Swimming Update

As you have noticed, I have not posted in a while. Not only is summer just plain busy, I have a new job, and we have decided to move. Whew. Too much going on. But, it's all exciting.

At camp, they gave Brantley a red necklace. The necklace was to remind him which slide he could go on in the pool since he can't swim. Today, I noticed a green necklace as I was signing him out and I asked him why the change in color. He said because he passed his swim test!!! YAY! I'm so proud of him. Since he passed the swim test, he gets to go on the other slide. He did say he was a little afraid to go on it though. I told him he could wait since he still has more swim lessons to go through, then maybe he'll be more comfortable going down that slide. Way to go Brantley!!

Fishin'

We have spent the last 2 weekends visiting with my parents and other family. This time, we got to go visit my Aunt Artie. She is my great aunt, which makes her Brantley's great-great aunt. (Actually, I'm not positive of the lineage...I've always known her as aunt Artie.) They live on a 23-acre homestead with a log cabin and a large pond for fishing. So, we went fishing. Me and Taylor caught a couple fish each. I lost track of how many Nathan caught. Brantley didn't catch any fish, he only caught himself. Yes, you read that correctly. He caught himself just below his lip. The barb of the hook didn't go in...thank goodness. Brantley was pretty freaked out. I carried him inside telling him to calm down. It bled quite a bit but stopped pretty quickly. We cleaned it up with some peroxide and he was fine after he calmed down. We'll have to keep an eye on it until it heals. He was just upset that he didn't catch any fish. He did ride in the paddle boat with dad after the accident. I think he enjoyed that. Here's a picture before the accident and a picture with aunt Artie.

Swimming...WOW!

Well, another fun filled day at camp. Today, Brantley said he got to ride the horses, go kayaking, and play hockey. He also had a swim lesson today. I took him to the pool after dinner so he could show me what he learned. He went down in the water! I thought, "Oh my god, he's going to drown right here." He kicked and paddled and came back up. He was fine! He can swim under water without holding his nose!!! He's not as good above water, but Wow! He is swimming. And, he's jumping in the pool without his ring. We are talking air time here when he jumps in now. I guess swimming is just like everything else, they do it when they are ready.

Summer Camp Update

Well, week 2 has begun. Man, the days of summer really are long. Brantley must be napping on the bus because I still can't get him in bed at a decent time. This week he is taking swim lessons at camp. He said that he was almost swimming today. He thinks he'll be able to swim by the end of the week. We'll see how that goes. He also got to play tennis today. He said he hit one out of the court to which daddy told him that's not the object in tennis. He needs to stick to baseball. On another note, I had bought 3 different backpacks to try out for camp. We ended up with a pull behind because the pack was just too heavy with all the stuff in it. I don't know if that thing is going to make it though the week. It already has holes in it!!! The bad thing is that we are not putting anything extra in there. It's a towel, his lunch, a water bottle and a change of clothes.

Summer Camp

Well, today was the first day of summer camp. Brantley has never been one to tell me much about his day, but I think he had a good time. He said he didn't get to ride the horses, he did get in the pool, and they will be doing different activities each day. He saw 2 kids from his kindergarten class and a girl from preschool. None of them are in his group though. According to the schedule, he went to the ranch, the games pavilion and had beach time. Tomorrow's schedule includes the splash park, pontoon boat and archery. I wish I could go. :) Oh, I just realized that is a sample schedule. Still, sounds like fun activities.

Sleepover Birthday Party

Brantley went to a camping birthday party last night. There were 10 boys there. I told the mom I thought she was nuts! We didn't get any phone calls and he had a great time. He was ready to go this morning, although it looked like he was still having a great time playing. We came home and he wanted to wash my car, so we did. Before we finished though, he took off inside. After a few minutes, I poked my head in the door and asked what he was doing. He was crying and upset and asked me to come see something. I took off my wet flip flops and came in. He had come down the stairs and was naked. He pointed at his groin area and was crying and asked what that was. He had a tiny tick that had bitten him (lower abdomen area so not on his privates). This was the first tick that had bitten him and he didn't know what it was and was afraid it would stay there. I tried to calm him down. We went upstairs and got the tweezers. I completely blanked on how to get a tick out. We put some alcohol on it. It was hanging on pretty good but I was able to get the head out without it breaking off or anything. We did a head-to-toe tick check after that. I told him it was a good thing we just cut his hair -otherwise it would have been tough to check his scalp in all his thick hair. He did ask me though, "Mom, how did it get there if I wasn't naked?" I was surprised that it had crawled all the way up under his underwear but I explained that it was tiny and had no problem crawling under his clothes. It must have been a long night, because he is passed out on the couch right now.

Baseball is over...

Well, we had our final game for the season. We ended it with a pot luck dinner and trophy presentation. After that, we had a pick-up game of whiffle (sp?) ball between the kids and the dads (and at least one of the moms!). The kids had a great time trying to get their dads out. Brantley got elbowed by one of the kid's older brother when trying to get the ball that Lawson hit. His lip was bleeding but but I think he was more upset that he wasn't able to get his dad out because of that inconsiderate big kid.

School's Out for Summer (music needed)

I need to figure out how to make music play when you open my page. Oh well. Brantley learned a new song. He said he learned it from the kids on the bus. He was pretending to play his guitar as he sang it to me. Very cute. I'll have to get him to do it again so I can get a clip. Here it is:



When I think about rain
I think about singing
when I think about singing
it's a heavenly tune
When I think about heaven
I think about angels
When I think about angels
I think about you.


It's hard to believe that kindergarten is over. Brantley has grown up so much over the school year. He is a totally different child today from that first day of kindergarten. He's adding and subtracting numbers, writing sentences and reading. Not that I am that old, but I don't remember anything by playing in centers and naptime in kindergarten. What are your kindergarten memories?

Sounds

Brantley and his dad went to the Sounds game today and Brantley got a foul ball that went to the bleachers. He said he raced and adult to get it. While they were at the game, I spent 3 hours in the yard pulling weeds and trimming plants.

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Red Sox

Brantley played first base and got an out.

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Cubs

I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but another great game with the Mariners today. Brantley got on the tee for his first at bat. I think he was a little nervous because his aunt and uncle were watching him and he really wanted to show them his stuff. But, he made up for it later in the game with an awesome hit that went out of the fence. Well, it rolled on the ground and went under the fence. But still, it was out of the field!! He also got an out on second base during the game. It was hot out there today and we had to keep telling him to drink water. I don't think he drank enough water today because he isn't feeling well tonight. I'm forcing him to drink water and I gave him some tylenol in case it's a virus or something. If he ends up with strep again, I think I will scream, but I wouldn't be surprised.

Kindergarten Program

Here is a clip from Brantley's Kindergarten Program.

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Tigers

Man, it's a busy week. We had baseball Saturday. Baseball tonight. Baseball Thursday. Baseball Saturday. And again on Monday. Wow! Another great game. Brantley had some awesome hits. Still not much in the fielding department though. Here is a picture of the team. Brantley is the one in the red cleats if you didn't spot him.

It's Pool Time!

We are getting so spoiled. Brantley went to a birthday pool party on Sunday. He had some much fun and hated to leave. Then, Monday evening we went to Roger's house. He has a heated pool and said it was open and warm!! We swam for over an hour. It was really nice. I don't think I have ever gone swimming this early in May. Brantley is already asking when we can go back to Roger's house. Get ready Roger...Brantley is going to become a permanent fixture at your house!

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Yankees

Today's game was against Brantley's old coaches' team. They take the game so seriously. I was being ugly because of course the coach's son got to play in the pitcher's spot and bat first. I see nothing has changed there. Other parents noticed how serious they were too. One of the comments was "I bet they are practicing during the week in addition to the games." Brantley had an awesome game. We got there a little early so I was pitching to him and he was hitting them to the grass. I was so glad to see him play so well in front of his old coaches. He played so well that he got the game ball. He went over to show it to his old coach. He was so proud of himself.

Priceless

Brantley came in the house today after playing outside with his friends.

"HELLO," he yelled.
"Hello," I said back. He plopped down on the floor and starting taking off his shoes.
"Guess what?" he said.
"What?"
"I got my first girlfriend today."
"You did? Who's that?"
"Hannah."
"Hannah huh. Is she in your class?"
"No, she lives up the street. She's four."
"Oh, okay."

All I could do was smile. I was just too dumbfounded to do anything else.

Other Game Highlights

Brantley let his friend across the street play with his bat, and quess what....his bat was in their garage. He had to play his game tonight with his other bat which is heavier. Those hits tonight would have been in the grass if he had his good bat. Lighter bat = more level swing...at least that's what I'm told. We had to have the talk about making sure things are put back after they get them out. When we got home, we stopped by to get the bat and his friend got the exact same lecture.

Brantley also had a case of unsportsmanlike conduct tonight. He was trying to get his friend to say "Bad Game" when the lined up. Lawson said the coach pulled him aside. I didn't know he started it. I heard another kid say it, but Brantley said he started it. At least he will learn now how to act like a good sportsman.

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Cardinals

Brantley hit the first pitch every inning tonight. I say he's batting a thousand. Lawson corrected me to say he's batting .333. Apparently, he has to get on base for it to count. The coaches are calling outs now and Brantley got out twice. Once for a fly ball that, believe it or not, a kid on the other team caught and once for a grounder that was fielded at first base. So, he had 3 awesome hits, no strikes, but only got on base once. Now, if my terminology is off, blame it on Lawson. He's the baseball expert but he won't do any blogs. I just call it like I see it.

What is Brantley doing?

Game Highlights: Mariners Vs. White Sox

Another great game with the Mariners. Brantley got to play catcher on the first inning. I didn't realize it because we were late to the game and I saw him go out to the outfield. And, of course I was chatting with grandma and missed that they sent him back and put the catcher gear on him. Sorry, no picture of that. Brantley ended up on the T on his first a bat. Not sure what was up with him. He was holding the bat out in front of him instead of back behind his head. Second at bat, he hit it straight to the coach who had to catch it to keep it from hitting him. I think he was a bit surprised. Third at bat, Brantley hit it to the grass. He also got a couple of grounders in the outfield. And, since the game went so quickly, the coaches decided to play an extra inning. It was a beautiful day for baseball!