A Day at the Ball Field

Drew and his team are ready for the team picture to be taken! Everybody smile!
Today was Drew's first baseball game!! His game started at 10:00 but we had to be at the fields at 9:15 for pictures at 9:30. Drew woke up this morning to me fixing my make-up and asked "where are we going?". When I told him we were going to his first game he said "YEAH!" I finished getting myself ready then began to put his uniform on. Today was the first time he's worn his complete uniform this year (grey pants, blue baseball belt, blue baseball socks, jersey [with a red longsleeve shrit underneath], and cleats) so he was very excited. We got him in uniform, then we got Mikayla dressed. We loaded up the car and headed to the fields (Craig was meeting us there since he went to work at 7:30 this morning). After waiting to have pictures made and then having them made first individually, then team pictures, we headed down to our field and waited on another game to finish. The coach had them warm up and they practiced fielding some balls while they waited. By the time the game started Drew and the other boys and girl on his team were ready! They had been so patient to wait on our opposing team to have their pictures made!! Poppi and Mimi, Jennie, Jonathan, and Jessica had all come to see Drew's first game and Drew (Mikayla too!) was excited to have them all there! Drew did so much better at this game than he did last year!! Last year, he wanted to come off the field or out of the dugout to see his Poppi every time! Today, he stayed in the field and in the dugout like such a big boy! He is the last batter on his team because they bat in order of jersey numbers and he is number 9! He waited so patiently for his turn to bat today!! I could not have been more proud of him! I can really tell how much he's grown up over the last year! We are all very proud of him and we can't wait to see how he does at his next game - this Friday at 6:30! I'll post more pictures then!

Aunt Jennie and Mikayla wait for Drew's game to start.

Drew gets ready to field balls hit by the other team! (He's the one in the Gamecock jacket - he was cold and didn't want to take it off!)

Drew throws the ball back to the other team's coach after stopping it!

Jessica and Jennie try to stay warm in Poppi's coat! It was tolerable when the sun was out and the wind wasn't blowing. But it was freezing when the sun went behind the clouds!

Drew hits a ball that Coach Tim pitches - run Drew, run!

Drew runs to first base after one of his hits! I apologize for the fence in the middle of the picture - there was an awful glare and I couldn't see the digital screen on my camera. I almost didn't get Drew in the picture - he looks like he is running off the page!

Drew slides into home! This is something that he started last year - I guess it has become a tradition!

Drew tags-up after the game! "Great game Cubs - we are proud of you!!"

Yah Mikayla!!

You may remember a few posts back where we were going to let Mikayla sleep for the first time in "big girl panties" all night. We found out that she just wasn't quite ready for panties at night. So since then, she has been wearing "big girl panties" all day (except for a few days when she was cutting some back teeth [those parents out there know that sometimes teething is accompanied by diarrhea]), and then wearing a diaper or pull-up only at night. She has been doing a great job of staying dry during her nap the past 2 weeks or so, so last night we decided to try again all night. I was pleasantly surprised when this morning Craig told me Mikayla woke him up at 3 am saying she needed to go potty. When he followed her to the bathroom, sure enough she was pottying!! So...it looks as if our baby is well on her way to being fully potty trained! YAH MIKAYLA!!!

Main Event

Drew participated in our school's Main Event today! Our wonderful PTA brings in inflatable slides, moon walks, a rock wall, etc. each year to reward our students for participating in the fall fundraiser! Each grade level is scheduled a time during the day to go out and enjoy these activities and listen to music! This is the Main Event. Since this is Drew's first year at my school, this is the first year he has participated in it! His class was scheduled to go at the same time as my class. When he got out there he didn't even see me, he was too focused on all that was around him! His class went to the rock wall first because that's where most of the students wanted to go. (In 4k the teachers stay with them and move them from activity to activity.) While Drew was waiting in line, he spotted me and hollered for me. I walked over to the rock wall as some of my students were also in line to take a turn (In 5k, we let the students move freely between the different activities since there are PTA volunteers at each one giving directions and maintaining safety. We walk around to monitor our students at each one.) Drew wanted me to wait and watch him have a turn on the rock wall. I wish I had taken my camera. He waited the whole time in line and when he got the harness on and it was his turn he said, "I don't want to do this." I told him he could try and just go as high as he could. He decided to try and he got about 2 feet off the ground before he gave up and let go to slide down to "safety"! Teachers have just as much fun watching the students do each activity as the students have participating in them! I got to see Drew participate in a couple of the other activities as well. All of the students seemed to enjoy themselves and Drew was no different. He talked about the "Main Event" all the way home from school!

Fun with Aunt Jennie

Mikayla and Drew draw on Mimi and Poppi's drive-way with sidewalk chalk!
Josh sneaks up behind Mikayla as she creates beautiful artwork! Notice how she's "acting" shy!
Drew works on his beautiful artwork!
Mikayla works on hers "before" Josh interrupts!
Today we went to Mimi and Poppi's house for dinner after church as usual! Since it was so warm, Aunt Jennie got the sidewalk chalk and took Drew and Mikayla outside! Mikayla wore her dress that Aunt Angel had smocked to church, and to keep from getting chalk all over it, Jennie took it off of her. Drew kept his church clothes on at first, then he took off his pants to be more like Mikayla! Jennie's friend, Josh, was also having dinner with us so he went out to join in the fun! We were so thankful for the beautiful weather and the time with family and friends!

Chuck E. Cheese's

Drew takes a ride with Bob the Builder as Mikayla tries to climb on as well (the ride wasn't moving)!
Watching Drew play this game made me think we might have a soccer player on our hands...he made about five goals!
Mikayla loves riding with Clifford!
Mikayla and Drew ride the jet ski ride together! Don't they look like professionals?
Daddy helps as Drew and Mikayla drive a car!
Mikayla takes a break from her pizza to check out the other kids!
Last night for dinner, we took Drew and Mikayla to Chuck E. Cheese's. Mikayla has been asking to go for the last two weeks! We haven't been there since July, and since they both had a very good week at daycare and school (Drew) we decided to take them. Drew fell asleep on the way, but Mikayla screamed "Chuck E. Cheese, Chuck E. Cheese" as soon as we pulled in the parking lot! When I woke Drew up to get him out of the van, I had to remind him that we were in a parking lot just to keep him from running to the door! They were both very excited to be there, and of course the first thing they wanted to do once we arrived was play. Drew had even told me before we left to go that he would play first while we waited on the food. They patiently waited while we ordered and got their tokens. Then they were off, Mikayla needed a little help from mom of course (daddy went ahead and fixed his salad). Drew went straight for the tunnels and slides. He didn't even ask for a token the whole first hour we were there because he was so busy on the slide and eating! Mikayla is still too little for the big slide, although Drew did try to help her up once. They managed to get her up to the second platform, then she wanted down. Drew was upset by this because he was excited about being the big brother and being able to help her. I had to explain to him that she would be big enough in another year or so! Once Craig finished with his salad, he took over with Mikayla and I fixed my salad. While I was eating my salad, our pizza came. Drew and Mikayla came over and each had one slice of pizza before they were off again. They played a game of air hockey against each other, slid down the slides (they do have a smaller slide for Mikayla in the toddler zone), and played ski ball, and many other games. We finally got them out of there a little after nine! What is it about places like that...the children can go forever, but it doesn't take long for us adults to wear out!

Better and Better

This afternoon we had Mikayla's third dance class. I was wonderfully surprised to see her go running in her room while I stayed out in the waiting room!! She went straight to her cubby to put her ballet shoes up. Then before another parent (who had gone in with her daughter) could come out, Mikayla ran to to door ready to come back out to me. Before I saw Mikayla (I could hear her running toward the door, calling mommy), they closed the door. She got a little upset, but I patiently waited to see how she would be (remembering that this was the only time she cried last week)! Soon after the door was closed, one of the other parents cracked the door so she could get pictures. She told me that Mikayla was fine and that she was trying everything the other little girls were doing! I was afraid to peek myself for fear of upsetting her again. At different times throughout the class the other parent would crack the door to get pictures, and each time, Mikayla was doing exactly as the other little girls! When the class was over, Mikayla came running out of the room with the other little girls, all smiles! I sent her back in to get her tap shoes from her cubby (they change half-way through the class), and I went in to talk to Mrs. Andrea! She let me know right away what a wonderful job Mikayla is doing. She said she couldn't believe how well Mikayla was doing to be so young. She said most of the time at that age, girls just stand and watch, but she would do the steps right along with the other girls - and she did them correctly! I told her I was able to peek in last week at the end of the class and saw her doing some of that. She said she did even better this week, and that she was so proud of her!! I am so glad Mikayla's doing so well, and she truly does LOVE it! I picked up her dance bag on Saturday to hang it back up and she jumped up and said "bye daddy", as she thought it was time for her to go to dance! I am very tickled that she enjoys it so much and that she is participating! I am curious to see how she will do in the recital...being on a stage, with all those lights, and all those strange people watching! Mrs. Andrea said it's always hard to tell how they will do with that. We shall see...
Drew had his second baseball practice this evening after Mikayla's dance class. I was extremely proud of how well he did. Craig had to work late and didn't make it to practice. I explained this to Drew and Mikayla before practice so they knew they would have to listen very carefully to mommy!! When we first got there, Drew wanted me to roll some balls to him so he could stop them! He does a great job of this now that he's had a whole year to practice on an organized team. I have noticed such improvement since last year!! Last year, he had a hard time understanding that baseball is a team sport. He would get so upset when he would try to get the ball, but someone else on his team would get it instead. He would get mad and cry! We have talked extensively about that, and even shown him examples of other people playing baseball (namely the pros on TV)! Our goal for this year is that he is for sure over that! So far, so good. He chases after all the balls still, but he doesn't even get upset if he doesn't get them. He just runs back out to his spot on the field! I coudn't be prouder of him for that! I have also noticed an improvement in his hitting this year! The coach pitched four balls to him today, and he hit every pitch (okay - so one was a foul tip, but he still hit it)! Then they put the ball on the tee for him and he hit it very hard as well! Our team this year is wonderful. All the kids seem to be so close already! They are such good listeners even though most of them are only 3! Drew is only one of 4 four year olds on the team! It is going to be such a great year!!

A Day at the Park

Yesterday the weather was beautiful! We spent the morning playing around the house, and Drew and Mikayla got their fill of cartoons. Then when Aunt Jennie got off work she called to see if we wanted to go to the park. This was really great because all morning Drew had been wanting to call her to see if she wanted to go play baseball. After we got something for lunch, we headed to the park to meet Jennie. We have always taken Drew and Mikayla to the park at Lake Bowen because that was the only park with a playground. Now we have a new park with a playground that is only about 5 minutes from our house. Mikayla peeks through the bars as she climbs up on the "big" playground! Mikayla thinks she can do anything big brother Drew does. Here she comes down the "big" slide all by herself. This slide is about 9-10 feet in the air! She has always been very independent!Drew, being the big boy he is, comes down the "big" slide on his head!Drew came down the "big" slide rolling and ended up like this. He was being silly! I just happened to be waiting right here with the camera to catch this shot. I think this one scared him a little (get a good look at that face)! It sure scared mommy!! This park also has large areas of grass around it where eventually there will be fields or other things added. This is where Drew's baseball team has their practices this year. This works out really nicely because our day at the park usually includes playing on the playground and playing a little ball! Yesterday was no different. We spent about an hour on the playground and then Drew wanted to get his ball stuff out. We went and played baseball (giving Drew and Mikayla a chance to hit and field) for about 30 minutes and then went back to the playground. By the time we left around sunset, Drew and Mikayla were wiped out. That didn't keep them from wanting to go to Aunt Jennie's house to see Mimi and Poppi. We went so they could play with Mimi and Poppi while we decided what we would do for supper. When we left Mimi and Poppis's house, Craig, Drew, Mikayla, Jennie, Josh, and I all headed to the fish camp. Drew and Mikayla got a quick nap on the way. Mommy was very happy about this, because they were much more well behaved than they would have been had they not gotten a nap! We all had a wonderful time getting our bellies full in the company of family and friends.

Baseball practice

Drew had his first baseball practice of this season tonight. Mikayla had dance from 4-5, then we picked up Drew and headed to his baseball practice (it was scheduled for 6-7). I now know what it means to be mom-on-the-go! This practice went very well for the first one. There are several children who have never played on an organized baseball team before, so they were just learning the basics. It certainly did not hurt for Drew to review these as well. It also enabled us to see how much he really learned last year.

The first thing coach Tim did was show the kids how to hold their gloves so they could stop a ball when playing defense. Every child got several chances to practice this with the coach rolling balls to them. (Drew is the second child from the left.)

Then, coach Tim showed the kids how to run bases. Then he gave each child a chance to bat. First he pitched several balls to them, then he gave them a chance to hit off the tee. (Drew missed this one as you can see, but he hit the next pitch!)After each child batted, they went out to "play the field" while their teammates batted. This is the funniest part because at this age, they all run for the ball! They don't really worry about defense positions at this age, although we are going to try to teach Drew to prepare him for next year!Once everyone had a chance to bat, they huddled up for a "team meeting"! I think a great time was had by all (children and parents), and that a lot was learned!!

Mikayla's second dance class!

This afternoon Mikayla had her second dance class. If you will remember from an earlier post, the first class didn't go as well as I had hoped in that Mikayla cried much of the time. Today, I was pleasantly surprised. She still didn't go running in the room by herself like the other girls, but she wasn't clinging to my legs either! In fact, she went straight to Mrs. Andrea and I was able to head out in the waiting room. That was the only time she cried through the entire one hour class. I was peeking in on her at first to see what she was doing. I knew she was okay because I didn't hear any crying. She was standing with her thumb in her mouth (something new she just picked up from another little girl at daycare about two weeks ago...mommy is not real happy) watching all the other little girls dance. At first I was a little dissapointed that she wasn't participating. Then I thought, this is only her second class and the fact that she is not crying is such an improvement from last week!! About halfway through the class, I got up to peek again. This time, to my surprise, she was doing everything that Mrs. Andrea and the other little girls were doing. I was so captivated, I ended up watching the whole second half of the class! I was so proud of her...I just wanted to run in there, scoop her up, and tell her so!! I refrained, but when that class was over she sure knew that Mrs. Andrea and I were proud of her! This leaves me excitedly looking forward to next week's class!!

Mikayla crawls through the tunnel at the park while we wait for Drew's baseball practice to begin. Since we went straight from dance class to get Drew and then to his practice, she still has on her dance clothes! I hope to have some pictures of her dancing soon!!