Spring Break and More

This has been a few weeks of fun for our family, and most of them centered around Alex.  I will start with our first T-Ball Game!  This was amazing.  The kids practiced hard and tried their best and finally it paid off.  The A's won the game 15-8!  We were all amazed.  Most of the kids on the team are playing their first season (including Alex) and when we started practices the kids were hilariously jumping on top of each other and tackling the ball rather than playing as a team and that night they worked together so well it was amazing.  Alex hit a double and a single.  It was so sweet to watch his big smile as he ran across home plate!  He is getting so big and maturing so much.  For our first game I was assigned to bring snacks, so I brought Rice Krispie Treat Baseballs.  They were cute and Alex was so proud to hand them out to his friends.  He kept telling them, "My Mommy made these."  He makes us so proud.

Up to Bat



His first run!

That weekend we went on our very first camping trip as a family.  We went to Lake Sommerville and had a great time.  We piled everything into our little car, including both kids, both LARGE dogs, and all our stuff.  It was cramped, but we did it.  We loved our new tent that we got for Christmas and the boys enjoyed helping James put it up.  After we were settled we went to the lake to try some fishing.  It was WAY to windy, so we just played along the shoreline.  We found out that Moroni LOVES the water and running along the shore.  Hopefully we can take him to the beach some time.  Mason enjoyed being outside with the family, but wasn't a huge fan of the water.  We had a great time and got some sun.  We then made tin foil dinners that the boys loved and we roasted marshmallows.  The night was a bit restless for James and me because the dogs heard and wanted to check out every single noise...memo to us, maybe not bring both dogs next time.  In the morning we had pancakes and enjoyed playing at our campsite, packed up and went home.  It was a great way to spend our 6th anniversary.

Camping Boys

Playing with worms!

Moroni LOVED the water!

My hubby with the furry kids

Daddy and Eric eating breakfast

Then we celebrated our little man turning 5!  HOLY MOLY ALEX IS 5!?!  Since his birthday was during the week, we went to a movie and ate at one of his favorite restaurants.  Mars Needs Moms is an awesome movie and I would encourage anyone and everyone to see it.  During the movie Alex got a bit nervous and turned to me and said, "You're not gonna get taken by aliens right Mommy, I love you and I need you."  I was touched and it brought a little tear to my eye. 


We enjoyed having GiGi come visit for a few days.  We spent time together and shared lots of laughs and good times.  The boys loved having her here and are excited to go and visit her soon.  The biggest reason she came was for Alex's big birthday party.  We held the party at The Little Gym and it was amazing!  The kids had a great time and it was very easy for me, I just had to bring the camera and the cake.  Alex loved rolling and jumping and playing with his friends (all 15 of them).  I was so grateful for the staff and all of their hard work.  I was eternally grateful that all those kids weren't at my house and that I didn't have to clean up after them.  Alex wanted a Star Wars theme and the Little Gym made everything space themed and really got the kids using their imaginations. 

Birthday Boy!

Mmmmmm...cake!

Now it is Sunday and things are returning to normal.  We had ward conference, shared a yummy dinner with GiGi, GiGi left and now all I can here are little boys laughing and the blaze of light sabres.  Life is amazing and I am dreading Monday a bit, but I know it will be a great week.  I have a great family and I have been blessed more than I can even measure.  Now to go plan Monday's FHE lesson.  This month we have been focusing on "Manners" and it seems to be helping.  So until next week...

Baby Days are Gone for Now

Well, this weekend did not turn out as we had planned, but it was amazing!  Alex is now playing T-Ball and Saturday was supposed to be the big Opening Day ceremonies and first game, but due to the weather, it was cancelled.  We were a bit disappointed that there would be no game, but we found ourselves dressed, and ready for the day at 7:45 AM all together as a family and we couldn't let the opportunity to accomplish some things pass us by.  We went home, changed our shirts (we were all decked out in our baseball gear) and headed out to go furniture shopping. 

We decided to go to Gallery Furniture.  I decided that since I had never been there, I wanted to check it out, and I guess you can't say you've seen the attractions in Houston until you have been to this store.  Holy Moly it is amazing!  They not only sell furniture, but there are Capuchin Monkeys, Tropical Birds, Playground, Free Food (and real food as a matter of fact), TVs in the bathroom...anything you can imagine...oh and furniture too.  We went to search out a bed for the boys.  We have been planning on moving them to big boys beds and just couldn't decide on what we wanted and we couldn't find time to shop, so this rainy day was perfect.  We found a set of bunk beds for them.  This thing is packed with storage (which we need in a small house) and they will grow in to it, not out of it any time soon.  The purchasing process was easy and we had a great time.  We met the one and only Mattress Mack and got to take pictures with the monkeys.  We had a great time, but then the real work began.  They were going to deliver our furniture that night, so we had to get their room ready to receive it.  I had hoped to paint their room before, but we didn't have time, since this was a bit spur of the moment. 

The boys with Sasha the monkey at Gallery Furniture

We went home and started a major clean out of the boys room and stuff.  James got the shed organized and started moving stuff out to the shed that we will put into our garage sale and I packaged up a ton of baby stuff to give to a friend.  The boy's room is now completely free of baby items.  I had been storing some baby stuff in their closet, but not any more.  We have decided to get rid of as much baby stuff as possible.  Our home is too small and there don't seem to be any babies heading our way, so we don't see the reason to keep holding on to something that isn't happening right now.  This is a sad thing for us to realize, but a necessary thing as we have made a goal to make 2011 our de-clutter year.  We will de-clutter our home and our lives so that we can focus on what is important and essential to our salvation.  We got rid of so much stuff it was a cleansing process.  By 10:00 that night the boy's bed was delivered, assembled, toys put away, clothes out away, new bed linens on, and the boys were tucked in!  the day was the most productive day we have had in a while (due to illness and schedules) and everyone helped (even Eric). 

The Big Boy Beds!

I think this process of cleaning out the old and pressing forward to the new is good for all of us.  I have two Big Boys now, and they are no longer babies.  There are no more onesies, diapers, high chairs, or bottles in the house.  I fold little character underwear and play Star Wars.  My boys may be getting bigger, but they will always be my babies.  tonight i addressed the invitations to Alex's 5th birthday party!  I cannot believe he will be in Kindergarten in a few months!  He has matured so much!  Eric is growing more and more and will be in preschool next year!  What will I do with myself!?!  This is definitely a new step for us and I think we are handling it as well as we can.  Maybe one day we will hear the pitter patter of baby feet, but right now we hear laser sound effects, thumping, running, laughing, singing, and tattling...so until next time...

My Big Boys!