Birthdays and Getting to the End of Ball Season

First and foremost, I want to wish Will a very Happy Birthday!!  His birthday was yesterday and he turned seven years old.  He opened his birthday presents at breakfast.  Will got a rubber-band airplane, Rocky Mountain Ranch Lincoln Logs, and a remote control truck.  He was soo excited!!  Do to both kids having games at 6 p.m., we were not able to do anything special with just the family.  I did make his favorite dinner (poppy seed chicken casserole) and take a special snack for his team so they could celebrate with him. Mommy and Daddy love you very much and are very proud of the wonderful young man you are becoming.

As stated earlier, both Will and Hannah had games last night.  Because I was running between two ballfields, I didn't get to watch much of either game.  Hannah's team won 15-4.  Her teammate, Emily, got a grand slam and five girls (including Hannah) hit home runs.  At her second time at bat, Hannah got a triple.  The girls were pysched, as you can imagine!  They worked together and did their best.  Way to go CRASH!!

Will's team was up 6-4 when the game was delayed due to lightning.  Thirty minutes later, the umps restarted the game.  Unfortunately, Will's team lost 14-12.  They did much better fielding and hitting but were not able to get the win.  This was their last game.  I am still very proud of these boys.  They have worked hard and were able to get two or three wins this season.  Will hit two home runs this year.  Good Job REBELS!!!

Andrew's last game was last Tuesday, June 1st.  Being T-ball, the teams don't keep score or keep track of how many outs.  These boys were so much fun to watch.  The ones who started out chasing the ball after they hit it ended up running the bases like big boys.  We still had a few (like Andrew) who preferred playing in the dirt when they were in the field but, in all, they all did wonderfully.  Even though Andrew is through playing baseball this year, he keeps asking when he is going to practice and when he is going to play his game.  Mike and I will just have to continue to work with him.  His coach, Paula, said she was thinking about calling the parents when she took her son to the park to practice so the boys could practice if they wanted.  I think that is a great idea.  She also wants to keep the team together, if she can, over the next few years. I am very proud of how Andrew and his team did.  Way to go MARLINS!!

Getting Caught Up

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while.  With three kids practicing and playing ball this spring, my schedule revolves around them.  We have practice and games every night of the week.  Since I spend most of my day (and night) on the road or sitting at practice, I think of a million things to post on my blog: events that are happening, cute things the kids say, my thoughts on different matters, etc.  By the time I get to the computer at home, I've forgotten what I wanted to write.  For a while, I carried a notebook with me so I could write down things I wanted to remember.  Guess I need to put it back in the van.

Will and Andrew had their first games this week.  Will's team lost both of their games but they really tried.  He plays coach pitch.  Andrew's team doesn't keep score (he plays 3-4 year old t-ball).  Hannah's games start on Monday, then it gets really interesting around here.  All three play on Tuesdays at two different fields.  Yeah, like I said, interesting.  Most nights, we eat dinner around 4:30-5 p.m.  By the time they get to bed after 9 p.m. (really late for them), they are hungry again.

Andrew has been singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" lately with his own little twist.  Instead of "gently down the stream," he sings, "gently down the scream."  Also, Andrew has gotten his opposites mixed up, except for his left and right.  When something is cold, he says it is hot.  Up is down and down is up, etc.  Trying to understand what he means is interesting and difficult at times.  Sometimes I just have to laugh.

Mom had a car wreak last night on her way home from work.  A car had stopped to turn into a subdivision and there were a couple of cars behind it.  She didn't see the brake lights of the last vehicle until it was too late.  Mom said she buried her feet and brake pedal in the floorboard but wasn't able to stop in time.  When she hit the car in front of her, it started a chain reaction that ended three cars later.  Her radiator is busted and the front end is all messed up.  Praise the Good Lord above, no one was hurt.  Mom is sore across her chest where the seat belt was but that's all.  Mom is upset.  She has been involved in accidents before but this is the first one that was her fault.  I'm just happy that no one was hurt or worse.

Gotta get off here.  Hannah is trying to make dinner (her idea) and I need to supervise.

Hannah's Team Party

Hannah had her team party tonight at the local bowling alley. It was lots of fun. Hannah did pretty good. She was either the first or second highest score for both games. (This was playing against her team mates.) Mike, Andrew, Will and I played on the next lane. Because it was so crowded, we played with three other people. Andrew would bowl during my turn. Will did pretty good. Mike did okay but he wasn't that pleased with his score. Andrew and I did pretty good, with me getting a spare in the tenth frame and 9 in the extra frame. One of the players, a little girl named Macy, decided she didn't want to play anymore, so we let Andrew have her turn. After a little bit, he and Will found the pool table behind us more interesting. Mike took over Will's turn and I took over Macy/Andrew's turn.

The team paid for two games but the girls had to stop during the 8th frame. Pizza and drinks were waiting for them in the party room so Mike and Andrew finished their game. Andrew had a blast. He would roll the ball then cheer it on. Mike said one frame Andrew actually got a spare. He knocked down five pins the first time and the rest on the second bowl. Will sat with me while I waited for our pizza to come. We all were (are) tired!! We had to be there at 6 p.m. and didn't get home until 9. We didn't even eat until 8:30 due to a mix up on my part. Hannah and Will are both fighting a cold and went straight to bed when we got home. I think Mike and I are headed that way soon!!

The Sparks Did It!!!

We won!! We won!!! We beat the Red Hot Chili Peppers and we won!!! The Sparks are second in the league!! YEAH!!!! It was a close game. The final score was 21-20. The Chili Peppers started the game with five runs. We got three runs our first time at bat. I don't remember the rest of the stats from the game. We did get a couple of innings were we got the five run limit. Another time at bat (I think it was during the second inning), all three of our batters got out at first base. We did hit a few into the outfield, too.

Hannah hit the ball straight down the first base line her first time at bat and got out (she was one of the three I mentioned earlier). She got a single off her next time then eventually made it home for a run. During Hannah's third time at bat, she knocked it into center field and made a triple.

I am sooo proud of our girls. We ended the season 10-3. Go Sparks Go!!! YEAH!!!!

Sparks vs. Fireballs

Hannah's team played the Fireballs tonight in a make-up game. At first, they had us a little worried. These girls were hitting the ball and we were having trouble fielding. Then, we got a second wind and started hitting the ball out of the park (figuratively, not literally). Hannah got two hits. The first went straight down the first base line and she was tagged. The second went into center field and she made a double. We got our fifth run in so the inning was over. The Sparks won 20-7.

Hannah and her team play their last game this coming Monday against the Chili Peppers. This will be an important game. If the Sparks win, they will be in second place. If they lose, the Chili Peppers will be in second and the Sparks will be in third.

Go Sparks!!! You can do it!!!

40 Minutes

That's how long Hannah's softball game lasted tonight. They played the Hot Shots and won 17-4. Hannah's first time at bat, she hit the ball and it looked like it was a foul. Not sure what to do, she ran a short distance, then started back to home plate. Once she and the coaches realized it was a fair ball, she started running to first base. Unfortunately, the Hot Shots first baseman got the ball then tagged Hannah. During her second time at bat, Hannah ran to first then was waved to head to second. One of her teammates made it to home plate. Because it was the fifth run in, the umpire called the inning (they have a five run limit in each inning for each team). Just before Hannah went up for her third time to bat, the game was called because of the five run rule and Hannah's team won the game. Hannah's team is now 6-2. They play the best team, the Lady Sluggers, on Monday night. The Sparks have at least three more games: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of next week. They have one more game to make up but we don't know when it will be played. GO SPARKS!!!

Game Night

Hannah and Will both played ball tonight at the same time. Hannah's team played the Hot Shots and won 17-13. She batted three times. First time, she made it to second base and later made it home. Her second time at bat, Hannah hit a pop-fly and the pitcher caught it in the air. On her third time at bat, Hannah was last one and made it all the way to third base. She ran to home but it didn't count because the third out came before she made it to base. Hannah's run to third had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats. She ran really well from home to first, then a little slower from first to second. She decided to dilly-dally around and almost got out a couple of times but the other team kept dropping the ball. All of her coaches and a bunch of the parents commented to her about that run. I wanted to ring her neck. If Hannah was chasing Will, she would have made it around the bases in record time. Instead, she is like Prissy from "Gone With The Wind" and is in her own little world. I think I'm going to change her name to Prissy.

Oh, a side note - the Hot Shots colors were black, white and red. I think the Parks Commission needs to really watch the team colors next year. What's with all the red, white and black?!

Will's team did better tonight but they still lost their game. Mike said their hitting was a lot better and Will actually paid attention, most of the time.

Hannah, a.k.a. Prissy, has another game tomorrow night at 7:30. Will has another game Thursday night at 6. Good thing I like baseball. Now, if Andrew would let me watch the game I'd be set.

Oh, before I forget. Mike's nephew James and his baseball team is going to State!!! They won their regionals and subregionals last week. They play in the State tournament this week in Murfreesboro. Go Pigeon Forge Tigers!!!!

Quick Post

Hannah's team won their latest game. They played the Chili Peppers Tuesday night and won 15-10. I only got to watch a little bit of the game as I had to take Will and Andrew home. Hannah's game was late (it started at 7:30 p.m.) and the boys were dirty and tired. Mike told Hannah he would get her a snow cone if she hit the ball. She did and made it to first base. Maggie, the girl after her, hit the ball and Hannah made it all the way home.

Red, black and white seem to be the popular colors this year for softball teams in Hannah's age group. This is the second team we have played with these colors and Hannah's team wears them too. I think someone needs to monitor the team colors a little closer. HAHAHA

Games and Bacon Bits

Bacon Bits first - yes, I know it sounds odd. Today while I was checking the computer to see what fields the kids' were playing on, Andrew got into my refrigerator. Gracie, Hannah's friend, came back bringing an empty bacon bits bag. Apparently, Andrew had decided to help himself to the half-full bag of bacon bits and ended up spilling them all over the couch, floor and dogs. When I went into the living room, where the incident happened, Baron was enjoying himself as he ate the bacon bits off the floor and off Gracy, the dog. After spanking Andrew's bottom, I got out our little hand vac and cleaned up what Baron didn't get. Two-year olds - gotta love 'em.

Hannah and Will both played ball tonight, again at the same time. Mike said Will's team did okay. They played a team of 6-7 year olds that were competitive. The Cubs did their best but didn't win the game. Will told me he struck out while at bat. Poor baby! Better luck next time.

Hannah's team, the Sparks, played the Lady Dawgs. Both teams had red, white and black uniforms. The front of our shirts are white whereas the Dawgs' shirts were red. It was a little confusing at first. The game was almost a shut-out, and not in our favor. Luckily, in the fifth and sixth innings, the Sparks came back and closed the huge gap. We still lost but it was 11-10. Our team hasn't played since our game last week. The girls were acting like they were afraid of the ball. During most of the game, our girls were striking out or getting out at first base, not much of a threat, I thought. During the last inning, the Lady Dawgs started chanting (why then, I don't know - they hadn't done it any other time we were at bat), trying to throw off the coach pitching and the batter. It didn't work like they thought because, instead of distracting the girls, it encouraged them and we got quite a few runs and some great hits. Hannah struck out her first time at bat, got to second base after her second bat, and made it home after batting a third time (No, she did not get a homerun. She was an RBI for another player.) The coach realized the girls need to work on their skills so we are having practice this Thursday and next Monday. Hannah's next game is next Tuesday and Will's is May 14th.

Ball Season is here

Baseball and Softball season has started. Hannah had her first game this past Monday whereas Will had his third game at the same time. Hannah's team, the Sparks, whooped up on the DC Divas 15-0 when the umpires called the game after the third inning (I can't remember the technical term as to why they called the game but it has something to do with trying to keep it from being a total blow-out.). I've been bad because I have found a slight satisfaction in Hannah's team's win. One of the assistant coaches for the Divas was Hannah's head coach last year. He would not let the girls throw the ball during the game. Instead, he would have them run the ball to the base to get the girls out. Thank goodness the Diamond Dolls' hitting was pretty good or we could have been toast. I know, I know. I shouldn't think that way. I told you I was being bad.

Will's team, the Cubs, hasn't been doing very well. Mike said they only got two runs during the last game. They've lost all three games so far. Maybe they will get better. This is most of the boys' first time to play coach pitch. Will did get a run during one of his games. He made it to second on his hit then made it home off the next batter.

Hannah and Will both have games next Monday at the same time. Mike will take Will to his game while Andrew and I watch Hannah. They have six games that will be played at the same time at different ball parks. When Andrew starts playing ball, we may have to have one child sit out or find someone to help us. Any takers??? I don't need an immediate answer; you have about two years (at least) to decide. :-)

We have teams!!!

Both Hannah and Will are playing ball again this spring. Will is playing on the Cubs with his coach from last year, Coaches Keith and Johnny. He will be playing coach-pitch. We went to the team meeting last night to meet some of the players and talk to his coach.

Hannah will be playing for the Sparks. Her coach, Todd Sweety, has been coaching for about four years and has coached this team for the last two. His daughter and the assistant coach's daughter both moved up to a different age bracket but they wanted to stay with the younger girls on the team. They are having a team meeting Thursday night.

Mike is going to be an assistant coach for both teams. His softball team for church has been cancelled. The Men's Ministry Director thought there wouldn't be enough time to get the number of players they needed so decided not to have a spring team. (The snow we had a week ago cancelled church which didn't help our recruiting efforts.) We, and the men we already had recruited, are hoping there will be a fall team.

Snow!!

IT SNOWED!!! Right now, we have about 2 inches on the ground. The weatherman said that it may snow more overnight and tomorrow, even though the temperature is suppose to be around 39 degrees tomorrow. The weatherman also said that Ripley (where my dad and Joan live) got about 10 inches of snow with more expected. They are only 1 1/2 hours north of us.

Mike, the kids and I went to Donna and Thad's house today. They have four kids with the last two being Hannah and Will's ages. We were suppose to have a Sunday School Girls Day Out at Donna's and eat. But, due to some extenuating circumstances, only one other lady from our class was able to come besides me. So, since Donna had a lot of food already prepared, she invited my bunch over to share. Mike and Thad had fun watching the Memphis Tigers play Southern Miss and talking. The kids had a blast playing together. Donna, Linda and I had fun talking and eating. Looking out the window a few hours later, we noticed that it was sleeting/snowing. The weather along the route from Germantown to home varied. It was snowing pretty good close to Germantown but Olive Branch was hardly getting anything. As we got closer to the house, our visibility decreased dramatically and the snowflakes were getting bigger and heavier. Once home, the whole family went in the backyard and played. I got the brunt of the snowballs (I had to come inside and change my scarf because of all the snow on it) but I got some good licks in, too. Poor Will's pants were soaked. Andrew did not want to go inside but his little nose was red. Hopefully the snow will stick around a little longer so the kids can get back out again tomorrow and play in it.

Will's basketball season ended on Tuesday. His team did really good, even though the Upward league doesn't keep score. The kids really got out there and hustled during each game. Mike was one of the coaches for Will's team.

We've signed both Hannah and Will up for softball/baseball again this year. Mike has also committed to coaching our church's men's softball team this spring. All it takes is someone to make sure there are enough players on the roster and to make sure they have enough players for each game. His games will be on Monday nights at either 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30. I hope they have quite a few early games, like they did in the fall. Due to the kids' school, we won't be able to make any of Mike's games until the first of June. Will's coach told Mike that they will play their games on either Tuesday or Thursday. They will practice on the Tuesday or Thursday they don't have a game. (Will's coach will be the same one from last year.) We won't hear from Hannah's coach until after evaluations on March 9th. I am going to be busy shuttling kids to practice and games, but I know it will be fun. It was last year.

Mike's Softball Team

I just realized that I have not posted about Mike's team and how they did in the tournament. They played at 7:30 and did really well. They were up the whole game. During the sixth inning, the other team got a few runs and passed the Tigers. The umpire called the game at the end of the sixth inning, even though they were suppose to play seven. So, they ended up losing the game and didn't make it to the last game. I am still really proud of the guys. They played hard and did great, especially there at the end. Go Tigers!!!

Yeah Tigers!!!

Mike's softball team, the Central Church Tigers, won their game last night. It was a tournament game and they played the number one team in the league. The final score was 17-14 with Mike's team keeping the lead during the entire game. This accomplishment was made even better knowing that the other team was the champs for the last three years running AND Mike's team only had nine people. They play their next game next Monday at 7:30. If they win, they play the championship game at 8:30. GO TIGERS!!!

The boys are home!!! I picked up Nathan and Will about 1:40 from Joan. The house has been quiet not having Will around. Hannah said this morning that she missed Will and wanted someone to play Hide-n-seek with. This is astonishing because she has frequently said she wished it was just her and Andrew in our family and not Will. It's nice to know that she does love him after all. Andrew has asked about Will every time I turn around. He does this especially when it's time to go to bed because Will was not in his bed. Now maybe Andrew will be a little quieter now that he is home. I doubt it!

Update on the Latest Happenings

Saturday was Will's birthday party. The kids had a lot of fun playing in the sprinklers, sliding on the Slip N' Slide, playing in the pool and jumping on the trampoline. Because I was busy getting everything set up, I forgot to put sunscreen on Will and Hannah. They both got sunburned and Hannah, of course, got the worse of it. We spent the next few days doctoring them up and coating them in aloe. While taking pictures Saturday, we forgot to get some of the kids playing outside. The kids who came were: James, John, Will G, Nathan, Jonas, and Layne. Of course, Hannah, Will and Andrew were there too. Andrew was asleep and woke up just before we started eating pizza. After everyone left, Nathan and my bunch played outside more and made our slide a water slide. They were also spraying the trampoline with water to get even wetter while jumping.

Monday, because Hannah was still having trouble with her sunburn, she missed her softball game. (They still won 20-4.) Her friend Brittney came over and stayed the night then spent all day Tuesday with us. The girls had a blast.

Tuesday was Will's fifth birthday. He opened presents from us (a couple of Thomas the train sets). For lunch, we went to Chuck E. Cheese so the kids could play. I promised the girls we would drive by Graceland, Elvis Presley's mansion, so we went by there afterwards.

Hannah had another ball game last night and she was able to play. While she was at bat, she hit the ball and made it to first. During the next play, she got out just as she got to second. Hannah was upset she got out and started crying. All the moms were worried that her sunburn was hurting again, but she was fine, just a bruised ego. At Hannah's next time at bat, she ran to first then stole second. During the next play, she tried to run to third base but the other team had the ball close by so Hannah darted back to second. She barely made it. Next, she ran to third base and almost got tagged but Hannah ran ragged and got on base. She ended up making it in to home during the next play. Way to go Hannah!! She is still talking about her trip back to second and then to third. The Diamond Dolls won. The score was either 16-4 or 18-4, I can't remember which.

Andrew had his first bubble bath last night. He would put his hands in the bubbles, lift it up, then just stare at them. Sometimes Andrew would turn his hand over and shake it in an attempt to get the bubbles off. He was sooo funny to watch.

Good Weekend

Saturday was beautiful! The temperatures were warm, the sky was clear and my dad and step-mom came down to visit. Later that afternoon, Hannah went to a classmates' birthday party at the local bowling alley. All the kids had loads of fun. While we were gone, Mike installed our new water fountain for our front garden. It has an old fashion water pump that pumps water into a small wooden barrel. The small barrel then flows into a larger wooden barrel. It is really cute.

Today, Mike's softball team played a double header after church. The temperature was nice and there was a light breeze blowing. We took a couple of our awnings for people to sit under to stay out of the sun. Our team won the first game but lost the second. After the games, we had hamburgers and hot dogs. The kids are exhausted from playing. They should sleep good tonight.

Mother's Day Presents, Part Deux

Thursday evening, as we arrived home after Hannah's baseball game, there was a package waiting for me. In it was half a dozen chocolate covered strawberries from my husband. The writing on the box was hilarious: Open box carefully, hide behind a big piece of furniture, be extremely quiet, enjoy and don't share with anyone. Inside was a packing slip on how to get the most enjoyment from your berries. On it, it said to get the most from your berries you need to eat them within 48 hours. Mike laughed when I told him that if they were gone before he got home Friday I had a legitimate excuse. So far, I've only eaten two but I am going to eat one after all the kids go to bed (Hannah and Andrew keep stalling). Hannah also gave me her present which was a beaded necklace and bracelet she made. It is really nice and I really enjoy it. Instead of have just one Mother's Day, I am having a Mother's Week. Isn't that nice?

On a side note, Hannah's team won their game last night 15-5. The Diamond Dolls were hitting really good. The Lady Sluggers kept running us down but we were still able to score. GO DIAMOND DOLLS!!!

Hannah in Uniform

Finally, I have pictures of Hannah in her uniform. We got the shorts on Monday and they had a game on Tuesday. She also has a pink scrunchy for her hair that she occasionally wears. The pink on her shorts is her number: 2. Her number is also on the back of her shirt.

Hannah is one of the tallest players on the team. When she is up to bat, all you see are arms and legs because they are so long. She is really cute and is doing a great job out on the field. Her coaches rotate their positions so everyone gets a chance at each one. Hannah has been in the pitcher position (this is coach pitch so she is behind the coach in the pitcher position), catcher, short stop and between first and second base in the infield. I am so proud of her and what she is doing!!!

Diamond Dolls Win!

Hannah's team, the Diamond Dolls, won their first game tonight. The score was 12-0. I thought the other team had at least two runs but the scorekeeper said no. Hannah struck out her first two times at bat. The last time she got a hit and ran as far as second base. A couple of batters later, she got to run home. I missed her last chance to bat and almost missed her run home from third. Will was in the bathroom. While I was waiting, I looked up and saw Hannah on third. When I left, she was in the dugout and didn't even look ready to bat. I missed her hit and run to second and to third but I got to see the most important one. Mike had to miss this game. His softball game starts at 9:00 p.m. so he stayed at work.

Tomorrow, Hannah has a game at 6 p.m. on one field close to home while Will plays at 6:45 p.m. at a complete different set of fields. This is the last of the games this week. Next Tuesday they each play at 6 and 6:45 again.

Hannah's First Game

Hannah had her first coach-pitch softball game last night. I had to miss the first part because her game and Will's game overlapped. She did a good job last night. I saw her when she got to bat. The first time Hannah hit a foul. Her next two swings were strikes. When it was her team's time to play in outfield, she was in the Shortstop position. The other team won 8-2 but Hannah's team was great. They did a good job with it being their first game and not having many practices due to all the rain we've had. Mike was suppose to take pictures but I haven't had a chance to check the camera. I'll try to download them and post them later. Thursday night she has a game and Will has practice at the same time on different fields. I'll try to take some pictures as Mike will take Will to practice while I get to watch Hannah.

Will's team did a good job last night, also. Will was being a mess before the game even got started. He knocked off the hat of one of his teammates, who then gave Will a shove. Will shoved the other little boy back, pushing him down. Then, during the game, he was kicking dirt on some of the other players. But, in his defense, some of his teammates were doing the same thing too. Boys will be boys, won't they?