Rocky Point...it's been too long!

So I'm asking myself, "Why, why, why, have we waited so long to go back to Rocky Point?" Well, I know why, but it was a long overdue get away! After having a PACKED month, and all the drama life brings, it was a needed treat! The weather was PERFECT, the Tides were low, and the beach and resort was full of families for the kids to play with. Sophia was at an enjoyable age, loving everything, even down to the wave runners, and looking for sea life during the low tide. What amazing family memories made!

We started our trip Sunday morning. We didn't have the most pleasant start, as Ben hurt his back as he was putting a suitcase in the car. (It wasn't heavy, he just stretched the wrong way!) I ordered him to lie down, while I got everything else organized and packed in the car. I drove to Gila Bend, so he could relax and ice his back. We got to Rocky Point around 3 (an hour before check in) but they gave us the key anyway. We unloaded and got situated first (as always) before we headed out for fun. I was much happier with this condo, and think it's a keeper from now on.

The boys were happy to have their own room and quickly unpacked and organized (boys after my own heart!). They were so excited to show me their work!

Aubrie claimed her own spot!

We headed down to the beach first, enjoying a cool breeze and watching the tide recede.

The kids running out to the sand bar that popped up when the tide was low. It was so much fun to go so far out!

After a few hours on the beach we headed to the pool for a bit of hot tubing and time on the slide. I headed up early to get dinner started. After dinner, we headed into town for some Thrifty ice cream, our favorite treat there! Sophia was going on and on about ice cream, and fell asleep on the way there, but had no problem waking up once we go there! Boston got his Cotton Candy (blah), and Ethan and Aubrie got Oreo (Yum). I got my Coco Crunch (Double Yum!) and Butter Pecan. Ben got Mint Chip, that ended up being Sophia's, so I ended up sharing mine with Ben! After ice cream we headed back for movies and a game of Clue before bed. We definitely made the most out of day 1!

Happy 6TH Birthday EThan!

Ethan had a great birthday. It started with him waking up to streamers on his bedroom door, and opening presents before school. We got him what he asked for, "roller skates with 2 wheels on each side (for wheelers lol), and big boy underwear". He didn't want the character underwear anymore, because "those are for babies". He was most excited when he opened the underwear.

Boston gave him his box of treasures which included all his bouncy balls and magnets. (Ethan used the stuff to make surprise bags for Aubrie, Boston and Ethan later that night...so sweet).

He also got some Tilly's clothes from my Mom. (Boston's suggestion of course).

Later that morning I brought donuts to his class and they all sang Happy Birthday. His teacher made it really fun. He got to pass them all out, and when the sang they waved their donut in the air, and they couldn't eat them until Ethan said they could. Field Day was going on, and Aubrie and Boston saw us outside and got to take part.

After school he had a birthday party which included pizza, a bounce house, pin the nose on the clown, and lots of boys playing on the basketball court, tether ball court, teeter totter, swings, soccer course, etc. It's amazing we only had two minor injuries. Ethan got tonz of Lego's and Transformer gifts to keep him busy for days. It was a great party and a great day for Ethan! He was very happy and said he had a great birthday!

Gotta love when one of the kids asks, "Do we all have to share that cake?" They were actually falling for it when I said "yes", and that would all get a small piece. They were happy when we brought out the ice cream bars! BTW that is Ethan under that hat!
It's really hard to believe that my Ethan is six! I'm not sure if it's because I was barely pregnant with him when we moved here, so that means we have almost been here 7 years, or if it's just because my baby has grown up so fast! So far Ethan has seemed to grow up quicker than the rest. I'm sure I'll be changing my tune when I send Sophia to her first day of school. But for now, I feel like it was yesterday that he was my little 18 month shoveling ice cream in his face in the early hours of the morning, before we came downstairs and caught him. He was the reason we started storing ice cream in our garage freezer!

He was an AMAZING baby, and has been such a GREAT kid! He is always wanting to serve, give gifts, and wanting to do his very best. He is my little crafty, creative boy, with an imagination that squashes mine. While we all think his calling lies in being an amazing architect, he currently thinks being a policeman would be really cool. Ethan's eyes light up when he smiles, and his laugh is contagious. He is a great student in all venues, and though it may seem like he isn't listening to anything you are saying at times, as he drifts off into his own world, he really takes in more than you realize. He is a boy of many emotions, quick to anger and tears and then laughing within the same minute. Most of the time he doesn't like attention, unless he is purposefully commanding it. You know when those times come, as he is usually doing a funny dance, or something of the sort. He is a good brother, and a blessing to have as a son! Here's to 6 great years with an amazing boy, and looking forward to an eternity!

Going Yellow

Ethan tested for his yellow belt the night before his birthday. He did very well, and we were all impressed with all the things he has learned in such a short period of time. He started in August in the little kicks class (for 3 to 5 year olds) and they moved him up in January with the older boys. His Sensei said he is a fast learner and they absolutely love him. It will be fun to see him in action at a tournament one of these days! (When soccer or dance isn't interfering!)

When we first got there they took Ethan back to the Dojo and closed the curtains (they were super serious) as they did some pretesting. Then they let family in and we waited as they prepared for the second part of the test. Ethan just sat on the mat, center of attention, while we were waiting to start. Can't take the goofiness completely out of him. I LOVE that about him!

His Sensei began by asking him questions, such as what do particular Japanese words mean, proper Dojo etiquette, etc.
Then he called out particular moves that Ethan had to demonstrate with exactness.

Then Ethan had to demonstrate the first 4 Kata's, which also had to be done with exactness. It's like choreography for Karate.
Then his Sensei tested him on his defense moves for several attacks. Several of the defense moves included a knee to the groin. He got those one's down very well! (I hope his teacher was protected! Ouch)
Last, he quizzed him on some moral issues, such as stealing, using his Karate improperly, etc.
After his test was complete, his Sensie and his assistants left to grade his test. They left for several minutes, and then came back with the results. He is allowed 2 major and 4 minor to pass. He only had one minor mistake. He told Ethan that is was tradition to get your belt off the wall. You can see a few of them hanging above the mirror. He told Ethan he couldn't touch the mirror and that he had to figure out a way to get it. Ethan was taking him seriously, and even took the offer for a boost. When the teacher realized he was really trying to find a way to do this, he then also offered him the one behind his back. Ethan finally got the joke. It was a fun way to end such a serious event.

The belt ceremony!

Way to go ETHAN!!!!!!

5

Another weekend quickly slipped through our fingers dateless. I can't remember why we didn't go out last weekend, but this weekend was due to soccer. We had 5 soccer games! I have to admit that once upon a time, the thought of our weekends being filled with soccer did not interest me AT ALL!!! I loved having free Saturday's and didn't want to be burdened with commitments every weekend. However, this weekend was a lot of fun.

Aubrie had a dance practice from 4:30 to 5:30, and a soccer tournament game at 5:30. I pulled Aubrie out of dance 10 minutes early and rushed her to the fields. She made it there just in time. The first team they played for the tournament was the hardest team in the league. They were undefeated, and for a good reason. They have a player who is AMAZING. Aubrie's team held them till half time, and then they scored a goal. Towards the end, they put Aubrie in as goalie, and for some reason there was a penalty kick. My heart was in my stomach knowing how nervous Aubrie must have been. She actually blocked it, but then it put a spin on the ball that caused it to roll over the top of her head. Aubrie was holding strong after that, until another goal was made about 5 minutes later. She started to cry and looked like she was about to take her goalie jersey off, and then Ben started saying something to her, and she stopped. We never made a goal, and so it didn't matter that she had those two goals scored on her, after all, but she still was being very hard on herself. I kept telling her what a good job she did, and how I wouldn't be able to stop anything if I were in there. By the time we got to the car, she seemed to cheer up and forget about it.

When we got home from her game, we stuck around for the rest of the evening, waiting for a potential buyer to come and look at our table. YES, I finally listed it and we FINALLY sold it. I'm kicking myself for not getting on that earlier. (Like in November!) Oh well, I try to tell myself that that family is the one who needed it! While we were waiting for them to come, we started getting ready for our garage sale next Saturday. The boys grouped all their toys in Ziploc and priced them, while my Mom, Aubrie and I went through all the baby stuff, clothes, etc, in the garage. I was thrilled how much the kids got into it. Aubrie was the most enthralled. She was cleaning up old shoes, and collaborating with my Mom on what the best price would be for everything. At first she was expecting to get way to much for things, but by the end of the night was getting a good feel for it. I'm feeling pretty organized and prepared for this one. I hope it doesn't rain!

After the girl looked at the table, we put the kids to bed and headed next door to play games with our neighbors for about an hour. We have been praying that a LDS family with kids our age would move in there, and our prayers were answered. The kids get along great, as we do with the parents. It's been wonderful.

Saturday was a FULL exciting day. In the morning we cleaned the house and the yard, and I helped Boston work on his spotlight poster for next week. Our first tournament game of the day was Ethan's, at 12:30. He had two games, back to back. The neighbor kids wanted to come and watch. (I'm sure it had nothing to do with the kids telling them all about the free bounce houses, face painting booths, etc. that they have set up during the tournaments! LOL) Though it was fun, I was quite anxious trying to keep an eye on all of them. I started to wonder how people do it with six kids, and then Ben reminded me that typically they are not all under the age of 10, and your not so anxious watching after your own kids. Anyway, back to the games. Ethan did GREAT!!!! He played aggressively the whole time. It's like someone lit a firecracker under him. He was really enjoying himself, and did well! They lost the first game and won the second. After the games, they had an award ceremony.

Look at him...so proud of his medal.

I thought we would have some time in between Ethan's and Aubrie's game, but it didn't work out that way. By the time we corralled all the kids together and waited in line for pizza, it was time for Aubrie's first game. Craig and Jody came for Aubrie's first game to see the kids. Aubrie's first game was awesome. Aubrie scored a goal, kicking a high ball into the net. She was SOOOOO excited; jumping all over! She really needed that after the night before. That really bumped her confidence. She played so hard and Ben and I agreed she played the best ever. They won that game 1-0.

Then next game was INSANE. First of all, it started raining, and the wind was blowing like crazy. No goal had been made, and with about 3 minutes left in the the game, the other team had a penalty against them. The girl on our team got a direct kick and kicked it right over all the girls heads, barely making it in the net, winning the game for our team! The girls and parents were so excited. Aubrie's team ended up taking second place in the whole league in her division.

What a great experience this has been for her, being on this team and having such awesome coaches. We all went home on a high! Both kids wouldn't take their medals off their necks all night, even when they got in their PJ's they still had them on. This morning, when they woke up, they both put their medals back on. So cute!