Now if we could just teach him to put the lid down...

and to stop un-twirling the toilet paper.  

Last week, we told him baseball players don't wear diapers, he hasn't worn them again since!

Wish I could say that I'm thrilled, but I'm sad that I have changed my baby boy's diaper for the very last time...

Loving this book right now about celebrating the precious "lasts".

"Long ago you came to me,

a miracle of firsts:

First smiles and teeth and baby steps,

a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away

and leave to me your past,

And I will be left thinking of

a liftetime of your lasts..."

 ~ excerpt from Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury

Charlie Buddy

Nate's "Charlie Buddy" turned three today.  The gang celebrated with a terrific train themed party (Charlie's favorite) at the local community splash park.  

Charlie and Nate

I often wonder if these two were formulating plans for mischief, long before they were born.

The big sisters had a great time too!

When it was time for cake, Nate found a seat right next to the birthday boy...  which was fine until it was time for Charlie to blow out his candles and Nate decided to "help".  Charlie you can blow out Nathan's candles when he turns three... we promise. 

Happy Birthday Charlie ~ We Love You!

This morning in our neighborhood...

a Superhero and a Princess rode their bikes to school.

The Bulls ~ Play Ball

The Durham Bulls played their very first game tonight at our awesome new field.  

Candy from the ballpark snack bar ~ Yum!  The perfect summertime treat.  

(and the perfect way for this Mama to get her very tired, just woke up from a nap ballplayer going!)

Our boy is still getting used to wearing his glove.

Batter Up!

Both times at bat, Nate hit the ball clear out into right center field.

He found interesting ways to entertain himself while running the bases.

The game otherwise known as "tackle tee-ball".  

Every time the ball was hit, the entire team would run and fight for it.

Big League Dreams

Gracie and her team the Muckdogs had the distinct honor of being the very first team ever to play an official game on our neighborhoods brand new little league field.  'D-votion Field' was given to our kids by the Arizona Diamondbacks and it is AWESOME!!!  

Ballet on the baseball field.

Our Muckdog.

These girls are very serious ball players... no time for chit-chat... it's all about The Game...

There are only three girls on the team.

Nate dreaming big league dreams... (gracie at bat)

Donnie was a base coach during the game.  Nate was not happy and wanted his daddy the entire time.  At the end of the game, he finally got his wish.

Curl

There was a little girl,

Who had a little curl,

Right in the middle of her forehead.

When she was good, 

She was very very good indeed,

But when she was bad she was horrid!

--    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Even though this poem was written over 100 years ago, Donnie and I are convinced that Longfellow had OUR sweet daughter in mind while writing it.   When my sister and I were little girls, our Aunt Gwen always said that the poem was about us.....  

hmmm.  Guess Gracie takes after Shannon and I.

Monday

This morning Gracie rode her bike to school for the very first time!

On mornings like this, I love love love our neighborhood... it was only 75 degrees.

Gracie sang songs and recited nursery rhymes all the way to school.

Not wanting to be left out, Nate got in on the action too.

We made it!  

She's a swinger.  :-)

Crayolas

Is there anything better than a brand new box of Crayolas?

hmmm....  Perhaps TWO brand new boxes of Crayolas!!!

I asked the kids, "What's your favorite crayon color?"  Gracie answered, "All the Pink ones!"  Nate chose sky blue.  

Meet the Muckdogs

Tonight was Gracie's first practice for her new tee-ball team, the Muckdogs.  We are definitely turning into a baseball family!

Even Donnie made it to practice today.

I thought that Gracie resembled a tennis player more than a baseball player...

but when it was her turn to practice batting, she hit further then most of the boys on her team!

Gracie's favorite parts of tee-ball are running the bases... 

and the team cheer! 

1 ~ 2 ~ 3!!!  GO MUCKDOGS!!!  

The boys stayed very busy at practice too.  Comparing shoes and playing in the dirt...

retrieving runaway balls...

and enjoying the freedom to explore the wide open spaces of the practice fields.

It's going to be a fun season.

Show and Share

Today is Gracie's turn to lead Show and Share at school.  Last night, I sent the kids out to the garden to find something interesting for her to show the class.  

They found caterpillars!

We quickly found a jar and prepped the caterpillars for their first day of kindergarten!

Gracie's super excited.  What a lucky find!  It's also her turn to take snack to share with her classmates.  The snack of the day... pretzel fish and yogurt smoothies.

vacuum ~ lost treasures in the sofa

Everything is more fun with my little guy, even vacuuming!

He likes the hose.

Here's a list of the items that Nate and I found, underneath the cushions our now very clean sofas and chairs...

1 half eaten chicken dino

2 mismatched socks 

2 popsicle sticks

1 army man

1 broken pencil

1 binky (presumably belonging to Miss Mae)

1 pen

7 crayons

1 rotten banana peel

1 polly pocket

477 crumbs and pieces of popcorn

1 pair of nail clippers

5 pony tail holders (pink, red, pink, blue, green)

Have I mentioned, I don't love housework.

Durham Bulls

Nate had his very first t-ball practice for his team the Durham Bulls this week.  He did well and was very excited and enthusiastic.

This is Nate's first time playing an organized sport.

Playing Catch.

Coach Bell and Nate

Best buddy Charlie is a Bull too!

Little Slugger

The Bulls are working on learning how to run the bases.  Guess it's time to buy socks and sneakers... a much harder task then it sounds like for this flip flop wearing family.

Trains

Our new road rug and train tracks from Ikea have provided the kids with hours of entertainment.

Thank's Ann!  :-)

Weekend

This weekend we...

planted Magic Rocks (they really did grow!)...

played on our newest toy...

can you see Donnie?

Enjoyed cool drinks on our backyard bench...

and were very silly kids...

very silly!

We closed the blinds, made popcorn and snuggled up in the playroom to watch one of our favorite movies...

and went shopping.  Nathan LOVES Costco.  Every time we go there, he asks to go to the back of the store so that he can watch the forklifts.  The guys wave to him and always put on a show of lifting merchandise up to the top and bringing it back down..