Take me out to the ball game!

Pack the Park in Pink day at the Bees game.

Birthday, Earth Day & Easter Weekend

My little sister turned 25 on Friday, and we celebrated by making her do yard work! That's what she gets for being born on Earth Day. Happy birthday, Kelly!



Collin enjoyed Kelly's party more than anyone else, and he continued to celebrate even in sleep.




And we had a nice, quiet Easter with an egg hunt and a picnic.

first team dance competition

I've been really really busy at work this past month, and the money that I pour into dance just doesn't seem to stop, or even slow, or even almost stay within the range we expected to pay, and I'm sure I said no less than five times in the last month that "we're not doing team next year, it just isn't worth it." But having made it through our first competition, and having had a really good time watching my girl perform, and having discovered that I can do an updo - I take it all back. It is worth it! And we are doing it again next year. (I just hope Khoi agrees....although, I'll just sign her up in August anyway even if he doesn't!)

The Pixies took 2nd place, and won best costumes. My assignment: drinks.

A day of firsts

Last week (it was "yesterday" when I started drafting this post) we had the first of two experiences I am positive will be a routine part of our future:

The first was our first visit from the police relating to Collin. My dad was at our house to get an old cell phone from Khoi, to replace my mom's which wasn't working well. He took the SIM card out of the phone and handed the phone to Collin to play with. Apparently that does not disable the phone from making emergency calls. They heard "911, what's your emergency" and simply closed the phone. By my dad's account, not two minutes later the police were knocking at the door. I'm glad I'm getting something out of those scoundrels for the annual fee I pay to those raketeers each year.

And the second was Maddy's first phone call from a boy. A little history is required here so that you can appreciate the depth of this relationship. We were walking into a book fair early last fall when Maddy said "there's Ian" and immediately after I heard another mom say "is that Maddy?" Then the mom approached me and proceeded to tell me how adorable my Maddy is, and that her son, Ian, just adores Maddy and that she is his first crush (and at this Ian's mom pattted her heart). I thanked her and told her that Maddy has talked about Ian too. Maddy continued to talk about Ian almost daily. She even mentioned wanting to have a playdate with him. A month or two later my sister took Maddy to a Christmas lunch at the Spaghetti Factory and Ian was there with his family. She took this adorable picture of them together.



Doesn't he look proud (if not a little possessive) to be in Maddy's company? Then two months later at the class Valentine's Day party I heard Ian say "Maddy, Maddy! I have a special Valentine for you!" So you get that this relationship has been developing for some time. Maddy and I were just getting to yet another book fair last week when an unknown number called my phone. It was Ian, calling for Maddy. There wasn't much talking going on, but Maddy did at one point say "So, I can't wait to see you tomorrow." I nearly injured myself trying to contain my laughter! The next day she came home with a little note with Ian's phone number and hearts on it. Ah, first grade love!

Collin's One Year Old Pictures

Thanks to my work friend Natalie for taking birthday pictures of Collin! It was cold, and she was fast and got some really great pictures in a really short time. This is just one of my favorites.

Bad blogger

I've recently been called a bad blogger (and "recently" in my world means within the last three months or so). All I have to say to that is, well, you know me, and I warned you up front that it would be a neglected blog. You know who "you" are!