April means carnivals and baseball

Every April at Cullen's school there is a Spring Carnival.  Put on by the PTA, there are plenty of games, laser tag, food and of course the human hamster ball.  That's Cullen in there.  The petting zoo is frantic but fun.

 

 

 

There is a large silent auction full of all kinds of great items to bid on.  Every class puts together a large basket.  This year Cullen's class basket was Boredom Busters themed.  Lots of movies and board games.  Also the art teacher does a couple of class art projects.  I loved this year's class photo project.  Each child is holding up a sign telling what they want to be when they grow up.  Isn't that cute?  I have bought a couple of them over the years.  It was no surprise of course that Cullen's sign says "baseball player" for his career.  They also do class vases with their fingerprints as flowers.   

 

 

April also means the start of a new baseball season.  Cullen's team stayed together and we are having a great season so far.  Cullen is the starting catcher.  He's hitting well too.  It's so much fun to watch the games.  Greg hasn't been here for alot of the games which is hard for both boys.  Cullen misses him and Greg hates not being here to see him play.

I work at a large Assisted Living facility and every day the daily calendar is posted in the elevator with all the activities and special events.  This quote was on there one day this week and I thought is was so funny I had to capture it. 

The baseball fever continued last weekend when the boys and I went to a minor league game in Frisco.  No baseball game would be complete without ice cream in a helmet.

Easter Weekend in Austin



We have been spending alot of time in Austin lately (long story I'll share later).  Easter weekend Greg was working down there so the kids and I went down to see him.  We are loving exploring Austin on the weekends!  So much fun stuff to do and see.  This particular weekend the weather was beautiful.  Greg has made it his mission to find all the great places to eat in Austin.  So for lunch on Saturday we went downtown to eat at the Hula Hut right on the lake.  It was heavenly!  Sitting under the tiki roof watching the boats go by.  And the food was great... Caribbean Mexican.

 

 

I didn't want to have to take too much down there for Easter baskets so I kept things simple and got these buckets from Target and just a few candies.  For Cullen, baseball cards.  For Madison, the new Justin Timberlake CD.

 

Another one of Greg's must see food places in Austin.  Round rock donuts.  See that huge round donut on the top row?  That's what they are famous for.   We weren't very impressed though.  Check that one off the "Been there - don't have to go again" list.

 

Cullen's Easter eggs this year were of course baseball themed. 

March Randomness

 

Greg and Cullen are always spending their Sunday afternoons practicing baseball.

 

There is a large pickle factory in our town.  So every year we have a St. Patrick's Day Pickle Parade and Picklepalooza. 

 

Baseball season has started back up.  Cullen is the starting catcher this season and he is doing so well.  I think we have found what comes naturally to him.  

 

 

I forgot to include this picture with the boy's Spring Break trip photos.  One day when they were on thier way home and driving through somewhere in Arizona, I got this photo texted to me from the boys.  Greg said, "do you get it?"  Umm, no.  Then it hit me...... "Standing on the Corner in Winslow, AZ" ..... from the old Eagles song.  Apparently that's this town's only claim to fame so they have made a big deal about it with this sign post downtown. 

 

 

This cat continually drives me crazy with her shedding and hairballs and general weirdness.  But she's so cute.

 

 

Just when I think he's too old for bubble baths he gets in the mood and fills the big tub up and has a nice long bath.

 

 

 

 

 

The Boy Only Spring Break Trip to Spring Training

For a couple of years Greg and Cullen have been talking about taking a trip to Surprise, AZ to see the TX Rangers at Spring Training.  This year they did it!  They left early on a Saturday morning and drove 14 hours.  They had tickets for a game on Monday but had plans to catch at least one or two more games during the week.  They got to the stadium on Sunday just as they opened the gates and got in to see a Kansas City Royals vs. CA Angels game (Kansas City shares the stadium with the Rangers).   Monday they were at the stadium at 9 a.m. to watch batting practice and get autographs.  Cullen had taken a couple of balls to get signed.  They ended up seeing 3 games and 2 days of daily practice. 

Cullen wasn't picky  -- he liked approaching the minor league players just as much as the big league players.

Ready for the game

 

 This one was tall

 

 

On the second day he started getting his Rangers hat signed

 

Being a catcher, Cullen always gravitates to the pitchers and catchers practice

His hat full of autographs

 

 

After 4 days in Surprise they headed up toward Flagstaff and spent the night near the Grand Canyon. 

 

Quite a change in temperature up at that elevation

They stopped one more night somewhere in Arizona and rolled back into town on Friday.  They had gotten a whole week of boy time and made so many great memories.   They are already making plans to go back next year. 

All photos taken with Greg's Iphone. 

At the Movies

It seems like we go for ages without going to the movie theater, choosing instead to wait for DVD's.  But on Sunday, after her birthday massage, Madison and I went to see Safe Haven at Studio Movie Grill.  I LOVE going to Studio Movie Grill.  What's not to love?  Really nice seats and a waiter to bring your food.  And good food too.  Margarita Pizza and Ginger Lime Chicken Salad were our choices this time. 

And we will be going back soon I hope.  Cullen and I can't wait for this movie to come out in a couple of weeks:  

Shepherd's Pie

 

 

Shepherd's Pie

 

1 Tsp. olive oil

3 stalks celery, diced

1 stalk leek, diced

1 cup diced carrots

1/2 cup diced onion

1 lb. ground beef

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 tsp. bay leaves

1/2 tsp. greek seasoning

1 small can diced tomatoes

2 cups prepared mashed potatoes

1/2 cup cream cheese

1/2 cup shredded chedder cheese

 

In large saucepan saute celery, leek, carrots,and onion until semi tender.  Add ground beef and cook until cooked through.  Add salt and pepper, bay leaves, greek seasoning and tomatoes.  Heat through.  Transfer to medium casserole pan. 

 

Add cream cheese and shredded cheese to potatoes.  Drop by spoonful on top of meat mixture.  Place under broiler for 5-7 minutes until slightly browned. 

 

17

Madison turned 17 this week.  All grown up with places to go.  She wanted a Vera Bradley steering wheel cover for her car (yes - she's got a car!) and her first massage at Massage Envy.  We are going on a girl's shopping trip and lunch today. 

I'm very proud of my girl!