Fabulously Fun Friday Lunch

I'm trying to get creative with James' lunches for school. I'm sure this is nothing new to you seasoned mothers, but for me - packing a lunch every morning and trying to create variety with very limited possibilities can be somewhat of a drag. And I don't want to get into the PB&J rut.

So last Thursday, I searched the internet for fun lunch recipes. While most of what I found was elaborate creations and turning food into animal shapes, looking around was extremely helpful to get my creative juices flowing.

I decided, I'd add a few of these to my rotation and try them out on Fridays. I introduced the idea of Fun Friday Lunch to James and he was all for it. (The kid loves to have something to look forward to - lunch was just the motivation he needed to survive the end of that first week.)

So I sent him to school with this:


On the Menu:
Turkey & Ham Rollup* (secured with a pretzel stick!)
Apple Slices with a Carmel Yogurt Dip
Chex Party Mix
Chocolate Covered Raisins.

He LOVED it!

If you have any favorite lunch ideas, please share them with me!

*Notice there are 2 Rollups? The boy is in a growth spurt, I swear! He is eating two of everything lately and needing more snacks in between meals! I think they jump started his mind/body at that school or something!

Try Outs

Last Tuesday, James had Little League try outs. I know what you are thinking: try outs? For little league? I thought the same thing. But a more accurate word for the event might have been skills assessment.

Basically what they did was have each kid (per age group) bat, run, field, and throw. Each coach was there to score the kids. This week, there is a "draft" where the coaches will pick the players they want. I know what you are still thinking: draft? For little league? The idea (I think) is that each coach has a few good players and a few not so good players. That way, they are able to identify each kids' talents and evenly split the field.

We got there early, so fortunately we didn't have to stand in the line very long. James was probably the 6th of 7th kid to take the field.

Waiting for his turn
In training
I don't want to brag (ok, maybe I do a little) and I really don't think I'm bias (but I am the kids' mom) - but I think James was seriously, hands down the BEST kid out there! He blew the coaches away! ALL of them were coming up to JL afterwards telling him what a great job James had done. This was James' first experience with Little League, but most of the boys he was trying out with had done it at least one year earlier. We were not all that surprised that he blew the field away. The boy has had an amazing talent for baseball since he could crawl! It's exciting to see him actually showcase it finally!

Up at bat. Dad was right there cheering him on!
Listening to the coach ooo and ahhhh
When it came time to throw, Dad and I knew the coaches were in for a treat. Up to this point, the coach was catching bare handed. Well, I can tell you - he re-thought that idea when James came out. You could hear the "slap" each time he would catch one of James' pitches. You could also see him shake his hand. But the most telling was him verbally telling James that he was "smokin" and "incredible!" It was so exciting to watch! I have the entire thing on video, but it's so long Blogger nearly exploded trying to upload it. But trust me, it's amazing!

At the end - he's ready to get him some cleats!

Season starts next month!

After that First Day

What did James want to do after his first day of school? Why, go to Rudy's of course!

Walking to the van
He was super excited to show me all the fun stuff he did that day!
Chowing' down at Rudy's
Dad and Iz sharing treats
Wy Guy diggin' in to his pudding
Silly #1
Silly #2
Silly #3

Off to School

Well, the day has arrived. James was off to school this morning. And, in typical James' fashion, he never looked back. He marched right up to his classroom, unloaded his bookbag, found his nametag, sat down in his chair, opened up his playdough, and that was that.

Dad and I tried to say 'bye' and 'have fun' but I don't think he even noticed. But, you know, I'm glad. It kept me from completely losing it infront of him. (I waited until I turned my back and walked out into the hall!) :) However, it was minimal. I think I had cried out that moment in the preceding days.

What I wasn't prepared for were the tears that would randomly happen throughout this day. Seeing his toys laying around, for example. Or his pillow. It's like I really can't believe that time is his life is over. He's growing up and there isn't one thing I can do about it.

James laid out his school clothes the night before. He also packed up his backpack and set out his shoes.
Such a handsome boy
Isabel gave him a big hug and told him she was going to miss him. Totally on her own. She really does understand the situation.
My 3 babies
One with Mom. (James was starting to get sick of pictures at this point - he kept saying "can we just go now?")
Standing out front of the school
Welcome Polar Bears!
In the lineup
His teacher giving him his nametag
One last smile as he took his seat
Then it was all about the playdough!
I told you I cried
Afterwards, they had muffins and juice in the library for the parents.
Isabel though that part was great!
I'm grateful for these two. I look forward to the adventures we have coming our way!

I love being a Mom. There is nothing else I would rather do. All the energy and time and love I've been pouring out to my kids for the last few years always comes back to me ten-fold. And, all I have to do is spend time with them to know I'm doing it right.

Moments like today feel like a huge accomplishment to me. I look at James and I see the wonderful young boy I have raised. He is sweet, smart, and so happy. It makes me proud to see what he's become, and I know his Dad and I have prepared him well for his new adventures.

Thank goodness he's only away from me for a few hours a day though. I miss him terribly.

First to School Night

Much to my surprise, I didn't even cry the whole time! :) James' school is awesome! And he absolutely loved it.

To say he was excited is an understatement. He picked out new school clothes, got himself dressed, and announced himself ready for pictures!
Sitting at his desk getting ready to unload his supplies.
I really like his teacher. She seems great! (She is the sweet lady in the pink floral blouse.)
He was somewhat in awe trying to take it all in
Highlights were the gym
Who could blame him - it was neat!
Another highlight was the drinking fountain - it was kid sized!
Naturally, we had to top off the milestone with ice cream!

It warmed my heart to see how excited he is about going to school. It helps.

A little.

Boating Last Night

Last night we took the kids and went boating. We had a fantastic time. Plus, it was a great relaxer for me. I've been, shall we say, a tiny bit sad about this being my last week with James before they whisk him away to school.


Isabel and Wyatt occupied the co-captains chair to consume Nilla waffers. Izzy was also quite a good little rope girl. She'd collect the surf rope and then toss it out to the riders. :)


We had a blast! James surfed 3 times - around and around the lake. Him and Dad are getting so good, they were even able to go w/out the rope for quite some time. (I got so excited, I forgot to snap a photo though...but I swear it happened!)


The last time JL and I went out - I had a totally off night! My surfing was horrid!
But I finally got my groove back!
Dad and James rockin' the surfboard
People on the lake would marvel at their cuteness
Adorable brothers!
JL got in a couple wakeboard runs before the night ended.

School Cut

This morning we took James to a local barber shop to get his hair spiffed up and ready for school. He was hesitant at first, (he always wants to grow his surfer hair back out!) but warmed up quickly when we stepped inside the shop.

The walls were adorned with deer heads, and the barbers were so friendly! They made a big deal out of James Mutton Busting shirt and his camo boots. They charmed us with their talk of tractors and ranch life. (The tootsie suckers didn't hurt either!)

James didn't wiggle or move a muscle almost the entire time. He just smirked and grinned at me. :)
Isabel and Wyatt were given suckers from the start!
Didn't keep Izzy from talking the ears off the barbers. They thought she was hilarious!
Notice the deer head reflecting in the mirror?



These are the other barbers who kept us entertained as we waited patiently for James.
They were so so nice!
From the front...
From the side...
From the back...

It's good to see the tops of his ears again!