Kora Style

Its a bit chilly out this morning but the kids still wanted to go outside and play. They went off to their rooms to get dressed with only the criteria that they needed long sleeves, socks and long pants.

And this is what Kora emerged in. I love her creativity. No matching for this kiddo.

Tucker’s First Basketball Season

 

The winter of 2013 was Tuck’s first experience with basketball.  He played at the Boys and Girls Club.  All of his teammates were new friends; none of his classmates from ELA played this year.

The first practice was like herding chickens.  I admire Coach Hesler for taking on this seemingly insurmountable task of taking these fledgling players and creating players out of them. 

But with each practice they all gained confidence and new skills and soon they were suited up and took on the part of a team.

The first games looked like the kids were in a firing line as they all lined up on defense with their hands in the air, all in a line directly under the basket. But after just a couple of games they figured out how to guard (but not steal).

And soon Tuck went from rolling the ball and catching up with it near the free throw line to actually dribbling it down the court. (I apologize for the poor photos but the iPhone in poor light and quick movements were not cooperative).

Can you see the dribbling skills?  Daddy worked with him in the basement after we got our basketballs aired up properly.

Just look at these defensive skills.  His Mamma taught him those.

He wasn’t happy about being benched but he was relatively good about taking his turn.  The kids usually got to play 3 quarters which were 10 uninterrupted minutes.

I wish I could include a video but I haven’t mastered that yet.  It really is amazing to see their improvements.

Coach Hesler, Dean, Carson, Aiden, Joe, Sam, Marie, Tuck and Lane.

Way to go Tuck.  We are impressed with your improvements and we all look forward to many more successful seasons.

Stripper Barbie

Stripper Barbie is hanging out at our house. Her hair is done, shes wearing her necklace and heels but sans clothes. I think this is going to be the new norm for Kora.

Love this girl.

Tuck’s First Basketball Practice

It’s begun.  Tuck has entered the World of Sports.  We signed him up for Micro-Basketball at the Boys and Girls Club for 4 and 5 year olds.  It’s going to be like herding chickens!

 

He is a pretty good shooter but his dribbling skills have something to be desired.  Of course he hasn’t had much practice over his few 5 years because all of our basketballs are low on air.  It seems we can find either the needle or the pump but never both at the same time. 

He told me last night that he was going to score 130 points and they would all be slam dunks.

It’s going to be a good 10 game season and we are all looking forward to it.

One Hot Momma, If I do say so myself

TJ, upon my strong suggestion, got me a makeover and photo shoot for Mother’s Day.  This, to make up for the IOU that I got last year for the mother’s ring which conveniently arrived under the Christmas tree.  But I digress.

This Mother’s Day package was with our Photographer: Photographed by Ed and the lovely ladies at the Main Street Hair Company. I gave Kyri carte blanche with my hair; my only criteria was that I had to be able to blow dry and go once I was released on my own.  They talked me into highlights and I am so glad that they did. They turned out so nice. I’d forgotten that blondes do have more fun.

There ended up one other lady that was doing the same gift package at the same time. We ended up tag teaming in front of the camera and we had great fun “helping” each other with poses. I was on the receiving end of more support, I must admit. Ed told me I was his only client who had ever asked for a cleavage shot (which I think is good since he does mainly families and seniors) but  I figure that one will be TJ’s next gift.  And I must admit it was more of a challenge to get said shot than I imagined.  Thus all the previous mentioned “help”.

This is a sneak peek that I was given. 

I asked Ed later how much Photoshopping he had to do and he claims it was all done with lighting and makeup.  But I know there should be chubbier cheeks and multiple chins.  I don’t know what kind of magic he pulled to make them disappear!! 

This was such a great experience and one of the best afternoons of “me time” that I’ve ever had.

Many thanks to Ed, Missy and Kyri for making me one Hot Momma.

Hide and Seek

Hide and seek is a popular game around our house.  Mommy and Daddy can still play the slow counting scam but it only lasts so long before we HAVE to go find them.

THIS is what I found last night. 

I got to laughing so hard TJ couldn’t understand what I was trying to tell him. I finally just had to wave him into Tuck’s room.

Tuck was not happy that Kora gave up his good hiding place so quickly.

How many times can I say “Silly kids”?  I sure do love them and all the laughs they generate.

Christmas Decorating: Me vs. Tucker

I love this little sled.  It’s got a metal base and a little Longaberger basket that sits on top.  I usually add some pinecones and add it to some little ensemble.

I just love it.

But Tucker got ahold of it and gave it a whole new decorating spin. 

He was so proud.  And I was so proud of his creativity and context.  He was giving all of his “guys” a carriage ride. He has about a million horses but he picked all of the ones that were the same size.

Is this not funny or what?

Kora Playing

Kora will not keep her clothes on.  She’d rather play while wearing just her diaper.  And lately she has insisted upon wearing Tucker’s hat.  It has been loved hard.

Do you remember having one of these Fisher Price xylophones? I know we had one when we were little.  Kora loves it.  It makes quite a racket in close quarters. She will make laps around the house.

Tucker got this Jump-a-lene for Christmas.   It looks like a kissy pool with extra tall sides.  They enjoy jumping in it but lately it has turned into a fort.  They turn it upside down and prop it on chairs and the couch.  Here is Kora and Daddy hiding from the bad guys.  Tuck is on lookout behind the couch.

Pumpkin Patch Trip with Conservation Friends

We made another trip to another pumpkin patch with some girls I work with and all of the kids.  I’m sure I have mentioned in the past that we have been on a baby run for years now, we are averaging a baby every 3-6 months at least for 5 years now.  We are getting to be quite the crowd.

We have made this an annual trip.  This year it was pretty chilly and I was not prepared with hats.

The other kids were well prepared though.  Needless to say they all had fun anyway.

The duck races were a big hit.

And the race is on…

and here comes Kora in the back stretch.

Tuck picked out a prime one.

We borrowed a hat.  Is this not the best little ensemble?

We are in the corn maze.  Which way do we go?

And here are the last of the worn out kiddos on the way to the car.  What a great day with friends.

Missy’s Pumpkin Patch Trip

Every year Missy arranges a trip to the pumpkin patch.  The kids get to pick out a pumpkin to carve/decorate and they have a competition at the Halloween party.

Kora picked out her own this year.

Tucker in the wagon.  He is flushed from the laps he and the other boys were running through the corn maze.

This is Tuck and his friend Henry.

Kora’s gourd.

This was another successful trip.  Way to go Missy.