Goooo Yankees!!

Well it's over! I never thought this season would end. I totally under estimated the potential of 5 and 6 year olds. I also was not prepared for the amount of time that would be sacrificed to make this season work. The practices and games per week were mind boggling for these little guys. It was our first season of baseball and it all started with tryouts! TRYOUTS for 5 & 6 year olds. That's when I knew we were in trouble. Mason had never hat a baseball or put on a glove, nor did he know what a base was much less what order to run them in. Well, luckily, he got drafted to the Yankees. He cried his first game, but came back for the second and gave it a shot. He had a wonderful, patient coach. He of course was hidden in the outfield, which I can't blame the coach for, but towards the end of the season he saw a lot of action from good hitters. He actually would move and get in front of the ball and stop it and attempt to throw it in to the shortstop. The amazing thing was to watch 5/6 year olds field a ball throw it to first base and that little boy catch the ball and make an out. I was shocked, but they really did it and even caught some pop-ups too.

So in the tournament, we won a couple of games and then lost to a team that was undefeated in extra innings, which put us in the losers bracket. From that point, I felt like we were at the baseball field every night to every other night to work our way back in the tournament. We did it and made it to the championship game tonight and took the game to extra innings again against the Twins ( that we lost to before) and lost by 1 run. It was a heart breaker, but I really don't think Mason had any idea what all was going on.

I will say I was so nervous and really don't know how I am going to make through sporting events with my kids from here on out.....seriously! That was the most nerve racking thing and all so helpless at the same time. Mason did great though, he started the season by never being able to hit the ball from the coach pitch, to starting to make contact (a swinging bunt can be very powerful, especially if you are fast). The best thing Mason has going for him, is that he is fast, so even though he couldn't hit it far, he usually could out run the throw. So he played an important part on the team to use his speed to get on base and then a big slugger would usually hit him in. The most important part, was that he had fun playing baseball this year and that is all we could ask for. We are so proud of you Mason!

Mason and Coach Greg (for some reason my camera worked for everyone else, but when I wanted to take Mason's picture it wouldn't)

The epitome of "Miss Priss"......she fell and she had 2 men jump to help her up and brush her hands. It's over boys, they ruined it for you, now she will expect that every time.

Proud of his BIG trophy. Please take a look at the kid behind Mason, and see how big he is!

Buie thought his trophy was soooo cool.

D-I-R-T-Y!! Celie got very comfortable at the park and walked around like she owned that place. She was a mess by the end of every game!

What a great group of boys! Great job!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

We went to my sister in laws (parent's) lake house up at Lake Burton for mother's day weekend. We had beautiful weather, great food and a fun time! (other than getting lost on the way up there) Is was an outdoorsy kind of weekend......we went for a nature walk, boat ride, a ride on the viper, a mountain jog and a brisk swim in the lake. We went with my brother, Andrew and his family and my mom. She got to spend mother's day with 2 out of 3 of her kids and 6 out of 8 of her grand kids.....not too bad!

Miss Priss getting a free ride to try and speed things up.

Of course we didn't all stay together....me, Celie, Mason, Olivia, Buie and Granny.

Chris needed a helping hand hauling around an extra 30 lbs.

Where are all the kids? Well, they kept running ahead and we just knew better than to exert too much energy.

Mason, our captain, at the helm loved being in control.

Celie and Walker at the bow seeing where to go.

This was the maiden voyage of the "viper"......I will say it did not go so well. When we took off, the "viper" went into the water and they all almost went head first in the water. We stopped it just in the nick of time before that could happen, but it ruined them for the rest of the trip. Aunt Ashley was so determined to convince them all that it was fun and get them all back on there....

.....so she and I had to do it to prove to the kiddos that it worked just fine and that it was fun. I will say it was freezing and I knew my kids would not like the water spraying in their eyes.

So Celie and Frances were first up! Celie liked being with me, but did not like the water in her eyes. Frances on the other hand....LOVED every minute of it.

The key was to have enough weight so the front end came up, so that was either Ashley and I or Chris, so now it was Chris's turn with Mason, Buie and Frances (again). Can you see the fear in Mason's eyes? He was still petrified from the first attempt, but he managed to get through it with the help of Chris's sunglasses and Buie ended up saying he loved it and it was his favorite time of the trip.

much happier out of the cold water

Mission complete! Ashley finally convinced Olivia to get in and try it and I think she screamed the whole time, but here's proof she did it.