Learning Machine!

I'm Miss Ty has been quite the learning machine lately...lots of word practice, reading animal books, counting money, & math facts!! 

She's loving first grade & having a ball...

Love you, Munchkin, and I'm so proud of you & all your effort!!! You sure know how to make learning fun!!!😘

Wrestle Mania....

seems to be Trey's winter months motto!

A little while ago he started his first season of wrestling. He eagerly attended his first practice and hasn't looked back since. I think it goes without saying that this hobby is going to stick around a little longer than some of the others. (like Tae-Kwan-Do, which involves a yellow belt we've paid for and never seen!!! Ha!)

Gotta love this pose!!!

We started off pretty simple. Hitting the wrestling room a bunch of other kids, some who had been wrestling for years and others for minutes. Listening and learning, blurry photos and all...

After a couple weeks of this, Jason signed Trey up for his first meet...which was dedicated to sole purpose of getting his feet wet and seeing what the sport is really about. Full of nerves and a little knowledge of some basic moves, Trey hit the mats. The result...three matches, three losses. Fourth place in his bracket & a jammed finger (which did bring a few tears to his eyes. The jammed part, not the losing part.) Overall, Trey rocked at defense, avoiding getting pinned. But, he didn't really get any opportunity to score any points from his back offensively, so he congratulated each of his opponents after watching them get their arms raised in victory. He had achieved what he set out to do & we were really proud of the effort and sportsmanship he showed....

Trey & his Daddy talked through some moves, strategies, and learning points and hit the mats for a couple more weeks. Trey quickly found himself in another meet. Another four-man round robin bracket. The morning of the meet, Trey was as excited as ever. After a quick weigh-in, he listened to some pump-up music...eagerly awaiting another shot at the mat. This meet ended with Trey on top (YES! He won his bracket), going 3-0 and getting his first PIN in his last match of the meet. He improved tremendously on offense and followed through on what he learned in practice. His smile was huge and, bottom line, he felt good about what he did and the hard work and focus he put in. 

Everyone waiting for the awards ceremony!! So patient!

There are a few more upcoming meets and Trey's still pumped. This next one should be challenging as the competition is also improving. He's set on doing his best, having fun, learning more about the rules, and enjoying the experience, which is really what it's all about!

Here's to building discipline, drive, motivation, and character!!! Way to go, Trey Man!!!

Trey the Science Guy...

After receiving this little gem of a book, Trey has been excited about running his fair share of science experiments in the kitchen....

Easy, simple materials and a lot of inquiry...the name of our game!!!

Checking out the steps...

Following them to a "T"....

Time to wait...

Two days later...that hard shell is now a squishy, mushy blob...

Seconds later....must have been a little strong with that squeeze!!! He compared that egg shell to a balloon...I  have to agree...they felt exactly the same! 

Calling Aunt Lori to report the results....gotta love the egg all over his shirt!!! Hazards of the job, I guess!!!

Nice work, Mr. Scientist! 1 down, 364 to go!!! I can't wait to see what experiment you are going to try next...the conversations that accompany these fun activities are the best part!!! I can tell your wheels are turnin' and that's what learning and life are all about!!!! 

Love you, Buddy!!! 

XOXOXOX

Happy Experimenting!!!

Reading Buddies....

and they just can't get enough of books these days! Time after time, we find Ty "reading" books to Tay (or her baby dolls) and telling her all about the pictures and what she's seeing....it's too cute and I know these are those precious little moments that I want to remember forever!

Tay's vocabulary is growing like crazy these days and Miss Ty is really, really on top of re-telling, without skipping a beat, the stories she's heard....which just so happens to make these two quite the perfect pair!

 

Tay's face in this shot is priceless!!!

 

Keep on reading, girls! You are a rockin'.....

 

Ty, I'm so proud of you for being such a patient, supportive, loving big sister. Tay, I'm so proud of you for being kind, inquisitive, and eager to learn. You two are quite the team and I can only imagine how many moments like this you have together ahead of you. And, I'm looking forward to witnessing each and every one...LOVE you two all the way to the moon and back!

 

Hugs and Kisses and MORE Hugs and Kisses!!!

Phenomenal FIRST

GRADER!!!

Take a look at that pic below...

The pic of the Little Guy who couldn't stop smiling this morning.
The pic of the Little Guy who is so excited about school that you'd think it was his birthday.
The pic of the Little Guy holding tightly to that Angry Birds lunch bag like it's going out of style.
The pic of the Little Guy who's super pumped for all the 1st GRADE excitement that's finally underway!!

Seriously?!?! Could he get any cuter?!?

Posing with the Momma....

The Momma who couldn't sleep last night because she was soooo excited for her Little Guy.

The Momma who gave out a least 100 hugs and kisses before waving good-bye.

The Momma who smiled at the first day of kindergarten memories that flashed before her eyes.

The Momma who got a little teary eyed as she walked back to the car and headed to work.

The Momma who still can't believe he's in FIRST GRADE.

All excited about his VERY OWN LOCKER!



Shopping for all the necessary supplies just days earlier....

The group shot...WalMart + 3 kids = FUN (Said no one EVER.)

Ty creating her masterpiece and letting Trey do his school supply shopping thing. THANKS, Baby Girl, for being so patient and cooperative! You make events like this that much better. It won't be long before we are going shopping crazy for all your school goodies!

Trey double checking to make sure we had everything! Way to go, Trey Man...you rocked that list!!!

Trey J,

I am SO excited for you and this little 1st grade journey that you're beginning. You are so bright and seriously can do anything you set your mind to. I know you will continue to learn lots and let that curiosity and zest for learning drive you. Stay confident and believe in yourself and remember to always be a nice friend. Learn from others around you and be thankful for all the opportunities that are headed your way. Never forget that things will not always go the way you want them to go...and that working hard for things makes you appreciate them more. Enjoy your friends and burn LOTS of energy at recess!!! I love you more than anything and am so PROUD of you!! Happy first day of 1st grade!!! It's going to be a great year!!!

Love you BUNCHES & BUNCHES,

Momma