Spring parties and Easter Egg Hunt 2010

Both Jonathan and Nicholas had Easter parties last week at school. The one that Jonathan had was done during the school hours and done in conjuction with some other spring activities. His class did several spring activities including the life cycle of the butterfly and an egg hunt. The party that Nicholas had was done with an egg hunt and Laurie and I were able to attend the party. The boys enjoyed the parties as they have enjoyed all their school experiences this year.

This morning (April 3) we took the kids to the Easter egg hunt at church. They opened with a puppet show and short gospel presentation and then the kids went to hunt the eggs. Laurie could hardly wait to 'hunt' for her eggs. The boys were excited too and they all got lots of eggs. The Easter bunny even made an appearance!

Of sickness, sports, and spring break

This week the kids and Chris have had spring break. The week started off well but then Nicholas woke up with a fever and had to be taken to the minute clinic since it was a Saturday. We found out that he had a double ear infection and a sinus infection and needed an antibiotic! Then on Monday morning early (about 5am), Jonathan came into our room with a high fever and complaining of his throat hurting. I took him to the doctor and she told me that he had strep throat and needed an antibiotic. So that was two of my children on an antibiotic within forty eight hours!! Somehow by God's grace, Laurie has remained healthy through this whole week.
The other thing we have had going on this week has been baseball practice. Nicholas had a scrimmage on Tuesday night and a practice on Friday night. Nicholas loves baseball and is a pretty good player. He is playing on a team called the Marlins. Both boys are starting soccer on Tuesday night (April 6).
Also during this week, the weather has changed and spring time has arrived. Chris and I have gotten the kids out in the nice warm weather to play as much as possible. We even took them to the park for a picnic lunch on Wednesday. I know we didn't do too much during spring break but everyone is now healthy and feeling great just in time to celebrate Easter!

Laurie Grace turns 3!!!

On March 23, 2010 our little girl turned three! We were able to celebrate with a few friends and family on her actual birthday this year. We all met at McDonald's and let the kids play and then we ate and had cake. Laurie Grace wanted a princess party this year. We made a cake that looked a little like a castle. We also gave all the little girls a princess book to go home with and the boys got a cool bouncy ball. She invited the kids from her Awana class to come to her party and most of them were able to make it. She loves Awana and all the kids in her class. She also got lots of cool toys and clothes from everyone. A big thank you to everyone who came and made our little girl's celebration extra special!

Aunt Angie and Uncle Darryl

Aunt Jinny and Corie

Addie

Hannah

Emma

Mary Beth

Eli

Morgan

Nicholas and Austin discussing the food

There was a little boy (the one in green in the last two pictures) who decided to join our celebration. He was just a little boy playing at the play place and he saw the party and decided to join....ate cake and watched the presents being opened and everything!

At the end of the day, even if you are a year older, you still need your mommy!! Happy Birthday baby girl!

Nicholas' First Scrimmage

Nicholas had his first baseball scrimmage on Saturday, March 20. He is enjoying his first experiences with organized baseball. Nicholas batted second in the line up and played right field, center field and shortstop at different times during the game. Nicholas is learning to hit, throw, and catch. He is also learning the finer points of the game like touching the bases when running, listening to your coaches, and paying attention to batters as they are about to hit, especially when playing shortstop.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Nicholas' first baseball practice

Nicholas is playing coaches' pitch baseball with the South Spartanburg Youth Athletic Association this year. This is his first year playing baseball and he is loving it! He is playing for the Marlins and his coach is Lee Chastain. The team practiced for the first time on Monday, March 15. Nicholas was so excited as he went out to practice in his new baseball pants and tee. He did a great job for his first official practice. They had stations set up and the team went to all the stations and practiced different skills. Nicholas made some contact with the ball so I think with some more practice he will be a great team player. He even went after a few balls that other players missed with their gloves and gave it the ball back to them so they could throw it back to the coach. I am so proud of my little baseball player! He and Chris are going to go to a home baseball game of the Gamecocks over spring break. I know he will love that too!

How to Make Lots of Money by losing a tooth!!!

Jonathan has now lost two teeth. He lost the second one on Sunday, March 14th at my mother in law's house. It was very loose and we had been trying to let Chris pull it for some time. So when we went to my MIL's house on Sunday I was telling the rest of the family about the tooth and Jonathan's Uncle Darryl spoke up and offered him $5 if he would let someone pull the tooth. Jonathan was still hesitant though. My niece tried and my sister in law tried and finally with Jonathan's help (he pushed it forward with his tongue) they got the tooth out. So his uncle Darryl gave him the $5 and so did his aunt Jinny and so did my mother in law....that was a grand total of $15 for ONE tooth!! Then the tooth fairy came too...but she just left the standard $1. Thankfully Jonathan was not disappointed! He bought a little club penguin item with some of his money but the rest may just go into savings. I hope he doesn't think he needs to get that much every time a tooth comes out or I know some relatives that are going to be poor!