Baby Steps & Birthday Parties

John Michael starting taking some steps on Tuesday and has taken 3 or 4 steps several times since then. He then gets excited and either sits down or loses his balance. He is very proud of himself though with a great big smile across his face. He is a very busy little guy already and walking will probably only increase his rate of activity. I told someone the other day that either I have forgotten this stage with Samuel, or Samuel was not this active, or I am just too old now to keep up with him. He keeps us on our toes! Samuels' 8th birthday party is tonight at the movie theatre with the premier of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" animated movie. Several of his buddies will be there for the movie and cake afterwards. He is so excited! I'm sure Mrs. Sparks will have a rough time keeping his attention at school today.

First Day of School for TWO Boys

Yes, Samuel AND John Michael started school this week. I don't know which one loved it more. Monday was John Michael's first day at Imagination Station, a new preschool here in town that just opened on Monday. I am SO impressed so far. The facilities are wonderful, bright, shiney, and new! The directors are very experienced and very professional. His teachers are loving and patient. He goes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until 1:30ish. He gets to experience a music & art room, a puppet room, indoor & outdoor play grounds, and a Bible lesson everyday. Monday, the director said he just had a ball! Of the eight kids in his class, he was the only one that didn't cry at all! Some cried from the time they got there. He only fussed when I picked him up off a new toy to leave. I'm glad he loves it! Samuel started at the bright, shiney, and new Northport Elementary school yesterday. He is BMOC (big man on campus) with 2nd graders being the eldest at the new school. He loves the second grade hall and his classroom which are both all decked out in a sports theme. He informed me yesterday afternoon that he was a little nervous about a new school but about halfway through the day he was used to his new teacher and had the new school all figured out so "he was good" to put it in his words. I'm glad they both love their learning environments. They are both really cool and made me want to either go back to kindergarten or teach! Good luck to all our kids who went back to school this week! It's going to be a great year!

Giggles

This morning while getting ready for work, Samuel went to John Michael's room to entertain while I finished up. I was listening through the baby monitor and loved hearing Samuel making his brother laugh. They were both laughing, playing, and enjoying each other. We are so blessed to have two healthy, happy boys. We are done with baseball! The world series was this past weekend and we had a great time. I say we finished up just in time to avoid the 100 degree temperatures this week. Samuel was sad to be finished and he will miss his team mates. Only one other boy on his team goes to his school so he doesn't have much interaction, other than at the ball field, with the others. They had a blast playing and swimming at the hotel during the three day stay. We had the entire 6th floor of the Homewood Hampton Inn to ourselves and it's likely to never be the same. Hall Ball was a huge hit with these seven year olds and many lasting friendships were made. They were already talking about Fall Ball at Kentuck when the weekend came to a close.

Fourth of July Fun

This was taken at Sunshine Pointe on the fourth of July. John Michael enjoyed playing in, and eating, the sand while Samuel enjoyed swimming in the lake and jumping off the pier and was not available for photos. Too busy for that! We all had a great time and enjoyed the fireworks.

Northport 7-Year Old Americans - 4th in the State

Our team finished up the state tournament Monday night coming in 4th in the state. They did a fantastic job and are now looking forward to the World Series next weekend in Gardendale. It should be a lot of fun.