Pike Plus

Gabe is moving up the swim ranks very nicely.  He just started his first class in the new session.  He  has advanced to Pike Plus from Pike.  He was a little nervous on the first day of class and forgot to follow his new teacher over to the other side of the pool.  But Miss Jo helped him find his teacher and all was good.

He seemed to love his new class with all new kids.  I even caught him playing with another boy in his class while they waited turns with the teacher.  Overall, Gabe really loves swim lessons and it is visible to Scott and I when we have family swims after class or on Sundays. 

The Y has really been a great place for us all to enjoy.

Huskers!

It's that time of year again, college football is upon us.  We could not be more excited about this season for the Huskers!  While I was in Omaha in August, I got the boys some new Husker gear.  It was sorely needed and has been put to good use the last few Saturdays.

The boys have learned the cheers, Go Big Red!  and Husker Power!  We like to keep them in the know of good sports teams with great history. 

Maybe I should have gone up a size on Gabe's



All 6 of us watching

Giro Della Montagna

Every Labor Day weekend the Gateway Cup makes it way around neighborhoods in St. Louis.  We love going.  I stumbled upon the event in 2009 when I lived in my old neighborhood, St. Louis Hills, and the race went around Francis Park.  We watched for a while then went on to other things. 

The next year, we missed going to the St. Louis Hills part of the race and went to The Hill instead.  And since then, we end up going to the Sunday races, Giro Della Montagna.  We took the boys last year to the race and they didn't really get much out of it.  This year, we got there early to get a table in front of church and food, essential things to entertain toddlers. 

Start of the Race

Lunch among bikers

We were able to watch the end of a men's race, an entire women's race and the beginning of the 40+ men's race.  Gabe liked cheering for the bikers.  He was yelling too loud as they raced by, but he did like seeing how fast they could go.  Bennett was more in it for the food and playing in the flowerbeds of the church.

While Scott and Bennett went to get the car, Gabriel and I moved as close as we could to watch the men's race.  It may have taken Gabe by surprise to see how fast the bikes went past us, but he loved it.  We saw 2 laps by the time we had to catch up to Scott.  It was a great morning for a bike race.

Watching the bikers

Just Keep Swimming

Gabriel rocked is firs swim lesson.  The class started out a little shaky with a lot of tears from Gabe and a lot of nerves from mom.

Scott helped Gabe meet his teacher and he found his seat on the pool deck.  Then the tears started as Scott let his hand go walk away. 

Holding Daddy's hand

We had a quick meeting with the pool deck manager and by the time we turned back to watch the class, check on Gabe, he was on the other side of the pool laughing with the other kids.  He really did well in the class listening to his teacher and trying everything.  He was all smiles when he got out of class and excited to go back next week, not like he had much of a choice in the matter.

Bennett spent the time in the Y daycare playing with friends.  But he did get to watch some of the swim classes while we waiting on Gabe to get changed.  The fearless, water-lover that he is, will be in class before we know it.

Mini-Yadi watching classes

Take me out to the ballgame

Scott was able to score 3 free tickets from a vendor for the Cardinals game this past Sunday.  We debated on going without the boys, but decided that it was time for them to go.  Gabriel has been slowing getting into watching baseball with us and Bennett has never been to a game.  So, we found a couple new t-shirts for them and surprised them with the news when we picked them up from Scott's parents Sunday morning. 

Gabe was pretty excited to see his new t-shirt and even more excited and ready to go to the stadium.  We always point out the stadium when we drive by, so he knew where we were going.  We walked over to the stadium and Gabe was getting more and more excited and Bennett was starting to fall asleep on Scott's shoulders.

Once we got into the stadium, Gabe kept asking where we were going and looking at everything.  We walked down the tunnel to see the field and once we saw the field Gabe pulled me down the stairs towards our seats. 

Warming up

Glove on, ready to go

Feed me popcorn!

He was so excited to see the field, the players warming up, our seats, everything.  It made Scott and I so very happy so see his excitement.  Scott bought all the essential baseball foods while we waited for the game to start.  The boys went crazy for the popcorn. 

Going over the rules

As the innings went on it was getting hotter and hotter for me and the boys were turning pink.  We decided to pack up and find the kids sections for a few innings.  The kids area of Busch Stadium was great.  It was covered, plenty of things for Gabe and Bennett to play on and me to relax.  We stayed there for a few more innings then headed home. 

The Cardinals did not play great so we weren't too sad leaving early.  But it's safe to say the boys enjoyed their first real baseball experience.  We can't wait to take them to their next game.

24 hours - no kids!

Scott and I had a whole day with no kids (or dog), thanks to my in-laws for making that happen.  It was awesome!  We didn't really have a plan as to what we wanted/needed to do, but we figured things out.  After dropping the boys off, we found a new sushi place that we had to try.  It was very good.

Then we both needed some new clothes.  I don't think I've bought much of anything since Bennett was born.  We hit up Joseph A. Bank first, and I made Scott try on the seersucker jackets.  I think next Easter this is the outfit for all boys.

 A few hours at the mall for me, it was time to go home and relax before the Cards game.  The Cards game giveaway was a replica 1982 World Series Ring and I wanted to get there early to get one.  Well, so did the rest of St. Louis.  The line to get into the stadium was down the block, turn left and turn left again...too long.  We headed into Ballpark Village to wait for the lines to die down, they did and we tried again.  We ended up cutting in line - at this point I just wanted to get in and watch batting practice.  The bonus was we ended up with 2 rings.  Side Note:  We have since given away a ring to someone who waited and didn't get one.

Watching batting practice

One of our seats for the night (we had standing room tickets)

 On our way home we pulled over so we could watch a firework display.  It was great.  I didn't have to wait around for hours and I had the a/c going with no bug bites.  Total win for us.

 

All in all, it was a great day that we both needed.  Again a huge thank you to my in-laws for watching the boys and dog for us.  

Go Cards!

Scott and I went to our first Cards game of the season.  We supported Collinsville baseball and bought some discounted tickets to a Monday night Cards/Cubs game.  Scott had a quick phone call with Australia on our drive down to the game.  We hung out in the parking garage till that was done.  Then we did a quick walk through BallPark Village.  Scott had not ventured inside since it opened last year.  It is a great spot for people watching.

We made it to our seats right after the first pitch.  It wasn't a great beginning of the game for the Cards.  They were down 5-0 after the first inning.  Then we had a grand slam in our half of the first.  When we left - in the 4th inning - we were losing 8-4.  Amazingly, we came back to beat the Cubbies. 

We did learn that we will not be sitting in these seats.  I had the left field foul pool as my view for most of the game.  The other half I spent leaning on Scott so I could see the pitcher.  Oh well, it's always fun to go to a game.

Opening Day

Nothing is better than Opening Day in St. Louis....nothing.  It really is an unofficial holiday.  Most people work half day then head to the stadium or the nearest bar.

The Cardinal Hall of Famers show up for a trip around the stadium.  Of course, that is followed by the Budweiser Clydesdales trotting around.

Scott and I had the privilege to go the year Gabe was born.  And look forward to future years when we can go again.  In the mean time, we get to enjoy dressing the boys up in their Cardinal gear and cheering on the birds from home.

Go Cards!

 

Trying to figure out the glove

 

 

Super Bowl 2015

We didn't have a crazy party, we didn't care about the teams either.  We just had Scott's parents and sister over at our house to watch the game and play with the boys.  We had a great afternoon playing and watching a decent Super Bowl. 

Bennett had a great pregame nap in his football gear.  

Big Boy Room

We started work on Gabriel's big boy room back in July.  It's finally getting closer to being finished.  We've been adding things here and there and I'm very happy with the changes.

The best news is that Gabe is pretty much moved in.  He has slept there every night and nap since my mom left in early December.  

When my mom came up, we hung a few pictures that I had made.  My goal is to get canvas pictures made of baseball stadiums that we've visited.

I have a picture of Opening Day at Busch that needs to be printed out.  Right before Christmas I bought a new quilted bed spread and it was a huge hit.  Gabriel walked in and said wow!  

We recently added baseball pennants to boarder the top of the wall.  It is a great addition to the room.

Gabriel does like to play in his room a lot and I feel like he really has his own space.  

Labor Day Weekend

It was incredibly nice and needed for us to have a 3 day weekend.  Scott has been working like crazy and I was just tired of being beyond slow at work.  Plus I really like being at home with Scott and Gabe. 

Friday night, Scott and I took Gabe out to dinner at Houlihan's.  We rarely eat out with Gabe and I was little nervous as to how he would do.  But he was a champ and ate a lot of his Mac and Cheese and even tried pot stickers.

On Saturday we were up early and out the door quick.  We headed to Soulard for much needed coffee and then to Wilmore Park to check out the new playground. 

Our goal was to go to the Greek Festival for lunch but a huge downpour stopped us.  We ran to the car and were soaked.  Gabe loved it.  Instead of gyros for lunch on Saturday we opted for sandwiches at LeGrands.  It had been a while since we ate there.  And of course, what is a trip to LeGrands without a free sample of little smokies.

We made got home in time to try a nap for Gabe and watch the first Husker game of the season. 

Great football game and zero napping happened.  Instead Gabe helped me make banana bread.  He is becoming a great little chef. 

As soon as the bread was done we headed south to meet Scott's parents at Garvey's for some wings.  After that busy day, Gabe was asleep 10 minutes after we left dinner.

On Sunday, Scott skipped Cross Fit and cut the grass at 7:30am instead.  I'm sure our neighbors loved us for that.  But it was sorely needed and we were trying to beat the rain.  We got cleaned up and met Scott's dad for breakfast at Bee Tree Park. 

A little playground time on a Sunday is always needed. 

After the playground we took off for the Greek Festival.  The food there is amazing.  Even though we weren't really hungry, the fresh gyros hit the spot.  Gabe did his best to pick and choose off the menu, he enjoyed some fries.  We were there early enough to catch a little bit of the Greek dancers.

On Monday we hit the mall as soon as it opened.  Gabe was in need of some new shoes and Scott and I are still looking for ways to decorate the house.  So, new shoes, Bread Co. for lunch and then a good walk around the mall for morning work out.  We got home in time to get a nap in and chill out before going to Scott's parents house for BBQ. 

A busy, but uneventful weekend for us.  The only thing we missed doing was watching the Gateway Cup bike race.  I'm sure we'll catch it next year.