The Red Sox

We went to Chase's first Bam Bam meeting. His team is the Red Sox. There are 7 boys and 2 girls on his team. He got to meet the coach and his team mates. His coach is our dentist's husband. He use to coach is older son's team, so he knows what he is doing.

The purpose of Bam Bam is to familiarize the kids with hitting, running the bases and the basics of outfielding. The game is played with a big rubber ball. The ball is balanced on a coffee can. After they hit the ball they run to first. Then the next person bats, and they run to second, and so on. They get to run all the bases. Once every kid bats and runs the bases, then they go to the outfield.

The team has pictures on Saturday and after that their first practice. The games start on the 22nd of April. He will have 5 games, every Saturday at 10:15am. The coach gave each kid a new ball, so we can practice at home too. He then let them practice batting a couple of times. We were in a pretty large meeting room at the library, so it worked out well. When we left, Chase was really excited. He wanted to know if he had his first game tomorrow. This should be a lot of fun!

A Year with Frog and Toad

Chase experienced his first theatrical performance on Saturday. My Mom and I took Chase to the children's theatre attached to the Des Moines Playhouse. "A Year with Frog and Toad" just opened last Friday. It was a musical based on the children's book about Frog and Toad. When I decided to get tickets, I went to Amazon and ordered the book. I wanted Chase to be familiar with the characters and storyline.

When the play first started, Chase didn't understand why Frog and Toad didn't have costumes on. Once we got past that, he did pretty well. He followed the storyline quite well. A couple of times it was hard for him to understand certain scenes. One was when the snail was delivering a letter to Toad. Well, as you know snails are really slow, and in this story, it took the snail a whole year to deliver the letter. Several times Snail would come on stage and go right past the mailbox for Toad. Chase would say, "Why isn't he putting the letter in the mailbox?" The last scene before intermissions was about Frog and Toad baking and eating cookies. It was really cute and fun. Then we went out to the lobby and they were selling big chocolate chip cookies. Chase thought that was great.

The play was an hour and a half, and Chase started getting antsy the last 10 minutes, but we got through it. As soon as it was over Chase says, "Can we see this again tomorrow?" I told him we wouldn't get too, but we can go home and pretend to be Frog and Toad. So we got home and Mom took Chase outside to play. Chase wanted to rake the leaves just like Frog and Toad. I was excited, because some raking got done! I was reading the program, and it said that most children's play are recommended for 5 or older. Oh well, it is never too early to start exposing the kids to the performing arts. Chase said he really liked it. I am glad we made the effort to go.

Hangin' with Nana

My Mom came to town the night of the 22nd. We hadn't seen her since Christmas! Chase had been asking for last month when he would get to see Nana. He stood out in the driveway for over an hour when we got home, watching for her car. Needless to say he was ecstatic when she pulled into the driveway. She then stayed with the boys on Thursday and Friday. Chase loved having Nana here. They had a great time playing. They played games, read books, played basketball, molded play-doh, painted and went to an indoor preschool park at the community center.

Anthony was really good for her as well. He took his bottles and took 2 hour naps. I wish I could get him to do that on the weekends! It was so nice having Mom there. I was able to sleep in an extra 30 minutes. I didn't have to get the boys ready in the morning, and I got to work early both days!

Thursday night we took Mom out to Famous Dave's. Eric says they have the best burger in town, even better than Hooters. They have excellent barbecue. My Mom tried the beef brisket and pulled pork. I had the BBQ chicken salad. The boys were really good, and we had a nice evening out.

Time for a Change

We decided to put in shower doors, rather than having a shower curtain. We go through 2 to 3 a year, due to them getting ripped off the rings. Plus the water likes to leak out on the one corner, making a mess. So we went to Menards and I had it narrowed down to two different ones. I then asked Chase which one he liked best. He picked the one that has a mirror.

Eric and I installed it, when the boys were taking their naps. They actually went down at the same time! What seemed like a simple job, turned out to take a lot longer. First of all, the instructions were almost worthless. We had to do a lot of guessing how it should go together. Then when we measured, we didn't take into account the wooden trim around the shower surround. We ended up scrapping paint and wood off of it, in order to get the top piece on. Paint also came off the wall, when I took the shower curtain rod down. I don't have the red paint to do touch up. Plus, it has been 3 years since I painted it, so the time has come. I know what colors I want to do, but I need to find a shower curtain first. I want something with gray, blue and yellow. Eric asked for the gray this time, he had put in the request for the red bathroom. This will be a work in progress. I am thinking after we get back from Florida, unless I find the shower curtain this week!

Several hours later we did get the shower doors mounted and the caulking done. I said to Eric facetiously, "Nothing like a husband/wife project to bring us closer together." Unfortunately there was a lot of frustration and swearing involved. But in the end, I think they look great. It really changes the look of our bathroom, and I am glad we did it.

Out and About

We haven't been to Knoxville in several months. I called Stephanie to see if the boys could stay with her. Chris had a FFA (Future Farmers fo America) banquet, but she said the boys could go with. Apparently they served some really good food. Chase ate like he hadn't been fed in a week. He had roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, a roll and then a brownie with ice cream for dessert. He also talked Stephanie into buying him some Cheetos! Anthony was really popular. Stephanie hardly got to hold him for the 2 1/2 hours they were there. Stephanie's boyfriends family was there, so they all wanted to hold him. When I called to check in, Anthony was sleeping and Kira had given Chase a bath and they were watching "Cat in the Hat."

Eric and I went and picked up Jody. We went out to his Mom and Stepdad's place to drop his kids off, and then Jody took us out for dinner. We ended up at Wacko's, which is where Eric proposed. They have really good pizza, but the guys ordered sandwiches and I had shrimp. We watched some basketball, and then went to Dingus. We only stayed for one beer at Dingus. There was no place to sit and it was way too crowded.

We then went to our friends Justin's house. We got there and he wasn't home. So we called him and he said he was out looking for us. We hung out in his driveway until he got back. His house and garage were locked. We then listened to music and played pool in his garage. I had one more drink at Justin's. I tried a Budweiser E. It was really good. It is beer, but it has guarana, ginseng, caffeine and blackberry and cherry flavor. It gave me the pick me up I needed. We didn't stay out too late, since we were picking up the kids. We were home and in bed by 1am, and Anthony slept until 7am!

Name Change

My brother called Friday night, and said he read my blog for the first time. He was concerned because I had our street name in the title. I told him only family and friends read this, but he made a good point. Anyone can go out searching and just happen to come upon it. Therefore, I have changed the name and edited my profile, just to be on the safe side. I want it to be noted that I did in fact take my brother's advice!

His Antler's are Starting to Grow

Last night it became official. Eric is a brother of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. He said the ceremony lasted almost 2 hours. There were thirteen new guys joining. The lodge served them all a steak dinner before hand. Eric managed to choke down three or four pieces of steak. I just don't understand how he doesn't eat steak, but likes hamburger.

Each inductee had to talk about their families and jobs. They each had to confirm that they believe in God. Then there was a lot of repeating back doctrine and taking the oath. The Elks are all about building a better future for our youth, sponsoring drug awareness programs and taking care of our veterans.

Eric jumped right in. Last Saturday he volunteered to help cook breakfast. The Lodge was sponsoring a fundraiser for East High's post prom party. He whipped up scrambled eggs for 4 hours and cleaned up. We are going to check out the fish races at the end of the month.

Paid in Full

This morning we sent in our last payment to Methodist Medical Center. We get to keep Anthony! Eric and I have joked over the last 8 months, saying, "What? Is the hospital going to take him back, if we don't pay the bill?" Eric says hospitals should have layaway plans. They keep the baby until you pay off the bill! He got slugged for that comment.

The hospital charged us $6500 for my three days of care, and $2,545 for Anthony's. Then the anesthesiologist sent a bill for $480. Last but not least, the doctor's bill for the c-section and circumcision was $2175. Thankfully our insurance covered 80%, leaving us the other 20%. Eric tries not to dwell on how he could have used the $2300 on his car! Anyways, it feels good to have that paid off.

Central College G.O.L.D.

Central College has an alumni group called Central Graduates Of the Last Decade. The function on Friday night was a hockey game. I met my girlfriend Lisa at the rink, to see the Des Moines Buccaneers take on the Green Bay Gamblers. It was a good game, and the Bucs won 4-2. After the game Lisa and I went for a bite to eat at Bennigan's. It was great to be out and catch up with Lisa. We were roommates my Senior year. She lives in Des Moines, but travels a lot for work. We manage to see each other 3 or 4 times a year.

I am happy to report that Eric was able to get Anthony to bed, and he didn't fuss too much. He didn't take his bottle, but he still went to sleep!

Teething

Anthony was a bit fussy this weekend, and wanted no part of napping. I don't know how he could stay awake for 14 hours, and only take two 30 minute cat naps, but he did. Well, yesterday I was changing him and he was laughing. His top gum was swollen and three teeth are coming through. It is no wonder he wasn't his usual happy self! The teeth that are next to the front teeth are coming in and one front tooth. It is amazing how he can go from 3 teeth to 6 teeth overnight.

Too Cute

Chase has a new playmate at Delana's. Her name is Kennedy. She is Delana's great-niece. She is 2 1/2 years old, and Chase and her play wonderfully together. Delana said that yesterday, they were sitting on the couch holding hands. I guess at one point Chase put his arm around her.

When I picked him up yesterday, I asked if Kennedy was his girlfriend. He says, "No Mom, we are brother and sister." I said, "That isn't possible." He didn't care about the logistics. Apparently, Kennedy wants Chase as her brother, and Chase likes the idea of that.

Jumpin' Jacks

Over the weekend we had Kira with us. I wanted to do something fun with Chase and Kira. So, after church on Sunday we went to a place called Jumpin' Jacks. I had never been there, but I thought we would check it out. It turned out to be a pretty fun place. Inside, they have four inflatables. There is a smaller one for kids 4 and under. The second one has the kids climb up one side and slide down the other. The third one was for jumping and bouncing, and the fourth one was an obstacle course. All that fun for $6 a kid. Up front they have a few kiddy rides and some games that gave out tickets for prizes, which were a quarter a piece.

We also had lunch there. I think their pizza is better than Chuck E. Cheese's. Anthony and I watched Chase and Kira have fun. We were just getting ready to wrap it up, and Chase got clobbered in the eye. He really cried. We put some ice on it on the way home. Thankfully it did not turn black and blue.

Tony Playing On The New Floor

Our New Floor Is In!

Thursday night we went to Lowe's and bought laminate flooring. We ended up going with a Williamsburg Cherry for a color. I am very pleased with it. Tom had off on Friday, so he came over to install it. Eric got off early, since he had put in an extra 25 hours last week. Too bad he isn't hourly. On a positive note, the VP's visit went well and no one lost their job.

Eric and Tom ripped the carpet out of the dining area. The previous owner, apparently felt it was necessary to use as many staples as possible to hold the pad down. It took over two hours to get the floor prepared. When I got home from shopping around 7, the whole kitchen and half the dining room was done. Tom was moving right along. Eric was the conversation man. He stayed with Tom, so he wouldn't get lonely. :)

Saturday morning Tom came back to put up all the base boards and the transition pieces. By 2pm he was finished, and it looks great. It looks so different. Chase says, "Mommy, I can't believe we have a new floor. I just love it!" He cracks me up. I am going to post a picture.

Miranda and Rob came to visit

Last Saturday Miranda and Rob drove up from Lenexa, KS to visit. Chase was very excited about seeing his aunt. He kept asking me what time it was and how long before they arrived. Miranda and Rob got to our house around 7:30pm. I had enchiladas waiting for dinner. After dinner we played Cootie with Chase. He ended up winning! He was losing at first, but he didn't let it get him down. We are making progress. Previously, Chase would say he wanted to quit if he wasn't winning. Chase graciously gave his bed to his aunt for the night. He still likes sleeping in our closet in his sleeping bag.

Sunday after church they took Chase to see "Curious George." Chase had a good time. He told me he wanted me he wanted to go again, so I could see the silly monkey. After the movie Miranda and Rob took off. Miranda had some boxes in storage that she needed to get, and some friends to see. It was a fun visit.

Baby Lasik

I went and had my eyes checked this week. It turns out that my vision has gotten better! Both eyes changed by .50. My right eye is still weaker at -1.25, but my left eye changed to -.75. The doctor was really surprised. He asked if I had been doing anything different. I told him I had a baby. He said, "Maybe you are onto something. All you need to do is have two more kids, and you will be back to 20/20 vision!"