We went out last night!

We bought tickets to the Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Eli Young Band concert at least 4 months ago.  Last night our big date had finally arrived!  Unfortunately, the Cubs were scheduled to play at the same time, so we had to call in some back-up to help us out.  No worries at all.  The grandparents were awesome.

We got score and batting updates on J the whole game and were thrilled to hear that he played well and the Cubs won big.  J man hit a single and a triple, played well at 1st base and helped the Cubs remain undefeated by beating the White Sox 19-6.  Way to go, guys!

When we finally made it into Cowboys Stadium, we headed down to the floor to check out our amazing seats.  I was so pumped!

Fifteen minutes later Eric Church came out full force and rocked it from the very beginning.

The enormous screen was right above us, too, in case we needed a super-sized view.

Rock on, Eric Church!  He put on a fantastic show--if you get a chance to see him live, go!

A half hour later, the lights went down, the stadium roof opened up and they cranked up the volume, too.

Kenny Chesney just knows how to put on a GREAT show.

Despite the odd look on my date's face, he had a really good time, too!

Kenny played for over 2 hours.  He's got so many good songs:)

Most were upbeat ones, but he worked in a few of his slow songs, too.  

Towards the end of the show he brought out Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray when he was singing The Boys of Fall.  It was a really cool moment.  He also signed a Dallas Cowboys helmet and gave it to a little boy near the stage.  Lucky little guy!

It was a night to remember, for sure, and a wonderful early Mother's Day gift, too!

Raingutter Regatta & Muffins with Mom

One baseball game, the Raingutter Regatta, one baseball practice and Muffins with Mom.  Whew!  We've had a busy week and it's not over yet.  Still got Field Day tomorrow and another ballgame tomorrow night.  It's been nice, though, to be able to spend time with each girl this week.  First up, Maddie invited me to the Raingutter Regatta at school.  I was honored!

We put together and decorated a sailboat (my 4th one!) and then took it outside to see if it would actually sail.  Turns out that even if an experienced builder, like myself, happens to put the mast on the wrong side, it will still sail!  Thank goodness!  I was going to feel terrible if ours was the only one that just flopped over. 

After a few successful sailing voyages, we went back inside to ice and decorate our sugar cookies.  My favorite part, for sure!  I'm pretty sure I was the only other adult to have one, but I just couldn't resist.  There were sprinkles for goodness sakes!

This morning it was Lila's turn with me.  She was all smiles when we got to school.  First, she showed me her caterpillar and flowers that she had painted earlier in the week.  Her teacher used them to make a really cool bulletin board outside their classroom. 

Then we sat down to enjoy some fruit and homemade muffins (made by her sweet teacher) and she gave me the present that she has worked so hard on for the past few days.  It's got her handprints, fingerprints and a precious picture of her on it, too.  I really couldn't love any gift more.

After breakfast, we went down to the music room, where we were treated to the cutest performance starring 1, 2, and 3 year olds.  She sat right up front, sang softly and did most of the motions, too. 

"Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham.  I am one of them, and so are you.  So let's just praise the Lord.  Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot."  This girl was getting into it for sure!

Thank you, sweetness, for a very special morning. 

Early Release!

Not only was it early release at school today, but Jackson also got invited to his very first co-ed swim party, too.  Now that's a big day!

Tucker and Brently are twins that are in Kindergarten with him.  They each got to invite 5 kids to swim at their house after school.  Do ya think they're having fun?!

Looks like the boys have moved on to the trampoline now.  I feel like this is such a big step for my little guy.  The twins live really close to school, so he got to walk home with all the other kids.  That meant I didn't pick him up and then he went to a party without me or his daddy.  Oh my!  He's growing up too fast.  I was so relieved and happy when Tucker's mom texted me these pictures.  Looks like they are having a blast.  C'mon summer, we're ready!

Monday at the Arboretum...

aka the best day to go there!  It was almost empty and the weather was gorgeous!

I was so glad that me and my little girl got to enjoy the outdoors with our good friends.

We met Sawyer and Hayley there around 10:30 and right away the kids took off running.  They ran everywhere.  Surely it was enough to surpass the 5K mark!

We found our way over to the giant slide, where we found Lila's friend, Caitlin, and her mommy.  How fun!  The girls were so happy to see each other and had a great time not having to share the slide with 100 other kids.  Ah, yes...the greatness of a Monday at the Arboretum.

When the one little class that was on a field trip there came over to the slide, we decided to go check out the big tee-pee.  Even though I told Lila what it was called at least 3 times, she refused to call it by the correct name.  Finally she just said, "I know it's a tee-pee, but I call it a TV."  And then just giggled.
Ok, sister.  Whatever floats your boat:)

After getting dir-tay inside the "TV" we headed over to see the lake.  It was so nice there that we just set up our picnic blanket and had some lunch.  There was a tiny breeze blowing and we had a great view of White Rock Lake.  Que romantica for these two future lovebirds!

After lunch, Sawyer wanted to run some more, but Lila just stayed and chatted with me.  We talked about all kinds of stuff and laughed at the birds trying to get our lunch.  One bird even succeeded when Lila turned her head.  He made off with half a sandwich, which she thought was very funny!

The kids ran some more and her cheeks got rosier by the minute.  We played hide-and-go-seek with these two rascals and enjoyed watching them just be silly.

Then Lila showed us her new trick!  Strong little thing, isn't she?

Thanks again, Hayley and Sawyer, for a great start to our week.

Lila Lou and I had a fantastic time!

May Days

Summer is right around the corner...

time to break out the shorts and flip flops!

This little girl is all smiles while pedaling her Barbie Bike around our 'hood.

The other morning we set off for the park--she was on wheels, I was on foot.  Thank goodness she doesn't go THAT fast just yet, allowing me to keep up with her by walking.  We spent most of our time playing in the sand at the volleyball court.  The park was empty and it was about 75 degrees.  Perfect!  We must have buried her hands and feet 32 times and she loved every single moment of it.  Truth be told, so did I.  Sometimes it really is the little moments in life that are the sweetest.

The month of May also means that baseball is in full swing.  Jackson was really excited (I know it doesn't look like it here!) to get an invite to the Rough Riders game last Friday night.  He even got an autograph from one of the pitchers...

was there early enough to watch batting practice...

and his friend even got a baseball handed to him by one of the San Diego players, which he then gave to Jackson.  What a nice friend! 

After winning his Cubs game on Saturday, we headed up to the Ranch.  Our friends, Jenny and Dusty, brought their lab with them.  His name is Legend and he's awesome!  He was the main-most outfielder during batting practice for J!

Lila got to ride the horsey swing for a good bit...

and then we all climbed into the Polaris to go check out the cows.  Jackson asked Jenny to ride in the new back seat with him and she very kindly obliged.

What a crew!

We finally made it down to see the cows and even got pretty close to Baby Madison, the newest cow, who was born on Madison's birthday this year!

After that, Dusty, Jenny and Jared saddled up and went for a little trail ride.  They all did great--the horses didn't give them any funny business and no one fell off!

When evening came, it got a little chilly.  Gigi was rocking her best Duck Dynasty jacket:)

We had such a great time at the Ranch.  Whether hanging out on the porch, playing ball, riding four wheelers or just playing with bubbles, there were always smiles to be found.  The mark of a fantastic time, I do believe.

We ended our weekend by going to watch the Children's Choir Concert at First Baptist.  Memaw helps out with the 1st graders and we were so happy to be able to go see their show.  It was really cute and the kids loved that Memaw wore pig-tails and got to sit on the stage, singing songs with the kids, too.

Weekend Recap

After getting off to a rough start, our week started looking up on Thursday evening at the Cubs game.  Jackson was over his stomach bug and so happy to be able to be back at school and not have to miss his game.

The boys were ready to play the Pirates...

and the girls were there to cheer for them!  (In all actuality, the girls just hung out and ran around, but it's still cute that they wore their Cubs gear!  Maybe one day they'll watch the games.)  They didn't have their best game and ended up with their first tie of the season.  Next up, the Angry Birds!

They took team pictures before the game started on Saturday morning.  Such a fun little group of kids.  They've played together for a long time and this was their last game of the season.

Maddie played the whole first half and did a great job!

She threw the ball in really well a few times...

played good defense...

and was aggressive, too!

Go Maddie, go!

She's got lots of fans, too:)

Lila gave her a big hug...

and then it was tunnel time!  Way to go, Maddie Mae.  We love watching you play!

A few hours later, all of us were at the ball fields again, cheering for the Cubs.  This time they came out swinging and soon enough J man was on 3rd base, ready to run home.

He crossed home plate pretty easily--no need to slide this time!

After another good hit, #32 was back on 3rd base again.

He waited for his teammate to hit the ball and then ran home to score.  Who hoo!!

The Cubs got another big win: 17 - 1.  They played really well and are ready for two more games this week.

Jackson is always happy to see his fans at the game.  His Uncle Scott even drove all the way from Irving to come see him play.  What a lucky little guy.

On Sunday, the fun did not stop coming.  First, we met our friends at church.  Then, we were off to Caleb's birthday party.  We knew it would be pretty elaborate, but really had no idea what to expect.  There was this cool Army bounce house with a basketball goal inside, which is where J spent most of his time.  It might have been understandable, except there was so much else to see and do.

They brought in this fun helicopter, for goodness sake!

And had not one, but two bounce houses--one of which was a seriously long obstacle course!

There was also a DJ, who led the kids in the limbo and even let them to karaoke, too.

Before lunch, J did the obstacle course a few times...

and worked up a good appetite.  The kids were served hot dogs and mac and cheese, while the adults dined on catered Dickey's BBQ.  It was delicious!

After lunch, we went to check out this monster of a cake.  It was really lots of cakes and took up a few tables!  Ships, an airplane, trees, a tank...it was the whole army scene.  Amazing!

Then the kids got to pretend they were driving this army jeep...

and Jackson even got to climb inside a real Army tank!  Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you.  They had a tank at the birthday party.  Unreal!

Jackson and Tucker played inside the tank for a little while, then it was back to bouncing basketball. 

After the party, we went over to a cookout at Memaw and Poppi's house.  We just had the best evening playing and having dinner outside.  It really was a great day.