Beautiful Saturday afternoon

Jakob played his last basketball game today. He did really well. He doesn't remember how many baskets he scored, but that's ok. He was a good team player today. Everyone worked well together and they did a great job today.

Pre-game huddle and prayer Going back in after some coaching from Dad

Patiently waiting for a rebound

Noah and Ben got to eat PushPops

which made them very, very sticky

After the game, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful, 80 degree weather and go to the park. We had a little picnic and the kids got to play. There were a lot of people enjoying the day. We took the dogs and they had a nice time too. Keely was pretty mellow and took it all in. Bocce enjoyed all the petting from the kids and did not like it when people would walk away from her, even if they hadn't been with her in the first place. She did a lot of barking and whining, but it tired her out sufficiently.
It's been a pretty good day.

Soccer

Noah had his first soccer game of the season last night. He was so excited and was even mad when he had practice because it wasn't a real game. He did great and his team won 2-1! He played 2 quarters and seemed a little timid during the first but he almost scored a goal. During the 2nd quarter he played he got to kick the ball off to start. He did a lot of tripping over the lines and falling on the floor. We went out to eat pizza after and he ate a whole 6 inch cheese pizza that he was supposed to share with Ben. Last week we went and got them the same thing - Ben ate 3 pieces, plus 2 pieces of Steve's pizza and Noah would only eat 1 piece. The video we have of the game isn't very good so I'm not going to post it right now. We may do a highlight reel at the end of the season (in 3 weeks).

Poor Noah

Noah and Ben had their well checks at the doctor yesterday afternoon. Noah ended up with mild ear infections and and had to get 2 shots in each leg :( Poor guy. They could hear him crying in the waiting room. Fortunately, he was asleep withing 15 minutes of leaving the doctor's office. And he got a cool alligator finger puppet for his trouble.

He seems much better today and doesn't seem to have any pain in his legs.

Noah's Birthday

Today is Noah's 5th birthday! He had a pretty good day. He got to bring cupcakes to school. The weather was decent so he played outside for a little while. We had homemade Chinese food - pot stickers, moo shu noodles, and cashew chicken - for dinner. And a giant soccer ball cake for dessert. He enjoyed Skyping with Oma and Opa, and he actually let me hold the phone to his ear long enough to let Nana say Happy Birthday to him.
He opened presents which included a soccer ball, blanket, Madagascar 2 dvd, a puzzle, and a Cars toy.
Now he is in bed singing and banging on the wall trying to keep himself awake.
It's been a long day, but totally worth it!

She fights like a girl

Bocce and Keely were taking advantage of the nice weather today.

Keely found a stick and Bocce tried to steal it.

They were playing around pretty roughly and Bocce got a little carried away.
She really got some air under her.
They had a little stretch. And a snuggle.

Then they were tired.

And now they are passed out.

Lake Katherine After the Ice

Steve, Noah, and Ben decided to go for a hike Sunday afternoon because the weather was beautiful and, as we all know, Steve gets stir crazy when he's cooped up. They caught the end of the icicles from the ice storm. Noah and Ben said they had a good time.
Good Brother Time

Storm Clouds

This evening a storm rolled in with wind gust forecast to be 60 to 75 miles per hour. This forecast prompted Wellston (where Steve's plant is) City Schools to call for school to be dismissed 2 hours early today. I didn't know why until the 5 O'clock news said that the buildings had suffered some damage in the last storms that lead to the discovery that the buildings (only about 5 years old) were built with not enough steel supports. It's really no wonder with the lack of building codes in this area that such an oversight could be made. Unfortunately, it had to be in school buildings where children spend a majority of their time.

The news also pointed out that the high winds could lead to more power outages due to the weekend tree limbs.
I did manage to see some beautiful pictures of the clouds as they rolled through.