Our Fun-Filled, Work-filled 3-Day Weekend

We had very minor and vague plans for Memorial Day weekend. I was okay with that because most weekends are too busy (in my book). It still ended up being FUN. The perfect combination of productivity and family time.

On Friday evening, we ate dinner on the back porch. It's been a slow start to eating out there as the pollen has plagued it. Anyhow the weather was so gorgeous, I nonchalantly said, "it be a great night to sleep on the porch." My sister and I slept on our grandparents porch A LOT. My kids have never done that until this weekend ;) That's all it took and EJ was setting up the tent. He even rigged a movie. The kids were super excited. Avery did not sleep out there and Mason didn't last all night. But it was fun to play in most of the weekend.

  

On Saturday, we did lots of chores and house projects. Then we went to a baseball game with another family from church. Avery was much more comfortable at this game than the one we went to a few weeks ago. She also sat through the fireworks, more like clung to me with ears covered and barely peeking. But she did it :) Avery wasn't too sure about the cotton candy. If she had it last summer she definitely doesn't remember.

Sunday evening, was Mason's birthday "party." He invited one friend to a nearby drive-in movie and sleepover (his first). They saw Tommorowland and got back super late :(

 Waiting for the movie to start with a juggler for entertainment.

The Littles and I enjoyed a quiet dinner at home, a walk and frozen yogurt. 

They weren't sad to miss the movie at all ;_

 

Somehow on Monday, I managed 2 hours to myself at home. It was heavenly! I ate lunch all by myself and spent time on pinterest getting organized because next week we are starting another home renovation!!! Yep, it's about to get messier up in here. The contractor starts Monday on our 47-year-old-master bathroom. I am nervous about the interruption in our home especially with the end of the school year quickly approaching. But the changes are exciting for sure! It will be worth it in the end.

Ryan Plays Ball

Between lots of rain cancellations and his unexplainable anxiety, pictures of Ryan playing Tball this spring have not happened until this weekend. Finally 7 weeks into the season, Ryan stepped onto the field and didn't look back, with no tears, either. It was AWESOME and a huge relief for this easily heart-broken momma. The best I can guess is stage fright, which seems hard to believe because in all other walks of life he is an outgoing talkative-goofy kid.

He is the one closest to the coach, doing "jumping jacks".

 Running home

He really only likes to bat, the rest is "boring." 

I can't say I blame him, the only play they make each hit is to throw to first base.

 

We are SO proud of you Ryan, for giving it your all and being so brave today.

All 3 boys had games at 9 AM on Sat. on 3 different fields. 

She never complains, although I do have to bring a lot of snacks ;) 

Back to the Ballfield

We are SO grateful for Spring's arrival and with it, baseball! As much as I complain about our crazy schedules and the shuffling involved, once I am at the field, I love it.

I was thrilled when Mason was assigned the "Durham Bulls" b/c if I squint my eyes I can imagine a Denver Bronoco ;) My beloved football team.

Mason has been pitching and catching a lot. He LOVES pitching. Makes me a nervous wreck, but thankfully at this age the games aren't super intense and neither is his personality! He has been a lot more excited about baseball this spring than last year, not sure why, but I am loving his enthusiasm.

He is the cutest!

Owen has been playing soccer this spring. Having them play two different sports has been really great for their relationship. They can both genuinely enjoy each others games with no comparisons. They have also been helping the other practice at home. Hooray for signs of friendship and love :)

Last Game

Are you sensing a trend yet? "Last" is the word of the week ;)

Mason's baseball team missed a lot of games this year b/c of weather. So I suppose it be appropriate that his last game be called off b/c of a torrential down pour with thunder and lightning.

Yep, I feed all 4 kids dinner at 4:45, packed lots of waters b/c of 90 degree weather, buckled everyone up and drove to the ball field with clouds looming. The storm started as we approached the entrance gate. Awesome!

Mason had his own private award ceremony in the van. The coaches got drenched graciously handing them through car windows. And baseball season is officially over. Glad I brought the camera!

Long Weekend

Owen's 3 on 3 league wrapped up this week. He played Thurs night instead of this holiday Sunday. I decided to take him and stay. I needed some time away from my little sick one.

I put my feet "up" for almost 2 hrs. Watched Owen and read! 

It was just the break I needed from constantly holding Avery.

 

We went to another baseball game on Sat. Tail gate with friends this time.

Sunday, we ate on the porch for the first time this season. We've been so busy with indoor house projects, but EJ finally got around to cleaning it from the winter and spring pollen explosion. My family joined us for an impromptu "bring your own meat" dinner ;)

Avery finally started eating normally on Sunday and seems back to her normal energy level.

We've been spending more time downstairs. There are still several projects not complete, but it's totally useable. We will host our first overnight(s) guest this coming weekend! The older 2 begged to sleep down there. They watched a movie first. I assumed Mason would sneak back up to his bed at some point but he stayed down there all night.

I've had paintbrush in hand again. Maybe I'll get around to taking pics one of these days.

1st Minor League Baseball Game

Mason received a free ticket for a reading program at school. He has amazed us with his reading development especially in the last 4 months. We were delighted to celebrate him and his hard work and progress (recent testing showed an improvement of 4 reading levels since this fall!!!) .

Tonight we introduced Avery to an upgraded version of what she witnesses in our yard and during Mason's games ;) She handled the crowds and cheering and occasional canon blasts very well. I know she was overwhelmed and nervous. She really allowed me to comfort her, hold her and snuggle her close when she got extra nervous. She is usually too busy to do any of that on a normal day. I am thankful for the opportunity to hold her so much and I am thrilled she "knows" where to turn!

EJ just happened to be taking the picture when the crowds went crazy. She copied the fans and threw her arms up, what perfect timing! This was towards the end of the game, at the beginning she would have buried her face. Amazing how quickly she adapts!

My MudHen, #10

I have no idea what mudhen is, but mine is super cute in a uniform. Mason is playing machine pitch this season and having a lot of fun. It's definitely more exciting than t-ball for him and us :)

It's strange only have one playing baseball this spring. I truly do miss watching Owen play. He isn't claiming to miss it. That's him leaning on the fence next to Mason. He always watches Mason hit from behind home plate. Just in case Mason needs critiquing. I wish I could say it was always kind and constructive, but it's not. We are working on that. Thankfully Mason enjoys having Owen right there despite the post game comments.

 

Mason's taking the game a little more serious this season. But usually with a smile on his face ;)

I LOVE being outdoors in the evenings during this time of year. I found myself looking forward to Mason's game all day. It's not very relaxing (yet) with Avery trying to figure out what to do with herself, but she'll start relaxing once we get in a rhythm, I just need to be patient.

Spring Break Day 3

Day 2 was NOT exciting. It poured rain most of the day. We stayed home and did lots of tidying up. With some coloring and playing and movie watching interspersed.

EJ took Wed. off. We were all looking forward to Wed :) We received free tickets to bball game.

Owen brought a friend. I decided not to take Avery. It was during nap time and it was cold (for me).

 They had fun! My dad went too!

 

Avery and I ate lunch out (while the cleaners finished at our house) Have I mentioned she prefers Mexican food and Italian food over Chinese? Strange. 

Then we stocked up on library books. Owen has started reading a lot more. He used to do the bare minimum 20 minutes required for homework. Now most nights he reads 40-60 minutes. I've just got to keep the books available (what an awesome problem to have!)

 

So the two of us are often "stuck" together. It's more to do with her age than gender (at this point) but eventually it will be about that too. She is getting a little better at playing for longer periods of time. When I finally sit down and play with her I usually try to make it a therapy session (my mom's influence). It's fun to see her progress in fine motor skills. Ryan really is her best therapist, she copies all he does, I just fill in as a substitute when he is not around.

These faces were all in a matter of seconds. Seriously, she is such a trip. She was mad because she wanted to see the picture. She kept asking before I even took one. It didn't make for a very fun photo shoot.

Mim meets Avery

EJ's mom came for a visit to meet Avery. She patiently waited an invitation. Between her travels and our busy weekends this was the first to work out. The boys were SO excited to see her and Avery "warmed" up relatively quickly. Mim was great at letting Avery call the shots ;)

 

She spoiled the boys with the purchase of 2 band looms so they could partake in the newest fade and craze. Even EJ got hooked. We have rubber bands and bracelets coming out of our ears. It kept them busy all weekend and I was grateful not to be the one "teaching" them how to do it.

 

Owen had two games on Sunday. 

All of us went to the first game and then left EJ as solo fan for nap time

  

Sunday night, Mim babysat the boys so EJ, Avery and I could attend a dinner party thrown in Avery's honor. EJ's boss planned and hosted the dinner! So Sweet, but I will confess I was NERVOUS. A dozen coworkers/spouses met Avery for the first time (several cancelled at the last minute). She handled the attention fairly well, although kept moving the entire time. She gets really busy when she is nervous. It was nice not having the boys since no other children were invited and Ryan certainly didn't need to witness the oohs and ahhs Avery received. We had a delicious dinner and it was lovely to see the support from EJ's office.

 

The weekends go by much faster with 4 kids in the house ;)

A New Season

We currently only have 1 playing 1 sport right now! Wow! Mason didn't handle soccer well last year with the start of KG, so we opted not to sign him up for anything until basketball starts. He only realized this yesterday. I don't think he is disappointed, just shocked b/c it's normally part of our fall ;)

Owen is playing baseball, AGAIN! He had 2x a week practice all summer and Sunday was his first game. I didn't get pictures at the game. It was HOT and Avery's 1st game and I couldn't see past/over the chain link fence (ugh). He is playing on a non- travel, travel team. Meaning games are in different counties nearby, not just the LLpark we are used too. He practices at least 2x a week and plays 2 games every other Sunday. It's nice having every other weekend off. 

This is slightly more serious version than we are used too. The players are more serious, the coaches more serious and the practices are no joke. He is up against some stiff competition and I don't mean the other teams. He has to earn his place on the field, which he really hasn't had to do before. This does not discourage him, he only works harder. If only he felt that way about school ;)

This is my competition :) Good grief! 

And that's just from practice. He said he even had dirt in his teeth ;)

He seems to be enjoying the 4th grade. His teacher is new to our school, but her fantastic reputation has preceded her. I am excited for Owen, last year there wasn't much creativity put forth to his learning. The bare minimum was met. I am hopeful this year will be better.

Our 4th of July FUN

I didn't mean to be gone for so long. Been having too much fun ;) Warning, this is a long post! When our China travel dates were pushed back, we decided to high tail it to EJ's grandma's (beach) house. We were due for a visit and we knew it wouldn't happen if we didn't go now. I am so glad we did. Time flies when you are having fun. Now we only have 2 weeks until we hold Avery for the first time.
We LOVE Nana's beach town. We ride bikes or walk almost everywhere we go. Ryan did amazing on his bike and road 3 blocks to and from the ocean each day, sometimes 2x a day. We visited our favorite spots for ice cream, sticky buns, pizza and arcade games. 

 Heading to the fireworks

 Our boys are so spoiled to see fireworks on the beach. It's so fun! A little chilly this year.

 Ryan's first time. He loved it, despite his sleepy face.

We rode bikes every morning. The weather was awesome. Such a treat. This is NOT always the case.

 Lot's of beach time! My favorite.

Lots of baseball too!

 Kite Flying

 Seafood carryout with very little dishes ;) Awesome and SO yummy!

My clam eaters

 He can throw them down (EJ added a few to his plate for effect) But he ate at least 25.

 Just to prove I was actually there!

I relaxed. Like really relaxed. It was awesome.

Just what I needed to help face this last week before travel with a long long long list of things to do!