Sammy and Steven love watching Ryan’s World videos. In the morning, before school, that’s where you can find them. Monday was an unusual day in that Sammy was watching in the hall, not in the crawl space under their bunk beds.

On Monday night, Steven and Sammy had their first game as As! Both boys got hits and did a nice job fielding, too. Sammy is number 10 and Steven is number 2.

On Tuesday, Jason celebrated his 52nd birthday. One of his first acknowledgements of the day was this text from Steven. <3

The kids had the day off for teacher professional development (and a local voting day) so Penni took Steven to get fitted for sports goggles. (Like these, but ones that fit his face.) These should allow Steven to wear his glasses while batting and more easily in the field.

Making cheesecake for Daddy

Steven used the day off to design his own hardware store – Steven’s Duster. It’s open from 6am to 8pm.

Steven also made this wonderful birthday book for his Daddy, “Love for Daddy”. (That note says, “Some of the letters are stapled.”)

Amaya made a birthday card for her daddy with a special May the Fourth theme.

After work celebrations!

Jason, capturing his gift from Sammy which was taped and wrapped like it’s own special puzzle.

Our girl, fashionable even at bedtime.

Our neighbors are repaving their driveway so, on Wednesday between classes, the kids got outside to take a look at the construction.

On Wednesday night both the A’s and the Green Aliens had games scheduled so Jason went to the boys’ game and I took Amaya to her first softball game, where I was dugout coach. (I like coaching, to be honest. It’s a great way for me to spend the time. I’d have been a regular assistant coach on Amaya’s team this year but I was worried there would be many conflicts and I’d miss too many of the boys’ games.)

The use a catapult machine to pitch the ball which comes in around 30 miles/hour. They get five pitches to try to hit and outs and runs are counted. If a team gets 5 runs in an inning, that half of the inning is over. In game one, the Green Aliens won 10 to 8!

Working to remember to keep that embow up! No hits yet, but some really great swings at the ball for our girl.

It was cold so she had her jacket on under her jersey.

I hear the boys also played well batting and fielding at their game. I can’t wait to see them play on Monday.

Thursday night snuggles with Daddy. I love this picture.

Amaya took this selfie. 🙂

Saturday we had our annual family photos. I moved them out from January this year because I wanted the opportunity to take pictures outside. When the kids were younger that year over year snapshot mattered more than now when they don’t change quite as much over a few months. Of course it was chilly and not quite the weather I hoped for but we made it work. I can’t wait to see this years’ photos. Maybe I’ll even update the blog header.

Amaya had a very strong point of view about her hair for the photos.

Sneak peek of an indoor photo! It’s the one time/year you’ll find our boys in jeans.

While Jason took Steven and Sammy to their baseball practice, Amaya and I stayed home and made dinner for the crew. (Jason took the boys to get cleats today and said that, when Steven hit the field he took of yelling, “IT FEELS SO GOOD TO RUN!”, which everyone got a kick out of.)

I had a wonderful, relaxing Mother’s Day. The kids brought me a sugary feast for breakfast in bed, I went back to sleep afterward until 10am and then had quality snuggles with Steven, Sammy and Amaya to round out the morning.

I got lovely cards from the kids.

Sammy says my super hero name is “super mom”. I’m super because “my mom can make soup”. lolol I love my mom because “I have no idea”.

From Steven…

My super hero name is “Bestie”. I am super because “she is the best”. My mom’s favorite thing to do is “be with me, Sammy and Amaya.” (True! And their daddy.) I love my mom because “she is the best.”

From Amaya. That’s me, flying.

My super hero name is “Loving.” I’m super because “she takes care of me.” My favorite thing to do: “Play board games with me.” And I love my mom because “she is my mom and I don’t know what I would do if she was not my mom.”

The kids and Jason also made me this awesome bouquet of flowers, sure to last forever!

Checking out my cards. <3

The trifecta! Wishing a Happy Mother’s Day to Nana, Auntie and Savta.

Jason had plans to take the kids to a Tigers game and give me home-alone time so it figures that it was cold and rainy today. But they decided to give it a shot in the hopes the game wouldn’t be rained out. They got to the game and got pretzels in time for it to be called. But the troops rallied and took a shopping trip to Target for a new toy each and supplies for dinner and banana splits.

For these Amazon shoppers, at trip to the toy aisle is pretty special.

Setting up Steven’s new Hot Wheels rocket ship track.

We wrapped up the day with a Raddish Kids kit. Cooking with SSA is truly one of my favorite things to do.

And finally, banana splits! It was a big night because Steven officially likes ice cream!

Bonus pic – showtime snuggles for Amaya and Steven.

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week so the kids all made digital cards for Mrs. O’Neil.

Here is Steven’s.

Part 2 of Steven’s card.

Amaya’s card.

You can’t tell from this but Sammy’s is an animation that ends with a big heart on the screen.

That’s it from here! Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms in our life!