It was a rainy, chilly day here. The Easter bunny made it, but some of the eggs got a little soggy overnight. The kids woke up early, as usual, ready to start celebrating. We made them wait for Knox, who was a little nervous when we told him the Easter Bunny came last night. He did not like the big bunny at the hunt yesterday! We had our own little hunt before church, and then we went to brunch afterwards. Church was a little rough for Knox. He had a hard time understanding why he couldn't crawl under the pews, but it was just to crowded today for any of his wildness. We all ate a ton, and are ready for a nap.

We wish we had some relatives close-by to celebrate this wonderful day. We miss you all!

Listen to this!

That's my girl! She is reading. I am so proud of her. Reading independently is a huge milestone. She is almost there. She has endured endless "lessons" with me, which she hasn't always enjoyed. She is an amazingly fast learner, when she wants to be. But, also amazingly stubborn, when she wants to be. I wonder where she gets that?!?!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Baseball season is officially underway. We have two players this season. Carson is playing on a competitive 8U team, the Eureka Cats. Maisy is playing coach pitch baseball on the Lady Cats, also purple. We had our first tournament for Carson this weekend. He played AWESOME! I am a bit biased, but also fairly critical of his effort. However, right now I have nothing negative to say. He is having a good time, which is so nice to see after his experience last fall. He is playing with confidence and intelligence. Carson is excellent in the field. I played catch with him the other day and couldn't believe the strength behind his throws, maybe I had a bad glove. I don't know. It seems impossible for someone as skinny as him to be strong, but my hand stung in that glove. Jeremy is the assistant coach of Carson's team, and he is loving being out on the field as much as Carson. I am proud of my boys.

Maisy and I are practicing for her first game next weekend. She is doing really well. Having an older sibling is such an advantage. She is quite the little player. I am proud of her effort too. I will be the pitcher for the team, so we will see how that goes. Poor Knox gets drug from one game and practice to the next, loving every second outside in the dirt!

1 and a Half, 18 Months, 78 Weeks, 546 days

My baby is getting older. At first I wrote big, but in comparison to his older siblings, he is still quite a shrimp for his age. I cannot believe he is 18 months old! He is a true baby, and I think he will always be pampered as such. We have kicked the bottle habit, haven't had a binkie for months, and are beginning to want to communicate verbally, beyond grunting. These are all signs of growing up.

Officially there will be no more babies for us. While it was such reassuring news, it is a little heartbreaking. Knox is stuck with the burden of being my last baby, which means growing up might be kind of hard to do, for both of us. It is hard for me to let go of my baby. But I guess to fully embrace his toddler-ness, I must. I have to put him go to bed without rocking him to sleep. I have to let him go down the slide by himself. I have to start being more of a disciplinarian. Oh how I love my baby!

Right now he is a bundle of energy. Knox isn't saying much, but communicates his feelings quite clearly with a slap in the face, a tug on the finger, a tickle on your back, a grunt at the door, repeated signs for please, a big kiss or a vicious shake of the head. He loves being naked, and he loves being outside. The day I let him swim naked in the driveway was his best day ever, I think. He truly loves to be read to, and no number of books is ever enough. He is silly, rough, observant, and particular. I also think he is actually quite smart under his mute and messy exterior. He only likes one toy at a time in the bathtub or his car seat, which is a funny little quirk. He also likes his crayons all facing a certain direction and his blocks stacked the same way. Strange for a kid that eats rocks and loves trashcans. He is scared of loud noises...vacuum, hair dryer, and the lawn mower are all frightening to him. I haven't used the vacuum without holding him in at least a year. I have almost quit blow drying my hair. (That's a stay-at-home mom for you.) It is becoming quite a workout. Speaking of workout, I think I get a better one than Carson does at his little league games. I chase Knox everywhere. If I turn my back for a second he is in the dugout. He is fascinated with it! He even made it out on the field once. But, no matter how difficult he can be or how frustrating a dinner out is, I wouldn't want it any other way. He is one of the best 3 things that has ever happened to me.

Thank you, Knoxy for all the excitement and giggles you bring to our home. Thank you for showing me that Carson can still be very tender, and that Maisy is very cautious. Thank you for melting your daddies heart with your squeezes. Thank you for reminding me of what is really important. You bring out the best in all of us, and we all have to work together to keep up with you. We love you, Big Boy!