Bad News Bears

I don't think this season is going to be a banner one for the Red Sox. Our coach is gone for 3 weeks and left no one in charge. We rarely have scheduled practice or a plan to warm up before the game. Last week I thought I was running late because we arrived 20 minutes before the game started and I expected to find lots of kids throwing balls and warming up. This is what I found on our side of the field (and after a few messages confirming the date and time were correct!):

And on the other side parents were filling up the bleachers and kids were out on the field getting ready.

About five minutes until game time, we finally had three kids and one dad.

The other team had a full roster, five dads, and a complete series of stretches and drills. Some of their spectators moved to our bleachers so they wouldn't be as crowded.

We finally ended up with seven players and three dads, just barely enough to limp through a game. I feel bad for Ben and the other kids to not have a great experience their first season of baseball, and I can't help but wonder if he would enjoy it more if there was a real sense of team spirit. It is what it is. At least he's getting some experience, right? And no matter what, Alex is always having a blast on the newly-replenished pile of dirt. This is where Ben would like to spend his time as well!

At home the silly kids are always finding fun things to do, especially with their friends over nearly every day.

Alex found an app on my phone to take his picture with Mickey and we've had some interesting creations. This one turned out pretty cute!

Egg Hunters

Happy Easter! Wishing everyone a joyous celebration of Jesus' resurrection. We have certainly enjoyed sharing the exciting news with the kids this year since they're getting old enough to understand that Easter is more than a bunny. But I still think what they've loved most about this holiday has been the egg hunts. We started off with one at the neighborhood clubhouse last week and it was packed!

This was the first time the kids had done it in a large group and they didn't fare well. I tried to encourage them to go fast but they only ended up with a handful of eggs each. Naturally, that brought out their competitive spirits later!

They each had egg hunts at school (both limited to a dozen eggs to keep it fair) and we went to a great party yesterday with Matt's coworker and the kids were chomping at the bit to fill up their baskets again.

On your mark....get set....GO!

These guys were SERIOUS. Alex screamed a few times when someone grabbed an egg before him but he definitely improved his speed. (sorry it's blurry...all these pictures are from my phone)

Our kids were the last ones there making sure every pile of hay had been overturned and every egg found. The rest of the day was spent with mouths full of candy and hands full of fun little toys they got in their eggs.

Later Ben gave me my own egg with this precious note. It says "I love you 100 miles, Ma". That made my weekend!

We've also been to more t-ball games and the laughs and sweet moments keep on coming. Ben and Michelle walked to one game hand in hand. Don't tell Alex, though, because he says Michelle is HIS girlfriend!

Look at this adorable catcher! He barely moved in all the gear but it was fun to watch.

The boys are both in gymnastics and loving it. Alex got promoted to the next class and he was so proud he smiled the entire class.

A classic Alex moment I never want to forget - He was acting up on the way into Lowe's yesterday and Matt threatened him with a time out. Alex responded, "Dad, if you put me in time out I'm going to cry really loud and hurt your ears." He certainly keeps us on our toes!

Happy Easter!

T-Ball

We have officially entered the world of baseball. Ben had his first t-ball game today and it was great! He's on the Red Sox and I could just eat him up in his little uniform.

Alex was busy monkeying around in the stands, cheering for Ben and their friend Michelle, and playing Angry Birds on my phone.

Ben had several good hits.

His only problem his first two at-bats was that he forgot to start running towards first base, but his third time he had a great hit and took off to first.

The outfield was a different story! He was a little less than entertained out there but did manage to stay on his feet, which surprised me. I just knew he'd be poking around in the grass.

Checking out his jersey.

Watching the game at the next field.

Watching the hitter for a brief minute.

Doing what seems to come naturally to all baseball players.

What a bunch of cute kids! They all did great and seemed to enjoy their first game. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season. Especially watching all the antics of kids learning the game....today was full of laughs for all the parents!

Back at home it was business at usual. Ben moved his "classroom" out of his closet and into his room. He holds imaginary school here every day and yells at them a lot so he must have some wild kids.

I love that he made his own nameplate for his desk.

Alex prefers sitting and reading books in his "classroom". I think he's a nicer teacher!

Spring Break

Yay for spring break! And thank you to the person who decided to put daylight savings at the beginning of the week so we didn't feel the pain of losing an hour since we weren't setting alarms anyways. Somehow my kids naturally adjust themselves to waking up around 6:30am no matter where we are.

We spent most of our break in Alabama doing some fishing and hunting. Well, the guys hunted. I chose not to wake up at 5:30am to look for turkeys...call me crazy...but Ben got to go out with Daddy and Grandpa and had a great time. Matt got a nice turkey so it looks like we're all set for Thanksgiving this year!

The kids had a blast, as usual, because of all the dirt to play in, grasshoppers to catch, marshmallows to roast, and chairs to cuddle in. They watched an entire show in this recliner together without so much as a fight. Definitely a record.

Ben really enjoyed a break from school and even did some writing on his own. This was my favorite by far. It read "My ma is the best" but the lines are a bit out of order because he ran out of space. These little gems are the best gifts ever!!

Houston Livestock Show

We enjoyed another first with the kids today - our first family trip to the Houston Livestock Show. Since we enjoyed our local rodeo so much and didn't care much about seeing most of the entertainment acts at the Houston rodeo, we decided to pass on that part and just go to the carnival and exhibits. Today was the only day we could all go and, even though the forecast was ugly, we put on our raincoats and got ready for some fun.

Our first stop was the main exhibit hall to see some of the animals and check out the displays for kids. Alex was thrilled to take a pony ride (Ben passed, I'm not sure why) because he's been asking to ride a horse since he got cowboy boots. Too bad I made him wear rain boots for this! But totally worth it since he went splashing through every puddle he found.

We all enjoyed watching some baby chicks hatching. Ben asked me very quietly if we could keep one for a pet. I told him this was not a pet store. But I didn't tell him that if there was a way for me to sneak one out we would have definitely brought it home!

The petting zoo was great fun, of course.

Ben found a brush and got busy grooming some of the goats.

Thank goodness the heaviest rain passed while we were inside or in a tent having lunch, but the showers kept some of the rides closed. It actually turned out to be pretty great because it wasn't crowded at all! No line for the bumper cars.

The kids got enormous suckers from a tractor race and enjoyed them while we watched some mutton bustin'. And much to my relief, they didn't want the whole things. Sugar rush, anyone?

It was such a fun day! Getting a little more Texas in these boys every day :)

Ben's Special Guest

Ben was thrilled to have Grandma K come read to the class on Dr. Seuss day! We joined him first for lunch (or brunch, to people that don't choose to eat lunch at 10:15am)

...and then we were off the the classroom to read. I'm not sure who was more excited from this group! The whole class loved hearing the Cat in the Hat read Green Eggs and Ham to them.


Thanks for coming, Grandma! What a special treat for these guys.