New look

Well, the project for out front is almost complete! I couldn't find my pre picture, but it's on this blog somewhere in the pictures of the wall out front. It is now gone and new additions have been made! Check out the photos.

Austin is recovering from a bad sunburn that took an ER visit to tell us that aspirin, benadryl, aloe, and keeping it covered is the best cure. Can't wait for that bill! Seems that a pool party after ball practice turned into an expensive event. He didn't listen to his mother to apply sunscreen often and therefore had a bad reaction 2 days later which caused him tons of itching, pain and discomfort with huge tears, groaning/yelling and jerking movements that looked similar to convulsions! I thought something else was wrong with him!

Cameron on the other hand, is doing great with swimming! He can now swim by himself without any life preservers! He goes under, kicks, and swims about 6 feet unassisted, but close to the wall so that he can grab it if needed. He now loves the water! Initially, tears and fears were all around even getting near the water, now tears are there for not wanting to get out! We decided to take another 2 weeks of lessons since he is doing so good! He's also getting into photography, likes to take random pics with my phone. Check out the self portraits. That's all for now, gotta go to another swim lesson!

Williamsport anyone?

Yes, Austin made the Williamsport All-Star team! That means if his team keeps advancing, we may be going to Pennsylvania for a championship! You can watch us on ESPN! Well, we can always dream big anyway! He was very excited to make the team this year. Also Austin got an award for "best attitude" from the coaches. Each teams' coaches in the league picks 1 player to receive the award/medal. Austin got it for the Tigers. Pretty cool. He also got MVP and best slug average award from his coach. His slug average was the best in the whole LEAGUE. We had our closing ceremonies last Saturday so regular baseball season is over. His team got 2nd place for his division. I don't think I've mentioned 6th grade graduation and his awards he received. He got all A average for the year award, best boy writer of 6th grade, and awards for getting "commended" (which means getting an A on the test) on both reading and math TAKS test, which is the state assessment taken each year. He made a 100 on the math and only missed 1 on the reading. So he's getting to be a pretty fart smeller, I mean smart feller! His schedule now is going to pre AP math prep class every morning from 8-11:45 and then all-star practice every night from 8-10.

Cameron is still playing t-ball and doing pretty well. He is in his 2nd week of swim lessons. At first I thought I had spent $ for nothing because the 1st 2 days, he wouldn't even get near the water. Finally an instructor took him and made him get in and asked me to leave the area so he can gain confidence that he will be OK and can build trust, which was fine with me. So day 3 and I go into the gym to work out. I come out and he's in the water with a noodle wrapped around him swimming around and kicking like crazy. I'm not sure how they convinced him, but it worked! He is not afraid to get in as long as he has someone to hold on to or is wearing his noodle. Way to go YMCA! My friend Sean from college came to town and he does voice recordings for the cartoon Dragon Ball-Z. His friend owns a studio and I got to take the boys to let them see what a recording studio looks like. Cameron hopped right up in the chair and took off! He wore headphones so he could hear himself. They morphed his voice to sound like a munchkin and it made him laugh so hard. It was pretty funny hearing him laugh in the morphed voice! Then they morphed his voice very low and he imitated the guy saying "I'm a scary monster" It was really cool. Cameron was a real ham and started doing his own things like singing songs, playing air guitar and singing tunes, saying funny phrases, etc. They recorded it all and will send me a copy soon, I hope. I told them if they ever needed a kid to record, give me a call!

I'm staying busy trying to find cheap labor to help me re-design my front yard area. We've cut trees down, took out bushes and knocked down the huge brick wall that was blocking my dining room windows. I can see outside now! Next comes making a little patio/sitting area and planting new plants. Jose is going to help me. He's good, pretty cheap, but does not know much "Engleis" and my "Espaniol" is not that great. But we should be OK, hopefully. I'll take pics and post later of my updates. We have also switched rooms with Austin and the spare. We've painted and moved all the stuff. His former room was at least 10 degrees hotter than the rest of the house. Maybe because he has a 37" flat screen TV and XBox 360 running almost non-stop???? I have a window a/c unit in the garage that we can use, but his old windows slide left to right and the windows in the new room are normal, which will allow the window unit if needed. So, he's busy making it "teen" like.

Here's the latest weight update Cameron: 55lbs. Austin: 130 lbs 5'9" Josie: never mind!

It's getting hot down here! Leave me comments sometime, let me know what you're up to!!!

Summer's here!

We're finally out of school! Austin is officially a junior high student! UGH! He's very happy about having nothing to do for 2 1/2 months. Oh is he in for a surprise! I have many summer projects that he gets to help with! Right now we are working on strengthening his R shoulder. It seems he has a muscle tear and can't pitch for 6 weeks. He had a game last Thursday and played 1st base, since he doesn't need to throw hard and therefore catching was out. This was about the best game I have ever seen. We were ahead almost the whole game and then the other team got ahead, so the score was 9-8. We were up to bat - last inning of the game, of course. First 2 batters struck out. Austin was up to bat. No pressure. The count became full so it was so intense. On the last pitch Austin took a huge swing and............................................................................................................................................................................HIT IT OVER THE FENCE to tie the game. The crowd went wild. It was like one of those "best of game" clips that they show on ESPN or something! I think I climbed half way up the fence! Then the next 2 batters hit and we ended up winning 10-9. Hearts were definitely pumping that night. Austin told me after the game that he couldn't feel anything or hear anything as he was rounded the bases. When he got to home plate, he looked up to the sky and pushed his helmet upwards, thanking Him for the ability to make that play. Now he has to rest his shoulder. I'm not sure if that will affect his all-star nomination or not. We'll see. They had another game this past Sat and won 27-12. So their record is now 15-1. Go Tigers!

I was able to get away this weekend to Austin with my friend Norma. We stayed with my sister 1 night and then a hotel the next. We had a good time and ate some good food. A much needed break for me!

Cameron starts swim lessons today and I need to get ready to take him. So, that's all for now!