Superstar!!!

My sweet girl was in the musical at church on Sunday. The production was called Simon Says - about the trial of Simon Peter. All of the kids were amazing!! Kids from K thru 5th grade participated. They really were great! Elaina had a few small solo parts and she did phenomenal - she was really nervous but got right up there and sang nice and loud - and might I add on key!! She most definitely got that from her Daddy! I was so proud of her - seriously she was so adorable!! Donna, Nelda, and Dawn did an amazing job with these kids!! I helped but was mainly crowd control - you know....stop touching, quit kicking, pay attention - don't flick that on people...that sort of thing. I'm good with crowd control - I'm the mean Mommy who makes you mind. Elaina's the one on the left in the flower skirt.

After church was over we went home so the guys (Alvin, Aaron, Luke, Jake) could get ready for the Macho Man cookoff. This is an annual cookoff/contest for guys at church. After everything is tasted and judged the dishes are auctioned off and the proceeds go to the Sr. High Mission Trip. Alvin, Luke, and Jake all won 1st in their age group. Aaron was a little bummed he didn't place since he's won the past two years - but he still had a ball. The guys got super cool chef hats as their prize. Although it's a lot of work and he's rushing around like a crazy person cooking with 3 boys- Alvin loves doing stuff with those boys. I hope this becomes a tradition for them.

Alvin is to the far left, Jake in front with the grey striped shirt and Luke in the back second from right.

Aaron was cleared by the Orthopedist Tuesday. YEAH!!! He can do anything he wants as long as it doesn't hurt his arm. He was really ready to play ball! They had a game last night and he ended up with a double! Since he's a switch hitter he batted left to keep pressure of his right arm. He did OK in the field - had a good play from right field - need to get some strength back before he'll be 100%. They ened up winning 7 to 3 against the Astros.

The Starz didn't fair so well. For some reason the girls are in a major slump - tons of strike outs, many many missed balls in field - really not great. Last game Elaina struck out both times at bat - she seemed afraid of the ball which is totally out of character for her. After a little work with Daddy and Bubby - she was ready this time. She got up to bat and hit (but fouled) four times - she ended up getting on base because the pitcher hit her - but we were really proud of how she tried so hard to hit! We wouldn't have cared if she struck out - she was ready for action. She even got to pitch a little bit and struck one girl out!! WOOHOO! Look at her go! Lookee Lookee Aunt Julie!! A lot of practice in the future - but she was excited about pitching.

The first year in fast pitch is a tough one - it'll get better. As long as they keep learning and having fun Alvin says he's done what he hopes to do. Many baseball and softball games coming up. More later.........

Two Peas Blog Challenge

The Two Peas blog challenge today is to write about what one thing, time and time again, always brightens your day? For me it's two things. When Aaron (almost 13) just walks up to me out of the blue and hugs me. This makes me melt! I know this may not last forever - so I am soaking it up!! He really is a great kid! Also, when Elaina makes me little crafty things that says she loves me. I love when she draws me pictures. I have kept tons of them. A couple of weekends ago I was sick and Elaina made me two "get well" pictures. So loving! I'm a lucky mama!!

I felt so bad for Aaron last night. His team had practice and he just had to watch. His spirits are really low. It's going to kill him Monday to have to sit on the bench and watch his team play without him. A few more weeks and we'll have his arm x-rayed again. Hopefully it'll be better.

Today...

A weekend we don't have to go anywhere! Yaaaaaay! Most weekends are packed with activities, but not today!! Aaron had baseball practice this morning - but that's it. Alvin spent all day working on the pool cabana. He is such a hard working man...seriously. I love watching him build. He exudes confidence when building. Give him wood and tools and he can build you just about anything you want. He is really trying to make our home nice for us! This is a picture of Alvin helping/teaching Aaron to build his own headboard.Awesome Daddy! I am spending the day doing laundry, watching Gene Simmons Family Jewels reruns and Clean House (I always feel better about my home after watching this show!)
and trying to get over the stomach ick. Hopefully I will get to scrapbook later. The pics from our ski vacation over spring break came back. A couple of the pics are really good. Too bad Aaron is not in many of them since he broke his arm snowboarding the second day! My poor big boy! I hate that he is going to miss some baseball. He has really been great - no whining or anything! Love him! Going to read some of my fav blogs now.