Baseball Wrap up...

So baseball season officially ended  a month ago and I haven't had the chance to give a final recap.

The season began in March and ended at the end of May and while it seemed our life was only baseball games and practices, it sure was a fun time.  This was the first time Michael had played baseball since he was three and if I can remember back that far, baseball didn't seem to resemble baseball at that age.

Michael was on the team with several of his classmates, and neighborhood friends.  It was a lot of fun watching Michael and several of the other kids we know very well as they improved, cheered each other on and became a close knit team.

The boys posing for a picture before their first game.

Michael and his wonderful teacher, who came to support him at one of his games!

Michael getting to walk the field at Chase Ballpark at Little League baseball night.  

As I've blogged before, Gabriel this year moved up to the minor leagues and while I was nervous for him, he seemed to transition beautifully.  It was a big adjustment going from being one of the kids who was able to field, hit and catch pretty well, to being the rookie on the team playing with kids at a higher skill level (a big jump from the farm league he was in last year).  Gabriel, being our ultimate competitor soaked up the excitement of playing at a higher level and with kids who had skills even better than his own.  Being the youngest kid on the team by over half a year and for some kids who were 10 and 11, he was shrimpy by far.  But adjusted and his team was very impressive.  A few friends from past seasons were on his team and one of his best baseball buddies Dad was the coach.

Gabriel on first base.

  At the end of the season, each player received a trophy.  While of course my phone (aka camera) died while Michael was getting his trophies, I was able to capture a few from Gabriel getting his.

Gabriel's team had a great season and played in the championship game for their division.  Unfortunately they finished in second place.  While Gabriel was pretty bummed they didn't get first, they should all be proud of how well they played and how well they worked together as a team.  It was really fun to watch them play.

I attempted to get a team shot of the guys and as you can see, everyone was pretty distracted with other things.  

So when the boys got home I made them stand still while I took a picture of them with their trophies.  Michael was thrilled with his trophy.  It was his first one and he was so excited he now had something to put on his dresser, so it wasn't just all of Gabriel's stuff.  Even though their team didn't make it very far in the playoffs, he was proud of his efforts and so were we!  Never mind Gabriel's look... he's just annoyed with me because I was "taking too many pictures."

While the boys each had a great season with a lot of fun, there was one other little person who had a lot of fun too.  Can you guess who that was?   Yep, Isabelle.  When the season first started she was a darter.  Meaning as soon as her feet hit the ground she would dart off in any direction as fast as she could away from us.  There was NO chance of getting her to sit still.  No matter what my efforts were to bring along activities, toys, snacks, games... you name it.  She was not interested.  However, every other 2 and 3 year old at the ball park loved me.  Not wanting to sound arrogant, they really didn't love me, they just loved ALL of the fun stuff I brought to play with.

As the season progressed Isabelle calmed down a bit and by the end of the season, she would actually sit in the bleachers and watch.  By watch I mean play with the 4 year old girls that were playing and cheer on her brothers when they were up to bat.  It was fun how she grew to know that our nightly ritual was to go down to the ballpark and watch baseball.  On our way, she'd see the normal buildings we'd pass by and then say, "I see Isaac and Frankie"  her baseball buddies she'd play with.

Isabelle and her buddies Isaac and Frankie.

The same age, it was fun for them to have a playmate to spend time with.

While entertaining and chasing Isabelle was more than half of the time spent at the ball park, it was so precious to watch her support her brothers.  She really was/is their biggest fan.  She's walk up to the fence right behind the catcher and say, "GO GABRIEL GO" or "GO MICHAEL GO" when they were up to bat.  And on the last night when I decided to wear the boy's pins (I never thought of it before the last game), Isabelle insisted she would wear them instead.  She truly loves and admires those big brothers of hers.  I'm pretty sure the feeling goes both ways.

Fall baseball season is less than 90 days away.  While the temperature will still read triple digits here, I know two boys who won't mind at all how hot it is.  And if I'm being honest, I'm kind of excited for it too.

Until next time,
Angie

The best day ever…

Something new I started this summer with the boys is having them keep a daily journal.   While it is my attempt to help them in continuing to develop their writing skills, I also think journaling is a great exercise for the mind and spirit.  When I told the boys about it, first, I of course got the normal push back and the half-an-effort response.  “Here Mom”, they’d grudgingly say, “I’m finished” handing me their 2 sentence journal that barely said anything more than the topic of the day.  Me, being the strict mom (their term) that I am, of course rejected their finished product and made them go back to try again. After several sighs, rewrites and demands to include descriptive words and to tell me more, they would finish with barely half a page.  That was the first week.

Now here we are,  5 weeks into summer and you’d be surprised to hear journaling is their favorite summer homework.  When I first came up with the assignment of journaling I thought about letting them write about anything they would want to on a daily basis.  Then I thought a little bit more and realized after the first day of writing, all I would hear is, “I don’t know what to write about?  I can’t think of anything.”  Or they’d just repeat their first journal entry with a refined version day after day.  So I decided to come up with a long list of writing prompts.  Everything from, “If I was a turtle living in a pond, I would…, to, what is your favorite song and why.  It is across the board with random questions and ideas just to get them started thinking about something.

Yesterday’s writing prompt was to write about their best day ever.  When I got home from work, Gabriel had already finished his journal and Michael was just getting ready to start his.  While Gabriel and the neighbor friend played outside, Michael sat down at the kitchen table, pencil in hand, and started writing.  While I knew he was working on his journal, I had no idea what the topic of the day was or what he was writing.  I raced around the house, trying to change Isabelle, help the painter that showed up to do a test paint and monitor the light saber fight that was happening with the older boys in our backyard.  With a tornado of activity swirling around Michael, he sat focused on writing and deeply concentrated on what he was doing.  I remember walking by at one point and thinking, this is SO unusual.  But determined not to jinx the greatness that was happening in front of me, I very purposely made sure no one would interfere with his concentration.

The goal with journaling is to have the boys write for 20 minutes and spend the final 10 minutes drawing a picture about what they wrote about.  Some days we only get as far as the writing portion but that’s okay reminding myself it is still summer and there has to be plenty of time for play.  After at least 20 minutes had gone by I walked over to Michael again to see how is progress was coming.  I stayed far enough way so he didn’t even notice me glancing at his paper and pretended to look out the back window and the two boys beating the crap out of each other’s saber swords.  I glanced at Michael’s paper and saw him rereading what he had wrote.  He must have been satisfied with his creation as he put a period at the end of one sentence and moved onto drawing.

A few minutes later Michael got up from the table, walked over to me at the counter as I filled Isabelle’s cup up with a drink and said, “Mom!  Can I show you what I wrote?”  obviously very excited about his final product.  I handed Isabelle her cup, turned her in a different direction, sent her on her way and turned back to Michael.  “Yes.”  I said, “I’d love to see what you wrote.”  He continued, “Mom’s today’s topic is about my best day ever.”  He went on turning his body toward me so we could both see his paper as he read it. 

 

Michael's journal along with his picture of Mom, Dad, Michael and Gabriel in the car telling each other "I love you." 

He read, 

“The best day ever is when my mom and dad got me because they love me and I love them too.  Gabriel had to tell mom everything I said, that’s the funny part.  Mom and Dad give me toys and take me places.  The first place they took me was McDonald's.  They are the best parents.”

With my eyes fully welled up in tears, my heart melting down to the stomach inside my body, I bent down, hugged him, kissed him, told him I loved him, and then I said, “Honey, that’s one of my best days ever too.”  

While the day we met them will always be one of the best days of my life; I never realized how much that day meant to Michael.  Thanks to journaling, now I know.  And by this exercise I was reminded of another lesson... they will never cease to amaze me. 

Until next time,

Angie

Swim team...

This summer we’ve been spending a lot of time in the pool.  So much so that every Monday when I come to work several of my co-workers say, “Wow, you were outside a lot this weekend.”  Even with sunscreen, there is no escaping the sunny rays shinning down.  To keep the boys occupied (as our outdoor activities with our 100 plus days are limited),this year we signed them up for swim team.  Some of our friends have had their kids do it in the past, and I’d heard good things about it.  So far it has been great! I’m so thankful for swim team!

Other than the fact, it makes for a late night for the boys, it is wonderful at wearing them out, I mean entertaining them.  Don’t get me wrong, there are many other benefits as well.  Take for example how much of a stronger swimmer it has made them.  How they've actually learned how to do the butterfly stroke and are actually quite good at it.  Here they are from last week’s meet, each getting first place in the butterfly. 

Additionally it has taught them what it’s like to compete in something other than baseball.  I think baseball is wonderful because it is truly a team sport, but swimming on the other hand is definitely an individual sport.  While racing against others is good, in the end  with swimming the goal is always to improve one’s time. 

Two weeks ago, we were novices at the sport of swim team.  I showed up at 6:30 a.m. with the boys for the first meet completely under prepared.  While I walked in with one, yes ONE water bottle in my hand, I looked around to see other parents with the following:

·         Coolers, yes plural

·         Snack bags

·         Towel bags

·         Sunscreen, more sunscreen and yet even more sunscreen

·         Umbrellas, Pop Up shades and camping chairs

·         Big floppy hats (almost like they were going to the Kentucky Derby- think big hats)

And then there was me.  Shooing my kids in because of course we were running late and I walking in with my single water bottle.  Yep, it was obvious to everyone but us, we were clueless.  To make matters even more enjoyable, I had volunteered to help at the event.  Thinking back to my high school track days, I signed up to keep time in lane 4.  I thought, I can handle this, I know how to run a stop watch.  This shouldn't be too hard.  WHAT WAS I THINKING???  What was I thinking!!!!!!!

Before I could even figure out what to do, the first beep had gone off, signaling the start of the race and I was standing there with my water bottle still in my hand and my timer dangling below.  Thank goodness I just happened to volunteer next to the head swimming coach from a high school near our house (with a very reputable swim program no doubt).  He said, “Don’t worry, I got the start for you.”  I felt like a fool, but graciously said thank you and realized I needed to watch and follow his each and every move.  I dare not make another mistake.  After three more times missing the start of the race, and making the mistake of not holding my hand down to catch the backstroke swimmers head (to avoid them hitting it on the wall), it was clear, I had annoyed every other expert swim parent and judge around me. 

 Meanwhile Jarrett had arrived with Isabelle in toe and while he tried to keep her entertained and away so she wouldn't notice me, it was only about 5 minutes before she spotted me and came racing up to my side determined not to be peeled away.  As Jarrett did just that, a shriek extending throughout the entire pool was heard as yes our daughter was forced to leave my side.  The coach next to me said, “I see a relief timer taking your place in the near future.”  I think it was a hint.

About 5 minutes later a relief timer showed up, my hubby, and took over so I could go be with Isabelle.

Looking around the pool, I found a lounger wide open and immediately headed that way to stake my claim. Not having anything other than my daughter and my now empty water bottle to move, I was able to get it before anyone else.  Actually, if I'm really being honest, I don't think anyone wanted it.  It was sitting in the non-shaded part of the pool deck.  While every other spectator crowded into the shaded spots, Isabelle and I sat in the sun.  Thank goodness Dad had gotten my text and brought sun screen.  

Gabriel telling me to back up so he could get ready to race.  Oh maybe he was saying hi... I'll pick that option. 

After Dad took over my position as a lane timer, I was able to watch the boys.  It was actually fun to watch them.  I could tell they were as clueless as I was about the whole situation, but soon enough they figured out what was going on and followed around a friend who was a member of the team last year.  First they competed in back stroke, followed by the breast stroke, then the butterfly and finally the freestyle. One nice thing about swim team is that everyone gets a ribbon, for each and every stroke.  Gabriel being the competitive type, was determined to get first place.  And if he couldn't get first, he'd settle for second, but didn't want to get any other ribbons other than his blue and red.  Meanwhile, Michael, being my classic Michael, wasn't too interested in getting a particular place.  He was just happy to finish and when he found out there were ribbons, he was more interested in getting colors of ribbons that matched well.  Seriously.

Now that we've got two meets down and 4 more to go, we are doing a little bit better blending in.  The boys know the routine and were able to improve their times significantly.  And Jarrett and I are getting better too.  Just last weekend we showed up early enough to claim a spot on the pool deck IN THE SHADE, and I dug out all the bags from baseball season and hauled them along to the pool.   This time I was prepared...

• Sunscreen CHECK  
• Snacks CHECK
• Drinks in a cooler CHECK
• Activities for Isabelle CHECK
• Towels CHECK
• Breakfast CHECK

 One other interesting thing I've observed is that baseball parents and swimming parents have some things in common.  Just like there are those baseball parents who are convinced their 5 year old is a future major league player, there are swim parents who are convinced their 7 year old is the next Michael Phelps.  And as much fun as it is to watch the boys try their best to get first place or next the pretty colored ribbon, I also think it's pretty darn entertaining to watch "those" parents screaming at their kids and giving them advice like they just competed in the Olympic trials.

Until next time, 

Angie

PS:  One other comment about swim meets.  In between races the boys decided they wanted to inspect and pick at Isabelle's feet.  Turns out she had dirt on her toes from her sandal shoes and they were determined to pick it out.

They were so concerned about her toes that they almost missed their next race. What was even more funny for me was that Isabelle sat still for several minutes to let them pick at her!!!!!  For anyone who knows her, she NEVER sits still.  Now I know what I should do to keep her occupied.

Silly Belle

Isabelle continues to love Winnie the Pooh.  Its actually kind of a funny bond now between Daddy and her. It seems when ever Dad is watching her and the boys, no matter what, every time I get home, Winnie the Pooh is on the TV.  They must have some secret connection between the two of them when it comes to that movie.  I believe it so much so because some times Isabelle will run up to Jarrett and say, "Silly Bear Daddy, Silly Bear" and then break into laughter, both of them actually.

And while Pooh is really a silly bear, our Isabelle is a silly Belle too.  Here are some recent pictures of her being her silly ol' self....

Why yes that is Donald Duck stuck up her nose.  She walked up to me and said, "Mommy, where Donald Duck go?"

She insists on having her blankets, all of them laid out on the floor, and then she rolls around and around and around on them.  She LOVES her blankets

Always silly at meal time, she continuously has the boys cracking up for some reason.  From blowing spaghetti noodles out of her nose when she sneezed, to shouting at Jack to "BE QUIET" or throwing her food on the floor.  She makes meals interesting, that's for sure!

Mommy, wear goggles?

And here she is working on making Rainbow Loom bracelets... the consist of one rubber-band cutting off the circulation on her wrist.

Here she is using her bubbles as a microphone to sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

Our beautiful Belle dressed as Princess Belle.  Yes, she does like us to treat her like a princess even when she's not in costume.

Happy as can be, just sliding down the slide.

What a true treasure she is.  She reminds us to enjoy the simple things in life.  To laugh as much as we can and to be happy.  Isabelle brings so much happiness to all of us.  Her brothers, her furry brother and her parents.

We are so lucky to have silly ol' Belle in our lives.

Until next time,
Angie

Father's Day

Father's Day is today and while we have nothing extra special planned, I wanted to take a few minutes here to share how thankful I am for the Fathers in my life and in the lives of my children.  

I found this poem from Helen Steiner Rice on Pinterest and I think it perfectly shares how I feel.  While it seems mother's don't often get the praise and recognition they deserve, if I'm being truthfully honest, I don't think Father's do either.  

 

When I read Helen's poem I couldn't help but think of all the Fathers in our lives and how this poem speaks to them.  And so I thought I'd take a little bit of time to recognize and highlight a few of the many fathers we know and give praise to. 

Jarrett~  I've always respected and admired you for many reasons.  Your intelligence is remarkable, your kindness inspiring and your generosity to help others contagious. The list of reasons why I'm so thankful you are my soul mate could go on and on, but I can honestly tell you, watching you as a father is the most awe-inspiring of them all.  I can see it in each of the kid's eyes; the way they look at you.  The "I want to be like Dad when I grow up" glances Gabriel gives you as you show him how to throw the ball out of the park.
 Or the mornings you spend with Michael building together, taking time out of your busy schedule to do something he enjoys, to learn together and to celebrate his unique interests.  And Isabelle.  I think its pretty clear from the shouts across the house, "DADDY!" as she goes running to see you when you come home at night.
 Dad, the role you play in this family is bigger than I think you will ever realize.  While I LOVE to see you everyday, there are some extra special days when I can't wait to see the whites of your eyes.  You know the days, those "fun" ones when they have all been crazy all day and Mom just needs a break.  Please note that I recognize your down moments are only when your head hits the pillow for the short nights we seem to have more often than we'd like.  But you never complain and jump right in, grabbing Isabelle to play or engaging the boys in conversations about their day.  Whether you realize it or not, those are just a few of the moments I praise God for you.  In this crazy and oh so wonderful life we've created together, I can't help but be so grateful.

Who would have thought 18 years ago, when a 15-year-old girl fell in love with a 16-year-old boy, they'd have this story to tell their children.  While its been a crazy journey, I can't wait for the rest of the ride.  Thank you for being the most wonderful dad to our children.  They are so lucky to have you as their dad.

To my Dad~

Dad, as I read the poem above I stopped at the part when it talked about a father's emotion.  

Perhaps that is the reason, we sometimes get the notion; that Father's are not subject to the thing we call emotion.  But if you look inside a dad's heart, where no one else can see; you'll find he's sentimental and as soft as he can be. 

Dad,  when I was little, I remember you working so hard to give us the life you thought we deserved that often times we didn't get to have those emotional talks.  While it was and is completely okay, Mom did a fantastic job at solving my emotional girl problems, I want you to know, your soft side is not a secret to me.  While you showed us the value and importance of hard work, Dad, you also showed us the importance of compassion for others.

 I can't even count the number of things you and mom did to help others and to help us.  While often times this meant sacrificing things for yourself, you did it willingly without complaint or second thought. As an adult now, I realize just how big of a gift your compassion is.  Dad, while I will never be able to live up to the generosity and selflessness you model, I hope you know I strive everyday to be more like you.

And Dad, I want you know what a great grandpa you are.

 While we are too many miles apart, there are three little people (there're actually not that little any more) that love you and admire you more than you even realize.  When they hear that Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit, or that they get to go to Iowa, their heart almost leaps out of their chest.  The time you spend with them in priceless (not to steal the Visa tagline) and the memories you have created with them will never be forgotten.  While you are a great Dad, seeing you as a grandpa has made me realize just how lucky I am.  Thanks for everything you'd done and continue to do Dad!  I love you.

To my partner's Dad Joe~

Papa Joe, as I think about Father's Day, and the many father figures we have in our lives, you are right at the top of our list.  I can't help but thank you for teaching and guiding the love of my life to be the wonderful dad he is today.  I know where he developed many of his wonderful fatherly qualities.

As the poem ends, "someone who can always be counted on to be on our side."   You are the perfect example of that, helping us out so many times when it wasn't convenient at all for you.  Never mind the sacrifices you had to make, you were right there to help.   A million thank yous will never be enough to show you how much we appreciate it.

 Papa, from the first time we've met, you've always shown complete kindness, sincerity and care for others.  You've been a role model for working hard and teaching your children the value of quality and doing the right thing.  What I see in Jarrett, I see in you and I can't thank you enough for sharing those special qualities with my children and me.

And Papa-  where do I start when it comes to being the Papa to our children?  You are the one and only person Isabelle pretends to call every time she plays with my phone.

And the boys.  To Michael, you are the most talented builder in the entire world.  You are able to create masterpieces with your hands and fix any problem there needs to be fixed.  Michael aspires to be your apprentice.

  Gabriel loves your stories of when you played baseball as a young boy once his age and is ever so thankful to have you and Nana at his games.  Thank you for being so present in their lives.

And finally, my Grandfather~

Grandpa Ray- To be honest, I don't even know where to begin. And while I don't know where to begin, I'm very sure in knowing I don't ever want it to end.  Some of my earliest childhood memories involve you.

 I remember you walking me to preschool and telling me it was going to be okay, even though I was afraid to let go of your hand.  I remember you reading me a story, the same story about the fat cat over and over and laughing each and every time, even though we both knew the ending and probably had the words memorized.

 I still laugh about the time you and Grandma took me to Las Vegas and as we were going to Circus Circus we were almost ran down by rogue kangaroo.  I bet you didn't know I could hold your leg so tightly.  I remember you driving me to middle school, to high school and even taking me to college.  When I look back at my life, I can't help but give thanks to God for you and Grandma.

 In how I feel about my children's grandparents, I feel the same way about you.  I can't help but think I won the lottery in the lottery of grandpas.  Of the thousands of things you've taught me, perhaps I'll never be able to appropriately convey just how much I honor and respect you.  When Tom Brokaw calls you one in the "Greatest Generation" he really knows what he's talking about.  As a mother to two sons, I can't imagine the bravery you must have had in volunteering to go to service for our country in World War II.  I have no idea how your mother didn't collapse from worry the entire time you were gone.  I admire you and I thank you for risking your own safety in fighting for our freedom.
And boy am I thankful you came home and went on to create a picturesque life.  For I've been able to share in many of those life moments and I look forward to as many many more as I can get.
As I tell you each and every morning and evening, I love you Grandpa.

To all the fathers out there please remember:

To the world you are a DAD; 

but to your family, 
you are the WORLD!

Happy Father's Day!

Until next time,

Angie

   

Push Ups

Summer is definitely here and so that means it’s time to pull out the Push Ups.

The other day I was grocery shopping.  It was my third day in a row at the grocery store.  Have I mentioned that having all the kids home this summer has definitely impacted our grocery bill?  Yikes, my kiddos can eat!  As I strolled through the grocery store at a temperature controlled of 76 degrees, I knew soon enough I’d be entering the inferno of our 109 plus degree day outside.  And so, I decided a stroll through the ice cream aisle was in order.  And that’s when I saw them. 

Of course they weren't packaged like I remember, but I saw the name and I knew the Willa Wonka company had just been granted an instant sale.

Who doesn’t like Push Ups?  I can’t imagine any child not liking them.  It’s the best of both worlds… yummy tasty ice cream-like cold substance in a tube that has to be pushed up to consume.  As a kid I don’t think it can get any better!  Unlike a Popsicle that can only be licked or bit, the Push Up’s require a little more “fun” and effort as you push them up to the perfect level to devour the yummy, tasty goodness.  But it also requires skills because if you push it up too much, your frozen goodness will get too melted and drip all over.  In the 15 plus years I consumed Schwans Push Up’s I’m confident I was able to perfect the perfect Push Up push.

With all three kids watching my every move, I could tell I had an audience as I stepped up (still height challenged even at 34) into the frozen freezer  top shelf and pulled down two boxes of my childhood treat.  While Gabriel gasped in excitement, Michael shouted, “THANKS MOM!” to which Isabelle repeated “Thank you Momma!”  I smiled and with big eyes I asked, “Do you guys know what these are?”  Gabriel said, “No Mom, but I’m sure they are good.  They ARE in the ice cream isle!” 

Of course this meant I had to pull out the When I was your age card and tell them all about my youth and experience with Push Ups.  Man did I brag them up.  I told them how the Schwan’s orange flavor was the best and that you could reuse the push up parts to make something cool.  I explained how Push Ups were WAY better than regular Popsicles because of how fun it is to push up the push up.  Within seconds they were bought in too, begging to have one as soon as we got to the car.  Meanwhile Isabelle insisted on holding the box.  It didn’t take her long to try and rip it open.  She clearly understands the message, “You have to wait until we buy it.” Because her attempt to open it continued while she shouted, “BUY IT NOW” over and over.  Got to love the terrific two’s right?

While I made the kids wait longer than they would have ever wanted to, to experience a Push up, I think the buildup was worth it.  Last night after dinner, Isabelle announced she was all done and then said, “Dessert Mommy!”  I seriously had no idea she even knew what that word meant.  I guess she watches and listens to me more than I thought.  Never mind, it couldn’t be that her mom is never done with a meal without having dessert.   I decided since the kids had been really well behaved and that it was Sunday, and the sun was shining, and that it was 6:00 p.m. (I really don’t need a true reason for dessert), I agreed and announced the options for dessert.  I told the kids they could have a mini-cupcake, a Push up or a Sunday Cone (there’s another future blog post- man do I love Sunday Cones!).  Instantaneously the kids, almost in unison, shouted, “PUSH UP!”  So it was Push Up’s around. 

Gabriel had his gone in minutes, maybe even seconds.  Therefore the lack of individual pictures of him. 

Michael savored his Push Up, slowly pushing up his treat in as small of increments as possible.   It’s funny how different he and his brother are.  While everything Gabriel does is fast, Michael is definitely my “stop and smell the roses” kid.  It took him almost 25 minutes to eat his Push Up.

 Licking it as slowly as possible, basically just catching the drip before it was about to drop. 

  And then there was Isabelle.

Please excuse her messy hair, messy face, messy shirt look.  It was a long day!

The push up concept may have been a little advanced for her, because several minutes in, I looked over to see her starting to eat the paper cup as she attempted to get down into the goodness further down in the tube.

Definitely my determined and independent one, she doesn't let anything stop her from what she wants.  And yes, she is only two. 

Yes, the sugar rush was instant!

 As I watched the kids eat their treat, Jarrett and I reminisced about the times we use to eat Push Ups, and memories we had of what we were doing while we ate them.  I snapped picture after picture of the kids eating their treat and wondered, if this would be a memory the kids reflect back on 25 years from now.  Maybe, but probably not.  What I realized is that, while Jarrett and I now reminisce about all the great memories from our youth, we are getting to help create memories for our children of their youth.  And sometimes, something as simple as eating a frosty frozen treat can bring back the feelings from the greatest of times.  It is my hope that there are plenty of these moments for our kiddos.

Until next time,

Angie