Plaaaaay Balllll!

I realize that it may seem like life at our house has been quiet for the last month or two - you know, because there have been no blog posts recently.  But I can assure you that life has begun moving at a faster-then-warp-speed pace!  The boys started playing baseball for the athletic association that is part of the school system that Benjamin attends.  This is our first season with them.  I have to admit I had concerns about switching leagues.  The league the boys used to play for did not keep score ("everyone is a winner") and the umpires interacted with and gave the kids batting suggestions.  

We have arrived at "The Big League!"  The league we play for now has a player draft in the pre-season and yes, we keep score!  And, no the umpire did not provide coaching advise or help tie a shoe!  We have had practices and scrimmages, all leading up tonight -- our first game.

We have been fortunate that the boys are on the same team and will get to be for the next season or two!  The boys love having Brian pitch to them (Yes, Brian is the team pitcher).  

Here's Benjamin playing short stop:

And, Ethan is in left center field, backing up third base and short stop:

The boys, "baseball ready":

There will be more pictures from future games, but as the dugout mom, I struggled to snap these tonight.  Oh, and for those of you interested, the score was 13-10. Winning the first game was so sweet for the boys!

P.S.  I hope to have a post up soon about what else has been going on around our house -- we are knee-deep in a house project and I have been taking pictures along the way.  

Wordless Wednesday

I still can't pass up a chance to take pictures of sleeping buddies -- I am certain that visions of baseball and backpacks are dancing in their heads!

Benjamin's First Day of School

Five and a half years ago, when Benjamin was born, I never imagined that he would be going off to school so soon!  Here we are five and a half years later.....

Today is the fist day of school and Benjamin was beyond ready for school to start!  

There were no tears shed this morning and we can't wait to hear all about his first day when he gets home!  As I type this, Benjamin is getting ready for lunch at school!

Ethan loves the fact that he is going to be home alone with mommy now!  He told me that he is super excited to be my side kick!

Cookies for the teachers..... "With you as my teacher, I'll be one smart cookie."

 Going into his class....he was so excited.

 Already getting settled, we left him smiling!

Photo Shoot

Last night, Brian and I took the boys up to the golf course for a photo shoot.  It has been a while since we have done a photo shoot and the boys had fun -- in fact, they asked if we could take a few more pictures (Brian thought that the 148 pictures I took were enough)!

We hope that these pictures put a BIG smile on your face!

Benjamin's Pre-K Graduation 2012

As I looked at the calendar yesterday, I realized that Benjamin starts Kindergarten in 4 weeks!!!!  I thought it would be best to get a post about his Pre-K graduation posted a little before I post first day of school pictures!

Graduation was a big deal - we had family meet us at Chili's for dinner before the ceremony.

I love seeing a real smile on Benjamin's face!

I was a little tearful at the ceremony -- I can't imagine what it will be like in a mere 13 years for high school graduation.....

We were so glad to have all the family here to celebrate and know that Gebee and Mimi were in heaven watching and smiling! 

Working Out in the Field

A few weeks ago we went to a farm and picked blueberries and blackberries.  I think that for every two that we put in the bucket, the boys ate one.  They left with full bellies and we left with half the berries we picked!

Brian had to sample a few of the berries.

Now we need a trip to the dentist -- can you see their "teeth"?

Baseball Playoffs

We came back from the beach just in time for baseball playoffs.  At this age group, we just played one game for the playoffs.  The boys were sad for the season to end!!

Benjamin has his game face on:

We are so proud of the boys -- by the end of the season, both of them were hitting from the coach pitching.  Here is Benjamin up to bat.

Batter up Ethan!

Ethan spent an inning catching and had lots of fun.

After the game, everyone got a trophy.  

They boys will play ball in the fall and are already counting the days!