Dash's First Season With Challenger Little League

                                                  Dash & Coach Mark

Dash's first season with Challenger Little League (a unique division of little league for kids with special needs) was a big success!  He started out apprehensive at first, and would only hit the ball ... nothing else.  By the end of the season, he ran all the bases (with Mommy or Daddy by his side) and would play the outfield!!  It was a great experience for Dash, his daddy, and me.  We got to meet new parents and kids with different needs than Dash.  The two coaches were so wonderful.  They were patient and encouraging to both kids and parents. 

It was even a learning experience for Grandma!

 Oh so happy!!

See, he really did have fun!!

Below are some shots of his last game and awards ceremony ... of course, Dash cried when he got his trophy and wanted to give it back.  By the end, he decided to keep his hard earned trophy after all!

Dash's friend A

 Running the bases with Daddy

 Check out that swing!!!!

 Getting his trophy from Coach Wayne

Dash still not too happy about that darn trophy

Dash and A proudly hold their trophies high!

It's Time for Summer Time Fun!!

Well, I've been gone from the blogging world for a while, but the end of the school year is just insanely busy.  Add to that therapeutic horseback riding every Tuesday night for Dash, Challenger baseball on Wednesday night for Dash, and gymnastics on Thursday night for Crash.  So, I finally have time to get caught up!

My first plan of action is to plan some fun activities for the boys and me.  Gavin just saw this on Nick Jr. and really wants to make them. They look easy enough and lots of fun.  They are "Fresh Beat Band Maracas", which are constructed out of a small water bottle, a dowel, some acrylic paint, felt, and rice.  See the link below for complete directions!

Nick Jr. Directions for Maracas

I think we'll make these on Friday, so I will be sure to post pictures of our process.  This will be fun for both boys, and provide some much needed small motor skills practice for Tanner.

I just love summer time!!!

Step 1.  The Supplies ~ we got everything at Michael's

Step 2.  Paint 1 - 2 coats of acrylic paint on to each plastic water bottle.

Step 3.  Allow paint to dry thoroughly

Step 4.  Paint the dowels and allow to dry

We got one long dowel and Daddy cut it down to size (10")

Step 5.  Carefully add rice to each painted bottle

Step 6.  Insert 10" dowel into bottle opening

(I also added a bit of cotton around the lip to seal completely)

Step 7.  Tape dowel into place

Step 8.  Glue felt around tape and tie colorful string around the top.

Step 9.  Enjoy your maracas!!!!

*We are also going to cut out and glue the Fresh Beat Band "labels" onto

the maracas, but I'm going to cover with a coat of Modge Podge, so we are doing

that step right before bedtime, so they can dry overnight.