Owen's first t ball practice

As a mama I love having a front row seat to my kids' childhood.  I especially enjoy witnessing every "first".  This afternoon Owen officially made his debut in an organized sport!  He has spent long enough sitting on the sidelines watching his big sister participate and now he is ready to shine!  

His t ball team is the Mudcats and our church youth minister and friend Charlie is his head coach this season.  He doesn't seem to mind notice that he has most of Emma's equipment handed down.  Daddy even spray painted her bright pink helmet shiny silver!  Owen did, however, get to pick out a snazzy new pair of Under Armor cleats at Academy.  He promised they would make him run faster around the bases!  He must have literally asked the question "Is it time for practice?" a hundred times throughout the day!  He was thrilled when 5:30 finally rolled around.  He was all smiles as we headed to the field:

His practice started with stances and stretches:

Then a little running to get things going!

Ready for catching drills:

Reviewing the bases:

Loving it!!  :)

Emma's team (the Magic Diamonds) had practice at the next field.  Needless to say, we will be spending a lot of time out at the ball field this Spring!  

Health Fair

This week Emma's school hosted a community health fair.  Classes was given a specific topic and each student was given the opportunity to create their very own poster.  Emma's poster was all about about stranger danger.  

We made her poster as bright and colorful as possible, including flashing poster lights we found on sale!  :)

Emma came up with her own important messages including "Never leave with a stranger" and "Never take candy or anything from strangers".  This project was a great opportunity for us to discuss stranger stranger in depth as a family.  

Both kids enjoyed the opportunity to climb up into a firetruck and ambulance on site.  We also made the rounds and learned more about personal personal hygiene, germs and safety.  Emma even earned a free '100' for our attendance!

Tiger mini cheer camp 2014

Last month Emma attended a Tiger mini cheer camp hosted by our varsity cheerleaders.  She was so excited to be there with some of her favorite friends :)  They learned a dance as well as a couple of fun cheers.

On Friday evening the group performed during half time of the girls varsity basketball game.  Here she is beforehand with some of her besties: Rebecca, Elizabeth and Abigail :)

Posing with a mascot!  Emma was thrilled about performing and reminded me to pack her pom poms and eye glitter.  She shared with all of her friends :)

Showtime!  :)

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 came and went pretty fast this year.  Here are some of our favorite memories.  We are so thankful that Jesus came as a baby boy to save the world!

My sweet preschool & Kinder Wed night kiddos ~ our Happy Birthday Jesus party!

The Smith gentlemen dressed for the Christmas eve service at church :)

All smiles before distributing gifts at Big Daddy & Lita's house 

Santa pic :)

This sweet girl is growing up too fast!

Our silly Owen

Christmas morning 

Cousin love at Bailey Christmas 2013

Barrett Christmas 2013

Crazy Christmas photos

Every once in awhile my kids are fairly cooperative and I can snap a perfect picture quickly and painlessly. Most often, though, these two prefer to create quite a challenge for their mama behind the lens.  They love to make one another giggle and the silliness compounds fast.  More than anything, they definitely remind me to relax more and to enjoy the moment.  I will want to remember these silly moments years from now.  

On our way to the Christmas eve service at church

So thankful that there is never a dull moment in the Smith household :)

Owen's Christmas performance

In mid December Owen's class performed in his preschool Christmas program.  

It took a little while for him to warm up but he finally jumped in!  His class sang and danced to 'O Come Let us Adore Him'.  All of the classes joined together at the very end to close the program with 'We Wish you a Merry Christmas'. 

I'm fairly certain that bowing is one of Owen's favorite parts of performing.  He had practiced that part all week: while saying "1,2,3, bow".

Following the stellar performance was his class party.  Big sister wouldn't have missed it for the world :)

I created these reindeer juice boxes very last minute!  I think the kiddos really liked them :)

Owen with one of his sweet friends, Willa.  These cuties are both future Baylor bears :)

Emma's Birthday Celebrations

Emma had a wonderful birthday week!  I delivered cupcakes to her class the afternoon of her birthday!  

She chose to enjoy dinner at Romo's, our favorite local Mexican food place.  They even surprised her with a funny sombrero and sopapillas :)

That weekend we celebrated our seven year old with a pink/zebra party at the bowling alley in Huntsville.  

Sweet birthday girl

The pretty cake made by Red Barn Bakery

Some of our favorite first graders {Kayley, Savannah, Sarah, Emma & Merik} :)

Blowing out seven candles!!

A special thanks to these folks for traveling to celebrate with us:

Granny & Grandpa James

Lita & Big Daddy

All of Emma's friends in attendance