Birthdays, field trips and travel ball

How do you working moms do it? I mean, the ones who work outside the home. EVERY mom is a working mom. I resent when someone says, "So you don't work?" Really???

Being a SAHM comes with its own set of challenges. I guess if you've never done it that's hard to understand. If you do work outside the home I know time management is tough so... mucho respect.

In yet another attempt to catch up I decided I better combine a few things. Otherwise I will never get caught up.

Grant and Mac both had field trips within a week of each other. I love field trips. The actual field trip itself is usually overrated, but the one-on-one time it provides is worth the chaos that comes with it. I also love that my boys still want me to go on their field trips although Grant is over the whole holding momma's hand thing. He told me the other day as he pulled his hand back that it "felt weird" when I tried to hold his hand. [gulp]

May we pause for a moment of silence while I mourn that loss.

Grant's field trip was to Lanark. They went last year as well which made him all the more excited to go back this year. It's the perfect field trip for Professor. I thoroughly enjoy going myself although this year it rained. The whole time. Not a drenching rain but an annoying, steady, misting rain. Walks through the nature trail were made even more "exciting" by the fact that little boys shook the wet trees as the moms walked under them. ;) We left there with wet clothes and feet and some of us had hair that resembled either the untamed mane of a lion or a chia pet. But we had fun! :)

Lunch break

A lesson in camouflage - this was really neat. I wish I could remember
just how many children are in this picture - it would surprise you

Sweet Professor

One of the highlights of the day was getting to see these teeny babies close up

Mac's field trip was to the zoo. It had to be rescheduled two different times because of weather so by the time we were able to go, not many chaperones could make it. We were able to sweet talk Paige's teacher into letting her go with us.

Since she helps Mrs. Schweers every day the kids know her well, and she knows how to handle them. And Mrs. Schweers sweet talked me into riding the bus. Parents are usually asked to meet there since there isn't a lot of extra room on the bus. It was a very loud ride there and a very quiet ride back. :)

Mac has a weak stomach, especially with smells. The zoo first
thing in the morning was a bit much. haha

Checking things out with Caden

Bueller's group consisted of all ladies... naturally

I have no doubt Mackey was happy I was there.

But I think he would have been just fine without me had he known Paige was going.

She came by our house the other night to sell candles as a fundraiser for cheer leading, and you would have thought the boys were being visited by a celebrity. Needless to say we're quite fond of this sweet girl. I have my eye on her for some summer babysitting.

The month of April is filled with birthdays in our family. Dawnie's is the 18th, mine the 20th, my mom's the 21st, and Maggie's the 22nd.

My parent's friends, The Deavors, were kind enough to let us use their beautiful pond (which is more like a small lake) for Snuggie's big day (she bid adieu to her 20's). We thought we would wear the fish out then head back to The Colleys for a fish fry. Well, weather in Alabama as we well know (especially today being the anniversary of the 4/27 tornadoes) is quite unpredictable. A cold front came in making it a bit cool for the fish to bite. So while the weather and fishing could have been better, the company and time spent together were fantastic!

We did manage to catch a few...

And boy were they monsters!

We also managed to jack up Granddaddy's rods and reels :)

In true Martha fashion, Rachel was in charge of lunch.

And it was grand - thanks, KK!

Of course, Mrs. Amy made the cake - perfect for Snuggs

The two who made it happen - they baited hooks (because I do not
touch crickets) and untangled lines all.day.long.

The sisters

My favorite of the day

With Friday being my birthday, Saturday being mom's, and Sunday being Claire's we decided to celebrate all of ours at mom and dad's Saturday after Grant and Mac's games. We had hamburgers and hotdogs and the best cookie cake you'll ever have. If you've never had a double-layer cookie cake from Sam's you're missing out. I have absolutely no pictures but everyone was there (including my aunt, uncle and Nana). Great day.

The next day Grant and Mac played ball in Auburn. It was a last-minute tournament and was only our second ever. Chris very recently put together a travel ball team. Because we can't interfere with league ball - all our players are currently in league - we have had very few practices as a team. It shows. We're very new to travel ball. No pun intended but it's a whole different ballgame. We've been told it will take some time to get our feet wet. We believe it. It's been ugly getting annihilated our feet wet.

Turbo with cousin Grey
We were excited Uncle Donnie & Aunt Rae could come

Sissy and Meems braved gale force winds (only a slight exaggeration)
 to help cheer on the Wetumpka Rays

The boys have fun, but it does make for a long day.

Those pictures are from our first tournament in Montgomery. :) Once league ball is over we look forward to pressing on with travel ball in hopes of putting league in our rear view mirror. And maybe even start winning some games. We'll get there.

One more thing...

I just have to say I'm so proud of my baby girl. Bethany started her very first job this week working at a local miniature golf place in Decatur - Funland Putt-Putt. A job she sought and secured all on her own. Her first day she worked 11-7 with no break. That's okay. She says her paycheck was totally worth it. :) Welcome to the working world, Boo. We're very proud of you!

Outlaws

Grant's team, the Outlaws, had their first game this week.

I have to remember it's not all about the win...

But it sure feels great when you do. We won 10-2. OH YEAH!!!! :) I guarantee you we won't win them all but I think it's going to be a fun season. Nail-biters are the best. ;)

While the game was going on Mac was hanging with the ladies, naturally.

That's Paige. She is a 6th grader who helps Mac's teacher every day. Mac is quite fond of her.

He also was able to meet her little sister, and I think you can tell they hit it off. Paige was so sweet to let Mac hang out with them.

He was thrilled about the picture.

Reid has gotten to know Paige from being at the school with me, so of course he had his time too. But he spent most of the night by my side with too many visits to the concession stand to count. That's what watching your brothers play ball is all about when you're five, right!?!

These are the days...

We're looking forward to a no-school Good Friday as well as celebrating the resurrection of our Savior this weekend.

Happy Easter!

He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said.

Come see the place where He lay.

Matthew 28:6

Ballgame

And with that word Wednesday night, our fall baseball season came to a close.

Wetumpka Braves

We finished the season 12-1 (and can I just say that the "1" sucked - ok, I feel better now). It's hilarious to me to hear people say, "It's just fall ball. Who cares about the score." I'll tell you who says that. Whoever just lost. That's who. It doesn't matter if it's fall, spring, or backyard ball. THE SCORE MATTERS.

All our boys did a great job, but of course I was especially proud of my two. Not that I'm partial or anything. Mac was 5 when the season started yet was playing with 7 and 8 year-olds. He held his own and was loving the challenge until the whole cast thing. 

Bueller decided a spectator he is NOT. The first game in which he had to sit out because of his cast was tough. He didn't like it one bit. Visits to the concession stand helped his feelings a little. :)

As soon as Grant found out a catcher was needed in this age group, he was determined. He wanted to catch. 

I am frequently amazed by this little boy. He's an old soul, very self-motivated. Not only did he catch every inning of every game, but he looked like a natural doing it. He came home with sore legs and sometimes sore shoulders, but he was right back at it come game time without complaint. We keep telling him catchers are in high demand and to keep it up. Scholarship one day, perhaps??? His parents can only hope. :)

And let's not forget baby Reid. 

Turbo has been to every. single. game since Grant started playing ball. He has sat through games in the sweltering heat and humidity of a southern summer as well as those cold-front fall games when temps dip into the 40s and we're sitting on cold bleachers, layered and bundled up drinking hot chocolate. Never once has he said he didn't want to go. He's a trooper... Trooper Turbo. HA!

It will be nice to have some of our nights back. Three games a week is a lot, especially for those late games. But it's always bittersweet. It's not likely we'll ever have that same exact team again. You spend so much time with the players and they're families that it's always a little sad when a season is over.

Coach Chris giving the after-game, end of season talk

Giving out medals

The team and our coaches
We had a great team and are so proud of our boys. Way to go, Wetumpka!

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Last week Grant's class read a story about baseball. His teacher likes to have special snacks to go along with the stories they read. Since she knows how much Grant loves ball, she asked if we would bring special snack that week. I immediately thought of iced sugar cookies from Liger's made to look like baseballs.

And since you can't have a baseball game without popcorn (nor can you have something sweet without something salty), Grant thought popcorn and cookies would be the perfect snack.

The kids loved the cookies - who doesn't love anything from Liger's - and loved each having their own box of popcorn (I found the boxes at Target in the popcorn aisle). It was a hit!

Speaking of baseball, we lost a game last week. Boo. It was our first loss. It sucks to lose. Fall ball isn't nearly as competitive as spring, but those boys still love to win. Chris used it as motivation for the game this week. Obviously it worked because they had a great game. I guess you can't win 'em all. But we'd like to. ;)

This makes me smile.

While we're on the subject of things that make me smile...

Mac is doing really well in school. Now that he has learned to read a bit and can spell a little, he wants to write ALL THE TIME. And while Bueller may still have trouble with a couple of letters of the alphabet, the boy knows how to write the names of the people in his family (he did have help from his big brother on the word "family"). More importantly, though, he knows how to spell AND write the most important word in the English language:  Auburn. Well done, son. :)

The only thing I have to say about the last picture is that Reid's going to get me for this one day because he was furious once he realized I was taking a picture of him playing around in heels:

I wasn't sure if I should laugh or pray. ;)

SPRING BALL PICTURES

This one is for me. There were quite a few pictures from spring ball I have been meaning to post but just never got around to posting. And since we're gearing up for fall ball (practice starts tonight) I thought I better go ahead and post them.

We had a great year playing league ball. Having Chris coach was an eye-opening experience for me in a lot of ways. We learned a lot. We won a lot (SO fun!). We lost a little (so NOT fun). We made some friends and had fun spending time with and getting to know the sweet families on the team. All in all it was a great experience. 

We won first place in our division and second in the tournament. I'm so proud of my boys and was quite impressed with Chris as a coach.

We had a mom on the team who volunteered to be the official "team photographer." :) She did a great job. There was no way I was going to be taking pictures during the game. I'm so thankful she offered. We have some great pictures we wouldn't have otherwise had.

Got him

Receiving trophies at closing ceremonies

Unless they were working, Mimi and Granddaddy were at every game. Every single one.

Aunt Dawnie was always there too unless she was working yet I have no pictures of her with the boys. I have no idea how that happened. I also don't have a picture of Sissy in her jersey with the boys. She did her fair share of rooting on her brothers. She gets into it like I do. Not sure if that's good or bad. Ha ha! I have no pictures of RaRa and the girls either. They made quite a few games themselves. I guess those were the games that were nail-biters - the ones where the camera was the last thing on my mind. :)

We were excited when Big Daddy and Grandmama Norton came

Uncle Donnie, Aunt Rae and Grey were able to make it to a game too 

We missed Haylie but she has now entered into what we call the real world. She was working.

The boys with Grey (who of course plays ball too).

Grey is the cool, older cousin who the boys look up to and enjoy spending time with. We don't do it nearly enough. 

Me and my guys

Team Picture

We're excited about fall ball and are ready to get back into the swing of things. I look forward to many more years of ball with my guys.