Helmet & Shoulder Pads=$150, Cleats=$40, Mouth Guard=$5, 1st Graders Playing Tackle Football=Priceless

Little Hema had his first real tackle football game today and they won!!! His team has been practicing since the first week of August and he is having so much fun. He plays cornerback on defense and occasionally gets to play wingback on offense. His skills are improving every practice and dad was very pleased with his performance at the game. Dad helps coach when he is able to make the practices (which is most of the time) and may love that little Hema is playing football more that he does. Hema made several awesome tackles today and we are so proud of him. Go HEMA!

This is Hema getting up from one of his tackles. Mom had a hard time getting clear shots of him from where she was sitting in the bleachers. We can't wait for the rest of the season's games!
-This was posted by Hema-

Preschool for Vela!

Today was Vela's first day of preschool. She has been dying to start preschool since Hema went to Kindergarten a year ago. She was so excited this morning. She already has strong opinions about what she is going to wear so this is what we ended up in this morning. 

My tradition of writing on the driveway in chalk for the 1st day of school. 

Vela picking out her name on the door.  She got to take her monkey for show and tell. 

Ready to go when I came to pick her up.

All done with her first day. She was thrilled to get a new school bag. 

Every girl needs a little prize for being so brave on her first day of school. 

So proud of my Sweet Vela. I will miss having her shadow me all day long, but I know she will learn so much! 

1st Grade!!

It's hard to believe Hema started 1st grade today. His teacher, Mrs. Johnson, seems to be a perfect fit for him. He has been so excited for school to start and to get to eat lunch at school and have 2 recesses everyday. He refused to even consider wearing the outfit I chose for him and insisted on wearing the Transformers t-shirt that he chose himself at the store.  

Posing for a picture.

Heading out the door.

I always write chalk messages on the sidewalk and driveway on the first day of school. It's fun to see how excited he always is to read my little notes. 

Reading my advice...

Still reading...

There were more messages but we'll end it here... 

Posing in front of his school.

 Hema really wanted to ride his bike but I made him walk with me, Vela and Cora. 

With his teacher Mrs. Johnson.

And off he went......

All day long I kept looking at the clock. Those 6 hours and 15 minutes go by pretty slowly. When it was finally time to pick him up we headed over to the school. He walked out with a big smile and said his day was AWESOME! I asked him if it seemed long and he said no he was too busy having fun. Then her told me all about the big kid stuff they got to do...eating lunch in the lunchroom, 2 recesses, getting a drink from the drinking fountain 4 times and learning how to ask to use the bathroom in sign language. Overall it was a pretty great day. 

6 Years old!!

Our sweet Hema turned six last Friday (August 12th). It was a week of celebrations and partying. He is so happy to be 6 and going int o first grade next week.

Hema with his sisters after his scrimmage on Saturday.

Here are some of the highlights of the festivities...

Thursday we had a party at Monkey Island. Lots of cousins and friends came out to celebrate with us. 

Hema with his monkey cake! 

Singing Happy Birthday!

Lots of great presents!

Plenty of pizza!

The kids bounced, climbed, played, ate and had so much fun until they were all sweaty and tired! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with Hema!

Friday Tyra and her kids were still in town from New Jersey so we headed to the Dino Museum.  

Grandpa and Grandma Hawkins and Tyra and her kids joined us. They new Motion room is super cool! 

The boys made a lake and big dam in the sand. They could have played there all day. 

You have to take a shark picture.
Abe, Tyra, Grandma, JJ, Abby, Hema, Leah, Isaac, Becky and Vela.

Seeing how they stack up to a dinosaur's weight.

Goofing around.

After the museum we headed over to get some ice cream cones.

Friday night Hema had football practice so instead of cake he wanted to take donuts to his team. I was busy chasing kids and handing out donuts and forgot to take pictures... oops!

Sunday Hema's sweet birth mom Katie came down to visit. 

Hema and Katie.

Katie taught Hema (and me) how to throw a Frisbee! It's so much more fun to play when it actually goes where you want it to! 

Hema, Katie and Katie's dad.

It was extra special because Katie's dad, step mom and sisters came down too. Little Hema hasn't seen her parents since he was 6 months old. He was so excited to meet them!  They even brought us tomatoes and flowers from their garden, supplies to do this fun project from the Children's Friend (which we did on Monday for FHE), freshly made salsa and presents for Hema. 

Kaite, Julie, MaryAnn, Nicole, Hema and Brian. 

Katie's 2 younger sisters are also adopted. Pretty cool huh! 

Katie reading a bedtime story to Hema and Vela. 

Hema had a great birthday filled with friends, family, food, fun and presents. He is growing up to be such a good boy and the best big brother ever. We are grateful every single day that he is part of our family!!