T Ball, Sunshine and a Blessed Day

Thursday's T-ball practice was rained out, so we had a make-up practice today. We all went and we all enjoyed it--it was a beautiful, sunny, 80 degree day. Andrew enjoys batting most and he also played shortstop and first base. Probably the most humorous part of the practice was the concept of teamwork was still not engrained in some of the players minds... when fielding, it seemed more important for the indivdual to retrieve the ball rather than someone on the team to make the play. That resulted in a few children literally falling on the ball so that they could field it. Of course, then it resulted in a bit of a tussle among the fielders while the baserunners merrily ran the bases!

Abby went with us to the practice. Although resistant at first, we played some Brainquest while we watched the practice and even she began to enjoy it. She did complain about the sun in her eyes, so after practice we went a got her a visor. Now I just need a pair of sunglasses and we'll be set.

One thing that I've been enjoying is my new bike. Yes, it's an "old lady" bike, complete with a basket! However, when I purchased it, the bike store said this model is the most popular one they sell, which I guess translates that there are a lot of old ladies riding bikes out there. It's been great for riding to work, riding with the children, and making trips around town.

Finally, we got some tomato plants and strawberry plants to plant in the backyard. We'll see if they survive and we get a summer bounty! Stay tuned!

If it's 2:00 pm, I must be at the library with Abby...

Today was one of those days that seemed to require two parents and good choreography. Abby went to dance at 9:45, Andrew left for Rylen's party at 10:45, at noon I went to get Abby and wound up taking Ruby and Leah so that we could all go see the Popeye and Sweet Pea (free) show at the library. Sweet Pea is a very well trained dog who would put our motley mutts to shame. Ironically, Sweet Pea was recued from a shelter at age 7 months when she was about to be put down as being too aggressive. The man who took her is a police dog trainer, so she had some 'professional help'. She's a border collie/Australian shepard mix. You can see her on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_YB0SXhOXo (She was on a German tv show; the comments are all in German). She can also jump rope (better than me!) and do a slew of other tricks.

We left the library at 2:00 and came back to our house. Leah was horrified when she was holding our guinea pig, Oreo and Oreo peed on her! Ruby took out Abby's bike and hopped on it--her first time riding a two wheeler! Andrew came home at three, Mary came to pick up Leah and Ruby and three, and Sammy and Eli came over at 3! At 3:30, Mary took the young ones home, Andrew went with Sammy and Eli to the O'Dells, and Olivia, Abby and I went to Super Target.

Grilled outside for supper. Steve mowed the lawn today. The kids need baths, and I need to make some lemon squares for church tomorrow. I think we'll all be pretty tired tonight!

We are all very excited about our upcoming vacation in August. On our end, our reservations are made--plane; hotel in Gettysburg for 2 days; rental car; kennel camp for Zuzu. We're set!

Another tooth lost!

Andrew has lost his second tooth!

Redecorating!

The bug has struck again! Though I put furniture in one place and leave it there until we move, Abigail has once again decided it's time for the annual "let's move all the furniture in my room" day! OK, it wasn't quite that bad... we moved the bed and the dresser. Unfortunately, to move the dresser we had to drain about half the water out of the fish tank. So far, our six hardy goldfish don't seem any worse for the wear.

It was a beautiful 80 degree day! Beautiful and sunny, but windy. Andrew's favorite part of the day was practicing t-ball in the back yard. I enjoyed reading outside, and going for a bike ride with the kids--it wasn't long enough so I went on to Jewel (by myself) on my bike. Had to pass on the buy-one-get-one-free cantelopes, since I had to manage all the groceries in my somewhat small basket. We did manage to get salmon steaks and fresh corn on the cob--dinner was great tonight, with the salmon on the grill and the fresh corn!

My other project these days is preparing for the grammar school "trash and treasure sale" in May. I have bins of things that I need to go through and prepare to sell.

Bumper Bowl and New Sandals

Andrew bounced back today! It's amazing what one dose of antibiotic can do.

We had to skip the picture this morning, but by this afternoon he had been on the antibiotic for 24 hours and so was no longer contagious. Since he was feeling fine he went to Hunter's birthday party. It was bowling, which these days is bumper bowling. It's bowling with no possiblity of a gutter ball. At times, I think it's a cop-out; at others, perhaps it helps kindergarteners learn trigonomety as they have to figure the correct angle to carom the ball to get a strike! It was all pretty humorous to watch.

After supper, Abby decided the weather was now warm enough to go sandal shopping for the season! We started at Famous Footwear, but ended up at Target. Got a pair of flip-flops and sandals for both children, though Andrew's sandals will have to be exchanged. Both children, despite their three year age difference, now wear a size 2 shoe.

No T-Ball Photo this year

Steve just returned from the doctor, and Andrew has strep. Poor kid. At least he'll get on the antibiotic today and hopefully be back at it by Monday. He's disappointed that he has to
miss his t-ball team photo and a bowling birthday party.

Poor boy is pretty miserable right now.

Bad Night

Last night was a bad night. I went to bed about 11. At 11:30, Andrew awoke and called for Steve. At midnight, Abby's clock radio went off--volume on HIGH--and woke me up. Somehow, Abby slept through it ... how? Got that turned off and back to bed. At 1 am, I awoke from a bad dream about prehistoric reptiles. Ugh! What did I eat last night? At 2 am, Andrew awoke, sobbing, with a dreadful headache and hundred degree fever. Some Advil made it possible for him to rest and return to sleep, though he was pretty fitful through the night. He'll likely be home today.

I'm concerned he may have strep, so he'll be heading to the doctor today.

We hoping for 70's and sunshine this weekend, so I'm hoping he's feeling better! I'm also hoping for a better night's sleep tonight!

It's T-Ball Season!

The long awaited T-Ball season arrived this week. While Tuesday evening was blustery and cold, 13 excited 6 year olds took the field with their coaches. Bless them! The team parents and siblings stood on the edge of the field and huddled to stay warm!

As you might expect, Andrew is mightily excited about T-ball. The first practice covered the basic rules--positions, the bases, the order in which you run the bases, and the most important rules--don't hit the coach and don't hit each other! The boys took turns batting, playing pitch and catch, and fielding grounders. Andrew can't wait for the next practice!

Saturday is picture day--we get our first Andrew baseball card!

Welcome to Zuzuland!

With the help of my darling dog, Zuzu, this old dog is trying to learn some new tricks and is entering the land of blogs! Hopefully, this will help family and friends keep up with our doings!