Grilling, Playing with Neighbors, Carowinds, Soccer, Tennis, Jump for Joy, New House ~April 4th - 30th 2013

We love it when daddy grills steaks! It is a treat!

Audrey is usually very excited to see her brother get home from school.  I love to see them run into each others arms and the giant smile that appears on AJ's face.  That never gets old!

We love to meet daddy for dinner in uptown by his work. Buffalo Wild Wings is one of our favorite places. 

Our neighbors across the street have a tire horse swing.  One day we spend a few hours there watching the kids swing and have a great time.

I bought a $10 kitchen for Audrey to play with outside.  The kids thought it was great. They made soups with leaves, sticks, pine needles, and whatever else they could find.  It was really small but kept the kids happily playing while outside for several days.

It's that time of the year again! Carowinds is opened and we are excited to have season passes. AJ is almost tall enough for all of the rides. Aaron and I take turns going on rides with each of the kids. When the weather gets hotter we will go to the swimming part of the park. 

Soccer is almost over.  AJ has enjoyed this season.  He has scored some goals but has been especially good playing in the back on defense.  His throw ins have greatly improved and so has his overall skill level.

Audrey has really improved on her coloring skills.  She colors almost every day while at the YMCA while I'm working out and often at home.

AJ has also made some big improvements in tennis. He has lessons once a week, but once a month on a Saturday he plays for 2.5 hours in a tournament with others his same skill level. It's called a Tennis Play Date.  It rotates around to different tennis programs throughout the city and they make it fun yet productive.  He has really liked playing in actual game like situations and it has helped him to improve in many ways.

Audrey's preschool had a fund raiser called Jump for Joy where families could come and enjoy a carnival like atmosphere and participate in a raffle. It was fun and the kids especially liked the tiny toys they won at the different booths. The favorite activity though was jumping in the bounce houses or whatever they are called.

Here the kids have powered sugar all over their mouths from donuts that Aaron got after a soccer game. The treats parents bring after the game are a very big deal.  Aaron often doesn't like the treat since he won't each chocolate or most cracker/granola bars.  He will grab one anyway and give it to Audrey or one of us. He even sometimes tries to get a few treats to give to all of the family.

We officially started house hunting when we got back from my nephews wedding at the beginning March. It was a time consuming process and quite stressful. The next several pictures are of the 1st house we looked at and after more than a month of looking at several other houses came back and ended up putting our best and last offer on it.  Our offer was much lower than what they were asking, but they took our offer and left us thrilled and stunned. This house that was at first only a dream house, was now really ours. The closing date was set for May 23rd! Now I need to get busy hiring an inspector, painters, someone to refinish our wood floors, carpet cleaners, a landscaper, oh and buy some furniture. All this is obviously new to us since we have always rented.  Luckily our Realtor knew and trusted many of these people and helped out a great deal.  Its really happening and we are sooo excited!!

 

Here the cub scouts are having their first camp fire next to our church. They roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and took turns telling stories. I was just glad no one caught on fire!

All the 2nd graders dressed up as their favorite book characters and had a parade for the parents. AJ loves Geronimo Stilton an I did my best to make a believable mask for him.