Championship Trophy . . . Priceless!

In three hours on a Saturday morning. . .

Number of innings playing catcher: 7

Number of runs scored by our team: 23


Getting the Minor League Championship Trophy: Priceless!!

Boy. . . that pretty much sums up our morning. Zach's game started at 8:30 and finally finished at 11:30. He caught all 7 innings, and was worn out this afternoon, but recovered fairly quickly when he found out he didn't have to go shopping with me!!!

I have thought about how I could explain the game, and I am not sure I can do it justice, but I'll try. Here goes. . .

The first five innings were roller coasters. Then, in the top of the sixth, we took a 1 run lead. The other team scored to tie it and had the go ahead runner on third. Long story short, Zach's team turned a double play and on we went to the 7th inning.

In the 7th inning, Zach's team scored 10 runs. In the bottom of that inning, they held the opposing team to 2 runs and got away with an 8 run win!!!

All I can say is that it was one heck of a roller coaster ride for the kids and their fans!!!
Shew. . .

First Catch!

Zach and Jake went to a friend's house to play today. They spent most of the time fishing. It was an eventful day for Jake because he caught his first fish!!! Check it out. . .

He didn't want to hold it so Zach held it for him!

And then, Zach got this one!

Jake's second catch of the day was this "fish stick!"

Here is Zach's second catch.

Zach lets Jake and Beth touch a fish. It was pretty funny to see their faces afterwards!

The most amazing part of the day? How quietly and still Jacob sat while fishing. Sure hope he isn't getting sick. That is usually the only time he is this still!!

So. . .what did mommy and Beth do while the boys were at friends' house? We had some "girly" time. Check it out. . .

She loves her purple toes with flowers. She is showing them off to everyone!

Game Ball, Baby!

Zach's team had their first tournament game tonight. They got the win and Zach got the game ball!

He started the game off as catcher! He caught for three innings and threw out a guy at third who was trying to steal.
He swings and makes contact for a double and an RBI.

Then, he pitches part of the last inning to get "out of a jam" and get the save.

The best part, Brian is feeling better and was there to cheer him on!!
All in all, a great night for Zach.

Celebration Lunch!

Last week, before Brian started feeling ill, he found out that he got a promotion at work! We were excited for him and proud of him. But, since he was ill, we never really got to celebrate. So, since he is feeling better, after church today, we headed to O'Charley's for our celebration lunch! We had a good time. We decided the boys could take their PSP and GameBoy in with them so if they got done early, we would still be able to eat peacefully. It worked, but is not a habit I want to get in to. Here are a few pictures from today.

"I Love You Package"

The kids were excited that the mailman pulled into the driveway today. That usually means there is a package. And package there was. Mamaw and Papaw Burton sent an "I love you package." Excitement was oozing from their ears as they checked out the package and all it contained! It was like Christmas in June around here this afternoon!!

Check out Jacob in his new "shark swim toys!"

Jacob even shared with his buddy. They were playing "Shark Brothers" in the pool. It was pretty funny. It was even funnier when they realized that the hand cover would shoot water across the pool! Neither Lizzie nor I were safe after that!

Zach has been attending basketball camp all week. He has enjoyed himself and learned a lot. He chose the number 23 in honor of some of his basketball heroes - LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Eric Gordon and Spencer Turner!

After a long morning of basketball followed by four rounds of Par 3 golf, and a little swimming, Zach was glad to relax and try out his new PSP game!

Elizabeth was frustrated that we couldn't go try out her new fishing pole tonight, but she did try casting - hopefully I will have pictures of that later! She walked around the yard talking on her phone this afternoon. She was overheard saying "Ok, Zach, why are you golfing with your friends? When are you coming home? Oh...ok...bye!" And then the whole process would start over. It was pretty cute.

A Typical Day As of Late

Well, Brian is still not 100%, but he is starting to feel a little better. As you can see, Lizzie doesn't care how he feels. She is going to play with her daddy!!

Then, Elizabeth was very happy about her new Scooby-Doo underwear. The problem? She took her pants and underwear off and was running around the house, naked from the waist down, saying "Look. . .Look. . .I have Scooby-Doo!" So much for our lesson from Kohl's!

Finally, we convinced everyone to put their clothes on and we headed to Zach's ballgame. Brian stayed here and slept as he felt miserable from 1 until around 7!

Zach gets ready to take a swing for a hit! He also pitched and didn't hit anyone. He had a nice time pitching and can quote all his stats for the night if you would like!

Lizzie told me she had to pee while we were at the game. I asked if she could hold it and she said "yea." Well, she couldn't and we had to change her clothes. All I had with us was one of Zach's shirts. So, she finished watching the game in her "baseball dress."

And Jacob's favorite thing to do at Zach's game? Play on the playground and eat Pixie Sticks! He has been known to even get it in his ears!

Zach's game got over quickly - his team won 17 to 1 - so we headed home for some time as a family before hitting bed and we were all ready for bed!

Our Daddy Rocks!

Unfortunately, Brian is still trying to fight off the flu, so his Father's Day was spent in bed. He did get up long enough to eat a piece of his ice cream cake. I think that was more for the kids than for himself. They were begging for a piece.

While he slept, we talked about why he "rocks." This is what we came up with...

Elizabeth: Daddy rocks because he . . . rocks me in the chair, paints toenails, gives me butterfly kisses, and watches movies with us.

Jacob: Daddy rocks because he . . . is nice, eats with us, plays Playstation 2 with us, goes sledding with us, and does the Lord's Prayer with us!

Zach: Daddy rocks because he . . . plays ball with me, watches sports with me, lets me dribble my ball in the house, and helps us when we need it.

Mommy: Daddy rocks because he . . . puts the needs of his family before his own.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Buy Stock in Lysol!

The flu bug is still hovering over the Paragi ranch!! I have been too preoccupied to take any pictures lately. Hopefully, we will do that soon!

Brian has been sleeping since he arrived home from work on Wednesday. He is still running a temp and has informed me that Florence Nightengale I am not!

Elizabeth started running a fever again today! She says her "ears hurted." She says that anytime she doesn't feel well, so we will see how tonight goes before I run her in.

Luckily, Zach is all better. He had a ballgame this morning. His team played the one undefeated team in his league. There was no therapy needed today - Zach had 4 RBI's, scored twice himself, and caught for three innings. And to top it off. . .his team got the win!!! So, we moms had to shift gears from "DQ therapy" to "DQ rewards."

Jacob has yet to catch the "Paragi Bug." I am pretty sure that is because he doesn't stand still long enough to get sick! That boy loves life to the fullest! He had a game today as well. He had fun, but couldn't wait to get home to swim and play with the neighbors. He started out around 1:30 and I made him come in at 6:30!

Me? Well aside from the sunburn I got this morning (can you say lobster arms), I am doing well. And I beg to differ with Brian - I think I am a darn good nurse. I am just getting a little tired of having to play that role, and unfortunately, I think it is starting to show!

So, as we roll into Father's Day, our prayer for Brian is that he will feel well enough to enjoy his ice cream cake. It happens to be his favorite!

Golf Pro

For those of you who didn't know, today was the first day of the US Open. Zach loves golf. He spent all day Tuesday at the golf course. So today, since he was recovering from the flu and we wouldn't let him go play, he watched golf a good portion of the day. He didn't just watch though. That is for sissies! He had his putter out and was practicing his putt all day.

The best part was when he decided he was the golf pro and was going to help Jacob with his "stance and control of speed." Believe it or not, Jacob listened to him and actually did very well! So, Zach is now officially our "Golf Pro."


Lizzie had a try at putting too. But she was too busy checking out her new pink fingernails to really pay attention! But she did say, "I want golf clubs! Girl ones!" She is ALL girl!

On a different note, Lizzie and I went shopping today. She loves to shop. But the mannequin in the intimate section of Kohl's really disturbed her. She kept saying - and not quietly of course - "That thing is showing her tummy and panties. Those are private!! I see her panties!!" Her daddy was proud that she knew that those items were to be kept private! We'll see if she remembers that when she has new princess underwear on and wants to show everyone at the ballpark. Yep, that is what caused us to have this discussion in the first place!!!

Zach takes a minute to smile for the camera!

He may never have the patience to play golf, but he has the look down!

No! Not During Summer Vacation!!

Well, summer is here, and as I have said in the recent posts, we are enjoying it. Until yesterday that is.

Lizzie woke up grumpy and after an hour I figured out why - she had a fever. It kept creeping up until it maxed out at 102 and the meds kicked in. Of course, Brian and I had a meeting we both needed to attend so we found someone to watch Jacob and took Lizzie with us. She just laid on us and slept. Zach was at a friend's house to spend the night. But when Brian and I arrived home from our meeting, who should greet us but Zachary! He was laying on the couch clutching a bowl -never a good sign. Pretty soon, he was throwing up, Lizzie was crying and Jacob was just running around playing.

Finally got them all in bed only to be awakened at 2:30 by Jacob who was having a coughing fit. Sometimes, when his allergies are bad, he will cough and cough until he throws up. So, off to the bathroom we went! After some water, cough medicine, and a bowl of his own, he was ready to return to the top bunk. When we collapsed back in bed, Brian said "I don't feel well either." Sure enough, he was hot and aching all over.

Everyone seems to be doing better today. Lizzie feels well enough to fight with Jacob and to strip out of her clothes and run around. Zach has been watching Sports Center since 7:00 this morning. When will he ever figure out that after an hour it is all reruns? Brian went to work even though he doesn't feel well. Something about it being less stressful there than here with sick kids! And all I want to do is ssslllleeeeeppppp! Looking very forward to nap and quiet time all the while praying that the fevers and throw ups don't return as the day continues!!!

Early American Museum

This afternoon we visited the Early American Museum. It was part of their Second Sunday Artisan Series. There was a lady there who was making incredible beads! Jacob loved watching her. He went back several times to sit and watch. I have to admit they were beautiful. We decided not to stay and here the Irish band. We thought that might be pressing our luck! All in all, it was a fun couple of hours.

Zach takes a break in the wigwam.

Zach is very glad we have running water and he doesn't have to deal with these!

Jacob prepares dinner for Lizzie in the Discovery Room.

The kids had a great time trying on clothes and hats!

One last picture before heading home!

GOTCHA!!!

We finally caught a frog! It didn't happen on one of our treks to the pond. We found it right in our own backyard. The kids were excited. Elizabeth wouldn't get too close, and Jacob wanted to bring it in the house as a pet. We let it go so it could find its "frog family." What fun to hear the giggles and squeals as they tried to capture it. Where was I? Standing several feet away ready to jump on a chair if it hopped my way! Can you say "CHICKEN?"

Watch Out Fish. . .Here We Come

This morning, I decided it would be a fun thing if we all walked down to the lake and fished. Well, I didn't take into account the wind advisory. It is kind of hard to cast with 15 mile per hour winds! But the kids had fun anyway. That is, until Zach's reel quit working and they had to share Jacob's pole! Lizzie decided she needed a "girl one fishing pole." We'll call Papaw Burton and see what he can do about that! We didn't catch any fish, but did see a turtle on our walk home! All in all it was a fun morning followed up with a quick swim, lunch, and hopefully a peaceful afternoon rest watching Curious George.

No fishing trip is complete without Big Red!

All three kids took their shot at catching a fish!

Lizzie crosses the "swinging bridge." Her brothers are way ahead. They ran and tried to make it swing for us slowpokes. Between them and the wind, it was swinging plenty!!!

The turtle hid his head when he saw us coming. I don't blame him! Sometimes I would like to hide my head as well!

We're Going on a Frog Hunt

The kids love to go for a walk and look for frogs in the ponds. Tonight we actually found several, but none of them were too interested in being "caught" by Jacob!

One of our frog friends!

Headed to the pond

Taking a break from the frog hunt for a quick picture!

Elizabeth jogged part of the way home.