Ice Cream Truck

The ice cream truck came through the neighborhood yesterday and we bought ice cream for the first time this season.  The kids were so excited to get ice cream from the truck - I think we have only done it once in the past.  The little things that are important to you as a kid!

Waiting patiently for the truck to arrive:

So many choices!

Ryan's Soccer Picture

Ryan's spring soccer season is officially over.  One less activity doesn't make me too sad - he is already in baseball and Cub Scouts!  He really enjoys soccer, though, so I am glad he had the opportunity to play this spring.  Added bonus - four of his classmates and friends from first grade were also on his team! :)

Carter's Class Field Trip

I was able to chaperone Carter's class field trip to Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes.  I am so happy I was able to attend - it was bittersweet for me.  As much fun as we had, I couldn't help but think that this would be his very last preschool field trip.  He has 2 days left of school and then he is officially a kindergartner.  I almost tear up just typing that word.  Wow!  I am just amazed at how quickly the past five years have gone!  Anyway...back to the field trip.  There were about 45 kids on the field trip - a full bus load and about 15-20 parents and teachers.  It was a gorgeous sunshiny day and we had a great time!

One group of three, listening to the guide.  Soon they were given magnifying glass containers to put their bugs in!

Listening to the nature guide: 

Playing at the water tables, each had bugs/critters in them:

Carter catching bugs:

Showing his friends his bug on a leaf:

Carter's Baseball Game

Carter's first baseball games were this week.  He and Ryan have the exact same game schedule - Monday and Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m.  It is hard, because Evan and I can't get to both, since they are in different locations.  Wewill have to take turns getting to the boys' games.  He is doing very well for his first year and he is really enjoying it.  His team has 4 coaches, which is awesome.  One really helps Carter and a couple of the younger kids on the team when they need extra assistance.  The team is ages 5-7.  Carter just turned 5, and there are some kids that are almost 7, so quite an age gap.  The emphasis at this age is on learning the fundamentals, and not on who wins or loses, so this has been a great experience for our kids!

Team huddle before the game:

Carter playing short stop:

First at bat:

Heading to first:

Running for second:

Keeping a careful eye on the batter:

Team Huddle after the game:



Carter at the Cabin with Dad

Carter and Evan went up to the cabin last weekend.  Carter was so excited to head to the cabin with Evan.  They had a great first day, but unfortunately, Carter developed a case of the flu during the night.  Definitely not ideal when you are at a cabin with no running water or electricity.  Yuck!  Needless to say, their visit was cut short and they came home early.  Carter felt better by evening and is anxiously awaiting his next trip up north!

On the front steps of the cabin:

Helping Dad clear brush:

Enjoying a bonfire:

On the sauna steps:

When you've gotta go, you've gotta go:

On the sauna roof:

Chilling out watching movies:

BMX Bike Rally

Ryan's school put on a BMX bike rally for the kids on Wednesday night.  We brought the boys and they loved it!  Right up their alley.  Whenever I try to picture Ryan as an adult, I picture him having this daredevil spirit in him that would draw him to a dangerous profession.  I can totally see him doing this someday - he told me not too long ago that he wanted to be a stunt man when he grew up.  Go figure!

The stunt riders had the coolest ramp with a cable and bungee attached.  The stunt riders got up a lot of speed and they put on the harnessed bungees which allowed them to do very cool jumps and tricks:

The youngest rider, he was 16 years old:

He jumped over 5 kids:

Getting some height:

Mr. Z, a fourth grade teacher at Ryan's school volunteered to try it out; it is not as easy as it looks!

High fives for the kids:

My nieghbor volunteered for a stunt:

2 riders criss-crossed right over him while he sat on the ramp:

Carter tried out the harness:

He was so excited:

Ryan's turn in the harness - he got a little height with some help from one of the riders:

What a cool experience for the kids!!!!!

Baseball

Baseball has started for both Ryan and Carter.  Ryan plays for Soderville 8U and his team is the Orange Crushers.  Carter plays for Blaine 6U and his team is the Chinooks.  Wednesday was the first time I saw Carter in action on the field.  It just hits me sometimes how fast he is growing up!