Baseball Season is in Full Swing

This year, Parker is playing coach-pitch baseball.  He is proud to wear number 6 and enjoys playing third base for the Rays.  So far, Parker has done an excellent job hitting and has even been credited with a few outs.  Way to go, Buddy! 

  

(If you look closely, you'll see the ball flying over Coach Black's left shoulder.)

A Weekend with Grams

We were so fortunate that Grams came to visit us on Thursday, April 21st for a long weekend.  She was a huge help to me (since Lee was scheduled to be out of town for two weeks), and the boys loved having her here.  Needless to say, we were all spoiled by the time she left on Sunday.

On Friday, Grams went to school with us.  In addition to helping me in the library, she hid plastic eggs for egg hunts and attended the boys' Easter parties.

Saturday was loaded with fun!  We started the day with Parker's first baseball game.

Then we went shopping for Parker's belated birthday gift from Grams and Granddaddy.  He picked out a Lego police boat which he and Grams put together that afternoon.

After the boat was built, it was time to dye Easter eggs.  We had a blast using our new egg spinners which created some beautiful works of art.

Just to be sure that our day was completely fun-filled, Grams took us to the movies to see Rio.  What a treat!

Parker woke us up at the crack of dawn on Sunday because he was so anxious to see what the Easter bunny had left.  I was able to hold him off for about thirty minutes so that Hudson could sleep a bit longer.  Upon entering the living room, the boys found candy and fruit snacks in their Easter baskets along with a new bouncy ball, Toy Story 3 Lego toy, and the movie Bambi.  After some quick pictures, they headed outside to find Easter eggs.  Parker was thrilled to find the prize egg, and Hudson was proud to show off the tomato that he picked while hunting eggs.     

After examining their loot (the candy and coins that the Easter bunny left in their eggs), the boys splatter-painted a few canvases for the twins' room.  What messy fun!  I suggested a quick shower to wash off the paint, but the boys begged for a bath in the "big tub" so they could play with Parker's new police boat.  Guess who won that argument.

Grams helped the boys put together their new Toy Story 3 Lego toy after a picnic at the park.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.  We were sad to see Grams go on Sunday afternoon, but were so thankful for the time that she was able to spend with us.

Cute/Crazy Question

Hudson frequently compliments me on my "big, fat belly."  While eating dinner tonight (April 15th), he looked at me and said, "Why did you eat those babies?"  I replied by stating that I had not eaten the twins.  He then asked who put them in my mouth because he was convinced that "someone put in them in" there so that they could get to my stomach.  I decided it was best to respond by telling him that God put the babies in my tummy.  Fortunately, he seemed pleased with this explanation.

Spring Break with Bucky and Sammy

Bucky and Sammy followed us home from Gatlinburg so that they could spend the week with us.  What a blessing!  Not only did they entertain the boys (with games galore, multiple visits to the park, a picnic, fun in the front yard, and a trip to the movies to see Hop), but they also helped me rearrange and decorate the house in an attempt to prepare for the arrival of the twins.  It's so nice to be spoiled every now and then.

Gatlinburg Getaway

On Friday, April 8th, we traveled to Gatlinburg, TN to meet Sherri, Eddie, and Luke at a beautiful cabin in the mountains.  Our visit with them was long overdue and entirely too short, but we had a blast while we were together.

The boys loved being outside.  They enjoyed climbing hills, collecting rocks, fishing, and playing miniature golf.

On Saturday, Bucky and Sammy joined us.  After enjoying a delicious meal and an exciting show at the Dixie Stampede, the kids walked down to the arena to meet some of the horses and their riders.  One of the performers asked Hudson where he was from.  He responded by saying that he was "from my mommy's belly."  How precious!

We then made a quick trip to the Tanger Outlets for some shopping.  Afterwards, we went back to the cabin for a relaxing evening complete with sundae cones, a family favorite.

On the trip back to Florence, Lee and I were constantly bombarded with questions as to when we would be home.  In the midst of the how-much-longers, Hudson asked me to pick up a ball that he had dropped in the backseat.  I responded by saying, "I can't reach it, Dear."  He then said, "I is not a dear.  I is a son." Needless to say, this provided some much-needed humor in what was an otherwise monotonous drive.