Happy 9th Birthday Avery!!!

Things I want to remember about my almost nine year old boy

Tonight is your last night of being 8…tomorrow you turn 9.  Every year I catch my breath when I think of you being one year older.  I still remember holding you, my sweet baby, as if it were yesterday.  You are one of the great loves of my life and your presence is an immeasurable blessing.  My love for you is more expansive than you will ever know.  The following are things I want to remember about you, my beautiful 8 year old boy.  

1.  You love to play.  You would skip school everyday if I would just let you play with your sisters and build Legos.

2.  Time management is not one of your strengths.  You tend to procrastinate or wait until the last minute, opting for "goofing off" as opposed to "getting it done."

3.  Lizards and reptiles are still a favorite.   You have a sweet spot in your heart for injured, cold blooded creatures.

4.  Geography, history, and math are your favorite subjects.  If I can't remember the particular location of a country during a history discussion you are my "go to" person. 

5.  You prefer "sleeping in" to "waking up" early during week days, but ironically prefer rising early on weekends.  Did I mention that you make playing a top priority?

6.  You are my exotic, healthy eater.  You dislike shopping but will enthustiastically join me for a trip to "Central Market" for free samples and a chance to pick out sushi and new never tried fruit. 

7.  Sports are slowly moving up on your priority list and you play full throttle every game.  You have some serious hustle and watching you play is always a delightful experience.

8.  If you go MIA for long periods of time during "schooling" I know exactly where to find you….sitting on the potty reading a "Ranger Rick" magazine.

9.  There is something very genuine and purposeful in just about everything that you do.  I always know where you stand.  I always know when you make a "homespun" present it is made with purpose and love.  I always know you say what you mean and mean what you say.    

10.  While you love playing sports with friends, enjoying a trip to the zoo, and relishing a playground full of boys you are surprisingly a homebody.  You are picky about your activities and weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether the activity is worthy of your time away from Legos and "play time" with your sisters. 

Happy 9th Birthday Sweet Boy!!!!!      

First day of LIfeShine!

In addition to homeschooling, Avery and Amelia are attending a unique program one day a week called LifeShine.  The program is specifically for Christian homeschooling families and provides enrichment classes in a fun group setting. 

Technically we began homeschooling on August 11th.  However, I wanted official "1st day of school pictures"on the first day they began LifeShine.  Why?  Because attending LifeShine involves taking a lunch and backpack, and somehow these two items make me nostalgic for the traditional school of my past.  Additionally, there was a certain excitement surrounding the start date of this activity that matched the same excitement I used to feel on the first day of school.  

To prepare for LifeShine the kids selected a backpack, which was easy.  However, selecting an embroidery embellishment for their backpack proved to be difficult for both kids.  Amelia finally settled on a dog that Avery thought looked too boyish.  Avery selected a shark that Amelia felt looked to ferocious.  In the end, both choices were well suited for each child.  

They filled their backpacks with school supplies and packed their own lunch boxes the day before school.  Amelia set out a special outfit that she especially liked.  Avery picked out an outfit that he has worn a hundred times because he knows it is comfortable.  On their first day both kids popped out of bed, followed all of my instructions, and jump into the car when it was time to go.  Wow, if only everyday were like the first day of school.

After arriving at LifeShine the excitement of something new started to wear off and the reality of the unknown began to sink in.  Amelia became very shy and timid, and Avery became silent.  I knew they would have a good day but wasn't sure how to convey that to the kids, so I gave them a kiss and smile and told them that they would enjoy their first day.  Sure enough, after picking them up from school they were all smiles and had lots of stories.  It was a good day. 

San Antonio Zoo Fun Run!

This past Saturday the kids participated in a fun run at the San Antonio Zoo.  None of the kids had any race experience, nor did they have a "practice run" before the race, which is too bad, because we discovered on race-day that poor Audrey didn't have a proper pair of sneakers.   She raced in her favorite pair of beat-up shoes, which didn't bother her in the least.  However, this did leave me feeling guilty, leading me to the shoe store following the race for a new pair, Audrey's choice.

On race-day Audrey ran a 1/4 mile race with girls ages 4-5.  The 4-5 year olds were allowed to run with a parent, but Audrey was the only child who elected to run by herself.  She started the race by herself and finished by herself.   This little girl can be very independent and has some serious determination.  Following the race she asked when she could race again.  

Amelia began her 1/2 mile run with girls ages 6-7 timidly, but finished with a huge smile of relief.  Between the three kiddos, Amelia was the only one unsure she wanted to run the event.  Shane and I were so proud, considering her timid personality, that she willingly participated and loved cheering her across the finish line.  Although Amelia was sore the next day, she did confirm that she wanted to run another race in the future…yay! 

Avery ran with a bunch of 8-9 boys that meant business.  They started their 1/2 race sprinting and ended it sprinting.  As Avery approached the finish line I witnessed the shear determination smeared across his face turn to shear joy when he saw Amelia and Audrey cheering him on, at which point he broke concentration, then smiled and waved at the girls.  He placed second in his age division.  

Bats at the Cave

Over Labor Day weekend we made a visit to Sea World (completely disappointing), hung out with work buddies at a pool party (very refreshing), and made a return trip to Old Tunnel Cave for an evening viewing of the bat emergence (totally fun)!!!  

Although we visited the same cave almost 3 years ago the experience of watching the bats emerge second time around was just as interesting.  Additionally, Avery is the only kiddo with vague memories of our first bat emergence encounter.  I love that Texas has such a diverse bat population and appreciate the viewing opportunity.  However, this experience is fun for other reasons as well.  We enjoy driving to the hill country and seeing a beautiful sunset on our way out.  The kids like the hiking and exploring at "Old Tunnel State Park" before the bat viewing.  A short walk from "Old Tunnel" is a cute Cafe for a pre-viewing meal.  This is one of our favorite experiences around the San Antonio area! 

Take a second look at the background…All those gray things are actually bats!  You can make out some with a full wing spread on the left of the picture