Video Dump (and a spring show too)

I see lots of blogs doing photo dumps from time to time.  This is similar – but it’s more of a video dump. 

I logged into my YouTube account to upload videos from Miles’ Spring show last night and noticed that I had others to publish online.  Oops! I’ll spare you 10’s of minutes and only show you my favorite video from the archive.

So…. let’s go back to March.

Warning – this video contains SNOW!  After this winter, I know that’s a swear word.  Sorry! Consider yourself warned.

Miles, Nate, Caleb and Laura found a rare sledding hill in Chicago so that Miles could give snowboarding a shot.  Impressive!  Now we need to find a real hill! That’ll have to wait for another winter.

Now, here’s the event that inspired this post… 

Yesterday was not only Miles’ half birthday, but it was also his LAST spring show at daycare. He loves these things. See 2013’s Sound of Music themed show here.

You heard me right!  Miles is a 5.5 years old AND a singing fool. Enjoy!

This next song goes out to:

• all of Miles’ Aunts and Grandmas who are young at heart
• all of Miles’ girly little cousins
• all of the pretty ladies in Miles’ life who are princesses at heart

You know who you are!

The cold never bothered us anyway!

Happy Spring!

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Posted in: birthday,Chicago,Miles,Video

Bitty Basketball Begins

First of all – let me apologize for my absence.  There is really no excuse for my behavior!

I missed so many important life events in the past 6 months.  Maybe I can do some sort of camera dump and quick recap.  Though, I am not making any promises….

I’m here for 2 very special reasons:

1. I finally have a new-to-me, perfectly functioning computer that allows me to capture our goings-on again
2. Miles started basketball today! You had to know I was going to share this experience with a little digital eye candy.

It’s no secret that Miles LOVES sports. He’s willing to try just about anything. 

Yes, he’s only 5 - but he’s already logged many hours preparing for today’s debut; studying highlights of Michael Jordan’s career via YouTube and the cinematographic masterpiece, SpaceJam! He loves watching the Chicago Bulls on TV and LIVE at the United Center, as well as ‘bamming’ on his Dad in our living room with the Nerf hoop hanging from the front door or the little Fisher Price hoop propped on a chair.

(The Fisher Price hoop was a gift for his first birthday. It’s been well loved!)

This morning, Miles started his first season in a 4-6 year old Bitty Basketball league at a nearby gym.  He was excited to lace up his new basketball shoes and show his peers that practice has already made perfect!

Nate and I were surprised at how well Miles actually played today!

They started out with some stretching, running, and fundamentals/drills.

Dribbling with the non-dominant hand, defensive shuffling, bounce passing, and layups were the skills of the day. Lots more practice is needed by all!

Of course, the best part of the morning was the scrimmage play at the end.  They played 6 on 6 – kids wearing blue vs. kids not wearing blue. Please enjoy the video below!

Isn’t he scrappy?!?! This is going to be a really fun season :)

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Posted in: Basketball,Miles,Video

First baseball practice

This morning was Miles' first baseball practice.  It was pretty warm already by 9:30am, so the kids were pretty distracted and sweaty. I will try and blame their lack of attention span on the heat, but I'm sure its just the way kids are.
They fielded some grounders, ran some bases, and practiced throwing too.  There wasn't any batting practice at all today.

There was lots of waiting around for your turn too - the group was pretty large!  As mentioned previously, the draft will be on Thursday.  I'm hoping that they'll start practicing as individual teams after that.  His next practice, weather pending, is Friday night at 6pm.  We should find out what team he's on that night too!

All the kids were taking turns throwing at the fence.  Miles threw WILD...  Don't believe me? Watch below. Where's the concentration?

Being a coach for these kids would be tough.  There's a lot of repeating yourself, trying to be encouraging while instructing, restating your demand with different words, trying to give the instruction in another language, and uhm, I mentioned repeating yourself, right??   I think you get the idea. The coach in the video above was amusing.

Some of my favorite quotes from Coach Carlos were:

• Watch where you're walking. These are soft balls, but it's still going to hit you in the head.
• Get your finger out of your nose.
• Stop playing in the dirt
• Pay attention.
• Wake up
• Your glove goes on your hand.
• Lift your other leg. No, the other leg.
• Nice throw. Wait, you have to let go. Try again.

Yes... I'm kind of hoping Miles ends on Coach Carlos's team.  He's a funny guy!


- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Smith Park, Chicago, IL

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Posted in: Baseball,Chicago,Miles,Video

Indoor Baseball Finale

I know this is all really old information, but I decided to make it a permanent memory - in the form of this blog post!

I started the story here and am back to finish up the story now that the class has officially ended.
Here's the quick recap and final summary:

We had a hard time enduring a long winter trapped indoors.  Cabin fever hit Miles the hardest, leading to our enrolling him in an indoor baseball clinic with Lil Slugger's Chicago!
The clinic lasted 7 weeks during our low-travel months and took place inside the Windy City Fieldhouse.
Here's a photo/video dump:

Miles LOVED the coaches, the drills, and the skills!

The best part - the medal!!!

I definitely think that we'll try this out again next year!

We even noticed that the fieldhouse holds birthday parties.
Guess who turns 5 this year?!?!

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Posted in: Baseball,Chicago,Miles,Video

The big Spring Show

Friday was the big Spring Show at Miles’ school/daycare.  His class had been practicing for well over a month.  Miles was VERY excited – not that you’re surprised. He’s always been a bit of a performer.
Each class took their turn. Miles’ class was last. They did 2 songs from the “Sound of Music.” They started with “Do Ra Mi” and finished the program with “So long, Farewell.” They were so cute – I cried, as usual!  I loved it!  You can enjoy it here:

Sorry about missing parts of it.  We sat behind a woman with BIG hair.  Also, the sound was captured differently as they moved the performance into the sanctuary at LaSalle Street Church.  No matter to me – I wouldn’t miss these performances for anything! Heart - MELTED!
The show’s finale was fitting for another reason.  Miles’ best friend (in the yellow tutu above)moved out of state directly following the performance. Her dad was promoted requiring them to move out of state. Miles is devastated, but we hope to keep in contact.  He gave her stationary so that they can be pen pals!
So long, farewell, dear friend! You’re new school is lucky to have you!

  

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Posted in: Chicago,Miles,Video

Short videos that made my week....

Hi! I just wanted to take this moment to share with all of you - a couple of videos that melted my heart this week!
Yes, I realize this is not a personal post about the goings-on with my family, but it is a post about the inter-workings of my head.  I've been misfiring for a while now.....

First of all, we love the show, New Girl.  Quarky funny, for sure!  I've been waiting several seasons for Nick and Jessica to realize that they were meant to be together. Check out that kiss!!

Wow!

Next... I sometimes find it a little tough to get going in the morning!  Who's with me!?

Subject yourself to this pep talk.  

You'll love me for it!  

(...and I love Space Jam!)

Finally... Who doesn't love a puppet show starring Socky the Sock Puppet?

Happy Wednesday AND last day of January, my friends!

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Posted in: Miles,Video

2 Wheeling!

Miles and Nate  have practiced a little here and there…. 

Mount up!

It’s official!  Miles is a 2-wheeler…

…even though the turns still need a little practice.  If only we had more space!

Congratulations, Miles Buddy! We’re super proud of you!

 

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Posted in: Bikes,Miles,Video

So, Here’s what you missed (part 3)

We celebrated my birthday on September 30th.  I’m still not really happy about it.  I’m not a fan of odd numbers, so 31 just isn’t sitting right. I spent my whole life looking forward to 30, so 31 is rather depressing. If only I could skip to 32 and hang out there for a couple years instead……

The boys made the birthday a lot of fun. I  love feeling like a princess!

We got up early, opened a few presents

Nate took Miles shopping… All on his own, he picked out candy corn pumpkins, orange fingernail polish, glitter fingernail  polish, a red pillar candle and some white dish cloths. What a thoughtful little guy!!  Really knows how to melt my heart :)

Nate went above and beyond to get me a travel, heat-resistant wrap for my hair straighter, as well as my very first garmin! It’s the forerunner 10 and I LOVE IT!

After church,  they made me a fancy breakfast with pancakes, bacon, OJ, and flowers.  Nate and Miles have mastered pancakes and orange juice! Luckily, Titus was visiting!  He’s a bacon guru!! Thanks guys! Can you believe that the flowers still look great 2 weeks later! Here they are:

Afterwards, we practiced 2 wheel biking!

He’s soooo close!

Our evening ended properly!

Thanks, boys!  You’ve succeeded again! I love you all so much, even when you point that camera at me when I’m not looking.

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Posted in: Bikes,birthday,Kelly,Miles,Nathan,Video

Quick Update

This post is just a quick update on what’s been going on.  I know I haven’t posted in a while, but I wanted to let you know that we are alive and well.  Tired, but alive and well!

We’ve been traveling every weekend for the last 7 weekends except for one.  Yes, we are exhausted – but feel accomplished. We’ve seen a lot of people and created some lasting memories.

Even though we are travelling on weekends, we are still trying to get Miles’ T-ball league time in before leaving town.  We recently found out that his league isn’t going to progress beyond a little batting practice and base running. Boo….  I’m not going to feel bad if we miss it anymore.  Miles get more practice in with his dad each night. Time to start looking for a pee-wee baseball league that’s not a part of the parks division.

During the week, we’ve spent our evenings looking at apartments since we hope to move late August.  Our current condo has served us well, but we NEED outdoor space. Miles is far to active to be so far away from a park. We hope to select a new unit within the next week or so!! Then its onto planning the actual move…..

We have LOTS more travel planned in the next few weeks.  I hope to be better about taking photos again so that I can post during the week after our new apartment is selected!

Thanks for your patience throughout this busy summer!

As long as there’s time for baseball, Miles has been GREAT in our crazy season of life. If Miles ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!!

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Posted in: Baseball,Miles,Video

Lots of highlights

With summer in full swing, Miles has taken it upon himself to increase the required number of sports related activities necessary to consider any given day a success. Apparently wearing a t-shirt from one of his favorite local teams, shooting hoops at school, riding his bike during dog duty, and logging at least one hour of indoor baseball with dad isn’t enough for one day.

He usually likes to spice things up by throwing in a few sporty kids books at bedtime or watching an entire Cubs game on TV. Lately, Miles has even given up his beloved bedtime stories in order to get an equal amount of time watching Michael Jordan YouTube highlights as part of his “wind-down” routine.

 

It’s not unusual to see Miles dancing to the soundtrack or practicing the jukes and dunks. Yes, Miles even practices with his tongue hanging out…. Monkey see, monkey do! He likes to be very accurate in his mimicry. If you ask me, this is hardly a wind-down activity…..

source

Here’s a video of Miles in action.  It’s actually pretty toned down; likely because I have the camera out. Enjoy the hip-hop dancing and slow motion, highlight-esque dunks on Nate.

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Posted in: Bulls,Miles,Video

Special Package

While checking the mail last week, Miles found that he had received a special package! We rushed back to our apartment to determine its contents. We weren’t expecting anything.  What could this be?!

The outside of the package read like this:

From Laura and Caleb (K-Bob)  --> This is going to be good!

Look at that concentration…

 

What is this? Is that Bieber? Oh- YEAH!

Did you catch what it was?  It’s a Justin Bieber singing toothbrush! HA!

  

Miles absolutely loves it. The toothbrush sings two songs: Baby and USmile.  Press the ‘daytime’ button for Baby and the ‘nighttime"’ button for USmile. Of course, Miles-lover of rules and technicalities, will only play the appropriate tune at each brushing.  The parental bonus is that both songs play for 2 minutes letting my shortcutting 3 year old know that he reached the recommended ADA brushing requirement. Genius!

Miles no longer complains when we ask him to Bieber his teeth :)

I know you love me. I know you care....

THANKS,  Caleb and Laura!

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Posted in: Klinge's,Miles,Video

Spring program, 2012

Last Friday was Miles’ spring program.

Even though Miles missed most of the day at school on Friday, we were able to get him back in time for the performance. Unfortunately, he refused to take his nap so his energy level wasn’t as high as we’ve come to expect.  Miles still did his ‘job’ well, but didn’t really fight to be in front the whole time.

 

The stage….

 

The program.. Can’t wait to hear SB1!!

  

The procession of 3 year olds, all wearing green for the program!

Super cute.. don’t you think?

I remembered not to ‘zoom’ at all this time so that the audio didn’t cut out, but I was still pretty shaky.  Sorry about that.

(Biased mom comment: Pushing - Ah, who does that?!)

Now, I’m really excited for spring!

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Posted in: Miles,Video