Softball!!

The softball season is almost over. And despite the many hours I've logged on the bench, the many meals we've eaten at the concession stand, and the numerous hours and scrapes Avery has racked up on the playground, I'm going to miss it.

I'll miss the cheer of the crowd, the crack of the bat, the dust in my hair, the popcorn crunching and ring pop licking. I'll miss watching my girls take a swing and miss and then try again and knock it out of the park (well, at least out to the pitcher or further). I'll miss watching my redhead run out onto the field, only to hug her team mates and do a little dance. I'll miss watching my big girl lead the dug out in a cheer, over and over and over again! Mostly, I'll miss hanging out with my parents. Huddled together, cheering and critiquing and cheering some more.

Thank you to everyone who came out this season and cheered and encouraged and snuggled. We had a blast!!

Claire, ready for action!

Swing batter swing!

Rounding those bases

Claire receiving her medal!

Ella, beautiful and ready to play!

Picture perfect throwing!

Look at the swing!

Awesome run!

Mommy/Daddy Day

As Kindergarten is winding down, we get to enjoy the year-end celebrations.

Ella's class hosted a wonderful Mommy/Daddy Day that included singing, art, presents and Krispie Kremes!

It is hard for me to believe that my little Ella is almost done with Kindergarten. It's even harder to believe that she'll be in 1st grade next year! Despite all her health issues this year, and missing 40 days of school!, she has done really well. She is reading, writing and 'rithmeticin' with the best of them. She is more independent and capable. She has made so many friends. All in all, this has been a great school year for my little red.

I'm a little sad that she's growing up. I have always loved that Ella was "my baby". I'm a little sad that her "big K" days are almost over. But, I'm excited for her too. And very, very proud of her. I know that great things are going to happen to Ella and that God has incredible things planned for her.

Here's to a successful year of Kindergarten and the summer fun soon to come ~

Proud Mommy and Ella ~

Proud Daddy!

Good friends to share with ~

The best teacher around!

I would never let my kids do that!"

Ahh, yes, the wisdom of the soon-to-be or new mom.

Yes, I too was once a young, caring, protective young mother.

Now, apparently, I am old and hardened.

In just this last week I have:
* looked away when I saw Avery pick a goldfish off the ground,

yes ground, not floor, and eat it.

* looked away again when it happened a second time.

* wiped a runny nose on the childs own sleeve for her.

* licked my finger then wiped frosting off a child's cheek.

* said no to Avery 10 times when she asked for food at 2:30am

then on the 11th time, gave up and fed her.

* put Dora the Explorer full-length DVD on so I could rest.

* let my kids climb a tree, over and over again.

Enjoy~

Family Fun Day

Shh, don't tell anyone..... we played hooky!
That's right! The Rousehouse took a school day
and turned it into the first annual Rousehouse Family Fun Day!
And, we had a blast.



It all started with Dave suggesting that we let the girls stay home
from school and take them to the Zoo and Science Center for a
day of fun and learning. It seems like the weekends are constantly
full of activities, projects and catching up and we can never find time
to do fun thing together, just our family.



Now, for those of you who know me, you can imagine how difficult
this was for me. For several reasons:
1. I'm a doer. I can't "skip" out on a day just for fun. I have
things I have to do!
2. I had some serious concerns about introducing "skipping"
to my children. I know this will come as a shock to some of you,
but I had a bit of an issue with skipping school when I was younger,
like HS through undergraduate school!
3. Again, I'm busy. I have lots to do. I can't take an entire day off to go play!



Well, thankfully my husband convinced me and we had the BEST day ever!
It started with breakfast at our neighborhood Cozy Cafe then off to the zoo.
The weather couldn't have been more beautiful. The animals were awake and
we even caught a sea lion show! The girls played at the playarea at the zoo for
a long time and didn't fight once!



Then we went to Spaghetti Works for lunch, one of our favorites, then over to
the Science Center for the afternoon. We all agreed, this was our best trip to the
Sci Center ever! There were about 10 people there, so we had the place to ourselves.
Literally, we were the only people playing in 2 of the areas we went to. The best
part was the Deep Freeze Experiment we attended. It was our family, one
other family and a great young lady scientist. We got to experiment with dry ice
and liquid nitrogen (we'll she handled that, a little dangerous for us!). It was so
cool! I loved watching both of my girls get really into it, answering questions
and making predictions! It is definitely in my top 10 best family experiences ever!


From there, we headed to the ball park for Claire's softball team, Parents vs. Kids
game and then to Pizza Ranch for dinner and, finally, home.



We had so much fun! I can't believe how special a normal old Tuesday became
when we chose to put family first and spend some quality, educational time together.
We didn't argue, fight or even bicker. We laughed and discovered and enjoyed
our time together.


Now, I don't suggest that we all pull our kids out of school and "play" all the time,
but I do have a new appreciation for the "staycation"!


On our drive home, we all agreed that this is a new family tradition (see previous
Tradition post if you don't know my love for them!). Once a year, in the spring,
we are all "skipping" out of life to enjoy a fun day together!


Here are some of the 117 pictures I took that day~



My beautiful girls!





Zoo fun!




Look at all those fish!




More fun at the Zoo playarea

My little monkey! She hung on these bars forever!

Science Center exploration

The girls' hand "prints" above them

An exhausting, but fun day!