Father's Day

For Father's Day, Paul decided he wanted to go to Cape May. We wanted to check out some places we hadn't been to before. We started at the Nature Center where there was a small garden to walk through, a Laboratory with a touch tank, and a few balconies we could look out over the water.

After that, we went to Cape May Point State Park.

We walked on the red trail, which started out through cedar trees.

Our first nature encounter - a snake.  I don't think we would've seen it if it weren't for the people that were standing there taking a picture as we approached.

A view of the lighthouse from the trail.

Next sighting - a frog- again pointed out by other people.

Then we saw a bunny (not anything very unusual since we frequently see them in our backyard).

Someone was a little energetic- very impressive considering he was up almost 3 hours past his bedtime last night and only slept in 15 minutes later than usual.

A swan - we saw many of these- mostly from pretty far away, but they looked huge even from far away.

Another view of the lighthouse.

Some ducks.

Our trail went along side the beach so we detoured on the sand for a while. This is Rudy post-somersault.

After the trail we headed to the mall area for dinner.

Th Ugly Mug Fries- with white sauce and crab- we didn't leave any.

Someone has recently discovered he loves crab meat. A good and bad for us since now we have to share things like this with him!

After dinner we did a little shopping - we'd been looking for a visor for Rudy ( he complains that caps are too hot) and found this one that fit him perfectly. We also found a book store (seems like they are rarer all the time). None of us can resist a book store so we wandered in.  Rudy has recently been getting an allowance and we have been trying to make him understand money and costs more. Last night at the baseball game he saw things he wanted to buy and I told him he could if h wanted to use his money. He quickly decided he didn't want to. Today in the book store he found a Sta Wars book he wanted. Again I told him he could if he used his money. His immediate response: "Sure, it's just money." I love that he didn't want to spend it on toys but didn't flinch at spending it on a book!

Last, we had ice cream (mmm Ben & Jerry's), and while Paul and I finished ours, Rudy found a place to perch and read.

All the excitement from last night and tonight caught up with Rudy, because about 15 minutes into our ride home, he was fast asleep. (of course now, at 9:30 p.m. he is still upstairs, wide awake, sneaking toys - it's going to be a long week!).

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

On Saturday night we took Rudy to his first professional baseball game. It was a beautiful night. Our seats were very much in the sun, but it wasn't overly hot - just bright. We had a great view of the bridge beyond the field.

Rudy enjoyed watching the game in between eating and playing in the kids area.

The sun slowly went down.

A cute kid.

A more realistic look at that cute kid.

Rudy and the boy sitting behind us became fast friends and for the last 2 innings did everything possible to not sit in a seat and not watch the game. But at least they had fun.

After the game there were fireworks...

... and a chance for the kids to run the bases. Although it was VERY late and Rudy was VERY tired as we waited in line, he energetically ran the bases.

Overall, I think Rudy's first game was a success. Hopefully by the time he goes to another, he'll be a little bit more interested in the actual game!

Who Had More Fun?

While out shopping, aul needed to pick up a new piece for his guitar (a capo- if you know or care what it is). The music store we stopped in was a lot of fun for the boys... I'm not sure wo had more fun, actually.

Rudy pretending to sing (the microphone wasn't really on).

 Rudy on the drums - he has decided this is the instrument he now needs.

 Paul in the acoustic guitar room - looks like a kid in a candy store!



Last Days

Thursday was Rudy's last day of Kindergarten. He had some struggles along the way, but ultimately had a great year thanks to his teacher, Mrs. Mathews, who was the perfect teacher for him. He thoroughly enjoyed school (although if he asked he's likely to tell you it's boring or they do too much work) and learned so much. In true Rudy fashion, he felt the need to dress up for his last day.

We all walked to school together.

Rudy wanted to get flowers for his teacher, but once we got to school, he was a little reluctant to hold them, so before Paul and I left, I tucked them into his backpack. Hopefully they survived the five minutes left before he went into his classroom.

Saturday was Rudy's last day of tee ball. The kids had a fun day instead of games. They played different games of tag. Rudy and his friend, L, are in the blue shirts.

And they had relay races.

And then the teams got medals.

Rudy's coach pulled his team together and gave them a little speech and some treat bags. It was a great first year of tee-ball and next year he will graduate to actual baseball.

After fun day, the kids continued to run and play. Here is Rudy with some of his classmates.

And then the fun moved over to the playground. Rudy and K were spinning each other (next year they will be in the same class).

And Rudy and N had fun on the swings.

Music and Outdoors

Paul always has music playing when he's home, but lately Rudy has been wanting to listen to his ipod with headphones (the music on it is pretty much the same as what is playing on Paul's ipod). He looks like such a big kid like this!

This spring Rudy has become quite the tree-climber. The trees in our backyard are not the easiest or sturdiest) to climb but Rudy manages to get high up in them.

Every June our church has a mass at the outside chapel. Rudy took the opportunity to explore a little while mass was going on. (I should not have picked out a green shirt for him to wear - it made it harder to track him!).

After the outside mass, we had a picnic including a bounce house...

...and a fundraiser - throw cream pies at the priest. Here the deacon took the first shot. You can see the kids all lined up!

Mo. Mantelle bent down so Rudy could reach her.

Yep, she is a good sport.