Last Games

Saturday was the last t-ball and soccer games for the kids.  Both games were at the same time so we had to split up.  Ben is the assistant coach for Molly’s soccer team so he handled the soccer side of things.  He said the game was intense and Molly scored the game winning goal.  It was a great way to end the season and I wish I could have been there.

I was at the boy’s game which was fun too.  I made sure to take the good camera so I could get some pictures.  I had been meaning to all season, but kept forgetting.  Better late than never though!

Both Henry and William had some good hits and their excitement to be at the game was palpable.  At one point William got so excited that he ran on to the field and tried to field a ball for the other team.  It was pretty cute.

After the game the boys had a pizza party with their team.  Ben and Molly brought a gluten-free pizza and some cupcakes so that William and Addy would have something to eat.  The boys got trophies and Cracker Jacks which was really cute.

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Baseball Boys

My boys love baseball.  They spend most of their free time practicing.  If it’s rainy they play something they’ve termed “slap ball” in the playroom.  From what I gather, it involves playing a condensed version of baseball using random items as the bat.  If it is sunny (or cloudy) then they head outside to play for as long as I’ll let them, or until one of them gets mad at the other for a bad pitch.  They have a tee but they prefer to pitch to each other so they are lots of opportunities for squabbling.

I love looking out the window and watching them play together.  They really are best friends.  Sometimes I worry a little bit at what it will be like if this new little baby is a boy and whether he’ll feel left out with the older two being so close.  I’m just going to trust that Heavenly Father will send us just the right person for our family, whether it be a boy or a girl, and that everything will work out just fine.

Playing Catch-up

How is it that a week has gone by since my last post?  It wasn’t that long ago that I was blogging nearly every day!  I think it’s time to play a little catch-up.

William and Henry had their t-ball pictures last weekend.  William suited up (first time wearing a non-button up shirt since his tumble) so he could join in on the fun.  He was SO excited to be wearing a uniform.  Ben snapped a picture with his phone of the team photo since we only order the individual  pictures.  I think all the boys look alike, so I’ll save my future-self some trouble by pointing out that William is second from the left in the back row (you can see his brace peeking out of his shirt) and Henry is second from the right in the front row.

I swear that picture day was the turning point for William.  It was the first time we’d seen him happy since the accident.  He was running and playing and even tried to swing the bat a few times.  He has made so much improvement these last few days and I really feel like his attitude is what is helping the most.  He hasn’t complained of any pain in awhile and we are thinking he may even get to play in his game on Saturday.  It makes my heart so happy to see him happy again.

In other news, I was asked to teach a small class on making yogurt.  I made several gallons of yogurt over the last several days, practicing and testing and researching techniques and finally came up with something that I think is perfect.  (Recipe and instructions are on my other blog.  Thank’s Myrnie for the cooler idea!)  I love the yogurt topped with fresh strawberry jam and homemade granola.

I had a great time teaching the class and I felt so rejuvenated afterward.  I really like to teach, but I don’t get to teach adults very often so it was a nice change of pace.  I think the Lord knew I needed it.

Spring Sports

The spring sports have officially begun.  Molly started soccer last week and the boys started t-ball today.  The practices for both sports are twice a week, on the same days, at the same times which means we’ll be headed in different directions for awhile.  Ben’s been out of town (he comes home tonight, hooray!) so Grandma Shelley took Molly to soccer so I could take the boys to their practice.

We applied for an exception/waiver (I don’t know what it was called) so that Henry could play on William’s team to make things a lot easier on us.  The boys have been so excited and were dressed, packed and ready by 10am this morning.  Practice was at 5:30pm so it was a long wait and by the end their anticipation was driving me crazy.

While the boys practiced, Adelaide spent her time finding the most dangerous parts of the playground and doing them over and over.  No matter how much I tried she would not use the steps to get to the slide.  She much preferred the climbing wall instead.

I know it is a little crazy to have three of our kids in team sports, but I think the sacrifice is worth it.  I think it can be a real challenge to make sure homeschooled kids (at least mine) are getting enough physical play time.  I shoo them outside every day for at least 30 minutes of “recess” but it just isn’t the same.  In my opinion, physical exercise is just as important as the book learning and socialization aspects of their education.  We’ve got lots of balls, bases, cones for races, jump ropes, and a volley ball net in our backyard and someday soon I’d like to add a trampoline.

On My Birthday Eve

Produce pick up from Bountiful Baskets.  This is a double order and quite a haul for only $30.  The two bags of potatoes are not pictured.  I’m grateful Ben is willing to get up early (7:30 am pick up) on a Saturday morning to go get it all.

William had his last t-ball game and because of a shortage of players, Henry was able to play too.  The boys had a lot of fun being on the same team.

William’s learned a lot this season.  He’s developing a good swing and is just starting to be able to really whack the ball.

Henry loved getting a chance to play with the big boys (at 3 he’s still got another 2 years before he can join a team of his own).  He actually blended in skill-wise with the rest of the team and got a really got hit in.

Size-wise he was so tiny out there!

Immediately after t-ball we jumped in the car and headed to Molly’s soccer game.  It was also her last game of the season.

Unluckily for me, the field was in a grove of Cottonwood trees which gave my poor allergies quite a fit.  It literally looked like it was snowing with all the seeds in the air.

Molly played a great game and her team won.  She’s been playing defense for most of the season and she’s becoming quite the little defender.

When we got home Ben gave me one of my birthday presents.  I’m calling her Indigo or Indie for short and I’m hoping she’ll help me achieve my goal of sewing more clothes for myself.  Adjusting the dials to make her my twin was a little depressing though (the picture is Indie pre-adjustment).  Knowing your measurements is one thing.  Seeing them modeled in front of you is another.

For dinner we headed to our favorite Mexican restaurant for some Carne Asada.  William’s been doing so well with the non-gluten, non-dairy diet so we threw caution to the wind and let him have some corn tortillas with his steak and beans.  Do we live on the edge or what.

As per tradition, a little birthday embarrassment was a must.

When we got home we had a family movie night, cupcakes (gluten-free for Addy and William), and opened presents.  The kids all made me lovely homemade pictures and cards that are so sweet and Ben spoiled me with a kitchen torch (for creme brulee!) and a new lens for my camera.

It was such a nice birthday celebration.  I know that tomorrow is my actual birthday, but celebrating on a Sunday is tricky with church and whatnot.  So today was my day and it felt great.  Thank you family!

A Day of Sports

We had a day of sports today and since Ben had a meeting for the Seattle Opera Board, I was on my own.  With four kids.  I packed well and planned and organized so that everyone would have what they needed.

Which was silly because I ended up holding Addy and the boys ran amok for most of the time.  They did eat all the crackers though.  So I got that right at least.

Molly’s team had their soccer game at the muddy poo-smelling field again, but it was much better this time with warmer weather and less standing water.

Unfortunately the game didn’t improve with the field.  The Angry Cheetahs lost to the blue team which I think may have been called the Big Cats.  Or something similar.

Molly had fun which is all that really matters.  She ran right out of her shoes at one point during the game and fell flat on her back in the mud during another.  Luckily, I had packed lots of towels.

After the game we packed up and raced back home to get William’s Little League pictures taken.  We arrived with approximately 30 seconds to spare.  Woohoo!  After the pictures were snapped, we returned home for lunch and a quick nap for Addy.  Then it was off to another field for William’s first T-Ball game.  (I now understand the term “soccer mom.”)

Just as the game was about to start, Ben walked up.  We were all surprised and William was ecstatic (me too actually).  Ben had left his meeting early because he couldn’t handle not being at William’s first game. It was very sweet.

T-Ball games are a different critter.  There is no winner or loser per se.  Everyone gets a chance to hit in each inning and the last person up gets a “homerun” to force everyone through and off the bases.

William did some left-fielding.

Some batting.

Some hitting.

Some running.

Lots of standing.

A little bit of fielding.

Some high-fiving.

And lots of smiling.

He had a great game and is so excited for his next game on Monday.

T-Ball Practice

It was sunny outside today!  Oh the joy of having two sunny days in a row.  The kids and I took another long walk today and then after dinner we all went as a family to William’s T-Ball practice.

It was my first time getting to watch one of his practices because usually I’m with Molly at soccer.  I can’t imagine what our schedule is going to be like once all four of our kids are in sports/activities.   Now I know why my parents always had us all doing the same thing.

I thought William looked so cute.  He did a great job at paying attention and he worked really hard.

They worked on tagging tonight and it was fun to see all the kids run around like crazy.  I think I heard Ben say “You have to run in a straight line!” about 50 times.  Ha ha.

I’ll tell you, I was really impressed with the coach’s (not just Ben) patience.  Most of the kids wanted to just stand around and poke in the dirt.  It would have driven me crazy.

With Ben being an assistant coach, Henry gets to step in now and again and play with the team.  Tonight he did some throwing and catching with William and he got to run the bases a few times.  It pooped him out though and after that he just laid on the ground and rested.

I’m really excited to see William play in his first game in a little over a week.  He’s super excited too.

Giving T-Ball a Shot

We knew we wanted to put William into T-Ball when he turned five, but then he turned five and I totally spaced on it and missed the deadline.  Fortunately, there were enough kids in the same situation and an additional team was formed.  We were able to break the good news to William last week and he has been eagerly anticipating his first practice ever since.

 

The weather this afternoon was dry and even a little sunny which was perfect.  Ben took both the boys while I stayed home with a napping Adelaide.  Ben get’s to be one of the assistant coaches which will be fun.  The coach went through lots of drills with them which is great because William doesn’t have much experience with baseball.

Henry was very happy to tag along and was a little upset when he didn’t get an official uniform.

William was super excited because red is his favorite color.  They are still deciding on an official name for their little team.

William said he had a fun time and told me all about how the little girl had polka dots (freckles) on her face and that one of the kids was funny.  He was a little disappointed they didn’t do any batting practice, but I assured him they’d get to that part soon.

Crazy Spring Weather

The weather this Spring has been a little on the depressing side.  It feels like it has been extra wet and gloomy.  But, miraculously today the clouds parted and the sun made an appearance.  I am always amazed at how much better we all feel when it’s sunny outside.  Sure we may be blinking at the brightness like mole rats and yes we are bundled up in multiple sweaters because of the bitter cold, but we’re smiling.  Sunshine is a good thing.

While William and Molly were at school today, I took the younger two on a trip to Target in search of some sort of springy dress for my date with Ben this weekend.  I had no such luck (thank you post baby #4 body),  though Addy did manage to shoplift a baby doll.  I had everything loaded in the car before I realized the crime, but I dragged us all back in to pay the $3 for the doll.  Adelaide was in love with that doll and the clerk had to scan it in her arms because she wouldn’t let go.  When we got home she had lunch with it in her highchair.  Our little Addy loves baby dolls.

When Molly got home from school it was still sunny out so the kids snacked and then headed outside to play.  Molly and Henry picked this lovely bouquet for me.  I love it.

At dinner Ben broke the good news to William that we had found a T-Ball team for him.  He was beyond excited.  (I think Ben is excited too.)  After dinner, Ben took the kids outside to play a little catch while I stayed inside with Addy.

However, it wasn’t long before the weather turned sour and they found themselves in the middle of a nasty hail storm.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen hail that big around here. The kids loved it and stayed outside until it started thundering.

It was crazy!