Break a Leg!!!

Ava had her fifth recital this year.  She has practiced so hard all year, and it is finally her big night.  She perform a tap, jazz, and ballet routine.  Her tap number was to the song "Hit the Road Jack".  It was my favorite dance because I thought it was funny.

Ava and all her friends had so much fun backstage.  Mom said they gave each other good luck treats, and ran all over backstage and played between dances.  I wasn't allowed backstage because I am a boy.

Ava's favorite costume was her tap costume.  Her two favorite things were on her costume.....peace signs and the color green.  She danced to "Unstoppable".  

Moms favorite costume was Ava's ballet costume.  Mom said she looked like an angel.  When Ava did her ballet dance, I think I saw a tear roll down my moms cheek.  I think she thought she was so beautiful that it made her cry.

It was Emma's last recital.  Ava and Emma had to get their annual picture together.  I bet Ava is going to miss her next year backstage.

Mom gave Ava her first charm bracelet for good luck.  She put a ballet shoe with a pearl on it for her first charm.  She also put her five year charm on it. Ava loved it.  Dad brought Ava some green flowers.  Ava thought they were beautiful.

Ava's recital was a hit.  She danced beautifully, and we all loved watching her.  All her grandparents also came to support her.  It was a great night.  Ava and Dad walked hand in hand to the car.  He loved seeing his little girl on the stage.

By:  Evan

Selfless

The Roughriders played in the 300 Points - Lights Out USSSA Tournament at Ford Park. The boys wanted to win this tournament so bad because they knew if they did they would receive championship rings.  They had never won a ring before!  On Saturday the boys played against the Sulphur Elite Blue.  They pulled off a win with the score being 18-3! Unfortunately, the Rough Riders had a "rough" game against the Thunder from Lake Charles.  It ended in a 7-4 loss.

Sunday was not only about baseball, but it was also Mother's Day.  At first I was disappointed that the boys were playing on Mother's Day because I wanted to spend the day with my mom and Paul's mom and Grandmother. I was so scared that they would be disappointed that we couldn't share that day with them.  However, I thought to myself about what a mom truly is.  I looked back on my mom and the way I was raised.  I thought of all the selflessness she gave throughout her life to all four of her children.  I thought about all the times that she gave us what we needed while she would go without.  I realized that my mom had taught me a great lesson in life, and that is that you put your children before yourself.  It is their time to shine, and their will be plenty of days to focus on myself when they are grown.  When those days come, I am sure I will be wishing to be back at the ballpark again.  


Ava only attended Evan's first game.  She cheered him on the whole time.  All of her cousins were swimming at BB's house.  I knew how much she wanted to be there, so Opa came and picked her up to go swimming.  I would have loved to spend the day with her, but I needed to be selfless and let her go have fun.


I think the boys really wanted to pull off another great day of baseball for their moms.  There first game was against the Toros from Sulphur.  Rough Riders had a victory 13-0.  The next game was a 9-1 vicory against the Southeast Texas Venom.  The Championship game against Conroe Colts ended in a 9-0 win for the Texas Roughriders. The boys did such an awesome job.  They only allowed one run in three games that day.  All the moms were so proud!  The boys received their first Championship Rings!

We had to get a Mother/Son photo to always remember this special Mother's Day!

After the game, I thought to myself what could be a better Mother's Day gift than to see your children do something they love, try their best, and succeed in it.  The smile on Evan's face was all the gift I needed for Mother's Day.  After the games I went to visit my mom and picked up Ava from swimming and believe me she had just as big of a smile on her face for my gift as well!  Paul also went to visit his mom and grandmother and had a great visit.  Our moms understood why we couldn't be with them all day, and we appreciate that.  A mom, no matter what age, is always selfless!!!


By:  Mom

A Great Weekend for Baseball

Evan had another great weekend of baseball.  They won another tournament, and we were all proud of them.  Bailey and I couldn't stop smiling!

The boys lined up on the field to get their trophies.

Here is the Rough Riders traditional picture behind home plate.  

A tournament win wouldn't be the same without the cheerleaders and their stunts and cartwheels.

We were very excited for Evan and his team to get another win.

 I think Evan really appreciated all my cheering and support.  I could tell by his BIG smile.

By:  Ava

Show Off Day

Ava had her RAD Show Off Day today.  It is a day when parents can go watch her at ballet.  Mom made me go even though I really didn't want too.  Ava did such a great job.  She knew all her positions and dances so well.

Moms favorite is when Ava does the butterfly arms.  She says Ava is so graceful.  I am glad I went to watch Ava because she always supports me.  I was very proud of her.

By:  Evan

Spindletop Boom

It was another weekend of Rough Rider Baseball.  Evan and his team did a really great job.  On Saturday they got two wins.  The first game was against Rage Baseball and the score was 8-4 us.  His second game for that day was a victory over the Tyler County Titans 14-2.  Evan did great.  He got to play catcher for a little bit that day.  It makes mom so nervous!

The Sunday games were also exciting games.  Evan did a great job batting, but mom needs to keep working on her camera skills.

They had two wins before the championship game: 9-5 against Express Baseball and an 8-6 win over Rage Baseball.  That lead us into a third Championship game for the day.  The Rough Riders had already played four hours of straight baseball before heading into the Championship game against Prospects Red.  They were excited to play against their friend Dylan Romero.  Rough Riders pulled off another victory winning 16-1.  The boys all celebrated on the field....

After the game, the coaches proudly handed out the trophies to each player.  The Prospects Red went first.  We were so happy for our friend Dylan Romero to receive his first select baseball trophy.

Then our coaches passed out our trophies to the Rough Riders.  The boys couldn't wait to get that trophy in their hands.

Everyone was so excited to have another Rough Rider win.  I wasn't able to cheer after the Rough Riders Championship win because I was with friends all weekend.  I didn't make it to any games, but my heart was still supporting Evan. It was a great weekend for me and my brother.  Maybe I do have a life even though my brother plays Rough Rider Baseball!


By:  Ava

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail....

Easter morning finally had arrived and we couldn't wait to see what the Easter Bunny had brought us. 

We walked hand in hand into the living room and we were so surprised to see our baskets filled with all kinds of toys and candy.

I had given up gum for lent and the Easter Bunny stocked my baskets with tons of different kinds of gum.  It was the best gum I had ever had.  Ava had given up chocolate and her basket was filled with every kind of chocolate imaginable.  I think she ate about ten pieces!

The Easter Bunny left a trail of eggs all the way from the living room to the back door.  Ava and I looked at each other and knew it was time for the egg hunt.  We raced outside and it was every man for themselves.  We ran all over the backyard hunting the eggs.

I think I got a few more than Ava, but she didn't mind.

We went back inside and open our eggs and to our delight we found money inside!!!  It was a great surprise.

When we were done with our Easter Baskets and egg hunting it was time to get ready for Church.  We all put on our Easter clothes and took a few pictures.  I have to say Ava did look beautiful.  Oma made her Easter dress just for her.  We wished Dad could have been with us, but he was working.  Hopefully next year he will be with us.  We miss him!

Easter Sunday was a great day.  We got everything we could have wanted and had a really great day!

By:  Evan