Wisconsin weekend ... FUN!

We all went back to Sun Prairie for the weekend, although not all together. I scheduled my high school team for two games back in Sun Prairie, WI this past weekend. One game was against my alma mater (Sun Prairie) and one against LaFolette (Madison). So the team got loaded up in a rented 15-passenger van and a rented Suburban and made the trip right after school on Friday. Once again, I felt glad that our district high schools let out at 2pm. Thank you! No rush hour traffic for us ... and a little over 4 hours for the drive down.

On the other hand, the elementary schools usually let out at 4pm. Thank goodness that Friday was my son's field trip day to the zoo. They left for the zoo in the morning, so they were done by about 1pm or 2pm. My wife was a chaperone, so they could even leave from the zoo by that time. All in all, everything seemed to work out. When the team got to SP, we had lasagna waiting for all 17 of us at my parents' house. The players said that it was the best they'd ever eaten. And I was pleased with their manners and show of respect :)

The games didn't go as well as we would've liked, but the festivities and the ability to spend time together with the team (and the family) was welcomed by all. Saturday started out right, as Coach Hamilton (Sun Prairie) asked my father to come to the mound to throw out the "first pitch" after recognizing all that he (my dad) has done for the Sun Prairie community athletics over the 35 years he and mom have lived there. The first game was very well played. The Sun Prairie pitcher threw 7 innings of a perfect game. Unfortunately for him, neither team had scored, so the game went to an 8th inning. Park Center (my team) got a double but couldn't score. Then SP scored in the bottom half to win the game. The second game wasn't as clean and fun, but still a decent game, even though PC lost 8-3 to LaFollete.

In between games, I got to say 'hi' to a number of friends and family that had stopped by to take in the games. My folks also had prepared brats, hot dogs, burgers and other food for the teams in between games. Again, most of the players suggested we take the left-overs back with us, as they were the best brats they had ever had :) That's my folks - best cooks around - on the grill or in the kitchen :)

The team took in Vitense Golfland for dinner and activities (all pre-arranged) later on Saturday as the rest of my family spent time together away from us. The Park Center players really enjoyed both the food (mini burgers, meatballs, chicken skeweres, mini corn dogs, bean dip and chips) and the activities (mini golf, driving range, water wars, hi ball) at Vitense Golfland. And it seemed Saturday was a success.

On the drive home Sunday, we stopped half-way home and I even got to eat lunch with my family - who were still traveling seperate from the team, but coincidentally stopped at the same place we did ... wink, wink :)

So, all in all, great weekend. Pictures may show up at some point. We'll see what I can get my hands on.

Oh ... and by the way ... I played ball later on Sunday evening - a win for the Redbirds. Just don't ask how my 34-yr-old body handled catching 9 innings in 95 percent humidity :)

Last day of 3-4 preschool!

My daughter's last day for preschool somehow comes a full two weeks before the end of our district school year. Oh well :) She enjoyed it so much that I'm sure she'll be anxious to go back for 4-5 preschool next year. And, just so we don't forget about our friends, we might just have to go to Ben P's to swim in the big pool sometime this summer! Or at least keep up the playdates, like the one next week that we already have scheduled :)

"Fun Run" at school

I think "Fundraising" is officially the 5th core subject in elementary school - right after English, math, science, and social studies.

So, my son had his "fun run" at school and he raised a whopping $20 (all of which came from his grandparents and parents). But the best part was that he really enjoyed it. My wife got to stop by, watch, and help out - at least, I think she helped out? :) From the pictures she took, it looks like my son really likes his friends at school. He also seemed to like taking part in the running, too. I'm all for his liking athletic events, so, "Go for it, Son!"

He's picture here with his entire class, a number of particular friends (including Jace and Mathew?), and his friend, Aiden, whom he plays with on the Rockies (baseball team).

Preschool Recognition Night

They gave my daughter a certificate for participating in her preschool classes this year. She was more interested in spending time with her friends (especially Ben P.) ... and dancing :) ... and, of course, she was tired because it was close to bed time. You know, those late programs that take place at 7pm are hard for kids who wake up at 6am. :)

My daughter and her "new friends"

And then, Kohls decided to sell plush Buzz, Woody, and Rex dolls. Who could resist? Especially when all the proceeds go to kids. :)

Baseball is here ... for my son, anyway.

That's my son, the Rockie. He was a bit disappointed that he didn't get to be a Cub. But he's okay with the Rockies :) He did ask a couple weeks ago, what he should do if and when they play the Cubs. He was wondering whether his team should "take it easy" on the Cubs. Nice!

Wouldn't you know it?! That's who they played last night :) The Rockies DIDN'T take it easy on the Cubs. (Nor did the Cubbies take it easy on the Rockies, I guess.) Not sure who won, but it was a good game. My son played first base to start the game off. The Rockies got three outs before the Cubs scored 4 runs - see, that's what ends an inning: either getting 3 outs, or scoring 4 runs. Then it was the Rockies turn to bat and my son hit second - got a base hit. He sat out the second inning on defense and then went out to left field for the third inning (which was the last inning). Ended up going 2 for 2 on the game, with a single up the middle and a shot to the hole between short and third. Wish I would've gotten the second hit on video because he rounded first base really nicely and then went back to the base as the ball came back to the pitcher.




He really didn't have a play in left field, but he did "practice" making a play. At least he wasn't picking weeds and he paid attention. It was a good first game and he's real excited to be playing in this league this year. Yeah!

Still no pictures ... but LOTS of rain

So far, two high school games have been cancelled (maybe one more, today?), as well as one 7U baseball practice, and one 7U baseball game (that'd be my son's league). We have gone out in the rain to pick up a uniform (Rockies) and to have pictures taken (again, Rockies). Plus, on the two days that games were "rained out," we actually had high school baseball practice on our field, since it was playable. Apparently others' fields aren't as ready to take the rain. It's been a full week since my high school team played a game, and we'll see if we play tonight. I guess we could get rescheduled for Saturday. Then we would play 8 games in 9 days.

I'd love to do pictures, but with all the emails, texts, phone calls, and drives to the field, I'm a bit busy, flustered and worried about rain rather than taking pictures of the kids. I know, I know - I have to get my priorities in order: 1) blog, 2) family, 3) baseball ... right? :)

Seems it's exactly the opposite during baseball season ... to a degree, anyway. Well, let's hope the Coon Rapids field can take some rain and we can play tonight. And, oh yeah, I hope my son can play his game tonight, too :)

It's raining today ...

Mostly that's okay with me. We don't have any baseball (or any other outdoor activities) planned for today. My high school baseball practice can take place inside (for the first time in a few weeks), because we really just need to work on hitting (we've been shut out for at least the last 12 innings). The rain is actually pretty calming for me. I just wish it were warmer (it's 46.6 degrees according to our fancy-dancy thermometer). The kids have been playing together all morning ... up in their rooms, down in the living room, in the front room. They've been playing with baseball cards, playing school, playing some sort of chase game, playing with blankets and pillows. You name it. They have picked up quite a bit, too, so I don't know if I should be too mad when they yell at me as I ask them to pick up one more time here when lunch is ready. They've had their share of yelling and getting angry at each other. And (gasp!) I've even had to raise my voice at least once this morning. But ... the television has not come on since I turned off ESPN at 7am this morning (yes, that's right, we were all up by 6:30am). It's nice to know they can play, because they seem to get used to asking for TV and/or Wii all the time. And now that it's raining, I can see that they don't really even need the television - which is good, since my son lost TV privileges for the day and Wii privileges for 5 days based on his mis-behavior yesterday. (My wife had to call 5 times for him to come to the car after baseball practice yesterday. And he TACKLED his friend during baseball practice, as well.)

Needless to say, today is a bittersweet day. Rain will help the yard and the ballfield. We won't be as dry. And the kids are getting some good time to spend together - which seems to be a good benefit of me staying home with them :) But, I would always love to be able to get back outside, especially onto the baseball field, to really work out the kinks of a two-game slide. Plus, I'm just guessing that it's going to keep raining right on through the night - which means the Twins will get rained out for the first time at Target Field.

Bittersweet, right? But, then again, I always have liked the inner meat of a peach, the skin of a plum ... and chocolate isn't bad, either :)

... and just so you know, they're all bittersweet, too :)

Thumbs up! Guess Who!

My daughter carpools from preschool at least once per week with her great friend, Ben P. She also likes to play with Ben, and we appreciate so much, that Ben's mom can help us out by carpooling. I'm thinking another play-date should be approaching soon, but I'll have to inquire with my daughter :)

Another good week ...

My son had two successful baseball practices. My daughter's dance class went well. School itself seems to be going very well for both kids. And my wife made ZERO trips - so :) very good week :) On my baseball front, we played well in 2 and 1/2 games, competing against a quality pitcher and losing 4-2 on Monday, beating a ranked team 7-2 on Wednesday, and playing a 4-1 game with another rival until the 6th inning on Thursday (only to give up 6 runs in the 6th to lose 10-1). It got windy here these past few days, so I'm happy we didn't have any baseball games. As a family, we got quite a bit done this weekend. My daughter and wife went to a nursery to pick up some stuff and have some fun with the neighbor girls (came home with pictures painted on the faces). And even got a nice day at church today. Wind should be gone tomorrow and it'll even warm up to 73 by Tuesday, so good week ahead :)

We all seem to be enjoying a TRUE upper midwest spring (for once). Anxiously awaiting summer and all it brings, as well! :)