WATER!!!

Due to construction on our house this summer - new windows, siding, flooring and digging a basement - we are not going to put up the pool.  While the kids are very excited about the extra room the addition will provide them, they are bummed about no pool in the backyard.  So, amid groans of "It's not fair" and "We are burning up," we dragged out the good old sprinkler and Jake and Lizzie went to town!  Zach was at a friend's pool party which is what started the entire "Fairness" debate!

Jake had a grand old time!

Lizzie would run full force, and then stop short and gingerly step through the water.

No pool to dive into?  Big deal!  He was still diving!

And what post is complete without a "boy and his dog" picture?

School's Out

Friday was the last day of school for the boys.  It was a day full of field days, tug of wars, and parties.

Brian and the kids pose before school.  Zach was being goofy and wanted to wear his baseball socks to school.  

Zach was being a "grumpy monkey" so Brian decided to pick the bugs off of him like a monkey would do!  What a nut!!

The boys. . .

I was able to surprise Jacob  at his field day!  He was surprised and happy to see me!

He was very glad I see me!

Then, in the afternoon, I surprised Zach at his end of the year party!

They had a great time playing with their squirt guns.

It was a very bittersweet day.  I am happy to have summer vacation here.  However, I am sad to see it all end.  The boys both had wonderful teachers this year and they grew by leaps and bounds.  We will miss those teachers but look forward to what the future holds.  Oh yea, and I am so NOT ready to have a child in junior high!!!

OH NO!!!

Within half an hour of my last past, Sadie got herself into BIG trouble and Brian is no longer "accustomed" to her!  She decided to chew on Zach's earbuds for his iPod!  Let's just say that Brian was not happy!!!  Oh well, she is still cute!!

Puppy Update

Some of you have been asking about Sadie.  So, here is a "Sadie Update."  She is doing very well at our house.  She has transitioned nicely from the big kennel my parents had her in to the smaller crate.  

She sleeps at the foot of mine and Brian's bed with occasional visits to Zach's bed.  She goes all night without waking us to go out.  I take her out in the morning - I have to admit this has put a cramp in my being able to sleep in.  Anyone who knows me knows that this is not good!

Basically, we have settled into a nice routine with her.  Even Brian has grown accustomed to her.  His only constant frustration with her?  She chews and chews and chews!  He says if we ever get attacked by kleenex, crayons or pencils we will definitely be safe as she will tear those items apart for us!  

But with a face like this how could we stay mad at her for long even if she has destroyed a box of Kleenex?

She loves to be with the kids no matter what they are doing.

Tuesday night = Baseball

Again tonight, we had two games at two different fields at EXACTLY the same time.  So, I went to Jacob's this time, and Brian went to Zach's game.

Jacob on first and ready to run to second.

Jacob played third base tonight.  Looks thrilled, huh?

And when it gets too boring on third, he does this!!  Funny thing - right after I took this picture, he snagged a grounder and got the baserunner out on third!  And to think, I didn't think he was paying attention!!

He had a few good hits.  He was most proud of the one that went to the outfield!

We are looking forward to Thursday and Friday nights when we only have ONE game each night!! 

Am I Beautiful?

That is Lizzie's favorite question to us this weekend.  She will stop, look at us and say, "Am I beautiful?"  Not sure where she has heard that, but she is sure she wants to be it!  

Here is she modeling her new pj's after her bath.

She loves to twirl and make the tutu fly!

She and her bitty baby matched for church on Sunday.  She was so proud of her baby. 

And yes, we think she is beautiful inside and out!  But then again, we are a little partial!

Botanical Gardens

This evening, we went to the Botanical Gardens at Lake of the Woods.  It was a gorgeous afternoon, and we all enjoyed ourselves.

We watched this little guy crawl up on the lily pad!

"Higher - Higher!!!  No, that is too high!!!"  I heard that many times today!

In front of the beautiful peonies.

Zach takes a break from watching the incredibly huge and pretty fish.

This is such a pretty place to spend an afternoon.

Brian and Sadie.

And no trip to the park is complete without a jump from the swing!

Good Night!

It was a good night, and I am ready for good night!  Jake had a bye tonight, so we only had one game to attend.  Zach had a great game.  He started at 2nd base where he turned a double play.  He also tried to lay down a bunt but it went foul, and then caught the last two innings.  He was one happy camper.

Lizzie and Jacob spent most of the time playing on the big "sand hill."  They were filthy, but happy!!

Now all three kiddos are tucked into bed, and I am sure to follow soon.  Looking forward to tomorrow - Brian and I have a date planned and I can't wait.  Also looking forward to a long weekend with few plans.  Yea for family time!!!

From Breakfast to Ballpark

Tuesday was a typical day of late.  It started with some breakfast and moved quickly into ballgames by the evening.

Zach's favorite breakfast food - scrambled eggs with hot sauce.

There was a Poetry Breakfast at Jacob's school this morning.  We went in early for a breakfast of donut holes and fruit and got to read Jacob's poetry.  We were also able to write a poem together.  It was a great way to celebrate the end of the poetry unit.

Jacob shows off his poetry book.

Then, in the evening, we headed to the ballparks.  Yep, that was plural.  Zach and Jacob had games at the same time at two different ballparks.  So, Brian went to Jacob's and I packed up Lizzie and Sadie and headed to Zach's.

On second base trying to decide if he should take off or not.

This is what Lizzie does during the games.

Catching the last two innings.

I don't have any pics of Jacob from tonight, but will make up for that next week!

We are on the countdown to the end of school.  We have SEVEN more student days left. 

Woo Hoo!!!!

What Were They Thinking?

Jacob and Lizzie had some of the neighborhood friends come over and play.  I am ok with that.  I even let Jake and his friend shut the door to Jake's room so that the younger ones wouldn't bother him.  I checked on them several times and they were doing well - just playing spies.  I gave them the friendly "You have to clean up whatever you get out" lecture.  Then, after about twenty minutes I went to check on them one more time and I found . . .

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?  

I couldn't even get in to put clean sheets on the bed!!  Needless to say, the lecture reminder was not quite as friendly as the original.  They are now in there putting all those toys back in the closet and under the bed where they belong.  And yes, they got the "Put them back right - don't just shove them away" lecture!!

Spring Chorus Concert

Tonight was Zach's spring chorus concert.  So, the Paragi clan minus Brian (remember I am a textbook widow this week) headed out to the high school to hear Zach impress us with his incredible vocal ability.  The keyboard is dripping with sarcasm as I write this!  I have to admit that Zach was not overly excited to go to this, and even less excited due to the fact that originally he was to have a baseball game tonight.  In Zach's book, baseball will trump chorus any day of the week.

Posing before we headed out

The 5th Grade Chorus

He said he was actually singing and just not lip-syncing this time!

Then it was back home for a friendly game of kickball among the brothers and sister.  It is all fun and games until someone cries.  And sure enough there were tears tonight.  

Jacob trying to kick it over Zach's head!

Zach determined to get his little brother out before he scores.

Lizzie tries, but is not very coordinated.

Tonight was a fun night.  I love to watch the kiddos play together.   What a blessing they are!

We are also happy tonight, because buyback is almost over and Brian will be home again!  Yippee!!!

Weathering the Storm

Well, this past week can be described as a storm of sorts.  I will try to quickly update you and not bore you with the details.

Zach finally started feeling better on Thursday afternoon.  At about that same time, I got ill at school with either food poisoning or the stomach flu and passed out.  Yep, right there in the hallway at our first and second grade building!  It was indeed one of my finer teaching moments!!!!

Brian took me to the doctor on Friday for a shot to help with the nausea and I slept through most of the weekend - including Mother's Day.  I started to feel well just in time to head to work on Monday.  However, my pink eye still wasn't clearing up so I headed off to the opthamologist.

Sure enough, I have a little more than just your good old fashioned pink eye.  I have some kind of bacterial infection in my eye so I am hopeful that these new drops will heal me quickly!  Any body who knows me at all knows that I HATE wearing my glasses out in public!!!

We determined today at school that if the return of my sarcasm is any indication, then I am on the mend!!

Last night, Zach FINALLY got to play baseball.  Since he was so sick last week, this was his first game.  He enjoyed himself even though the team got handed their first loss.

Zach enjoys catching.

My skinny little man hanging out on deck.

He said his legs hurt this morning.  Bet they did.  He spent a lot of time in this position!

Baseball Season Starts

Tuesday evening, both Zach and Jacob had their opening games of the baseball season.  While baseball season brings craziness with it, I LOVE this time of year.  I love watching my boys play ball and the entire "ballpark" environment.  Unfortunately, Zach is still miserable and running a temp over 103, so he had to miss his game.  Poor kid missed two field trips this week and one game so far.  And it doesn't look too promising for Thursday night, either!!

Zach would have much rather been at the ballpark than sleeping!  He actually begged to go and just sit on the bench.

By the way, he is going to KILL me when he finds out I posted this pic!!

Jacob is playing coach pitch this year and he did well.  It is fun to watch.  

Swinging away for one of his hits.  Yes, I know that bat is too big.  But it is GREEN and all the kids want to use it!

On second base watching the action at the plate.

And one tired Lizzie after a night of baseball and fun!

We are praying that Zach recovers quickly and no one else gets the nasty "Lizzie" flu.  We are also praying that my pink eye (yes, I have pink eye) clears up quickly!!!  In the meantime, you might want to buy stock in Clorox wipes.  I am certainly purchasing enough of them to make you some money!

The Sick Bay Update

The good news from the Paragi house is that Lizzie is feeling all better!  Woo hoo!!!  She is up and running and hasn't had a fever since late Thursday night.  However, she is still VERY tired and she gets grumpy pretty easily when she gets worn out.  Her poor little body is still recovering!

She even fell asleep while playing her computer the other day.  And of course, Sadie had to keep her warm and protect her!  

The bad news is that Zach is now running a fever up over 101!!  I feel REALLY bad for him.  Tomorrow is his 5th grade field trip to Springfield and he is not going to be able to go.  I am just praying it is a 24 hour bug instead of Lizzie's week long bug.  He also has his first baseball game and pictures on Tuesday night.  He will be one grumpy kid if he doesn't get to do that either!!  So, please join me in prayer that this will be a quick run.