A New Favorite

I have a new favorite thing! I read about this Perfect Brownie Pan and had to check it out! I was so excited when it showed up on my front porch and couldn't wait to try it out! I love it!!
You pour the mix in the pan and then place the dividers in and bake. This is what it looks like when you take it out of the oven.

After it cools some, you lift out the dividers, and place the pan on the cooling rack. The bottom of the pan is removable, so it slides down over the cooling rack. I am now on the hunt for anything I can bake in it!!

The names have been changed to protect the guilty

It rained Friday night and then all day on Saturday. We had some rumbling and some lightning, but nothing like other areas. I am very thankful for that!

Because of the rain, baseball was cancelled, so we just hung out around the house all morning.

James went to a birthday party on Saturday night. A friend in his class had 3 boys over to spend the night. Earlier in the week I asked what time she wanted me to bring James over. I couldn't believe it when she said 2:00!! I immediately emailed her back and asked if she was insane?! 4 boys from 2:00 Saturday afternoon, spending the night, going to church and lunch afterwards -that's a long time!! But I dropped him and another friend off a little after 2 that afternoon. And that's when the craziness began. Since it was rainy, they were stuck inside. She is a better mom than me! There is no way I would have had 4 boys inside my house for that long! James had his DSI and lots of games, and his big nerf gun. The parents had also bought the boys some nerf guns. I am sure it was wild!



Anyway, they all had fun, played games, ate pizza and got very little sleep. The next morning when they pulled into the parking lot at church, Skip (not his real name) gets out of the car and throws up in the bushes! He gets car sick and has thrown up in my car before. They make it into church and three of the boys fell asleep leaning on each other. I wish they had snapped a picture!



Somewhere and somehow along the way, Skip gets a bead stuck up his nose! They called Skip's parents and his mom went to meet them to pick him up. She met them at Dairy Queen. When they got there, Skip gets out of the car and says he is going to be sick again!


I know it wasn't funny, but I couldn't help myself. I laughed and laughed!

Annamarye had a birthday party Saturday night at the Venetian spa at the Summit. Johnny and I dropped her off and then headed across the parking lot and had dinner at Flip Burger Boutique. It is very hip and chic! I had the shrimp burger and Johnny had the veal burger. For dessert I had a chocolate martini, which was fabulous! They didn't have it on the menu, but I asked if they could make me one. Johnny had a foi gras milkshake. Now I have had foi gras once before and that is enough for me! But let me tell you, I could drink the milkshake all day long! It tasted more like a french silk vanilla shake! If you go to Flip Burger, you have to get one!


OK, back to Sunday now, since James' game was canceled on Saturday, they played it Sunday afternoon. They played well and won 10-9. Right now we are in third place in the standings. The numbers 1 and 2 teams each have one loss - we beat them each.

Our friend Wes was on his way home from the beach and met us at the ball park. Afterwards, we came back to the house and ordered pizza.
James got in the bed early, but I guess not early enough. Today I found James like this while doing his reading homework:

We will be getting in the bed early tonight!

During a break in the rain on Saturday, Johnny took a water sample from the fish tank to the pet store to be tested. We now have two more fish! And we have to start feeding them twice a day. We aren't feeding them too much, but they aren't eating it fast enough and it is sinking to the bottom. The two new fish are ones that dig and eat the food that does drop to the bottom.

This one is long and skinny and attaches itself to the plants, rocks and side of the tank.

This one stays close to the bottom and digs for food between the rocks. You can't see it well in the picture, but he has whiskers like a catfish.

Baseball, yardwork and projects

I can't believe it is Thursday already! The days are just flying by so quickly! James had a book report due on Tuesday. They had to read a Beverly Cleary book and then make a kite to go along with it. On the kite they had to put a drawing of the main character, the title and the author. On the tail they had to list character traits of the main character. Here's what James did:

He read Strider. He did a good job! I help a little, mostly with the glue gun so he would burn himself. I am a firm believer of letting the kids do their own projects.

Annamarye also had a project this week. For Earth Day, she had to make something using items from around the house. Here she is spray painting an empty (and clean) orange juice carton. The finished project is coming soon. She finished it yesterday and took it to school today. I forgot to get a picture, so I will get one when she brings it home. Can you guess what she is making?

I love being outside right now! It is not too hot and not too cold. The gnats do kind start to bother us after a while, but the weather is just wonderful right now!
James loves cutting the grass! Johnny lets him help some on the straight parts. I just hope it lasts and he still loves to cut the grass when he is older! When I was single and had my own house, I cut the grass and loved it too! I would help cut it now, but Johnny would never let me touch his lawn mower!

James had a baseball game last night. I was a little nervous and forgot my camera! It was another great game! I just love baseball!! Can you tell? It really is exciting! They were playing the number one team, a team with one loss. It went back and forth and we were down by 4 going into the the bottom of the 4th inning. There is a time limit on the games, so this was it. Since we were home, we batted last. The Pirates pulled through and won 13-12! James played well, he missed a ball and a chance for an out at third, but later caught one and made an out to end an inning. He struck out once, they walked him once and he had one fabulous hit to the outfield! Our next game is Saturday, I hope it doesn't get rained out!

Sprinkler Delay!?

What a game!! James had the late baseball game last night. It was supposed to start at 8:00, but didn't get started until 8:20. The Pirates had a fantastic start to the season and were 4-0. Then we lost, then we tied, then we lost. So we were a little nervous going into the game. Plus we were playing a team that was undefeated! Those of you with kids playing ball know though that things can change quickly in a game!

We were away, so we batted first. Everyone had great hits and the bases were loaded. Things were looking good. Then we had three outs, had to leave the bases loaded. Which meant we had to start the next inning at the end of our lineup!
We were able to hold them, so it was 0-0 starting the next inning.

Everyone of our guys was hitting, and we scored and scored! It was 13-0 and their turn to bat. They only got 1 run, so it was 13-1 going into the third inning. I know that sounds like we had it wrapped up - but going back to what I said before, it can change quickly!

We are batting and all of a sudden the sprinklers come on!!

The kids loved it of course! They were running wild at first, then the coaches made them get in the dugout. No one knew how to turn them off! Coaches were calling trying to find out. Finally someone figured it out and turned them off. They re-prepped the field and the game continued. The Pirates held them and won 20-8! It was another exciting night at the ballpark!

Baton Recital

Today was Annamarye's baton recital. Last night she spent the night with her good friend Audrey. They played and played and wore my baby girl out! The recital didn't start until 12:15. Annamarye fell asleep on the way!The recital was great! I love how that they split all of their classes and do 4 recitals. Each group performs at one. That way it only lasts about an hour.
Here's Annamarye with Dana, her teacher.

Had to get the flowers! My sister, Renee gave her the baby red roses and we gave her the multi-color roses. I think the flowers were her favorite part!

Annamarye and Aunt Nae

This year each student got a medal instead of a trophy. Annamarye was happy with that!

After the recital, we all went to lunch. Annamarye got to choose and she picked Longhorn.

James, Sophie, Annamarye and Claire. Or possibly, James, Claire, Annamarye and Sophie. Not sure which is which in this picture!

Now off to baseball - we have the late game tonight and play a team that is undefeated! Wish us luck!

New Fish and Catch Up

Last Wednesday I posted a picture of our new fish and fish tank. The Saturday before Easter, Johnny took a water sample to the pet store and had it tested. The water was fine, so we all went and Annamarye picked out 3 fish. This past Sunday, James got to pick out 3 fish. They did not want to cooperate for a picture. This is the best I could do. Annamarye's fish are a white color. James' are darker, grayish with a black strip. They are all getting along so far!

I know everyone is complaining about the pollen, and I don't like it either, but I am loving getting to play outside! I feel so much better getting outside in the sunshine! My kids love being outside and playing with the kids in the neighborhood or having friends over.

The kids were out of school on Monday for a weather day. My sister, Renee came to visit and we loaded up the van with my two kids, and two of James' friends and headed to the park! We met a bunch of people there and had a wonderful afternoon and lunch. Usually the ice cream man stops by, but he wasn't there so we stopped at Bruster's on the way home. I forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures.

Annamarye's friend Hannah came over today to play. They had lots of fun painting, dancing, cheering etc.. While talking with her mom, we discovered that we went to the same high school, her brother was the year behind me and her mom was my elementary school music teacher! What a small world!

Baseball is in full swing and I love it! James' team is doing well. They are 4-1-1. Saturday the Pirates played the Red Sox. Our friend Matthew is on the Red Sox. The game ended in a tie! I was so glad. I wanted to win, but didn't want them to loose, so a tie was perfect.

Wordless Wednesday

Easter

We had a great Easter! Saturday we dyed our eggs, using none other than this:

The kids were excited to see that the Easter Bunny stopped at our house! I don't remember getting so much when I was little!

The kids got lots of candy and the Easter Bunny also left us some new outside paint and a paint sprayer. James got some Pokemon stuff and Bakugon (?) stuff. Annamarye got lip smackers, nail polish and a weaving potholder making kit. She made one when we got home from church. It reminded me of when I was little. We made them all the time!

Since Johnny sings in the choir, he had to go to all three services. We usually get up and go to the 8:00 service. That way we get home and can relax before everyone comes over for lunch and egg hunting. This year James was acolyte.

We had a honeybaked ham and lots of sides for lunch. For dessert we had a bunny ice cream cake from Brusters. It was yummy!!

Afterwards we headed outside for egg hunting and games. This year I put some money in a couple of the eggs, which made it a little more interesting. I also put jokes and the answers in some eggs. So after you found the eggs you had to match the jokes with the correct answer. It was fun. We played a few relay games and races.

After everyone left, I took a nap!!

A great deal and a fish tale!

I just love having a personal sports shopper!! My neighbor works for a sporting goods store. This is the same one that last fall told us about the great deal on the basketball goal. Yesterday her two little girls were over playing and when she walked over to get them, she told me about this:

It was on sale for $19.99! She had them hold one for me and I went and picked it up while the kids were in school. I told Johnny I had bought something for James for baseball and I knew what it did, but I didn't know what it was called - but it was a really good deal so I couldn't pass it up!! He laughed. It has turned out to be a good purchase! James can practice throwing/pitching and then turn it around and practice batting. James and I even put it together!

Now, for the fish tale! A few weeks ago I was trying to get Annamarye to learn to ride her bike. She rides her scooter which is two wheels, so I knew she could do it. She just needed a push. Plus, not to be mean, but she can be a little lazy sometimes. Anyway, she has been asking and asking for a fish, so I told her when she learned to ride her bike, I would buy her a fish. Needless to say, in one afternoon she could ride and after a few days it was like she had been riding for months!

Now, I was thinking a little glass fishbowl and a small little fish. But then Johnny (he never does anything small scale) got involved and this is what we got:

This has been about a 2 week process. First he bought the tank, rocks, plants etc.. Then we had to go and buy a stand/table for it. Then he had to buy the filter, heater and bubble maker. So far we have spent far more than my little glass fishbowl and fish would have cost. And we still don't have fish yet!! He had to put the water and water conditioner etc.. in the water and has to take a sterile sample of the water to the pet store for them to test it before we can add the fish!

If all goes well, we should have fish this weekend! I'll keep you posted.