Brant's fans

Last night we took a jaunt over to Mebane (and their really nice sports complex) for Brant's baseball game.
It was hot and sunny, perfect baseball weather!  We claimed the shady side of the bleachers and camped out.  We were very excited with Natalie, Cade and Dana were able to come!

Snoozing after getting baby snuggles from Dana

 Brant's team, the Cardinals, are undefeated.  Technically, they don't keep score in Pee Wee, but the Coach keeps all the stats.  And last night, he informed Brant that in last night's game, he hit more than in his first three games combined!  He's been working so hard, and it's really paying off.  He was 3 for 3 last night! Two of those hits were on the first ball.  Brant has also been catching an inning or two, and really likes it...hmmm, future position?  Too bad for his knees!

Taking a knee after the game to talk to coach

Coach Harrison and Coach Jones and the team..."Cardinals on three!"
Jex hit a home run too!

 When Brant had a great hit, and was on first, Coach Jones said he told him, " I hope Natalie saw that!"
She did Buddy!

A few photos, I couldn't decide which ones to include, so I included them all! Cade was running too fast to get a picture, he had a blast going up and down the bleachers!

Brantley and the sometimes silly swans

Friday evening Brant and Henry attended their first dance recital.  Natalie and several of Brant's classmates were dancing, and I thought it would be a good chance for Brant to see just what all that is about.  Not only was it lovely classical music, but it was beautiful ballet, with "girls dancing on their toes!"

It was A Carnival of Animals and Brant enjoyed watching how the dancers acted like the animals in their dances.  Afterwards, we met up with some of his classmates...

The buds

Brand didn't want to squish Natalie's tutu...with cute Elizabeth

Good grief Brant is tall!

yep, you can dress them up and take them to the theatre, but they are still kindergarteners!  This was the silly shot after trying to get a good photo

I told Brant how proud I was of his behavior at the recital, I'm really amazed at how he's growing and understanding.  So proud of my boys...and our sweet friends who danced so beautifully!

Field Trip: Greensboro Natural Science Center

Thursday of Brantley's birthday week was an exciting day, although not birthday related.  It was field trip day!  Field trips come in two varieties at the Day School, parent drivers and bus trips.  Of course, the bus trips are the most exiting, and this was a bus trip! 

We all decided to go on this trip, as Henry is such an easy going kiddo.  So we headed off, meeting the bus there.  After that, it was a Brantley and Natalie led tour!

We started with the dinos....

Making a T-Rex rubbing

Natalie's finished product

 Around this time the zoo part was opening, so we headed out of the crowd and checked out the petting zoo

Brant thought they were very stinky

and enjoyed milking the cow, especially when he figured out he could squirt water out of the bucket!

Natalie liked the Alpaca

And we all thought the peacock was pretty.

 About this time, the kids headed in to watch an animal program, where they got to pet and see a variety of animals.   After lunch, we checked out the rest of the museum and the rest of the animals.

Henry was very alert, taking in all the activity

Craning his next to see what the kids are doing.

So, I do this every time.  I take tons of photos of animals and places without people.  Big Brantley says I worry too much about photos and don't enjoy the place I'm in.  But, I do enjoy photos. So here are some I snapped. 

Mr. Tom Turkey

A good shot of the hangy downy thingy...a waddle?

The alpaca was quite sociable.  But watch those teeth! You need braces buddy!

The wandering peacock Brant and Natalie wouldn't walk by

I love this shot!

The wallabees

And the tortoise

A face only his mother could love!

The kids had a blast playing in the dancing fountains, while the parents and teachers rocked on the porch surrounding it.  A great day was had by all!!

Happy 6th Birthday Brantley!

Happy Birthday sweet Brantley boy!  Wow, six years have just flown.  Thinking back to the day you were born, and the long day it was, the utter and complete joy of having you in our arms at the end of it still brings tears to my eyes.  Especially now, seeing how big you are, how independent, how sweet you are with your baby brother. You are growing so, learning so much. Your sense of humor surprises us and you are so fun to just hang out with.  God has blessed us with the most wonderful son! And now, you are a big brother too!

Your birthday started out early today, with a pancake breakfast before school.  We woke you up singing Happy Birthday, well, Mommy sang it, Daddy just laughed at Mommy.  Tuesday we went an picked the strawberries for your tradition, strawberry, pancakes and whipped cream (Daddy made REAL whipped cream!) Of course, you had a candle in them too!  You can't have too many candles for your birthday!

The flash was bothering his eyes, it was a bit early for photos

 You got to open one present before you went to school, so we chose one we knew you'd love to take with you, for show and tell!

A Lego Darth Vader watch!

 And of course, the photo by the flag!  Mommy is so glad she got this flag, especially now that you and your brother will be using it...not to mention the rest of the family!

The hydrangea bush behind Brantley was on our patio the day we brought  him home from the hospital.  It was from "The Village People" (The folks from The Village Grill)

 After you left for school, Mommy got busy.  Boy you had a lot of presents this year, we saved all the gifts sent to you to open on your actual birthday.  It was fun watching your eyes light up when you came home from school, a mini-Christmas morning

Mommy, Daddy and Henry came to school for lunch, bringing you lunch from "Choo Choo Restaurant" (Southbound Sandwich shop).  We also stopped and brought a treat for your class!

Brant's special birthday crown

Lunch with our boy

Lego city plates

Lego city napkin

Lego guy cookies!!

Laughing as his classmates finish singing to him

 And when you got home, it was present time!

Tearing into Grandma's gift

Henry loved the balloons, and bright colors of the wrapping paper

A light saber!

Grandma got a cookie too!

Playing the drum the Japan crew sent, along with a cool xylophone

But the big gift from Mommy and Daddy was a basketball goal!

A few lessons from Daddy

And he was off, he made several baskets today

 After dinner, an epic battle was waged...yes, Grandma bought two light sabers, you have to be able to battle!

And his new Darth Vader helmet just made it all the more fun

 Before baseball practice, Daddy and Brant got to work on the puzzle Henry gave Brant.

We ran to baseball practice, and boy, Brant, you have really, really worked hard at baseball!  You got a hit every time you were at bat and you were fielding like a champ!  We are so very, very proud of you, and of how you didn't give up when you didn't succeed the first times.

After practice was cut a bit short because of lightening, we got to eat the yummy strawberry shortcake Daddy made you.  You've always loved strawberry shortcake, as a matter of fact, it's been your birthday cake of choice since you were three!

Happy Birthday sweet boy! May all your wishes come true!

Tomorrow is another fun day, a field trip!  And you still have your party with your friends to go!