4.22.12 - Jalen Looses His 1st Tooth

 

It's about time, that tooth has been loose for a month.

Do you see the adult tooth that is coming in

behind the hole from the baby tooth?  There won't

be a empty space there for long...I'm thinking someone

is going to need braces when he gets a little older. 

The Dads take the boys on their first mountain bike

ride...Jalen wondered if he was going to ride on 

an ice covered mountain.  Sorry kid, but you 

live in Michigan!

4.18.12 - Jalen's 1st T-Ball Game

 

Just a few things to capture for memory lane...

On the way to the game Jalen tells me he is 

going to hit a home run for me.

During the game he slid into every base 

regardless of whether it is needed or not.

Out of frustration, he ran across the field to tell 

one of his teammate to throw the ball to first base 

when he catches the ball.

1.11.12 - Quick, Grab The Camera

Jalen reads Lauren a book for the first time.  

We got it on video too!

10.6.11 - Proud Dad

Who would have known that only 5 years later Derk would be choking up at this...

Jalen joined the team for their pre-game locker room talk b/c Derk decided to have Jalen as the water boy for the first time. At the end of the pre-game speech they asks if anyone has anything else to add. Jalen raises his hand and shares as confident as can be "tonight I'm the water boy". Here this 5 year is holding his own and speaking to a group of 16 year olds about his role in the game.  Derk said Jalen was even stretching before the game and told Derk he needed to so he could run fast and get the water to the guys quickly. Derk said he also got in line at the end of their two by two line up to walk on the field with the team. I broke Jalen's heart when I took him home at halftime b/c he has school tomorrow and needed to get to bed.

9.5.11 - It's a Boy Thing

Derk helped Jalen build a ramp...

...this is a true childhood staple.

5.23.11 - Two Wheeler

I finally captured the moment...last week Derk glanced over and saw Jalen riding a bike without training wheels.  Neither of us had practiced with him or even encouraged him.  He's still a little wobbly but considering the size of the bike and the distance to the ground his confidence will build.  

4.4.11 - Enjoying Crablegs

3.25.11 - Sleeping Beauty

 

I was undecided on which picture to post...the first represents what Jalen checked out from the library today.  Ironically, it's the first time he's ever checked out a book.  Of course it was something manly.  The second picture represents the "love" Lucy came and gave Jalen right before bed.  I was cuddling with Jalen when all of a sudden Lucy jumped up and decided to join us.  She always wants to be right in the middle.   

3.7.11 - Jalen's First "REAL" Puzzle

We've had this puzzle book for a long time and this was the first time Jalen worked on a puzzle.  He surprised me with his patience and persistence as he worked to put it together.

2.19.11 - Blue Hat, Green Hat

 

Jalen reads his first book, all by himself.

2.9.11 - "Cheese"...what's a girl?

Just this week whenever I pulled the camera out Ty would say "Cheese"...this isn't something I ask for when taking pictures so it caught me by surprise.  I'm not sure where he picked it up from.  We also had the honor of watching sweet little Mady on Wednesday.  The boys were very jealous to have another little person at our house getting "their" attention.   Additionally, a little confused as to why Derk was referring to Mady as a girl.  Jalen asked "What's a girl?"  And so, the anatomy discussion occurred.  I would have been fine with Derk telling Jalen a girl likes pink, baby dolls, has long hair, etc. but Derk felt the need to explain.  Oh, joy!

12.13.10 - Our Shepard Boy

Jalen's 1st Christmas program...definitely something we'll remember and cherish.  He was a Shepard boy along with about 5 of his classmates.  Their line was "Let's go the Bethlehem."  He was a little disappointed that he didn't get to "talk into the 'speaker'"...we figured they knew he would loud enough without it.

10.28.10 - Preschool Pictures

First set of school pictures...he looks so grown up!

9.27.10 - Jalen's 1st Field Trip

9.13.10 - Jalen's 1st Day of Preschool

9.8.10 - Jalen's 1st Black Eye

Our official first black eye thanks to rough housing with the blue ball and couch.  As you can tell from the clenching of the teeth he was not very happy that I wanted a picture of it.  I missed the picture of him rolling his eyes at me.