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.