Take Me Out To The Ball Game

The Modesto Nuts let my kids have batting practice on their field the other day.

(I wonder how Mark McGwire likes that name for his old minor league team... geezzzzzzzzzz)
Colton is convinced it helped him hit his first over the fence home run last week.

And AJ thinks it helped him hit his walk off 3 run RBI last night to win the undefeated team.

And Caden was just happy to be hitting where the PROs practice.

And daddy loved it the most I think...

It's that time of year that we all love.

All 7 teams are in full swing... literally.

So there's not much time for blogging, or cleaning, or home cooked meals.

but... boy, oh boy...

this is one of my favorite seasons so far!

Go DODGERS!

Spring

I love SPRING...

It means that SUMMER-IS-A-COMING>>

it also means BASEBALL... Baseball... baseball...
And with 7 teams (plus Daddy's Sunday night games= 8)... that's a LOT for me to try and handle.

BUT, I love it... because the boys are sooooo happy to be on a field... any field...

either playing the game, watching the game, or practicing for the game--- they don't care which.

Now---

if only I can get the right kid, to the right field, at the right time, on the right day, in the right uniform (preferably clean....ha)...

It should be great seasons for everyone!!!

AND>>> if I could actually get a little school work in on the side, that would be a good bonus!

(but I have to say... I'm really looking forward to being "in control" over our school schedule and homework etc for the season! What a stress relief for us... not worrying about homework, and getting the little ones in bed after late games... and my personal favorite... NO OPEN HOUSE projects! YIPPEE) --

Swingin' It Single

This season is going to be so much fun... I can tell already!
I love baseball... for the most part!

The new season has officially started... and Tony already drafted his team last week.

AJ should be a lot of fun to watch this year... and we're pretty excited about his team after seeing their first practice yesterday. GO DODGERS>

Colton is fun to watch no matter what sport he's playing...

The part I'm not looking forward to its trying to juggle all 7 teams...



I HATE missing one minute of my kids games, but it's impossible to be on 4 different fields at the same time. So, we'll do our best... and between the world's best auntie and the best grandparent's in the world... my kids will usually be fortunate to have at least someone there to cheer them on.

but most of all,



I'm not looking forward to being virtually "single" for the next few months-- because if Tony is on one field, I'll be at another... and that's the hardest part!

Times...4

I miss bloggy world.

I miss my clean house. (If there ever was a thing? Probably not, but it makes me feel better to think that if I had time to do better... I would)

I miss my hubby and kids...NOT IN A UNIFORM of one kind or another.

I miss.... the "cool", "calm" me that I imagine myself to be.

But it's that time again...

Between work, school, guitar and piano lessons... and batting lessons -- there really, really is NO time left.

so... I'm calling in a sub some time this week so I can catch up on sleep, and maybe even give myself a chance to read up all the blogs that I miss reading!

Really?

Really... it's that time again. Basketball and Baseball seasons are ready to roll, so this week we paid for:

3 day Baseball Camp.....$150

3 Basketball team sign ups.... $280

6 Baseball team sign ups... $785

(yes, I only have 4 boys; but 2 of them play on 2 teams... because SOMEONE doesn't now how to tell DADDY no-- but I'm going to work on that for next season!)

3 Pair of Basketball shoes... $430

4 Pairs of new cleats... $ (only) 225

REALLY... they need new shoes again? I just bought shoes... can't they just share? Nope, their sizes range from 12 men (not bad for an 11 year old... to a mere mens 6 for my 7 year old) .

Ahhhh... let the good times begin! And may my boys rememeber this when they go to put my in an old folks home in 50 years!!!

Beach Bums...

Back from bummin' it at the beach...

and even though we officially missed the "first football game of the season"...
it didn't feel like we missed much --because we just played our own game.


They played, while I tried to figure out the camera and stop wishing that we lived down there instead of up here!!!

Colton is such a Ham...

We had great seats at the Dodger game... even though they lost in extra innings.

AHHH... now it's back to school, and work, and doctor's appointments!!! urggghh

Weekend Wonders

I love the weekends... especially the ones that I get to spend scrap booking down at Mom's store with my sister... while daddy and the boys get ready for another team party.

Ahhh... I love my life... even when it's chaotic and busy and I "don't do it all right."

Anyway... while I was off playing at Oh For The Memories, the world's best daddy was making personalized gift bags for his All Stars...

This was not only a talented group of boys... but they were also just a great group of boys!

AJ... is SUCH a mini TONY... and sometimes; I just love that about him!!!

While Tony gave out bags and told each player how wonderful they were... a few of the brothers went to the other side of the yard to shoot hoops and bounce on the trampoline.

(They've apparently heard enough times how great their brothers are, so they didn't feel the need to stick around once the cake was gone. hmmm)
And then... they go right back to beating the life out of each other in the pool with those dumb pool sticks! Whoever thought of those things... either didn't have boys, or... wanted to see just how many times someone could be whacked before... RETALIATION.

How many kids does it take to push Tony in the pool??

Getting thrown around was fun...
But then Andrew wanted a TURN too !!

"Throw me, higher, HIGHER!"

I said "HIGHER"
Notice the 8 foot slide and fence, and him HIGHER than both of them... that would be Tony throwing him... a "little higher" before I finally say... "OK, I got it on film this time."

Yep... It was a great weekend! Now I've got to go make an ice pack for Tony's shoulder because he can hardly lift his arm. (But thanks for the photo's babe... 2p.m. to 11 p.m. we can end the party now).
ps... Now I NEED to get to bed because I have to get up early. I have to go see the surgeon again tomorrow for another lump. It's only in my wrist, but it's a little bit different because this one is getting big really fast... and it hurts like a HUM-DINGER.

Knights in Training... Examples please!

The best way to teach is by example... so here's my knight in shining armor getting the gourmet potatoes ready for dinner...



(nice arms... eh???) Yeah... Now I think so too... but I never really noticed that until Ree pointed out Marboro Man's ... isn't that sad???) Not my thing... but I love him because he is the most helpful, loving man around... with the biggest "servant's heart"... a true gift when you have 4 BOYS!!!

And here's my Knight in training... making dessert before his big game last night... (where he was the only one to "CRUSH" the ball.... yep, daddy's boy for sure!)

He's so proud... he loves crushing the oreos... and making A HOLY MESS!!

But I figured I had to be a little forgiving after all the shopping they let me do while they were at VBS the day before...

Like all my purses and shoes??? ME TOO... and they were "pretty good sports" posing too. (SORTA)

Black, red, neutral and green... got em all covered in one day- not bad.

ummm... back to this...

like all that butter??? Ree would be proud...

AND here's my 2 all stars... who I'm SOOO proud of!!!

BUT... here's my secret for not ever eating what my kids make... (besides dieting... again, still)

I spent the last decade saying... you need to share with your brothers--

but I didn't mean this:

or this:

or this:

opps ( you get the idea)...

"NOT" when you're cooking SON... that's GROSS!! (but they apparently don't mind-because it's ALL gone) I didn't get any tri-tip, or potatoes, or dessert, or corn, or broccoli (YUCK)... but I did eat the bread... which is why I need to be on a diet anyway.

ahhh...

Have a great weekend Y'all!

Dodger Day

This is what it cost to get enough gas to go 1/2 way to see a Dodger game from home...

This is how happy AJ is to help spend that much to get to a Dodger game...
This is how happy mommy is that her 10 year old baby is happy at the Dodger game...

This is how happy the 6 boys are to be watching Dodgers warm up for batting practice several hours before the game starts... (because a 3 hour game is apparently not long enough, and we had room to bring a friend, so why not take another boy to make the trip even more loud... I meant "more fun" (honest)

and this is one happy birthday boy because he had a fantastic catch in the outfield...

and here's one happy daddy eating $12 Dodger dogs...

and your over-joyed 89 year-old great-grandma Faith on our return trip home.

Overall... I'd say that it was a great birthday weekend son...

AND I LOVE YOU TONS... but

PS... I'm not coming out of my room for the next 48 hours because I need to recover from being in the car that long, with that many loud boys, with ALL that energy... but feel free to ask me and your daddy to do it again in 10 years -- we might be up for it again by then!

ALL STARS

Today TMAC got chosen to be the all-star coach for our #2 son's league! That's only a big deal because you have to apply, and then get voted in by all the families and other coaches, and the board of directors who eat, sleep, and drink baseball - literally (most of whom think they should be the one to get the position). AJ is happy that his dad got picked because he loves him to be his coach, but Tony is REALLY excited because he was worried he might not get it since we don't have the best record!

Me... While I'm very proud of him, and I understand it's great to be validated.... I'm sorta thinking... But I thought the season was almost over???

rainy days

I LOVE, love, love California because I'm not much for rain; but we've been doing baseball 7 days a week for 9 weeks now without a break! However, today... our games and practices all got rained out!!!!!! I decided today (just for today though- tomorrow I'll be praying for sun so I can lay out by the pool)... today I've officially decided that I love rainy days!

I stayed in bed until 1:30; at which point I moved from my bed to my bubble bath!

AHHHHHHH...

Yep... I'm thinking rainy days are "all that!"

Bad Hair Day

You know how there's those people who say, "What do you think about my hair?" when they already KNOW it looks great, but they just want a compliment?

OK... That's not me. Granted, I didn't know just HOW bad it was until tonight... thanks sis! My hair is so thick I can usually twist it, roll it, or clip it so that you can't really tell if something is a little off. But, it appears that would not be true with a bad color job.

I've been super busy lately, so I haven't had and extra 5 hours to get my highlights redone. Since I have really long thick hair, that's about how long I'll have to spend to put high lights in my hair - but it's not unusual to be at the salon for more than 6 hours. No problem, I'll just color it for now, and in a few weeks when all the baseball games are over, I'll go spend the day at the spa. Right? Apparently NOT!

The first attempt to color my hair was bad... but my attempt to fix it was REALLY bad I guess!

It went from "too much blond" with dark roots, to "too much brown" to "WHAT THE HECK MADE YOU DECIDE TO GO RED?" And my personal favorite from son #3 "Does Nana know you did that yet?"

Red? It's not really red... it's more of a burnt, ugly orange color. I kid you not! And no, I don't have pictures- but I should take one and post it with a "note to self- coloring your own hair isn't worth the time or money you save!"

After my lovely sister's comments tonight- I'm considering calling in a substitute for tomorrow and spending the day at the salon because honestly... this gives new meaning to having a "bad hair day."

The only good thing... I have matching baseball hats for all my boys' teams so I've been getting lots of use out of them.

Sick and Tired... of being sick and Tired!

I didn't get tied up and locked in the closet by the boys... that would be heaven compared to being this sick! I have pneumonia and it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest.

That, my friends.... is what happens when you try to do toooooo many things. When your husband coaches too many teams, and when you forget how to say... "No, I really can't this time."

BUT... there's nothing like seeing your boys win the game for their teams... several times this week!

And... I love how my boys take such good care of me when I don't feel good... They are going to be THE BEST HUBBY's some day... a very, very long time from now-- Just like their daddy!

Teacher vs. dad vs. mom

So I just got "another" call from one of by beloved son's teachers. It was not a happy mommy moment for me because it wasn't one of those, "your kids great calls. It was more, "he just doesn't seem too interested in school calls." Maybe it's because I'm a teacher myself, maybe it's because my boys go to a private school where my family is very involved... maybe it's just pride- but for whatever reason... calls like that just kill me.

Let me just say, HE GETS IT FROM HIS FATHER... ! And Tony will be the first to say that, albeit with a grin on his face.

My son also has his father's talent for sports, and right now couldn't be a better time to use baseball as an incentive to get his act together in school, right? Well, that depends on who you ask. But, since I'm the mom... I think it's a perfect plan. Apparently, his teacher, teammates, and coach/dad... they're not so sure.

Tony talked to the teacher that morning (he just happened to be there working in the kinder class with Caden), and told her that he'd "talk to him about being better." He apparently didn't get the message clear enough for dad, because he got in more trouble later on that day. By the time I talked to his teacher at about 3:45, I let her know that he wouldn't be going to his 11-12 year old team practice from 4-6, and furthermore... at his game that started at 7 he would be sitting in the stands with me. (She could hear the crying already... so she ever-so-graciously says, "Mrs. Mac, he was 1 of 6 kids that had a rough day today - and you're the only parent that's punishing your child."

and that matters because??? Well, my son's just lucky I guess; because HE knows better.

Well, coach daddy had A REALLY hard time grasping the concept of his "star player" missing any game time.

As luck would have it, his brand new bat came in the mail today and it 'was really important that he had a chance to use it at practice today." Sorry hon, not today!

Game time came... daddy comes to the stands... "um, have you decided if I can put him in the line-up? Rachel, It's really not fair to the team for him not to play in this game."

hmmmm. Dear, he's 9. He'll live, I know this is taking years off your life... but truly- not starting in 1 game will not kill him! And after all, this is about what's best for him!

Out of love for my darling, I did let my son eventually go in the game... after writing an ever-so-sweet "kiss-up letter" to Mrs. S assuring her that he "would be a stellar student until the end of the season." (He meant til the end of the year, I'm just sure of it!).

To which, coach daddy was SO happy, as he did wind up winning the game for his team!
"Yep, he might not be the best student Rae-- but boy did you see that boy hit and pitch tonight"


AHHHH.... and with that wonderful thinking dear, don't be surprised if YOU have to talk to his teacher again (because, it kills me)!

Swinging Saturdays...

We had our first practice at 8:30 this morning... that would be A.M.!!! What was the coach thinking? Scheduling it that early on a SATURDAY... for Pete Sake!

He was thinking... about his next practice from 10 to 11:30. Then he started to get hungry... but had to rush to the next game (that I was at by 11:10). So, leaving the game at 1:45 p.m. he rushes to pick up a game shirt and run through a drive-thru for lunch.

Then he drops me off for ... snack duty (my LEAST favorite part of my "mom duties" for baseball season) from 2:30 - 4:30. While I'm there (HATING life because it is FLIPPING FREEZING), he'll go do batting practice with one of his teams.

When he's done there... he'll come back over to the field for our final game of the day. When that game is finally over, my WORLD'S BEST SISTER will take ALL 4funboys to her house to spend the night! Is she amazing or what? Yes, we know we're blessed!

By that time it will be about 7:30 and ... He's thinking... date night, alone with my wife...no kids!

And I'll be thinking... That was some SWINGING SATURDAY! And ... please be tired too!

I know he's already thinking... date... because last night I went up to go to bed and I found a bubble bath with the most wonderful smelling candles he'd just bought (in the most beautiful basket!); and he says ... "I want you to rest now, this is so you won't be too tired for our date tomorrow night."

so... I guess 12 hours of baseball is as good as it gets on a Saturday- as long as we have a great date afterwards!

Where Did the Weekend Go?

With only 7 days until Easter... I'm wondering where my weekend went???? Oh, yeah... 9-12 baseball, 1-4 baseball, 6-8 BVG... home to make my "hunny-do" for Sunday.

We finally got Kyle moved downstairs into his new room, but by the time we repainted, sanded, and moved the funiture... the day was gone! Yikes. But, it will all get done; and all that really matters is that we'll all be together for the holiday... YEAH, Right! There's always this week... if I could just cancel baseball for just this week....

blast from the past...

It officially started today... we're into the full swing of baseball season - which we all LOVE, LOVE, love!. But, all 4 boys are playing on M.C. teams, which is the private school I grew up going to. I usually hate going back there... the bad memories are always easier to remember than the good ones. I don't know why, because I have been blessed with some really awesome friendships that have lasted 25 years, and fun memories that I truly cherish. We only talked about the good ones tonight... so that was fun - sorta.

It was really wierd being there tonight because the boys were playing on the same fields I played on as a kid, with kids of friends I grew up with. Like... freaky weird! Tony is coaching the 7 year-old-team with his roommate from college... which just happens to be the first guy I ever held hands with (relax, I was like 12). We laughed about his "sweating hands" at dinner tonight, while his wife talked about her first kiss... another guy Tony coaches with that was my first love... in kindergarten... who's son is now best buds with my oldest. It's funny... but weird! There's some great life-lessons there boys... and when your 25... I'll get to explaining why you should never do anything that you don't want your X and your spouse to talk about later!

The coach tonight was the best man at our wedding, and his wife and I went to school from kindergarten through college. During practice I sat with my best-friend from high-school... we were both in each other's weddings... and now our boys are best friends in kindergarten; so they had to be on the same team.

Both of these gals love going down memory lane... I just don't get it! Not that I don't have good memories too, I really do. It's just that I don't want to remember too much, or too often. High school wasn't that great the first time through, I certainly don't want to relive it...not during every game and practice! I was quiet on the way home... trying not to think too much, remember too much.... Tony thinks having that much 'history' is the greatest thing ever... and the boys LOVE talking about mommy's old friends and the fun stories they hear about me when I was their age. Well, some memories feel more like baggage... and I'd just as soon not pick it up again.

Anyway... 5 practices down this week so far... 7 more to go...+ a game! And, it's gonna be fun!