Watch Brooke crush the ball!

We're down to our last three t-ball games (sad!).  Yesterday Coach Daddy asked the other team if we could start doing pitches to the girls, to get them ready to move up to Rookies next year.  Most of our team has older sisters, they know what pitching is about, and they've been kind of annoyed having to use that darn tee.  Thankfully, the coach agreed, although they weren't near as ready as our spunky crazy kids.  Every one of our girls got a hit off of a coach pitch.  They were so thrilled with themselves.

Here's Brooke's second up to bat.  She really hit that ball.  She was last batter, so she gets to keep running.  Cutest part of the video is when she passes up Sarah on 2nd base.  Go Brooke!

Cute

Brooke and the neighbor - heading out for date night :)

Annual Tradition - Carlsbad Race!

We started when Sydney was just 3.  I think we took one year off when she was 4 and Brooke was an infant, but we've been every year since.  I may have to make a collage from over the years, it would be fun to see how they've grown.

So, yesterday was the annual Jr. Carlsbad race.  Sydney competed in the 9 year old division, and ran her mile in 10:01.  She has improved each year, and could be even faster.  She made a friend at the start of the lineup, and they chatted the entire way through.  So funny.  I guess it means she's in good shape if she can chat her way through!

Here she is, coming across the final stretch, at my typical picture spot.

(She's such a tall 9 year old!)

 She loves the end of race treats and snacks.  Here she is, just after, enjoying her drink...

And then, it was Brooke's turn.  She raced with the 6 year olds because they were running behind schedule and we needed to get home.  She was at the front of the pack the first half of her 1/2 mile race, and then she tired out.  We really didn't train for the races this year, imagine how good they'd do if we had!  Brooke finished her half mile in 4:42.  Not too shabby for a 5 year old :).  

Her sweet sister joined in for the second half and ran with her across the finish line.  The mile almost isn't enough for Syd anymore since she's done a few 5k races.  She wanted to run more!

Great job, girls!  We'll see you again next year!

Sydney the seamstress?

Sydney had such a fun experience yesterday.  She went with some of the girls in her Girl Scout troop to a sewing class!  They learned how to use a sewing machine, and each made a purse, all on their own.  She had so much fun, she wants a machine for her Birthday, she wants to go there for Summer camp, and was even thinking maybe she should have her Birthday party there!  Wow, I guess she likes it!

Here are some pictures via the Moms who took her...

And here she is once she got home, with her cute bag (via cellphone also):

Yesterday

It was a great day :)

I can't believe today is the last day of Spring Break already!  We have a fun weekend ahead of us, then back to school :(.

Progress!

The backyard is really coming along, we're making big progress!  Yesterday they did the first coat of stucco.  I came out late at night with my cellphone to take a couple of pictures, so they aren't great, but here they are...

We also have a french door in our master bedroom now, it's so nice to open up our room so much.

Today stucco coat #2 goes on, and then we let it dry for a week or so.  In the meantime, the built-in BBQ will be worked on, and a new firepit!  Summer BBQs, here we come!

A fun family day trip

The big 4th grade project for Sydney is to build a mission.  She has choices to make a scrapbook or write a report, but she chose to build the model of a mission.  So, Saturday we went on a journey to go see the one in San Juan Capistrano.

We took the train up there.  The girls had some yummy smoothies while we waited for the train.

Sydney read up on her mission while we rode the train.

When we arrived in San Juan Capistrano we did a bit of exploring.  The kids spotted a park right off the bat, with large rocks to climb...

 I got them to stop every so often for a picture op...

After some exploring we went for lunch at a yummy restaurant.  Brooke was pretty impressed with the patterned bench seats...

And then, we went to tour the mission!  There was a nice informational movie...we didn't last long here...

We paused for pictures here & there...

Love this one...

And Syd thought this was a really cool picture spot (I agree!)

Here's the inside of the chapel, so pretty...

And outside one of the buildings to show the cool arches...

Love the bells...

And this cute walkway...

Syd was so happy to find her classmate!

These are the ruins of the church.  In 1812 an earthquake hit, knocking it down...

The other side of the bells :)

After the mission tour, we stopped for some ice cream, yum!

And then, we finished our day at the adorable petting zoo!  Brooke fell in love with this little guy...

Syd found some bunnies who would sit still for her...

Not sure we were supposed to do this...

We visited some goats...

And finished up the day in a big thing of corn!  Of course, another picture op!

It was a fun, long family day.  We all had a good time.  Now, it's time to build that mission!