Sports mania

Today I got a taste. The taste of what it will feel like having two boys in sports. No, we're not crazy enough to put Campbell in sports just yet but Nolan's soccer and t-ball season overlapped this year and so in one Saturday we had two games.

The first game was at 7:30...really? Seriously, I'm setting my alarm to go play t-ball? What is wrong with this picture? I decided games that early should be outlawed especially when they're so cold your little MVP is shivering in the dugout.





This year I've noticed a big difference...we're doing some coach pitch. They give them three shots to hit a coach pitch and then let them hit off the tee if they haven't made a hit yet. I was a nervous wreck because we have so not practiced that with Nolan recently in the backyard. We're lucky to fit in a 10-15 minute practice in the backyard after dinner is said and done before bath and bed time.



Well, one night at practice Nolan smacked the stuffing out of one of his coach pitches and actually got a triple. He was so excited that he was actually hopping as he ran the bases. It looked something like this...

When we got home, I told him to go tell Daddy the great news that he got a triple. Well, Campbell beats him out of the car, runs inside and says, "DADDY!!! Nolan got a SPARE!" He wanted so badly to tell the good news but didn't get the information exactly right.

My favorite part of this picture is that this little boy is chasing Nolan but he has not clue where the ball is. He was really more into playing tag than caring about getting him out.

We notice the kids whose parents are out in the backyard practicing like crazy. Yeah, we're so not one of those. I wish I could say that we were but then that would mean we're giving up something else like coloring or reading or having dinner as a family or getting them to bed at a decent time. So I guess more than anything, I just want him to have fun and get some excercise. So if that's my goal, we're doing just fine.

Notice my kid first in line for after game snacks. Yep, he's my kid for sure.

After his t-ball game, we loaded up, did a quick uniform change and headed to our last soccer game of the season. The reason this is so important is that Nolan really wanted to make 10 goals and we were only at 9. You should have seen his "Eye of the Tiger" face he had going on at that last game. And guess who made not one, but two goals? I love that he's so determined and has his mind set to achieve something. As a teacher, I know that motivation is the hardest characteristic to instill in a kid.

So this made my mind wonder. How am I going to handle two in sports with a baby on my hip? Somehow I'll manage I'm sure.

Picture redemption

Does anyone remember our soccer team photo incident? Look here or here if you don't remember. Or I can wrap it up in a few words for ya.

They were terrible.

I'm still a little miffed that I actually spent money on those stupid pictures. I think I might have a better camera than the photographer. I should start charging. :)

We missed Nolan's last t-ball game because it was the same day as Campbell's 2nd birthday party. I hated to skip it but wasn't sad about missing out on the heat. Since we missed the game, we just now got around to getting our trophy and team pictures. I was scared to look after the soccer pictures. But my cutie patootie was back in full force.

Now it's time for soccer again. Since Nolan finished his last game scoring three goals, I'm actually looking forward to what this season has to offer. I'll make sure that I'm not a deadbeat mom again and miss his first goal.

I just wish it was November now so that practice wouldn't have to start during the 107 degree heat.

You know it's summer in Texas when...

The only time you can stand to be outside is when you're in a pool. We started off the Memorial Day weekend with Nolan's t-ball game at 10:00. You would think that it would be safe that early in the morning from the heat. Think again. Within 10 minutes, I had knee sweat running down my legs. Tell me again what I was thinking signing Nolan up for an outdoor sport through the end of June?

Nolan scored his first homeroom! WOOHOO! I'm loving t-ball more than soccer already (minus the heat). He did lap the kid ahead of him though and beat him to home. Talk about hustling!

We decided to celebrate the holiday on Saturday with the family so we could all have a nice relaxing Monday. We headed to our neighborhood pool. Could our boys be any different when it comes to swimming? Nolan, our cautious one,  had a floatie on nearly every appendage of his body. We've already gone swimming three times and by the end of the third day, he got rid of the ring and the noodle and was swimming with just his arm floaties. I think he's just building up his confidence and I'm glad that he'll be taking lessons again this summer.

 Nolan in the land of floaties

Campbell, on the other hand, OH.MY.GOODNESS! This boy has ZERO fear. He was jumping into the pool without floaties (we were right there to catch him) and going underwater like he's half fish. He scared me to death so many times, that I went out yesterday and bought him a nerdy life vest. I decided that if I'm going to go with both of them this summer by myself, it would give me more peace of mind to get both of them one.

 Campbell taking it all in

Could he be any happier at the pool?

Sorry for the blur but he's SOOO fast!

nothing but trouble...where does he get these faces?

Pools scare me to death...heard too many horror stories. So much for laying out by the pool and relaxing. Those days are long gone for years. Maybe I just need to bring a lot of snacks.

We had some great quality time with my parents, my sister and her girls. We had some yummy watermelon (how does my mom ALWAYS pick out the sweetest watermelon?) and corn on the cob...both of which the boys were big fans of. The boys are so crazy about their cousins. They blew bubbles, played with chalk outside and ran around.

Campbell giving some of his Campbell cuddles to his cousin Madison.

Bubble fun!

one of my favorites...

When that tongue is out...you know he's up to something.

I think I might talk them into hanging out with me a lot this summer...instant entertainment and they are such great help for me with the boys. All in all, it was a fabulous weekend!

Hey Batter!

Soccer is officially over. For someone who really would rather watch paint dry than watch a soccer game, I can say that it definitely grew on me. But then again it was my little guy out there playing, and I can pretty much watch him do anything.
Now we're starting t-ball because you know taking a break and having a breather from the rat race of practice and games is so overrated! Actually, I really wanted to find something to keep us busy during the summer and t-ball season goes through the end of June. There are definitely practices when I'm sweating through my shirt where I'm second-guessing my decision.

If you are ever feeling down and need a good laugh, go to a t-ball game. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Once again, I can't help but think that boys are the cutest things ever when they're dressed up like grown-ups. So seeing them all dressed up like they're major league baseball players was beyond adorable. One of my favorite moments was watching them look like little bobble heads with their batting helmets on. When the batter would hit it, the entire team (infield and all) would run to the outfield to get the ball. We're still trying to teach "play your position" but he's catching on so quickly. Just look at this action!

Since Nolan's baseball obsession started last summer with the movie Everyone's Hero (he even had a baseball birthday party), t-ball has come very quickly for him. He can knock the stuffin' out of that ball and has a really good arm. He even knocked one so far that I just know was going to be a homerun, but a dad on the other team stopped it with his foot. No, I'm not bitter about that at all. We're still working on catching. He even got the first out of the game and gets a lot of action since he's playing first base. I was so proud of him and screaming my embarrassing "I don't care what you think of me, I'm proud of my baby" scream.

One of the dads came up to me and said, "Are you Nolan's mom? Because I really couldn't tell." I love someone with as much sarcasm as me. Was it that obvious?

 maybe he's just a little nervous...

Coach Eric giving him the talk to get his chicken arms out

Proof that he's got his eyes on the ball...good job Nolan!

running to third

gotta give Mommy five for doing such a great job

our first baseman

Meanwhile, Campbell was the bat boy. I think he thinks that means taking all the bats off the fence.