Kindergarten Round-Up

Today I took my baby to school for kindergarten round up. As we pulled in the parking lot at the school all I could think about was how fast the years have gone. I mean come August I'll have Damon entering high school which will start a whole new chapter in his life, Courtney going to 6th grade finishing up the end of her elementary years and my baby walking in the school to just begin her journey. I thought to myself I can't believe I'm here with Makenna this just doesn't seem right. As most of you might know Makenna could have gone to school this year but due to her having a late summer birthday, her daddy and I decided it would be best to send her to preschool for one more year. We thought being another year older would just make things easier but I'm not sure if we held her out the year to make it easier on her or easier on us to let her go. Problem is, it doesn't get easier on the parent! No matter how long you wait there will come the time for school. The main thing is Makenna was excited to be there and was very confident about her surroundings. The kids all got to watch a short video on school bus safety and after the video actually got to go outside to get on a bus and check it out. It was so cute to hear them all talk amongest one another about starting school. Many of them including Makenna thought they got to come back tomorrow to start kindergarten. It was at that point I realized she was going to do just fine in school as she felt comfortable being there with the other kids and was ready for the next step of her journey in life.

Until next time.......Maria

The Dentist

Today was Makenna's first trip to the dentist. I've been meaning to make her an appointment for a long time but as we all know time gets away from us and you all know the rest of the story. So we headed to her appointment which was at 3:30 and got in right on time which is a good thing when you are dealing with a very inpatient 5 year old. It was so funny the entire drive she kept asking me all kind of questions like what the dentist was going to do to her, how long would it take, would it hurt and on and on. So, I was glad we didn't have to sit in the waiting room for very long as she would have just been in a state of worry. Myra came out and called for "Makenna" and Makenna said "right here I am". She said "come on mom, lets get this show on the road" and away we went. Myra did such a great job with her telling her everything she was going to do and what all the tools were for, etc. The best part for Makenna was getting to pick out her own toothpaste flavor and which she decided on the cookie dough. She was such a trooper and even had x-rays taken. I was so very proud of her and how she was behaving like such a big girl. When she was all finished she got to pick out her own toothbrush, sticker, pencil, etc and got a little goody bag to take with her for doing such a great job on her first visit. When we were getting ready to leave she told Myra she wanted her to clean her teeth next time and I think that made Myra feel really good coming from a 5 year old little girl on her first visit.

On the way home Makenna told me that going to the dentist wasn't too bad and she was glad I got to say in the room with her. I told her I would always be there for her to make sure she is safe as that is the most important part of being a mommy.......just being there for your kids.

Until next time.......Maria

Happy Birthday Damon and Karlye!!!!

Due to the fact that I just started my blog last Thursday, I want to back up in my post just a bit to recognize a couple birthdays. Damon turned 14 on February 9th and Mark and Amy's daughter (a couple in our small group) Karlye turned 3 on the 10th. We decided to have a party at Mark and Amy's house with all the couples in our small group to celebrate the births of these two very special kids. It was a nice Sunday evening with temps in the 50's. Mark and Mike took over at the grill with burgers and dogs while Amy and I got all the sides ready. Everyone was able to make it which made for a great time. We enjoyed supper and ice cream cake and presents to follow.

It is both a happy but yet kind of a sad time when your child has a birthday. Happy to see them growing up and becoming their own person yet sad as you look back on the years and how fast time really does go. So Damon and Karlye this post is dedicated to both of you from all of us that love you both very much!!!

Until next time........Maria

Saturday Night

Tonight, I'm taking Damon and his friend Kalin to see the movie Mall Cop. He has been wanting to go for a few weeks now but there has been a ballgame or something going on. Mike is going to his buddy Darren's house to play cards/poker with the guys in our small group. Courtney is at Bible Memory Camp for the weekend and will come home tomorrow afternoon. Kalin's mom Cathy is going to watch Makenna for the evening so I think all our bases are covered. I'm looking forward to taking the boys out to the movie. Damon is growing up so fast and I enjoy those times far and few between that he and I can just "hang out" together. I know in a couple years he'll be driving and out with his friends but I hope that he doesn't forget his ole mom!

Today was the first softball open gym. Court missed due to being at camp but Makenna got to give it a try for the first time. She actually did pretty good and has quite the arm on her. I went with her and Mike so I could take a few pictures to post. We will see how things go next Saturday and see if she wants to give it a go this summer.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend and remember to think spring : )

Until next time........Maria

Basketball

Last night Damon and Court both played their last games for the regular season. Damon will be in a tourney next weekend in Jasper and may play a few others. It is hard when they both play the same night as we have to do the ole split as parents so they each have a parent at his or her game. Last night Makenna and I stayed in Montgomery to go to Damon's game. He played WRV and the team came out with a victory. The 8th grade ended the season posting a 18-3 record which is pretty good and a result of many hard practices. Mike got the pleasure of going to Bloomfield to be with Court. Her game went to overtime and they came up a little short. Overall the 5th grade girls posted a 8-5 record for the season.

It is hard to believe that it is time to move on to the next sport. Tomorrow afternoon Court and Makenna both start open gym practices for softball. This should be quite interesting as this will be the first time for Makenna to play any sport. We signed her up for dance class two years ago but that didn't work out so well because you have to stand still, listen and pay close attention.......well needless to say that was a lost cause. So we will see how this goes and take it one practice at a time. Mike will again coach the 10u team that Court plays on and any time left from that I'm sure he will be involved helping Makenna. Damon is undecided about playing baseball this summer. His one true love has turned out to be Cross Country and he will start conditioning for that as soon as basketball is done.

Until next time.........Maria

Expressions

I have been debating about starting a blog for a long time. There are several people I know that have a blog so I thought what the heck....it is now or never! My main reason for the blog is I wanted a way to express my thoughts and feelings about events and happenings in my life so one day I can look back and see where I've been and where I have come. To give a brief overview of myself, I have been married to my husband Mike for 16 years and I love him just as much today as the day I said "I do". We are the parents of three beautiful children and I would like to take some time to express my feelings about them. First, there is our 14 year old son Damon. There are so many things I could say about this young man but most of all he is just a super person inside and out. His dad and I are so proud of him and he is headed for great things in his life. Second, is our soon to be 11 year old daughter Courtney. "Court" as we all call her in the family is a very outgoing young lady and quite the social butterfly. She makes her dad and I proud in so many ways. Last but not least is 5 year old Makenna. Lets just say she was "cut from a different cloth" as her daddy says. She doesn't have a shy bone in her body, doesn't meet a stranger and sends a new challenge our way each day! She is our baby and is headed for kindergarten in the fall. We love these kids so much. Our lives revolve around being a part of theirs. So, as you can tell, with 3 very active kids I will for sure have many days ahead of me to "express" myself.

Until next time.............Maria