Fun in the Sun

Perfect weekend!  Ethan had a game Saturday, and the weather could not have been more beautiful!   Although the team lost, Ethan had some great plays and....... HE PITCHED!!!  Strike after strike!  People in the stands already know his name, and he had to tune out the cheering!  I was so proud.  Scott claims that moment justified having kids...
   Today was a day to picnic, ride bikes, play in the park, plant tomatoes and hot peppers, and bake cookies (Fiona).  We enjoyed the game Auntie mailed last week.  Scott seems to think he is unbeatable.  I disagree.

My formidable opponents in "Pole-ish".

My teammate.  

It's hard to share this beauty when company arrives...

My view while Fiona poked at fire ant holes and Ethan and Scott played catch.

Not golfing.  Poking at ant holes.

Neat how the pine cones grow...

Still love those fairy houses.

Could these kids be more different?

Ahhh...routine

So, it has been kind of nice not to have much to report.  A little tough getting the kids back into the school mindset, but as their mother, I know what motivates them.  i.e. Avoiding my wrath.
     Fiona passed her final swim class, and is now in with Ethan.  He will remain a "Green Shark" until he can master the back stroke.  We will probably re-visit swim in May when baseball wraps up.
     Ethan's baseball team is a great group of kids.  They won their first game and lost their second.  Ethan played his usual positions, and even made some hits!  Coach plans on putting him in as pitcher for Saturdays game!!!!  I will have no fingernails at the end of that one!
    Kids and I had a great school day today.  Practicing spelling words on the white board and on the Buddha board, sewing book bags for the library, and going over the early days of America.  We are just on the brink of the Revolutionary War, and the kids are chomping at the bit to get there.

Received this from Auntie!  Can't wait to play!

Spelling practice for test tomorrow.

More spelling practice...

Fiona composing a piece to play for her teacher on Tuesday.

Ethan opted to do his silent read time outside.

Preparing the handle for his bag. (Super hero fabric!)

Fiona, getting the cut just right!

Here's the wind up!

And the pitch!

Happy Ninth Year to Ethan!!!

I can hardly believe that my baby is nine years old!  Yesterday was Ethan's actual birthday, so we had to do something special.  At first we thought of going to the gun range, but Scott thinks that would be better on a one to one basis...not the whole family.  I guess he has a point.  Then we decided on paint ball.  We all dressed in our yucky loose clothing and headed to the field.  Well, upon arrival we realized we were way out of our league.  There were 15 year olds smoking and drinking Red Bull, suiting up with their "uncle-dads" for a full day of battle.  Hmmm... I also saw NO females in gear.  Just one sorry looking girl waiting for her boyfriend/dad? and his gang to finish up.  She was in charge of drinks and lighting cigarettes.  Needless to say we left.  So now what?  That's when the indoor skydiving popped into Scott's head.  Genius!  I know I did not actually go into the wind chamber, but just watching my kids was so exciting!
     Other big news!  Ethan had his first little league game this Saturday night (under the lights!) and his team (The Brewers) won 14 to 9!   Off to a great start.

These guys are floating upside-down!  AMAZING!

No comment.

Nothing says happy birthday like getting blown away up a clear tube with an audience watching!

Ethan, about to take off!

Fiona! Flying!

Opening ceremony.  Kind of a big deal here...

Party!!!

After about 2 hours in the pool this afternoon, the kids were ready to eat dinner and celebrate Ethan's birthday a few days early.  It felt great to have our first meal in the dining room with a full table.  Meagan and I can't remember the last time the two of us ate at that table.  School Street, many years ago...
     There were a lot of fabulous memories made this past week, and we have to remember to look back with happiness, not regret that it is over.  Hard lesson to convey to the teary eyed kids. and a hard lesson to digest myself...

Fiona and Ellie turtle watching.

Turtle watching Ellie and Fiona.

Soaking up the sun...

See-saw surfing!

Birthday meal of chicken tacos!

Gampy showed up to open presents with Ethan!

BIG wish!

I already miss them...

I am trying not to think about saying goodbye in a few days.  Trying hard to stay in the moment, but it's hard.  I checked on the three kids last night, when I finally felt confidant that they were asleep.  Queen Fiona in her bed with Ethan and Ellie on the floor around her!  The three of them sleeping hard, breathing their little kid breaths, a favorite, comforting stuffed animal clutched in each of their hands.  I wish I could freeze them here for a while.
     Today we had another easy morning.  I got us all in the car around lunch time and took the kids to the waterway.  Each got a grilled cheese, and I got a favorite salad.  We indulged in the warm sunshine, and then headed back to the park that Meagan and I took them to earlier in the week.  From there Ellie and I watched Fiona and Ethan's swim lessons.  Dinner was at the neighbors house, and then off to bed.  Scott comes home tomorrow night, which means that he has started his 22 hour journey home as I write this. YUCK.  Meagan should be back around 3pm tomorrow afternoon.  Cannot wait for some actual adult conversation.

Love these shades!

Justin Bieber was sitting with me!

So going to miss this child!

Scott on a run in Abu Dhabi.  Water looks refreshing.

I want to meet the person who swims anyway... Poor, poor Scott.

The More the Merrier

So glad that we have Ellie here with us.  Meagan and Scott are both away with work, and here I am with the BEST job ever!  I get to be responsible for the three stooges.  There is truly NO place I would rather be.  And from the sound of it, Scott and Meagan would give their left arms to be here with me.  Today was a great day because it started off with NO plans!  The kids slept late, lounged in pjs and played outside for a few hours.  After lunch we went to the library and grabbed a few good DVDs and CDs, then off to Target so I could take care of a few errands.  The kids were angels (with crooked halos).  Then home for an early dinner (which Elliot showed up for...fine by me...).  Around 6:00 pm I took the kids to free swim at the gym, and they played hard for an hour and a half.  Just the sheer number of times they walked up the steps to the water slides was a serious work out!  Then home again to popcorn and "Alice in Wonderland" (The one with Johnny Depp!)  Phew!  I'm beat!

Homemade lizard cage.

These two drew The Woodlands in chalk and were driving all around!

Ahhh, lunch outside.

Three Happy Stooges.

Feelin' The Love

Valentine's Day with the kids was so sweet.  They all enjoyed the classic gift of candies, and a little stuffed animal.  We then gathered together a picnic lunch and a tennis ball and headed to the park.  Cool breezes and plenty of sunshine made for a delightful morning.  Fiona and Ethan were anxious to show Auntie and Ellie the koi pond, so we took the 15 minute walk along the water to the beautiful colorful creatures.  We all then piled into the car to get to the BBQ on our street.  The kids joined the other 8 kids and got sweet Valentines and plenty of playtime.  From there Meagan and I squeezed in a run/ride (thank goodness for Scott's bike light).  Meagan leaves early tomorrow morning for Dallas.  Just me and the three monkeys here to hold down the fort.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Fish whisperer...

Who is this lady?