Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Carson had his first softball practice last night. It was hilarious watching eleven 4 and 5 year olds take their swing at softball. Carson was ecstatic to play. He even wanted to wear his new baseball shirt to bed. Who knows maybe we have the next Joe Mauer on our hands.

He even had cheerleaders.

Cute cheerleaders to boot!

Circus

Thank you to the Shrine Circus for these wonderful $5 light sabers. They have provided enough entertainment for me to get the entire house cleaned. Although, most of that occurred in the dark since the shades "had to be closed" so that they could "see our light sabers and get the bad guys." Good thing it was cloudy and rainy out today.

Butterflies

These came in the mail this week. I know your jealous. I mean, not that many people get insects in the mail.
Welcome to my life with three boys.

We opened up the little box to check out our larvae (soon to be butterflies). Aren't they cute? No? I didn't think so either. But what do I know. According to the directions they get to sit in this little jar and eat that brown stuff until they cling themselves to the top (I'm actually holding the cup upside down...oops). Then at some point we transfer them to this fun butterfly house we have and Voila! Butterflies! The boys can hardly contain their excitement.

And in less then a week these little buggers have become quite big. And kind of creepy.

To be continued....

For now...

For now he sits still...

For now he requires no bribing for a picture.

For now he looks at my camera.
Even while he stuffs his face with pancakes.

For now he smiles at my silly faces (or those of my friends) so I can get a cute shot.
For now. Not for long, but, for now.

The Never Ending Birthday

It's been one big birthday celebration around here. Seriously, its been non stop. Carson is fairly certain his birthday has been everyday for the last week. Not even joking. We had a blast and so did he. Now I have a counter full of cupcakes and cake and a toy room full of many new toys.

Carson brought these rainbow cupcakes to school. On Monday I showed him a picture of the cupcakes I was going to make for him. Then he told me that he'd had them that day at school. Nice, apparently the birthday girl on Monday had the same idea as me. Oh well, they were fun to make.

Then we made a Star Wars cake for his birthday party. Thanks to Trevor's handy drawing skills it came out pretty good.

Carson and his buddy's at his birthday party.

Blowing out the candles.


A new dart gun. And in less then 24 hours we've lost 4 of the 6 darts. I think we'll be buying some with our birthday money.

A new Darth Vader light saber. Declan has declared that it is his as well. He loves it and hasn't grasped the concept that it's Carson's birthday present.

A new book about T-Rex.

Four boys each apparently holding their weapon of choice.
Such is life.

Declan did pretty good staying out of Carson's hair for the party. But he did want a picture with "his" new light saber.

Then we played Pin the Tail on the Donkey (Star Wars version).

We spun them around...

and tried to get them to put their sticker in the right place. It was hilarious to watch.

Happy Birthday Carson

My baby boy is 5 today. Something about turning five is just so hard, for me, and I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe its because 5 means kindergarten or maybe its because 5 means his first friend birthday party or maybe because at 5 he seems to really get this birthday thing. I'm not really sure but whatever it is has me feeling sad, yet excited, all at the same time. He's not my baby anymore (well he'll always be my baby). He's my little school aged boy who is so excited for this birthday. So excited to be a Kindergartner, so excited to ride his bike (I have little hope for that), so excited to have his big boy friends over for a Star Wars party and so excited to celebrate being 5.

Dear Carson

You've grown up so much this year. Somewhere in the last year it seems you've become a little man. Maybe it was becoming a big brother again. Maybe it was dropping your need for a nap (although I still make you rest for an hour). Maybe its your wonderful ability to write your name, draw pictures, color inside the lines and copy every thing down on paper. You are such an amazing little boy. You are caring, loving, full of energy, still a momma's boy (thank you for that), ever such the loving big brother, helpful and insightful.

Your still very tall, taller then most, if not all, of your friends. You have enormous feet (you can thank me for that). You love Transformers and Star Wars and love to teach me about them (I'm not that good at remembering). You love playing Wii, Star Wars Legos and wresting with your daddy. You love using markers to draw pictures. You still love to eat PB&J but you also like pizza, chicken, hamburgers, tacos and spaghetti. You are my meat boy (not into potatoes so much)! You love going to school. Your always concerned about your brothers and Emily. You love helping daddy with Emily.

I'm looking forward to this upcoming year and so is your daddy. We can't wait to watch you grow and learn. May God Bless you little man. Today and every day.

Love Always,
Mommy and Daddy

Yes, we had birthday candles on our birthday pancakes this morning.

Useful

Daddy's and grandpa's can sure be useful when little boys are tired of walking.

Orange Crocs will be useful when searching for a child on a playground.

These blue Crocs are useful for collecting wood chips at the playground (just ask Carson).

Slings can be useful when little babies are ready for a nap.

Strollers are useful when 3 year olds are ready for a nap.

Play Gorilla's at the zoo are useful for getting cute pictures of Papa and his boys.

Our camera's 10 continuous shot mode is useful. One of them is bound to turn out. However, Bennett did not turn his head once in those 20 pictures.

Zoo

We visited the zoo this weekend for about the 5th time in 3 weeks. Our zoo pass is going to be wore out by the time summer comes. The kids love it and they got to show grandma and grandpa all the fun animals.

Easter

"Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness." ~ Floyd W. Tomkins

Is it possible? Could the grass be green again? Is that sun I feel on my skin? Warmth? Has spring really sprung?

It can't be can it?

New life.

It's been a long winter. We've impatiently waited for spring to come. Signs of creation all around us. Nothing stays as it is.

Spring. Summer. Winter. Fall.

Birth. Life. Death. Eternity.

He has risen.

And because of that....so have we.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."

-- John 11:25-26

Welcome Spring!