Watch DOGS

The kids school has a program that asks the dads of the students to volunteer on campus at least one day during the school year. The idea is to have a male presence on campus for more security. Last Friday Kirk took his day and had lunch with each of the kids, volunteered in their classrooms and on the playground. DOGS stands for Dads Of Great Students. What a great dad!

Take me out to the ball game...

Baseball season has begun and we have 2 players this year. Justin is playing for the White Sox and his best friend, Hunter, is also on the team, so that makes it a lot of fun. Avery is on the Mariners and has her same coach as last year (we love him!) and a few of the same players, which makes it a lot of fun too. They both have played 3 games so far and have won 2 of them. Should be a fun season. Go Sumida's!

On opening day they both had games back to back and my parents came to watch. So nice to have Grandma and Grandpa Winn cheering them on! Avery was also 1 of 2 players on her team to receive the coveted Big League Chew for all her awesome hits at the plate. Way to start the season again, Avery! (Too bad, but Justin's coach doesn't do team ball or gum or anything. Guess he's getting too old for that stuff?)

Gotta Keep Reading!

Avery's school put on a performance today during their weekly Friday morning line-up. It was the entire second grade and it was really cute. Enjoy!

And the Oscar goes to....

US! We had so much fun last Sunday. My friend, Natalie (on right), invited me and another friend (Mechelle, middle) to go to her moms for an Academy Awards party. We left straight after church and enjoyed the jacuzzi, painted each others toes and then enjoyed the awards eating a bunch of yummy food and critiquing everyones dresses. Such a fun time! Can't wait to do it again next year!

Such sweetness

Last Saturday Justin's old Primary teacher hosted a pizza party for all her old students. She taught his class for three years and was released last summer. She just loves 'her kids' and is the sweetest to each of them. She still makes them cakes for each of their birthdays. Seriously, one of the most thoughtful and loving people and Justin is lucky to have her in his life. And she was sweet enough to invite Avery to come too. We love you, Sister Burd!

(This picture was taken with my camera phone, so not good, but at least I got one.)

Sickness, sickness, sickness

This what our house looked like for pretty much the entire week. That high fever that Avery had at the start of her birthday weekend ended up lasting 6 days and Devin joined her topping out at 104.1 Sunday night. Justin stayed home Monday because he wasn't feeling good and had white dots in the back of his throat, so I just figured keep 'em all home. Justin's didn't develop into anything and went back to school on Tuesday, but I had Avery and Devin home all week. Avery went back Thursday, but not Devin. And now it's a 4 day weekend. Everyone is well and ready to get out for some fresh air, but it's supposed to rain most of the time. What timing. Well, at least everyone is feeling good and we are ready to start the new school week healthy and happy. I love the picture of Avery with our cat, Jagger. He just loves the kids and is so tuned into them when they aren't feeling well. He's the best cat. I just love him!

Avery's 8th birthday

This year was the year for Avery to have a friends party. She chose to invite just a few girlfriends and have her party at Mulligan's Family Fun Center. But it wouldn't truly be Avery's birthday if she didn't get sick. Seriously, the poor girl gets sick on her birthday every year. I really need to remember this for future planning. She came home from school on Friday with a fever of 103.0. So typical of her and we're so used to it, but yikes! Now what? I didn't have the phone numbers for a couple of the girls to cancel it, plus the party was paid for. So, I did what any horrible mother would do - rationalized that she got it from her class (which, I do know is true, but do realize it was rationalizing), so the girls were already exposed, warned Tandy (who said no problem), drugged her up and made the best of it. She started the day with 103.0, but after the meds it went down to about 100. One of her friends that she invited is the daughter of the principle at her school (so, for those of you that know Shelly, mums the word, okay?), so we were hush hush about her being sick. Aren't I terrible?! Anyway, she ended up having a great time upstairs in the party room where they enjoyed pizza, soda and cake and then went downstairs with their tokens to enjoy the arcade. Fun time for them! And hopefully no one got more exposed then they already had been.

Love these pictures of Devin playing with Kirk and how proud he is when he scores!

Avery and Lexi - her 3rd cousin, twice removed, down the road, around the block...oh, I just can never remember what generation cousins they are, but aren't they cute?

Happy birthday, Avery. You are growing up so fast...too fast! Can't believe you're the magic age of 8 and will soon be baptized! Hope your day was fun even though you were sick. We love you!

Early birthday present

Avery got a big surprise when she got home from school yesterday - a brand new bike for her birthday a little early. She was beyond thrilled! Can't believe she's going to be 8 in just a little over a week.