Let the games begin.

While Summer has yet to arrive, Cullen has just finished his inaugural T-Ball "season." The season consisted of 5 weeks of drills:  throwing, hitting, fielding and running the bases.  While Cullen was moderately interested in the throwing and fielding parts, games of catch would usually end with him running in circles or commenting on the guys playing softball on the opposite field.
Cullen:  Dad, those guys have numbers on their back!
Dad:  Yes they do, now go back over and throw the ball to me.
Cullen:  Why do they have numbers on their back?
Dad:  Ah, because that's what they use to tell the players apart.
Cullen:  Why?
Dad:  How the hell should I know, now get your ass back over there and throw me the  #*&#$!ball.
*The last statement was the authors thoughts and not verbalized.

When the hitting drills began, Cullen was all focus and having a blast.  At home he has always gripped the bat as a lefty so we went with that.  I think Grandpa Mark might be behind this, but he does a really good job making contact for a three year old and knocks it all over the field.

Base running ended up being Cullen's biggest joy.  This had little to do with the actual running of bases, as he would usually end of running for home plate when he was halfway between second and third.  The real excitement of base running was that all of his "teammates" would line up by home plate and slap five as he ran towards home.

Simone was content eating cheerios on the sideline (one of her favorite past-times).

Cullen certainly has a love for sports an we can't wait to see how far he takes it!

hot. hot. hot.

The summer heat has turned up!  So with the heat comes the fun backyard activities.  Cullen and Jameson had their 2011 fishing expedition.  They both caught some huge sunfish (huge to a 3-year-old) with the help of their fathers.  Cullen's fishing luck was due to his new Buzz Lightyear pole, while Batman brought Jameson his.  We also set up the 2011 Swanson family pool straight outta the box.  Cullen didn't mind the freezing water from the hose - he just kept running from the far end of the yard to see how big of a splash he could make.  Simone loved the water table.  She just enjoys standing next to anything that is her "size".  She is still close to walking but not taking any steps on her own yet.  Dirk and I just enjoyed sitting on the patio, cocktails in hand, watching the kids!

TGIS: thank God it's summer.

Summer "officially" kicked off this past weekend.  With the long winter and non-existent spring, we are due for a good summer and Monday didn't disappoint.  We spent the day hanging around a friend's pool with a cast of characters including: George, Joanie, Maddie, Dennis, Kari, Jack, Stella, Joe and Julia.   Both of the kids loved it.  Cullen has always been a water bug and Simone is taking after her brother.   Cullen loved jumping - or "diving" as he called it into the water.  Simone was content hanging in the baby floater trying to drink the pool water. 

Lisa and I are really looking forward to summer and watching the kiddos continue to grow.  Simone is now close to walking and is saying Momma and Dadda fairly easily.  In the last few days she has also began giving kisses.  They are a bit slobbery but I'll take them.

Cullen is getting more independent and daring each day.  He has begun to push the limits on his balance bike.  His new thing is riding down the driveway and into our neighbors yard .  He does this with his feet lifted - totally balancing on his own.  I was amazed the first time I saw him do it.  I was busy talking to someone, when I glanced back towards the house and saw Cullen:  feet in the air, flying down our driveway.  My heart was in my throat as I thought he was going to crash, but no sir.  He safely steered himself until the bike came to a stop in the neighbor's grass.  We'll try to post a video soon - it's hilarious.

A party @ Choo Choo Bob's.

We celebrated Mason's 3rd birthday at Choo Choo Bob's last weekend.  It's the kinda place that kids love; but as an adult, it kinda creeped me out! The store is for train enthusiasts - a definition of which Mason fits.  The front of the store is all about model trains for the adult collector (think Peter Pan Syndrome) complete with grown-up men dressed in costumes (weird) and the back of the store is a train play-land for kids.  Mason loved having his favorite cousins and friends together to play trains and eat cake.  What more could you ask for on your 3rd birthday?  Mason, Cullen, Abbie, Sylvie, Simone, James and Ray were all busy with the Thomas-the-Train tracks while the adults hung back and watched.  Mason wasn't too keen on having his picture taken and scolded Brigette when she asked him to pose (note the pictorial evidence).   It was a really fun party - and quite fitting for Conductor Mason.

One Year Ago Today

Well, as of 6:17am this morning, little Simone has been with us one year.  Hard to believe, it seems like yesterday that I was looking into those beautiful little eyes for the first time and saying to myself,  "I will not let a boy near you until your 18."  It has been a year full of memories and laughter as we have watched this little princess grow.  Time flies when you are having fun.  As you can see Simone has taken after her Mom and Grandmothers and decided that one birthday celebration is not enough, making it a birthweek celebration.  Whatever makes her happy.  

    

April showers and all around crappy weather better bring May flowers!

Due to horrible weather, we've spent more time indoors than outdoors this spring.  Here's a few stories to catch you up to speed:
                Simone continues to push the bounds of her mobility by getting into things (the wine rack and Camp's dog food to be exact).  She loves pulling herself to standing and then walking around furniture.  I think she is only a few weeks from walking.  Get ready world!  Simone continues to be a good eater.  One of her favorite foods is blueberries.  It has good nutritional value, but also holds the ability to stain a baby's bottom if ingested in large quantities.  I know this because I got a call from daycare checking to see if Simone had a bruise on her bottom or if she had been eating blueberries lately.   She has mastered waving and even says an clearly defined "bah-bye".  On April 19th, Simone went through a minor surgery for tubes in her ears.  After her 4th ear infection this winter, we decided it was time to stop the antibiotics and get tubes.  Dr. Overholt said that Simone had quite a bit of fluid behind her eardrum and was probably uncomfortable.  Simone has been an even happier baby ever since.
                 Cullen continues to amaze us with his vocabulary and knack for coming up with ideas all on his own.   One morning, he looked at me and said "I know what we can do Mommy!  Maybe you, me, Dad and Simone can all go to Old McDonald's for lunch?!"  (aka McDonalds).  Cullen loves reading a nursery rhyme book at bedtime and insists that we sing all of the rhymes.  Dirk and I are constantly making up stupid, off-key melodies to fit the old-fashioned rhymes.  Neither of us holds much talent as a vocalist, but I guess Cullen doesn't know the difference.  Finally, one night Simone was up at 3 am with teething discomfort and Dirk and I decided she might need to cry herself back to sleep.  After about 5 minutes of some very loud crying, we heard a door open and another one shut.  Puzzled, we both got out of bed to find Cullen reaching his hand through the crib, rubbing Simone's back and saying "It's ok Simone."   He is such a loving boy and a very good big brother.  Dirk admitted that he would have just let his sister cry it out.  I guess Cullen could teach his old man a few things! 

Fun with friends.

Cullen and Simone recently had a fun evening playing with the Vogel and Dickinson kids.  Cullen, Jack and Alivia were all born in 2008; while Simone, Stella and Sofia were all 2010 babies.  It's funny how our Saturday nights have turned from beers and bar time to sippy cups and sun down.

We also recently met a new friend.  Adema Van Rooyen finally came home to La Crosse from Ethiopia.  He is a very sweet boy and is adjusting well to life in his new home.  Congrats to Randy, Kelly and Anders on the new addition to your family!