3rd RUNNER-UP in the S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G-B-E-E!!!

We are bursting with pride today!!! Gabe came home on Friday and announced that he was a finalist for the Second Grade Spelling Bee!! We practiced the "suggested" words all weekend.....and this morning.....we, oh I meant Gabe, felt ready to tackle the Bee!! There are 4 second grade classes, in which there are approximately 24 kids per class..that of which the top 5 spellers went on to the Spelling Bee today....so just getting to the finals was a huge accomplishment! This morning Gabe woke up with a tummy ache....I assured him he was not sick those were just the "Spelling Bees" in his tummy! I gave him my Mommy pep talk letting him know how extremely proud we were of him...no matter how he did---and I told him that there were about 70 other kids that would love to just get the chance to be in the finals---so no matter if he was the winner or got out in the first round...there would be absolutely nothing to be ashamed of!! So, off to the Bee we went....practicing the hardest words on the walk to school! Gabe did fabulous--He was the 3rd runner up overall and the top speller from his class! He made it through all of the rounds in the spelling words--words they had had on their weekly spelling tests and to the 3rd round on the challenge words--words that are from 4th-6th grade spelling tests. And I'm sure the question on all minds, "Which word got him?" ABBREVIATION!!! Crazy a word that means shortened---why in the world does it have to be so long??!!! He did however spell DISCRIMINATION correctly----Pretty impressive if you ask me!!! There were 2 young ladies that had the bee to themselves for 7 or 8 rounds when finally one of them misspelled "spry". But, before that they spelled words like algorithm, paleontologist, arachnid, and parallelogram! I'm wondering how many average adults these second graders could have beat??!! Gabe we are so very proud of you------Way to go---3rd RUNNER-UP is AWESOME!!!
The Final 4! Gabe is sitting behind the girl standing up.....who happens to be the Champion!

The Jets Game Day!!!

Saturday was a big day!!! Grady had his T-Ball game!!! Their team did a lot better than any of the parents had envisioned they would! Everyone hit the ball, dropped the bat and ran to first base! They had made the field a little smaller for the game, so that threw the kids off a bit...when they were running to second base, they ran in circles looking for it! When it was time to take the outfield...most of the kids seemed to know what they were to be doing! Grady even fielded the ball one time and threw it to home base.....unfortunately, we didn't have a catcher...oh well!! At least he knew what to do once he got the ball!! After the game we headed for Spiro's for pizza, cupcakes and trophies!! The highlight was definitely the trophies!!! A great day to the end of Grady's first baseball season!! Can't wait for next year! GO JETS!!

Making his first score...ever!!! Yay Grady!!

Spiro's Pizza---Yumo!!!

The Spring Showcase and Author's Night!

Last night we had the pleasure of watching Gabe's end of the year program and listening to him present one of his stories....that he wrote all by himself! The second graders sang 3 different songs....my favorite was the silly song of course...they wore red clown noses for the entire song...or as long as they would stay on!! After the program we headed to Gabe's classroom for snacks and the sharing of the stories! Gabe did an absolutely awesome job--he was the only one to share a story that was a non-fiction story----Everyone had the opportunity to learn last night!! We were so very proud of Gabe's story....after the sharing was complete several people told Gabe what a great story he wrote...with even a few asking me if I had helped him write it...which I proudly said, "No!" He did it all by himself!! I know this may bore some and yes, not every word is spelled or used correctly...but I really want to share his story and as biased as I may be--I think it is fabulous!...so here we go!

The Terrible Story in 1912 II

In 1912 there were no airplanes. If you wanted to get across the vast ocean you had to go by ship. There were three ships going to be built. There names were, Olympic, Titanic, and Gigantic. Olympic was actually built in 1908 then, four years later Titanic was ready. The captain was Captain Smith. For three days the ride was smooth, but on the night April 14 at 11:40 p.m., lookout Frederick Fleet spotted a gloomy shape in the Titanic's path. He rang the bell three times. 37 seconds ticked by, the Titanic struck the iceberg! Many people didn't feel a bump or hear a scratching noise. Smith and Thomas Andrews (the man who built most of the ship) went down to see for them self's. Andrews could hardly believe it. Six of the Titanic's compartments had already flooded. The Titanic could stay afloat with four-but not with six. By 2:15 a.m. Smith gave the word "It's every man for himself." At 2:20 a.m. the Titanic sank still carrying 1,500 people. Only 705 survived the disaster.

By: Gabe Fox Age 7

The Laker's Last Game!

Last night was the Laker's last game of the season!! I will just start out with... Gabe had a fantastic game!!! Because as you loyal readers know....mid-season I changed how I judge a game...it is a good game if Gabe does well...that has made the last part of the season so much more enjoyable! The Lakers lost their last game....there was much they could have done differently, but with the young team we had....they did fine. Gabe had 3 fabulous hits...that boy seems to amaze me a little more each game---he got an R.B.I on one, but unfortuately one of his prettiest (can I use that referring to baseball?!!) was a pop fly to left field...and wouldn't you know the best player on the opponents team would be out there to catch it! Why couldn't one of their dandelion pickers of been there?!! He also cleanly fielded several balls and made an out while playing second base! I have seen so much improvement in Gabe this year....We are so proud of his dedication to doing better....We can't wait for next season.....a whole year to improve....watch out MLB here comes Gabe Fox!!!!

Party On, Lakers!!

Gabe and Coach Brian during the trophy presentation!

Tonight we went to the local hangout, Spiro's, for the Lakers End of the Season party! We had some yummy pizza and a good time chatting with the rest of the team parents! The boys had a good time joking and laughing as only a group of 7 and 8 year old boys can! The boys also received their trophies....and as usual the Coach said a little something special to each player! Coach Brian said Gabe was a kid with a lot of talent, that he tried again and again to challenge Gabe by putting him in different positions...but each time Gabe would prove he could do just as well at the new position--We have been telling Gabe over and over how well he does at baseball, but we are just his crazy parents--what do we know?? It is hard to believe in January when we were signing up for baseball he didn't even want to play!! Thankfully, we got him coaxed into the idea! We have been blessed with the best coaches while doing sports up here...first and foremost the Coaches make sure the kids are learning skills of the game...while having fun---Sure we would all like a win, but the kids really are having fun and that really is the most important thing! GO LAKERS!

Gabe and his very best buddy, Charlie!!

Lakers vs. Tigers!

This was again another rematch.....that ended with less than stellar results!! Why is it we are having rematches against teams that beat us....I would like a rematch against some we have beat!! But my new mindset is that as long as Gabe has a good game---that is all that matters...and he had an awesome game!! He had three great hits...scoring off of two of them! He also played first base twice which he rocked!! He was able to get an out while playing first and fielded the ball like a pro twice while playing pitcher!! Unfortunately, the other first baseman was having an off day, and dropped the ball both times Gabe threw it to him, so although he fielded the ball clean, it didn't result in an out! bummer! Gabe has improved so much this year----we are really having a good time watching him....I remember his first year playing how frustrated we felt at times---I am now enjoying sitting back watching our little fella actually look like he knows what he is doing!! I do have to admit though, I still think it is hilarious to watch little fellas playing in the dirt.....as long as they aren't mine!!! ha! We have our End of the Season party tonight and then one last game on Monday!!! GO LAKERS!!

***Sorry we are a little light on pictures....I kept score this game...it is a little bit tougher score keeping for this league...t-ball was much easier! Fortunately no one yelled at me!!!

Field Day at Picnic Point Elementary!

Friday was Field Day at Gabe's school! Grady and I had been guilted in to volunteering to help out, but I have to admit we really had a great time! The Picnic Point field day is not like anything we participated in....they only have a couple of races the rest are fun activities....not so much a competition of athletic ability, but more a day of fun! I would have appreciated a field day like this when I was a kid....I am anything but athletic! The station I manned was called Tire Croquet! Basically it was a life-size game of croquet....the loops that the ball would usually go through were big enough for a kid to fit in and instead of a ball the kids rolled a tire!! This was a hoot to watch--most of the kids thought it looked easy and then it would be their turn and the first thing they all said was," This is a lot harder than it looks!" Gabe finally made his way over to my station right before the end---he had ran the marathon, 50 meter dash, but he had spent most of his time in the homerun derby, soccer shoot, and shoe toss! Grady also had a good time...he helped me line kids up, but he mainly flirted with the older girls---he also has a friend from preschool whose sisters go to picnic point, so they were able to hang out a little bit as well! We had so much fun that next year they won't even have to guilt me into volunteering!

Gunnar and Gabe trying their skill at Tire Croquet!!

Gabe having a ball at the Potato Sack Race!And Sir Grady....chillaxin' with the ladies!! I believe these two were buttering up little bro in hopes to get to Gabe!! The one with darker hair has a little crush on Gabe...while the one in white Our little Gabe has a tad of a crush on....aaahhh Elementary Love!! Hee Hee!

One more practice before the Jets BIG GAME!!!

Thursday night was the Jets next to last practice!! At practice this week they again practiced the skill of knowing when someone was "Out" and when someone was "Safe". Grady has really gotten the hang of this....he was always the first one to answer--and he was always right!! More than I can say for some Umpires in Gabe's league!! HA!! When it was his turn to run from first to second he beat the ball once and the next time he got out...but it really didn't seem to affect him too much! He also had the chance to throw the ball in the attempt to get someone out...the first time the Coach at second bumbled the ball, but Grady had a very accurate throw...after watching for a while the Coach appeared to be bumbling on purpose, so the kids would not always get out! On his second throw, he got the person out....and he was sure to let them know the child was out! They also practiced some hitting and running bases; most of the kids seem to be getting the idea of which base to run to next...which is vast improvement from the beginning of the season! I can't wait for the big game next Saturday....that should be priceless!! GO JETS!! Look at the form on this boy!!! When I first looked at the picture - I was sure this must have been a picture of Gabe running....but after closer examination I figured it out to be Grady--Gabe would never wear a Thomas the Tank Engine hat ANYWHERE!! Thank goodness the boys get their stride from Shawn...I would have hated for them to get that from my genes---I am anything but graceful....and Shawn always makes fun of the way I run!!

Enjoying the Sunshine with Friends!

Wednesday, Grady and I spent a day in Carla and Josiah's back yard!!! The boys played at the sand table, in the sprinklers, on the playset, and enjoyed a lunch on the deck! The weather has been absolutely gorgeous the last couple of weeks...I don't think it has even rained--that has to be some sort of record since we have been here!!! Unfortunately, with the beautiful weather, I have been getting absolutely NOTHING done, except for playing outside! I keep joking that I need a rainy day to get motivated to get the end of the school year stuff done...before the end of the school year! Anywho, we had a great time....I'm not sure who had more fun-the boys running and playing until their hearts content or Carla and I who sat and gabbed the whole time in lounge chairs....hmmm....I think it is pretty even!! A Great day with Great friends...does life get any better??!!

Lakers vs. Red Sox

This game was a rematch of the first game of the season! Unfortunately, the game ended in the same result...a loss, but there was vast improvement!! As I read recently concerning another baseball team, "The success of the season will not be measured in games won, but in the improvement of skills." I think this statement fits our team perfectly---In the last game against the Red Sox, they 5-runned us each inning - the max. number of scores per inning-- this time they never 5-runned us! We were able to get quite a few first base outs which helped in keeping the score a little closer! Playing this team, which by the way, is in their second year of playing together, comprised of mainly 2nd graders, made evident what this all knowing mom (ha!) already new....we may not be the winningest team, but there is a huge difference from the beginning to the end of the season! Gabe had a pretty good game! He played right field, pitcher, short stop and second base....this seems to be the positions he plays most! He made a couple of good stops at pitcher and what would have been an awesome play at second---if only there had been anyone running to second...oops! In his defense, every other time there was someone running to second...it just didn't happen that time! He also hit 2 pop flys which his friend, Gunnar caught...boo! He did have a good drive past short stop to get him on base with an R.B.I.! We have two more games to finish out the season, one on Friday and one on Monday---I am hoping for a winning end to the season!! GO LAKERS!!!