I think they’re learning to like the game. It’s T-ball, so there’s no score and no outs, and it makes for some absolutely funny situations in the field. Who knows where the ball will get thrown. There was a little frustration in that the ball wasn’t ever hit in Daniel’s or Sean’s direction, but they’ll learn that they won’t always get a chance at the ball.

They did a good job hitting the ball — Sean even had one roll almost to the outfield grass! I have some video from their last practice, so time permitting, I’ll try to post that shortly.

If you haven’t followed, the Richmond baby eagles I mentioned before have arrived. One arrived 10 days ago on Friday evening, and the other baby eagle arrived a week ago Sunday in the morning.

It’s fun theater, and cool to share with the kids (at least when there is something more to see than a mommy or daddy eagle sitting or sleeping.

Even Kellie and the boys got to come out an watch the game tonight. And since the game was at the middle school where Will will attend in just over a year, I showed him around the halls a little.

Being as good as we were this year, I’m pretty certain we’ll be moving to the upper division next year (we were 1-1 against teams in that division this year). We’ll see how the league gets organized next year. But it sure is fun to be winning as much as we did. (And I can speak as a we/I because I am also the coach, such that it is. I really don’t call plays.)

Now comes word that the eggs may be due to hatch this week — should be cool. We watched the Iowa birds last year, and that was a lot of fun.

Maybe this was a reverse jinx that worked.

It’s supposed to be all snow tonight, so maybe that’s where the accumulation comes. The boys won’t even get a snow day out of this one, as tomorrow is a school holiday.

Now last Sunday, we got a surprise snow squall blow through, and it actually put a layer on the ground (though didn’t technically count, as it wasn’t measurable at the airport, apparently). I was actually out running when it blew through — quite an interesting experience, as it got really heavy. It only lasted about 45 minutes (last Sunday’s snow, not today’s snow), but as you can see below, it gave enough for the boys to briefly enjoy.

There were a few small snowballs, but nothing major. And definitely no sledding. We’re holding out higher hopes for the current storm, but we shall see.

Maybe it’s just the tools that are available. Band saws make the big cuts easy. (Jigsaw, anyone? I bet Dad remembers that.) Electric sanders make the smoothing out process easy. And I’ve got to believe that our color options just weren’t as plentiful, especially for spray paint — spraying it on is so much cleaner and consistent.

Anyway, it’s fun working with Will to get his car done. Race day is tomorrow, so look for more updates soon. (He has a lot to live up to for last year.) But can I say that making a race car is SWEET?

She’s shown quite the penchant for high-risk adventure. There was the time (witnessed by the kids, but not Kellie or me) that she was supposedly hanging from the stair landing on the second floor, by her front paws — like a rock climber. (We think she lost her balance while walking on the outside of the banister.) She was able to get herself back up, apparently. There was no crash.

But she has also enjoyed herself, climbing inside our Christmas tree. Until this morning, she didn’t go more than halfway up (at least, while we’re around). But this morning, she started scaling to the heights of the tree, as you can see in the photos. Not sure what she is after - she doesn’t knock down the ornaments (though occasionally one may fall off from the shaking). But getting that high up, the ornaments were removed quickly. Don’t want them to come with a tree falling over.

She is a frisky little kitten, without much fear. Hopefully, she’ll mellow out as she gets older, like most cats do. She certainly is one-of-a-kind.

She’s a really sweet cat — loves to be petted, even by the boys (now that they know not to act so excited when close to her). Tonight, as I finished reading a book I got for Christmas (Hunger Games — a good read), she would meow at me and eventually wedge herself into my lap for some more scratching. She knows what she wants. But she is gentle and adorable — should be a good match.

70% of your purchase will be returned to my council, my unit and my Scout rewards. Online purchases help us fund fun, educational activities and help more kids experience all the things that make Scouting great. Our fundraiser last year helped send us on a camping trip to Luray, VA this fall, including visiting Luray Caverns. It was awesome seeing everything underground! I’m really looking forward to taking trips this spring for overnight trips to the Hampton Air & Space Museum and the battleship Wisconsin in Norfolk.

You can order at any time of the year, though our main sales run through early November. Even if you do not like popcorn or other treats, consider a donation to send one of these treats to our military personnel overseas via a Silver or Gold Level Donation (see the Military Sales section).

Thanks for your support,
Will

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I’ve already been thrown into the fire, with 2 critical projects thrown into my lap. (Yes, I’m still a project manager.) One is a 4-month project that needs to be done by the end of the year (you do the math - it is doable, if I’m lucky). The other is a pretty cool enterprise-wide collaboration tool we’re starting. (That’s all I can/should share for now.)

It’s been a while since I’ve been out of the contracting/staff augmentation role, but I’ve been looking for the right opportunity. I’m still with the team I have been with for the past almost 4 years, so I think this might work out. I’m sure it will be a wild ride.

I had to chuckle (and get a picture). Pleasant dreams, everyone!

In the meantime, if I were you, make sure you park in designated spots only when you are traveling in Vilnius, Lithuania. You wouldn’t want your car run over by a Russian tank.

If you like double-parking in your favorite urban city, you might want to watch out if the local mayor is getting a little perturbed with you and your fellow scofflaws.

Here are a few of the cool pictures from our vacation earlier this month. The weather was great (lows in the 50s, highs around 70), the crowds few, and just enough wind to fly the kites, like this evening on the beach.

We did take a trip to the Corolla Lighthouse, and all 3 kids made it to the top without a problem. It was windy (~20 mph), but it was kind of cool to let the kids see in all directions. The sky was clear enough that we were probably seeing up close to Virginia in the north.

Even cooler was the shot I got at the bottom, while Kellie and the kids visited the gift shop — an upside-down rainbow appeared behind the lighthouse.

The surprise of our visit? It would have to be the raccoon that decided to hang out next to one of our sliding doors. We have no idea why he thought we’d be a good place to hang out. The only reason he left is that the maintenance staff (with a little assistance from me) almost caught the bugger (he escaped the fish net they originally snagged him in). He ran off after that, never to be seen again. Not to say we weren’t paranoid he might return.

Here’s hoping everyone has a great summer planned. May you not be visited by uninvited guests — like our racoon.

And if you haven’t seen the Inherit the Mirth and aren’t offended by finding the humor in the Bible, do check it out. Nana and Grampa had sent one of his books (Get Me To The Ark On Time) to Sean and Daniel, and they love reading it. Very silly, but a great lesson.

As for his other humorous posters, I like many of them, like these. These even still tie into the Easter story. Good stuff all around. It’s good to support those who spread the message and stories in a way that makes one smile.

And back in the home, the kids had a blast today. They survived church (or was that Mommy and Daddy survived church with them), and because it was so hot this afternoon (near 90 — the highest temp so far this year), they got to run through the front yard sprinklers. Topped it off with a visit to Brusters.

We hope your Easter was as fun as ours. Now, it’s back to work for me — weekend fun is over.