Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Sam decided that he wanted to play baseball this spring due to his strong love for Charlie Brown.  So we signed him up and began our season.  It was so fun to watch him slowly understand and pick up on the game. 

Seth and I ended up coaching the team due to a stinky team.  I was so disappointed with the parents on our team.  They just sat around hoping that someone would take charge instead of helping out.  Not many things bug me more that men who sit around while women do things they should have the good sense to do.  But we ending up having a good time and Sam learned a lot and enjoyed it...and that's what really matters.

It's Better to Look Up (Usually)

I took the kids on a bike ride today for some desperately needed time out of doors.  I was laying in the grass looking at the beautiful sky and how the sun was peaking through the tree above me.  It was so relaxing and pleasant until...

 ...suddenly two jets flew over and made this huge "x" right over us.  All I could think of was how weird that was and how "x" usually "marks the spot".  I got over it quickly though and wasn't unnerved enough to move from my cool shady spot! :)

Chloe's Hair

Anyone who knows Chloe knows that she has some impressive hair...in terms of fro goes anyway.  So sadly it came as no surprise when she came to us with a problem with her bubble gun. 

Sweet Grandma M gave the kids these fun guns and boy did we love them until we saw what they can do to poor Chloe.  She was so patient as we tried to untangle her hair. 

 And no, this is not the same picture.  This is when she brought her gun back to us about a half hour later!  Poor thing.  Needless to say, the gun was retired and we had a much less painful day. 

Make Way for Goslings

On our way to Lagoon we noticed that the cars in front of us hit their breaks.  We slowed, worried that an accident had just taken place, but then soon realized that everyone was trying to help a family of Geese cross the freeway safely.  I couldn't help but think of my favorite children's book, Make Way for Ducklings.  These are the experiences that help me see that the world is still a kind place.

And We're Back

Today we had a really good reason to be at Lagoon.  The kid's cousin, Madi, was performing with her dance team and we were excited to go see her and support her.  We had to wait a while until it was her turn, so the boys had fun:

Riding around with Grandma M on her scooter

Striking posses with Madi

Following each other around

And finally watching Madi strut her stuff.

Lagoon was so packed with dancers and their families that we decided to do some of the fun things we don't always do because we are so busy running from ride to ride.  We had fun:
Eating yummy treats

Checking out the fun Museums

Watching all the Geese and their families

Running around poles

And wearing our hats backwards.

We finally got on some rides and had some thrills.  We of course had to do the Dino Drop.  Chloe absolutely loves this ride and is a regular.  The workers know her face now and always say hi!

Before heading out we had to get a few runs on the go carts.  For some reason we always seem to forget about this one, so when we actually do it the kids have a blast.

As soon as we got in the car the kids were exhausted.  It was a great time that left us dead tired.  Good day!

No, No, No, No, No

Sam cracks me up.  He is so expressive and never hesitates to say what he thinks or give his opinion.  I don't know where he gets it from! ;)  But one of our favorite things he does when he REALLY doesn't want something is to stick his arms out perfectly straight and to shake his hands back and forth and say, 'no, no, no, no, no."  As if a simple "no" couldn't possibly ever suffice.

A House of Order

One of the biggest blessings of having to/trying to slow down and simplify my life is how my mind has been working on organizing and cleaning out our lives.  I have been so happy as I slowly take one room and one project at a time and actually finish them.  I am reminded that sometimes when things happen they don't always look like blessings at the time, but before you know it you realize they really are.

Here are just a few of the things I've been working on...

Detangling the piles of jewelry and having a place for them.

 Lego bins and labels, garage cleaned out and organized, and the pantry done.

Matt's Toy

We got a message from Matt that he was nearby and lifting a track repair car off the tracks and on to a semi.  Well, that just happens to be right up our alley, so we went and grabbed Sam out of school and took off to watch, jammies and all!

It was a cold rainy day and the kids were freezing, so watching outside quickly turned into watching from our heated car, to watching out the sun roof when the rain stopped.

 It was so fun to watch Matt from start to finish.  The crane looked so small until he raised it and extended it and then had to add the bar and cables. 

 When he lifted the train car it was pretty amazing.  It seemed so light with his big machine.

 After the work was done we got to go on site and Matt let the kids help him put everything back.  A definite highlight for the kids.