Milestones

Our good friends the Hoods celebrated their daughter's first birthday on May 9. Unfortunately, we couldn't be there to celebrate with them, as her party was at the same time as the first game of Trevor's baseball tournament. As I was thinking about how it seems like just yesterday that Meggan told me she was having a baby, I thought about how it also seems like yesterday that we were celebrating our own kids' first birthdays. Many of you reading this weren't at those parties, so I thought I'd share a photo of each of them. It's amazing how much they've grown since then!

Marisa - 2005 (above) and Trevor - 2002 (below)

We've reached a few milestones of our own over these last few weeks. I always get a little nostalgic around my birthday, and this year was no different, as immediately following my birthday was Marisa's kindergarten registration. Let's just say that made me feel a little...older. I was explaining to Steve the other day that when you have kids you kind of measure your age by the milestones in your kids' lives (at least I do). We've always been among the younger parents at school and on Trevor's baseball team. And the fact that we've always had a baby, or toddler, or preschooler in tow has helped us feel even younger still. Now, we don't have any of those. In fact, we officially have two school-age kids. And that is very scary to me.

So we registered Marisa for kindergarten, and then a few days later we watched her graduate from preschool. It was bittersweet. When Trevor graduated from the same school three years ago, we knew we'd be back with Marisa. When we left there last week, we knew we wouldn't be back again. I didn't cry, but I can assure you I'll be needing a tissue when I watch my little girl climb on the school bus in a few short months.

Meanwhile, Trevor is very excited that he has three short days left of school. Baseball season is finally (I mean already...) over. Trevor's team won their division, but was eliminated in the tournament semi-finals. While many of his friends will move up to minor next spring, we've decided to keep Trevor back in pee wee for another year.

Speaking of baseball, after spending several hours at the ball field on May 9 (and thus missing the aforementioned birthday party), we decided to...go out and watch some baseball. And thus, we experienced our first Gwinnett Braves game. For those of you who aren't from around here, the Atlanta Braves' AAA team that was previously in Richmond, VA, moved here to our very own county this year. The stadium is maybe five miles from our house. And it is a gorgeous stadium at that - there's not a bad seat in the house!

Trevor getting his division

championship medal.

Marisa receiving her diploma.

A view of the field from our seats at the

Gwinnett Braves stadium.

Trevor and Steve at the Braves game.

Marisa's ballet recital.

Showing off her costume. Notice that I was

able to get her new short 'do in a bun!

Trevor's piano recital.

Happy May Day!

May always been one of my favorite months of the year. And not just because it’s my birthday month. As a little girl growing up in Minnesota, May signaled the start of spring and warmer weather. The snow had melted, flowers were starting to bloom, and we could finally put away our winter coats. I remember celebrating May Day (May 1) by putting together little May Day baskets for all of the neighbors. We would fill plastic cups with candy and flowers, insert a pipe cleaner for a handle, and leave the cups on our neighbors’ porches.

We don’t celebrate May Day like that anymore, but May continues to be my favorite time of the year. But for some reason, it has is an incredibly busy month for us. And this year is no different. We rang in the month on Friday by going to see Wolverine after school. Steve is a huge fan of all the “comic book” movies, so this was a must-see for him and the kids.

On Saturday we spent the day like we’ve been spending every other Saturday this spring – at the ball field. Fortunately, it was a pretty mild afternoon. That night we all went to see my nephew Zac perform in his high school’s production of “Grease”. He’s been in many plays over the years, and this was his last before he graduates in a few weeks. Trevor and Marisa hadn’t been to see him perform before, so this was a special treat for them. Zac made a great Vince Fontaine, and we were so proud of him! It’s hard to believe he’ll be off to college in a few short months!

On Sunday, all of the Behnkes came out to see Trevor’s piano recital (watch for photos soon!). He’s been playing the piano for about a year-and-a-half, seems to have a natural musical talent. As probably the youngest kid in the recital (and notably, the only boy) he did really well! After the recital and some refreshments, we moved the party on to my parents’ house to celebrate mine and Steve’s birthdays. Happy birthday Steve!!