joyful about baseball

My husband has played baseball his whole life and I know he'd love nothing more than for his boys to enjoy it as much as he does (still). Our oldest son is talented other ways and it's just not his passion. Our middle child might not be the most talented player, but his passion for the game is certainly growing! I just wanted to share some shots I've gotten lately that captures his love of this American tradition.

 Talking to Dad after he got on base

 Props from Daddy

 So disappointed when he strikes out

 This stinker has to PEE everytime he gets on base!

 2 of my boys

 I shot this thru the chain link fence of the dugout. Love how it frames his face.

 His first double!

 On base again...ready to go!

This face just says it all!

joyfully celebrating

We celebrated some birthdays recently and I wanted to share some pics from the parties. My Jake had a LEGO party. This child is from the same cloth as his mother - begins planning the party for next year the day AFTER his party! So, I had plenty of time to gather up ideas and let me just say...PINTEREST is my friend! If you'd like to see where some of my ideas originated from,  check out my Pinterest board I call "If I Step on one more Lego".

 LEGO-filled vase for table

 homemade LEGO pinata

(aka cardboard box spraypainted)

 cookie cake NOT homemade - purchased from Sam's Club & decorated w/Legos

 wrapped juice boxes w/LEGO water bottle labels

 Our Lego-Man Jake - Happy Birthday!

Next birthday party was for our Ally, who turned 5. She's like her brother in that she likes to plan the party, but isn't as full of ideas like he is. Again, PINTEREST is my party-planning friend. I collected ideas on a board I named "Look whooo's having a party". I guess you can tell from that title that we had an OWL party. I had gotten the idea to let the girls make stuffed owls after I saw this AWESOME "Night Owl Party" on a blog called "Snowy Bliss" HERE. Holy Owl - I don't have NEAR the time or talent that this woman has, so I revised mine a bit. Anyway, here are a few shots from the "Make An Owl Friend" party.

 cupcakes made by my 11-year-old friend, Taylor...seriously good!

Those little "A's" are white chocolate! Printed toppers by me.

 Birthday Girl with her owl outfit..and felt crown

 The party room

 See the feathers? Those were HER idea...and I let her.

The "Make An Owl Friend" Room

 The poem on their "owl friend" bags - again, snagged from "Snowy Bliss"

 Warming our owls' hearts

My Birthday Girl with her new owl friend

Love my babies. Can't believe how 8 and 5 years have passed SO quickly. My oldest will be a TEENager this year..yikes! I wouldn't trade a day. And as my Grammie used to say, "My cup runneth over." Oh how I wish she could've met my 3 little blessings. She would've loved every minute. Be blessed...and find JOY in the little things :)