Alex's week-early Birthday Celebration

Alex's week-early Birthday Celebration

Before we get to the "Birthday Celebration" we need to finish up the Saturday activities.

Here is the "Star Name Tag" Alex wore in the Math Pentathlon competition - the 5 star points representing the 5 games they compete in during the meet.

Alex came away with a bronze medal - Ben said that medals are awarded to about the top quartile of the 650 students competing. Alex didn't get the highest, didn't get the lowest in that range. Well done!  We are all proud of his work - and his Mom and Dad, as well! ;-)

Later on Saturday, Ben and Alex worked on a rocket to take to the big Municipal Park to fire one day.

Kaylee is generally very good, but from time to time not; here she is sulking over her food - she did eventually eat is... just has her times. How about that face?  ;-)

Later, about bedtime, she went to sleep watching television... isn't she sweet?!  ;-)

OK, on to the "8th Birthday" event - the ice cream cake decoration...

The candles are lit - and they were blown out... Kaylee actually let Alex do it, this year!

Kaylee wrote Alex's name on his card from her...

Alex liked the Target card (and Scooby Doo DVD) from aunt Allison. ;-)

Grandpa and Grandma Smith won't be here the following week after his actual birthday to help him celebrate his First Communion (his other Grandparents will be here then) so we wished Alex well with a special, combined gift he has been wanted: His own Kindle. He has become a very good reader and we want to encourage him. He is holding it up for Arrion to get the photo! ;-)

I have a few more photos of our visit, but this is enough for today, and a day late, at that. We go home on Wednesday. I'll share some more in another day or two.  ;-)

It has been a great week in Austin!  ;-)

A busy Saturday in Austin in April 2012

A busy Saturday in Austin in April 2012

Ben, Arrion, and Alex left early Saturday morning for the big Math Pentathlon contest in Austin, over 650 students from around the region competing. Arrion serves as coach and coordinator, Ben was a judge, and Alex was a participant as a second grader. Here they are, ready to go. Results, tomorrow.

Nancy and I got up early too, to look after Kaylee and get her to her Saturday Soccer practice and game. And, today was team and individual photo day. Nancy put Kaylee's hair in side ponytails, but the cold wind and sweater she needed to wear as we WAITED for photos to be taken took their toll.

Here is the team photo, from my camera (official photographer to my left); The Purple Dash, with coach Vince (Kaylee beside the coach):

Kaylee's individual photo, on my camera:

Kaylee was already for the team photo before some of the others...  ;-)

Little time left for practice, as photo-taking ran late; six teams on three fields.

Here, Coach Vince is encouraging Kaylee (center); short kid in black shorts is the one I mention below scoring goals... for both sides...  ;-)

Coaches meeting while Kaylee practices behind them; the blond boy was on our team, Cruz (hadn't changed his shirt to grey, yet), our most active and aggressive ball-mover - Kaylee probably second in that regard:

I didn't try to get any action shots. It was quite windy, and rather chilly. I think the score may have been a tie, with 3 or 4 goals between the teams. The little boy on the other team scored our first goal, going the wrong way. Then, he scored their goal, or two or three, going the right way. Kaylee nearly scored about three times, but the other kids blocked her each time. This seems to be the first time this season that a team had learned to block - Arrion thought it was against the rules of the league, when I told her, later. Guess she will find out next week!  ;-)

Before we left in the morning, Kaylee relaxed in her beanbag, watching cartoons.

Left over from Friday night, Ben and Kaylee playing:

Arrion and Alex preparing for the math games on Saturday!

And, finally, the sprinklers in the backyard. I'd never been up early enough before, to see the spinklers running... quite an experience, for me, all around!  ;-)

It was a good, busy day - in the afternoon, the four of them also had a Fun Run and Carnival at Clayton Elementary... Nancy and I went for a ride in the car south of Austin.  ;-)

April Arrival in Austin

April Arrival in Austin

Here are four photos to get us started for our Austin trip:

Alex came home from school with the Ninja head-dress!  ;-)

Kaylee came and sat beside me, to take a chocolate pudding break!  ;-)

Kaylee working on the iPad...  ;-)

Grandpa and Grandma took Kaylee to Little Gym, but we forgot the camera.

Here she still has her outfit on - she is getting long...  ;-)

Having a great visit!  ;-)