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.