T-ball and the Terrells

A friend of ours and I decided to sign our daughters up for t-ball this year. We wanted to see how it would go. It went. Elena did a good job when she was in the mood, the rest of the time was either spent digging in the dirt on the infield or hunting for snacks in the dugout. I didn't actually get to watch a lot of the games because Lucas was insistent upon being next to the stream where he could spend the entire hour throwing rocks. I must add, I was impressed by his throwing abilities.

I think Elena was most excited by the end where they would line up to give high-5's and then huddle for the team cheer. Can you imagine 12 little 3 and 4 year olds chanting "1, 2, 3 Maniacs." Yes, that was their appropriate team name. The Li'l Maniacs.

Renovation Realities

Well, it won't make a very interesting episode of "Renovation Realities" on HGTV, but hopefully it would qualify for "Bang for your Buck." I'm referring to our recent kitchen undertaking, or rather overhaul. The story: basically, we scrimped and saved our change in a special jar (Huntington Bank) and called in our oh so useful family members, and this week we accomplished our goal of remodeling our outdated and almost dilapidated kitchen. There were some re-plumbing and re-wiring issues, but I left that to the pros (i.e. my dad and his friend), and other than a few manageable glitches the project went very smoothly. Here are some befores and afters (hopefully you will be able to differentiate between the two):

(I even included the "before" mess)

The pics don't do the job justice, but I'm really happy with the way the project turned out. With the exception of a few finishing details and a new stove (keeping fingers crossed that the jar has a little left in it), our kitchen is done. We were able to get it all done in about a week. Thank heavens! I'm ready to cook up a storm and have you all over.

Preschool wrap-up

Elena loved preschool, I loved preschool, all around it was a great situation. The kids were all great friends (we've even set up a weekly play group for the summer), the teachers were saints sent straight from heaven. Here are a few pictures from their end-of-year party.

Lucas enjoying the sandbox.
Parachute game (Elena prancing around the perimeter)

The card I made for each of the teachers

Bowling
The swings

Each t-shirt has the hand print of every kid in the class.

A few of the kids with Miss Stefanie

A few cards

Here are a few cards I have made recently. The aren't fancy, but maybe that will inspire someone. The first I made for my niece's birthday, and the others I put together as a gift for my "secret sister" at church.

Somedays are like that

5:15 a.m. - Drew leaves for work. The loud roar of his Neon (more like a soft whine) somehow wakes Lucas up and I go in to convince him that although the birds are chirping and light is peeking through the window it is not time to get up. He is sitting on top of his armoire perfectly content (he opened the drawers and used them as stairs).
6:30 a.m. - I lose the battle of sleep and go into Lucas's room and lay on his floor while he empties all of his dresser drawers (I'm too tired to care).
6:35 a.m. - Elena hears this and decides she doesn't want to be left out. I convince her that snuggling would be fun and we lie on the floor together and try not to become targets of Lucas's throwing practice.
7:00 a.m. - I finally accept that the day has begun and head downstairs to get the screaming nut jobs their breakfast.
7:15 a.m. - Time to get the kids ready so Elena can get to school by 8:00. This usually involves an argument between Elena and myself as we settle on what she will wear to school. Her choice is consistently her little apple shift dress.
7:55 a.m. - Race like and Indy car to get to school. There is not penalty for being late, just bruised pride considering we had been up since 6:30.
8:01 a.m. - Lucas makes his MWF appearance at the Wal-Mart fish tank department where we proceed to watch the fish for what seems like an hour but is usually only ten minutes. Proceed to kill time until Elena's pick up.
12:30 p.m. - After lunch I find Lucas on top of the entertainment center. Laying there like it would be the perfect spot for a nap.
1:00 p.m. - A stray cat manages to get into the house. One adult and two children are chasing this animal with different agendas. They think it would be a fun pet and I just want it out.
1:05 p.m. - Crisis averted. The cat decided he wouldn't want to live in this nut house and exits.
2:00 p.m. - The kids lay down for naps after an exhausting game of stay away from mommy (their favorite outside activity). Quiet time for me that I should use to be productive but generally don't.
4:00 p.m. - Back to reality. The kids come down wanting their snack. I oblige.
6:00 p.m. - Dinner time. Usually a power struggle. I realize I am no match for them and they escape, Elena having eaten only enough to secure a treat and Lucas having eaten anything we let him dip in sour cream.
7:30 p.m. - Bath time. They need it. Like Elena says (because I told her once and she will never forget) her "butt is stinky."
8:00 p.m. - Good nights and a gentle reminder that the bathroom is not a personal playground after mommy goes downstairs.
8:05 p.m. - Drew gets home from work and asks me how my day was. This post is for him.

Mourning

I lost a dear friend today, or at least what felt like one. Over the last seven years we have spent every Sunday evening together. I probably turned to this friend more than any other to help me cope with the wave of sickness that accompanied my first trimesters with both kids. This friend was my go to if I needed a larger-than-life sidekick to bring to parties or dinners. The kids have become quite attached too as they have shared in the joy that this friend brings into our lives. Goodbye beloved popcorn bowl. I will miss you.

On this day, May 18, our beautiful, huge, breakable popcorn bowl entered into eternal rest (in the trash) due to injuries suffered during a fall. Being too tempting for Lucas to resist, he pulled the bowl down off the counter in search of remnants from last evening's festivities. Having joined our family on a wedding gift registry outing, it has been with us longer than Drew and I have been married. It could withstand several long-distance moves, but it was no match for our little boy. A moment of silence please.

Progress

I look for joy in the small things =). Yesterday at church everyone sat together with hands in laps long enough to get through part of the Sacrament. The peace lasted a total of two minutes. Progress, people, progress.