Our Little Baby...Turning NINE!!

Our baby turned 9!!! How in the world?! Luke woke up May 6th as a 9 year old! Luke we love you with all of our heart. You inspire us, challenge us, and make us better people because of your spirit. You are still our "all in" kiddo...with EVERYTHING. You live life to its fullest and you sometimes wonder why others around you may not. You like to be the leader in different situations and are learning how to take a back seat. You are confident, very confident. You take pride in your family, friends and school. You are growing into your personality and this school year you really found your wings to fly. Even with all the rough and tough packed inside that growing 9 year old body of yours, you still have that gentle side that sometimes hugs his sister when she is sad or goes out of his way to take care of your baby bro. 

When asked here were your responses as a 9 yr. old!...

Favorite subjects in school: Reading, Writing, and Math (Of course, you couldn't pick just one. Again, ALL IN Lukie 😁)

Favorite book: Harry Potter

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Favorite Sport: Baseball

Best Friend: Gibby

Favorite Teachers: Mrs. Burke (1st grade) and Ms. Cunningham (3rd grade)

Favorite Pastime: Playing with my brother and sister

Favorite Outdoor Activity: Playing basketball and wiffle ball 

Favorite Sports Team: Tigers, FC Whitecaps (MLS soccer), LA Rams, Pistons, U of M sports

We celebrated that night as a family...

Make a wish sweet boy. The world is yours!

That Friday night Luke celebrated with friends and he decided to have his party at his school! It was the PERFECT spot! We ate pizza out in the lobby, then in the gym for basketball and soccer, and playground (water guns). These boys had so MUCH FUN! Sports for days! 

Luke and Ayrton have been BFFs since they were 8 months old. Different Elementary schools don't get in the way of these two. 

Drew sprawled.

Ellie right there in the mix with her arm around her big bro. 😍

Our Rock Stars!

Elle lost her 1st tooth! Down and Middle! When I got home from work, Luke and Ellie were running around in the backyard. When they saw me pull up, Ellie ducked behind the house and when I got to the door I learned why....She had left this note to surprise me with her big news!! FYI: Luke pulled it out on the bus ride home. ICK!

Take your child to work day 2019: I wasn't so sure how this would all go down. In fact, I made the call as I fell asleep the night before. I was having mom worries. Would Luke be jealous? Would Drew be sad? Would Ellie make it through the whole day to see me as teacher and not mom? The next morning as I invited Ellie to go, she was SOOOO excited! Luke, was a champ and said it was OK because he had a math test that day anyways, and Drew was excited to have his sister walk him into his preschool that morning. It was a GO! 

Ellie LOVED every single second. And I have to tell you, I loved it even more! From both aspects, mom and teacher. To see my sweet girl have to suck it up and be so brave to engage with a group of 28 3rd graders who know her mom so well but she has never met. AND to see my wonderful students go out of their way to comfort her and make her feel comfortable and welcome....My Momma and Teacher heart were on overload. Ellie participated in every content-area! In reader's workshop, she had her own book bin that she chose Just Right books with the reading partnership I put her with. In writer's workshop, she crafted a 1 1/2 pages of a fairy tale adaptation, in math she worked on her own basic math facts etc. She ate in the cafeteria with my class and WITHOUT me AND played with them at recess. I was so proud of her!!! Even more, she LOVED it!!! I will remember this one forever.

More Ellie awesomeness!!!! 

Ellie's clay owl from Art class, was chosen to be displayed in the Rochester Community Schools Art Fair!! We are so proud of you, Elle. You are our rocks tar!! 

Speaking of rock stars...Aunt Cathy and Gigi came with us to watch Luke perform in his 3rd Grade Pioneer Musical! Special Appearance: Mrs. Beers (Gibson's mom) behind Ben. 

The Program Lineup:

Luke and his 3rd Grade Class

My Pioneer boy doing the do-si-do.

Look at those Pioneers!

Look at how tall Luke is?! My man child, all legs.

Luke was given a speaking part! 

My favorite rock star, with our littles at Dads and Donuts before school.

My littlest rock star, keeping me company at all the soccer and baseball fun!

More awesomeness from LUUUUKE!

This season Luke really helped lead his Triple AAA Little League Team: GO Lug Nuts!

Luke was one of the rotating pitchers this season...Seen in pics below.

Helped with batting. Below Luke is on 3rd.

Was a pro at stealing bases. He gets his speed and hustle from his Daddy! 

Was one of the lead catchers.

And also rocked it at 1st base, 2nd base and shortstop! 

Here Luke is with head coach, Coach Cliff, because he was given the game ball for outstanding game!

Off the field, Luke trained at one of the indoor facilities with Coach Moose (a coach from Oakland University). Here he worked on his fundamentals. It takes practice. Growth mindset, not a fixed mindset!

Luke and Ben wrote a letter to all 4 ballparks that we will be going to this summer. 

White Sox, Cubs, Brewers, and Twins coming at you SUMMER 2019!

One of our favorite families, the Pattons, took Luke and Elle with them on Walk/Ride Your Bike to School Day!

Our kiddos, just rocking at life.