Thursday, September 21, 2023

Cadence is a TEEN!

Our oldest is a TEENAGER - how is that even possible?!  The other day, after I said goodnight to her, I told Danny, "she's such a good kid."  She had everything all packed up for a weekend trip we were about to take.  I don't know - something about that moment just made me stop and think about how lucky we are to have her as our daughter.  She's pretty stinkin' responsible when it comes to her schoolwork, getting ready for practices, making sure she stays first chair clarinet, the list goes on.  She runs cross country at school and plans to try out for the 8th grade softball team.  She has given up piano, but still strives to be the best in clarinet with the 8th grade band.  She's not content with receiving anything less than an A on her school assignments and tests.  It's so funny because when it comes to cross country or softball, she looks at is as more of something to do with friends and a way to get some exercise; but with clarinet, the moment she gets challenged, you better believe she's practicing her clarinet that night.  Even though she gets annoyed by her little brother a lot, I know she still loves him and she thinks he's hilarious.  I think she's gotten better at managing her stress levels and her anxiety, but I see some of her tics are still there.  She always wants to know what we have planned for the weekend and is always down to have a good time.  She still has her 2 core besties, but her friend group is expanding, mainly with girls from cross country.  She's got a hard exterior, but is such a caring kid.  She still amazes us with her creativity and can whip up impressive YouTube shorts.  She's an awesome kid and I know she's going places!

She wanted to have a pool party/sleepover with her 2 besties, Macie & Lilly, for her birthday.  The girls were even kind enough to let lil' bro in on the fun.



Mac & cheese & chicken tenders for dinner!

We decided on a chocolate cake...

...that the girls would decorate with chocolate goodies



They did a great job and it tasted awesome!





The next morning we headed to Bareclay so the girls could create their own pottery.  There was a learning curve, for sure, but Cadence handled it like a boss.  I think she had the most fun.  Her friends got pretty frustrated at times and she was able to help them out!














The morning of her ACTUAL birthday 😊


Colin helped me sneak and create her chalk art while she showered the night before her birthday.  He did a great job!

Mom was with the kids during the day of Cadence's birthday - she sent me this pic of the kids playing chess!  I love that they both enjoy the game - I sure don't!

That night, we had KFC for dinner!

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Battle of the Birds!

The stars finally aligned (and the weather finally cooperated), so we could hold the "Battle of the Birds" game against the New Albany Eagles.  Danny and the head coach of the New Albany 10u team are both on the board for Fry Out Cancer.  The boys played a great baseball game (they were neck-and-neck in terms of skill level) and both teams' families had a nice time getting together.  Matt Freedman, who started the organization, fried turkeys and brought them to the fields for everyone to feast on after the game.  On the Fry Out Cancer site, it states that the post-game potluck meal featured 98 pounds of fried turkey breast!  The event raised more than $1,000 for cancer research at OSUCCC-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. It was a nice way to create more awareness around Fry Out Cancer.  As they say, #GiveCancerTheBird.






Memorial Day 2023

We didn't have any baseball on Memorial Day, so Mike, Gina, and the dogs came over to hang out!  Momma and Pops were RVing, I sent them some pictures!




We had a nice day with great weather, pool, and sangria!

2023 Memorial Day Eagle Classic

Over Memorial Day weekend, Colin and his 10u teammates participated in the Memorial Day Eagle Classic tournament.  They won both of their games on Friday evening during pool play, but lost on Sunday during bracket play.  It was a great weekend for baseball - check out the pictures below!

Players from Colin's team were matched up with players from the 8u Generals team to act as big brothers for the tournament.  With the matchup, both teams were supposed to support and encourage each other.  Colin was matched with Coby from the 8u team, so Colin went to his game on Friday evening to cheer him on.  Coby gave Colin some good baseball goodies!


I think Cadence and Macie spent most of the weekend in the concession stand.  The kids love it in there.

It was hot that weekend, so before Sunday's games, Colin was hydrating!  He said he looks so "drippy" in this picture.  I had to Google the slang term - it means cool & fashionable 😆

I got a couple of pictures (mostly videos of him batting)...


And Jessica sent me some cute pictures she got as well 😊

Goofing around after the game.  I'm glad they were in good spirits even though the outcome of the game on Sunday isn't what they had hoped for!

Monday, September 18, 2023

Photos We Sent to Dad

The following pictures are those that we sent to Danny during any business trips he had during April and May.  Enjoy!

After Cadence got her braces off, she also had a hair appointment!

Before school shenanigans

Lil' bro and I waiting for one of Cadence's 7th grade softball games to start.

Dinnertime 

Before school goof


Making eggs

Bed head

Walking out the door before school

On the way to school

Dinnertime again

Before school

I'm not sure what this is...

Almost the last day of school!