Sweet face

Sundays

Sundays are for movies, moms and bed! 

Strong are thy walls...

Definitely my single favorite image of the student center so far.

The first pitch

Every year our staff in the Admissions office gets the generous use of Keiger's box seats or party deck for one night at a Dash game. The perk of being a corporate sponsor for that game is that one lucky guest gets to throw out the first pitch. This year, Hayden was elected to represent Salem and throw out the first pitch.

Seriously, have you ever seen a kid so happy? He practiced for DAYS on end and could not wait to go to "the dashes game". We barely made it on time thanks to some traffic but when we got there it was all worth it. The only downside was that Hayden spent the week thinking that he was pitching the whole game.

Hayden: So the dashes don't have enough pitchers and they need me to pitch?
Me: No Hayden, you just get to throw out the first pitch. It's really special.
Hayden: Well if they need me I don't mind pitching the whole game. I can do that.

The kids had an absolute blast. They ate hot dogs and beans and chips and cookies, got new Dash hats and posters and even watched a little of the game. We stayed the WHOLE time, until after 10, and they were champs. Love these memories!

Civic duty

I love taking my kids to vote. This year we have a primary, a runoff and general elections so it's a great year to teach them about our responsibility and privilege to vote!

Hayden: Mom who did we vote for?
Me: Well Hayden we keep our vote a secret, we don't have to tell anyone.
Hayden: Mom. You don't have to keep it a secret from me; you're my son. *pause* Wait, that's not right. I'm YOUR son.

I dodged that question and instead explained to him what a runoff was. He seemed appeased.

Summer fun

My kids are such a cheap date!

This is Lila's cheese face. You might recognize it because it's eerily similar to Hayden's creepy face, reserved for Santa and school photos.

Pool party

For her 8th birthday, Zoe wanted a pool party. The kids are recently obsessed with the water and Hayden is getting braver and braver when it comes to the deep end. We just bought him a new life jacket and he feels like a big kid now!

He also got a haircut "that sticks up" (a mohawk) so he is on top of the world. 

He loves jumping in the water from the side of the pool and loves being able to "see the feets" while he's under the water with his goggles. He's a hoot. Neither one wanted to get out for pizza and cupcakes but they ate fast and got right back in. 

This baby girl is fearless and loves swimming in her "wife jacket". Especially with her daddy!