Lil' Helper

I am soooo tired today.  After we got the big kids off to school, I curled up on the couch with the remote.  Haidyn was fine playing with her stuffed animals and keeping herself busy while I half-watched an old episode of 'Supernanny'.  She soon cuddled up to me and rubbed my hair, "Mommy, you sick today?"  I told her that Mommy was just a little sleepy.  She said, "Don't worry I help you Mama.  I do your dishes fer you - Otay?"  I gave her kisses, said thank you and figured she'd head off to her play kitchen to wash her dishes.  A few minutes later I heard water running and dishes banging in the sink.  I rolled off the couch to discover this...

Feet in the sink, dress soaking wet - all to help out a sleepy mommy!  Gosh, I love this child!

Our #2

So our first born is actually our #2 this year.   This season has been fun for Ashlee.  She has been working hard at her pitching and it's starting to pay off.   The girls had a fun game in the heat on Tuesday - tonight's game should be much cooler.  Here are some pics from Tuesday night's game. 

Up to bat:  "It's #2, Ashlee Dunn"

Ashlee:  "WOW!  We just made an out at 2nd!?"

Here's our little pitcher!

She's ready...

Little pep-talk from coach...

Lightning girls trying to keep cool in the dugout

The Water Slide

Today was unbelievably hot!  When we got home from Nolan's baseball practice tonight we needed to cool down - we literally melted out there!  Ryan pulled out the water slide and the kids had a blast.  This water slide has been great!  This will be our 3rd summer with it.  It has split a few seams - but nothing a little fishing line and needle couldn't fix.  Ashlee and Nolan wanted this water slide so badly, that they saved up their money and bought it 100% by themselves.  It was a great buy!  I hope it lasts them many more summers.  

(it's a great babysitter and the kids love her)

Our #1 - 2009

Nolan had a great game on Saturday.  He's getting hits off the pitching machine every time and man that kid is FAST!  His positions are first base and pitcher (next to the machine).  He is really loving baseball this year!  So much so, that last night he was filling out his poster for 'student of the week' and more than one of his answers involved baseball in some way.  

Here's is what Nolan put on his poster...

My favorite color is: "Red and golden."

My favorite food is:  "Chili cheese dogs."

My favorite animal is: "A king cobra."

When I grow up I want to be:  "A fire fighter."

If you had one wish:  "I would wish for a baseball field in my backyard."

My favorite thing to do is:  "PLAY BASEBALL!"

See our little pitcher (top left)

He's so fast it was hard to get the shutter speed just right

IT WAS A GREAT GAME!

Our Easter

We had a great Easter this year!  It started with our annual egg hunt at my mom's clubhouse on Saturday.  Ashlee opted out of this venture - choosing to play in her softball game instead.  She has decided that she is getting too old for egg hunting.  So I took her place because I LOVE hunting for chocolate!  Nolan was most pleased with himself this year because he found a "silver egg"!  He's been after one for the past 3 years.  There are only 3 and you can trade it in for a huge chocolate bunny - he even shared it with me!  By the way Ashlee's game was amazing - tied up and went into extra innings. So fun for them!  We even got to see a lot of it after our egg hunting.  

Sunday morning we were awaken at the crack of dawn by our kids (much like every other house in the world) to enjoy the Easter bunny festivities.  We had toaster waffles for breakfast since I neglected to grocery shop before the weekend and then we were off to church - 5 minutes late as always!  We met up with Ryan's family at his Grandpa's retirement home for Easter brunch.  Haidyn and I got a mid afternoon nap while Daddy took the big kids on a bike ride.  

Four Generations of Dunn Boys

Ryan, Dennis, Nolan, Ken & Terrell

And it wouldn't be a holiday without someone getting sick - we put Nolan to bed early with a fever once again.  We didn't sleep much last night.  But at least it was a relaxing and fun weekend.  We need to get used to lack of sleep anyways - right?

Happy Palm Sunday!

Happy Haidyn Once Again!

Here she is - Miss Happy!  Long overdue for her 3 year photos.  

To see more click HERE!

Opening Day Madness!

Yesterday was opening day for baseball/softball season!  It is always a CRAZY day!  The kids love it though and get really pumped up for the season!  It all starts at 8:00 am - parade of all the teams, opening ceremonies at the park, lots of early morning candy, and then of course each of then have a game!  

This year Ashlee is on the team Lightning.  She has a few of her friends from class on her team and Principal Reed is her coach - so she's pretty excited.  The weather was rainy on and off so I didn't take my camera to their games today.  Ashlee pitched the first inning of her game (in the rain).  She was cold, wet and a little nervous but she still managed to strike out a batter.  Not bad for our "girly girl"!  Even with a few tears and frozen fingers from the freezing rain, she managed to get a hit and eventually bring in a run for her team.  Way to go Ash!

LIGHTNING - Girl's Softball - Minors - 2009

Nolan is on the Florida State Seminoles this year.  He didn't know anyone on his team.  And to our surprise, our little bashful dude wasted no time making new friends.  Nolan is such a natural out there on the field!  He loves the game and is so focused!  It's the perfect sport for our concentrated little man.  He plays first base amazingly well and seems to be really understanding the game this year.  He is new to Minor League this year and with that comes the infamous pitching machine.  It's a little intimidating for these pro-tee-ballers but Daddy is taking Nolan to the batting cages today for some more practice.

FLORIDA STATE - Little League Baseball - Minors A - 2009

Baseball season is always stressful and go-go-go!  But with all the stresses of life right now, this is exactly what we need!  

Our kids are awesome!

My Patient

Today is my birthday.  How does a mother of (almost) four spend her birthday?  Why, at home with a sick kiddo of course!  My morning started off great and then....the call came.  Nolan was in the nurses office with a fever.  I should have half expected it, it's been making it's way around the neighborhood. When I got to the school to pick him up, he said he was sorry and he hoped he didn't get me sick on my birthday.  He's such a sweet guy!  

My little man refused to take a nap.  Instead he wrapped up in a blanket and started on a 3-D puzzle - but guess what?  He didn't get too far before his little aching body fell asleep.  He's a pretty good patient, I have to admit.  I'm so sad for my sweet little man.  I hope he feels better soon.

"P" is for Princess!

Today for Haidyn's preschool our lesson was on the letter "P".   Fortunately, we have an all girls preschool at this time, so we were able to celebrate the letter "P" the best us girls know how - WE HAD A PRINCESS PARTY!  We curled hair, put on some sparkles, dressed in princess attire, made magic princess wands and ate popcorn for our afternoon snack.  Haidyn had so much fun!  The only way I could coax her into bed tonight was by promising to have another princess party very soon.

"P" is for Princess!

Princess Haidyn 

Princess Sydnie

Princess Noelle 

Princess Abby

Princess Chloe

The Princesses dancing at their ball! 

(Princess Paige's presence has been requested at the next ball)