Family Pictures

Sunday mornings, though they're busy, are when we all look our best. It seems like a good time to try to get a few cute pictures. Of course there's hardly ever time for that, but this particular Sunday, we were running early for once! Just wish I was in a couple of them!

Back to Baseball

(Love the Gatorade mustache!)

Caleb is playing baseball again. Fall Ball has begun, and it's been another new experience for us. We signed up a while ago, but discovered there was no coach for the team he was placed on. When we reached the point that the team was starting to disintegrate, Chase and Tommy (our coach from spring, whose son wasn't even on our team!) were able to step up and be the coaches for the kids. So the Bees were able to play ball today, having their first game just a day after meeting each other for the first time.

And they did AWESOME!! Although there's no scoring in fall ball, the kids played great. This is kid-pitch baseball, and the first time that any of them have pitched. Caleb was out there first and he was so excited. A little nervous, too, I think, to be on that mound. But he did his best. They're not allowed to pitch over 40, so I (the team mom by default) got to be the counter. And I kept track on one of Emma's coloring pages until another mom offered me her notepad!

Emma and Sarah were really good. They seem to know the routine now for sitting through baseball games, and Emma comes prepared with her coloring book and crayons. Sarah had more fun stomping on the bleachers. I'm going to find her some Bee wings so she can be the team mascot!

Another beautiful day!

Beautiful

Isn't she? This little girl just lights up our household. Even Caleb and Emma smile a bit more when Sarah's around, being her usual silly self. She still isn't talking much, but she certainly knows how to communicate. Caleb was trying to figure out what she wanted the other night in the bathtub. "I just followed her point and kept trying until she got all excited" was how he figured it out...what a great brother.

He truly is patient with her and shares our excitement whenever she accomplishes something new. Today it was going down the slide while sitting up without tipping back and bonking her head.

Don't you wish your days were filled with accomplishments like that? Actually, they probably are if you look closely. Today, as the team mom for the first time, I met parents of other little leaguers on Caleb's team and helped us get organized. Not a huge deal, but a little accomplishment.

Emma, too, is an incredible big sister. Though she has little patience for me, she never gets mad when Sarah continually pulls furniture out of her dollhouse. She nearly always scoots over to let Sarah play, and even lets her pick which people to use (I think she's realized that Sarah will end up getting what she wants, so it's not worth the fight!)

I am so blessed to have three such wonderful (most the time) children!

First Day of School

My middle baby started kindergarten last week. She was so eager to go and had such a great time. In fact, when I asked her how her day was, she said it was good, "But I just wish I could stay longer!" So do I!!

Caleb is doing great in first grade. One of his good friends from the neighbohood is in his class, so he was pretty excited about that. And boy, he's starting to take off in reading! I'm so proud of him and the fact that he has such a desire to read. Last night he read every one of our 10 phonics beginner books...good thing I have easy access to lots more!

Sarah is just as crazy as ever! She's getting bigger and more feisty. Her hair is getting longer and wilder. And she got new shoes tonight, in fact everyone got two new pairs. (Thanks Payless and your BOGO sale!) She liked them so much that she wore them both home: one of each! Wish I had a picture to share of that one!

I know I haven't been posting so often lately, but going back to school has kept me so busy, and tired by the time I reach the end of the night.

Last week we were dealing with a sick baby. Last Wednesday Sarah had a fever, but I thought it'd pass. The next day she was a bit listless, and that night she was burning up. It reached 104.8! I've never seen a temp that high before, so I called the nurse line. She reassured me, but warned if it got any higher, we needed to go to the ER. Thankfully with some motrin, it was down to 103 a couple hours later. But Friday it was back, it was just off and on over the next day too, and then Saturday she had a rash all over her face. Early Sunday we went to Urgent Care, to be told only that it was an ear infection, and the rash was from the fever. Poor baby...it looked so bad. It took until Tuesday for her to really look normal again, but thankfully now everything's better.

Well, it's time to wind down for me. Enjoy!