Before I dive into the week, here are some of our new family photos. <3 We always did these around the kids’ birthday in January to mark the passing the year but I really wanted to start getting some outdoor shots and, now that the kids don’t change so much over a few months, it seemed like the perfect time to push out photos to spring.

Can’t have family photos without the couch pictures, though!

It wasn’t as warm as I hoped which made barefoot pictures unbearable for the kids. Steven, in particular, wasn’t having it.

Amaya looks so old in so many photos.

My absolute favorite of Sammy

We had time to get a few pictures of the kids playing on their playset.

I’ve been trying to work outside, or at least step outside, during the day now that it’s so nice out. That means impromptu visits with and snuggles from the kids.

Sammy lol

Lots of baseball and softball this week – games Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat plus a practice on Saturday.

Steven and Sammy play with some of the other brothers at Amaya’s softball games. Somehow a small basketball he brought when home with another kid. Steven was very sad about it so he made this tribute to his ball, Baske (pronounced Baskee). Such a sweet boy.

Steven and Sammy play coach pitch so they don’t formally keep score yet and not all games play outs. This was the first game of the season with outs and Steven was so excited to let me know.

Sammy, on his way to first.

When the watching gets tough, the tough play catch.

I don’t know exactly what this was about, bc I was working, but the kids were playing rock, paper, scissors to make some kind of game decision. It was pretty cute.

Amaya got all styled for the boys’ Friday night game – an extra special one because Grandma Sunshine and Aunt Annette came to watch! (And spent the night so they could see Amaya play, too.)

Perfect view while I helped out as first base coach.

In art class on Friday, the kids made inventions from recycled materials. Amaya made a purse and Steven made a device that will feed him.

Steven, recording Jason working on our new garbage disposale.

We had a lazy Saturday morning, into the early afternoon. Lots of together time and, while I worked, everyone else played a game of monopoly where Jason came out victorious.

On Saturday afternoon, while the boys and the rest of the crew were at baseball practice, I took Amaya to her friend Claire’s house for a preview to today’s birthday. Consider it a girl’s only pre-party.

It was H-O-T.

A little me time! Between events I got to join a zoom with Jonathan Frakes from Star Trek as part of a fundraising effort for Pancreatic Cancer.

Amaya’s game was at 7:45pm on Saturday night. Ended up under the lights, too! It was a late night for the kids – too late – but the Green Aliens did great winning 25- 11.

Amazing cuddles with my boys during the game.

Today we headed back to Clarie’s house for her “real” birthday party. The kids did crafts, decorated cookies and bounced in a bounce house for hours. It was hot, too. I think these kids are going to sleep very well tonight.

It felt so normal. Most of the kids are in their virtual class and the parents are all vaccinated so we skipped masks for this outdoor party. It was like the before-times!

Steven was explaining to Claire’s grandfather that Dancing Queen, by Abba, is his favorite song and all about how he heard it in the elevator at Legoland.

Two last pics from the week.

Here, Steven and Amaya were co-reading. Amaya was Piggy and Steven was Gerald. I love it!

Finally, sweet sweet Sal.

Have a great week everyone!