Egg Decorating

With both kids playing sports we have practice or a game every weeknight. So we had to fit some egg decorating in on an already busy evening but we got it done. Sam is my speed decorator so it was no problem for him. I think his were all decorated when Ella was still on her second egg. If you know my kids then you will see this pattern in about everything they do. Ella took her time making her egg creations and finished just about bed time. They had a good time and both enjoyed a hard boiled egg before heading off to bed.

My Little Tiger!

Ella taking her goalie position seriously

Hooray for soccer and snacks!

Ella is back on the soccer field and begging each quarter to play goalie. She got to start in their first game and did a great job. The other team may have scored twice that quarter but she saved at least 5 shots and that is hard with 12 or so kids crowded in the goal area and bigger goals now that she has moved up to kindergarten soccer. She also did well in the field. We need to work a little on her aggressiveness, but she was in the pile with the other girls most of the game.

Her team is black and gold so the girls voted on the Tigers for their team name. Well really only three girls voted on the Tigers but there were so many other choices like princesses, cupcakes, thunder, princess thunder that divided the votes and the Tigers were able to take the lead. So here is to a good season for the Tigers!

Go Mavericks!

Showing off his sportsmanship bracelet after the game!

D E F E N S E !

Sam has started up another season of flag football. He is playing with the same coach and a few of the boys from last spring. His skills have really improved in the last year. He almost had his first interception in the first game but the opposing team wrestled the ball out of his hands. He is playing mostly center on offense and middle linebacker on defense. He is really enjoying himself.

The Mavericks first game was a victory and Sam received the sportsmanship bracelet that the referees hand out at the end of each game. He was proud of the bracelet and even happier about the win. Let's hope the winning streak continues.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

I absolutely love flowers! There are so many kinds that I enjoy but my all time favorite is tulips. I have planted tulips at every house where we have lived. I change up the color schemes and planting almost yearly. This year I just went with mostly red with touches of yellow and I thought they looked great. Unfortunately, with the warm weather they didn't last long but I managed to get a picture before the petals all disappeared.

Happy Ninth

The four square battle

More serious four square

The birthday boy with his cookie cake

Sam and his friend Lucas at lunch at Cheddar's

I can hardly believe it but Sam turned nine on Monday. Sunday we had John's sisters and their families over to celebrate. John fried fish that he and Sam caught (per Sam's request) and we played some competitive four square, Ella talked a lot of people into playing Cootie, we had cookie cake and opened presents. It was a nice day to celebrate an amazing kid!

On his birthday I took he and his best friend Lucas out to lunch. John and Ella had to stay home since Ella had the stomach bug. The plan was to then go to an arcade but it was closed. Instead they played Sam's new video games here at the house. I think he enjoyed himself and we are making plans to return to the arcade when it is open later this week.

Spring View

As we prepare to put our house on the market I am realizing this will be our last spring here in Springfield. Spring is my favorite time of year to sit on the back deck and enjoy our view. In the common area are Bradford Pears and Redbud trees that never fail to put on a beautiful display each spring. There is something about the trees blooming that makes my heart feel happy. It also makes me a little sad that I won't be here next year to see it.

We also had Bradford Pears in our backyard in Carolina. They are just such beautiful trees. Looks like I am already planning a project for this fall in the new house.

Beautiful Days

We have been outside enjoying the weather this whole last week! I can not believe that it is just the middle of March. With temperatures in the upper seventies and everything blooming you just want to spend all of your time outdoors.

The pictures are from last weekend in Columbia. We ate lunch and walked over to the columns for some pictures and then to Shelter Gardens. We were a little early in the season but since so many things have bloomed here this week I bet this weekend would have been the one to go. They have an old school house there that the kids loved and had fun taking turns being the teacher and the student.