Eckerts are busy!

 Bobby started baseball and he has been enjoying it.  It has been difficult for him to get used to the pitching machine but he is hanging in there.  We've had good discussions on sportsmanship and working hard while having a positive attitude since strike outs are a regular occurrence.

 Emmy took another turn at Acolyte and she has been getting used to solo missions.  She does a great job and usually has a huge smile on her face on the way back from lighting the candles at church.  Bobby has a friend that lives near by and this friend has become a new favorite.  We plan to see him at the pool quite often but for now they are the best Bucks fans and go to games each Saturday together (with Robb of course)

 I've gotten to see more choir performances.  Emmy really loves singing and looks so cute up there.  She plans to be in the City choir again next year.  It's been busy getting her to all the concerts and practices but thank goodness there are two parents in Team Eckert and some grandparents to help as well.

 Mother's day coincided with pajama day.  I surprised the kids at EMDC and joined them for frozen yogurt.

 Bobby's been doing great in basketball and so we celebrated on Saturday and he insisted on bringing some back for his sister.  They really do love each other and are so thoughtful about making sure the other is not forgotten for treats.

 The boys collected footballs at a Bucks game.....footballs are now everywhere at our house.

 Mother's day brunch celebrated out at U Mary.  I was feeling very blessed to share that memory with my mom and family.  Love them!

 Bobby took a turn at catcher the other day in baseball.  I thought he looked so cute in his gear!

 We are going to be BUSY this summer!  I can't wait

 Baby Alexis is here!  She is beautiful and healthy and it is so much fun having a baby in the family.  Emmy may be most excited.....she cried tears of joy!  She took so many pictures of the baby and videos and even made Alexis her screen saver on her ipad.

 My friend Tara (also Bobby's girlfriend Keira's mom) and I ran the 2 person relay in 3 hours 8 minutes.  We easily beat the other teams and sprinted in the last mile at 6:40.  We had a great time together in chilly, windy conditions.  I'm grateful to still be able to run pretty fast after all these years.

Boys caught some more fish this weekend out at the ranch.  Emmy had two CDCC concerts and as soon as they were done the boys went out to fish.   They caught 3 varieties of fish and Bobby was pretty happy to tell us all about it!

Last day of AWANA and Bobby's Field trip to the Heritage Center

 Bobby got more awards at AWANA on the last night.  He went to AWANA almost every Wednesday night throughout the year and this was as much a commitment that his dad made as it was Bobby.  Robb drove him back and forth every Wednesday night.  Bobby memorized many Bible verses and became VERY popular amongst the older lady teachers there.  He brought flowers and plants to give to each person who helped him there and volunteered their time.  He had a speech planned as a thank you to each of them.  I was so proud of how he showed his gratefulness to these volunteers.

I volunteered to chaperone Bobby's class trip to the Heritage Center today.  He was able to choose his group and he had told me that he chose Cambryn because no one else is friends with her or chose her.  I thought this was very sweet.  We also had a little girl named Harper who was very well behaved.  We started out the time there just fine although I wondered why Mrs. Reim asked me how Cambryn "was doing" she told me that Cambryn tended to wander.  We got to an exhibit that had an interactive system and a long line.  Cambryn and Bobby took a turn and then wanted to keep going but I asked them to let others have a turn.  Bobby listened by Cambryn started yelling, crying and eventually ran out of the area to the front door of the building.  Once my shock wore off, I asked the other kids to follow me and started chasing her.  I tried to chastise her but she could've cared less about my displeasure on her behavior.  She then started to throw a fit about a new exhibit that was interactive when Bobby and Harper started playing on it too.  I told her she must share and that we could just move on so no fights would begin.  She refused to listen or leave that exhibit so we were basically all stuck there until she decided to move.  I found an aide who I then told we were having some issues and she seemed to relate and validate that it was expected behavior for this girl.....but offered no solution.  About 5 minutes later another aide came and took this girl off my hands, again noting this girl was known for these outbursts and wouldn't be allowed on the next trip.  Mrs. Reim later again told me that this girl was known to act this way.  I asked Bobby about it in private and he told me that "Yes, she does this all the time and that's why no one else chose her to be in their group"  I asked Bobby why he chose the naughty girl for ME to supervise and he told me he was trying to be nice.  What can a mom say to that!?  I am so grateful for my kids....and that I don't have to supervise naughty kids in public often.  Bobby got to choose the restaurant we went to for lunch and he chose his new favorite place....Shogun.  He ate a lot and we enjoyed our time together.  It was a good day and I love that kid so much.  He is a great person and so much fun to hang out with.

What we've been up to lately

 Bobby had his recycling project presentations.  He was so adorable presenting the project he and Robb worked on.  Of course, it is hunting themed.  A target, rifle stand, rifle holder all made of recycled goods.  He introduced himself, then explained how he made this project and finished with "got any questions?"  I asked him what he liked to hunt and he told me "that's just about everything you can hunt!"  He has really grown up this year but he is still my cute little sweetheart.  Loving and kind.....just the best boy ever.

 Graduation time!  My research group did a fantastic job this year and I've already submitted our work to CSM for a presentation.

 I couldn't miss GABR but it wasn't easy this year.  I rode at 9:00 and then mom had to drive me and Emmy to campus while I changed in the car.  I made it on time for the 10:15 hooding ceremony where I presented some awards and tried to look fresh and clean (I was not).  I did manage to have the top female ride again this year and finish top 5.  I didn't ride as far as I did last year (this year was 8.19) but as long as I'm still reaching goals I think I will take that mileage.  The kids had a ton of stuff going on - pictures, games, etc.  My mom had to help us drive them around with Robb because he couldn't get to everything without some help and I worked all day Saturday for graduation.  I'm 1 yr in to the EdD and holding down my 4.0 gpa.  2 years to go......I'm certain I will make it but there will be some busy days to come.

The kids showed off their art at the art show this past week.  Emmy finished off the busy Saturday last weekend with a late night choir performance.  She was so exhausted that on the way she cried and then fell asleep.  These poor kids!  Their activities keep them very busy.