Tampa State Qualifier Weekend

Okay time to catch us because I feel like I have been slacking. And mostly our family has just been enjoying some low-key days. Taking in some relaxing time at home on the days we aren't running here to there and to this sporting event to another.

So let's talk about the Tampa State Race. It was another wonderful weekend with some of our favorite people.

The place was packed. It had the most motos and riders of any event that I have been to this far. Bransen's 8I group had quarters and some really tough competition. With never riding on this track before we knew that we were going to be in for some hard racing.

Saturday he transferred out of moto one onto quarters. Quarters came and he found himself in the semi but came up short to make the main. Sunday he transferred out of moto two into the quarters. He was top two in his quarters when his pedal slipped causing him to crash. Proud mom moment: he got right back up and finished the race. He didn't make the semi but he was having one heck of an awesome ride.

And then there's Ben. His first race in the three year old class. He took some good finishes on Saturday landing one first place finish. Then Jake found him his own micro-mini bike that we purchased and after that he had no interest in riding the strider anymore and just wanted to pedal. And with that being said Sunday he just went out their and lolly gagged!

And now next weekend were off to race #9 and #10 in High Springs!

Ben Starts School

It's so hard for me to think that we are at the age of Ben starting pre-school. We have been blessed for the past three years of having Jake's mom be able to care for Ben. And she still will! We had been on a waiting list since April and they finally had an opening so Jake and I knew that we couldn't pass up the opportunity. He's going to be going Tuesday's and Thursday's and all for the fact that we thought it was time for him to have more social interaction with kids his own age. Having four older brothers he sometimes forgets that he's only three!!

So for his birthday he got a new backpack and lunch box and has been counting down the days until he begins. Monday night we packed his lunch and got his backpack already. Jake was lucky enough to be able to go into work late and Bransen also was able to join us on dropping Ben off on his first day.

When we got there we hung up his backpack and lunchbox and walked into his classroom where we met his teacher, Ms. Alecia. Ben quickly noticed that the kids were playing with play-doh so he jumped on grabbing a container and sat right down with his friends. Shortly after while he was distracted (no long goodbyes) we left!

It was by far the longest day for me. I could not wait until Pep picked him up and I could hear about his day. But his teacher was amazing and messaged me in the afternoon with some pictures and to let me know he was having a great day.

Pep picked him and he was always smiles.

When he got home, he went and hung his backpack right up in his room. He had a sheet in his backpack letting us know how his day went. It said he opened up a lot on the playground and he was not a fan of nap time!

He's already looking forward to day number two!

A Lazy Rare Weekend

We never have a weekend where nothing is on the agenda. But this last weekend we didn't have a thing to do. The kids actually never even got in the car to go anywhere and I think spent 99% of the days in their pajamas. As I started to feel guilty as the weekend came to an end I know that busy weekends of sports and events are coming up and weekends that we all just get to hang around will be far and in between.

The boys spent most of Saturday inside since the weather was misty and gloomy. They colored, watched movies and played Nintendo. But Sunday the sun was shining and they spent all day outside, spending most of their time in their fort they made!

Runs and Bike Rides

Together Ben and I go on many runs which are then followed by a one mile bike ride.

It starts like this:

Mom - "Ben, wanna go a run with me?"
Ben- "I wanna ride my bike"
Mom- " We will go on a bike ride when we get back"
Ben - climbs into the stroller with his fishies and were off!

And as soon as we come home, we're onto our bikes for a mile bike ride and a quick stop at the bench at the end.

James' Birthday!

This past weekend the boys and I went out to Crescent Lake to celebrate James' birthday. Their was a chill in the air but the sun was shining and the scenery was just amazing. The boys got to play in the huge yard, walk out by the dock, Ben got to see an old vintage firetruck and the bigger boys got to take a ride in a boat! It was such a nice afternoon celebrating James birthday and ending the week!

Ben Turns Three!

Ben's birthday was more like a week celebration. We had a party for him Sunday when we had Jake's boys. Jakes family all came over and we had dinner and cake!

Then for his actual birthday, Jake was off and I took the day off so we decided to let him spend the day with just us! This is very rare! We started the day off with his request of going to Pep's Publix and picking up a box of chocolate chip cookies. Then we headed over to Disney Springs. The highlight of the day was riding the train. When we went over at Christmas time he wanted to ride it so bad, so when he knew he could for this birthday he was ecstatic!  We headed over to T-Rex cafe for lunch and he was excited to hear the staff all sing him Happy Birthday while delivering him a gummy worm cookie crumbled cake! Afterwards we headed all over Disney Springs in search on the perfect Mickey. We even made a trip over to Wide World of Sports. He has a Mickey that he's very attached to and it has a jersey on it so every time we would go looking he kept saying he wanted one with a jersey. It was impossible to find so he ended up getting a sleeping Mickey! My parents ended up coming over for dinner and cake to wrap up this boys birthday!

And can't forget all the birthday wishes on Facebook! He's one lucky little boy!

From Mom -

Someone I love was born three years ago today and every day since he’s made my world better! ❤️

From Dad - 

On January 22, 2017 at 2:27pm, you came into this world at 8lb 14ounces, 21 inches long. We could never have imagined the amount of smiles, laughs and near heart attacks you would bring. You're so smart it's dangerous, so funny it's unimaginable and truly the coolest kid ever.

I'm so blessed to be your daddy and I love watching you grow. Happy 3rd birthday buddy!

From Mem-

Happy 3rd Birthday Benjamin! You are such a joy and watching you grow and learn has been a very special gift! May 3 be as amazing and fun as you are! Mem loves you so much precious boy💙 Have a fantastic day..

From Pep-

Happy 3rd Birthday Benny!

Who loves you?

Pep does!