What We've Been Up To

We've had a few random things going lately! 

Cruz:

Cruz did a paper bag report for Reading. He actually enjoys the Arnie and the Doughnut Book series! Yay. This project was fun because besides writing a summary of the book, Cruz got to fill the paper bag with 5 objects to represent his book. He had fun sharing this with the class.

Cruz kicked off his little league season a week or so ago. 

I'm thankful that he's on a good team with a great coach. That makes all the difference! 

Cruz enjoyed playing first base (and third base, second base, and right field).

He caught several pop flies too! 

Coco: 

Sis has been busy being silly, supporting her brothers, dancing, becoming known by name at the little league concession stands and winning the Baum family award for the most playdates. 

Rowan:

It's been so fun for Rowan to study the Civil War with actual battlefields, sites and historic landmarks in our very own backyard. Rowan and I both loved our visit to the Carnton Plantation and the Carter House. This plantation served as a hospital during the civil war. Rowan's favorite part was seeing the blood stains still on the wood floor. 

The Carter house was a family home used in the Battle of Franklin (the second bloodiest battle of the Civil War). There are still holes in this house from bullets and cannonballs! 

After preparing for weeks, the fifth graders finally got the chance to go to Biz Town! After their interviews a few weeks ago, Rowan was offered a job as the CEO of the town TV station. 

Rowan's duties include: overseeing his eight employees, signing A LOT of things, writing an editorial for the town newspaper, giving speeches and being interviewed. 

The group ready to go on Day 1 of 2.

Rowan had to give a speech in front of all the other students explaining what his TV station would be offering to the other Biz Town students. Rowan had SO much fun with this experience. 

Okay... caught up for now! :) 

Happy Ninth Birthday, Sweet Cruz!

Cruz is Nine: 

Sweet boy's ninth birthday started out by Cora, Rowan and I sneaking into his room and waking him up with the birthday song! 

Cruz is not a fan of traditional cake so we have to get creative. This year, we went with a donut cake! 

Cruz got to "open" his big gift before he left for school. 

When Cruz came home from school the present opening began! First he face timed with Grandma and got to open some fun new toys he requested for the pool this summer! 

Thank you, Linda, for the card and the check! 

Cruz got to face time and open his gifts from Grammy and Grampy next. He loved all the things but he especially loved the "How to Draw Cars" book, sketchpad and pens. 

Next Cruz opened the rest of his gifts from us. 

New hat, model Tesla

Travel Game

and a much needed new baseball glove! 

Cruz chose Jason's Deli for dinner! He loves the plain pasta and unlimited ice cream. 

We sure love our Cruzy! 

We had one more special dessert when we got home.

The birthday gifts kept rolling in the next day! Thank you, O'Connor fam! 

The Skee Ball game from Grandpa and Deona was a huge hit!! 

Cruz had gotten to open his awesome light up basketball and light up net the night before his birthday. Uncle Randy and Aunt Nicole always find the most fun gifts! 

Cruz got to bring ice cream cups and crushed up Oreos to school as a treat. He got to sit in his teacher's chair while his classmates named qualities about Cruz that they appreciate. Some of my favorites were that he's old fashioned (meaning he'd rather play outside than play video games), he's helpful, athletic, always comes into class with a smile and that he's himself. It was so fun to watch Cruz's face as his classmates showered him with affirmations. 

Cruz's Party: Urban Air

We continued our celebration of Cruz on Friday evening. 

Lately, we've been talking about quality friendships over the quantity. Cruz decided he'd rather do something bigger for his party and just invited one friend. He decided to invite his best friend Gabe and his family to spend the evening with us at Urban Air Adventure Park, dinner at Panera, and frozen yogurt at Sweet Cece's. We absolutely love Gabe's family. His little brother is in Kindergarten with Cora, he has the most adorable twin baby sisters and his parents are in our life group at church. We were so thankful for wonderful people to celebrate Cruzy turning 9. 

I gave Cruz a budget and did his own shopping for everyones goody bags. 

Sweet Cece's Frozen Yogurt rounded out a very fun night. We are so thankful for all of the people that God has brought into our lives here in Franklin.

Nine:

Oh, Cruz Emerson. We are so thankful for you. I've said this before but you add so much spunk and laughter in our otherwise very type A household.  You're silly, goofy and give THE best hugs.  You were thrilled to reach 50 inches and 50 pounds this month.  I was thrilled for you. I'm so proud of the way you excel in math and work so hard at spelling.  I love watching you play baseball, especially when you get up to the plate with a swing that makes people say, "whoa."  I love that you are confident in who God made you to be. I love that you love Jesus and that you desire for others to know him too. I admire the way you stand up for your friends and the way you stand up to others over what is right. I enjoy watching your kindness towards your sister grow. The two of your personalities seem to conflict quite often but I'm seeing you choose gentleness and patience with her more and more. You are creative, great at drawing and brave as can be. I can't believe our little baby "Ugga" has turned into such a bright and amazing NINE year old. We love you so much, Cruzy Bear. 

Hustle Factory Expos: Week One

Rowan had his first travel baseball tournament this last weekend. The weather was gorgeous, sunny and 77 which made for a beautiful day. 

If he's not pitching, Rowan generally plays second base or short stop. 

Rowan really shined as a pitcher this tournament. For the past three months, Rowan has taken a weekly, hour long, pitching lesson. This wasn't always fun for him because it was A LOT of hard work and it was really difficult for him to see how much he had improved.

His first day back on the mound really helped him to see his hard work pay off which was exciting for him. 

Rowan was also able to see the improvement from his weekly batting lesson. He's really just improved all around as a baseball player and I'm so proud of his work and dedication.

Here's a short clip of Rowan pitching. This was the last game of the tournament, about 90 pitches in. 

Cora stayed busy having a blast with the other sisters. 

She and Cruz were also Rowan's biggest cheerleaders, especially Cruz. He sat and watched almost every minute of all three games. He was constantly encouraging Rowan. 

There were some snow cones consumed as well. 

This was really such a fun way to spend a Saturday. We are looking forward to many more tournaments and hopefully a lot of improvement as a team moving forward.