Memorial Day

We were planning a simple day with a parade, a picnic and some yard work but ended up making plans at the last minute with some friends! They joined us for the parade and picnic and we even got a wee bit of gardening in at the end of the day!

More Fun

After ice cream we went exploring in the park!

Bowling

We bought a raffle ticket from a friend last month and actually won a prize! Two hours of bowling! We invited the family that sold us the ticket and finally went last weekend, after much smack-talk leading up to the event. All was going smoothly until Paige accidentally stepped backward off the platform and her chin started dripping blood...when I tried to pick her up she jammed her finger into my eye! So we left a little injured but still had a great time. We fit in three games of bowling and I got progressively worse but Pat did well and the kids were pretty good too (the bumpers may have helped them a little). We smoothed things over with some ice cream on the way home:)

Dance Recital!

Paige had her dance recital over the weekend! She was adorable, of course, but she also did an amazing job with her dance! You never know how the kids will do once the teacher isn't right in front of them but I was super proud of how well Paige danced and you could tell by the huge, genuine smile on her face that she loved it!

Before the recital...

After the recital

Group picture! (Owen ducked out early to go to a birthday party but got to see Paige dance before he left!)

Paige and her teacher!

Field Trip

Paige and I got to join Owen and his classmates on their end-of-the-year field trip to a local nature center last week. It confirmed what I suspected-2nd graders are crazy and easily distracted. :) But I also saw the working together and watching out for each other and they were super nice to Paige. And me-"Owen's mom."

I think this picture started out to be just Owen and one friend but the longer I stood there the more people showed up! Owen ran around back so he could give people bunny ears. Classic.

The kids were all gathered to see who they were going to be partnered up with.

The kids were using nets to find living things in the water. Pretty unsuccessful...they found a couple snails and a dead shrimp.

Party

The end of the school year also seems to be birthday party season. Everyone is trying to get their party in before school is over and people go on vacation or lose touch! Paige has trouble understanding why she's not invited to some of Owen's friends parties but they both got to attend the same one last weekend because Owen is good friends with the birthday boy's brother.

Korean Beef Bowl

It's been a long time since I put up a recipe and that is because I haven't been making new things. We eat a lot of quick dinners because of all the activities the kids are involved in but that should be slowing down soon! Here's one we had time to try tonight because soccer practice got moved-Korean Beef Bowl! The recipe says it tastes just like Korean BBQ but I wouldn't really know since I've never had it. Also, I left out the red pepper flakes and green onion (I would have liked it in there but was too lazy to get to the store). It doesn't really matter if it tastes authentic because everyone liked it-yay!

Field Trip

Paige's preschool class took a field trip to the zoo a couple days ago and Paige got to hang out with two of her best buddies. It was a little bittersweet watching the three of them because both of their families will be moving to a different state this summer! Kids don't stop and think about that stuff though so they were all able to enjoy every moment:)

Opening Day

Paige and Owen had their first games of the season (and Paige's first game ever) over the weekend. Paige's game was up first in the afternoon. I know she had fun but I think she may have been a little confused about when it was ok to field the ball. She played the "pitcher" position and had a lot of chances to get the ball but only moved for one when it went directly to her! She did a great job hitting and had fun running the bases. She will tell you her team won the game but all t-ball games end in ties because everybody gets to hit and always gets on base:)
Owen's game was in the evening and at this point in the day he had already had back to back soccer games. He wasn't acting tired but...I think he might have been! Owen didn't get a hit but he did an awesome job playing first base and then catcher (see below).

Ice Cream Truck!

The ice cream truck comes down our street fairly often during the summer and we definitely don't get it every time but I try to let the kids get it the very first time we hear it no matter what we're doing. This year we were in the middle of watching a movie but took a short break to chow down on some treats.

T-Ball

Paige is playing her first season of T-ball this summer and here are some pictures of her in action. She hasn't had her first game yet but she's been having lots of fun practicing with her team, the Blueclaws!

Mother's Day

It's me! I'm posting on the blog! I have a bunch of posts lined up so get ready. First-Mother's Day.
Owen made me a wonderful book about all of his "hopes" for me and Paige filled out a sheet about me (she was impressively correct with her answers!). Pat got me some lovely mirrors for the wall and...we got to hang out with our moms! Owen had a soccer game that Pat's family was able to attend and then we went east to see my family. Such a nice day!

Drawing

Every so often Paige asks to do a drawing tutorial on Youtube and this was her most recent one. It's Baymax from Big Hero 6 wearing his armor!

Party People

After Communion we invited friends and family over to celebrate! I'm so glad it was nice outside and people were able to enjoy the weather instead of all of us being stuffed inside the house!

Owen posed with his super tasty/yummy cake.

Paige had to leave the party for a bit to get dance pictures taken!

Some of the party people

Owen and Victor rolled the ball with Derek and the cuteness was overwhelming.

There was facepainting too!

Owen's Very First Communion

Owen made his First Communion over the weekend! He's worked really hard all year at PSR and some extra classes on Sunday to prepare for it so it was really exciting to see it happen. Also, he wore a suit and that made the whole thing extra adorable. The weather was beautiful so we were able to walk to the church and the kids were able play outside later in the day at the party (those pictures will be in another post).

Paige walked ahead of us the whole way.

This isn't a great picture but it was such a cute moment. The priest had all the kids stand on the pews  and look out while we clapped for them. They were all so proud!

This was my favorite picture of Owen!