End of Another Great Season

Today the boys played their last games of this baseball season. The weather was hot with very little breeze, which made being a spectator somewhat unpleasant. But the sweat and slight sunburn was worth it to watch my boys finish out their baseball season.

Nathan had a great last game against the Braves this morning. He got to bat twice and played short stop, catcher and pitcher. He did great at each position; I don't think he could have ended the year any better!

Nathan up to bat

Nathan playing catcher

Nathan playing pitcher

Granny, Cody, and a pretending-to-be-sleeping Alex

Amy sitting in her favorite spot to watch the game: Paw-Paw's lap

Alex's game came a little later, giving us time to go out for lunch with Granny and Paw-Paw and cousin Cody. We made it back to the ball park in plenty of time for warmup before the game against the notoriously difficult-to-beat Cubs. It became apparent fairly quickly that our boys were tired and not exactly playing their best. Alex hardly ever strikes out when up at bat, but his first time up in today's game he struck out, as did many of our boys. Thankfully, their boys weren't hitting too well either. Our players, though still a little sluggish, did manage to perk up a bit during the game and we only lost by 2 runs, which considering the reputation of the team we were playing, was really good! Alex had a great hit his second time at bat and overall played a great game.

Alex up to bat

Team parties are, of course, part of the end-of-season baseball tradition. Nathan had his team party at Mr. Gatti's on Wednesday where he received his trophy, ate pizza and had fun playing lots of arcade games. Thanks to Granny and Paw-Paw for taking him and Alex since Bill was out of town and Amy and I had to be at her ballet rehearsal. I am sad that I missed that special event in Nathan's life, but I know he had a great time just the same. Alex's team party occurred today just after his game. It was held at a had it at a nearby park where the kids were able to run and play and just hang out with each other. This also enabled the parents to relax and actually talk to one another, something we can't normally do too well when we're all watching, cheering and coaching the baseball games. The party also involved cake, trophy presentations and gifts for coaches and helpers. The kids had a great time, as did all the parents.

Alex's team party

A cake that's cute and delicious, too!

Alex and his new trophy

I'm glad that the many practices and games have finally concluded, but I'm also somewhat sad. It has been such a joy to watch the boys play each week and to see how far they've come from when they first started out the year. I'm going to miss watching them play. But just because baseball season is over doesn't mean all the excitement has to end. In a couple of weeks, we start basketball season at the Y. The fun never ends!

No More a Tiger

Yesterday was our Cub Scout Pack's "Bridging Ceremony" where the boys cross over to the next level of scouts. Alex went from being a Tiger to being a Wolf. Bill, as the Tiger Den Leader, led their part of the ceremony. We only had a few boys show up, though our overall den is pretty small anyway.

Alex was so excited! Even though the Webelos were supposed to remove all his old attire (Tiger hat, slider and handkerchief) as part of the ceremony, he already had it all off and was tossing everything over to them as he went running up the bridge! I love his proud expression as he stood up tall and gave his boyscout salute.

Nathan didn't get to crossover the bridge, but he did get recognized as being a new Tiger cub. He was a little shy about going up in front of everyone, but with Bill already up there, he gained the courage to stand with the Cubmaster.

At one point, Alex was chosen to stand with the Cubmaster and tell him about his experience with Scout Fair. Thankfully, our Cubmaster is very patient and kind because in his shyness, it took Alex awhile to respond to the questions he was being asked. But seeing him standing there so sweetly was priceless. He did great!
And even though Bill is very busy at work these days, he has stepped up to become our Pack's Assistant Cubmaster! So he'll be doing this in addition to being the Wolf Den leader. I am so proud of him for all of his committment to our boys and their experiences as Cub Scouts! And as much as Bill loves the outdoors and camping and so much of what makes up the scouting experience, I know they are all going to have fun!!!

Unplanned Haircut

Yesterday I gave the boys haircuts. And today, while I was talking on the phone with my mom, Nathan pretended to give Amy a haircut. And then, Amy gave herself a haircut.

Thankfully, it wasn't a lot. But the clump she cut off was from the front side of her hair, and when stretched out, it was about 5 inches worth. When she asked if I could put it back on again and I said no, she cried. I cried. We all cried. I am so sad. If her hair is anything like mine, this section of hair will not grow back as curly.

And did I mention that in just a couple of weeks she has her first ballet recital? I think I'm going to need a bit more gel and hairspray now.

Wanted: A GOOD Sunscreen

I am so frustrated by sunscreen. Obviously, I have to put it on my children because I don't want them to burn. But why does it have to ruin their clothes in the process???

On Saturday we were out in the sun almost the entire day. So of course, we doused the kids in sunscreen several times throughout the day. It wasn't until later that night AFTER I'd washed their clothes that it became clear the collar and sleeves of Amy and Nathan's shirts were yellow - very yellow. I soaked them in Oxy clean overnight and tried washing them again the next day, but the yellow remained. This has happened before, but with a different sunscreen. Upon reading the warnings on the sunscreen bottle, there is mention that the product could stain some fabrics. But who reads those things?!? And I certainly wouldn't expect sunscreen to discolor clothing. So now I have a $12 bottle of barely used sunscreen that I might as well throw in the trash; yesterday I bought a new $12 bottle of a different brand of sunscreen that does not say anything about staining clothing. But even so, I'm still afraid to use it.

FYI: Here are the sunscreens that have discolored my kids' clothes (both have the same fabric-staining disclaimer):

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

Breakfast Beagle

Nathan, reading the story title in his reading lesson: "The Eagle Meets a Beagle."

Me: "Do you know what a Beagle is?"

Nathan: "Yes, it's something you eat!"

Happy Shopping

Typically, when I have to take all three of my children to the grocery store, it is a stressful, unpleasant experience. This is not because my children are bad kids; they are just kids being kids. They start out happy and good and then as time passes and they become tired, they start to act up and aggravate each other. That's when it becomes unpleasant for me. I'm sure many moms can relate to this. I try to go when I can take a maximum of one child with me, but sometimes a stop with all three becomes necessary. Today was one of those days. And considering we'd just come from playing at the park, I figured we'd definitely have some struggles at the store. But I was wrong. There were only a couple of difficult moments, but for the most part, all three of my kids were wonderful. And it wasn't just me that noticed. A super sweet man stopped me to tell me that my kids were the nicest he'd seen in a long time. He then handed me three dollars and said he wanted each of them to buy something they want. I was so proud. We all thanked him profusely, and then the kids joyfully made their selections from the small supply of toys and games there at Kroger. What a happy experience. I pray all outings with the kids could be just like this one!

Lego Disappointment

For months Alex has been talking about the cool Darth Vader Lego set he'd be getting for his birthday. He just knew he would get it and he couldn't wait. Since it was a relatively cheap set compared to most, we indulged him. And it is a cool set... Unless your child expects to play with it. I've learned that the larger and more complicated the Lego set, the less you can do with it. But how do you explain that to your 7 year old who is becoming very frustrated by this Tie Fighter that falls apart every time he tries to put Darth Vader into or take Darth Vader out of it. So Sad.

Happy Mother's Day...

To my mom - I love you!!!

A picture of my mom and niece, taken earlier today

To my mother-in-laws, sister, and sister-in-laws!

To all of my wonderful friend moms out there (you know who you are)!

And to me, the luckiest mom alive. :)

All my "babies"

Birthdays... and Lots of Them!

It amazes me how birthdays always seem to occur in clumps instead of being spread throughout the year. November is of course a busy birthday time for us, but so is May.

Yesterday was Bill's birthday, at which time he turned... 29 years old (hee-hee). I'll let him stay 29 with me; I decided years ago that would be my permanent age. I can do that, right? :) We spent most of Bill's birthday at baseball games and then doing Alex's party. Family stayed after Alex's party and we celebrated both Bill and my sister's birthdays. It was such a full, wonderful day spent with our friends and family. I was worried that since we were having Alex's party on Bill's birthday, the day wouldn't be as special for Bill. But in the end, he said he had a great day and it was one of his best birthdays. Of course, bringing joy to your children on their birthday will always result in your own happiness. But it really was a great day! Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!!!

The theme of Alex's party was Star Wars, which was perfect for my Star Wars fanatic husband as well. I made Alex a Millenium Falcon cake and as one of the games, Bill made Star Wars character targets for the kids to shoot at with a "laser gun" (Nerf dart gun, actually). We had Darth Vader masks and special Yoda Soda (green punch) to drink. And of course we had the Star Wars soundtrack playing in the background. Who wouldn't love a Star Wars themed party? :) We also rented one of those moonwalks for the party and were able to keep it through this morning. This enabled them to play on it during the cooler evening and early morning hours. What a blast they had with that! And as part of a birthday request from Alex, his cousins got to spend the night, really making the perfect ending to the perfect day.

Jedi knight target practice

Alex with his cake

Rocket moonwalk in our driveway

Not sure who had more fun in this thing... Bill or the kids?

Like father, like son

Oh, and I also made a second birthday cake for last night's birthday celebration. This cake was especially for my sister Lisa. When she was a young girl, she was having a Star Wars themed birthday party and asked my mom for a Princess Leia cake. But feeling apprehensive about making that particular cake (how do you make those hair buns, or her facial features?), my mom chose to make her a Darth Vader cake instead. Lisa was somewhat disappointed by her Vader cake, even though my mom did a wonderful job on it. So, as had been requested all those many years ago and fitting with the theme of our party, Lisa finally got her Princess Leia cake... or Bob the Builder in drag, as my brother put it. ;) We had a lot of laughs over that cake!

Lisa and her Bob the Buil... I mean, her Princess Leia cake

Today, Alex's actual birthday, we all went to my sister's to swim. The kids had a blast playing in the pool and we all overindulged on hot dogs, chips, dips, fruit, and a whole lot of dessert! But what a fun day it was. Alex couldn't have asked for a better birthday. And I couldn't have asked for a better Mother's Day. Happy Birthday, Alex!!!

Playing in the pool

Amy cuddling with her cousin Cody

The silly birthday boy

Fishing at Last

We live only a short walk from a lake and have planned on taking the kids fishing since they got their new fishing poles at Christmas. But as with all things, time gets away from us and we don't follow through with our plans as quickly as we'd hoped. But Bill was off today and he told the kids early in the week that today he would take them fishing. So they went and bought worms this morning and then prepped their fishing poles and gathered other necessary supplies (such as the ever essential bugspray). Then we all drove down to the lake because it was starting to drizzle outside and we didn't want to get caught in a down pour without a quick getaway. Thankfully, the heavier rain never came and the sun did eventually come out.

The kids had a great time, though they struggled to be patient as they waited for the fish to bite. Bill was the first to catch one. He called it a small mullet fish. Then a little bit later he caught a catfish. The kids were really getting anxious after that. Finally, Nathan caught a catfish even bigger than the one Bill had caught. He was so proud! Bill also caught another big catfish a little later. But Alex and Amy weren't having as much luck. I ended up holding Amy's pole almost the entire time as she got bored with it pretty quickly. She was getting quite a few bites, but no takers. When it was about time for us to go, Amy finally caught a small mullet fish.

Alex was disappointed not to have caught any fish, but he can't say he didn't catch anything.... He managed to reel in two of these little guys (picture obtained from the internet - they let go before we could pull them from the water!)...

If only we could have gotten a picture of Alex with his crab catches. He can definitely claim the most interesting catches of the day!