Old friends

This weekend Devin and I were invited to our friends- the Sylvester's- for some fun in the sun. Devin and Emma have been friends since about 20 months old and you can find many posts with Emma and her awesome family here on my blog. Emma has always had a little "thing" for Devin and we love to watch them as they grow. They remain great friends with a little bit more of flirt coming through. At one point they flipped the boat upside down and were "fooling around" under it. I know it was all innocent but it reminded us that we may not have much longer for their actions to stay innocent! 

We'll Definitely keep an eye on them! :)

Obsession

Devin, now 8, is completely obsessed with baseball. Redsox games on tv, player/team stats and sports news, baseball movies, baseball documentaries, baseball video games and his most favorite- playing baseball! There's is no shortage of baseball around here and that proves  evident when Devin wakes durning the night asking for his baseball in his sleep so that he can "throw a strike" too funny! 

Devin was able to move up to AA level this spring (his birthday falls the day after the cut off) after a successful try- out. The AA level is when the kids begin pitching the ball with coach assistance after four balls thrown. Little did I know that Devin would really thrive in pitching this year! I could see he had potential in the beginning of the season and I did some asking around until I was able to help Devin with his pitching technique. By the end of the season he didn't even need any coach assistance and was throwing most pitches in the strike zone. 

He did so well, in fact, that he received MANY compliments from coaches. Including an opposing coach chasing down our car to tell us that Devin "was the best pitcher his team faced all season!" What?! We were both so proud with huge smiles plastered on our faces. 

Devin just finished a week of baseball camp. He loved it, even with the 88* with high humidity temps. 

I pledge that I will do everything in my power to help Devin foster this passion and talent. ⚾️

Roller coasters

It's funny how life has it's ups and downs. I guess we truly never know where life will lead us. 

I spent many hours reading back on my Blog tonight. I am so grateful to have preserved all of these Memories. One thing that stuck out was a post where Devin (age 4 at the time) asked me if I was "married" and would I "always be married?" Without a single hesitation I answered yes. In so many places in my blog it is evident just how much I loved my husband. 

And yet I sit here tonight, reminiscing and  nostalgic, and completely alone. I have no husband to recount these

Memories with. I have no husband to talk about the future, to share the moments yet to come. He broke my heart into a million pieces and left me alone to raise OUR son. The man who was such an admirable father and husband exists no more. He has become a stranger... A villain. 

The time goes on and the days get a little bit easier. Day after day I become more independent. I have learned how to unclog a toilet and that Christmas lights aren't worth fixing. I've learned how to help my son in baseball and how to adjust the a/c vents. 

 I've learned about sacrifice and heart ache and betrayal. I've learned how to pick myself up off the ground.  I've learned how strong of a woman I am. Most importantly, I've learned about ME. 

1st Day of Elementary School

Despite Devin's hesitancy and nervousness he had a great first day of first grade!! To quote Devin as he came off the bus with a huge smile, he said "It was great! I made a lot of friends and didn't even get in trouble!"  I am so proud of Devin and happy for him. I know that not knowing the other kids or what to expect at a new school was nerve-wrecking for him (subsequently making it nerve-wrecking for Mama!) Devin likes his teacher, Mrs. Marques, and feels comfort in knowing that she "won't make him do anything he doesn't know how to do" though I think Devin won't find that an issue. ;) He does wish his classroom space was bigger, but there is not much anyone can do about that!

Nadya also enjoyed her first day of second grade and talked a lot about the "work" and the shelter in place drill that they had. She has several friends in her class again this year and found great comfort in that. I know she will do well with Mrs. Martin.

 Bus Stop

 Here he goes! Off to first grade!

I hope that both of these kiddos have a wonderful school year- full of learning, friendships, and pride.

End of Summer

Labor Day signifies the end of summer. The nights get cool, most days are still warm. School buses navigate the neighborhoods and kids are excited at the prospect of a new school year beginning. Here are a couple of end of summer pictures and an interview with the kids.

You may notice that Devin is nervous about beginning first grade~ new school, new teachers, new friends and a bus ride are a few of his worries... He plays it off by trying to be "funny boy"  I think I'm in for it....

Hmmm....not working....will get the video up if I can.

Special Days

One thing that I did with the kids this summer is give each of them a "Special Day."

For Devin's special day we went to a super-fun place called "Mel's Funway Park" where we went mini-golfing, go-carting, played laser tag and arcade games. It was great to spend some one-on-one time with my boy. I previously had taken for granted all of the time alone I had with him...now its precious time. Devin was so funny about his mini-golfing, at first he was taking slap shots, at one point having to chase down his ball! haha And then he became super serious- planning each stroke and checking out the course ahead.

For Nadya's special day we went to Barnes and Nobles to get her free book for a book log,  got her hair trimmed, and spent a few hours painting at You're Fired. I requested that Nadya choose a bank to paint- so she picked a princess bank. I painted a small bowl for my bureau (for loose change and such) and then together we painted a ring holder for window sill by the sink. It was nice to have some time alone with Nadya and to teach her something new. She definitely has a creative side and enjoyed decorating her princess.

I hope that the children got as much out of these special days as I did. <3 br="br">

Summer Fun in the Pool

When the kids are not at summer camp (which they LOVE- sports, sports, SPORTS for Devin and crafts, cards, and girlies for Nadya) we are most often found at our development's pool. For Devin and I this has been our summer ritual since he was 2. We've now turned Nadya into a fish!

Here is a (quick) video of the kids playing with the Cespedes boys and Lexi in the pool yesterday.

New skills in the pool this summer include Nadya becoming proficient in the deep end and sustaining swimming for longer periods of time without a life jacket. Devin has been exploring with jumping and has had some success with diving. His swimming skills have remained strong and he can swim the breast stroke from one end of the pool to the other (the long way!).