Ending a winner...in many more ways than one...
You probably saw some of these pictures on Facebook...but not all!!! Here is Landon with some of his pals at Woods getting ready for Field Day! Note that he wore a shirt that said, "RUN FAST" that was saved especially for field day!
I decided to bring Connor along to introduce him to some real FUN at school. He is in an "I don't want my picture taken" phase. Can you tell?
Game number one: Filling the buckets of water relay. Landon was very intense. Anything that has to do with running and winning. Sign. Him. Up.
Another water game...and thank goodness! It was super hot and the kids were loving any chance to cool off. I must admit, so was I!
Obstacle course with some of Landon's BFFs, Sam and Isaiah.
This was a favorite. Instead of "Whack a Mole", this was "Wack a Duck" that had been frozen in a cup of water. Leave it to good ole Ms. Sherry to come up with some FUN stuff. :)
Landon and Sam pre plunger relay...
Ha! These two monkeys did a great job!
This relay involved going down to the end with the bag and putting everything in the bag on and "striking a pose". Landon was all over this, as you can see.
More water play. Over and under with a sponge and then just "I want the bucket of water dumped on my head".
Ball balancing between your legs relay.
Water Balloon parachute FUN!
Sling shot water balloon event. Landon was very sure that his balloon beat every one's. Ha. Testosterone.
And, after a terrific hot dog lunch, the kids had popsicles. Yummy!
Then, Connor and I stayed for the awards ceremony for physical education. Our sweet Landon won the first place award for most steps in his class for Walking Program. He won last year toooooo. What did I say about running and winning?
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So that wraps up Landon's school year. Fun. That's what I want him to have. I certainly want him to learn too, but as many of us parents have discussed, kids just seem to have a lot of pressure "these days". I am not going to lie, 2nd grade was a toughie. For Landon and for mama. But he came through it shining with the brightest little light. He is amazingly resilient. I cannot believe it sometimes. He learned so much from his teacher this year and I really feel he is ready for 3rd grade. I had prepared to have hard academics in 3rd grade but they hit a year earlier. I am trying to see that as a blessing as we look ahead to a new school year.
God, in his infinite wisdom sees the beautiful tapestry that I often only see from the tattered underside. This year felt like that. In so many more ways than one. But, you know what God gave us this year? Baseball...
Our little slugger won first place in the SDLL Slugfest for his league...Here is is lined up with some of the other winners.
Here is the larger group. We stayed around Durham instead of getting to the beach early for our vacation so Landon could receive recognition for this great accomplishment and get his trophy.
Good job, my man! Jill, the president of the SDLL, even remembered that Landon had a snow make up day the day of the Slugfest and had to come later. She said, "He even went to school that morning and still came and won it all." Landon was just beaming.
Rookie league winners.
My winner.
A great daddy for my little fella.
We were all so proud of our Landon or "Gaga" as Lindsay Jane calls him. He may have had a tough school year, but he came out shining. He got a terrific report card, is reading like a champ, computing numbers in his head that I can't even do and has found a true love: baseball. What a gift, what a surprise. You never do know where your kids are going to shine but it sure is a joy to watch the gift unwrap. It's also not just about his skill at the game, he just loves it. He also plays as a great team member, he is positive and coach-able. Those are the things you want to hear about your child. Those are the traits that will last and matter in life.
You know what else really matters? Matters more than any grade, test, place, etc.? This little boy loves Jesus. What greater gift could there be than to see your child loving the Lord and serving Him?
This year has given me a lot of perspective. I am not done understanding a lot of things that happened along the way, but in God's big picture, I see Him smiling down on this little boy. I see him smiling down on me, his mama. These are the times when we are able to lean in and God leans right back, holding us up and keeping us steady. There are times we look back and say, "I never would have learned...if I hadn't been through..."
This year has been one of those.
