base. My mom went to his last game. She said he'd get a certain amount of money for outs, hits, catches, runs etc.; he walked away with $17! What a man!

The season wasn't without trial, though. Because of rainout scheduling, all make-ups were on Sundays. We let Robbie make the decision (Rob even pressured him sometimes to see if he was just doing it for us . . .) about each game--including the finals in a tournament where we would be a player shy if he didn't come. Robbie stood his ground each time, saying how important it was to obey the Sabbath. We're so proud of him! He's such an example! As a result, a parent from the team approached us and asked if we choose a new league next year (that doesn't play on Sunday)to please let them know because they wanted to obey the Sabbath too.