Impromptu Trip to the Zoo

We had a beautiful weekend and got a lot of stuff done.  We also had a lot of fun playing and riding bikes with the kids.  The weather got even warmer on Monday, around 80 degrees, although you wouldn't believe it today.  It is dark blue/grey skies and about 60 degrees.  You have to take advantage of it while you can and so we took a last minute trip to the zoo.  I feel like a cruise director 90% of the time.  Megan wakes me up with either, "Where are we going today?" or "What are we doing today?"  I had a long shift last night and wasn't sure if walking around the zoo and then that would be a smart idea but with the first sign of the siblings bickering and we were on our way!  I let Joshua out of his stroller pretty early on.  He was so excited, you could tell he felt like a big boy with all of the freedom.  That however, caused a major stress case in Megan.  She is such a worrier and so protective of Joshua.  I could tell her stress level was rising when she started rubbing her butterfly filled tummy.  She's has such good intentions but it gets really frustrating to have a 5 year old parent along for the ride. Of course Joshua is just carefree and running wild and loving it.  Sometimes I put Joshua back in the stroller just to make Megan feel better. 

Megan has been to the zoo countless times but this was the first time that Joshua has been there and been really concsious of what we were actually there for.  We got a lot of cute expressions on his face and lots of "Wow!"  I just can't get over how cute he is, I do have to say so myself.  He has been really interested in elephants lately, always pointing them out in particular in books and on tv.  But once we got to the zoo, he though all of the animals were amazing.  And he just loved running around.  I can't wait to go more often over the summer.  I think when Megan was his age, we went at least once a month.  It's just so nice to get outside and let the kids burn some energy!

 Mister was quacking at the ducks he saw and flapping his arms.

 He said, "Raw!!!" to the bear.

CUTE little boy!

 Looking at the cow.

 CUTE little girl!

 Pictures on the tractor have become a tradition.

 This is one of the many faces we got from Joshua at the zoo.  He see the gazelles in this picture.

 FREEDOM!!!

Friday Playdate!

We had a rare and welcomed weekday playdate with the Cougars in Oregon.  She got many more, and better pictures than I did!  The kids had a blast playing together at the Children's Museum and once we were about done and hunger meltdowns ensued, we surprised them with the news that we would be headed to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch!

 We have pictures of these guys as babies together!

 Mister concentrating on his plumbing issue.

 Bria snuggling with mom.

 I think Danielle actually got all four kids looking at the camera in this shot.  I was always just a little too late for Joshua!

 What a pretty little deli counter girl!

 Jace manning the cash register.

 Bria and Mister love to shop!

 This picture reminds me of the show "Green Acres"!

 Anybody out there?

Megan's First Tee Ball Game FINALLY!

We finally had a tee ball game last night!  We still weren't sure when we should actually get her ready, there has been a lot of heartbreak and tears in this house! At 5:00, an hour before game time, I finally thought it was safe.  Tee ball is quite a free for all.  I've never actually seen a tee ball game before now and now I'm extra glad I didn't volunteer to coach.  But bless those that do!  There are no outs, everyone hits every inning and everyone plays in the field.  They rotate in and out for one hour which last night meant that both team hit and played defense twice each.  It was perfect.  When the kids were starting to lose it, game was over!  I've noticed watching Megan playing soccer with the boys, and now tee ball, that boys don't like to stay on their feet when it come to chasing a ball.  They will hit the deck, slide, whatever it takes to get to the ball, even if staying on their feet would have been more productive.  I think it's a boy thing.  And then Megan started doing it.  Each ball hit became a dog pile of who is going to trap the ball under their glove first, wait for everyone else to give up and walk away and then maybe....or not.... throw it to first base.  I had to "encourage" Megan to stay on her feet, pick up the ball with her hand as soon as possible and throw it to 1st as soon as possible.  She did try but usually whoever was standing on 1st was not paying attention and she didn't want to hit them.  I guess that's a good thing.  She looked super cute and she said she had fun which we told her was the most important part....the fun not the cute.

Megan started at first base.

 Throwing the ball home.

 Looking cute on defense.

 If there was a team for 18 month olds, Mister would love it.  He is quite the handful during practice and games.  He wants to be right out in the middle of it. 

 Megan got it!

 One of the many dog piles!

 Megan and Henley chatting it up out in the field.

 Go Megan !

 Waiting to bat with her pink helmet, pink bat and pink batting gloves.

 TRYING to entertaing Mister.

 The hitter!

 And the baserunner, so proud of herself!

Another Phenom in the Making!

Now he doesn't have to fight with Sissy over her ball and glove!

Game Time...Almost

Megan's first game got rained out TEN minutes before game time last night.  And then there was crying. And then the offer of ice cream, I got some pictures of the ballplayer.  It was such a bummer because it was dry all day long until about 30 minutes before gametime and the skies opened up.  Ridiculous.  The school had a small covered area though so we let Megan hit some balls while we chased.  She had a great time and so did Joshua.  We are going to need to get him his own bat, ball and glove. He already fights for sissy's.  I don't know how he learned so fast but everything that resembles a bat, is a bat to him and he wants you to pitch the ball to him.  They are both going to be little athletes!

and with that....I am caught up on my blogging!!! Yay!

Easter Morning

Don't mind the crazy hair or the sleepy eyes.....Easter Bunny baskets were a hit yet again.  Megan go the necessities, toothbrush, nail polish, lip gloss and tic tacs.  Mister got a little singing doll and a matchbox airplane along with some yummy candy for both.  Joshua was more interested in the candy of course.

 Gracie and Autzen checking out Joshua's loot.

 This kid gets really excited about Tic Tacs.  I have this same picture at Christmas time with her stocking.

 "Wow!"

 ...mouth stuffed with candy, he sees his airplane.

 Stuffing more candy....

 ...and Daddy helping with the chocolate covered marshmallow Peep.