And, That's a Wrap!

Tonight marked the last game of our baseball and softball season. Actually, Austen ended his travel season yesterday (Little League ended last week with Austen's team coming in 2nd place) and Peyton's last game was tonight. That's a total of 53 games and 4 tournaments. It's been a busy spring but it's been a lot of fun watching both Austen and Peyton play.

Not to be outplayed by her big brother and big sister, Hailey wore an extra softball uniform and hat when she went to Peyton's games and she lined up to shake hands with the big girls after every game. She would cry when Tom went early to warm up the girls and she would have to stay with me until game time or go to Austen's baseball game with me instead. If she went to softball, she knew that most times she could be part of the team. Peyton's teammates were also really great about including her even though they called her their mascot!

It'll be nice to have our evenings and weekends back that's for sure but I know I'll miss watching the games too.  How many days til fall when soccer, flag football and all the other sports start up again?! 

Peyton playing first base (with Tom coaching in background)

End of the season pep talk

The Blue Dolls 2017 (see if you can find Hailey!)

Austen pitching for his travel baseball team

The pitch!

Father's Day!

What a beautiful Father's Day we had weather wise and otherwise! We woke early to run in our town's annual 5K and 1K run (Tom and I alternate running each year so one of us can be spectators on the course with the kids). Austen ran the 5K with me this year - first time running the 5K as I told him last year that he couldn't run with all the little kids anymore in the 1K. Most of his friends ran the 5K too. I was a little worried about him running it as I tried to prepare him that this was a different kind of running. It was a race but it wasn't a race. His goal was to finish it without walking. He needed to stay with me and not jet ahead to pass his friends.

He started out strong, wanting to go faster at the beginning and I gently reminded him to slow down and take it easy we had a long way to still go! As we ran, we passed many younger kids like him who had sprinted and now were out of gas and walking. See I told him, if you sprinted that would be you. Mile 1 down - he grabbed a water, took a sip and dumped it on his head. Mile 2 - he started to ask me how much longer. Not much, I lied sensing that he was growing a little fatigued. Almost done, I told him as we headed into the home stretch. Stay with me, I said. We're approaching a big hill right before the finish. Let's push through it and then I'll release you. He did and then I allowed him to take off and he finished strong. Great run for a 10 year old who just ran his first 5K!

Next up was the 1K and Peyton's turn. She ran as fast as she could the whole way without slowing down or stopping. She does love to run! Great job P! Next year, Hailey will join the 1K as she kept asking this year if the race bib and shirt that I picked up the day before were hers! She so wants to do everything her older brother and sister do.

After the race, we enjoyed some outside time with Sadie just basking in the perfect weather before it was time to head to Austen's baseball game. It was the semifinal game for the Little League title. If they won, they'd have to play tomorrow night for 1st Place. If they lost, they would only earn 2nd Place.

It was a hard fought game between many school friends but after 6 innings the score was 8-4 - bad guys. Austen's team unfortunately didn't bring home the 1st Place trophy but they should be proud. They scored 2nd Place and had a great season. Austen pitched some great innings and made some great plays in the field as well as hit a key single in the home stretch.

It was the perfect way to spend Father's Day (like Mother's Day) - watching our kid(s) play sports!

Today's 5K and 1K racers!

Austen and me after just finishing the 5K

Peyton about to begin her race smiling for the camera

Austen with his trophy

Special Father's Day ceremony

Hailey Goes To Camp

Hailey started camp today. I was a little worried about signing her up since really the only school that she has known has been her Montessori school but she's been doing great going to soccer each week (even though I sit on the sidelines) and she doesn't know anyone there. I thought it would be good for her to be exposed to a different environment and make new friends especially as she transitions to a new classroom at Montessori school next year.

So I've been talking up camp since I signed her up a few months ago and she seemed okay with it. Last week we went to meet her counselor and grab her camp bag and again she was happy to go and see where camp was going to be. She was even happier when she got the camp calendar and Mickey Mouse day was going to be on Wednesday!

Still I wasn't sure how today was going to go. I walked her in with Austen and Peyton. We met her counselor and then she was supposed to play or color while all the parents dropped off their kids. This is where she became a little worried and I thought it best to make a quick exit. I said a quick goodbye then turned and walked out the door and around the building, peeking in the windows to see how she was doing (great as she was still coloring!).

When I picked her up, she was happy and excited about her morning at camp. I'm not sure she talked a lot at camp but she definitely observed, had a little fun and most importantly is excited to go back tomorrow!

Waiting to go into camp

Okay, I'm here now what do I do?

Okay, I'm going to color and I'm not really sure about this place but I'm not going to cry!

First Sleepover

It was just this year that Austen felt comfortable enough to sleep over a friend's house. He wasn't all that interested in years past and I was okay with that too. Finally when he turned 10 he decided it was time.

Peyton's 7 and a totally different kid than Austen so I didn't even blink an eye when one of her friends recently asked if she could spend the night. She was more than excited and I knew she could handle it. In fact, she loved it. (Maybe what she loved the most was that she got to miss one of her brother's baseball games!) They made pizzas, played some guitar and giggled themselves to a relatively early slumber too!

Now they are planning a week away at summer camp together for next year. I think Peyton will love it, much like I did when I was a kid. I lived for summer camp - taking out my own money so I could go again and again that same summer. Best times for sure!