Familia de Hayes

Taps and Thunks!!

2009-05-09T21:11:00.000-07:00

Grace had a tap performance last Saturday. Before the big recital, her group performs at a senior housing community for the residents. It helps the kids get rid of the butterflies and entertains those that come to watch. She did really well and I was glad to be able to watch as I will be gone the weekend of her big recital.

The thunk in the title of this entry is from Austin. He had a "run in" with a baseball today. It was a scary moment for both of us. I got to him within 5 seconds of the scream. When I pulled his hand away there was already a lump almost an inch high on his forehead. When he saw my reaction and the fear on my face he asked, "What happened?" We got him in the house and ice on his head quick. We had him laughing in minutes and he reminded me that if "Chicks dig scars" they probably dug big bumps too. He was a trooper today. The bump has reduced to about a 1/3 of size that is was. I wish these pictures did his thunk justice!

Happy May Day!!!

2009-05-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

I never know what to say to start my entry...maybe "hi all", "howdy followers", or "thanks for checking in." It all sounds dorky to me, so HI!! Glad you stopped by.

April was a busy month. No sports...but we kept busy.

Austin and all of 3rd grade have been doing their swimming lessons. Two days left. It has been nice to not fight him on wearing shorts everyday, as it was acceptable the kids come to school in their swim trunks. Austin earned the rank of Bear in scouting. He will be moving onto Webelos after school ends.

Grace is getting ready for her big tap performance. She has a trial run this weekend at the Senior Center. Eric, Grace and I attended a kindergarten "round up" yesterday. Grace was given a tour of the school and we registered her for school in the fall. She is so excited to be going to the "big school" where Austin goes.

Travis felt like big stuff when he went to see "Earth" with the elementary school. He was even better behaved than some of the older kids. He continues to learn and grow everyday. It is amazing to watch him.

Eric is doing well in school and has been officially accepted to PSU's MBA program. Unfortunately, he will not be able to continue to be a Den Leader with the Scouts once he starts the MBA program. At the last Pack Meeting he was recognized for his years of service and the families of the boys he has worked with presented him with a gift. He was touched...as was I. He will miss those boys...but I don't ever think that bond they had will be broken.

I am done with the Spring Auction. The parent organization raised $25k for our little school. It goes to great things: assemblies, field trips, art programs, swimming lessons for 3rd grade and tons more. With Blazer season over, the work at the Rose Quarter slows down a bit. So it sounds like I should have tons of time...where does it go? :) In two weeks, I leave for my scrapbooking weekend at the beach. I can't wait!! 3 days of no mommy duties, babysitter duties, housekeeper duties and any other duties!!

Other than a little cold going around, most the family is healthy. We are happy to be together and enjoying the beautiful flowers outside and the fun activities that come with the random sun!

Was November really my last post!??!?

2009-04-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

This blog is like my journal as a kid...every few months promising to be better about entries. So...I promise to be better. There are so many things going on in our life right now...I want to keep everybody up to date.

#1. Travis is finally potty trained and started preschool in January. I didn't think it was ever going to happen. He can be so stubborn!! I am happy to have none in diapers!

#2. Eric is back at school at Portland State. He is doing a graduate certificate in Development right now and starts the Master's program in the fall. He is working full-time and still makes time for Scouts and date night. His company had a huge layoff at the beginning of the year and we are thankful that he is still employed.

#3. Grace is working hard with her tap lessons and looking forward to everyday being closer to her going to the "big school like Austin." Kindergarten round up is this month. I can't believe she finally gets to go! She has enjoyed preschool...but is clearly ready for the next step.

#4. Austin is still kicking butt and taking names!! He is doing great in Scouts and working hard to earn money for summer camp. He will be going to Gilbert Ranch this summer. He is excited to ride horses and learn all those dorky camp songs. He is also involved in an after school program that his teacher put together for kids that are "higher thinkers." He meets with the group every Friday. They did a great focus on the Iditarod. I learned a lot...he likes to share the knowledge! He also finished his first season of basketball. I consider it a great year if there are no major injuries or loss of teeth...it was a great year!

#5. I have recently started working with the High School Parent Group at the Rose Quarter. I work about 2 events a month in the concession stand and the money I earn goes into an account to pay for school/sports related expenses. I love doing it and work with some great people. On top of that...Grant Watts Spring Auction is coming up. They are keeping me busy with prep.

#6. Our family took a trip to Fort Stevens for Spring Break. We stayed in a Yurt and camped next to some friends. 7 kids, 4 adults, 9 bikes, 2 trailers, 2 scooters and a ton of food later...it was a fabulous time. We rode bikes, geocached, whale watched, chased off raccoons, and hung out. Can't wait to do it again!

We are gearing up for a busy summer with lots of camping and outside activities. The sun is starting to show through these Northwest clouds...and we are taking advantage of it!

Post-Thanksgiving Adventure

2008-11-28T20:11:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would share our post-Thanksgiving adventure with you. We took the kids to the beach today. After stopping a few places to geocache, being chased by geese, chasing geese and other bathroom adventures we don't care to relive...we arrived at the Astor Column in Astoria. I stayed in the car with Travis as he slept, Austin and Grace went with Eric out and about. The column is closed for repairs so there was no climbing today. Grace has been asking about the sand beach all day...so we headed that way. We went to the Peter Iredale/Shipwreck beach. We played for awhile stomping on foam and running from little waves. A wave came that we weren't expecting. I call it a sneaker wave, but Eric just laughs when I say it...it snuck up...hence, sneaker! Anyway, as we were running, poor little Travis' legs couldn't keep up. He ended up knee deep in the freezing water and as the waves went back out he fell and rolled like a log until Eric jumped in and grabbed him. He was cold and wet and said "Wanna run from water again." He was such a trooper. Luckily, I had packed extra clothes for all and we layered Travis up after we stripped him of his sandy, wet digs. He told Eric that the "drink was icky." We all had a good chuckle as we were driving away. I am thankful Travis was not scarred for life by the event as I would hate for him to have flashbacks everytime we visit the beach. We decided after mean geese, bad potties, and water issues...we should cut our losses and head for home. It was a great time and we have plenty of pictures to remember it by!

2008-11-24T08:50:00.000-08:00

Finally...I guess. Our family has had a website, but I don't keep up with it like I should. Hopefully this will be an easier way to share with friends and family things going on at our house.

Austin is 8 and in 3rd grade. He has a fantastic teacher, Mrs. Backus. He is a big reader and is going through books like crazy. Most recently he has read "The Tale of Despereaux" and we are excited to see it has been made into a movie that comes out this Christmas. Austin played soccer for the 4th year this fall and is gearing up for his first year of basketball. He is also in our community Cub Scout Pack and working on achieving his Bear rank.

Grace is 5 and in her second year of preschool. She keeps telling me how badly she would like to go to the "big school." She thought as soon as she turned five she could leave preschool and start at the other school. She was crushed to find out that wasn't the case. Poor girl with her October birthday. Grace played soccer for the first time this year and had a great time. She is in her third year of tap dance lessons. She is quite the performer.

Travis is 3 and super active. He loves to play with his brother and sister...as long as they are doing what he wants! :) His favorite time of the day is when he is on his own with mom. He loves this alone time. Travis is talking so much and in real words...not just the made up language that only he understands. It sure makes life easier when we can communicate! He loves Buzz Lightyear and playing Indiana Jones on the PS2. He is hoping for Lego Batman for Christmas.

Eric just started his third year with Knowledge Learning Corp. He is a Senior Analyst in the development department. He is my numbers nerd!! Eric hunted this year for the 3rd season. Once again...he filled his tag opening day. It is a sore subject with my dad and he told him when they left for Elk hunting he was going to douse all Eric's clothes in perfume to be sure he didn't get the first one again! Eric is Austin's den leader in Cub Scouts and enjoys working with the boys. He is so patient with them and is teaching them great things.

I am home with the kiddos...which means a million other things like: taxi driver, play date facilitator, chef, house keeper, babysitter, classroom helper, team mom, website creator, and many more. I love all my hats and don't see it getting any less busy as my kids grow. I keep thinking if I just make it through this crazy week the next won't be so bad....unfortunately I think that same thing every week. :) I loved being back in my hometown. Austin goes to the school I went to, there are kids in his class whose parents I went to school with. The town has grown, but the mentality is pretty much the same. It is a great place to raise a family.

I hope to be better and keep the blog updated...thanks for stopping by!