College Roomies

Let's just say the get-togethers with my college roomies have changed quite a bit over the years.  Last weekend, we met up in Grand Haven to meet the newest addition to our group, Madilyn Bell.  She is the 14th child from our group.  So, the get-togethers are now all about the kids.  Unfortunately, Janna and Wendy couldn't make it, but it was great to catchup with Lisa, Kerstin and Karen.  We always have such a great time.  And, the kids had a blast playing outside with all of Lisa's toys.

Madylin

Jenna, Megan and Sarah

Jake, Jenna, Megan, Sarah and Sam

Jake LOVED all of the Boy Toys

Buzz Lightyear Wings, Hard Hat, 4-Wheeler, and Baseball..

what could be better

5 going on 15...

This morning I am rushing around as usual trying to get out the door.  When I notice that Megan hasn't come out of her room yet. I walked in to find her looking at herself in the mirror.  I said, "Megan, what's wrong?".  She looked at me and said, "I don't like this look"  I think that my mouth hit the floor.  "What do you mean?"  "I just don't like how this looks...."

Since when has she cared about her clothes?  or what she looks like in them?  Sure from time to time she will want to wear a dress or skirt to school, but that is normal. 

I thought that she looked cute...T-shirt and shorts, not sure how you can get that one wrong.  I have a feeling that my mornings just got a little rougher.  And, Megan aged 10 years over night.

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

We had been promising Megan since the snow melted that we would go back to her favorite zoo with the Sea Lions. So, we had a free Saturday and the weather cooperated so we packed the kids in the car at 8am to head down to Fort Wayne.  We should have known it was a bad idea when we weren't even out of South Bend when Jake started asking if we were there yet.  Thank goodness for the DVD player as the kids settled into watch Annie (their new favorite movie..which is watched at least twice a week).

Half way through the movie, Jenna and Jake became restless and started picking on Megan.  I think that we were all in tears by the time we hit Fort Wayne.  I wish that I could say that it got better from there, but that wasn't the case. 

• They whined, complained and argued the whole time. 
• Jake walked around with his hands over his eyes because he didn't want to see the animals. 
• We had a double stroller and they either all wanted in (which left one kid out) or they all wanted to walk and fight over who was the leader. 
• Megan said that it was too hot (it was 65)
• Jenna ate Megan and Jake's snacks...
• Leigh was ready to go 15 minutes into the zoo, but I wasn't ready to spend another 2 hours in the car driving home.

On the way home of course everyone crashed.  I said, "When will they understand the fact that we do these things for them, not us" Leigh said, "Don't worry, they will appreciate the things we do for them when they are 40"...Sad, but true.

The pictures make it seem much more enjoyable.

Our tour guides

Crabby Jake

The Giraffe's were the best

Leigh finally takes the camera..  :)

I think that everyone ended up liking the drums..what's not to like about banging and making lots of noise.

A rare photo of me and Leigh...Megan was the photographer

The petting animals

The River ride..which everyone said was "boring"

Pretty sure that this was when Leigh reached his breaking point, and was carrying Jake off to the Exit, but the picture is one of my favorites..look at that smile.

Only because I am so immature, but this was the highlight of the trip.  Leigh and I were giggling like school kids, but we weren't the only ones.  Jake still talks about the turtles "wrestling"

More Videos

Now that I know how to load them...look out.

Megan and Jenna sing the Barney Song

Jake's ABCs with a surprise ending

Jenna's Medly

Megan's Knock-Knock

More Megan Jokes

Megan's YouTube clip of her first hit

So, I finally figured it out...for your viewing pleasure.

Megan's first hit off of the pitching machine caught on tape. (Click on the link below)

Megan's YouTube Hit

According to her, it was a home-run because she ran all the way around the bases without getting out.  ;)

Let the Games Begin

So, this weekend was the first of many to come spent at the Ballpark....  What a great time.  It is so wonderful to watch your child as they get their first hit, score their first run and "win" their first game.  Of course, this was all in T-ball where the rules are quite a bit different...everyone bats, nobody gets thrown out and you aren't supposed to keep score.  But, in the mind of a 5 year old...it is the best thing ever.

Megan did Awesome!!   Due to rain, their team only had one practice before their opening game.  So, poor Megan whom had never been to a baseball game and never pays attention when Leigh is watching the Cubs, got a crash course in the rules of baseball.  Where do you run when you hit the ball???  What do you do with the ball when you field it???  Where is home plate???  The poor girl's head was probably spinning.  But, we couldn't have been prouder as she took the field with a Huge Smile on her face.

She played right field, pitcher, second base, center field, etc...you get the picture.  While Megan is right handed, during her first practice she wanted to bat left handed.  Both the coach and Leigh tried to talk her out of it, but she said that it felt better.  Well, she knows best.  Megan got 3 hits off of the pitching machine in her first game.  Remember, this is the girl whom had only swung the bat a couple of times prior and had no idea what a pitching machine was.  Her face lit up as everyone was yelling for her to run to first base.  After a high-five from the coach, she looked our way with a Huge smile and waved at us.  My heart melted....A star is born.  We were even lucky enough to catch it on video (the hit that is...)..now I just need to figure out how to get it on here..

Megan had biggest cheering section at the game.  Mom and Dad, Jake and Jenna, Nana and Bumpa, Poppy Smith, Uncle Matt, Aunt Jenny and Adam.  It was so cute to hear Jake and Jenna cheering her on as she was up to bat.  What a great day.  It is great to be a Parent!!!