Bike week

We just happened to be walking around downtown yesterday, and decided to play on the lawn in front of the State House for a little while before dance class. Much to Brennan's delight they were holding a little ceremony to kick off Laconia Bike Week in front of the State House as well. Instead of running to play in their usual climbing tree with his sister, Brennan sat on the bench next to me and watched as about half a dozen Harley's rode up and parked as part of the ceremony.

The boy has been a little obsessed with motorcycles lately. My best guess is that his interest comes from a tandem obsession with Mario Kart (not that he actually plays, he just watches). And don't you dare refer to his new balance bike as a bike. It's his motorcycle. Usually his "Bowser motorcycle."
 

He loves Mario Kart and motorcycles so much that he's started a morning routine of riding his "motorcycle" in circles through the playroom and living room pretending he is racing in a Mario Kart race. He even talks to, and about, his other characters that he's racing with. His character changes often but he usually picks what I would refer to as one of the bad guys. Bowser, King Boo, Walugi (sp?). Sometimes Mario.

Oh, and he's playing Dada's motorcycle game on the iPad as I type this.

If this motorcycle phase doesn't wear off before he can drive (and buy) one of his own, I am going to be one uneasy mama.

Take me out to the ball game

"Take me out to the crowd!
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks..."

Yeah, you know the rest. What red-blooded American doesn't? I grew up around baseball. My dad loved baseball. He played and so did all of us kids (well, softball for the girls), at least for a little while. He even coached our softball team. And, while I could never really sit and watch or listen to a whole baseball game, it seemed like Bob Uecker's voice was always in the background while we played outside in the summer. I can still remember the old radio my dad listened to in the garage all spring and summer long. Baseball will always be America's game. And whether you actually like baseball or not, going to a game just can't be beat.

Brennan was too afraid of the Fisher cat to get in the picture.

So, even though baseball isn't the favorite sport in our house, we thought it would be fun to take the kids to a game. Last Sunday we went to see the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in action. Rain and storms threatened all week but we actually ended up with a beautiful afternoon for a game. I think I can safely say that the kids thoroughly enjoyed their first baseball experience. In hindsight we should have explained the game and rules to them a little more before we got there, but they had fun none the less. I know it's an afternoon I'll always remember.

Aside from the actual game, they had a blast in the kid zone before the game. We seem to be finding them in a lot of bouncy houses lately for some reason.

Brennan actually had a pretty good swing and hit the ball well, but he was still disappointed he didn't get it in any of the holes.

And of course, the snacks were a big hit. We thought we would get them hot dogs too - because what's a baseball game without a hot dog? - but the game went so fast it was ending before we had a chance.

The peanuts were Kaelyn's favorite. She loved that she could throw the shells on the ground. I think she paid more attention to the peanuts than the game.

Brennan, on the other hand, actually seemed to really be paying attention and he asked a lot of questions. I was a little confused when he asked about the red team and the white team since the only colors on the field were blue and grey. Perhaps we need to work on colors more before he starts preschool.

"...One! Two! Three strikes your out at the old ball game!"

Catching up

Ok, so here are a few things we've up to during the past two months.

Visit to a Sugar House in March to see how maple syrup is made. Kaelyn was learning about maple trees and sugaring in her nature studies that month. Brennan was mostly interested in the cow train, which he rode once with each of us and then wanted to go a third time by himself. Kaelyn was freezing the whole time.

Spring has sprung (sort of)! Easter Celebrations:

Coloring eggs and egg hunt at the park.

Happy Easter!

Spring vacation. Staying close to home. Playing at the park. Hiking. Riding bikes. (Kaelyn was a little infatuated with her two new umbrellas.)

And that's really about it. We've just been trying to play outside as much as we can and enjoy the Spring weather while it's here. Four more weeks of school and then Summer vacation!

Fun at the Fountain

Ok, so I may or may not catch you up on what's been going on the past two months. I'd like to. But we all know what good intentions are worth. And right now I just can't resist sharing these pictures of the kids playing in Bicentennial Square. It's one of their favorite places to go in town. They were beyond giddy when we went down yesterday and they saw that the fountain was finally back on after the long winter. I think they would have jumped in if I had let them. It was such a beautiful day and they were so happy.

She does it again

Yes, ok. It has been over two months since my last post. I think that's a record. So, I have quite a bit to catch up on. First up, our little star does it again. Kaelyn has made her third appearance in the local newspaper. I guess the girl's got charisma. I always knew we we couldn't be the only ones to think she was adorable.

(Just ignore the make-up-less gray-haired lady on the right. Focus on the beautiful girl on the left.)

You can see the story here. I'll summarize and tell you that the story was about a big 5k race in town to benefit Concord Hospital’s Payson Center for Cancer Care. No, we did not participate. We were the lazy ones on the side of the road watching. The route happened to go along the street behind our house. So, we decided to go out and cheer and look for Kaelyn's best friend who was actually in the race. Maybe next year we'll do better and join in for a good cause. I can tell you right now though that I will not run. I can handle walking. Maybe.

Lucky Girl (A deeper St. Patrick's Day post)

I sure do find some myself thinking about how lucky I am pretty often lately. Some people say you create your own luck. The more I think about it lately I don't even know if it's luck I have so much as that I'm learning to more fully appreciate all the wonderful things God has blessed me with - even amidst the craziness and imperfectness that is life. Life is far from all rainbows and four leaf clovers and pots of gold over here. But I've been finding that the more often I pause, even for a few seconds, to appreciate the small moments the more contentment, happiness and "luck" I seem to find in my life.

This water fountain at The Currier Art Museum had Brennan mesmerized. (I hope it was the water and not the sculpture of the naked lady.)

 Like last week, when I was coming up the stairs and paused at the top to listen to the little voices coming from Brennan's room. The kids had been playing upstairs quietly and I had no idea what they might be up to. I realized they were sitting side by side in the top bunk cuddled under a blanket and Kaelyn was reading book after book to her little brother. *Sigh* It hit me that I have so much to be thankful for in that one little moment. Like two kids who love books. Two kids who love each other. A house that is full of books for our kids. The soft light that was shining through the window that just seemed to "make" the moment. A daughter who is a proficient reader and can fill in the gaps of reading to her little brother since I know I don't make nearly enough time to do it myself. The list goes on.

Our hard-working artist

I think the quiet only lasted another three minutes. Not quite long enough for me to enjoy some quiet time to myself. But I chose to remember the details of that moment because it makes me feel good inside. Who doesn't want to feel good? I can't even remember what caused the chaos that followed. True, some days are harder than others to find things to appreciate or remember to focus on the good parts. But the more I at least try, the happier I am and the "luckier" I realize I truly am.

On the deck of the U.S.S. Constitution on a VERY chilly day in Boston.

Wishing everyone I love the "luck" of the Irish today and always.

And please forgive me if this post was little too corny and sappy.

Three

It's my baby's birthday. I guess it's a good thing that even on his birthday he doesn't change who he is. He still remembers how to test my patience and make me feel crazy. And make me smile and laugh and make my heart melt. And somehow he manages to do all of those things within the span of two minutes.

Eating his requested birthday breakfast of Mini Wheats

Brennan's favorites right now (straight from his mouth):
Color: Red
Song: ABC's
Food: Mac 'N' Cheese
Show: Little Einsteins
Movie:Wall-E
Game: "This game" throwing a balloon up in the air. "You have to throw it up and catch it."
Dinosaur: A Rex
Thing to do with Kaelyn: slide
Thing to do with Dada: wrestling
Thing to do with Mama: play cars
Thing to do with friends: cars and dabloons and soccer
Book: Shark Vs. Train
Animal: Monkey

Restaurant: I don't know
Drink: Lemonade
Sport: Basketball

He really got excited about opening presents this year

Ready for the rain and mud of Spring

A chef in the making

Too cute for words

Go Irish!

Trying to figure out his big boy bike

I can't believe how grown up he looks