More Baseball Fun

The entire team and all four coaches were at the game tonight so we were able to take a quick team photo. The boys are doing so well - they have improved a lot in the past few games. They are actually getting quite a few outs and even turned a double play tonight. In the beginning of the video, William is playing "pitcher." He fielded quite a few balls and almost had an out at home. He also had a few good hits and made it around the bases.

Orange Fireballs

Happy Birthday William!

Happy 6th Birthday to our sweet William. We had a birthday breakfast of sprinkle pancakes and then I drove him to school to make sure his birthday treats made it safely. There was a birthday flag hanging from the door to his classroom and he got to wear a birthday crown all day. After hockey, we had cake and ice cream and William opened his gifts. His favorite was a Lego train.

Newborn, 3 Months, 1 Year

Ages 20 months - 4 years

Year 6

Excited about his birthday treats

Captured by Mrs. Grindall on the playground

Assembly begins

We Love Legos!

Happy Birthday William - Family Party

After the baseball game, we celebrated William's 6th birthday with the family. We celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa, Grann, Aunt Mara and Uncle Ken, Aunt Maran, Allie and Emma. It was so nice to spend time with everyone and William received a lot of really nice gifts. William wanted a sports themed cake this year and was very specific about which sports and teams he wanted represented.

Opening Day

Today was Opening Day for West Portage Little League. There was a ceremony in the morning that Phil and William went up for. We watched the weather all day and fortunately the rain help off (for the most part). It was definitely cool, windy, and there was the occasional drizzle. The boys looked so nice in their uniforms and everyone played really well. William made it up to bat 5 times and had hits at each at bat. The first two times, he hit the first pitch thrown. He also got to play catcher and first base which are pretty busy! The "Orange Fireballs" had a lot of fans there to cheer them on and William had a large cheering section: Grann, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Mara, Uncle Ken, Mom & Alex.

A Weekend of Bikes, Cars, and Trains

It was a beautiful weekend in Kalamazoo. On Friday night, we grilled our dinner and ate on the patio for the first time this season. Then the kids played outside with all the neighbors for a while. The "Boo Boxes" are back. Whenever we have large (child-sized) boxes, the kids in the neighborhood like to take them down to the trail. They cut peep holes and wait for unsuspecting walkers to come down the trail. When they spot someone, they dive into the boxes and wait to jump out and "scare" them. This game has been hours of entertainment both last summer and again this spring. 

 On Saturday morning, we were outside bright and early. The boys practiced baseball and then played with the neighbors. We went to the West Lake Drive-In for lunch and then took a quick walk through the nature preserve. The boys really liked the floating docks that had holes in them. As you walked, they would shoot water up in the air. It was pretty entertaining. After the nature preserve, we dropped Will off at a friend's birthday party. After the party, we brought Will and a friend back to our house to play for a while. After a light dinner, we went over to the other cul-de-sac to celebrate another birthday. 

On Sunday, Phil and Will had an adventure. They took the train to Chicago so Phil could pick up his new car. They left around 9:30 on the Amtrak and got into Chicago around 11am (Chicago time). They took the El up to Wrigleyville and walked to the zoo for a bit. After lunch, they took the train out to Midway Airport and caught a cab to the dealership to pick up the car. While they were gone, Alex and I went to Barnes & Noble for hot chocolate. We also picked up a new train for his collection. When we got home, Alex decided he wanted to go for a bike ride to the Farmer's Market playground. He took a good nap after that and waited anxiously for Will and Dad to get home.

Boo Boxes

Picnic at the Drive-In

Floating Docks

Little Tree Climber

On the Train

Farmer John

After the volunteer breakfast, Mrs. Grindall convinced Alex we should stick around to see Farmer John's presentation to the Kindergarten class. He brought his traveling barn and petting zoo and put on a fun show for the kids including: a frisbee catching border collie, milking a goat (into the dog's mouth), feeding a piglet and a lamb from a baby bottle, and shearing a sheep. The kids (including Alex) were engrossed. Alex was even able to pet some of the animals before the big kids came out.

Where's William?