John

John passed away yesterday. Most people who read this probably knew him, but for those who didn't, he really was such a good guy. It really just hit me today I guess. All this time I kept from getting very sad, because I guess I really thought he was going to beat it. But today I suddenly realized, and I just keep crying on and off, feeling so sad for Jenni and the rest of the family, and just sad myself, too.

He always made me feel so welcome, like I belonged with their family, when Jenni and I were inseparable all through high school. He made fun of me plenty, but it made me feel loved and like a part of the family. Ha. He had mastered the balance between being his kids' friend and still being their dad, and he was always SO involved in their lives. I got lucky being Jenni's friend and playing softball too, because I got to have him as a coach. He laughed at us for being overly emotional when we played, but somehow he teased us without actually making us feel stupid. :)

I hadn't seen him as much the last several years, now that Jenni and I are grown and married with our own families. Of course I regret that now. But I really loved him and I'll miss him. I'm so sorry Jenni, and all the rest of you Bathauers.

Koala Baby

I've managed to get behind again, somehow. There's no real reason, they've been doing plenty I could write about.

Having cute conversations over pancakes in the morning.
Making the playroom look like it belongs to a family of hoarders.
Being koala bears at the park.
Acting out dramatic reunion movie scenes on our walks.
Stopping to get pool lessons from Uncle Dan on the same walk.
Helping me babysit Jenni's sweet girls.
Well, the older two helped.
Haha. Actually Neely DID help, by not getting jealous and upset when I held Payton.

Leaping from the couches and yelling hilarious things on the way down.
And putting glasses on Gia.
Actually it's been a sad week, with all the Bathauers are going through. It's awesome how kids just keep living their happy lives, and brighten sad days. Please keep praying for John and his whole wonderful family.

First Ball Game

Little ones leave wonderful things around for us to see and laugh at.
Paige had her first t-ball game this Saturday and it was really cute. She did really well. She's the shy speck playing 2nd base a mile away.
She was super shy during pictures that morning:
But was fine by the time she played, at noon. Lily didn't have a game Saturday, but was there in uniform for opening ceremonies and pictures, and to watch Paige play.
Jess ran to get our lunch right before the game started, and BARELY made it back in time to see Paige's first at bat. Colton and I ran to the parking lot to help him carry the food and the kids back in time to see her. So I couldn't get it on camera, but we saw a leftie hitting as we ran back, so we started watching just in time to see her get a nice hard hit and run to first in the cutest of ways.

Captain American Dream Baby

We played outside a lot today, and again this evening while Jess got the yard ready for planting the grass tomorrow. Cason kept bringing dirt clods over and "tricking" me into thinking they were real rocks. Then he'd break it in half and tell me it "really was a rock" but that he could break it because he's so "super strong". Then he'd crush it all the way and start laughing that he'd tricked me into thinking it was a rock. He must have played that joke on me 15 times in a row.
The little one was quite the ham today.
I love how she is when she knows she's being funny. But I also love when she's being funny without knowing it. She does something weird in such a nonchalant way. Like wearing Caso's Captain America mask and just standing in a bucket.
When she put it on Paige called her "Captain American Dream Baby".

She did some more counting today. She added "GO!" now though, so it's "One, two, fwee, go!"

Here's a short video so you can enjoy it in her cute little voice:

"IT'S NEELY TIME!"

Last night I was changing Neely's diaper, and she held up her fingers and started counting for me. She said "One, two, WEE!" I got really excited so she counted to three 9 or 10 times in a row for me. Today she would only do it once or twice. She's gonna be excited to learn like her big sister.

She also likes to wear everyone's shoes lately. Tonight I noticed her wearing Cason's crocs.
Yesterday Jess added a couple of spray heads so we can add some grass out front. The kids helped out.
When they decided they wanted to go for a wheelbarrow ride, they got in and Neely started to run over. They told Jess Neely wanted in, so he stopped to wait for her, and as she ran over, Cason goes "IT'S NEELY TIME!!" Haha.

It's All Fun and Games Until Somebody Gets Hit in the Eye with a Snowball

Paige wanted to go on a little date last night, so we went for a peppermint hot cocoa at Starbucks. When we left the sun wasn't all the way down yet, and there was a pretty post-snow glow.
We had a nice date. Good conversation. :)
This morning there was a TEENY bit of snow left in our yard, so we did our time outside right after breakfast, before all the snow melted. They had a little snowball fight, but then Caso got hit in the eyeball, and the fun in the snow was over.

Sewing and Snowing

After that warm week we've had a much chillier weekend. I used the time indoors to make some headbands and hairclips.
Paige has been wanting to learn to sew, and she asked if she could make an owl pillow like Skye requested for her baby girl. So I helped Paige make a pattern for a small felt one, and she sewed and stuffed it almost entirely by herself.
She did so well!
Now I just need to learn how myself, so I can teach her how to sew properly.

Today is even colder, so I was sewing some more, and I looked out the window and it was snowing! Naturally we had to go play in it.
Caso's awesome.
They had lots of fun, especially Gia.
We even had a snowball fight with each other and a neighbor boy.
He almost hit me while I took pics from the doorway.

Then because we're not prepared for this weather, Neely's hands got cold and she'd had enough.
She and I came in for her nap, but the other two stayed out with daddy to make these guys.
Now I have to go enjoy the last of our spring break before Jess goes back to work tomorrow. :(