4th Time is a Charm?

I have had the opportunity to go to 3 Twins games in the new stadium.  I have also been rained on at 3 Twins games in the new stadium.  Don't get me wrong, I see the big picture...a beautiful day, 75 degrees, the sun is shining, a cold beer in my hand, watching the Twins win big.  I guess I am just going to have to wait to experience it!  This fair-weather fan just needs a little fair weather.  I'm sure I'll get to at least one more game this season...here's hoping that the fourth time will be the charm. 

Game #1 - wet and freezing!

Game #2 - really really wet, game was canceled.

Game #3 - chilly and a few sprinkles, guess I can't complain!

Summer Time!

Just got off the bus on the last day of school!

The kids began counting down the days 'til summer vacation in the beginning of May.  Paige even made a chain of paper loops to help keep track.  It was bittersweet for me, as usual.  The realization hits that the kids are another year older.

It was a wonderful school year for both of the kids.  Blake was a rock star at reading and math.  He made it to the highest AR level that they have for the elementary school kids and was making awesome progress on his times tables.  He also earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award which is pretty cool.  Paige is starting to get the hang of reading and likes to read out loud, but still loves being read to.  I had the greatest time volunteering in her classroom every week.  I cannot put into words how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to stay home and experience this part of their childhood.  It goes by so fast!

Summer break is now here and so begins the new routine.  We have a schedule jam packed with activities, many of which are already in full swing.  Our activities include softball league, golf league, baseball, soccer, tumbling, golf, park activities, swimming lessons, and hockey camps.  The summer will also be filled with friends coming over here and the kids going to a friend's house.  It is nice for them to be able to play with other kids and stay busy.  Yesterday, there were 5 kids here and it was definitely more calm than with just the two!  Today the kids are at a friend's house for the day, and I get a little time to catch up on the blog.  One week into summer vacation and I'm lovin' it! 

Love Is All You Need...or is it?

While at Disney World, I had to stop at the United Kingdom in Epcot to get another Beatles coffee mug (despite the torrential downpour).  I love my Beatles!

The first morning I was drinking out of the mug at home, Blake walks into the kitchen, picks it up, and examines it for a minute.  He then looks up at me and says, "Mom, they spelled hockey wrong."  Pretty quick wit for an 8 year old, and he kept a straight face the entire time.  It sure made me laugh out loud.

Super (patient) Cat

Yesterday I was in the kitchen when Paige came around the corner and "Mom"ed me for the umpteenth time.  "Mom look!  Isn't this cute?"  I didn't look (I know...bad mommy moment) but responded as though I had looked.  "Yep, super cute.  Please let me finish what I am working on here."  As she turns to walk away, I see she is holding her cat Charlotte.  This gets my attention considering she just asked me how cute I thought something was.  I turn my head and see that she has dressed her cat up as a super hero using some doll clothes...and YES, Charlotte is wearing the matching cape too!

Charlotte models tutus, as well.  Paige claims she loves it.

 Ringo sometimes falls victim too.  Paige printed this costume from a website.  I also caught her trying to put a matching collar on our nearly 100lb. yellow lab, Jack...but he wasn't havin' it.

Spring Ahead

It was time to change the clocks ahead this weekend which has resulted in some pretty tired, let me emphasize t i r e d, kids at our house.  The drag only lasts a couple days, thankfully.

In addition to the time change, we also had a change in weather which means no more snow in the yard!!!  We brought out the scooters, bikes, and helmets from storage on Sunday so all the neighborhood kids were ready to hit the cul-de-sac after school yesterday.  It didn't take long for one of the kids to acquire the first road rash of the season.  Paige was doing tricks on the scooter and wiped out.  It happens.  A quick spray of cleaning solution and a massive band-aid and she was ready to hit the pavement again...well, a little less literally this time!

So in addition to being tired from the stolen hour of sleep, they were now extra tired from running around, biking, riding scooters, playing cul-de-sac hockey, digging in the sandbox, and using the swingset.  Blake and Paige decided it would be a good idea to relax and watch a movie after they came in the house.  When I called them up for supper, Blake sits down and casually says that Paige is sleeping in the duck box (our family room blanket storage/coffee table).  "She's sleeping in the duck box?"  To which he replies, "Don't worry Mom, the lid is open."

Oh, I wasn't worried, but I did need to get a picture since this is, quite unbelievably, the first time one of the kids has actually fallen asleep while playing in the duck box.