The Sparkly

Yesterday when I got home from work, this is what I found.

Happy, squealing children running through the sparkly, as Genevie calls it.

It brought back such fond childhood memories of me doing the same with my siblings.

The kids played in the sprinkler until it was nearly dark.

And they came inside blue-lipped, shivering, and completely happy.

The Champion

Addison's baseball season ended a few weeks ago in the best way possible. His team, the Astros, won the AA championship.

It was a great learning experience, which really stretched him. He had only done one year of t-ball last year, so to then move up with the 7 and 8 year olds was quite a jump. For some of his teammates this was their 4th year playing.

Addison's coaches worked really hard with him to improve his ability to hit the ball, focusing on his posture at the plate and his swing. By the end of the season, he had really started to get it and was hitting consistently.

His fielding is still underdeveloped, which is why he often played catcher, but I have a feeling next year he'll grow by leaps and bounds in that area.

His teammates were a good group of boys...

...and his coaches were patient and incredibly dedicated.

By the end of the season, which started late March and went into early June, Trey and I were a little baseball weary. There were several weeks where between the two boys we had 4 and 5 games, which made evenings hectic.

But it was really enjoyable. We all love baseball so much, and there is something really simple and pure about it at this level.

The Graduate

Just over a week ago we celebrated our very first graduation, Davis's Pre-K graduation.

It is amazing to me how Davis has blossomed over the two years he has attended the church preschool behind our house. He has learned so much academically and it's also been a help in drawing him out of his shell.

We let Addison stay home from school that Friday so he could watch his brother graduate.

Davis was incredibly proud of his diploma.

And he is so excited about going to Kindergarten in September. In fact, he even convinced Trey to let both boys take the bus to and from school this upcoming year. That was quite a feat of persuasion considering how protective Trey is.

A month or so ago, Davis's preschool had a "field trip" on a real live school bus as a way to prep the kids, many of whom will be riding a school bus in the coming year. Davis couldn't stop talking about it afterwards and I think he assuaged some of Trey's reservations with his enthusiasm. The bus stop is just a block and a half from our house, and I think it will really streamline our incredibly hectic morning routine.

Watery Realm

This Memorial Day, we decided to forgo our annual tradition of visiting Washington DC for something a little closer to home. We needed the holiday to be more restful than it was last year. So we went to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden instead.

The last time we were there I was great with child -- our crazy youngest child. This time Genevie got to actually enjoy the exhibits from the outside, and it was a great experience for all us.

We're at the stage now where getting around with the kids is so much easier. Visiting sans stroller meant we could zip around from tank to tank easily, and with everyone potty trained, I only had my handbag to carry.

The looks of awe on their little faces always makes these trips such a pleasure.

Of all our attempts to get a group shot, this was the best, and I love it. It showcases each one of their personalities so vividly.

Climbing in the fiber glass shark's mouth.

At the gift shop they have a photographer taking pictures to sell you. We kind of cheated and took our own.

Touching the sand sharks as they swam by.

A little penguin in the outdoor exhibit.

The Kids in Blue

As school is winding down for Davis, they've had some fun events for the kids, including a trip to the police station. It's located just a block away, and so his class made a field trip of it. He told us about the police car and the robbers they catch, and he came home with his very own hat and badge...

...which his sister had to try out too.