Safe!

This spring has been a busy one for our family.  Our weeknights and weekends have been filled with t'ball and little league games.  Coach Daddy was sidelined part of the season due to injury, but he made it back on the field by the end of their seasons.  The games were always entertaining.  Ellie and I have bleacher bottoms, as do a couple grandmas and grandpas.

My MVPs

Ethan moved up to Little League this year.  It is the real deal.  The batters get five pitches from the coach or three strikes.  Ethan improved in his hitting over the course of the season. 

He loved playing catcher.  This mommy was a little nervous about his head being so close to a swinging bat, but we had no injuries to report.  Playing catcher did make Ethan pay close attention to the game.

Ethan played in the outfield when he wasn't catching.  Sometimes he needed a few reminders to put his glove on and put the dirt down.  By the end of the season he was enjoying the game and even wanted to practice in the backyard with Daddy.

 My Erica played t-ball this year.  She loved it, and really hustled after the ball when in the field.  I loved watching her excitement for the game.  She played with many of the boys and girls from previous soccer or t'ball teams.  Her games were always well attended by many adoring parents and grandparents.  One teammate was a fan-favorite especially when his cape was flying in the wind as he trotted to first base. 

 The best part:  all the players swarm the ball when it's hit.  Coach Bart or Coach Daddy were often calling out one players' name to field the ball. 

Step and throw

Oz in Style

My girls had their tumbling and dance recital.  They performed to a packed house and some very proud grandparents and parents.

My girls were very proud of their hardware.  Their trophies were as tall as them.

Ethan missed out on all of the excitement.  He was at his baseball game.

Erica is next to her bestie, Bre.  Oops!  They bump into one another occasionally!

Ellie lost her wicked witch hat during the performance, but she kept on going.

My Girls have Style

My girls are both taking classes at Style Dance Academy.  Today was dress rehearsal.

Erica is loving her ballet class with her bestie, Bre.  She is a little bummed that they will not be going to kindergarten together.  But, for not they are not separated long.  They bump into one another a few times during their dance.  I tried to upload her video, but I am having trouble.

My Bugs has some rhythm to her.  I am not sure where it came from, certainly not her mother.  Here is a sneak preview of Buggies and friends tumbling.  She was loving being on stage.  She even made faces at the audience. 

I can't wait for their big performance.  I know they will have a proud daddy and grandparents.  This mommy and their big brother were beaming.  Next year, Ethan wants to be on stage with them.

School's Out for Summer

B'maw taught Erica a new song.  She keeps calling my Ethan a monkey. 

He did it!  My Ethers completed first grade.  I am amazed how much he has grown in 180 school days.  My buddy can read anything you throw his way.  Our current bedtime favs are the Magic Tree House series.  Math--well, that is another story . . . a long story filled with tears and  "I can't do it" and Ethan asking me, "Mommy, what's wrong?"  :)  

His teacher and I were talking on our work day, minutes after the students boarded the buses for the last time, Ethan wanted to tell his teacher good-bye one more time.  When he said another farewell to Mrs. Shafer, he told her that he couldn't wait for second grade.  If that is not a compliment then I am not sure what is!  I am certain that she was thinking, she needs a LONG summer before facing another 180 days with my active Ethan and his 24 peers.  (He will "loop" with his 1st grade teacher to 2nd grade.)

Ethan, I am so very proud of you.  Continue to WORK HARD and BE NICE!  I loved being able to be there while you experienced the joy of school.

The Star of the Show

Ethan and his classmates put on the best first grade program that I have ever had the privilege of watching.  The program titled American Traditions showcased each of the classes.  I was very proud of my students, but there was one little guy that caused my eyes to be filled with tears at each rehearsal and final performance.  It was this cute little pilgrim.

Oops! Notice his mother forgot the correct shoes for dress rehearsal.

Ethan and his peers gave me goosebumps while singing The Star Spangled Banner.

on stage

Audrey and Ethan recalling the First Thanksgiving

Music to my Ears

Some of the best words ringing in my ears are from my Bugs, "Mommy, I lub you."

To which my Erica often follows up with, "You're the best Mommy in the whole world."

Like I said, music to my ears.

My Ethers is a lover, a snuggler, and a carbon copy of his father.  Today he held my hand during my doctor's visit.  He asked my doctor lots of questions, but the look of awe on his face was priceless when he and I heard the sound that was magical...one strong heartbeat.

142 beats per minute, now that is music to my ears. 

Spring Means . . .

. . . birthday season in our home!  We have been busy little bees and I have been one tired mommy (more on that later).

Ethan's 7th Birthday ~ April 20, 2011

Erica and Ellie wished Ethan birthday wishes on his 7th birthday! B'maw made his light saber cake.

Ethan recently celebrated his 7th birthday with a few neighborhood friends. We were planning on an outdoor party for his Star Wars themed party. Jedi training is not quite the same when you are cooped up in the house because of the weather. We had fun!

Uncle Todd's 40th Birthday ~ May 5, 2011

Ellie's 3rd Birthday ~ May 6, 2011

 Ethan and Erica help Ellie and Uncle Todd blow out their candles.

Present Time!

 Ellie LOVES her new four-wheeler, almost as much as her new kite.

Daddy serenading his birthday girl.

If I only had a Brain

Yesterday, Ellie reminded me why I started blogging in the first place.
Anyone that knows Ellie, knows that she has spunk, some might call it an attitude.  Yesterday, she and Paul were watching a video and up on the screen came a picture of the brain.  Paul tried to explain to Ellie what it was and then asked her if she had a brain.  Quite angrily, Ellie replied, "I don't have a brain!" 

Oh Bugs!  Thanks for the good belly laugh.

My Snuggly Bugs

Oh my buggies, she comes alive at bedtime.  She wants one more hug, one more kiss, one more drink, one more bathroom break, one more story, one more something.  With all of her late night activities, it is one wonder that she needs to sneak in a little cat nap during the day.  I found her post-dance session stretched out on the living room floor.  She is wearing her favorite outfit, her princess swimsuit. 

Those sweet eyes and that hidden ornery smile melt my heart every time.

Vamonos!

Diego and Dora (or Backpack, as Erica called her) have always been popular in this house.  We were beyond excited when their exhibit open at The Children's Museum.  We woke up early one weekend morning to be one of the first to arrive at the museum.  Enjoy some of our memories.  This exhibit is one of our favorites.

Ellie planted some flowers in Isa's garden.

Ethan disguised himself as a lady bug.

Erica and Ellie caught a ride from Baby Jaguar.

She was sailing the seas with the Pirate Piggies.

Erica was swinging through the trees in the rainforest.