We all scream for......

***AN UPDATE***
Time of arrival: 5:15pm, total wait time: 45 minutes, # of mini-tantrums Maddie threw: give or take 4, # of times Corben asked if we could just go home: 3, total # of scoops: 6, # of flavors: 6, total money spent: $2.36, # of smiles while enjoying frozen treat: too many to count.

Before ice cream....

....after ice cream.

I think we started a family tradition. Next year we'll take portable chairs! ;]

ICE CREAM!!!

If you've got a hankering for some delicious frozen cream then make plans to head to your local Baskin Robbins tomorrow evening (5-10pm) and enjoy a yummy [CHEAP--31 cent] treat and also help our nation's Firefighters.

For more information check out their website HERE.

I know where we'll be tomorrow night! :)

Wow....where did this week go?

I mean, last time I checked it was Monday and now here it's Sunday again and another new week is knocking on the door. I guess that calls for a week-in-review....

Last Saturday (19th) was baseball opening ceremonies and Corben's first official game. His team played a great game and they are learning some serious skills. The coaches (Coach Pitch included ;) do a fantastic job and we're so thankful for them.

The league organizers gave all the children baseball cards....Corben was thrilled to get someone from the Red Sox!

Maddie even had fun

Dugout shot

Well there are more things going on in this family than just baseball.....well, maybe ;] Madison and I went to a music and movement class for 2-4 year olds and after the initial shyness, she had a ball dancing and singing. Maddie is our little singer [as evidenced from past videos...TTLS] and she is always dancing around.

I've been spending more time in the yard/garden. I still have yet to rent a rototiller and get my garden plot ready to plant, but I did plant some shade loving Hostas and two rosebushes in the front yard. All of our little seedlings for the garden are sprouting and are I have some strawberries and tomatoes on order. I need to get that garden R-E-A-D-Y!! I'll have to take some before/during/after pics of that project.

My upstairs will hopefully find completion soon as well, which reminds me that I haven't posted a current progress report. Tomorrow, I think!

Yesterday found us at our first primary quarterly activity. [Church/children's program] We planned it to be a Book of Mormon Adventure, with visiting prophets. We spent time with Enos, "General" Helaman and "Captain" Moroni. The children had a great time hearing about prayer and making prayer rocks, participating in a Stripling Warrior boot camp/obstacle course, then building fortifications with Moroni. I think the kids will remember playing with all the boxes more than anything, it was really fun to watch! [I'm so glad those boxes are not in my garage anymore]

Stripling warrior trainingThe fifty box fortification wall -- before demolishment,during,

and after. They had a blast!

One final thought, Corben's dirt bike hasn't been running for a few weeks and Lester had the time to tinker with it finally. He took apart the carburetor and cleaned it all out and put it back together....and SUCCESS! It's now running and just waiting for Corben to take it for a spin. Congrats Daddy on your first dirt bike mechanical triumph! :)

Hey Batter Batter

Baseball season has started and Corben is on a really good team this year. His fantastic coaches are ALL about teaching skills and helping the kids learn the rules of the game. It's coach pitch which Corben loves, and he's a really good batter. Here are a couple mini-vids of him at bat during a scrimmage. The first two he was okay, but the third he really knocked it into left field.

....please excuse my scary voice - I blame it on the allergies....

A funny sidenote; after we got the call from the Coach about the first practice, Corben couldn't wait to go. I always try to make sure Corben shows his appreciation to his coaches and say thank you to each one (1 coach/3 assistants) after each practice. Well I had told him that this year he'd be playing coach pitch and wouldn't have to bat from a tee - so after the first practice he was making the rounds thanking the coaches and kept asking where "Coach Pitch" was. I finally caught on to what he was saying and helped him understand there wasn't a coach named pitch, that's what kind of ball he was playing! I don't think the coaches even caught on.

The Visit

Meme and Landon (cousin) came to visit this last week and we had such a great time with them. Many special memories were made and it was a treat for Corben to spend so much quality time with both Meme and Landon. If you watched the video a few posts ago [The Surprise Package] you'd know that Corben had no idea that Landon was even coming. Thank you to Andy and Caroline for allowing Landon to accompany Meme - we LOVED having him here and Corben can't wait for him to come back ;] We miss the both of you already!!

Overdue Upgrade

We've had our current kitchen table since we got married and prior to that, it had belonged to my Grandmother. It has seen much wear and tear and I really don't worry about it's condition since I know the children cannot harm it in any way short of setting it on fire. Having said that, I know that Lester would love to replace our practical table and "Lifetime" Costco chairs with something more up to date and preferably new.

Out with the old

Fast forward to a few months ago when I spied a beautiful table and chairs at Sams Club that I really liked, then saw one similar at a friend's house. I kept talking myself out of the set because I felt the kids would mistreat it and it would get scratched and ruined in short order but then I would think, no the table would be fine and it would just take on the distressed look. Well, I wanted my Mom to see the table and get her opinion, and she had the exact sentiment as Lester about getting something new - figures!! So yesterday, we saw it and I went back later and got it. We spent last night and this morning putting all the chairs (EIGHT of them and three "almost there blisters" to show for it) and the table together. It looks fabulous, and I'll just have to grin and bear any wear and tear from the children -- but then again, that's why they make plastic table cloths, placemats, and coasters ;]

In with the NEW!

Something's Missing

Tooth #3 decided to fall out at school [actually fell out on Friday April 4th I believe] so we weren't able to do any fun tooth removal tricks this time. #4 is wobbly and will probably be out within the month which will most likely keep the tooth fairy in the neighborhood.

The Surprise Package

My Mom (Meme to the grandchildren) has been planning a trip East to come and visit our family for quite some time now. Not too long ago, it worked out that Corben's cousin Landon would make the trip with her since he would be on spring break from school. We were able to keep Landon's coming a surprise, as you'll see:

[On a sidenote - I hope that none of you had tickets to travel anywhere on the now defunct SKYBUS - they decided to cease operations at 12:01am the very day Meme and Landon were to fly....figures they couldn't wait one more day! YAY to Hotwire for finding a good deal to get them back here on such short notice, only 18 hours later than the original arrival time.]

Progress

As Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving."

I've been busy here at home and not just up in this room - pretty much all the other rooms are getting overhauled and straightened.