Angels Game

Last night we were excited to go to the Angels game, all five of us. First, we load the diaper bag: bottles, snacks, pacifiers, spare clothes, snacks, pajamas, a jacket (just in case), snacks, water bottles, oh, and did I mention snacks? And that was just for Sarah! Then we got Caleb's glove, in case an Angel tossed him a ball, Emma's sunglasses (though the game started at 7:05), Sarah's pink umbrella stroller, and the tickets. Then we park way across the street (half-price parking) and begin our trek to the stadium. This is the fun part!

The game started out exciting, by the 2nd inning it was tied, 1-1. Then things took a turn for the worse. By the 5th, the score was 5-2. Caleb, never losing hope, realized that all they needed was "one grand slam" to take the lead. Wishful thinking. About the 6th inning (9:20) Sarah was deciding she was tired, and though she didn't cry, she was getting pretty restless. And then it happened: 9 runs by the A's in the 7th inning. We were done, it was time to go home. When your team is losing 14-2, there's really no point in staying (especially with a tired clan!) So we packed up our stuff, made one last trip to the bathroom, and began our hike back to the car. Amazingly, Sarah stayed awake the entire time! Caleb was practicing his math skills, thinking that if they hit one grand slam, then another, then another, they just might win (and we would miss it!). But, alas, that did not happen (and even if it would have, they still would have needed one more).

So goes our evening. We've got tickets for Friday night, too. Let's hope the score is 14-2 again, but this time in favor of the Angels! Now that will be a reason to celebrate!

From the mouths of babes

Some things I've overheard recently:

"But why can't I marry my sister?" and "If I can't marry Caleb, then I'll marry Daddy."

"Emma, if you push somebody in line, then you're gonna get a pink slip when you get to kindergarten, and that's not a good thing."

"Emma, do you have spring fever?"

"Today we're best friends." (and later tonight, worst enemies)

And here's my current personal favorite-

"Okay, I will marry somebody, and we'll live on a farm, and I'll shave the sheep and she's gonna knit the coat!"

There are so many more, I just need to jot them down so I don't forget these priceless comments!

My Two Girls

Last night I went scrapbooking. I was looking at Emma when she was one and wondered if she looked much like Sarah. So I decided to get out some of her pictures and compare.

This is at Emma's birthday party.

And here's Sarah at her party.

Emma, just after turning one, at the pumpking patch.

Emma in the swing.

Sarah in the swing.


And of course I can't forget this face. Here's Caleb when he was almost three. Don't you just love that grin?

So what do you think? How similar do they look?

Playing God

Today Emma's preschool class presented the creation story during chapel. Emma got to be God. She was so excited because she got to wear a crown and she was the only one who got to say lines.

Everyone else got to hold the posters they had worked so hard on. I was lucky, my principal let me come back from lunch a few minutes late so that I could zip over to preschool to watch chapel. They were all so cute.

At the end, they all sang "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and I was in the front row so I could actually hear those sweet voices singing to God. It was only 15 minutes long, but it sure was worth the drive over!

As they prayed to thank God for all they have, I thanked him for my precious gems, one which was standing right in front of me, and two others at home. What a wonderful moment!

At the Park

Today we took Misha and the kids on a walk to the park.

The first big accomplishment was Emma's. After attempting, unsuccessfully, to ride her bike without training wheels, Daddy put them back on. However, she was a little nervous to get on that bike again. But, she and Caleb wanted to ride their bikes, and she did it!

The second big accomplishment was mine. Chase was cleaning his fish tank, and the kids were anxious to go, so he said he'd meet me there. So I got to walk Misha, push Sarah, and hold on to Emma (but she was on her own real soon). What a sight I'm sure we were!

The third big accomplishment was Sarah's. She crawled across the wood chips (I know, kind of dirty, but she wasn't the only one), crawled up the stair walkway towards the slide, turned herself around, and slid down on her tummy, feet first. If only I had caught the look of pride on her face when she got to the end...pure pride!

A successful Monday for all!

Family

My family is the greatest. Saturday night my sister cooked dinner for my birthday and we all go to enjoy it. Was that nice of her, or what? She even made two desserts, angel food cake with strawberries and some kind of oreo pudding creation. It was a really nice night, and I didn't have to cook dinner!

Sarah wants Sasha to smell her feet...and Sasha willingly obliges.

Having a "we love Daddy" moment!

The kids always love going to Nani's and Scott's because Nani let's them play hide and seek in the house. Sarah was having fun trying to squeeze herself into the magazine/dog toy rack.

We were taking a family picture and Mom was trying to get Sarah to smile by making funny faces and sticking her tongue out...this is what we got!

You know Dad, anything to antogonize someone. So he shows up in a Red Wings contraband shirt. Here's Andrea trying to block him from the pic!

Thanks Nani, for a fun night!

T-Ball

Emma has sat through many baseball games and she decided that she is ready for some t-ball. So, we signed her up for a beginner's class of t-ball, 3-4 year olds, where they are all just there to learn. She did great. I'd watch her get out there and get "down and ready" (which she learned from watching Caleb play in Pony last year) and she'd put her glove down on the grass to get ready to shovel up that ball...only to watch it roll right on by her glove! And she'd run after it, then stop, step, point and finally throw; just like Coach Isaac said.

"Down and Ready!"

Running as fast as she can!

It was really fun to watch her out there since she's not usually one who's into sports. She was so proud of her cleats, but I love those moments when the game must stop so someone's shoe could be tied!

Here's Coach Isaac, sending the outfield to their positions.

Emma playing first base.

Well, Friday was the last class of the session and Emma got her certificate. Her coach said she was the strongest player out there, and boy, was she proud! And of course, so was I!

Open House

A couple of nights ago we visited Caleb's kindergarten classroom for Open House. Everything looked very nice, his teacher, Miss Lawson, is great, and Caleb has made some wonderful little friends. Whatever worries I may have had before Christmas about moving schools midyear have definitely dissipated. I am so pleased with the school he's attending and the children he is learning with...it's great.

Caleb and some kindergarten friends, neighbors too, so he gets to play with them a lot.

Here's an assortment of the work proudly laid out on his desk!For homework each day he has four new words to practice by writing them in his journal and adding them to his stack of flashcards. Today he received the 100th word! He's very good about doing his homework and pretty good about practicing all of those words. I'm so proud of my little boy and all the learning he's doing.

One little girl who's eager to be in kindergarten...just a few months for her to begin.

Do you see the farm theme? Here's farmer Caleb, complete with blue eyes and freckles. ;)