Spring Break!

B had a couple of events at school the last week in March.  He ran 17 laps in the school Jog-A-Thon and collected a few pledges from his Grandmas.  He is also a bigger winner at the Spring Award Ceremony.  B received an award in PE and a learning award.  We are proud of his efforts in the classroom to strive to reach his highest potential!  AttaboyB!

Our spring break may not have been this like some people....but we had week full of fun adventures.

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For our first adventure, we headed to over to Farm Supply to gather supplies for our garden project.  While Jeff was busy loading the truck, the kids I had a little fun taking these pictures.

When we arrived home we immediately began work on the garden.  Check back and hopefully we will be able to report a great harvest.

After a long day of gardening, per their request, we piled in the truck for a fishing trip at Lopez.  After our successful trip of Jeff catching "Bass" to bring home for the pond, we were all "hooked".  

The following day we purchased some additional gear, including something a little more sturdy than a Barbie fishing pole for Addy.  Even though it turned out that the two of us would spend more time hiking and looking for Bambi.

No school and a week off from baseball gave us plenty time to spend at the park and we even squeezed in an afternoon at the pool.  

The weekend came way too quick.  On Saturday morning we went the Shell Beach Easter Egg Hunt.  Addy met up with a few of her friends, while B spent his time playing the many games and activities.

The kids prepared their eggs for the Bunny on Saturday afternoon.

We were up early Easter morning.  B found his basket right away.  Addy on the other hand took awhile to wake up.  Then we headed off to church.  When we got home, the Easter Bunny had filled the yard with eggs and goodies for kids.  Addy was so excited when we pulled up, I was barely able to get her un-clicked.  B was an expert egg finder so we asked to take a short break.

After all the eggs were found, Addy and Grandma got to work making deviled eggs for a snack.  

 We finished our day with a trip to the beach to fly kites.

Hope that everyone had a great Easter and a fun spring break!

March is zooming by...

Addy and I enjoyed day in Prunedale after a Friday Storm function.  We both had fun riding the trikes in the driveway.

Baseball season is already underway.  As you can see from the pictures, B is on the Phillies this year.  (A win in my book because he isn't a Dodger.)  He has moved up to Farm, where the kids pitch to each other.  In the first game, he put the ball in play on a 3-0 count.  I love that he is up there to get his hacks!

While B is busying playing ball, Addy is just busy.

After Opening Day, Jeff and I headed up to Salinas for a huge fundraiser for new sports fields, including a new football stadium.  We had a blast with the Schafers, Freitas, and Synders.  The main event of the night was a panel discussion with Herm Edwards, Ronnie Lott and Steve Young.  It was great event and we were honored to be a part of it.

We came to home to very loud frogs in our pond.  In fact responses to my FB post confirmed that the entire neighborhood can hear them.  A couple nights over the last week, we have gone frog hunting.

On St. Patrick's Day, we celebrated with scavenger hunt from Lucky the Leprechaun and a few rainbow cupcakes.

Cousins!

My brothers and I were lucky enough to grow up next door to our cousins.  We had playmates from the very beginning.  Nate and I were the oldest in both of our families.  Josh and Joey are only 6 weeks apart and were basically inseparable growing up.  And Luke being the youngest in both families had all of us to look after him and to look up to.  A lot of times cousins only see each other on holidays and family functions but for us it was an everyday thing.  And even though we had our moments, I would have had it any other way.  Growing up I didn't have to worry about having someone to play with, being bored, or someone to have my back because we always had each other.

Now we have our own families and live  a few hours  apart.  And I worried if B and Addy would be as close to their cousins as I was to mine.  But the last couple of times, the kids have all been together you would never know that they only see each other a handful of times a year.  All of 4 of them ran a muck at Uncle Joe's on Christmas, just like we would have in the day.  We all got a kick out of watching them run with sticks and play in the nasty fountain water.  

In January, Nathan and his family stopped in for a short visit.  Paul and Addy had a blast playing together.  And just like any good cousin should do Paul taught Addy a few new tricks, even though he resisted a bit.  B was at school, but Paul checked out his room and wished B was here to play too.

After last week's Storm dinner,  I stayed over at my parents house.  Paul came by to visit Addy for a bit.  They hung out and a donut together.  Addy and Olivia played together in the yard and rode the 3 wheelers down the driveway while we watched and even participated a bit.

I can only hope as they are for me, but they will be for my kids, too.  

"Cousins are those childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends."

So much for that New Year's Resolution...

Well, yet another New Year's resolution of updating the blog has been broken.  I was shooting for monthly posts.   Technically it is still February but it has been almost 2 month between posts.

In the meantime, a basketball season has come and gone and baseball is in full swing.  B and his team the PMI Bulls has a great season.  They started off strong but the long lay off over the Christmas holiday really hurt their momentum.  B really enjoys playing basketball and he especially takes pride in his defense.  Can't wait until next year!  B is a Phillie this year for baseball and I consider that a win because we aren't the Dodgers.  This will be the first season of any sport that Jeff isn't the head coach, which will be a nice break for Jeff and B, too.

Addy is her usually self and her communication skills are increasing by the day.  Hopefully, this will lead to less screaming.  But, lately that hasn't been the case as she is definately knows what she wants and sometimes I have hard time translates.  For example today when we were leaving the doctor's office I thought she was saying she wanted "to draw" but she wanted a straw for her water.

The magnet in the center of the softball drew me back in.  I teamed up with my good friend, Jackie, to run a 6 week designed to introduce girls to the game of softball and get them ready for the upcoming rec league season.  We had an amazing turnout over 60 girls came through the clinic.  We were also very lucky to get great support from the Cal Poly softball, local high school players and some of my former players.  It was a great opportunity to share our love and knowledge of the game with young aspiring softball players.

When Jeff is not at work, coaching one of B's teams, or working around the house, he enjoys spending time golfing.  He has joined the local golf academy where he has access to the driving range and practice facilities.

Sorry for the catch-up post and if you are facebook you have probably already seen the pics.  I will try and get one out that is a little less boring, but don't hold me to it.