Sleeping Beauties

I walked in to check on Sarah Kate before I sent to bed for the night, and this is what I found. In case you can not read her eye mask, it says "High Maintenance". Which of course is totally her!
I know it is hard to find her among all of her stuffed animals. Believe it or not, she thinks we should go to Build a bear every time a coupon comes to the house. It is hard to see her baby that she is cuddling under the blanket.
I went into Corey's room and this is the sight that I found. I guess Corey had covered him up and he decided that is where he should stay. I was happy with not having the dog between Buzz and I all night.
I guess you could say ben had a rough day. It is a shame he is so unloved!! Sweet dreams.......

On route for a paper

God forbid Corey give me a smile and you would never know he was happy to begin his paper route today...but he was. The workingman delivers local papers on Thursday afternoons.
He will deliver around 95 papers each week and make about 15.00-20.00 a month . Trust me, He has about 100.00 spent already before he ever makes it on the things he wants to purchase.
I told him that as soon as he gets his first check, he can open a savings account and get a bank card. That excites him! I did however explain that he must have money in the account to use the card. Yes, I thought is a good idea to teach him that at an early age.

Well, one week down, four more before he gets a check!!

Ice Cream anyone??????

Saturday night was the nicest evening we have had weather-wise in a while so we took advantage of it and walked up town for ice cream. Graeter's ice cream is the best thing since sliced bread so we thought that we would enjoy a nice long walk and some great ice cream.
Sarah Kate has discovered Black Raspberry Chocolate chip and you can tell from this picture that she enjoyed it! Everyone we spoke to on the way home got a chuckle out of her eating this ice cream because she wore as much as she ate.
Another great thing about the walk is the view. We love Grove City because of what we call "downtown". It is away from all the fast food and businesses of the town. It has all of the charm of a small town. On Friday nights, you can get ice cream and listen to bands playing in the summer. They have activities for all the kids. And the best family owned restaurants...got to get Lilly's rolls..YUM!! We also have summer farmers markets on the weekend and throughout the fall. It's great cause you can walk up and always find someone you know to chat with.
Corey is much more restrained! He went all out and got chocolate ice cream!!! So adventurous!!If you are ever in central ohio, you have to get this ice cream..IT IS THE BEST!!! Don't worry, Dad, you'll be here soon enough

It's coming to the end of the year...

Well, only 8 more days of school and you can tell not only by the change in the weather, but in the actions of the kids. Here are the four amigos walking to school. Corey is in 4th, Kylie in 3rd, Noah in 2nd and of course Sarah Kate is in 1st. Corey will be leaving them next year for Park Street, but Jack across the street will begin kindergarten so lose one..gain one...
Here they are running to school because they are so excited to be there...NOT!! Poor SK in her flip-flops! but you know the diva has to look good!
This is Ella Grace walking into preschool with her friends and Miss Julia. She only has two more days and then she is done. I have been so proud of her this year. I have seen her confidence grow and that in itself warms my heart. She'll be just fine Anita!
And then that leaves poor Ben at home by himself. When Ella leaves for school, she wraps him up in her blankets so he won't cry for her (she says). I think he likes the piece and quiet but that is between you and I. But he does love all the kids! We keep telling him that Pappy will be here soon...he's waiting on you dad!!!

Fun with Family

This weekend was a blast for everyone! Uncle Chris, Aunt Jen & Lindsay came from Maryland to visit! And if you are wondering, no, Codey stayed home! They came in Friday nght and we the weather cooperated and we were able to grill out and spend the whole evening outside. As you can see, Uncle Chris made himself at home in the hammock!
Buzz loved teasing the kids all night so there was lots of wrestling and chasing through the yard all evening! I am not sure if Lindsay made it to the garbage can or not!! The corn hole game, tether ball and badmitton set sure came in handy!! Remind me to not wear flip flops the next time I play with buzz!! And to let Corey be his partner!!
Three kids went through a whole bag of marshmellows in a few hours. How they never puked, I will never know. Aunt Jenn helped Sarah Kate roast about a dozen of those things! It is wonderful to have a fire pit in your yard. The evenings are still cool so a nice fire is so much fun.
Here are the girls together. They are 6 weeks apart in age and it breaks my heart that they are only together a few times a year. I know, be greatful for the time you do have! Next time, the get together is at their house and we are so stoked about getting to go their pace and tour D.C. with uncle Chris!! (so long as he does not drive!! that is a whole different blog!)Thanks guys for a great time!!

Curly Q

BEFORE:
Sarah Kate decided that she wanted to put rollers in her hair. She has not had curls in her hair since I cut them off at two. She thought it would be fun to roll them in and see what she got! She wanted to walk around the neighborhod last night with them in her hair!!
AFTER:

Well, she awoke to these curls this morning! She said, "momma, I have puffy hair". All I could think of was , welcome to the 80's!! She loved it though! She believes she is such a fashion diva so I am sure she will show them to all and love the attention that they will create for her!!

take me out to the ball game

Baseball has begun and tonight was Corey's first game. His team is the Mets and he was so excited to finally get started after being delayed a week cause of weather. This is him on first base..waiting to be brought in.
All of Corey's off season hard work has paid off and he is the starting pitcher. He is so pumped about that cause he loves to pitch. He is good at first base as well cause he is a "south paw".
His stats for tonights game were great. He was 4 for 4 at bat....struck out 6 kids in the first two innings...(he only pitched 2 to give another player a try).He has not worn his glasses for three weeks and we think maybe he was having such issues last season cause of his glasses. He could not hit the side of a barn and was swinging too early. Maybe it was time the glasses went in the drawer! That is his buddy Nick on first base!!
This is Corey with the game ball. After each game,a player is awarded the ball for a great play or contribution to the game. Coach Scott is great about handing out praise when it is earned and I am thankful for a coach like that.