It's official, Spring is in the air...

At our house, Spring = Baseball season. Not only do we watch baseball, we play baseball. This year 3, yes 3, of our 4 boys are playing baseball. Aaron is playing T-ball, Tyler coach pitch and Jacob kid pitch. Calendaring 3 sets of games and factoring in my graduate classes 2 nights a week, not forgetting scouts on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and trying to figure out when everyone will eat has been quite the task. But it seems to all be working out....Thanks to Grandma & Papa being willing to help shuttle on the super busy nights.

I only have pictures of Aaron's first game so far. Of course he forgot his hat for the first game. Aaron loves playing. He is one of the few who "gets" how to play. He hits really well and can throw farther than anyone else on the team. We are working on the catching, but it will come. He is having a great time. He plays his games at Discover Park, over by San Tan Mall.

Luckily Jacob and Tyler both play their games at the same field. This has helped us be able to get everyone to their games. They play at the McQueen fields off McQueen between Guadalupe and Elliot Roads. At the game I attended for Tyler last week it rained and everyone got soaked while watching and playing. Good times.

Jared loves to attend the games with both Mom and Dad. How do you entertain and 3 year old at a T-ball game? Take lots of silly pictures of said 3 year old.

Here are a few of our favorites...

Good times!

Play Ball!

Butterflies

Today our cocoons have begun birthing butterflies. There are 7 out so far. 1 died trying to emerge and 1 still has curled wings, but we are hopeful that the rest will birth healthy butterflies. The plan is to keep them until all have come out and then release them outside. Here are a few pictures of the early birds. It made for an interesting morning, trying to get my boys to stop watching butterflies and get ready for school.

Cocoon Stage

This year for preschool I ordered live caterpillars for our study of caterpillar week. Of course the caterpillars did not arrive until after we completed the week, but it has all worked out perfectly. I delivered caterpillars to every one's home and kept the rest home with me so we can monitor them during school, and so my boys could enjoy them too. I started with 32 caterpillars, gave 9 out to students and my nephews, 1 caterpillar died and pictured here are the remaining 22 in cocoons. Of course I didn't even think of taking pictures of the caterpillars, which I am kicking myself for not doing.

It was just like our own live "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle book at home. We skipped the egg stage and started with very small caterpillars. Each day they grew and fattened up. I will take pictures are the butterflies emerge from their cocoons. An up close view of the cocoons. Really cool looking. Hopefully 22 healthy butterflies will emerge in about 7 to 10 days.

The cocoons are on napkins that came with the kit. The instructions said to tape them to the side of the enclosure but, some of the tape didn't stick so I just lay them on the bottom. In this picture you can see that 1 cocoon fell off the napkin. I didn't want to disturb it so I just left it when it fell.

911, What's your emergency?

Today I got official word that I passed every last test, screening & questionnaire. I will begin working as a 911 operator for the Mesa Police Department on Monday, April 25th. I have made the decision to temporarily drop from graduate school until my training is complete and regular schedule is set. I hope to then restart my Master's at Ottawa University. This was a hard but necessary decision.

I am scared and excited about the new changes and challenges. It should make for an interesting year at the Macdonald home.

I will be stopping my preschool on April 21st, 4 weeks early than planned. Everyone has been very supportive and I appreciate all the kind words and offers of help.

Pinewood Derby 2011

Pinewood Derby March 2011

Tyler was our only racer this year. He chose to make a police car. Grandpa came over the night before the race to work on his wheels and finish attaching everything. Tyler came in 9th place. He was happy. Sadly, I was unable to attend this year because of my school schedule. The boys all behaved well and were treated to Sonic after the races.

Sis. MacLay and Sis. McDowell counting up the score.

Spring Break 2011

For spring break this year we went up to the cabin for a few days. It was perfect weather, cool and sunny. We took rides on the golf cart and Joe took the boys out to shoot the rifles and pistols. They had a great time while Mom took a nap. Happiness all around. Grandma and Papa were there with us at the cabin.

Happy 16th Anniversary

March 11, 1995 Joe and I were married at the LDS Solomon Building on the corner of Solomon and Broadway Road in Mesa, AZ. It's hard to believe it's been 16 years. I'm so glad we made the choice to be married. It was the best decision of my life.

Happy Anniversary to my best friend! I love you. May the next 16 be just a great!