T-ball for biggie!

Dear Owen,
Dad and I got to watch your tball game tonight and made a date out of it. We dropped the bros off for the first time ever to a drop and play place called Playdates-- they were happy to go and more importantly, you were so so so happy that Dad and I could watch your game with no "screaming whining bros running around".... As you mentioned more than a few times.
You had a great game! You had two singles and a double. You're so fast running those bases and you really can swing that bat! You can also stare into outer space standing there in the outfield and you whistle about 50% of the game but hey- you're in there trying! Paying attention is hard for a 5 year old :)

Tonight, on your way to your room with Ben, I heard you in the hall tell Ben that the two best things ever happened to you today... That you got your mom and your dad all to yourself two different times- at your game first and then at the burger shop.
Way to break Mommy's heart!!!!!!!! Sweetest boy ever.

And I'll also take this time to mention, (since Dad and I have really dropped the ball writing in our blog) - that everyday now for more than a few months, when we're playing outside every afternoon - you always stop what you're doing at some point amidst running around like crazy - and pick mommy a flower. You put it behind your back like its a new surprise everyday and tell me "Mom, this is because I just can't love you enough"...
Where do you come up with these heartwrenchers???? Mommy loves you so much-

You deserve all of our attention all the time - but clearly in our crazy party you all have to share us. Mom and Dad won't take for granted these little minutes we get any of you to ourselves.
Love you to the moon and back Owie-
Mama

T-Ball

Owen started playing t-ball with the YMCA this season.  He is on the 5 year old White Sox team.  Owen was a bit apprehensive at the first practice...we cried off and on for about two-thirds of the two hour practice.  In his defense, there were about 30 other kids, only 2 of whom he knew.  Most of the other kids were older(6-7) and bigger to top it off, there were 5 coaches, none of which were particularly catering to the 5 year old team.  We got through the first practice with my help on the field but Owen wasn't particularly thrilled about doing it again.  Another practice, more tears, just not as long.  The tears continued to dwindle all the way up until the first game, but he has really started to enjoy it, so we are pretty sure the tears are just 4 year old nerves.

The games go like this, the team bats around, everyone is safe at first (not that 4-5 year olds could really get anyone out), they all run the bases, and then the other team bats.  The do this two or 3 times, shake hands with the other team, run through a Mom-made tunnel like the pros, and yell GEAUX White Sox at the end!!!  (This is Owen's favorite part)

The whole thing is pretty funny to watch, but it is good to get Owen in a different environment where he is trying to break out of his shell.  He is still fairly timid compared to the other kids, especially the 5 year olds that played on the team last year, but he is doing it and we are so proud of him.

Honey, we're going out.

In a spur of the moment thing (since "spur of the moment" is generally how we roll)(#sarcasm), Jen called me and said that she wanted to go out to eat...with everyone.  This would be our first time out with all 4 boys and just the two of us.  Challenge Accepted!!!

La Caretta, The lovely Mexican restaurant around the corner from our house would be perfect for such an occasion due to the following reasons:

• it was really nice outside, and they have a great patio.
• Mexican = chips = happy kiddos
• Mexican = quick service = happy kiddos
• Mexican + outside  = noisy = we can't really bother anyone trying to enjoy their meal
• the back entrance to the patio is close to the parking lot so if it all ended up in a heaping pile, we could make a quick exit.

The boys were great, we were able to eat and enjoy ourselves, it was awesome.  The waitress even commended us for the attempt and we made her snap a pic to prove that we did it.  

Parker and his puzzles

Parker could play puzzles for HOURS.  Jen installed a few different apps on her iPhone for the boys, and Parker always hogs it..  He loves playing puzzles.  He will wake up in the morning asking for his puzzles as soon as he sees Jen (and her phone).  Poor Jack is happy just watching P play, he rarely asks to play himself, probably because he doesn't want to see his brother throw a fit when he has to give up the phone!

This is generally how it goes, Parker playing, Jack watching.

Jack and Scooter

I went in to cover Jack with a blanket and found this...he must have fallen asleep having a heart to heart with Scooter.

Dad, can we borrow the car?

When the weather is nice I sometimes find Jen and the boys playing out front when I get home from work.  This was the obsession for about a week, to get into my car, and pretend that they were all going for a ride.

This is a scary site considering this will probably be here before we know it.

Owen's first play date...

As in solo drop off for three hours and don't bother calling to check on me mom style.
He had so much fun and was so so so so excited to go. He's asked me for weeks and months to get together with best friend Nicholas. And finally the day arrived that his mom and I got it together. Not gonna lie, I teared up upon drop off. He kept saying, Mom, this is soooo special! It was adorable.

4year old Pre-k best pal. Nicholas Conti. His mom and I won't tell them yet that they won't be in school together next year. Why ruin a good thing?

And in addition to this day, we registered Owen for t-ball!
On that note, mommy is going to bed.