Spring Break antics

This week is our Spring Break from school. We decided to visit the zoo today with our friends Devon and Georgia and their mom Julie. Unfortunately the day started out overcast and drizzly. We managed to have some fun anyway.


Later the sun came out and the rain stopped. By that point we were visiting the bears. They all seemed to want to dry off and warm up, so they were just laying out in the sun. I guess you can't blame them, but it wasn't all that exciting to watch. We played on the bear statue instead.

Baseball stars

Baseball season started last weekend.

Charlotte has the same coach and is playing on the same team as she did the two previous years. The biggest change for her is that they no longer hit the ball from the tee. The coach pitches them the ball. She is finding this to be quite a challenge, but she did very well at her game. Each time Charlotte was at bat she got a hit, and each time she stayed on base long enough to score a run.


She was also quite a star at third base. Four or five times in a row, she grabbed the ball, ran to the base, and tagged it to get the runner out.

Alexander has enjoyed playing baseball for a few years, but this is his first experience on a team. They are still learning the details of the game, but he is enjoying hitting the ball off the tee, throwing, and catching.

He didn't see as much action at third base, but entertained himself a bit by dancing around when things were slow. Or maybe he just couldn't contain his excitement at playing his favorite game.

Play ball!

Spring is not the only season that began this weekend. In our family it is also baseball season now. Charlotte played her first coach-pitched baseball game this weekend and Alexander played his first t-ball game. They both played very well and enjoyed themselves immensely. Stay tuned for photos and video to be posted this week!

Not always the opposite

Last night Charlotte was very upset that we decided to let Alexander take his bath first. She pouted, cried, and carried on for about half an hour. As she stormed out of the room, she said, "You are being the opposite of nice."

I was thinking about a time when she thought I was nice. I remembered this photo, taken in early January. She really wanted to surprise me by making my breakfast and insisted that I must sleep in. I was happy to oblige (or would have been if she hadn't been making so much noise in the kitchen).


I woke to find Charlotte dressed in her Christmas finest, with her hair done and wearing jewelry. Then she presented me with my gourmet breakfast of jam on toast, a slice of goat cheese, and a peeled clementine orange. It was very sweet of her, and it's good to remember that sometimes I actually am nice (and so is she).

My first basketball game

I was so excited about the first basket I scored this basketball season. I have been working very hard to learn how to play. This weekend Mummy and Daddy bought me a proper youth basketball so that I can practice even more. Here is a video of my first game. You can see how much I had improved by the time I scored my basket. I have scored a few more since then, but they have not been captured on video. Just wait to see how good I am now!

Anything that I may lack in ability, I make up for in energy and enthusiasm, as you can see in this next video.

In the pool!

Alexander does not usually join us when we go swimming. He will put his swimsuit on so that his clothes don't get splashed, but won't go any further than the first or second step into the pool. Those who have seen him near the water will be very impressed to see this photo. When we were in Cleveland before Christmas he spent the last few moments of our swimming time in the pool with me!


I think that the look on his face really captured what he was feeling: terrified, yet proud of himself.

In other swimming news, Charlotte passed her swimming test today and moves up a level for next week's class. She was so giddy after class, also very proud of herself.

My first basket

I have just started playing basketball. It's a lot of fun and I'm learning so much from Coach Wayne. He gives me a lot of playtime too, so I'm getting some good experience.


Although we're not supposed to keep score, we do so in our heads. I have also kept track of every basket I've made so far. I'm already up to 7! That includes games, practices, and warm-ups. Here is a video of the points I scored during my second game this past Saturday. At this point this is my only official basket, but I assume it is the first of many!

I'm very lucky to have my own entire cheering section as well, or least to have my sister to cheer for me.