Warming My Heart

While these two warmed themselves by the fire on Tuesday night, they warmed my heart! I love that they love each other like they do! Thanks Dad for being the best Poppaw in the world. You were made to be just that.

A Morning of Basketball

Hayden had basketball this morning or maybe I should say wrestling.... Oh my goodness, Harold and I were convinced that he and a little boy on the other team were going to throw down. (At one point in the game, I'm not sure we would have really cared if there had been a good old fashion throw down -- I know, I know -- bad Mom) Hayden received the Christlike star after the game and his coach told him it was for having such self control with what was happening. (Shocked, huh?)
The referees are young boys and today they just did not have control of the guys and well, it was pretty ugly from time to time.
Hayden scored 6 points, had 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 7 steals. It was a good game even if it was awfully aggressive and ... well let's just let the photos tell the story.
Can you see how pooped he was after game? This is the "spring" we have in our step after we make a goal...ha
Hustling up the Court
Being strong on defense
Going all out back up the Court....Now you decide....basketball or wrestling....... Can you tell Hayden had finally just had enough?

A Well Rounded Day

Hayden began the day at home today because the school was closed for Teacher Work Days. It was too cold to be outside so he entertained himself at home with Daddy. (He only called me once at work - what a biggie boy)

This is what Harold found him doing in the middle of the day.....


Later this evening we took him to basketball practice. He did well although focus would not be a word we would use for Hayden this evening. :-)

I love that his interests and dreams are so wide ranging.

Halfway Through

How did we get HERE? Hayden is now halfway through 2nd grade. Have there been fewer hours in the day, fewer days in the week, or maybe fewer months in the year? I think maybe so because time is just going by too fast. It is so true that sometimes the days pass so slowly but the years so fast. Our sweet, wonderful, loving, funny son is REALLY halfway through 2nd grade. My goodness, I hope I am soaking it all in because he grows, learns and changes everyday.

Just remember our precious son, you will ALWAYS be our baby. We love you FOREVER.
This is one of my favorite pics of my sweetie (taken while talking to his Dad yesterday) - I love that it looks like he is saying "oooooooo". That is exactly how he lives life and how excited he gets over something new in this life. Birthday cake with Daddy was a big hit. (Yes I got a store bought one but Hayden decorated it himself. He loved having the sprinkles and food coloring out to make hearts for his Daddy)
I think he was probably telling his Daddy a BIG tale here. He does like to do that sometimes.
This is the "Mom, I am really tired of THAT camera ALWAYS being in my face" look. (Too bad sweetie pie)

January 14th! What a Great Day

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I am glad we are celebrating another birthday together. You are the best Daddy in the world. When I say my prayers at night, I remember to thank God for letting me be in this family. I am so glad He chose you for my Daddy.

We have lots of fun together. You take me all over to see my heroes play baseball. But never forget you are a real hero to me. Thanks for sharing my dreams with me and letting me be a little boy. You are the best!

I knew from the first time you held me and I snuggled in with you that God gave me the BEST daddy in the world for me.

I love you, Hayden

(P.S. Mommie says Happy Birthday too! She loves you LOTS!)

Inevitable?

When you are 7 and your Daddy is a list maker, is this inevitable?

Hayden put this note on our refrigerator to remind himself to work on his book on Saturday and to include pictures!

Hustle Award!

Hayden had his first basketball game of the season this morning (at 9 am, no less). To say that I was not looking forward to it would be a huge understatement. At their last practice, the kids looked terrible. There was no rhyme or reason for anything they were doing. I was absolutely certain that Hayden would not touch the ball in the game and had been quite vocal about that to one of my best friends. Guess I should have not worried....

Being introduced

Hayden would NOT go to sleep last night. He wanted to sleep in his uniform and was SO excited that his first game was today. I on the other hand thought lots about an unexpected snow storm.....shame on me.

Such determination and concentration....

One of Hayden's favorite people sent him a message this week that he did not care how many points but the focus was on rebounds and assists. Ryan told Hayden 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Guess the kid listened!


I'm pretty sure this photo was taken after making a goal. Can you see the spring in the step?

They won't let the kids in this age group "fast break" so more than a few of these had to come back....

By the end of the game (they play 6 periods of six minutes each and Hayden played four of those), he had 10 rebounds, 3 assists (maybe 2 but we will go with 3), 5 steals and 6 points. It was as if he knew this was the "real" thing because it was a game and not JUST practice. I think the boys' Coach was surprised too. In Upward Basketball, the boys get stars at the end of the game for what they excelled in during the game. Hayden got the "hustle" star. We are proud of our kiddo. He may never be the biggest player on the court (we are probably assured of that) and he may never have as much talent as some of them but I think we can safely assume he will be the one hustling from start to finish. He was the first one on the Court when the whistle blew and the first one to his Coach when the buzzer went off between periods. Can't beat that!!!
One pooped puppy....
After the game we went to see our favorite cheerleader cheer! Hayden was so proud to see Ethan and Scarlett. Here is Miss Scarlett cheering..













Wonder what these two are talking about? Probably sports of some kind...ha