Take me out to the ball game...

Yea! We all got to go to one of the last baseball games of the season, thanks to Papa. He is in Tucson with the Rockies and the Rockies played the Diamondbacks on Saturday. The staff took a bus to Phoenix and Papa got us all tickets. A couple that we hang out with very frequently also got to go. Their family is very similiar to our family. They have son and a daughter that are about 1 year behind our two. The boys go to the same school and love hanging out together almost as much as their Dads like to golf together. Jaya loves their daughter Ella and is constantly trying to hug and kiss her much to Ella's dislike.

Jaxx learned how "the wave" works in the stadium and thought it was great!

We had a great time. It was fun to see Papa since he has been in Tucson for a couple of weeks and just to hang out and have a hot dog.

Thanks Papa!

On another note, Jaxx LOVES his T-ball. He loves it more than soccer, that wasn't a good time. His team finally has a team name, "Angels". He will have his first game soon. It has been hilarious to watch his team practice. The errant throws and unneccessary "slides" along with the balls that roll by are almost to much to watch. Jaxx has to been practicing at 1st base and has to wave to anyone that gets the ball to remind them that he is there. Once the ball gets thrown and he tracks it down, he has his own little celebration. He will throw both hands up in victory once he touches the base or fist pump. Once again, I am still thrilled at his confidence among his peers. I love it!

I will definitely be taking pics at the first game and letting you know how that goes!

Cortney K.

Finally a post about "Dad"!

Last month Jace qualified to be in a Nine hole shoot out at Moon Valley Country Club. I had Charron watch Jaya while she napped and Jaxx and I headed to the club. We got our own cart and off we went to catch up to Jace who was already on the second hole. Each hole one man got eliminated. 10 guys down to 1 winner! It was exciting to see Jace golf. This isn't an easy sport to watch, if ya know what I mean? Not exactly spectator friendly. So, Jaxx was happy because he got to help drive the cart. Only it brought back the memory of me rolling a golf cart when I young. Yes, ask my dad about that one. It was while he was managing a hotel in Casa Grande. Renee and I were having a grand time riding around the course, until I rolled the cart;) oops, sooorrryyy Daaaaadddy!
Anyway, Jace made it to the last hole and over shot slightly giving the other player the win. He did fantastic but wasn't satisfied with second. I am sure there will be a rematch in the future. SO, today the email went out to all the members with this picture and congratulations.
I am glad, as I did want to post something and didn't take any pics.
Good Job, Jace!
If you want to view the actual email newsletter, here is the link.
http://www.firedrummarketing.com/00000139/00001496/62/newsletter.jsp?clientid=00000139&campaignid2=&campaignid2_issue_no=&ex_date=&messageid=00001502&memberid=01554554&sendingid=88760E619106&campaignid=00001496
Dear Member Cortney
Men's September Shootout
Runner up Jace Johnson (left) congratulates winner Steve Myers (right) after the last hole of the Men’s Shootout held Sept. 12.


I hope you can tell which one is Jace!



Cortney K.

Shhhh. Secret Birthday outfit

This outfit it Jaya's birthday present and outfit for her party. I have kept it a secret even though I am dying to whip it out. I just secretly get it out and look at it, feel it, swirl it around and wish I could fit into it just to swirl around once. I think it is just so cute. I didn't make the outfit but did add the "bling". I did do the shoes, of course. I can't wait to post pics her with it on. Hopefully, we can all keep it in the bag until her birthday! This is a MAY-JAH home run outfit for the ballerina princess aka Pink Tornado!

Shhhh....

Cortney K.

T-Ball Practice

Jaxx has been really wanting to get on a baseball team so after a long research to find the right league to register in him, here he is. The clothes are big but the same ole' kid is inside. He is right at home in a setting of his peers. He walked right up and started talking. There is something about him, like his father, makes him likeable to the people around him. He always seem to have a lot kids that want to come over and play or get together and yet he is so humble. He is oblivious to his warm spirit. He isn't as comfortable in a crowd of adults but eventually comes around. I love watching him interact in new social situations. I will post pics of the first game when it happens. That should be interesting.

Waving ....

Catching...

Batting...

Wrestling for the ball...

Cortney K.

That's what dreams are made of...

I am smiling tonight. I am unexpectedly happy that Jaya's crib is gone and she is in a gor-gee-ous new bed. I found the nicest high school seniors that started this great delivery service. I found them on craigslist and they pick up stuff that you buy on craigslist that you can't get in your car. Well, I didn't buy Jaya's bed on Craigslist but I did recommend them to the little consignment store I bought it from. I hinted before that I found the buy of the year on Jaya's bed. It is the cutest little white bed. It is a piece of Stanley furniture which is a great solid name in furniture. It looks brand new and I paid 1/20 th of cost of what it is new. It cleaned up perfectly and it has the trundle. It went together so simply and WE LOVE IT! Jaya wanted to go to sleep as soon as it was together.....5:00 p.m. I told her we got it for her birthday...early. My bestfriend, Andrea, wants to celebrate her own birthday for 2.5 weeks too. We may be setting a new trend. An expensive trend. Why shouldn't we get presents for the whole month of our birthday, like Hannakuh for 30 days on your birthday month. Birthdaymonthkah! Wait, I can only imagine how much weight I would gain too. No, just gifts, not cake!

I digress, Jaya was so excited to help me get the bedding on and together. She absolutely REFUSED to let me have the safety rails on the side so she may fall out. I tried several times and she said to take them off and we could try them later.....I wonda' where she got this tactic! So, Joanne was here and tried to tuck pillows on either side of her, she was not havin' it! She is flying solo in there as we speak. I did put the pillows on the floor on both side so if she falls out she will hit something soft first. I am thinking I will try to go in there and tuck some pillows next to her now that she is asleep. I guess she thought that she wanted her big girl bed to look like everyone else's in the house. She has DEFINITE ideas about what she wants. I pulled the comforter down so she could just her cozy, soft, pink, blanket next to her face but she pulled the comforter right back up and insisted she needed it. She said she would be cold.

Can you tell she liked it?

I had to do a little rearranging but I think it looks so cute!

When it was time for bed, she went right in, got in and said goodnight. It was toooooo easy, I am waiting to see what happens in the next few nights. Nothing like the nightmare of Jaxx, as soon as he realized nothing was holding him in, out he came. This is still a nightly struggle at bed time.

I was not sad about taking the crib down. I am thrilled with our family. I love the ages that the kids are now. Jaxx is hysterical on a daily basis and Jaya is so fun to watch. She just really enjoys things so much. She sits on the counter and does her makeup with me, she mimicks me when I do my nail filing, she sings at the top of her lungs as she pushes her little bangs out of her eyes. I think that we are perfect just as we are and my kids will always be my "babies" no matter how old they get.

So, when I go in and peek at her tonight, I will see that perfect face that I saw the day she was born. The perfect skin, pink puckered lips and litte button nose. Life doesn't get better than this.

She will have sweet dreams of all the things we have exposed her to thus far and of what she will become in the future.

Thank you God for all you have given us, especially our beautiful children.

Cortney K.

Lost...

Isn't it interesting how fast things can change in an instant?

Last night was a normal night, if you call normal a boy sleeping with his skateboard.

This morning was fine. Kids wore their new clothes I made them. Jaya was in the modeling mood! They got a ton of complements on their new duds. I agreed to donate a pair the school auction in March at our school fundraiser.

While the kids were in school. I got my haircut. Then I stopped by TJ MAXX. I must give you a little history. Jaya is going to get a real twin bed for her 3rd birthday. She is still in her crib at almost 3. I purposely did this since Jaxx was taken out way to early and I believe this is the cause of some of his bad sleeping habits (another story). Soooo, I am very particular in my tastes and I always have an idea of what I want. The hard part is finding what I want at a price I can afford. I always seem to have a taste for the most expensive thing in the store. Anyway, I found a great bed and the sale price of the year. I mean OF THE YEAR. I still need to figure out how to get it from the store to the house but, again another story. Now, I have been searching for the "perfect" bedding for months in anticipation of this happening. I have scoured site after site and ebay. I really wanted something "shabby chic" to stay with the theme in Jaya's room but last night she said she wanted a pink ballet bed. Hmmmmm, so not what I was picturing. I have to give her some say though so she feels like she is her own little person so off to the internet I go to scour more sites. I finally found a ballet themed bedding set on ebay that didn't look cheap and wasn't polyester, yuck. It was reasonable but I just put it on my watch list. So, back to this morning. I RARELY go into TJ MAXX. I don't know why but I just never think to go in there. I had a little time and decided I would pop in there. GUESS WHAT I FOUND??? THE BEDDING!

I couldn't believe my luck. At a fraction of the cost it was right there. It is hard to see in the pics but it is little pink embroidered ballet pointe shoes with the ribbons on a white quilted back round. The reverse it pink polka dots so I bought pink sheets with white polka dots. It is so cute.

After that find, I head back to school to get the kids. I was feeling happy about my find and couldn't believe my luck. First the bed and then the bedding, it was all so much fun to put together. I signed the kids out of their classes and we had to do our regular stop to the bathroom on the way out. Jaxx went into the boys and I took Jaya to the girls. When we do this, Jaxx is always waiting right at the door for us. He wasn't there. Ok. No big deal, he just wasn't finished yet right? I wait, I go in and look, no Jaxx. Still not panicking, but look down the halls and into the parlor and no Jaxx. NOW PANIC! I went to the school principal standing 5 feet away and said "I can't find Jaxx!" The whole school goes on alert, announcements being made, teachers at every door. One holding Jaya so I can frantically check the car. Teachers looking on the playground, checking every class room and trying to look much calmer than me. I don't even remember what I said or who I talked to, I just went into the state of "freak out". It was 10 minutes, maybe longer, it felt like an eternity, but he was found. He had gone outside down the steps thinking I was out there since I wasn't at the bathroom door. He didn't see me and got scared and sat down in a corner by a pillar that was hiding him. I went past the pillar to check the car twice and never saw him. When a teacher found him, he was crying. When I saw him, I was crying. I don't even remember which teacher found him so that I can thank her. When it was all over and we collected ourselves. We got in the car. Jaya was quiet, knowing something had gone wrong. Jaxx was trying not to cry and said he was tired. I just realized that we forget how quickly everything can change. I was so happy and then so scared. I know people that have lost children to death and can't imagine the pain but what about people that lose children to abduction that never know where their children could be. Losing children to any circumstance must be beyond description. This was a reminder of how fast things change and we need to cherish the moments we have with ALL the people we love.

Cortney K.

Update

Jaxx slept with his skateboard last night. He came into our room about 5:30 and whispered "Mom, did I sleep in my bed all night?" I told him he did but it was to early to get up so he crawled into bed with us and went back to sleep until 7:30. I think this is good progress. I found a book in his bed and asked him when he had time to read. He told me that he woke up sometime in the night and just read it once because he didn't want to waste his energy. I think he woke up and probably wanted to come "Ninja" his way into our bed but the skateboard was sitting there reminding him of the the price he would pay. He decided that the price wasn't worth it so he just read a book instead.
Also, he did some more practicing and he can really ride his bike now. He is still at that stage of not being able to steer quickly and peddle. Yesterday while Jace and I were watching him, he rode right into the back of a parked truck. Not hard, but enough to go down, then get back up and throw his hands in the air in victory, like it was a planned trick. Way to smooth it over, Rico Suave. Jace and I were trying not to laugh to hard!
Jaya can peddle her trike now so she wants a Barbie bike for her birthday. Pretty soon we can all go ride bikes together!
Cortney K.

Xtreme Sports, Baby!

Jaxx is a budding xtreme sports athlete. Well, the writing thing wasn't really looking like it would pan out so he is on to bigger things. He has been asking for a skateboard for awhile and I have been putting him off. I can only think of all the things he can break while using this contraption but I can't shield him forever. So, he had to earn it. Those of you know that know Jaxx, know that he just can't seem to stay in his bed ALL night. At some point he ends up next to me. Please don't offer advice on this issue. I have read and tried most of them. You see, you have to be awake enough to enforce the rules. I am not! I used to send him back down the black abyss called a hallway until he learned how to sneak in the bed like a very adept Ninja. I don't know how this happens but I wake up with him next to me in the morning. I am not a heavy sleeper by any means so at least I know he can always get a job as a Ninja if no other skills show themselves.
I made him a deal that if he slept in his bed for 5 nights in a row, he could have a skateboard. So, he did. Here it is....He is carrying it around like it is the crown jewel of the Titanic. So, Jace goes and picks it out after I did my research, of course. I am thinking we will just go get him a little Spongebob skateboard at Target but after my research I found out that this is not a good idea at all. It seems that if you don't give them the proper equipment to start out, they have bad experiences and then don't want to try it anymore. Evidently the cheap boards at Target fall into "bad equipment". He is now the proud owner of a Krown board which does not fall into that category and did end up costing more than I thought we would spend for the deal. I have learned to do my research first and make the deal last. The deal also has the "clause" in it, shall the sleeper no longer stay in his bed all night, the bigger sleeper will take the board away. Lets see what happens.
He has knee and elbow pads and wrist guards. Also, a nice helmet that does not have any characters on it, those also fall into the "bad equipment" thing too. I took him out on sidewalk with it and he is pretty good for a first timer. He seems like he may get it sooner than later but at least when he fell, he was surprised nothing hurt. I told him the only thing that wasn't "padded" was his little boney bottom. Jaya has hers though.
So, while he was all geared up and most body parts were covered in hard plastic. I got his bike out. We took the training wheels off a few months ago but it was so hot. I didn't want to be huffing and puffing in the 114 degree heat while trying to hold onto a bike seat that held a wobbling dare devil. He got on and it was only a few minutes before he was off. He can ride about 50 feet without help and then he starts stearing back and forth until he falls over. Again, he is still excited that he is falling over on the rocks and isn't getting hurt. I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I once read a book about the difference between girls and boys written by James Dobson. The one thing that really stuck in my head is that if a boy sees someone doing something and they get hurt, the boy just thinks it is because it wasn't done correctly and they assume they are the boy for the job. A girl realizes that it is just someone being stupid and learns from someone's mistakes. I am sure that this is a blanket statement that does not cover everyone but, unfortunately or fortunately, I will get to witness this firsthand.
So, the big 5 year old is growing up. On his way to the EXTREME sports. Ripping and riding. Well, at least until his little sister needs help with her lipgloss!

Cortney K.

Did someone say hot???

HOT does not even begin to describe what it felt like this weekend on the courts. I mean, it was like cooking yourself , on purpose, in a frying a pan. I know what you are thinking....please, it was only like 104 degrees and that really isn't THAT hot for Arizona, right? Well, think again all you shade hogging bystanders. It was incredibly hot on the courts. I arrived yesterday at my scheduled draw time, 12:00 p.m. or should I sat "stupid-o-clock"? The director proceeded to tell me that the lady that I was playing was not going to be there for an hour. AN HOUR? So, we didn't even start playing until 1:00. I prepared myself by drinking a ton of water before hand so I felt hydrated. So, after I kindly waited for the lady to get there, she kindly beat me. It was close 6-4 6-4 so not butt whippin but still, a loss. I really hate to lose, a lot. Lossing is so not in my blood. I know, no one LIKES to lose, but I CAN'T STAND to lose. I played awful. I just got new strings on my racquet, like an idiot, before my tournament. I don't know what I was thinking. Oh, wait. It is coming back to me now that my brain isn't swelling in my skull. My pro, offered to get me these special strings that aren't available to just anybody. So, he gets them to me and I was so excited that maybe, just maybe, all I really needed was a good set of PRO strings. I would put these strings on and when I held the racquet, visible magic rays would radiate from my hand through the racquet and into the air. I would instantly become a "Williams" sister of a different race. SOOOO, not the case. I could not get any "touch" with them. I knew that they were "power" strings but I forgot that I am not good enough to control the power yet. I was hitting balls long that I don't usually hit long and just all around couldn't get a good feel for the strings. I just started blocking balls back just to get them in, it was the most boring tennis I have played in a long time. I just wanted to keep the balls in, so I would hit so softly and they would go in for awhile. I began to think I was breaking through to the other more "controlled" side and then would hit a ball way out that I barely touched. It was awful. I should have beat that lady and yet the way that I played, no one would have guessed. The lady did excuse herself at an awkward moment to go the bathroom. Usually, you go between sets, she went in the middle. I later found out that she threw up. The heat on the court was 10 degrees hotter than the 104 that was predicted. The good news is, I did make some incredible shots and my footwork was much better than it has been. This has been a real struggle for me. I have great strokes but if you can't get yourself to the ball in the right position you may as well be holding a golf club on the court because your racquet isn't going to do you any good.
The match today started on time at 12 but was just as hot. I felt amazingly mobile and energized. I was winning when the lady I was playing, retired due to the heat. So, I did win but by default. I am confident that I would have pulled out a win here but was still playing waaayyy conservative which is so not the strategy that my pro and I have been working on. We had long rally's and many deuces. She also lost to the lady that beat my yesterday but much worse than I lost. We played 2 hours and were a little over halfway through the match, it was going to be awhile before we were finished. She just said she couldn't go on. So, it was hot but I really did learn more about myself. I was hot but felt light on my feet and learned how to adjust. I don't know to many people that would really put themselves out there, on the court, in this heat, when points count for USTA. I am proud of myself and I am a little tougher than even I thought. My husband and mother in law came to watch and I felt badly that I didn't play a more exciting match but feel supported, at least.
Now, on a different note. There hasn't been much to report for the kids. My literary genius isn't so gifted after all. It seems that he really only has one story that he just changes locations,times or situations to make it a "new" story. I mean, I could post them, he writes one almost daily, but trust me when I say, you would feel a little dumber each time you read one. I love him but by reading his stories you would think that all I let him do is play Wii and eat.
I signed him up for Little League though and can't wait to see what adventures come out of it. Seeing as he comes from a lineage of professional baseball players, there does seem to be some anticipation of what lurks inside him ,as an athlete.
Jaya is still the ballerina princess, running the show around here. I am sending out her invitations for her "Barbie" party, this week. She went to a friends party that got a lot of Barbie stuff and has decided that she is ready for some Barbies. She had babies and little strollers but feels she has progressed past these things. I, on the other hand, would really not like to have something ,in the house, constantly reminding me of where "plastic" surgery began its "perfect" body. I guess I will just avert my eyes, if need be ,so that she can have her wish. When will they make "Real Barbie". She would have a much thicker waist line, boobs that hung a little, legs that didn't look like toothpicks with a few dimples in her butt. I mean c'mon, what am I setting my daugher up to be when she looks at Barbie. My daughter is not a Barbie body in the making. How will I keep her balanced as she grows and doesn't end up in this shape? What is wrong with this picture? I am surprised that with all the changes that women have demanded, Barbie's body is not one of them. Calling all philanthropists! New cause!
So, I am going to bed. I am really tired and sore and I play in a ATA doubles match at 9. Hopefully, I will master these "elite" strings and become a confident player again.
Cortney K.

Tennis Tournament

Well, tennis season is starting to pick back up again. I am in a tournament this weekend. Now, when you sign up for these things you never know if you will get choosen to play and what time your matches will be. So, you wait until the week before the tournament and keep stalking the the website until you see the "draws".

I just checked again and wouldn't you know it, I will be playing on Saturday and Sunday at TWELVE! Could they have choosen a hotter time of the day???? I don't think so, I will completely fried.

So, to all my loyal supporters. I will need you more than ever to help me keep me moving.

If you are interested in being there let me know. It is at a very spectator friendly location and I can give you the directions.

See you on the searing courts!

Cortney K.

Story Time!!

Jaxx has been telling some stories at school. These are "original Jaxx literary works". He tells the story and the teacher writes them down. I will post these when they come home. I am behind so here is three days worth from last week.

8/27
"Once upon a time there was my Dad working and he came home with a present he got at the toy store. Guess what is was??? This toy is a toy rocket ship. I was playing with it in my room. My Dad called me; my favorite show was on. My favorite show was Speed Racer.
That's all."

8/28
"Once upon a time my Dad went to a store to buy me a toy and he buyed it at the best toy store he could never find. Well, when he found it, he was way, way, excited and he got a present. GUESS WHAT the toy was?! It was toy train. He comed home; I got it and opened it. It was a toy train and I knowed it. I told my Dad "I love trains!" I comed and played with it my room. My Dad called me to see my favorite TV show was on. My favorite TV that was on was " Wonder Pets". "

8/29
"Once upon a time, my Mom and Dad went to work. After Mom picks me up from school after work, she takes me to my Dad's mom's house. We took a tub and got our jammies on and them got in the car and buckled ourselves up. We drived over to our house and played Mario Super Sluggers. I win every time. I unlocked some new guys, frogs and crocodiles. I went to sleep and had a good dream. I went to my friend Zachary's house in my dream. I jumped on his bed. Zachary didn't cry when I went home. "

What a literary genious don't you think?
Cortney K.