Soft Kittie

Andrew had his 4th grade recorder concert -- and we survived!

Our proudest moment was when he was picked as one of 2 kids to do a solo.  One cute little girl played "Amazing Grace".  Andrew played "Soft Kittie" from Big Bang Theory.  That a boy.

Can you spot him -- he's wearing yellow!

 Found him!

Matt's 4!

Matthew turned 4 this week!  I thought it was fitting that his birthday landed on garbage day, one of his favorite days of the week (he owns a front loader, a side loader, 4 mini garbage cans, and 2 full size garbage's).

I also thought it fitting that he gave himself a great big black eye for a birthday present.  He was being silly right next to Andrew's bed, and hit his eye right on the edge of it.  Perfect.

Matthew is one of the best little kids I've ever met.  I love him, and I really like him, too.  He's funny, smart, and helpful.  He loves everybody and everything.  At night, he prays to Heavenly Father and thanks Him for "the beautiful rainbows, for butterflies, and for lovely songs."  He also asks Him to let Mojo and Shoji sleep in his room.  Every. Single. Night.

He reads books and can count to 50 (then he needs a little help to get to 100).  He is extremely busy, and is always willing to help.  His Sunbeam teacher says that they learn A LOT about me during class, which makes me want to spy from the hallway.

We're best friends.  I ask him what I'm going to do when he goes to school, and he replies, "You'll just come with me, Mommy."

Happy birthday, buddy.

Matt's favorite food is macaroni and cheese (probably because I never make it).

His favorite person is Mommy.

His best friends are Zach and Emily.

His favorite TV shows are Ninjago and Power Rangers (oh yay).

His favorite colors are purple and red.

His favorite animal is a giraffe.

He loves to draw, eat, do garden work, jump on the trampoline, and do schoolwork with Gracie.

His favorite place is the zoo.

He loves gymnastics, Grandpa Day, and garbage day.

His favorite song is Mother, Dear I Love You So.

Sweet (?) 16

Haley made it to 16!! It's a miracle.  It's a miracle WE all made it to her 16th birthday!

We took her out of school to go have lunch with some friends, and then surprised her with a trip to the shooting range, which she thoroughly enjoyed.  But rest assured, that is the only place she will ever be allowed to have a weapon.

Almost Made It

Ben and I went with some friends to watch The Avengers the other night (it was awesome, and I want to see it again, by the way).  I called Haley to tell her we were on our way home, and she said that Matt was waiting up for me.  But this is what I found when I got home.  He almost made it, but just couldn't hang on at the last minute!

It's Baseball Season

Well, baseball has begun. Our lives are over. We spend half our week at the baseball field, and the other half listening to Joey beg us to come play catch outside.

He's been loving coach pitch baseball this year.  They let the kids try to hit 4 balls, and if they can't, they give them a tee to hit off.  Joey hasn't needed the tee at all, and is always put in the infield, usually at first or third base, because of his mad skills.

Warm ups with the coach before game time -- don't they look like little ducklings?

Stretches and warm ups.  My favorite is when they try to do jumping jacks.  It's pretty funny.

Team huddle

Sitting on the bench is one of the toughest parts. Most of those kids have a hard time paying attention.

Joey's first at bat of the season

He got it!

Joey usually sits really nicely on the bench and watches the game.

Sometimes he gets a little distracted.

First home run of the season!

 And this is what goes on behind us.  Wrestling, running, tackling, doggie piles.

That's Andrew under there.

The league hosts a hit-a-thon, and for every $10 raised, the kids get to try and hit one ball.  Joey hit 8 balls, and one of them landed on this sweatshirt, so Joey got to take it home.  Too bad it's a men's extra large.  Maybe he'll grow into it... in 20 years.  (He was just excited he won something -- he also won a t-shirt and a new baseball gear bag for being 5th place in the fundraiser.)