Team Bats got a Win!

Isn't this just a precious bunch of boys? They are so excited about playing ball.

Reed's showing me they got their first win.
21-12 against the Muckdogs. Don't you just love the names of the teams?

After the win, Reed was jumping up and down with his arms in the air saying,
"we won, we won our first game!"


Reed got the game ball signed by the coaches!

He hit two pitches and one off the tee.
And got a triple, scored a run, fielded well.
It was a proud moment. sniff sniff

Tuckered out, probably dreaming about the big game,
and yes he's sleeping with the ball.

Let's Go BA-ats! CLAP CLAP clap clap

Reed had his first ever real baseball game under the lights on Friday night.

He played Right Field with as much spunk as anyone could.
Lots of balls came his way and he really hustled to get to the ball and throw it in.

Reed's warming up on deck.

It's #9 Reed Thompson at bat. They pitched 3 to him and he missed. Then they brought out the T. You have 2 tries to hit off the T. He missed the first one. I'm biting my nails. He connected with the 2nd....he runs...gets a little tangled up with his bat...they throw him out at 1st. He handles it with grace. I'm so proud.

We lost 18-9.

But does it look like they are worried about it?

Watching your child play a sport can really be hard on the nerves. They were just adorable out there in their uniforms. Reed was grinning ear to ear. The coaches are so good to him. They make a point of telling him what he did well. They really seem to be a good fit for our first try at team sports.

Easter 2010

Cate kept saying, "This is a really fun day."
We did have a lot of fun this Easter weekend.

We colored eggs on Friday.

On Saturday we went to the RSC Easter Carnival.

Our small group had a Painting Station set up for everyone.

The Easter Bunny made an appearance.

The kids filled their buckets at the egg hunt.

The night before Easter we made the Easter Story Cookies
and read the scripture.
On Sunday morning we opened the oven/tomb and here are the cookies.

The eggs we decorated were yummy for Easter dinner.

Easter Story Cookies

A friend sent me this recipe. I can't wait to try this out with the kids Saturday night.

To be made the evening before Easter

You need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)!

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus ' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus .
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus ' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus ' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9

He is Risen!

Spring Break #3 - Aquarium with Friends

It's Spring Break! We are trying to squeeze as many fun things into one week as possible. Spent one beautiful day in Chattanooga with friends. Went to the Aquarium, had a picnic, saw the IMAX movie Wild Ocean and had ice cream at the end of the trip. So much fun. We wore ourselves out!

The Thompson's and the Hill's


Touching the Stingrays and Sharks.

Trying to touch the River Sturgeon

Reed's sad because he couldn't touch the sturgeon.

Exploring outside the aquarium.

Chillin'

Horsing around.

Closing out the trip with a refreshing ice cream cone.

Spring Break #2 - Nashville Zoo

Beautiful day at the Nashville Zoo! This is one of our favorite places. The kids are really into animals of all kinds right now. They get super excited when they see certain ones, especially the big cats.

Speaking of wild animals...look who we ran into.

We brushed the goats whether they wanted it or not.

The Clouded Leopards were a favorite. It's hard to see,
but there are two cubs in the shadows in the back.

Reed was crazy about the African Wild Dogs. He loves to watch them on the DVD Planet Earth.

We love the tigers!

Can you find my two monkeys in this picture?

Spring Break #1 - Gran's Here!

Gran came for a visit and the sun came out!

We had to show Gran all the things we like to do.

Like ride our scooters.

And ride bikes.

And shoot hoops!

And play football.

Gran's pretty good at football.

A little piano time.

We're so glad you came to visit. We had the best time.
Love you Gran!!!