Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Now that we're getting on the other side of summer craziness, I need to play a little catch-up on the old blog-a-roo! So here we go...

A little known fact about me is that once upon a time - when I had time (aka pre-kiddos) - I use to love to score baseball games. Dan showed me how I could "organize" the game of baseball and I was hooked. When we had the opportunity to attend two baseball games the week the Braves played the Cubbies, we where in!

The first game Dan and I went with friends.

We normally cheer on the Braves except when they play Chicago.

Go Cubbies!!

We were offered free tickets for the second game from some of our friends. We were so excited to be able to take the kiddos to the game (it was Maddie's first MLB game - yahoo!). So our family of four headed down to the Ted to see the game. Then we got to the park and realized how ridiculously great the seats where. It was so AWESOME!! No nosebleeds here!

Dan order Maddie and me our very own Cub hats. Maddie looked super cute in her pink hat.

Now, I officially can't say I don't own any sports paraphernalia. 

This had become a badge of honor for me and I'm a tad sad to let that badge go.

Luke likes to understand things and he asks a lot of questions.
Dan spent a good bit of the evening chatting with Luke about the game.

Maddie loved watching the home run fireworks.

This unfortunately happened a little too often during this game.
So sad for the Cubbies!

I discovered that Minute Maid Soft Frozen Lemonade (Strawberry) will keep the kiddos busy and cool during a very hot evening. I'm pretty sure Maddie would've lost interest quickly in the game if it wasn't for the frosty treat. FTW!!

 I think he is a cutie-pa-tootie!

What a little imp!

It's true there isn't enough free time in my day to score baseball games and there isn't "disposable income" in the budget to attend many MLB games; however, I'm very grateful for these peeps and for the time I get to spend my time with them. I heart them!

Summer Fun

Every year my co-worker has a swim birthday party for her twin daughters that are in the same grade as Maddie (they are a year older but in the same grade). I absolutely love this party and look forward to it each year. Most of the kids have been in preschool together since they were babies and they love seeing each other and playing in the pool. Plus, the people I work with are like family and it's so fun to hang out with them outside of the office.

Here are some photos that the fabulous Joy Cannis took of our family at the party...

 My two handsome dudes!

 Love the blue water and his blue eyes!

 Little imp!

 He owns my heart. 

She was serious about hitting that pinata!

I just love these pictures and I love Joy Cannis. She is a hoot! If you don't know her, you should!!

A Lesson in Generosity

Maddie came back from the beach with a fever. Boo! I would've preferred just the sand that we accidentally dragged into the house but Maddie brought home so much more. So, we had a sick day at home the Monday after vacation. As we were sitting at the table eating our morning snack, I read this blog post at Lil Light O'Mine and decided it was an awesome idea!

I contemplated taking action at that moment...we did have a free day and all. But with a day off of work and being confined to the house, I could play catch up on those chores that were neglected while we were at the beach.

But, then I looked at Maddie and asked her if she wanted to make cookies to give away and she said, "YES!"

So, I didn't think about it another second. We jumped in the car, gathered the few supplies we needed from the store, and then got home and got to baking!

She loves making things with lots and lots of SUGAR!!

At first I wasn't sure what shapes we should make. I went to the store looking for a cookie cutter to give me inspiration but I found nada! Apparently baking cookies in the middle of the summer (and a heat wave) isn't on everyone's to-do list. As I thought about the cookie cutters I have at home, it hit me. July 4th was in two days, so we should make stars. Lots and lots of stars!

We decorated the cookies in red, white, and blue icing. Maddie wanted to give icing cookies a try which was new for us. Usually when we bake cookies together, this is the point in the process where she ditches me for a different activity. But she hung in there like a champ!

We put the cookies in clear goodie bags with white tissue paper 

and tied it close with some blue and red ribbon.

We hung a flag on each bag that said, 

"Some Stars to add a little twinkle to your holiday. From: The Mancini's"

Then my plan got squirely. I wanted to hang out at the mailboxes and give the cookies out as my neighbors came home from work. Dan and I had plans to go the Braves game, so that evening was out.

My plan was then to hand them out on Tuesday after we ate dinner, but a lighting and thunder storm rolled in just as we finished up eating. 

We tried to hand some out late Wednesday morning before we left to go to Dan's parents for lunch, but it was too early to be ringing the neighbor's doorbell on a holiday. 

I was feeling quite sad. We were completely striking out when it came to actually handing out the cookies. Shouldn't that be the easy part?? If our family ended up eating the cookies, it seemed like the lesson of generosity was going to be lost.

When we got home in the early evening on Wednesday, I was sure none of our neighbors would be home. However, the security guard who patrols our neighborhood was stuck in his car. Not a fun holiday activity! So, I discussed a new plan with Maddie, we grabbed a bag of cookies, and found the security guard.

He was so surprised and grateful for the cookies. His reaction made Maddie look at me and say, "Lets go get the rest of the cookies and give them all away." Sweet!

As we walked around the neighborhood, we actually found people out and about and we were able to give away all of our cookies. When someone would park in their driveway, Maddie would start running and telling me to hurry up so we could give them cookies. So fun!

Our mantra was, "Why are we giving away cookies? Because it surprises people, makes them smile, and makes them happy!"

Which in the process made us smile and happy... Yes, it is better to give then receive. Woo-hoo!

Family Vaca 2012 - Enjoying the Waves

Some people take a sand tool and attack the waves...

Other people, like to dance and relax in the waves...

Two different people, two different ways to the enjoy the beach...both fabulous!

Family Vaca 2012 - Boogie Boarding

This was the year of the boogie board. We borrowed two boards from our friends last year and Luke wanted nothing to do with them. Boo! Since the waves were so fabulous this year, Dan got a boogie board to ride the waves and Luke was hooked. 

Of course, sometimes you need your dad to tow you back in when you get to deep and the waves are over your head! Thanks for the ride, Dad!

The BIG surprise was when this little one decided to join in... 

Maddie really hasn't enjoyed the ocean and being in the water. She hates getting her face wet and it's hard to enjoy the water when you can't go out very far without a wave knocking you over. However, Tropical Storm Debby left a nice sandbar that ran down a good stretch of the beach. This allowed Maddie to get comfortable with going out further and getting use to the sand under her feet...all without the waves. Woo-hoo! She loves to do everything her brother does and her experience with the sandbar gave her the confidence to give boogie boarding a whirl.

Such a cutie-pa-tootie! It was so fun to watch both of the Mancini children enjoying the waves this year. Thank you Tropical Storm Debby for making that possible ;)

Family Vaca 2012 - To the beach!

On Tuesday morning, we were finally able to pack everyone up and head to the beach. Woo-hoo! 

For my birthday, I asked for some beach gear and a cart to make hulling it around super easy. I love creating environments and having a fabulous environment when sitting on the beach is a MUST!  

There were still some pesky storm clouds swirling around the beach. I'm including the picture of Maddie not because it's a great pic of her but it does show the clouds that would roll in. It would look like it was going to storm but it would sprinkle for two minutes and then move on out. Phew!

A red flag of warning was still waving on the beach which meant the current was still very strong. The waves would coming crashing into the beach...

and you would get knocked down... 

which then had you scrambling to get back up on your feet. 

Or, the ocean would have the audacity to get your face wet. 

Maddie thought this was seriously uncool!

Since it was a bit of a workout to be in the water, there was a lot of playing in the sand!

It was a fun day and I'm SO glad we had at least one sunny day with Dan's parents at the beach.