Birthday weekend!

More birthday celebrations around here. Ben will turn 11 next week (more on that later) but wanted to have a party while school is still in session. Usually we party in the summer but friends are already on vacation and such so we decided to hold a friend party a bit earlier.

Ben wanted a boondocks party. He had a blast with a few if his friends and the party was a success. He doesn't like cake so donuts were enjoyed by all. Boondocks was a family affair as Chris, Andrew, Nic and I tagged along. We had an awesome game of miniature golf - Nic stole our balls almost every hole. And we soaked each other well on the water boats.

Last night we had a two-for-one family party for Nicholas and Ben. Since their birthdays are so close It's easier for everyone to hold one family party. Less driving, etc. it was a fun night packed with boys, water guns and bar-b-que. not many pics from last night. Duh, me. I made an awesome cake which I'll share photos and the recipe in a later post.

Happy birthday boys!!!

Thanks for coming everyone! 

What a present!

Nicholas got a swing set for his birthday. Well, not really, but the timing worked out that way. I've been saving my pennies and searching/debating for months on the right one. We needed something smaller, little upkeep and I wanted it to kind of blend into the yard.

Success! It's large but small enough and it tucks nicely into to south side part of our yard.

We had it set in concrete so it wouldn't tip. We can attach the swings on Sunday. The hardest part of this install is waiting until Sunday to slide and use the fireman's pole. Nicholas is fast and had one unapproved slide before I caught him. Sneaky!

Baseball and more baseball!

May has been the month of baseball games.  Over the last 10 days we have had 9 days of baseball. Wooza!  It's been fun and exhausting for all of us.  

Luckily and with a lot of hard work we are winning games.  Andrew has hit a few doubles and a triple just yesterday.  He is pitching really well and playing like a pro at first base.

Side note: My sun allergies have reappeared (sun hives are no fun).  I've been wearing 70 SPF, sitting under our huge umbrella and still I am getting hive on my arms, upper chest and feet.  LAME I tell ya.

Oh Brother! It's hard to be a brother...

Sometimes it sure is hard to be a brother, a little brother, an older brother, a middle brother.  The older boys are such great big brothers but sometimes it can be annoying to chase around a toddler.  I know this feeling all too well.  We must enjoy this phase because it will end, but it is hard to always enjoy this phase.

I recently discovered this photo taken from our last baseball tournament in Vegas.  This picture is a classic!  Nicholas (classic fake crying expression) wants to do something that Ben doesn't want him to do.  Ben (classic annoyance expression) is grudgingly following him and ultimately doing what Nicholas wants.  HILARIOUS and so very well documents our life right now.

LOVE these boys!!!