Summer is here and so it's TBall time!

And before we get to T-Ball- here is little miss Leah in her purple swimming pool. She was not 100% sure about the cool water, but her sweet personality humored me for a while. Her bathing suit is the sweetest thing I have ever seen.

I know you did not miss those thighs. This is one healthy baby- no formula. I can only imagine how big she is going to get when we start her on solids!

So here we are at Grace's first T-Ball game. Isaac sported her pink helmet whenever possible.

Pre-game huddle. Grace's team (The Blue Claws) has two girls. Rumor has it that they are the only two girls in the league! Fine with us- we will show these boys how it is done.

This is Grace at bat. She hit it off of the Tee.... (note her pink helmet and cute little sport skirt)

....and she is off to first base. When I was in college I "umpired" this same age of t-ball. It is so cute b/c after the kids hit the ball they completely forget to run. They like to watch the ball.

Now she is rounding 3rd and about to head for home.

Upon arriving at home plate, her coach is waiting to give her "Five." She actually did not hit a home run. They let 7 kids bat and they only take one base at a time. Grace was the 7th batter so she got to go all the way around the infield.

Now Grace is at 1st base. This is one position that sees regular activity. Every inning each player tries out a different position.

She actually picked up a ball that was thrown to her and is now throwing it to her coach at home plate. Good form, eh?

Here Grace is backing up the second basemen...or something like that.

They both missed. So now comes the mad chase for the ball. I love this part.

Grace is the one squatting (she is #1). I am so proud of her for being aggressive.

And now for the pile-up. Rugby? Grace is right in there. Inevitably a coach has to come over and get everyone back on track. I really like her coach. He also has 3 kids. His two youngest are twin boys; both on the team.

In summary I am thrilled that Grace is playing T-ball. Softball was my favorite sport growing up and I just love watching the game. Grace really is having fun too. I like the coach and his wife (so far :-)) and I was a little concerned that they wouldn't be very "kid" friendly; but the coach is patient and realistic. Both qualities are needed when coaching or even being around pre-schoolers. Isaac loves hanging out with the players in the dugout- I have a feeling that he is going to be really good since he can already throw further than half of the kids on the team. I have met some new moms with babies and Sid is helping to coach and can't help but hang out in the dugout with the rest of the dads- there are even some UT fans on the team! So we are all finding this adventure quite entertaining.

Leah is 3 1/2 months old...

Things have been busy around here. Isaac and Leah have been sick- Isaac had a crazy high fever virus last week and Leah has a bad respiratory cold. Grace came down with a fever this evening- who knows how tomorrow will play out. Mother's Day was nice/busy. Leah was really cruddy that day- so I was kind of worried and just kind of kept her close all day- no spa treatments for me; maybe next year. That's okay- with my kids is where I prefer to be.

This is my precious angel asleep on the big comfy chair in the living room. Isaac is also napping- that is why Leah is able to sleep downstairs. She is not on a nap schedule- just kind of snoozes when it suites her- what a life.

Yes- Thank goodness someone makes glue-on bows! Seriously, the bow is safely glued to her no- hair head. Grace had some hair at this point - but Leah is still quite bald.

Isaac absolutely adores Leah. His admiration of her has not faded one bit since her birth. He loves her so much and the first time he said "I Love You" was to her.

He asks to hold her at least 5 times a day. She doesn't seem to mind a bit when he is all over her.

Isaac is a little stinker most days. Mondays seem to bring out the best. Today I told him he needed a sweatshirt for our evening walk. He put on his down-vest then his sweatshirt...and the sweatshirt was on upside down. Grace attempted a correction, but I convinced her that her attempts were futile.

The latest from J Crew...

Isaac

Well, I haven't taken many photos in the last week or so- but lots of video. Unfortunately my video camera isn't compatible with my PC- so no YouTube for you.
Anyway- my Isaac keeps us all very busy. He is 2 times 2 times 2 squared. This is just 3 days of rocks collected in his pockets. I saved the washer/dryer from these little gems...but I always miss a few.

Daddy and Isaac picked out a new lawn mower last weekend. They were both excited to try it out. I can't wait to show Isaac these photos of how much he loved to mow the lawn when he is 12.

Lovin' Spring

Isaac and Grace just received their school photos. I will not be sending any in the mail as they are $12 a sheet- so enjoy them on the blog!

This is Isaac's precious class. Grace has had both of these wonderful teachers.

This is Grace's class. Her teachers, Ms. Michelle and Ms. Katie truly walk with the Lord. They have been such a blessing to our entire family. They pray with the kids and set a wonderful example. I am thrilled that Grace will be going to Kindergarten, but it will be hard to leave these wonderful teachers.

I love this dress. They make it in my size and Leah's....I'm tempted.

Lauren, Elizabeth, and Grace swinging in the backyard.

Isaac and Leah sunning themselves

We have tigers in the neighborhood.

Just another day in the life of Isaac.

Happy Easter

Grace and Isaac celebrated Easter 4 times. Might as well have been Christmas all over. Nana had an Easter for them, so did Grandma and Grandpa...never mind the actual Easter Bunny! But it is truly wonderful to have so many grandparents who love their grandbabies so much!
This what the Easter Bunny left for the Mitchener kids. They each received a Pillow Pet (upon the request of Grace...of course.) Grace also got a pair of pink Crocs for her American Girl doll and Isaac got a Spiderman backpack.

And then there was some candy and gum...which brought the biggest smiles.

Here are the big kids- oh yes, we made them clean-up the play room first. (It was trashed from the day before.) So they were thrilled when the big moment finally came.

And here is little Leah enjoying her Hippo Pillow Pet.

Sunday morning at church. We were the "Yellow Family."

Sunday after dinner- the kids did a hunt in our yard. I put money (little money) in their eggs. Grace got pink eggs and Isaac had blue- that way Isaac had the chance to find a few.

Grandpa meets Leah

Grandpa came in town last week for a long weekend. He wanted to meet his new grandbaby and of course see how big and wild Grace and Isaac had gotten. We had gorgeous weather and spent the entire time outside. We tried to wear out Grandpa but he hung in there. Grandpa's blue eyes make it through to another generation.

At one of our public parks Grandpa and Isaac head down to the pond to throw rocks. Isaac took Grandpa to our pond several times to throw rocks as well.

Grace is sickly addicted to tire swings. Grandpa was happy to assist in the dizziness.

At the Home Depot Kid's build, butterfly houses are assembled and no fingers damaged.

Grandpa and Leah take a snooze.

End of March

Boy are we ready for spring. And it is on its way! I asked Isaac to show Leah some of her toys. Gee, thank you Isaac.

Isaac got a new bike, so first I had to take a picture of Grace on her scooter. :-)

Ah yes- here is Isaac on his bike. He is excellent at riding it. Daddy brought it home after work last Friday. He hasn't stopped talking about it or riding it since.

Nana came last weekend to help while Sid went to a wedding out of town. She brought lots of treats- so we called her Easter Nana.

There is nothing better than one's hand.