Thunder Classic

Ethan had another tournament in Knoxville this weekend. We woke up early on Saturday morning to pack and get ready. Tyler had a baseball game at 11:00 at the local ball park and Ethan's first game was at 2:00 in Knoxville, so we were cutting it close. At 9:00 our power went out! I ran around like a mad woman with wet hair and wrinkled shorts. Finally I found a friend that had power who lived near by (thanks Tina, I owe you! Thanks, Douglass family for the open bathroom policy and the offer.) I made it Tyler's game and we jumped in the car and headed out of town only to discover that Ethan was in the wrong uniform! We drove back home and grabbed the correct uniform and made him change in the car. We made it to Knoxville in an hour.

Ethan's team won this first game! This was a huge success since the kids were at least a year older than the boys on our team. We play in a 8 and under division, but our kids are 7 and even 6. The boys were so excited. Ethan played second base and had a double that hit the fence in the outfield. We lost our second game by a lot. The other team had several boys that hit home runs over the fence.

We drove back to Knoxville on Sunday to finish the tournament. After a hard fought game, our boys lost. They played really good. Ethan was moved to left field since most of the balls were being hit there. I was upset to see him in the outfield until his coach pulled him aside and explained to him that he moved Ethan to the outfield because he can catch and throw the ball to the infield quickly. Ethan did make a great stop on the ball and threw a kid out at third base from the fence in the outfield. He is becoming such a great player.

We stayed a little after our game to watch the other teams play. There are four teams in our organization, the Stingers. There is an 11, 10, 9, and 8 year old team. Ethan's team is considered the 8 year old team. Our next tournament is not for two weeks. Hopefully our sunburns will heal by then.

Becoming my Mom

I remember when I was a teenager I swore I would never be like my mother. Even today, my dad will compare my sister and me to see which one is more like my mom. We both deny any similarities, even though my mom is a wonderful person. Tonight as I was getting ready for a weekend baseball tournament I realized: I am my mom!

I remember the many road trips that we took as kids, piled in the station wagon, driving cross country. (We drove from Louisiana to Alaska and from Alaska to Ohio.) My mom was very frugal and refused to let us eat out. I remember stopping on the Alaska highway and mom making sandwiches on the hood of the car. She would pull out the lunch meat, cheese and the loaf of bread. We would all gripe about how awful it was to have to eat homemade sandwiches.

With Ethan playing in baseball tournaments across the state, we do a lot of traveling on the weekends. I discovered that running through the McDonalds' drive thru every weekend adds up very quickly. (It costs a family of four $20 at McD's! Crazy!) Also, eating at the concession stands is outrageous. So, to save money I decided to make sandwiches and stick them in a cooler. I decided to make it easy and have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I started an assembly line on the counter and finished in no time and then it hit me: I am my mom!

The longer I thought about it, the more I realized that I am ok, and even happy about this. My mom taught me several valuable lessons including the value of a dollar. To my mom: I hope that over the years I model more of your traits including your undying devotion to your husband, your grace under pressure, and your rock solid faith. I love you and thank you!

Playing with the Big Boys

Ethan's baseball organization was invited to the local high schools to go on the field with the players. (It helps to work at the high school and have the baseball coach as a friend.) We went to Bradley High on Tuesday night. The boys had fun, but I was more excited about going to Walker Valley, my school, and showing up our competition. On Wednesday night, we went to Walker. The high school players were so nice to the little league boys. They ran out on the field with them and took time with each one. I'm so proud of my students. They also gave all the boys a free coke and hotdog. I know, I'm a cheap date and it does not take much to impress me. Ethan had a great time. I can't imagine the day when he too is on the big field and he is one of the 'big boys'.

Justin's Birthday Party

I know it has been a while since I have posted. I feel swamped and overwhelmed right now. We are winding down the school year and that means prom, exams, graduation, and so much more. I will be so glad when June is here!

Tyler and I went to Justin's birthday party last weekend. Justin is Tyler and Ethan's cousin. We had a great time! It was at Sir Goony's Golf in Chattanooga. We rode go-carts, which Tyler loved and I hated. I'm too old to be shook around that much. Tyler also rode a roller coaster. It was a great day. Unfortunately, Ethan missed the day because he had three games in Knoxville. Needless to say it was a long day for him and Chris.

Happy Easter

Easter weekend, as usual, was very cold! We woke up early Saturday and went to the NCCOG Easter Egg hunt. Ethan told us that his pastor said there were over 10,000 eggs. It was packed. Tyler had a great time and made out better than Ethan. It helped that Ty was only competing with kids from birth to kindergarten. Tyler tends to get his competitive side from mom.

When it was Ethan's turn, one of the dads on the side thought it would be funny to yell "Go" and tease the kids. Obviously he did not realize that you do not tease about candy. The kids on his end started and everyone else got a late start. Ethan got lost among the sea of big kids but found us later. It was a good, but cold, morning.

I helped the kids dye Easter eggs on Saturday afternoon. The practical side of me can't figure out why I waste a dozen perfectly good eggs that I will have to throw away tomorrow. The sentimental side says get a picture so I have proof that I did all the fun things with the kids. The boys had a great time in spite of my constant supervision and reminder and not make a mess.

On Sunday, we woke up early to attend the first service. Our pastor did a dramatized sermon that was wonderful. The boys went into the big church with us. They asked all kinds of questions afterward that made me smile. It was nice to see that they paid attention and understood the true meaning of Easter.

Tyler's Turn

Tyler has gone to so many baseball games to cheer on his older brother, Ethan. He was so excited it was finally his turn. He did such a great job. The coach started him on the pitcher's mound, just like Ethan. Tyler did such a great job rushing to get the ball and throwing it. He hit the ball well also. I was so proud of him. I think I was more relieved that he allowed the coach to be in charge this time. Tyler has a habit of trying to run the practices.
Tyler and his good buddies Trevor and Sloan. They are twins and their big brother plays on Ethan's select team.

Tellus Science Museum

A fellow teacher at Walker Valley told me about a new science museum just south of Dalton, GA. I decided to take the boys down during our spring break week. It was a really nice museum with some great exhibits. The boys loved the different dinosaur bones. It was like a scene from "Night at the Museum". Tyler walked in and gasped, "Oh my goodness!" It was nice to see all of the tributes to Ohio at the museum. There was a replica of the Wright Brothers plane, several items from John Glenn, and fossils discovered in Ohio. (Shout out to my Buckeye roots!)

The boys favorite item was the panning for gems and digging for fossils. These exhibits really impressed me. The boys were given little necklaces to place their gems that they discovered. They were also allowed to take home a real fossil that they dug out of the dirt. Ethan asked if we could create our own panning for gems activity at home. Let me think: water... sand... I don't think so!

My favorite area was the mineral and gem section. They had a great periodic table with an example of every item in the table. (I know, showing my geek side.) There were also a ton of gems! I love jewelry of any kind.

Opening Weekend

This weekend was the D3 Stingers first baseball tournament. We drove to Knoxville and had to leave our house at 6:00 on Saturday morning. I didn't realize that I signed up for such early mornings. The tournament did not have a league for 7U (7 and under) teams, so our team had to play in the 8U (8 and under) tournament. This meant that we were playing teams that were at least a year older than our kids. I was nervous about this. We lost the first two games, but played really well. Ethan got on base every time he was up to bat but one. He played on the pitcher's mound and had a great game. It is amazing the difference between local rec ball and traveling teams. Every kid up to bat hit the ball out of the infield. I don't remember that happening last year at the local ball park.

We had to drive back to Knoxville on Sunday for the early game. This time we didn't have to leave the house until 6:15. Ethan's team won the fist game. It was nice to see the kids so excited to win a game. Hopefully there will be more wins in the future. The boys did lose the second game of the day, but what do you expect when the other team is at least a year older and all the boys are a foot taller. My hope is that next year the boys will be unstoppable. It was nice to see all our baseball friends again. I'm looking forward to a good season.

Go Mustangs

The boy's basketball team at my high school qualified for the state tournament. Chris and I have been following the team all season, so we were very excited for them. My principal decided to let the students out of school for a half day to let them attend the first game of the playoffs in Murfreesboro (otherwise known to Nashville residents as the Boro). I volunteered to ride the student bus as a chaperon. I know, I must be crazy. Fortunately, one of my friends and coworkers agreed to ride with me. The trip was really fun. I have never chaperoned a major trip like this before in all of my years of teaching. The Mustangs won and it was a great atmosphere at the game. They will play tomorrow evening in the final four. Good luck boys!

My Personal Handyman

Our florescent bulbs in the basement started burning out this past weekend. Chris and I decided to replace the florescent bulbs with recessed lighting. (Thank you for the great idea and information, Douglass.) I was a little nervous because as much as I love my husband, he is not known as a handyman. He started around 5:00 0n Saturday night and worked until 2:30 in the morning. I woke up Sunday morning to a clean and bright basement that does not look like my classroom or an office anymore. Thank you, baby! You are my handyman!