Mama's Soup Surprise!

Every year the Kindergarten class prepares for their annual Hoedown, Yee Haw! Each child brings in a flannel or plaid shirt, patches are added and twine makes the perfect belt. This year I was able to volunteer so my job was to help paint faces. Each class rotated through several sets of games like "hot pumpkin" and the like. If you were caught with the pumpkin you sat in the middle of the circle. The kids also performed the "Chicken Dance" and "Mama's Soup Surprise" dances for everyone to see. Kindergarten is so much fun!

Luke got caught with the "hot pumpkin"

Seriously...look at the size of this boy next to Luke! I don't care how long I could have held him he'll never be this big!

Mrs. Chapman (Luke's teacher) leading the kids in the Chicken Dance.

Luke and Riley are "Doe-sey-Doe-ing".

Nolan's Fall Coach Pitch Season

This fall Drew coached Nolan's 8U select baseball team and let's just say it was a season of growth! Actually, in the end these boys improved tremendously but that first tournament was a killer! Nolan's Mustang team was made up of a group of the most talented boys in the Grapevine Recreational League playing against boys in extremely competitive teams with paid ex-pro baseball players as coaches. What an eye opener! That said, I'm glad Nolan was given the chance to improve his game and I think he enjoyed playing on a team of boys that were equally talented.

Awaiting the pitch.

A hit!

Always ready to run...although maybe next year he should face the batter! :)

Although a coach pitched Nolan played the pitcher position which kept him on his toes and he made some awesome plays to first base.

Luke's Fall T-Ball Season

Last fall Luke played another round of beginner t-ball with his best buddies: Nathan, Owen, Bryson, Luke N. and Amanda. As always, beginner t-ball provides a substantial amount of humor but this was Luke's "break out" season...he actually started making some outs! After he overheard a discussion I had with Nolan about doing chores and being paid Luke wanted to be "paid" as well so I made him a deal: for every out he made at his game that night I'd pay him $1. That night he earned $4! He turned into a little "out" machine! He often played the position of pitcher or 2nd base. Ian Kinsler plays 2nd base for the Texas Rangers so Luke decided early in the season he was going to wear his pants "Ian Kinsler" style which is pulled up to his knees with his socks showing. Ian Kinsler would be flattered!

Luke's turn to bat and enjoying the spotlight!

Safe at 1st (good gracious, do you see how big that girl is playing 1st base?!)

Love this picture of his tongue sticking out while he's concentrating on the upcoming play.

Sure it's a swing and a miss but look at that concentration! His form isn't too shabby either!

Luke showing off his end of season trophy!

1st Day of School - 2011

Today marks another milestone in the Wilson family as Luke entered Kindergarten at Johnson Elementary School! He's been waiting for this day for 2 years (ever since Nolan started going to school). While it's a fact he will be one of the younger kindergarten students in his class with a May birthday what I DO know is he's ready to learn!

Sunday night both boys were in bed by 9pm and Luke fell fast asleep however Nolan's mind was turning wondering who was going to be his friend in his classroom this year. After about 45 minutes of tossing and turning (and a dose of Melatonin) he fell fast asleep. Both boys woke up fairly quickly the next morning (they are used to sleeping until 9am-ish!) and got ready, ate breakfast and posed for some 1st day of school pictures. I know the day is coming when taking pictures isn't going to be very "cool" for Nolan but until then I'm snapping away like the paparazzi!

We walked Nolan to his 2nd grade classroom first and he seemed at ease so we said our goodbyes and then walked Luke onto his kindergarten classroom which we have the good fortune to be with the same kindergarten teacher that Nolan had 2 years ago. Luke also seemed at ease as did Dane because the next thing we knew he was sitting alongside the other kindergarten students flipping through a book! We said our goodbyes to Luke and left. Not sure if being with Luke for the last 9 months caused this but...this time I actually had watery eyes and a lump in my throat. Looking at Dane as we left the school all I could think of was "and then there was one". The next time I have a kindergartener Nolan will be moving on to Intermediate school (grade 5) and Luke will be going into the 3rd grade. I guess there's not much I can do but accept that time marches on...

Breakfast together!

Luke (kindergarten) & Nolan (2nd grade)

Luke's smile cracks me up!

Nolan looks grown up in this picture.

As does Luke!

Dane woke up and came out to join in on the fun! He immediately claimed Luke's "pack-pack"!

Mrs. Moss and Nolan (we hear she is highly sought after so we are thrilled that Nolan is in her classroom this year.)

Luke with Mrs. Chapman!

The boys are riding the school bus this year! We took them to school this morning but from here on out they will be picked up and dropped off, curb side!

Dane waited no time before he claimed the backpack and the bus pass from Luke!

Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting

Watch out Kung Fu Panda...Luke Wilson just began karate lessons this week and he's ready to kick some panda booty! Luke was so excited to start karate when we returned from our vacation and on Monday he was issued his itty bitty karate outfit and is already learning a lot. So far we are impressed with what we've seen as not only do they teach karate moves they also require discipline (no goofing off) and they are teaching basic safety skills. Luke is learning his address, phone number and how to get away from a stranger if someone grabs his wrist. He will enjoy 6 weeks of unlimited classes at which time school will start and he'll be a new kindergarten student! I foresee no bullies in Luke's future! ;)

A Wilson Summer Vacation

The Wilson boys (and token girl/mom) left for a week long vacation on July 1st to celebrate the 4th of July with the Meads in Co-do-ra-do before heading to Santa Fe to wrap up a trip of adventure. After losing Luke's Nintendo DS within the first 6 hours of the trip and dealing with Dane's car sickness about an hour outside of Denver the trip could only improve, right?! We were treated to a wonderful hamburger cookout when we arrived at Tammy & Justin's house and the boys (Nolan, Luke, Dane, Riley & Evan) had fun playing in the yard and becoming reacquainted again! In the course of 1 week we did the following: attended a Colorado Rockies baseball game in what felt like record heat (I had to put one of Dane's diapers on the bench in order to sit down); Nolan, Drew and Justin went mountain biking; road the Georgetown Loop "foo foo" train (as pronounced by Dane); visited Tammy's in-laws in Ft Collins for a BBQ, watched fireworks and spent a day swimming at the local water park...all this in Colorado alone! On Wednesday we packed up and headed out only to stop at the USA Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. After 3 hours of touring that amazing facility we headed down to the USA Olympic Training Center for another tour. Both destinations are highly recommended if you have never been there but plan to be in the Colorado Springs area.

We arrived in Santa Fe late Wednesday evening and set out to Madrid, NM the next morning. Unfortunately due to the wildfires we were unable to go to Sandia Peak so we explored the small town of Madrid and all the art galleries. One gallery in particular had very expensive fountains made of beautiful rock. The water softly bubbled out of the top when Luke (who just completed a week of "Bible School Vacation" very politely dipped his hand in and made the sign of the cross. What a FINE Catholic boy he is! Thursday afternoon Butch & Sally arrived and later that evening our very good friends, the Mitchell's joined us at the casita for the remainder of the trip. On Friday we all visited an Indian Pueblo in Taos, NM where Luke got a dream catcher made by a very authentic Indian with long braids and Nolan picked out an authentic Indian drum. On Saturday we visited a living museum which instead of learning about the Indian culture focused on the Spaniards who were living and traveling through the area. We also spent our day at the Santa Fe Plaza having a great southwestern lunch and visiting the St Francis of Assisi Basilica church as well as the Loretto Chapel which has this amazing spiral staircase built with no nails or center support! And because Saturday, July 9th is someone's special day Drew and myself and our friends, Kevin and Jennifer had a nice meal out, without kids! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for watching all 5 kids and hosting a pizza party at the casita!

Below are some pictures from the trip...enjoy!

Wilson boys at the Rockies baseball game

Nolan & Evan

Nolan, Riley & Luke (I think my kids' necks are broken?!)

The boys waiting to board the Georgetown Loop "foo foo" train!

Drew & Dane hanging out the window (before the training was moving of course!)

Riley & Luke paying attention to the Conductor

The boys posing around the plaque of "Diamond Lil" the B-52D Stratofortess airplane

The boys at the USA Olympic Training Center. Notice who thinks he won the gold!!!

(They are showing off their muscles!)

Nolan posing with the gymnast on the rings

Luke posing with the karate men

Dane peeking through the hockey player (if you look close enough you'll see Luke's face poking through the smaller hole!)

The boys "speed skating"

San Francisco de Asis Church - Taos, NM

Indian Pueblo - Taos, NM

Not only is Nolan going to be be-headed he's only got 1 leg to stand on!

Staircase in the Loretto Chapel

Celebrating Drew's birthday!

The one that DEFINITELY got away!

Nolan's 7U Mustangs baseball team just finished their 3rd weekend of tournaments with some pretty exciting games! We were lucky enough to play an 8am and a 9:30am back to back set of games on Saturday morning before it got too terribly hot. We finished the morning with 2 wins. The team then went into tournament play on Sunday and won their first game. Nolan had a great hit with one bounce off the fence. The second game at his second at bat he crushed the ball with an over the fence 2 run home run down the 3rd base line!!! I've never seen his eyes light up like they did in that moment. His team even came out to the plate to celebrate with him! If only I had my camera out at the moment...hopefully there will be a "next" time!

At bat in the 1st game of the day

Nolan holding the ball he hit over the fence. Our neighbor boy went and retrieved it for him!

Nolan's coach giving him a home run sticker on the back of his helmet after the game.

Nolan and Coach Marc after the game. We are thankful for all of Coach Marc's pitching skill!

All the boys!

I think Nolan's in love with his ball!