A Night of Fun!!

We all got to go to our first Cardinal baseball game last night!! Cory got some AWESOME tickets through work, we got to sit in the Bank of America box seats where you get all you can eat and drink. We had everything from nachos and hot dogs to salad, chicken and barbecued beef to made right there in front of you Tortellini and you could choose red or white sauce, with or without veggies. Then they even had cookies and brownies for dessert!! For drinks we could choose from juice, soda, beer or wine. This was perfect for us because whatever the girls wasted wasn't out of our pocket (I know that sounds terrible, but it is so true)! It was a beautiful evening and the Cards were on fire! I am not sure what the final score was, but we left at the top of the 6th inning and the score was 6-0 Cardinals! We played the Braves and they were not being very brave at all. I have never been to a game where the pitcher walked so many players, it was ridiculous. Now at one point we had a player on 2nd and 3rd base and Pujols was up to bat, okay that I understand so they walked him. Next up was Matt Holliday and they walked him as well giving us a run in, guess they didn't want to risk 4 runs, however, after that I am not sure what there thought process was except they were chickens!!

Here are some pictures from our fun night out!!




Oh how we love Fredbird!! They could not wait to see him, Claire was so excited she asked me if I thought he would remember her from last year. How cool would it be to have that job of being Fredbird, everyone LOVES you!!

3 years ago.....

today at 3:31pm you were born. How is that even possible that my baby is 3 today????

You have been such a blessing and addition to our family that I can't imagine life without you in it.

You and your sister have such a strong bond, one that I could only have dreamed/hoped for.

I love that even though you are 3 today you still let me hold you and call you my baby even though we all know that you are a big girl. I love how even when you are nervous and not sure about something you put on a brave face even though I know that is your "I'm trying to be brave, but I am really not okay with what is going on" face. I love how when you opened one of your presents today and didn't want it you told Claire she could have it. You are such a great friend to everyone you meet and so concerned about others feelings. You sleep GREAT and you eat GREAT! You make us laugh everyday. Your facial expressions and body language are too much, I won't be surprised if you end up in acting as you get older. You are this beautiful, sweet, caring, loving little girl that we are so blessed to have. Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet Paige!!

Field trip and one tired mommy

I was one of the lucky moms that got to go with Claire's preschool class on their field trip today. Out of the 17 moms/dads that signed up only 3 of us got to go and I was one of them. All the kids were so excited because we got to take the school bus to the park were our field trip was to be held. I was assigned 6 kids, yes you read that correctly 6 to watch after and that isn't an easy task. I had 3 boys and 3 girls and I was lucky enough to get 6 of the good kids in the class, but it is still stressful as you are responsible for 5 other peoples children for the afternoon. It was a beautiful day here, with temps in the upper 80's and sunny. All the kids had a blast as we got to see animals, have a picnic lunch under the pavilion and play on the playground. I don't know who is more worn out me or Claire. Here are some of my favorite pics from the field trip.

On the bus ready to go, first she wanted to ride with me, but it didn't take long before I got ditched for her friends.

Here she is about 7 minutes into the ride with her friends, Lena and Adam.
My crew of 6!
This peacock was amazing.
Whole class shot, along with the parents who got to come along. Look closely and you will see us behind the kids in the cut outs.
Farmer Claire
Lunch with her friend Caroline

Climbing at the playground

The one that brought tears to my eyes

I am sure all if not almost all of you have heard Carrie Underwood's newest song "Temporary Home", but have you seen the video? Oh my goodness, Claire and I were talking about American Idol the other day and I told her the biggest winners in my book have been Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. She has heard me talk about Carrie many times as I listen to country in the car every now and then and am a huge Carrie fan, being my curious little bee Claire asked what Carrie looked like. I told her that she was very pretty with long blond hair and I would show her a picture on the computer, thus coming across the video for "Temporary Home". I have to hand it to Carrie she can not only sing like crazy, but the girl can even act. I was not expecting this video to turn on the waterworks, but oh my it did. Watch it and let me know what you think.

Gotta Brag

I took Claire in for her Kindergarten screening today and she did great!! She was only 4 points away from being in the above average range. It is interesting and frustrating to me at the same time to see how she does on these "tests" if you want to call them that. When they asked her to locate certain body parts she got them all except her eyebrows, hips and ankles. I couldn't help myself when I heard that I turned to her and said "Claire, where are your eyebrows", of course she points right to them and then I said and "your hips", again she pointed right to them. The teacher and I just laughed and she said "it happens all the time, kids are so funny like that, one day they know it and the next they don't". She knew all her colors and missed I think it was three letters, but I can't remember which ones. She did great at writing her name and carrying on a conversation with the tester (knew there would be no problems there as long as she wasn't acting shy, girl talks my ear off daily). The one area that she did really well in was when they tell her two numbers and then she has to repeat it back to them from memory. Example being they told her 6-9 and then she repeated back 6 & 9. She was able to go all the way up and repeat back five numbers, the teacher said that is really really good for this age group. The test only went up to 6 numbers so way to go Claire, it didn't surprise me too much though as she has a FANTASTIC memory, too good at times. :) We got the green light and were told that she is more than ready for Kindergarten. After we left the Early Childhood Center where she had her screening, I took her up to her new school so she could look around. She got really excited, but a little nervous as well. Her first question to me when I told her "the bus will drop you off right here, you will walk through these doors and back to your classroom" was "but mom, what if I can't find my room"? I told her she will be fine and someone will be there to help her find her way if she needs it. Ah, I can't believe my little girl is officially ready for Kindergarten.

Welcome Cousin Owen

We welcomed another family member into our family yesterday, Cory's younger brother Ryan and his wife Lauren had a son! Owen Ryan was born at 1:07pm yesterday afternoon (sorry if I am a few minutes off on the time Lauren), he weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and looks just like his mommy. He has strawberry blond hair and slept the entire time we were there so I couldn't see his eye color, but if I had to guess I would say blue. Claire and Paige are soo excited that cousin Owen has arrived! Paige didn't want to leave the hospital last night, she just couldn't get enough of him and is already asking when she gets to see him again.

Uncle Cory with his new little buddy! I can tell this little guy already has a special place in Cory's heart.

Proud daddy!

Congratulations Lauren and Ryan you both did great!!

Easter/Birthday

Whew, what a busy weekend! Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter with your family and friends and had as beautiful weather where you are as we had here in the Midwest. Saturday we took the girls to the Retirement Center where my Nana lives and they had a egg hunt, got to see the Easter bunny (which by the way Claire was totally clued into the fact that it was a person, that is a whole nother story)got to see some animals at a petting zoo and look for a "golden egg" as well.

Today we went over to my mom and dads house to celebrate Easter and my birthday! The girls had a great time playing with the cousins as the adults all talked and enjoyed the beautiful weather/sunshine! Here are some pics from the weekend!

The girls are all dressed in their Easter dresses ready to head to Nana Pope's for the egg hunt.

With their cousins and the Easter Bunny, why do they always have to look so creepy?

Easter morning, seeing what the Easter Bunny left them.

Claire wanted these shoes sooo badly and was sooo excited to get them. Paige got some sparkly flip flops too.

Playing "Don't Break the Ice"

Ready for the egg hunt in our front yard.

At my parents for Easter and my birthday.

My nephew, Adam

My niece, Lauren

I love this picture!

Seriously, do either one of my children look like me?? Please leave a comment and let me know what you think because I just don't see myself in either one of them.

Happy Easter!!

Day at the Zoo

My dad and I took the girls to the zoo today since it was suppose to be such a beautiful day and we had a blast. First we headed towards the Zebra and Giraffes where the girls got to see a baby Camel that is 3 weeks old and then a Giraffe that was 1 year old. After that we headed over to the monkeys were we got up close and personal with several of them. After lunch we worked our way towards the Hippos and Elephants. I didn't realize that Raja just had a baby and so did Raja's mom so we got to see both the baby elephants swimming and playing in the water together, too cute and definitely an experience not to miss. After the elephants we had some Popsicles and then headed for a train ride. Whew, dad and I were both exhausted and I definitely am ready for a shower. Here are some pictures from our day!

3 week old baby Camel with its mommy.

Here is the 1 year old Giraffe standing next to his daddy who is laying down.

The baby elephants swimming together.




Who is ready for a train ride?