Little League Opening Day!

Aiden had has first game of the Little League season today! He did a really great job. He has moved up into the coach pitch division. I was so proud of him "swacking" (as he says) those balls! He really seemed to be paying attention to the game today. For the last couple of years, I would catch him in the outfield watching the birds or collecting bugs!  Susanna's softball games will start soon, so Steven and I will be taking turns running back and forth!

The Color Guard is presenting the colors during the Opening Ceremonies.

Aiden and his team, The River Cats,  jogging by after being introduced!

Aiden is getting a few last minute pointers from dad.

Up to bat!

Taking a few practice swings!

He's ready!



Waiting to run home!





Little stinker....Connor and 3 hours at the ball park do not mix!



Blue and Gold Ceremony 2011




Aiden with his Tiger Scout badge!





  


Dinner with friends!

 

The Tiger Den skit...see my Ninja Turtle?!

The cutest ever table decorations! Cub Scout moms are the best!

So after years of making Aiden wait for her at dance practices and performances, he is paying her back with Cub Scout functions!

What a lucky dad!














Look out Kobe!

Aiden is on the court! Aiden decided to try his skills at basketball this season. He really did a great job! The 9 a.m. games were tough on the rest of us, but it was worth it to watch him play!

Aiden has his favorite next door neighbor Matthew! They are playing baseball together this Spring too!

Key Largo, Montego, Baby Why Don't We Go?

We didn't make it to Kokomo, but we did have a super great trip to Miami and Key Largo over President's Day weekend! It was our first big road trip since we downsized to the Camry. Suprisingly enough, we all fit just fine! We made the straight shot on I-95 to Miami in just a little over 7 hours.  We found a great hotel and a banging Cuban restaurant the first night! We loved it so so much there that we came home and immediately booked a cruise leaving from Miami in December! I am so excited about it! We will be gone over Christmas to Miami, Key West, and Cozumel. We are going to hang over in Miami for a few more days after the cruise to see some of the sights that we didn't have time for on this short trip.

Now this is just funny!

I had to capture this rare moment of sibling sweetness!

These two dolphins followed us out to the coral reef!

Susanna and Aiden are looking at the coral reef on the glass bottom boat tour in Key Largo

The beautiful sunset as we were leaving Key Largo.

Beach babe!

Look at my handsome hubs!

I love this pic! They were checking out the fish swimming below us while we were eating lunch.

Sweet Sus!

I am so glad that Susanna is old enough to operate the camera! Now Steven and I can be in the same pic!

The fam!!

Things are abloomin' in Richmond Place!

Instead of taking time to smell the flowers, I took a few minutes to take some pictures of the pretty trees that are starting to bloom in our neighborhood. I have been working so much lately that I  have been missing my camera! Does it make me a nerd if I actully miss things like my camera and ipad when I get busy? Anyway, I digress...back to the trees. I did feel a little like the paparazzi snapping pictures of people's blooming trees. I was completely prepared to hand over the SD card if things got ugly! I thought that my many blog visitors (lol....I can dream, can't it?)  would appreciate a break from all the pics of the kids! 

The Susanna Tree! I have no idea what the name of this tree really is, but it is the Susanna tree to me! We used to have one in our yard on Arcadia Drive.  It blooms once year right around Susanna's birthday in late February! The blooms only last for a few weeks, but I just love the color.

Achhoooo....that's right..the Dogwoods are blooming. I think these big beauties are responsible for my itchy runny nose!

Even though it doesn't bloom, I had to include this pic of the Dogwood with the Weeping Willow tree. We had a Weeping Willow tree in my backyard growing up, and it was one of my mom's most favorite things!

My neighbor's little pink bush things!

The little pink bush things in our yard. I love the contrasting greens in this pic!

In 5...4...3...2..1...Happy 8th Birthday, Susanna!

My, my, I sure don't know where the time goes? I can't believe that I am the mother of an 8 year old! Every year seems to pass more and more quickly. This year, as promised, Susanna had her very first sleepover party. It was quite the experience for all of us.  Steven has made the official declaration that it will never happen again. I think 6 little girls along with 2 little brothers was just a little too much for him! One thing is for sure, even if he thinks he can swear it off, Ifeel pretty sure that it won't be the last time that our house is invaded by a pack of giggling little girls!

We really did have a great time. The girls had fun with iCarly theme making mini sculptures like Spencer and eating lots of Spaghetti tacos and pie! They also decorated pillow cases and made friendship bracelets! I am glad that I have 12 months to prepare for the next one!

Happy Valentines Day!

 Despite Steven having to work on Valentine's Day (also his 35th birthday!) and me getting a speeding ticket on the way home from dropping the kids off at school, it was a pretty good day! 

My little sweeties!



Not sure about Aiden's smile! Lol!



Everybody is opening their Valentine treats from Mommy and Daddy!





So, it was my big idea to make these treats for all three of the kids classes! I ended up recovering about 70 candy bars! Oh, the things we do for the kiddos!



It was a lot of work, but they ended up being super cute!

We also made chocolate covered strawberries for the kids teachers!