Today you had your 8th CASL skate competition at Buena Park.  You were feeling tired from our Colorado trip as we had just gotten back early Friday morning.  I could see it in the way you were skating as you were much slower and when you weren't landing tricks at practice you were getting very frustrated.  The end result was not what you wanted 7th place overall out of 14 kids.  If only you'd landed more of your tricks you could have done a lot better.  We were both pretty disappointed and down.  Luckily the disappointment didn't last long as they called your name for best trick for the huge ollie from a bank that was much taller than you.  This was a trick that dad had suggested during warm ups that initially you hesitated.  I'm so glad you conquered your fear. It certainly paid off to challenging yourself.  Congratulations on winning best trick!  

San Clemente Skate Contest - Focusing on the Positives

Kaleb has been looking forward to the annual San Clemente Skate Contest for weeks.  We even went to practice last Sunday, and I took him out half day Friday as well.  He had a run set and was feeling confident about his skating.  At warm ups this morning I could see he looked a little "off" he wasn't landing his heelflip, and he was getting a little frustrated.  The weather was also drizzly which could have also thrown for a loop.  Well whatever it was he didn't skate his best.  He changed his first run last minute and it turned out ok at best and he knew it.  His second run went a little better. He did his original planned run but still didn't land the heel flip nor the boardslide on the hubba.  I could see the disapointment on his face immediately following his run.  And I just wanted to run up to him and hug him and tell him everything was going to be ok.  After the contest we waited for the results for a few hours and when the announcer did not call his name.  My heart sank.  He was so upset.  Poor Kaleb I wanted so badly for him to have another run to prove to the judges that he's the best skater out there.  But, we didn't have the luxury instead we all went home a little sad.  On the way home we were focusing on the positives.  

The last few days Kaleb has been really been stepping up on his rails.  In fact, here is a clip of his best hubba boardslide in San Clemente.

And here are a few shots of him doing a boardslide on a regular rail.  His style and length of the slide are amazing!  

He also got additional skate time to practice and get better.  And last, and most importantly he go to skate with his friends and watch one of his friends place.  Life does not get much better than this!  

I cannot tell you enough Kaleb I am extremely proud of all that you do.  I love you so much!

Gymnastics

Olivia and Kaleb started taking Gymnastics class in July.  Here are a few pictures of them in class.

Kaleb's class is a Skateboard/Snowboard cross-training where the kids learn spatial body awareness and specific tumbling and twist for the sport.  The kids get to work on the various trampolines and foam pit to improve their tricks.  It's been so fun watching Kaleb enjoy some other activity besides skateboarding.  It's also great to know that this class is going to help him gain strength and improve his skating as well.  

Olivia's class is a Tiny Tumbler Class where she is learning the fundamentals of gymnastics. She enjoys the doing the somersaults, hanging on the bars, and jumping on the trampoline and foam pit.  I really hope that this class helps her develop the same love of gymnastics that I've had since I was a little girl.  

First Day of School - Fourth Grade

Summer has officially ended for my dear son Kaleb.  Today was his first day of school.  He was nervous, and excited to take on this new adventure.  He picked out his new outfit from the clothes he got from the scavenger hunt adventure he had last Saturday.  He is styling in a Neff t-shirt, Levis 511 Supper Skinny jeans, a Spit Fire backpack and a thrifted Fedora his nana gave him for Christmas a few years back.  Kaleb's homeroom teacher is Mrs. Brown and one of the newest things he gets to experience in fourth grade is changing teachers for a few specialized subjects.  The coolest part of school for this year according to Kaleb is that his homeroom gets to pilot a program I-Pads for learning.  Only three classrooms out of entire school were selected.  He is supper excited to get his hands on the I-Pad.  Learning is going to be so much fun for him this year. 

As I took his first day of fourth grade pictures this year I reflected on how much Kaleb is maturing.  He is more self sufficient, more willing to help (though sometimes with a little attitude) but overall he is still the same sweet little guy with such a tender heart (despite all the teasing Olivia gets).  He is still a cuddle bug (on his on terms) and still values approval from his mommy.  I am flabbergasted about how fast time is passing and how big my baby is getting.  When I look at him I still am brought to tears in appreciation for his beautiful life.  I am so grateful to God for my precious Kaleb, my first born, and most cried after baby as he was my first premature baby.

Kaleb this is a poem I often share with you now but would alway recite to you as a baby and toddler.  It's from one of my favorite books we shared when you were a baby.

I like you for always

I love you forever

As long as I'm living 

My baby you'll be

How true is this.  No matter how much you grow deep down in my heart you are my first little one that rocked in my arms my precious.

Love,

Mommy    

And here is a little recap of First Day Pictures 

1st day of Kindergarden

1st day of 1st Grade

1st day of Second Grade

1st day of Third Grade

1st day of Fourth Grade

Wow look how much you've grown  over the years my sweet love. There is one thing that hasn't changed - your style.  Kaleb, you are colorful and bold and a true skater in heart and spirit!

Enjoy your journey! Have a fantastic 4th Grade.

I love you!!

    

Scavengere Hunt - Getting Kaleb Excited for School

Kaleb had been feeling a little apprehensive, and a bit anxious for school to begin.  He'd heard from several school mates that fourth year was going to be very hard.  I'd been feeling his lack of excitement for days and truly started feeling sad for him.  So, one of the mornings that we dropped him off at Jr. Lifeguards Olivia and I went on a shopping spree for back to school clothes for him.  She was so adorable helping me pick out different outfits for him at Tilly's, Kaleb's favorite store.  So the Saturday before school started I drafted up the clues for Kaleb to begin his quest to find his treats scattered around the house.  

The scavengere hunt began with a note on the door leading him to clue number one in the oven.  He had a blast finding wrapped gifts of jeans, t-shirts, button ups and socks throughout the house.  It was a perfect way to get him excited about school.  After the hunt, I gave him the option of returning any items that he didn't love.  He was so cute because he wanted to check what was at Tilly's but was afraid to hurt my feelings if he told me he didn't love an item.  I proposed we take the bag full of clothes and have him browse around.  Funny thing is after walking around Tilly's we only exchange a few things for bigger sizes and changed up a few colors.  I did a pretty good job in picking out skater clothes according to Kaleb.  He even told me I was a cool mom.  It was so much fun to put a smile on my big guys face before school began.

Shirt in the oven

Jeans in the guest room shower

Button up in scrapbook office

all this equates to one happy, stylish ready to learn Kaleb!

Junior Lifeguards

Today Kaleb started a two week Junior Lifeguards program through the city of Encinitas. It's a program where kids between 9-17 learn ocean rescue techniques, and communication and work on their physical fitness by running, doing calisthenics, and ocean swimming.  Kaleb was a bit apprehensive about doing the program because he refers to himself as more of a land animal (hence the skateboarding vs. surfing) however he chose to challenge himself and had a fantastic time.  He swam out further than he ever has, ran and worked out with enthusiasm.  He loved learning about rescue techniques and enjoyed making new friendships.  When I picked him up he was so enthusiastic about sharing all that he did and learned.  He said he wished the program was longer and couldn't wait to come back tomorrow for more.  When we got home he showed me all the exercises they worked on and I was so impressed because his technique had improved so much.  He finally was doing jumping jacks, push ups and sit ups correctly.  I'd been trying to show him during the various times he's worked out with me but it just seemed like he didn't get it but all it took were lifeguards to get him to learn the correct form.  I'm so proud of him for going outside of his comfort zone and trying something different and having him feel good about it.   

Day 1 Junior Lifeguards

Day 10 Junior Lifeguards
Morning warm ups and stretches

Free swim 

 Water rescue techniques aka mock rescues

Awards 

Today August 26th it was the last day of Junior Lifeguards and I had the privilege of watching the full program while hanging out at the beach with the kids.  I watched their morning stretches, stairs and run, free swim and mock rescues.  I was so impressed with the program especially the discipline that is instilled in the kids both physical and mental.  After two weeks Kaleb is so much more confident in the water, is in better physical shape and is more willing to take on a challenge.  I'm so glad that he did the program.  He is sad the program is over but is excited about signing up next summer.  


At pick up Kaleb was really excited that he received recognition at the awards ceremony for most inspirational junior lifeguard.  When I asked Kaleb why he received this award he told me that he was acknowledged because he was always kept a positive attitude, and cheered his teammates on during the activities.  I was so pleased to hear that Kaleb has such a kind heart.  

Day 10 Junior Lifeguards

1st Place State Games of America

Words cannot even begin to express how proud I am of Kaleb today!  He placed first in the State Games of America!!  He has worked so hard to achieve this victory!  His first run was flawless, smooth and confident.  He scored a 71/72/73 and his second run was equally as impressive except for a wobble on his heel flip.

It's amazing to look back at all that Kaleb has accomplished from the challenging  start he was dealt being born at 28 weeks only weighing in at 1"10 oz and 13 inches long.  Because of his prematurity Kaleb suffered from severe intra ventricular Grade III brain bleed, Retinopathy of Prematurity Stage II with plus disease, and collapsed lungs, pneumonia, RSV, anemia, and many other things. For years Kaleb worked on gross motor skills for balance, strength and agility as well as fine motor, speech and feeding therapy.  Yet all this has never stopped him from being who he is today.  And in fact, Kaleb is always smiling, joking around, and ready to skate at any given time. He is beyond himself with this achievement.  And so is the rest of our family!  Congratulations my dear son you have come a long way!!  I am so privileged to be your momma!

     

Kaleb is Blue

Kaleb just recently got a hair cut - a faux hawk and then he requested that we dye his hair blue.  Initially, my conservative side came out and I thought no way.  But, reason set in and I thought about how it was summer, how color comes out and is never permanent and how cool his hair might look.  And so, I gave in.  We spent the afternoon coloring his hair with semi-permanent hair.  He was a bit impatient and I was a bit out of practice.  I hadn't colored my own hair in about 8 years and thus, I didn't do the best job.  Because his hair is so short, and I still had to chase Nathaniel around, his scalp turned blue and so did his ears and neck.  Thankfully, the neck and ear color came off however the scalp still turned blue.  When it was all done and cleaned up Kaleb appreciated the work, and time it took.  He looked quite "cool" in blue.

The cut without the color

I'll post pictures with blue hair soon!

The End of Third Grade - School is Out for Summer!

My Dear Kaleb,


Today is your last day of third grade, and the end of the school year.  Time has gone by so fast this year it's unbelievable and truly surreal to think that after summer you will be going into fourth grade.  I hope this summer you are able to enjoy yourself, take on new adventures and still continue to do a little bit of school summer work.


On your last day, Angela picked you up with the Fassett boys and we met at Corvette dinner for lunch.  We enjoyed a relaxing and fun lunch with our friends.  You and the boys played games in the game room while Olivia danced with the bobby sox staff.


We talked about all the stuff we wanted to do this summer and even started compiling a list of our Summer To-Do's.  I hope our summer is filled with lots of memories and laughs.  I'll soon post our summer to do list so we can always remember what we wanted to accomplish the Summer of 2011.

My Heart Swells With Pride - 2nd Place and Best Trick - Fontana

I know I tell you this often Kaleb but today I want you to know how I feel about you this very instant.  My dear son, my heart is swollen with pride at what you accomplished today!  The last two days I have intently watched you skate Fontana Skate Park.  My gosh darling you are so good!  It's been so fun to cheer you on and watch you progress, specifically tackle the dragon rail.  When we first got to the skatepark yesterday you seemed so hesitant and scared to even try it yet you overcame your fear and practiced.  Then today in the contest you finished your run with style by doing a 180 off of it landing you best trick.  You looked amazing out there.  Kaleb I admire your passion, determination and the way you work so hard at something you love so much.  If you keep this up I am certain that with hard work you are bound to be a Professional Skater! 


I'm so proud of you for getting 2nd place and Best Trick.  

Kaleb, Asher, and Hunter