Sixth Tee Ball Game.

(You will note that we are missing pictures and documentation from the fourth and fifth games. Small Fry was sick for the fourth game -- double ear infection and a fever, which kept us home snuggling instead of getting hot at the ballpark. Buck reported that Fawn played an awesome game, though. We all attended the fifth game to cheer on Fawn, but without any additional grown-up assistance, I didn't get the camera out to snap pictures.)

So, here goes...pictures from the sixth (and next to last!) game. Fawn played first base in the first inning and did an amazing job. He is a great little fielder! He played pitcher in the second inning and did great there too. You will note the presence of the slap bracelet in his back pocket -- he said it was for good luck.

Cheering for Fawn? More like watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Belle's iPhone.

Hey Batter, Batter!

How can he see to hit and run in this helmet?

Pitcher.

Swing.

Love my runner.

This picture makes me smile -- this is one of Fawn's church friends.

Hope the hitting coach is good :)

Go Fawn Go!

BWF Rock Star.

Fawn starts kindergarten at Brookwood Forest next year. Part of me wants to shout with joy at the thought of being able to send my son to such an amazing school. My mom, my brother and I all went there -- it is a sweet, small, precious school. I really couldn't ask for a better place for him. The other part of me, like I'm sure every mother before me and every mother after me, is terrified of my first baby bird leaving the nest. I remind myself over and over that God's plan for me and for Fawn is so much better than any plan I could devise for myself (namely, putting a spell on my children to keep them little with tiny hands, high voices, chubby cheeks and soft skin forever). And I truly look forward to all the fun we will have with our big kid. But it's still hard.

Brookwood Forest has done an amazing job of getting the kids and mamas excited about elementary school. Registration was so welcoming and friendly -- I got to talk to the nurse about Fawn's migraines and was reassured that our winter birthday baby would be perfectly ready for kindergarten. Then, a few weeks later the principal, assistant principal, kindergarten teachers, and PTO leaders welcomed the incoming kindergarten parents with coffee and a question/answer session. It was so down to earth -- and I loved that the principal said if we remembered one thing about Brookwood Forest it was that the school is a family. I got a little choked up as current parents shared their experiences and love for the school. And, my mind was totally content with our decision to send Fawn to public school.

Fawn, though? He was not so easily wooed by my enthusiasm. He continued to ask to stay at Covenant for kindergarten like lots of his friends.

Then, one night, our mailbox got decorated for our new Brookwood Forest rock star.

After some play time with his air guitar, we re-attached it to the mailbox as instructed. He, like many other five year olds, is excitedly spotting the houses of other kindergarteners.

And, if the guitar wasn't enough, today he got to go to the Forest Fling -- a big carnival at the school. He played in jumpies to his heart's content, played all sorts of carnival games, did crafts, and indulged in soft drinks, snow cones, and cotton candy. He was a happy camper to say the least. I could tell he felt very "big" at the school and in his neon yellow Forest Fling t-shirt and my heart was happy. We ran into one of my mom's friends who is a longtime kindergarten teacher. I introduced Fawn to her and she asked him what he liked best about school. "I like cutting paper with scissors." Umm, quite the first impression. "And, I'm very good at drawing maps." She told him that he will get to make a map of the school in kindergarten. I think that just about sealed the deal.

Belle's 33rd Birthday.

I turned thirty-three on Friday -- and while I'm not a birthday person, it was a really special day. I just love the love and attention from the boys! I ordered myself a couple small things on Zulily and Buck let the boys pick out what they were going to give me. Fawn picked out a fun tribal watch which left Small Fry to give me new flip flops (appropriate since Fawn loves watches and Small Fry has a shoe fetish). They gave me my presents on Friday morning and sang happy birthday to me. So sweet! Buck even surprised me with a new iPhone case. I was thrilled -- I desperately needed one but am too lazy to make time for the Apple store. I mean, in the rare occasions I'm at the Summit, I'm going to be clothes shopping or at Sephora!

My oh-so-precious dad put girly balloons on my mailbox to make me feel special. Fawn declared they were for princesses and he did not like them. Ha!

We left the boys with a babysitter Friday night to go to dinner at 26 with the Hendersons. The boys were super sad for us to leave, which broke my heart (and no one wants a broken heart on their birthday!). I think they thought they were missing out. Sweet Miss Dee from church kept them, though, and they were in good hands. We had such a fun dinner with Kelly and Heath -- as always. It was a great way to celebrate then end of my thirty-third year and the beginning of my thirty-fourth year.

On Saturday morning, I got Buck to take these pictures of me with my most precious blessings. This is how mama looked at 33 years and 1 day boys.

We combined my birthday with Easter and celebrated both at my parents' house for Sunday lunch and at the Nichols' on Sunday night. My dad and Buck totally hijacked my birthday lunch (choosing flank steak and twice baked potatoes instead of the Easter ham I requested and even trumping my pineapple cake suggestion with Texas sheet cake). But, it was delicious and lovely. It was great fun to have a weekend of birthday celebrations. Now to just do something about the gray hairs popping in....

The Rest of Easter.

Mimi and Pops' House for lunch:

Lulu and Doc's house for Dinner:

He is Risen! A wonderful day celebrating Christ's resurrection with our dear families.

Easter Morning Pictures.

Despite the Easter Bunny fun, cooperation was not at a premium for pictures before church. While I was a little disappointed, just because the boys looked so cute and I would have loved a really perfect picture of both of them together, I've learned over the years to let things like this go. It's just not the end of the world. While there are no "gems", there are a few cute pictures that show my precious boys in their Easter finest.

Easter Bunny Fun.

The Easter Bunny was good to the boys this year -- and not just with awesome candy for our Easter Egg Hunt. He also left some bounty for the boys on Easter morning. I heard a little pitter patter in the hallway bright and early Easter morning and walked to the family room to see Fawn going through his basket. In an effort not to wake Small Fry (it was too early!), we moved the basket into the master bedroom. While Buck continued to snooze Fawn and I explored his basket.

These sweet little hands loved his new Alabama football player Lego man.

Glitter gak in an Easter Egg.

Silly boy. Buck was also silly with respect to the glitter gak -- he called it a Bunny buggar and angered the boys. Fawn didn't believe him and just wanted to argue about it. Small Fry was a little more convinced that the gak was something yucky instead of something fun!

Happy Easter boy!

Small Fry finally woke up and was eager to explore his own loot.

Boy that bunny still knows the way to Small Fry's heart -- balls. Here he is with a new red football.

Candy too! The boys also both got new animal sponges for the shower, two books, and notebooks and pens.

Small Fry also got a Thomas the Train whistle (he can't quite figure it out -- thank goodness!) and a Curious George car. Fawn also got a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles card game and Spiderman rainbow loom rubber bands and charms. They were happy campers and it was a fun way to kick off the day.

Happy Easter! Thank you Easter Bunny!

Easter Egg Hunting.

This afternoon the Easter Bunny dropped off some eggs for the boys to hunt. The Easter Bunny outdid himself this year -- the candy was fabulous! Jelly beans (of course), gummy bunnies, and lots and lots of chocolate bunny coins. The hiding places were pretty good too.

Our one concern was whether Small Fry would have fun; rather, whether Fawn would let him participate. It's no secret that Fawn loves to hunt Easter eggs, and he can be pretty ruthless. But, he rose to the occasion and was an amazing big brother to Small Fry. He left the "obvious" eggs for Small Fry, showed Small Fry where other eggs were, and made sure to help him fill up his bucket. It was so sweet -- and so much fun to watch both boys have a ball.

After that one time the Bunny didn't fill all the eggs, Fawn has made it a habit to shake before committing to the egg.

Wow -- my heart just swells for love when I see the love between them.

First year to enjoy the hunt.

Action shot.

Pointing out an egg to brother.

Already looking at the next egg. He's a man on a mission.

Swoon.

I heart small, chubby hands.

After lots of begging to please look at me so I could take a picture.

So very big.

But still such a sweet, gentle thing.

Precious.

Time to eat the bounty.

The bunny coins were a huge hit.

Though you wouldn't know it from looking at this picture.

That's more like the loud, crazy boys we know and love.

Happy Easter!