Summer Little League

Joey and Logan were officially signed up for their first year of T-Ball this summer.  Logan dropped out at the first game, not playing in a game at all.  I have mixed feelings about quitting a team, but realized that for Logan this was the better option.  I could have launched into the whole "you can't let your team down" speech but what's the point?  At this age, that speech would not have had the desired impact, and the screaming tantrum that would have resulted isn't productive for anyone.  Besides, it is a free non-competitive community league and the team didn't care either way.  

Joey stayed on the team and has been learning the game.  The games are hilarious with tiny kids running after the ball they themselves hit off the tee, kids running in all directions, not a single ball being caught, etc.  So adorable! The only issue Joey has is the team name, already an avid Dodgers fan he is not pleased with his team being called the Junior Giants.  Of course Jeff's refusal to wear the shirt even though he is an assistant coach doesn't really help matters!

Logan suited up for his first game, that he refused to play in!

Joey up at bat.

Joey running to first!

Jeff trying to convince Logan to stay on the team... to no avail.

Fun in the stands cheering on Joey!

Chuck E. Cheese Lunch Date

Took a break from work the other day to take the kiddos to lunch at Chuck E Cheese.  I haven’t been to a Chuck E Cheese in probably 10 years and my memories of taking kids there were not exactly wonderful.  I was dreading this trip, picturing complete sticky fingered germy chaos with tons of unsupervised children. 

I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was virtually no crowd at lunch mid-week and even more surprised that the facility was actually very clean and the food wasn’t as bad as I remembered.  The whole experience was actually pretty fun - the kids had a blast at the games, mowed through a cheese pizza, and scored a ton of tickets to exchange for cheap plastic trinkets which they loved.   The arcade wasn’t headache inducing or overwhelming, the hand stamp system to protect children from leaving with the wrong adult is much appreciated, the online coupons were helpful, and the service was friendly.  I will definitely take the kids there again.

Pretty sure Logan spent all his tokens on this game.

Joey hit the jackpot at this machine and won 100 tickets!

Pizza smiley face!

Cool app they have that puts an animated Chuck E. Cheese in your pics

Seriously like looking into the future... this girl is addicted to slot machines already!

Our First Drive In Movie Experience

On our List of Summer Things To Do we included, "go to the drive in movies."   I am happy to report we checked that off our list this past weekend.  We took the kids to see Monsters University at the local Drive In. We packed the car with games, snacks, pizza, sleeping bags, drinks, and candy and headed to the theater two hours early.  Luckily we just beat the crazy long line to get in and found a great spot to park.  The kids had fun in the bounce house and slide at the Snack Shack, and the two hours flew by.  Unfortunately by the time the movie started at 9 p.m., Logan was spent and was ready to go home and go to bed (why is he never tired at 9 p.m. when we are home?!).  We stayed of course, but he fell asleep and missed most of the movie.  Emmie and Joey loved it though!

Happy boys!

Emmie was thrilled to get a snow cone.

Love Emmie's face in this one.  Clearly she is not impressed with photo-op time!

Logan Graduates Preschool

 Logan graduated preschool on June 20. He has been at that preschool since he was 3 months old, so this was a hard day for both his family and his teachers.  He on the other hand, was super excited!  His only request was to buy his teacher Ms. Vanessa, "a beautiful necklace and flowers" which we were happy to oblige. 

To say that Logan is prepared for kindergarten is an understatement.  He knows how to read over a hundred words, knows his alphabet and all the sounds, loves to speak the Italian he has learned, and can count past 100.  We are so proud of him and even more proud of what a wonderful friend he has been to his classmates. 

Some decisions you look back on in life and wonder if they were the right ones, others you know were definitely the right choices.  This preschool has been part of our family for over ten years now, and we are so happy with that decision.  Our children have flourished there, and Emmie continues to do so.  We are so grateful for this wonderful school.

Tommy & Logan - they look so much alike!

The scrapbook his teacher made - tear jerker!

I love how Logan and Aunt Megan are making the same pose!

The whole family!

Chocolate faced Logan with Cheri

Me & Meg