Ian's 1st T-Ball Game

Ian's first game was this weekend and it was a cold one. I think he had fun regardless and I don't think I have laughed so hard in a while. They had the hitting down for the most part but running bases and fielding the ball was another story. Each team allows all the kids to bat before switching sides. The last kid to bat gets to run all the bases. Ian was last the second inning and almost passed his good friend Bray - I think he thought it was a race. When the ball was hit to them, ALL the kids on the team would run after it and tackle each other to get the ball. The coaches claim they will work on this at practice this week but I liked it the way it was.

1st "at bat"

Coach Dad cheering him on

On second base

All that running wore him out

Ian and Krue

The team running for the ball (what ever happened to "mine")

Look what I found

Good game (This is Brantley - Ian's car pool buddy)

P.S. I think my kid is pretty cute with his big ears and helmet.

Ian's 5th Birthday - Pirates Ahoy

For Ian's birthday he wanted a Pirates of the Caribbean Party. So we went all out and told everyone to wear their costumes and I had some available if they didn't have one. Before the party was to start, I asked Ian if he was ready to get dressed. He didn't want to wear his costume, only his hat and eye patch. Oh well. Some people really went all out. It was funny to see. The kids had fun and I think the adults did as well. Shane got the big "jumpy house" from work so the kids were occupied most of the day. Time sure has gone fast. My baby is 5!!!

The pirate and his crew
The pirate ship pinata

The pirates parents

The yummy pirate ship ice cream cake

The "Jumpy House"

Potty Training

Anna has been going potty here and there for some time. On this day she went and I was trying to get her to give me a thumbs up. This, amazingly, was a very hard thing for her to do. These are too cute.

(sorry about them being sideways)

The Baseball Parade

I have never seen this done before and had no idea what to expect. This is a huge deal. On opening day here, every baseball team meets around the courthouse to get their uniforms. Once everyone is dressed and ready, they march to the ball field where every team is called out onto the field, a first pitch is thrown, a prayer is said and the National Anthem is sung. Ian is blessed to have been picked up by DeKalb Chiropractic Center which is managed by Dr. Lee Nagel. Dr. Nagel could not coach such a dynamite team on his own so he has some help from Shane and Brent.

However, on this day, all three coaches were unavailable...maybe scouting other players. So I was left in charge. It is not an easy task to corral ten 4-5 year olds on a maybe half mile march and then out onto the field. I did have some help from other parents and the kids did so well. They stood very quietly through the prayer and National Anthem. I look forward to watching this team play. GO DCC!!!!!

The boys marching to the field (Ian is #5)

Waiting for their team to be called

Anna waiting to.

Field Trip

Ian's class took a field trip to Walmart and the Good Samaritan Center. It sounds strange but was actually very neat. They started at Walmart and got a tour of the whole store. The Bakery where they got to taste goodies, see the freezer where Frosty the Snowman lives, the garden area where they each got to pick some plants to grow, the offices in back where they were given even more goodies. After this, they each bought some canned goods and then we took them to the Good Samaritan Center to help the needy. The class of 14 filled a whole shopping cart. It was a great opportunity to help others.

Hair nets before entering the bakery - parents to.

Coloring their goodie bags.

At the Good Samaritan Center

Ian's Easter Eggs

For some reason the pictures of Ian coloring eggs did not make it on my last post. He was there and had fun to.

Happy Easter

This year we tried to make sure the kids (at least Ian) understood the true meaning or Easter. I think it went very well. Ian didn't burst into tears and I think he was excited about the whole story. (I am referring to our first "heaven" talk) They had a ton of fun coloring their eggs. We had to throw some of them out because Anna thought the idea was to smash them first.

On Sunday we rose bright and early to attend Church. We got there early enough to enjoy breakfast and fellowship with other church members. Afterwards, we cooked lunch for family and friends. This year we stayed at home instead of going to Grandma Kunkel's. It was a little sad but turned out great. Shane's Grandmother, Mother, and Brother came and our friends Brent and Jen and their kids, Madi & Bray. The day turned out nice enough that we could hide eggs outside and the kids loved it. They are so cute and play well together. Anna had all the help in the world instead of every kid for himself.

Thank you God for sending us your son. It is unbelievable to me how any one could sacrifice so much.

Swim Lessons

Saturday was the start of our swim lessons. Ian is now in the "big kid" class where they actually start teaching them something. Anna is in the "little kid" class that Ian out-grew (so he says). They both really seemed to enjoy it either way. Ian told me over and over that he already knows how to swim under water but not on top. I explained that this is what they would teach him. At the end of his class the teacher had each kid jump in and then swim back to the wall. If they wanted her to catch them they had to tell her this. Ian was the last kid and the only one to say he didn't need her help. I freaked for a moment as my child jumped in all alone and sank. She moved to grab him just as he popped up and swam to the wall. He was fine. I was not. He did this again and I am getting used to the fact that he is not a "little kid" anymore.

Anna's class is just getting in and becoming familiar with the water. She is already familiar with the water and was jumping in and wanting to swim and do the things Ian was doing. I don't know if the many hours at the lake has helped her or if it is that she is not a "little kid" any longer as well. Either way, they both loved it and can't wait to go back.

Happy 30th Skinny

Jason is a V-day baby and just so happens he turned 30. We all got together to celebrate with him. I don't really have pictures of the adult(kids) but got some really good ones of the children. The girls played dress-up and did their own make-up. Anna is finally old enough to fit in. She had a blast. Ian is the only boy, other than Colt, but he didn't seem to mind. No he did not put any make-up on or allow the girls to.