A Week in April

All of these activities in just one week.  And Owen hasn't even started his games yet.  It's no wonder I forget everything.  It hasn't been that long since the last update, but I had a minute to sit down, so thought I'd get to writing a little bit.  The past week has consisted of boy scouts, school programs, softball, baseball, and just a little bit of down time in between.

The theme at Owen's most recent pack meeting was "Roaming Reptiles."  One of our leaders brought her two boa constrictors and a turtle for the kids to look at.  I think there is one more meeting before the end of the year.  Owen will be doing a day camp during the first week in June and an overnight camp in July with Nick.  I hope that Ashland has a fun scouting program like this one.

Gracie was brave enough to touch the snake, but I don't think she liked it.

Multicultural Night

Once again this year, our kids participated in the multicultural night that their school puts on.  We got to listen to them perform music in many languages and walk around the school to different classrooms representing different countries that their peers are native to.  The kids got passports to be stamped whenever they went into a different room.  It is a fantastic night that I'm so glad we were part of for the past two years.  Gracie has been participating in the New Haven Elementary Choir, which is for 3-5 grades who practice once weekly after school.  They did a great job!  The lunch room was also set up to display all of the art work that has been done throughout the year.  Gracie did a clay piece on Martin Luther King Jr when he gave his speech.  Their theme is diversity.  I asked Gracie if she knew what was so special about Dr. King.  Her answer, "Mom, he changed the world."  Fair enough.  I just can't say enough about this special night.  I wish that it was longer, so we had more time to learn about all of the cultures that they get to see every day at school.

Getting ready to perform.  So glad Grandma Kate could come!

Gracie performing with her grade

Gracie and Owen standing in front of all the flags that represent the different countries that New Haven students come from.  This is such a neat school!

Owen is getting his name written in Arabic.  The man told him that he wrote "Owen the Brave"

Moving on to more Softball!

Gracie had softball practice on Friday night and then a tournament Saturday and Sunday.  It was a long day on Saturday, but a lot of fun.  The morning started out pretty cold and I couldn't stop shivering until well into the afternoon.  We ended up 3-1 on Saturday, but lost the first game on Sunday, so we were done.  Gracie and Owen had friends over on Sunday afternoon for a while, so it was a fun day!

Gracie pitching during the first game.  

Another pic of Gracie pitching.  She played most of the time at either short stop or third base, though.  She is doing great!

Up to bat!  I can't remember which game, but she hit a home run.  It wasn't over the fence, of course, but she hit it far enough that she could get all the way around the bases.  She was pretty happy with that.  She is gaining confidence at the plate.  She said that she was pretty nervous during her first game of the season.  I hope it's getting better.

Gracie hanging out with her teammates between games

And Owen, too.  He's such a trooper.

More silly girls

Post game team meeting

Day 2

Here are some pics of the second day of the tournament.  The girls played pretty well, but came up short.  It was fun to watch.  Gracie is playing shortstop in both pictures.

Ready to go, always moving.

Since we only played one game on Sunday, we had the afternoon free.  We took a trip to Ashland to mow, play on the 4-wheeler a little, and relax.  The footings had been poured for the basement, and hopefully they have gotten more done this week!  They have run water to the house and plumbing is roughed in to the basement.  

Looks better every time we go.

Gracie and Owen on the 4-wheeler

We found some trees to string up the hammock.

Gracie and Owen relaxed for about 2 minutes.

I began this post yesterday, April 27, and it turned into a really interesting day.  I've had a babysitter set up for a month so I could go to the Chris Stapleton Concert with my sister and a friend.  I had it worked out that the sitter could take Gracie to her game and even help coach if she wanted to.  A couple weeks ago my friend found out that she ended up have to travel for work, so she was not going to be able to go.  Yesterday morning, we found out that the softball game was canceled.  Ok, fine...I don't have to miss a game.  Then at about 3:30, the sitter sent me a text saying that she is really sick, throwing up, and running a fever.  UGH.  After trying to figure out what to do, Nick said I could bring the kids with for awhile.  AWESOME!  I really hadn't planned on the evening including kids, but if it meant that I could still go to the concert, I'll take it!  So, because of all the events out of my control, the kids got to see their first concert at Mizzou Arena.  I think Annie was even relieved that she didn't have to stay out so late!  We were home by 9:30, which is no later than they would've been, had Gracie played softball.  Everything happens for a reason and works out the ways it's supposed to.  I ended up not having to pay for a sitter!

Owen watching the entertainment.  I wasn't sure if he was going to like it because of how loud it is, but he seemed to have a blast!

Getting ready with mom.

Dad giving his kids the tour of behind the scenes.  They even got to sample some food from the kitchen.  They had royal treatment at their first concert.

Waiting for the show to start

More waiting

Gracie and Annie enjoying the show

There they are!

Owen loved the lights and the sound!

Chris Stapleton

Sorry it's blurry.  We didn't sit down by the stage or anything, but still had pretty good seats.  He was a great performer!  Gracie has requested to go to the Band Perry next.

That's all I have for now.  The forecast is full of rain this weekend, so I highly doubt we get to do any practices.  Thankfully there is not a tournament scheduled.  We might actually have some down time!