Burke & I signed Ryan up for St. Joseph Baseball Association's (SJBA) Instructional League. I'm a little apprehensive about signing my kids up for activities. I don't want to overbook them. But Ryan had shown an interest and the season is only 6 sessions at the perfect time of day, so we decided to go for it.
When we arrived, we got Ryan his team t-shirt and he and Burke started warming up, as did all the other kids and their parents.
The team is called the Rockin' 5's - as in 5 year olds, not 3 year olds. It pained me to have to keep telling Evan he was too small to play. He wanted to play so badly. Luckily, there was a playground near the field to distract him. Also, he was okay with playing catch with me while Ryan and Burke did their team thing. But still, he kept asking to play and it was breaking my heart.
Evan was able to join in the throw around warm up.
After a quick team meeting with Coach Brad, the boys split into two groups. Ryan's group practiced fielding grounders first.
Then they moved over to the batting cages to practice hitting off a baseball tee. Burke stood close by while this dad helped Ryan with his stance. Burke said he was the best guy there, in terms of giving quality instruction. You could almost see Ryan's mind working hard to process all the directions and then physically execute them.
I think that looks like a pretty solid batting stance.
Session 1 of Instructional League is in the books.
Ryan's 5th birthday was full of excitement. We had lots of celebrations.
It all started Wednesday night, birthday eve, when we made cupcake cones to take to preschool as a birthday treat for his classmates. There was a thunderstorm while we were baking, hence the ear covering.
There was a learning curve on how high to fill the cone with batter. Too much and it oozed over the top of the cone, too little and it didn't rise to the top. Then we had to figure out how to transport the top heavy cones to school without them tipping. That was a challenge, but Burke and I figured it out with some of our signature amazing teamwork. The cupcake cones turned out really cute and Ryan, along with his classmates (and teachers) seemed to enjoy them.
On Thursday, April 18 at 9:50 a.m. Ryan officially turned 5 years old.
That night, we had a little cake for him. My parents were in town to help celebrate.
Evan enjoying a left over cupcake cone.
The many faces of Evan...
Ryan opening a gift from Nana & Lolo. He's wearing his birthday crown from school.
My friend Jeanette works at Mattel and hooked us up with our gift to Ryan. We got him a couple race tracks that he's been eyeing for a while. So far we've assembled only the 6-IN-1 track and we're all having fun with it.
Aunt Barb & Keith sent Ryan this great explorer vest, magnifying glass and binoculars.
Ryan got busy right away assembling other items that we have around the house that might compliment this outdoor explorer imaginary play. He dressed up as Diego (a cartoon character). Diego wears a hat, vest, backpack, watch, etc. What a great gift!
On Saturday, April 20, 11 of Ryan's classmates joined Ryan & Evan for a bowling birthday party. Here's Ryan cheering on his ball to hit the those 2 remaining pins. Ryan bowled an 80 (second highest score of the lot) and even got a strike in one frame. Evan bowled a 61, which was competitive with most of the kids. Not bad for the little brother.
Lydia and Reid take a turn. I posted this picture because I think Lydia is adorable, in general. I'm so glad she was able to come to the party. Reid had this great, kind of crazy throw that resulted in the ball loudly bouncing into the next lane at least two times.
The party table!
Ryan, the happy birthday boy, enjoying lunch.
We made him a bowling pin cake.
Opening a gift from Anna.
Opening a gift from Zac.
After the gifts were opened, the kids started dispersing. Some bowled a bit more before leaving. These three were the last bowlers standing after all the others had left, Andrew, Evan & Ryan.
Ryan and his souvenir bowling pin, which all the kids signed. What a great memento!
On Saturday evening, my brothers and Christine joined the party. We went out to dinner and then came home for the last hurrah. Joey & Christine got Ryan books about the heart and brain. One of the occupations he wants to be when he grows up is a doctor, so this medical non-fiction is right up his alley.
The last time blowing out the candles for this year.
This time on a brownie sundae.
On Sunday morning, before the Ponka contingent returned to their respective homes, Burke put together this hockey net which was a present from Grandma & Grandpa.
What a fun birthday celebration for our big boy!
Thank you, everyone, near and far, who helped us honor Ryan's special day.
Happy 5th Birthday, Little Bug!
Dada & I love watching you grow and learn as you become your own little man. We love you so much and are very proud of you.
We spent a few days at my mom and dad's over the Easter holiday. Steve, Joey & Christine were there too. It was a really enjoyable visit, and went way too fast.
Coloring Eggs
Ryan wrote his own name with the clear, wax crayon. I thought he did great considering he could not really see what he was writing. (The "n" is on the right hand side, under my thumb. It's kind of out of sight, but it's there.)
Not to be outdone, Evan drew his own E. I want to point out, hecan write his whole name, but he's not quite to the point where he can write it on an egg in invisible crayon. (Not sure why the picture uploaded vertically.)
On Easter morning, the boys were super cute and cooperative, taking turns searching for eggs. They had so much fun and it was sweet to watch.
It was a nice day, so we went outside for some exercise and fresh air.
Ryan shoots!
Almost! He did make one basket, that I saw.
Evan takes a shot.
The Lokey men are a triple threat guarding the soccer goal against Aunt Christine!
When we sat down to dinner, there was an Easter basket at each place setting.
Enjoying an Easter feast!
On Monday morning, Christine & Burke went running. They boys really wanted to go with them. We told them when Burke & Christine came back, then the boys could join them on a mini-run. True to their word, upon returning, Christine & Burke stretched with the boys and then they took off on a light jog. Trying to encourage healthy habits...
Hope everyone had a lovely holiday and spring break!
We had a great time and are now counting down until summer vacation. Eight weeks!!
p.s. Type in "Easter" in the search box in the upper left corner of the blog page. The post from 2010 called "Coloring Eggs" is especially shocking to me, Ryan is so toddler-looking and Evan's a little baby. I'm missing an Easter post from 2011. Hmm... I'll have to do some investigating to recall how we spent Easter that year.
For 5 weeks in February/March, the boys went to a class at the YMCA called Mini Sports. The age range for the class was 3-5. There was an extreme variance in the kids' focusing abilities, as there are huge cognitive leaps that occur between the ages of 3 and 5. Despite the occasional chaos, Ryan & Evan enjoyed themselves and that's what counts.
Week 1: Soccer
Evan practices stopping the ball.
Week 2: Kickball
Evan getting ready to kick at home plate.
Ryan runs to first base.
Cool down stretches at the end of class.
Week 3: Basketball
Evan practices dribbling.
Ryan works on a figure-eight leg pass.
At the end of class, they played Duck Duck Goose.
Week 4: Soccer Again
R & E practice dribbling the soccer ball.
Week 5: Hockey
This was the best. The coach paired up the kids to pass the puck back and forth. She put Ryan with this girl who is similar in age. They just passed back and forth to each other with focus and endurance. Most other pairings just fell apart instantly. Ryan and his partner were able to continue amid the chaos, at times passing around wandering smaller children. Noticing this, the coach shouts out, "Margaret's and Ryan's moms, sign your children up for hockey."
The gym is divided in two by this curtain. The Y's preschool operates on the other side of the curtain from where the Mini Sports class was held. Of course, the boys had to peek over.
