My dreams.. your dreams... whose dreams???

Growing up everybody has their dreams.  One of my BIGGEST dreams as a little girl was to be a gymnast.  I don't even know, at that time, if my parents knew.  I was short, skinny, small feet, and double jointed.  WHAT were my parents thinking??  They could have made money off of me.  I also was a determined little girl and when someone said I couldn't do something (ride a bike without training wheels) I would prove them wrong (take the training wheels off myself, and ride my bike).  Anyways, I never did gymnastics, but I did ballet.  I loved my ballet, but the competitive side of me always wished I could compete.  

Another dream of mine was to grow up and have kids.  This dream I can check off my list!!  I have three beautiful children that I love more than anything.  (That being said, they can also push my buttons more than anyone!!)  So, what is a mom to do?  I have half of my dream... sooo.. what do I do??  I LIVE MY DREAMS THROUGH MY DAUGHTER!!!  Yes, folks, I am one of those moms!!  She asked to do ballet, but I tell her it's the rules and she HAS TO DO GYMNASTICS FIRST!!!  Isn't that bad?  She seems to enjoy it though.  I actually can post some pictures of my beautiful gymnast, thanks to Pawpaw (chris's dad) for taking these pictures!  We all know he did it JUST so I can blog!! 

 Her coach, Coach Glenn, always gets a laugh out of her.  He always comes after gymnastics and talks to Rachel and me.  He tells us the same thing, "Don't worry, I'm just trying to get them to listen and follow directions before I teach them how to do the equipment properly."  

                     here is Luke about to do a forward roll... he is REALLY good!!!!!

Then he looks at me and smiles and says, "Kate is in her own little 'kate world' isn't she??"  He tells me that she is good and doesn't run around the gym, but she kind of just waits around until he takes her by the hand and tells her what to do.  I told him that she just wants one-on-one coaching.  Coach Glenn said that that cost extra.. and I looked at him and said, "really??  seems to be working pretty nicely for her!!"  She might be blonde, but I think she is smarter than people give her credit for!  

I love her toes in this picture....

I don't know if she will continue with gymnastics for more than a year or two.  She still constantly talks about ballet, so I guess if she still does in 10 years, I will RELUCTANTLY pull her out of the gym... and take off my KATE'S MOM, USA, OLYMPICS, 2016 shirt, and put her in ballet... I guess...  BUT there is always Kara.. maybe she could fill those gymnast grips!

this is such a cool shot!!  don't her arms look "gymnasty"  (Hmmm.. is that a word??)

Another "mom" dream of mine was to have a little boy play little league!!  I'm so glad that Noah loves baseball!  He is in his second year of T-ball and loves it!  He tells me that he can't wait for "coach pitch" next year.  I'm so proud of him.  He is so good, if I do say so myself!!  Last year he was kind of freaked out when he was playing, but not this year!! 

Here he is in scoring position... about to run "home"

 He is my little lefty, and pretty good even with the right.  He hits pretty good, and goes after the ball!!  

WHAT A HIT!!  batting left handed...

Usually the boys get confused with baseball and football.  When someone hits the ball, they all go for it and land in a "dog-pile".  Last year, he was the furthest away from the dog-pile, this year, he is on the bottom.. with the ball in his glove!!  As my mom would always say to Dustin, "THAT'S MY BABY BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Fielding the ball...  about to catch...

I can't wait to see what my little Kara-boose chooses to do.  Oh wait, I can't wait to see which dream of MINE Kara will pick to fulfill!!  Maybe I should start her in ice-skating??  I have to have one of my kids go to the olympics!!!  :)

future ice-skater??  I see it!!  Look at the glowing smile... would light up an arena!!