J has his first baseball tournament starting tomorrow. His team is scheduled for three back to back games about an hour away from where we live. They will also play on Sunday. In addition, A has her dance recital tomorrow evening. Luckily for hubby and I, my brother, Uncle D is willing to miss the recital and stay at the tournament with J for all three games. We'll get to go for the first game, then will head home with the grandparents to go to the recital.
This is our first experience with tournament baseball and I'm not quite sure what to expect. Other than to plan on being outside all day and that it probably makes sense to go prepared with drinks, food, chairs, shade tents, and anything else that will make the day go smoothly. We're in the process of getting the van packed. So far, I've mixed up a gallon of Gatorade, packed a cooler with drinks, and cut up fruit for snacking. Hubby has loaded chairs, shade tent, and afore mentioned cooler. In a pile waiting to be loaded are my camera bag, a bag containing snacks, and A's recital paraphernalia. All of that is in addition to J's two bags of baseball equipment. At this rate, we'll need a u-haul trailer to get everything and ourselves to the field.
My hope is that this weekend will give us a better understanding of how tournament weekends work. We're not staying in a hotel since it's only an hour away. I shudder to think how much more stuff we'll need when we do stay in a hotel for a few nights. In spite of the mad rush of preparations, I'm looking forward to the start of the tournament weekends. I'll post about the games at the end of the weekend and let you know how team TP did. Yes, I said team TP. It stands for Top Prospects, which is the baseball school that sponsors the team. N laughs every time he hears it. Go ahead and laugh, too. You know you want to!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Swimming Family
In addition to baseball, J joined the high school swim team last school year and discovered a love for a new sport. Over the summer, he'll be swimming on a club team run by the high school coach. It's a fantastic program, offering team swimming and lessons to kids beginning at age 4. I decided it would be good for N and A to swim as well.
N protested. Long and loud. He didn't want to go. He'd have to get up too early. He didn't like swimming. Swimming was boring. I forced the issue though and he started this week. He's doing the team, and after the first day, decided he liked it so much he wants to swim year round. No mention of his earlier protests. As it turns out, several of his friends are also swimming in his group. So he gets to hang out with friends daily, have fun, and get some physical activity.
A is only 5, so I was unsure whether she needed to stick with lessons or try the team. After seeing what she could do, the coach decided she was ready for the group called pre-team. She'll be learning proper strokes, building her endurance, and will hopefully be able to swim the length of the pool unassisted by the end of the summer. She can go about halfway now. Today we bought her a bright purple swim camp to keep her hair out of her face. She can't wait to try it out tomorrow.
So we'll be spending most weekday mornings at the pool. J swims for two hours, followed by N and A for another hour. During their hour, J assists with the group swim lessons. I relax in my folding chair, reading and chatting with other moms. All in all, it's not a bad way to start our summer days.
N protested. Long and loud. He didn't want to go. He'd have to get up too early. He didn't like swimming. Swimming was boring. I forced the issue though and he started this week. He's doing the team, and after the first day, decided he liked it so much he wants to swim year round. No mention of his earlier protests. As it turns out, several of his friends are also swimming in his group. So he gets to hang out with friends daily, have fun, and get some physical activity.
A is only 5, so I was unsure whether she needed to stick with lessons or try the team. After seeing what she could do, the coach decided she was ready for the group called pre-team. She'll be learning proper strokes, building her endurance, and will hopefully be able to swim the length of the pool unassisted by the end of the summer. She can go about halfway now. Today we bought her a bright purple swim camp to keep her hair out of her face. She can't wait to try it out tomorrow.
So we'll be spending most weekday mornings at the pool. J swims for two hours, followed by N and A for another hour. During their hour, J assists with the group swim lessons. I relax in my folding chair, reading and chatting with other moms. All in all, it's not a bad way to start our summer days.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Hittin the Road
Last summer we took a dream vacation to Hawaii. This summer, our plans are somewhat different. J is playing on a summer tournament baseball team and most of our summer weekends will be spent traveling to, you guessed it, baseball tournaments. This is our families first experience with competetive travel baseball and I plan to blog about our experiences. While the trips may not have the excitement and wonder of the islands, I hope you'll enjoy reading about them all the same. This summer team is one more stop on J's road to college baseball and beyond. He had to try out for this team. I've attended a few practices and a scrimmage game and the level of talent and skill is quite impressive, even to my untrained eye. J says it's the best team he's ever played on. He's very excited and is looking forward to their first game next weekend. That one's local, but in the weeks to come we'll be traveling around Florida. In July we head to Auburn, Alabama for a six day tournament. And while this summer may not be a "dream" as far as vacationing, it's a very real part of J's dream. And I'm excited that he'll have his family there to cheer him on.
Show Stopper
Okay, it's been a while since my last post. I never mean to go so long between postings, but life has a habit of getting in the way of regular blogging. I'm back now, that's all that matters.
Three weeks ago, our school held its annual Evening of the Arts, showcasing the art and music departments. N is part of the Angel Chorus, which is for third and fourth grade singers. He was very excited to have his very first solo performane. He sang "Singin in the Rain" and I was bowled over not only by how well he sang, but by the guts he had to get up there and belt out a song in a room full of people. I've posted the video link above, so you can hear for yourself how he did. There was a technical problem with his mike for the first few seconds.
Three weeks ago, our school held its annual Evening of the Arts, showcasing the art and music departments. N is part of the Angel Chorus, which is for third and fourth grade singers. He was very excited to have his very first solo performane. He sang "Singin in the Rain" and I was bowled over not only by how well he sang, but by the guts he had to get up there and belt out a song in a room full of people. I've posted the video link above, so you can hear for yourself how he did. There was a technical problem with his mike for the first few seconds.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thinking About Summer
Around this point in every school year my mind jumps ahead to summer vacation. After the many months of the busy routine of the school year, I'm always ready for some downtime. Last year that down time included a dream vacation in Hawaii. Sadly, that is not the case this year. But we can still have a nice summer right here at home. I'm currently sifting through list of available summer camps and activities for the kids, Here's what's on our summer agenda so far:
A will attend a one week camp that features various activities for rising kindergarteners. N may attend the same camp, though his age group gets to choose from a wide variety of classes and activities. He has a decision to make since this camp is the same week as the gymnastics camp he also wants to attend.
Both N and A will attend Bible School at the church of a friend. Miss Patti runs an awesome bible school every summer and they look forward to it all year. J will likely sign up as a junior counselor.
I'm hoping all three will swim this summer. J on the club team he is currently on and N and A at least in lessons. The younger two may be able to do the club team as well. We'll have to see.
J tried out for and was selected for a summer tournament baseball team. This will keep us busy most weekends in June and July as he plays in tournaments on college campuses around the state. There will be one out of state tournament at Auburn University in July.
In late July, J will attend baseball camp at the University of Florida. UF is currently his top college pick, so he's looking forward to that one. In addition, he's hoping to attend another Baseball Factory training camp in Vero Beach. That one is quite pricey, so we're working on getting him some sponsors. It's a great opportunity so fingers crossed it works out!
Our summer schedule is looking pretty full already. Hopefully, we'll manage some trips to the beach, movies, bowling, and other fun summer activities. What's on your family's summer agenda so far?
A will attend a one week camp that features various activities for rising kindergarteners. N may attend the same camp, though his age group gets to choose from a wide variety of classes and activities. He has a decision to make since this camp is the same week as the gymnastics camp he also wants to attend.
Both N and A will attend Bible School at the church of a friend. Miss Patti runs an awesome bible school every summer and they look forward to it all year. J will likely sign up as a junior counselor.
I'm hoping all three will swim this summer. J on the club team he is currently on and N and A at least in lessons. The younger two may be able to do the club team as well. We'll have to see.
J tried out for and was selected for a summer tournament baseball team. This will keep us busy most weekends in June and July as he plays in tournaments on college campuses around the state. There will be one out of state tournament at Auburn University in July.
In late July, J will attend baseball camp at the University of Florida. UF is currently his top college pick, so he's looking forward to that one. In addition, he's hoping to attend another Baseball Factory training camp in Vero Beach. That one is quite pricey, so we're working on getting him some sponsors. It's a great opportunity so fingers crossed it works out!
Our summer schedule is looking pretty full already. Hopefully, we'll manage some trips to the beach, movies, bowling, and other fun summer activities. What's on your family's summer agenda so far?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Let's Play Clue
Jess- You've known us for a while now. We've talked about a meet up and now it's becoming a reality. Chris has marked the dates off on your calendar and now it's time to let you know. To figure out the date you may need to use Google. We depart on the same day the Navy christened the USS Natuilus in 1954. Now, visit the blog of your favorite Navy family for your next clue.
Monday, January 31, 2011
My baby is 15
Tomorrow J turns 15. So naturally, I am feeling overly sentimental tonight as I remember anticipating his arrival just 15 short years ago. As the firstborn, J enjoys the unique privilege of being the child that turned hubby and I from a couple into a family. For four and a half years he reigned as the sole center of our world. He was a blessedly easy baby, sweet and good natured from the moment he was born. Over the years, he has remained sweet and good natured with a heart of pure gold. As he anticipates getting his learner's permit, learning to drive, and all the other exciting things that come along with growing up, I find myself at a bittersweet crossroads. I feel so blessed to have a healthy, happy son who is growing up just as he should. But my heart still longs for the sweet baby who made me a mommy for the very first time.
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