Title Picture

I confess: I didn't take the title bar picture. But it was taken not far from here. That really is what the woods looked like a few weeks ago. I love Spring!

Mudpuppy

It's mud, just in case you're wondering.

A Brief Note

I stepped in for a moment to say hello. That's where we've been for much of the last month--outside. SuperKid has had two T-Ball games a week, KiSA has been trimming trees, demolishing the old storage shed, and building a playfort, we've been vegetable gardening and playing musical plants, and geocaching. We're a little more tan and a lot tired!

I hostessed a baby shower this past Saturday at our home. Of course, the prerequisite for that event was a lot of cleaning, decorating and decluttering. KiSA still enjoys his job very much. He is learning so much, and is glad to be a part of a team that works together very well.

The boys are getting so big, and very energetic. I have many pictures to post, but can't at the moment. As the title says, this is a BRIEF note. I will try to post more soon.

Play Ball!

I relish the sound of children's laughter floating on crisp spring air. Add in the crack of a bat and some sunshine, and you've got me close to a perfect day. I can't help but love baseball. I really had no choice, as my indoctrination started young. Thanks Dad; this game is a great gift. We've eagerly awaited SuperKid's first T-Ball season since he was born. Now that we're in the middle of it, we are having a blast. I think he is having fun as well. These pictures are from some of the earlier practices.The dad who is volunteering as a coach is a very brave man. But his patience--and that of the other parents helping to coach--seems to be paying off.

Three out of four of the first games were rained out, and SK was sick for the first game they actually got to play. But his excitement was undiminished when we walked up to the real field for the first time. "This is the greatest day!" he exclaimed. After I put on his brand-spankin'-new bright purple T-shirt with "Tornadoes" across the front, he proudly said, "I'm a baseball team!"

At times, there are still sand castles built on the pitcher's mound--in the middle of the game. One boy in particular seems to persistently prefer deep left field while scouting for dandelions. It has taken an intense effort to teach them to not tackle each other and wrestle the ball away from each other while in the infield. SK had a difficult time with this. He really likes to tackle, and he really wanted the ball. It became clear pretty quickly that KiSA's role in this endeavor is to stand alongside SK and help him stay in his position. We celebrate more when he stays where he is supposed to, than when he hits the ball or runs to first.

At this age, there is no score-keeping. Each team gets to run through their lineup twice, and each child gets as many chances as they need to hit the ball. Nobody gets tagged out. Everyone is positive. And when it's all over, they get a snack.

Ahh, snack. I had no idea that this was as crucial to T-Ball as a bat or a ball. To four year-old boys, food is serious business. Add in the fact that they've been running, and the clamor about the snacks approaches feeding frenzy intensity.

I'm really proud of the boys. They are trying so hard. It is fun to see them actually improve their skills and learn about the game. And I appreciate that the coach and all the other parents are keeping a relaxed and positive attitude.

Easter

We went to Tennessee for Easter. My grandfather's cousins live there, and we have enjoyed getting to know them since we moved to their neck of the woods.

It is a beautiful 3 1/2 hour drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains, the French Broad River Basin, and rolling hills to their house. SK loves going through the tunnel!

As soon as we unbuckled them, the boys piled out of the car and hit the ground running. SK caught up with the dogs in a game of chase, and WB headed for the nearest mud puddle. He also enjoyed the little bridge over the creek. Oh, how he wanted to get in that creek! It was chilly out, though, and we went inside and enjoyed some cupcakes next to the wood-burning stove. There's just no warmth like that of a real fire.

We had a nice dinner, and then commenced to dyeing eggs. The funny thing is, we realized that none of us had a firmly set tradition of dyeing eggs as children, but we really wanted to start the tradition with the boys. We only did four, which was about the right limit.

After the boys went to sleep, we packed their Easter Baskets. KiSA had secured some treats and prizes for them. Marie gave them some stuffed animals, too. Saturday night, and Dad is a little bit delirious from fatigue.Sunday morning, and Daddy reveals the baskets' contents. I don't think he is so much sticking out his tongue, as licking his lips for the chocolate about to come.

He likes his new telephone!
Just visitin'. The silly smile you see here is the advent of his camera pose. He is trying to smile.
We made Resurrection Rolls. I was given the recipe last year, and have been looking forward to trying it. The idea is to put a marshmallow inside of a crescent roll, and when it is baked, the marshmallow disappears. It leaves a hollow inside, just like the empty tomb. Although we talked as simply as we could about Jesus' death and resurrection, it is a complicated story. This object lesson seemed to interest SK. Nice side benefit: they are delicious.
Here they are all dressed up. SO handsome! You may not be able to see in the picture, but they have matching belts and shoes as well. They both got their hair fixed, too. I think they felt special to be all spruced up.

We went to their church, which was very nice. It is smaller and more traditional than where we currently attend, but that was refreshing. It was good to sing some hymns again, and enjoy a closer, family-like fellowship. I love going to other churches, and marvel at how we can be related, in God's family, with other people we've never met. The Body of Christ is beautiful indeed.

And of course, the Egg Hunt! As soon as they realized that the eggs were stuffed with M&Ms, they slowed down on the gathering part and commenced the eating part. It was a beautiful morning.
After an excellent lunch, we got the boys down for a nap. We walked through the garden and I tried to learn as much as I could, taking notes in my Blackberry the entire time. So much to learn! And I must learn how to make an apple pie like Suzy. Goodness gracious, it was amazing.


It was a blessing to be able to celebrate Resurrection Sunday with family. We can't wait to go back!

Dry Diaper

SK has had several dry diapers at nap time and a couple at bed time. Today, we officially started letting him take naps without a diaper. When KiSA told him that he was ready to nap without a diaper, his face lit up. He was so excited and proud. He knows this is a sign he is growing bigger every day.

While at the doctor's office on Friday, I allowed him to leave the exam room and walk to the water fountain to get a drink by himself. It was probably 15 feet down the hallway, but you would have thought he walked on the moon by the grin on his face.

He's been campaigning for me to allow him to go into the wild and survive by himself, but I don't think we're quite ready for that yet. One step at a time, son.