Checking in

Just a quick checking in between road trips. We were at my in-laws for the weekend and loved getting to spend a few days with them. It was really nice to be there, not for any big event or reason, but just to be able to visit with them. Normally we would have just taken our vacation with them, but this year our plans are a little different. We leave tomorrow to join another family in visiting some friends who have just moved away from our town. We are excited about getting to hang out together! Not sure how much I'll be able to post while we are gone, but we'll be off having lots of fun!

Champs!

JR's baseball team brought home the winning medals last night. It was a great game on both sides...we only won by one run. I was so excited for our boys, and I was so impressed with the sportsmanship shown by both teams. We were behind almost the entire game and won it in our last at bat. We truly didn't expect to win either of the last two games so we were pretty amazed at the end. I watched my son interact with all of his teammates as part of the team and I was so grateful that my husband had been willing to coach this year, and had been able to give JR this opportunity to play as part of a team, to truly be a part of a winning, successful team. It was such a different experience than last year where the coach provided no concept of team and players ridiculed the weaker ones. Last night I watched a boy who struck out nearly the entire season, and had done so again last night. Even though it was the last inning and we were still down by two runs, that young man came off to high 5's and nice tries by the next two batters, two of the teams' best. That speaks so highly, I think, of the young men that played on this team, and of their parents who have taught them to be respectful...and as a bonus it also makes them very coachable. I'm just so happy for JR and the whole team!

Science Camp

JR has finished his week of science camp put on for two hours each day by our school district. He had a great time! They dyed tshirts, did magic tricks (I'm sure with a scientific explanation) and did lots of other fun projects. His favorite was today when they made slime...how cool! He's been sharing with his brother and sister and they are all excited to hear how it works. It's been a great program for him!

Another victory!

Against all of our expectations, the boys won again last night! We really didn't expect to beat this team because they had a pitcher that is pretty unhittable. Fortunately, we managed to manufacture some runs, and our starter gave our four solid innings which is what we needed to do before we brought in our guy who shuts 'em down in the late innings. We play for the championship tonight. My mom will be watching the younger two because their behavior has been so awful at the games that it's embarrassing, and ruining it for me...so off they go to Grandma's!

Three exciting hours

Last night JR's team played their first tournament game. They were playing a team in the league that had only won one game. I kept telling my husband that at some point the law of averages was going to catch up and I was concerned that last night was going to be that game. After two innings, we were down 8-2. It was a very exciting last two innings though, and we prevailed 13-9. It took three unbelievably hot hours to complete the game, but it was fun to come out on top. There was even a young man who got his first hit of the entire season! We had planned a team pizza party after the game regardless of the outcome, and it was a very fun celebration. The boys play again this evening, and if that is a win, another tomorrow!

Loving the new blogger!

I really, really love the new designs that are available in blogger. How fun! There are so many more choices, and I don't think I've seen anyone use the same standard template twice (I don't follow that many other blogs). It almost makes me feel as though I have a clue with how to be technologically savvy!

It's really too hot

I have never claimed to enjoy hot weather. I have always, always, always stated my preference for cold weather. Cold weather can be tolerated, just bundle up. Still cold? Add more layers. Hot weather, well, there is only so much that can be done with hot weather. There are only so many layers that can be taken off before it is inappropriate (and/or illegal) to go out in public. I just checked and our heat index is 97 degrees. And what are our plans for the evening? We are going to go and sit out at the ball field and watch JR's tournament game. I can literally think of thousands of things I would rather do instead, and to be honest, visiting a dentist, or even ob/gyn is on that list. Those things have only a short, temporary time frame of being uncomfortable. I understand that this game tonight is also only going to cause temporary discomfort, but seriously...it could be hours long. We are treating the team to pizza afterward. I'm hoping I haven't come unglued on anyone by then...meltdowns (by both children and adults) are abundant today!

Out of nowhere

Yesterday the forecast called for a slight chance of a thunderstorm. Weather people totally missed the mark on that one. I was hanging laundry out about 10:30 and kept wondering if I was making a big mistake. The sky looked ominous, but I kept thinking maybe it would pass us over. About 11:30 I just decided it wasn't worth the risk and brought it all in to finish in the dryer. I heard thunder while I was out there, but it sounded distant. About 11:40, the sky just absolutely opened up. There was unbelievably loud thunder which terrified my children, and big bolts of lightening. My wonderful husband had headed to the mall area to buy a new grill, and JR was at two hours of science camp so it was just the little ones in me. I had completely forgotten however, that JR was finished at noon and we had told him to walk home. No way that could happen! The lightening was way to dangerous, and it was raining so hard the streets were flooding. I grabbed the two little ones and threw them in the car. I felt so badly because they were so terrified, but I couldn't let JR deal with the weather alone. It was hard to drive because of the water on the road, and the windshield wipers had no setting nearly fast enough to keep up. We finally had JR safely in our car and were on our way home again. We were all soaked just from running a few yards to the car and back. My little guy was shaking uncontrollably and I just kept holding him and rocking him. It was definitely not a storm that you see around here everyday. We checked the weather channel again and they had updated the weather for an 80% chance of rain and severe storms likely. Gee, you think?

Blessings of fathers

We had a wonderful Father's Day this year. Last year on Father's Day, we spent 14 hours in the car on the way to Outer Banks. It was still nice though because my husband got to see his dad on that day, and of course my kids obviously had a lot of togetherness with their dad! Originally, for this year we had thought there could be a baseball tournament so we had planned to hang out at home. We had spent the previous Sunday with my dad at the lake, and this coming Sunday we will be in PA with my in-laws. However, the tournament hasn't even started yet, so we decided to head to the lake again this past week. I treasured every moment of being with my dad this past Sunday. Given his health situation, I treasure all moments we are together, but being Father's Day made it even more special. And my husband loves going up there as well! It was a treat for us all, and I'm so blessed to have my own wonderful dad, and to be married to an amazing man who is also an amazing father!

Summer is a flyin'

We've been out of school for two weeks now. Because this is the first year we haven't been attending scout camp, basketball camp, VBS or some other function that requires us to be up early, it feels as though summer is moving slowly. However, in reality, our days are absolutely flying by once we do get up. I'm so enjoying the memories we are making this summer though.

My wonderful husband took the kids camping Wednesday night. His best friend from college (JC's Godfather) and five year old daughter also joined them. It was HT's first camping experience and he really enjoyed it. My husband had decided to sleep underneath the stars, but moved to the tent when he was awakened by a sniffing noise that turned out to be a skunk. No one ever wants to be close enough to touch a skunk! We've also had a pool party to attend this week, dinner with friends after a game one evening this week, and we have yet another birthday party to attend tonight. Lots and lots of summer fun!

My heart might explode

Parenting has so many rewards, but few are as obvious as the one that occurred last night. JC and I had our final game of the season. Our record before the game was only 2-7, but I have been so impressed with how well the girls have played lately. The progress from the beginning of the season has really been amazing. Last night we were playing well, but the other team had one explosive inning. Heading into the bottom of the last inning, we were down by three runs. JC came up to bat and by then we had pulled to within one run. I'll be honest, I really wanted to win that game. I wanted the girls to be able to take the feeling of victory with them throughout the rest of the summer. JC hit a ball right down the first base line. She was tagged out, but our runner on third was able to make it home and tie the game. I was ecstatic! The girls didn't realize we had tied the game, but the next batter was able to drive in another run and we won! The girls were excited and so were the parents. If we could only win three, having two of those wins be the first and last games of the season is the right way to go about it. The best part happened when we came home. JC came up to hug me and said, "Thanks for coaching me Mom. I had a great season." I thought my heart might explode at that very moment. I just felt so lucky and blessed to be able to share this experience with her. I was so giddy about the whole thing I couldn't sleep last night. I just kept replaying some of the highlights of the season over and over in my head...memories I'll cherish forever.

Ready for the end

As happens with every season, I'm ready for the end of the kids' baseball. I've enjoyed coaching, and I've enjoyed watching my kids play and have fun. And especially with the older two, I've enjoyed watching them develop skills and make progress in playing the game. At the same time, I'm ready to have our lives back. I'm ready for dinners again, real dinners that don't involve hot dogs, mac & cheese, or cereal. I'm ready for carefree, relaxed summer evenings of bike rides, walks, and just hanging out. This week was supposed to be a hint to that lifestyle, with the original schedule having games only tonight and Thursday. But, with makeups, we are now scheduled to be there every evening this week...all five nights in a row. So, for one more week, hot dogs, mac & cheese, and cereal for dinner it is!

So much fun

We had so much fun this weekend...it's been great! The kids and hubby all enjoyed the Reds game Friday evening. The game went into extra innings and there were fireworks after the game, so it was almost 1AM before they made it home. That didn't particularly make me happy. Fortunately, everyone slept in Saturday. In the middle of the afternoon, we took off for northern Kentucky to attend the graduation party of a cousin. I wasn't sure what to expect and really didn't plan to stay long. It was, however, the best part of the weekend. Many other relatives had made the 90 minute trip down and I loved having the opportunity to visit with everyone. And the kids absolutely had a blast. It was held on a farm and the kids loved having the opportunity to fish and ride the gator and climb the hills and just run around and have a great time. We ended up staying much longer than I had anticipated, but it was worth it. Yesterday we ventured up to the lake to have an early Father's Day with my dad, and my mom and Grandma joined us as well. We didn't make an entire day of it because everyone was pretty much worn down yesterday, but we still had a great time. I'm so grateful for so much fun this weekend...it's pretty hard to get motivated for our real life responsibilities today!

Triple Play

It was so awesome tonight! While at the baseball game for JR (during which he was in Cincinnati with his dad) our team recorded a triple play. Michael is the son of our best friends here in town, and one of my "nephews". He was able to catch the fly ball, step on third to double up the runner, and then throw to first to get that runner who was off the bag. It was amazing. Sadly, neither of his parents was there to see it, but I was so excited for him...everyone was talking about it. I felt badly that my husband wasn't there to coach it, but I'm sure he's enjoyed himself at the game tonight.

The joy of parents

I've always said that the most challenging part of any volunteer project involving children is dealing with the parents. After our experience last night, I'm definitely ready for baseball season to come to an end!

Both JR & JC (and their respective parent/coaches...us!) had games last night. We were told Wednesday night that we needed to come to the concession stand before our games and pick up a make up schedule for rain outs. Both my wonderful husband and I were stunned to learn that we both had games scheduled for this evening. Uhm, 24 hours notice when dealing with leagues involving 10 year olds & under seems a bit extreme, don't you think? For my girls, we were only going to have five players so we got together with the opposing coach and rescheduled for a mutually agreeable time. The boys were a little more challenging. My husband (head coach) has tickets for the Reds game this evening, and is taking JR. The assistant coach was leaving immediately after their game last night for a baseball weekend in Chicago. Obviously, since he had a game to coach right then, there was not an opportunity to attempt to line up other coaches or even determine if they had enough kids to play. Instead of being able to watch my son's game after our girls' game ended, I was on a mission to make tonight work out. Finally, a parent who has helped with the team all season agreed to coach, I'll keep the book and the assistant coach's wife will also help base coach. I thought this was pretty generous considering a) my son won't actually be there to play and b) the assistant coach's wife had other plans that she was willing to cancel in order to help. We are going to be short kids, but we received permission to use some kids from teams who aren't playing tonight. They just have to play outfield and bat at the bottom of the order. My husband is amazingly calm and rational...traits which I have none of. He approached the president of the baseball board and explained that we had it worked out, but mentioned that he would really appreciate it if we could have more than 24 hours notice if there was going to be make up games. The board president immediately got defensive and my husband explained that he wasn't angry or upset, but really felt that communication would go a long way towards making things run more smoothly, and would help to make sure that no one got upset or angry in the future. It was a very civil discussion. However, another board parent has a son who is also playing for my husband. To be honest, the son is not very good. Trust me, I'm not a parent who thinks my children are the best on earth, because JR plays only two positions; catcher and outfield. He's been wanting to pitch and my husband has simply explained that isn't going to happen. My husband believes that every child should be placed where they have the best opportunity for success, and where they are the least likely to embarrass themselves. For some children, that means they only play the outfield. This board member's son is one of those, although because the dad is a board member my husband has been giving the son some opportunity to play third base. I was at a game last week where this youngster fielded a ball at third and literally stood there with his mouth open because he had no clue what to do with the ball. Now according to this board member, it is my husband's fault because he hasn't done a good enough job of teaching the kids how to play the positions. My husband just stood there and listened to board member dad and at the end stated that he appreciated the man's opinion, and that it seemed as though they had a different philosophy on coaching. I was so amazed at how well my husband handled the situation, and I know that I could not have been that calm in that situation.

Of course we discussed it over and over again last evening. We tried not to dwell on it, but it finally came down to this: normally, I recognize that there will always be one parent, no matter how things are handled, that doesn't appreciate the way things are handled. That's a given. What bothers me about this situation, is that this was a man that I respected as having some knowledge of baseball and how to handle things. He has coached his older two sons and is on the board of the league (as an aside, he has admitted that he hasn't worked much with son #3, and that this particular son doesn't even want to play ball, but they make him). Furthermore, because this man is on the board of the league, he has the power to prevent my husband from coaching next year if he feels like doing so. That is the part that really bothers me and aggravates me to no end. I take comfort in the fact that my husband has no regrets in the way he's coached the kids. Furthermore, and of the most importance to me, JR has had a very good experience playing this year. After all, that is the reason we agreed to coach this year...for our own kids, not for the whims of other parents.

Full house

There are seven children here today between the ages of 11 & 3. I can tell it's still early summer, because everyone is getting along nicely (oh dear, I've just jinxed myself, haven't I?). The closest I'm ever going to get to being an aunt is these four extra children who are here today, and I enjoy the fact that they feel totally at home here. My wonderful husband is off to get a filling, and this afternoon we are splitting up and taking the kids to a movie. I feel badly that we are going to spend the afternoon at a movie theater because it is gorgeous outside, but it still seemed like a nice treat for everyone. Looking forward to a pleasant day!

Summer fun

We've had two complete days of summer vacation so far. This is the first time in YEARS that we've actually had laid back days right after school was out. Tomorrow we'll have four extra guests all day, but the last two days it's been fairly uneventful in our house. We've enjoyed Monopoly games, late dinners, and even later wake ups. I know that we have lots to get done this summer, but so far we are having fun and relaxing!

Coming to an end

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the kids. I'm so excited about the beginning of summer, and so overwhelmed by all of our plans at the same time. I'm also feeling very bittersweet that tomorrow is the last day of Kindergarten in this house. I know time marches on, I'm just not sure that my wonderful husband and I are ready to march with it.

It was a very busy weekend in our house. Friday evening my dear friend and I went to an outdoor concert. It was nice to spend some time just the two of us...we usually only get to manage that about once a year even though she only lives about 30 minutes away. HT had a make up tball game, and then my husband and some good friends made their debut in the church softball league. Apparently, that was quite a riot and I'm sorry I missed it! Yesterday was an entire slate of ball games for the kids, and I'm so proud of my girls for getting another victory! As with everything that seems to happen lately, rain & lightening started during JR's game, but after a "mere" six hours at the ball park we finally made it home. Last evening, we had dinner plans with our assistant coaches and their family and were out very late. Today we slept in, and spent the afternoon at a graduation party before heading to church this evening. The kids are still feeling a little tired, but with only one last day of school I'm sure it will be fine.

And on a very happy note, the weather here has turned absolutely beautiful. It's been in the mid to upper 80's for the last two weeks, and this past week the humidity has been absolutely oppressive. But this morning we stepped out to get the newspaper and were greeted by weather barely reaching 70 with virtually no humidity. It just doesn't get any more gorgeous out than this!

Two more days!

We have just two more days until summer officially begins in our house. Today was actually supposed to be the last day, but thanks to the snow days we still have two more. I can't wait to start sleeping in. That to me is the best part of the summer. I'm also looking forward to playing games with the kids and reading books that we want to read, not just have to read. Right now as a family we are into "Little House on the Prairie" and with school being out we might even be able to read two chapters an evening! Things are definitely winding down in the classrooms. There was very little homework this week. There have been lots of walking field trips around town and today HT was served with a pizza party at school, and JC had an ice cream party this afternoon. Tomorrow JC has a poetry recital, and then HT has beach day in the afternoon. I'm not really sure what JR has been doing...I guess by the time they reach his age they don't need as much parent help in the classroom. We are all enjoying things though!

Late night at the ballpark

I have been able to see only a very little bit of JR's baseball games this season. Every evening he's had a game, either I've been coaching JC in a game of her own, or I've been at HT's game. We usually catch no more than an hour of JR's game, because staying out late isn't an option with JC's behavior. Last night though, with school ending soon, I decided we'd go ahead and stay. It was a fun game with our team winning big, but it didn't end until after 8:30, and by the time we cleaned up and got home it was nearly 9:00. I allowed the younger two to wait for baths until this morning, but everyone is dragging a bit this morning. I'm so very much hoping that JC can hold it together in school today and I don't end up regretting my decision. I just wanted to watch my son play his game. Tonight both HT and JR are supposed to have games again, but there are storms moving in as I write. We'll just have to see what the day brings!

Memorial Day weekend recap

We had an absolutely wonderful weekend. With so little school left for the year, I pretty much feel as though I'm in coasting mode when it comes to school. Based on the numerous activities that are scheduled for the kids this week, it doesn't sound as though there is going to be much homework coming home, and that is perfectly fine with me!

Saturday we had a large group photo appointment scheduled with two other families. One of these families is moving hundreds of miles away next week, and this was our last opportunity to get together. We had lots and lots of pictures taken, and I think they turned out wonderfully. We then had a cook out that lasted well into the night. Wonderful, wonderful memories. Sunday morning was brunch with my mom's family and then we headed straight up to Dad's place at the lake. It's been so unbelievably hot here lately, and Sunday was no exception. I felt like we didn't really do much, but Dad just enjoys having us there no matter what. We watched the Indy 500, and while I don't really follow auto racing, I enjoyed watching that with my dad. For years when I was child, Dad, my sister and I would be coming back from my grandparents' place in Coldwater, MI on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and we would listen to the race as we were driving home. For a few minutes on Sunday, I felt like a little girl with my dad again. It was almost dark by the time we headed home Sunday night, and yesterday was another cook out. Still very hot, so we didn't stay terribly long.

Today, I feel absolutely wiped out. I know that I should find a way to be productive, but it just doesn't seem to be happening. I just got back from school because today was "have lunch with the fourth grader" day. JC and JR (and us coaches) have games this evening, and right now I'm just lacking motivation between activities. Maybe tomorrow!