1,2,3 Strikes, Not Out!

Alex has entered the world of tee-ball competition where everybody is a winner. We've enjoyed watching him and the other little boys on his team learn the game of baseball. Alex's favorite parts of tee-ball are the over-sized uniforms, pulling on the grass and dandelions in the out field and waving at Mom and Dad. Oh yeah, and he likes to bat and catch.

In the "ready" position.

At bat - GO ALEX! (If you look closely, you'll see Mike and Abby in the background playing third base coach.)

Getting a little distracted.

Running to third with Dad coaching him on - I love their helmets:)

Two of Alex's biggest fans.

We Love Our Abby

A few weeks ago we celebrated Abby's 3rd birthday. Mike and I can't believe that our first baby girl is three! Where did the time go? Abby chose a princess theme for her first birthday party and we invited a few of her friends. I am used to rough, loud and crazy boy birthday parties so I was pleasantly surprised by how sweet and cute little girl princess parties are. Here are few pictures of the celebrations surrounding Abby's birthday.

A picture of Abby shortly before her birthday party. She was soooo excited!

Abby and her friends eating cake.

What Alex thinks of princess parties - his face shows it all!

Abby caught destroying her cake.

What was left of Abby's cake after a cake batter mishap with Alex and after Abby destroyed half of it. It was about 1/2 inch high with frosting!

Out of the Mouth of Butcher Babes

As we currently don't have a functioning camera this will be our first post without any pictures. We thought we'd share instead some of our favorite things that the kids have said in recent months. We hope you'll find them as funny as we do. Hopefully our next blog will contain pictures of our wonderful Butcher Babes.

(Setting) Mike and Alex are walking into the men's locker room at the YMCA. Mike notices that the locker room smells extra bad that day.
Alex: Mmmm, it smells good in here.
Mike: Really?
Alex: Yeah, it smells like root beer.

(Setting) Anytime Abby says a prayer.
Abby: Dear Heavenly Father, We thank thee for this day. We thank thee for the food (Even if there is no food in sight). Please bring the blessings. Amen.

(Setting) Mike and Heidi having a conversation about their age at the dinner table.
Alex: Mom, are you old?
Heidi: No, not yet.
Alex: Are you new?

(Setting) Abby singing her favorite song "I am Like a Star" over and over again.
Abby: I want to sing "I am Like a Star" on my nose.
Heidi: Okay. (Heidi thinking Abby will simply change the lyrics to include the word nose)
Abby: (Abby starts puffing the tune "I am Like a Star" through her nose.)

(Setting) Several hours after Heidi attempted to answer Alex's question 'Where did my poopoos come from?" Alex is asked to say the prayer at the dinner table.
Alex: Dear Heavenly Father. Please bless the food in our tummies so that it can turn into poopoos.

(Setting) Alex found an old picture of an ultrasound done while I was pregnant.
Alex: Mom, what is this?
Heidi: It's a picture of an ultrasound.
Alex: (several seconds go by)...What sound does it make?

(Setting) Alex's battery operated toy wasn't working anymore.
Alex: Mom, why doesn't this toy work anymore?
Heidi: The battery ran out.
Alex: (Alex looks perplexed.) Where did it go?

Celebrate

We can't believe it, but Alex recently turned 5 years old! We took the opportunity to celebrate his birthday outside as we don't often see 65 degree weather at the end of March in upstate New York. Alex had a lot of fun playing with all of his friends in the backyard. On the same day as Alex's party, Abby went to her first birthday party. She was so excited and had a great time.

Abby before her first birthday party

Alex's cake

Sandbox fun

Opening presents

Alex wrestling with his favorite wrestling partner

Battle Wounds

Abby had a run-in with a tree stump...and lost. We actually aren't sure what happened because no one saw it but we know it involved a tree stump. We did hear the piercing cry though and witness an enormous amount of blood. We took her to the ER where she got glued. Stitches sound cooler but I guess the new thing is glue. Abby handled the whole incident like a champ and we are grateful it wasn't worse.

Posing for the camera

Alex and Abby pretending to be like Anne
Alex insisted on a snowman with multiple heads

Burrr....

Just a few pictures of what we have been up to this winter... not much!
Abby hitching a ride with a neighborhood friend.

A very bundled up Abby

Snow fun

Anne on her special day.

Abby trying to play with her little sister.

He was the Star of the Show...

Alex was the star of his preschool Christmas program...literally. Alex did a great job playing the star and it was fun to see him in his first play. Some of you may recognize the donkey and the girl in pink.