Estelle’s Winners

We figured since she’s got this verbal communication thing down this year, she’s surely old enough to answer questions & fill out her own bracket. Notice the bias toward things of particular interest: the “witches” (Wichita State), Davidson (Daddy’s name), Norfolk State (where Nana & Avo live), Gonzaga (just plain old fun to say). As for her champ, one of her favorite characters at the Jim Henson exhibit at the zoo last year was a monkey named “The Douc” (pronounced “duke”)… We’ll see if it’s a perfect bracket!

Gameday x2

Big day for the Phillies and Hokies!

2011 Bocce Champions

Thanks in large part to Estelle’s support, dad’s team came away champs! Here are some photos from the day’s event, leading off with Estelle’s sheer admiration for her dad’s skills (yes, that’s David, not Johnny Cash — I guess the all black & sunglasses look was an intimidation thing)…

Snacks with Nathan:

Estelle did a great job learning to “look not touch” this season…

There was music and food all day, so Estelle got her share of dancing in:

David & Chris await the start of the Finals:

A bocce action shot of Chris (our neighbor & David’s teammate):

Victory! The winners pose in front of the bracket, spoils in hand. Time to go out to dinner and blow our winnings all in one place!

And a link to the bocce website with more photos and some video: http://www.bardascinopark.org/bocce/index.html

Show ‘N Tell

Off to school this morning with the beach on her mind! Estelle  needed her show ’n tell to be a sand bucket (though not completely apparent in this photo)… And she’s still insistent upon dressing herself these days- notice the Eagles shirt in honor of last night’s Vicktory- preseason’s over, now onto the real games!

Renzo and the Riversharks

Renzo and the Riversharks — sounds like it could be the name of the next big musical act, doesn’t it? Well, it’s a better description of our Saturday night in Camden. (Who knew you could have such a good time in America’s most crime-ridden city?!) Independent League baseball, complete with a carousel in the stadium! Oh, and Estelle thought she’d make an impression on Renzo by showing off her bubble-blowing prowess before we went over there…

Fun fact #1: On the field, the Camden Riversharks’ opponent was a team called ROAD WARRIORS. Yes, that’s right, a team without a home — they play all 100+ games of their season as the visiting team. Now that’s a lot of travel!

Fun fact #2: One of these two 2008 World Series heroes now bats 4th for the Camden Riversharks…

 

 

 

 

 

Soccer Ballerina

Phillies 2011

We went to Estelle’s first Phillies game of the season on Saturday night. She was most excited to see the team mascot, the Phanatic. Her second favorite thing about the game was all the junk food we ate (hot dogs, french fries, powerade, and ice cream with sprinkles)…woo hoo!

Pre-game stroll with Phanatic

Showing Phanatic her favorite neighborhood window shop

She makes diaper changes look good!

Hot dog

Phanatic dugout dance

Dancing along

Subway ride home

Opening Day!

Baseball’s back!  And thanks for the sweet dress Papa!  It makes the perfect outfit to celebrate both Opening Day of the Phillies’ 2011 season as well as Estelle’s final day with the “Young Toddlers”.  Come Monday, she goes upstairs and drops the “Young” designation from her group’s name…

Editor’s Note: Sweet finish to the start of the season!

Estelle’s First Basketball Game

We went to a 76ers game last weekend — Estelle’s first basketball game.  Well, other than watching her dad try to play in a few pick-up games.  These guys were better than her dad.  Who knew the best part would be the music and dancing that everyone gets to do during every time out…

Go Team!

Big game tonight!  Mommy thinks I look like a boy in the consignment outfit that daddy picked out for me!