emma kate turns four

Emma Kate turned four on January 8th. It was a "school day" so she packed a special treat in her book bag to share with her friends. Before we headed out the door we let her open her gift from Ryne.

Look... her sweet big brother signed the gift tag himself!

Ryne's Rule #101. No matter what you are in the process of doing (ahem... getting dressed for school), If someone is opening a gift you MUST stop and participate.

 "Ryne, how did you know that I wanted Rapunzel???"

And then it was party time!

That Saturday we had her party at a local gym.

The kids bounced around an obstacle coarse, jumped in a foam pit, swung on a big rope swing, and rode on a zip line. They had a blast!

Instead of a cake Emma Kate requested doughnuts. The kids and adults enjoyed them. Out of three dozen only one was left... and it didn't make it all the way back home.

I can't believe this baby girl is now four!



spring program

At the beginning of the month the kids had their spring program and art show at school. This year the theme was the 50's. Mom (and dad) helped me make Emma Kate a poodle skirt and I found a sweater and some "stick-ons" for Ryne's letterman sweater.

Ryne and E.K. with the fabulous, Ms. Amy, their music teacher.

The 5k, 4k, and 3k classes performed together and we couldn't have asked for a better view of both kids.

 I was nervous about how Emma Kate would do since this was her first time to sing in front of a big crowd, but she never missed a beat. Afterwards, when Alan told her how great she did, she said " but I didn't know some of the words, daddy".

If you know my children, then you know it is hard to get a decent picture of them together. Everyone smiling, looking at the camera... being NORMAL. This was the best of five pictures...

 After the concert we were taken to the kids' classrooms to see their latest artwork. Ryne was most proud of the showing off the Lost Tooth Graph since he recently made it onto the board!

He obviously hadn't lost his tooth before he made this masterpiece.



We ran into Emma Kate's best friend, Leah, at Zaxby's afterwards. I think it was the highlight of her night.

cubs vs giants

Ryne played his first game of the season last night.

Warming up before his first at bat. (He actually asked me to take his picture, which he never does)

His first at bat and he hits the ball out of the park! Ok, it wasn't really out of the park, but it was a great hit.

He scores a run!

Doesn't matter what position he's playing... he's running for the ball. :)

Looking forward to a fun season with the cubbies!