Birthday Baseball

Happy 31st birthday, Eric!!

We did a variety of things the past two days in honor of Eric's birthday.  Since he is working tonight we went to the Ranger game(at the Astro's stadium) last night.  This morning it was breakfast at Cracker Barrel followed by Cars 2.  

We watched a bit of batting practice and then headed to our seats.

I think this was taken right after Scott drank the syrup from a sno cone while I ate the ice.  He was a bit hyper.  I could actually see him building his sugar high.

"Let's go Rangers!" **clap, clap, clapclapclap**

 A year ago I had no interest in taking everyone to a baseball game because I knew Sydney and I would be walking around the entire time.  It's amazing what a year can do!  It also hits home that these kiddos are growing up way too fast!

We did have a lot of space around us so Sydney did some dancing and posing  whenever music would play.  

Baby _____ ?

Finally a baby or animal with a real name!!  Until now it's been cat, baby, goldfish, etc.

Meet baby Jane.  Not Jane but baby Jane.  

weekend visitors

It was a weekend of fun with Memaw and Papaw.  

 Sunday morning ads--Scott requested several Transformer ads..  He did not ask for a toy but he has plans for a Transformer birthday party one day.  He just likes to look at the pictures.  It will be a toss up at Halloween.  Will he choose a transformer or a storm trooper--top 2 choices so far.  

Sydney said she would go as Darth Vader.  :o)

So anyways, Scott did not want to put down his ad for a picture.

There was a sad moment once the paper was removed.

cookies and rice

I decided to do a bit of baking Friday afternoon.  The kids came up with their own "cookies."  

I've had these sprinkles for 9 years now so I figured it was time somebody used them!  

A lot of sprinkles, touch of sugar, flour, 5 chocolate chips (no, I take that back, they were eaten immediately after being placed in the bowl) and loads of salt...

excessive stirring...

makes this colorful cookie creation.

I tallied the time Sydney spent on this task and it was well over 2 hours!

Me mixing cookies, 8 batches in the oven at 10 minutes a piece, clean up and then more time while I was cooking dinner.  It went over so well with her that I began formulating a plan for the next baking day.

Without spending a fortune in sprinkles why not dip into that 25 pound bag of rice?!  No it won't be as yummy as the sugary sprinkles they snacked on as they mixed but it could be just as much fun.

Sydney and I colored some rice.

I wonder if I can color sugar?

Good thing I didn't clean the kitchen because she's right back at it again!

Paint me a picture

Since I can't keep them all, a photo will have to do.

The name is coming along...

Big reader, Big winner

Growing up I never won anything.  My name was never the lucky one pulled from the hat.  I never enter contests today because based on my track record, it's a waste of time.  

Now Scott and Sydney, on the other hand, have both been pretty lucky in their short lives.  Sydney had a grand prize egg at the egg hunt this Easter and today the library called to say that Scott won the summer reading log drawing for the week!  So up to the library we went to collect his winnings...

Most of the prizes were for younger children or girls so Sydney made out pretty well.  I guess it's a fair trade off since Scott got to keep Sydney's Easter egg prize!

One room painted...

The first room of the house has been painted--the kitchen!

After weeks and months of debating we took the plunge.

This is a before picture.  It's the best I had on file of the kitchen before it was painted.  This one was taken back in October right after we moved in.

And...the after...are you ready for this?!

Don't mind the clutter.  I said the kitchen was painted not tidy.

Sometimes it looks blue, sometimes green and even gray at other times.  You really have to see it in person to understand and appreciate this color.  We started yesterday evening and finished this afternoon.  We are still trying to figure out what to paint the bar.  Then add some curtains, perhaps a new light fixture, wall hangings and other decorations.

Honestly it was not what I thought it would be.  It's better.  I didn't know what to expect but I love it.  Still every time I walk in I'm a little shocked but in a good way.  The kitchen was just so drab before and now it's got a pop of color!  It's fun, colorful and hopefully will make the hours and hours I spend in the kitchen much more pleasant :o)

Success!

We decided to enroll the kids in swimming lessons this year.

I know how to swim but I don't know how to teach a child who is afraid to put any part of their face in water and remove their floaties how to begin to like the water.

I had my doubts.  Day 1 he refused to go in the water several times.  Day 2 was a bit better. Both hands in the mouth means very very nervous!!

After that it was a blur!

After 4 lessons he was jumping in the water with floaties all by himself.

A few days later he was jumping off the side and swimming under the water without floaties.  He started diving (in the 1 1/2 foot baby pool) for his water rockets.

Here's proof...

He's telling me that he'll show me "1 time mom.  Only one more time."

He's swimming...

and swimming...

success!!

 As for this little fish.  She's come a long way too.  

Her class is parent/child swimming and I have to give Eric most of the credit since he has swam with her for most of the lessons.  

She can now jump in off the side to you with a lot of coaxing and sometimes holding one hand.

She blows bubbles in the water, floats on her back and front and goes under the water.  

She hasn't become quite the dare devil Scott has become but she's young and at least she's more comfortable in the water.  The summer has just started...

Derby

We made a trip to the derby during our trip to Indiana a few weeks ago.

Ooo...horses!  Sydney wants to ride them and she wants a pink one and I think she'll be that child that asks for a pony for Christmas.

Who took this picture??

It was added so I would remember the time I spent trying to track down this guy so Scott could have his picture taken.  He never resurfaced...

You just can't win with all the photos.

I'd say she was refreshed after a 2-3 race long nap.

Scott's bet was always horse #5 and Sydney wanted the pink horse.  

Both were not winners, ever, but it was still fun!

a little bit of dirt won't hurt

Since getting back from Indiana we've had two "school" days with our friend Ashby.  

The first one we learned about worms.

We built a lovely home for our worms...

Sadly the first batch of worms added were well past their expiration date so I had to go back to the store and  exchange them for some living worms.

 Yes, this is much better...

The next day it was all about dirt and worms outside.

The worms were finally released after much excitement in the hands of children.

Then Scott started working on our lunch...

This week we learned about plants.  Our "dirt" was play dough.  It used to be beautiful colors of orange, teal and pink but Scott spent one afternoon smashing all the colors together.  

Turned out his new color inspired new ideas for the dough!

"Cheese, flowers!"