Easter

We had a lazy morning for Easter.  Jonathan is not much into fighting others for an egg hunt, so we just did like we did last year and split the back yard into two and let them loose on their side.  First though, the boys found some treats from the Easter bunny as well as from their generous grandparents.

The bunny dropped off a not so exciting (or working) telescope, but it was a way for the bunny to ease them into getting one at another time that might be a bit more what they would use.

I think Matt combined a few things here and after we emptied out the treats from the bunny boxes, he smashed the ball into them to see if he could bust them open.  Boys!

Matt was very into finding his eggs, and not so much into matching his clothing that day!  I love it when he chooses crazy mixed patterns and then always convinces me they have the same colors in them!  Love that boy!

Still in his pjs and working at his own pace was Jonathan on the other side of the yard.

The loot!  The boys were disappointed that there was "just candy?" in the eggs, and no surprise Hot Wheels or other trucks like last year.  I love that candy can disappoint them, and it really warms my heart.  Strange? Maybe, but it's the truth!

We finally got dressed later that afternoon and decided for an outing at the Discovery Science Center.  The boys had a blast "driving" the Zamboni.

Nick got into things and stopped some pucks in the hockey exhibit.

The boys are so into the hands on stuff!

The favorite part of the day was shooting the rockets and seeing how high they would go!

Not wanting to be left out, Jonathan really got into it, and got up on tip toes to get some power in his pumping to make his rocket fly high!

Jonathan tried his hand at playing a string-less harp.

At the end of visit, we explored a bit outside at the bubble exhibit.  They had a blast making giant bubbles!

It was a great day together, learning and exploring new things was a blast!

USS Midway

In April, we decided to do something a little different, so we took the boys down to San Diego and went on a tour of the USS Midway.  It was a great experience, and the boys loved it!

We had an audio tour with questions to answer so the boys could earn a prize, and Matt really got into it.

There were many, many doorways.

One of the briefing rooms

He cracked us up trying to tug and pull on the door, pretending he was really locked up.

The flight deck was full of amazing aircraft!

The three loves of my life!

Fighter pilots in training

A view from the flight deck.

The Midway was amazing, especially for someone who has never toured something like that before.  I think I realized I am not truly claustrophobic, but am definitely not cut out for being in such confined spaces for long. Some of the hallways and stairways were a bit narrow!

Field Trip!

Matt's second field trip of the school year, and I was able to go along!  I was very excited to tag along!  We went down to Carlsbad to the flower fields.  Weeks earlier the kids had a visit from a staff member who taught them a lesson related to many of the things they would discover on their field trip.

The class, trying to get in a couple of class photos.

Things started getting a little goofier as the picture taking dragged on.

The kids started off with a few songs.

Instructions for the craft...

We went on a tractor ride around the fields.  They were amazing!

Matt's favorite part, the American flag made of flowers!

All of the kids posed for individual pictures.  The sun, combined with the end of the field trip, made for some interesting pictures.

Matt and some of his classmates!

Class photo with the flowers!

More baseball?

As much as Matt loves baseball, I figured it deserved way more than one post.  Here are some more pics during the season.

Wacky Wednesday!

In the spirit of getting the boys to see, touch, and possibly taste new foods, we started what we call Wacky Wednesday.  Things have fallen off a bit as summer started and routines get changed, but here are a few pics from our first few weeks.

Rules are, there has to be something new to try, and they have to help with something along the way.

Matt learned a couple of uses for one of our kitchen tools and helped hollow out some cucumber slices.

We put some flavored cream cheese inside...

and some smoked salmon on top.  They were yummy and Matt had a few.  Jonathan didn't even want any on his plate, but I still consider it a win for the night.

We also made some other dishes and Matt helped coat the meat and get it ready to cook.

Our Asian dinner for the night!

Another night we made tortilla rolls.  The boys chose everything they wanted on their rolls, made them and then had to at least try one of everyone else's concoction.  It was interesting, that's for sure!

Happy faces make new things more fun, right?

School Fundraiser

Later in the month, after the craziness of Casino Night was over, Matt's school had a casino fundraiser.  I had to go, partly to contribute and partly to find out how they do it and get some ideas for next year!

Nick had a bit of fun that night, and here's what he came home with after our evening!

Haley, Kathy and I hung out off and on throughout the fun of the evening.  It was a great night!

The happy couple, out for a night sans kids!

Baseball, baseball, and MORE baseball!

Matt LOVES baseball!  He loves playing it, practicing all of his skills, and watching it.  He is the most amazing 6 year old stats master I know!  It's crazy, just ask him about the Angels!  

Here he is in a few shots from his spring season this year.

Early season slide into home.

Our dear, sweet, passionate player, earned multiple game balls, and was beyond excited about each and every one of them.  He proudly displays them in his room and is excited for next season!

Just to spark the interest on the college level, we took the boys to a few SC games this year.  The weather varied, but at this one, we had some blankets on hand for the cool, overcast day.