Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Toad Hunting


I'm sure this is not unique to just my kids... but my boys LOVE toads.

I think toads are currently their most favorite thing.

And just about every day for the past month, they have spent at least some portion of their day Toad Hunting.


Let's just say it's a good thing I'm not too picky about the state of my Hosta bed...


So since this was obviously becoming such a large memory for this summer, I had to get some photos.


The happy hunters and their latest toad friend




 
 Time to find some more....





 He's ready.




 
 Pure concentration. ♥ Toad Catching is serious business, y'all.





 Getting acquainted








 Dirty bare feet and a bucket of toads.

I think this single photo pretty much completely sums up our summer so far.♥





 Bridger keeping watch




 
 Ah! An escapee! Get him, Graham!







 Quality Time



 ♥ ♥ ♥






 
 Holden 100% believes that he can "tame" the toads. 
He carried this one around forever and it never tried to hop away... so maybe he's not completely wrong!



But hey, I learned toads can do THIS. I had no idea. (And I must admit, although I would prefer to steer way clear of toads... *shudder*... this was actually pretty darn cute.)



Rotten, ornery, silly, loving boys.♥

  



Monday, June 29, 2015

King of the... Ducks?

 Not really.

But since the boys all made me "Queen for a Day" on Mother's Day... I suppose if we HAD to say that Jared was "king" of anything for Father's Day, it would have been the Akron Rubber Ducks!


So the night before Father's Day, we decided to surprise Daddy with a nice, special steak dinner at home. We set the table, used actual dishes - including serving ones. this was a big deal, people. - lit the candles, had some fresh flowers on the table, dinner music.. we even dressed up!




 Look at these handsome studs in their polos: just like Daddy ♥



 We tried to make it really nice and just something different and more special than usual.

And I say "tried" because, well, life.

I didn't really sit down and eat for 2 consecutive minutes without being asked for something, there was an entire cup of milk spilled, and good gravy do those kids talk.. and talk and talk and talk...

It was... not the quiet, relaxing dinner I had in mind.

But it was real. And it was all of us. So I guess that's enough.




Then on Father's Day morning we gave Daddy all of his homemade and store bought presents and cards!








Holden made him a star necklace and thought he might like to wear it to church... 
I think that idea got lost in the shuffle. ;)




But its easy to get lost in the shuffle here... Never a dull moment.



And we surprised him with these "dealer's choice" baseball game tickets!






(Corny poem courtesy of yours truly.)


And he decided based on time and distance, that The Rubber Ducks game was the winner!




So right after church, we were on our way!
 









The boys each got a quacking duck call whistle and they each got to take a turn going down the huge blow up slide.






 







 I think they had fun :)





 They watched some players down in the bullpen area.






 And we all had some tasty ballpark treats. 

Since there were tables available, we didn't even ever end up trying to find our real seats. We just parked at a table and let the kids wander around while we watched. 








 I think he had a good time.♥



And after the game we had dinner and played a whole lot of cornhole over at my Mom's house.

We even let the boys stay up extra late so we could all catch fireflies just before bed.


And it might not have seemed like a huge deal, but Jared said it was one of the best days he's had in a long time, so, I'll take it.

Father's Day success.

And he deserved every second of it.♥




 

Two in T-Ball!


T-Ball season has once again come and gone, but this year was especially fun since we had TWO little players to cheer for!




All dressed up and ready for their first game!


Weirdos



Killin' time. Ready to go!








Holden's first "at bat" this year



There he goes!




And Bridger's first time up





Uh.. flying down to first base? :)





Some more batting turns









And, of course, learning how to be good sportsmen.
Good game, good game, good game....







Super silly-face high fives from Uncle Tyler








And Daddy even got in on the t-ball action this year! Coach Jared! 
(The first time he put his shirt on he said, "Yep. Got my official Dad Uniform now." haha)


But he was so good at it.


The Baseball Brudders




Warming up before their last game



(and since I'm always the one behind the photos, here. Proof I exist. My silly selfie before the last game. It was beautiful out and we were going to the Dariette after the game for ice cream. I was excited.)

Way too cool






Crack!






Graham was dying to be a part of it all.





Bridger's turn to warm up





Itty bitty stud






Lining up for their turns





Getting them all ready. Coaching like a pro.




Here comes Bridger!





And there goes Holden!







Getting their gear sorted



Some of their awesome cheering section this year





Last huddle!♥




All my guys




Good season! Can't wait to watch them have more fun next year!