Let the Tournament Season Begin

Finally...the Dragons have their first tournament this weekend and the weather was beautiful tonight for their first game. 

Nice to have a little play area nearby for Ruth.

Clare as pitcher...warming up the infielders.

Clare often plays 1st base too.

OUT!!

Another OUT!!

The Dragons beat Southeast Polk Rams 10-11.  It was an exciting game to watch.  Clare played outstanding and even had the winning hit.  Game #2 will be tomorrow at 8AM.  It will be a chilly game but at least it won't be raining on us.

Let the Season of Ball Begin

Clare is playing select softball this spring along with rec. softball.  Between her and Andrew's games, we are VERY busy with practices and games the next 3 months. 

Here is her Dragon team.

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Going home!!

Easter Weekend

2012-I like to compare pictures from previous years.  Look how much taller they are in the photo of this year.

Kip and Brett hid eggs around their house for Ruth to find.  What good little bunnies they are!

Meet Oreo

Clare has been begging to get a pet for sometime time now.  On several occasions we've had fish but Clare doesn't count that as a pet.  A weekend in January, Clare asked to get a hamster but told her she had to pay for it herself.  I thought this would teach her a little responsibility.  I mentioned to her she may want to check a book out from the library on hamsters so she could read up on it and see if this is something she wanted.  Immediately the next day, she came home from school with a book.  She read me all of the ins and outs of this pet.  Later, we went to the pet store and priced everything she'd need to have one as a pet.  With everything added up, the total was around $70.  Clare had some money, probably half already saved.  Clare is a very determined child.  When she has a goal to reach, she usually reaches it without losing sight of the goal whether it be academics, sports or the crazy school fundraisers.  A lot of the money was earned by doing various chores around the house.  Anyway, this past week we had a bunch of snow, and she asked our neighbor if he'd like her to shovel the drive.  He asked her how much she was charging and she said, "$8.00." And with that, Clare earned $70.  Of course, she was dying to know when we'd go to the pet store to get one.  I told her the weekend.  She even had a plan of when would be the best time to go...during Ruth's nap around 1:00, too cute. 

Clare was so excited and proud of her purchase.  Since it is black and white, I asked Clare what she wants to name it.  She didn't know but then I shared the name Oreo and she agreed.  Oreo it is!

Friday Night Skating

Olivia and her friend have been ice skating at nearby rink on Fridays the last few weeks.  When I went to pick them up, I took a few pictures of them. 

Gotta have a silly face picture too.

Clare's Busy Week

Clare had her music program this past week. The theme was The Heart of America and the six songs  were Patriotic.  Clare played a musical instrument during one of the songs, and she also had a speaking part.  We were surprised she volunteered to take a part.  She knew the line by heart but was nervous for the program.  She did FABULOUS!!!  She said her line clear and just the right pace.  "You are about to hear song that is an oldie, but a goodie.  It was recorded in 1908."

On Friday, Clare's school held its annual Farmer's Market.  This is a 2nd grade project where the kids are studying consumers, producers, and services in school.  They use what they have learned to have a Farmer's Market.  The kids decide what they want to sell or service to provide for only $0.25.  All of the proceeds went to a charity.
I found an idea on pinterest and asked Clare if she wanted to make it for the Market.   Last weekend, Clare and I made a test run with the popcorn treat, and it was a HIT with the family.  But we switched it up a bit for the Market.  I found pink chocolate wafers, used red and pink sprinkles, and added candy hearts and Valentine M & M's to each of the bags to sell. 

She wanted to sell tattoos too.

Clare is playing softball for the Dragons this spring, summer and fall.  Since it is a traveling team, there are some extra costs.  Her team is working really hard at trying to find sponsors and have fundraisers to defray the costs to the uniform and entry fees.  One great quality of Clare's is when she has a challenge, she tries very hard to be successful and works towards any goal.  The last couple of weeks she has sold 7 Yankee candles to our neighbors.  ( I wasn't sure how these would sell since they are pricey and them being candles).  Next, she has a can drive.  This past week, we collected a bunch of cans from the neighbors, some great friends at work, & family too. Our garage is PACKED FULL!!! With all of this, hopefully it will put a dent into Dragon fees.

LOOK at the eye catching Dragon logo!!!!  It's all who you know.  Clare's team needed a logo so the team asked if we parents knew any graphic designers who would be willing to help and for free.  My colleague and dear friend Jen, her husband Scott was able to help the team out.  The logo looks perfect for the team and I can't wait to see it on the girls' uniforms, banner and t-shirts. 

Take Two

I don't get very many pictures of Andrew these days.  And when I do, he usually is wearing a uniform for a sport.  He had two basketball games yesterday in Indianola and before he left, I asked to snap a picture or two of him.   

Picture #2-he always make goofy faces/smiles when I ask to take his photo. He REALLY doesn't like me to take his picture.