Play Ball!

It's that time of year again! Spring time t-ball. Today was the opening day. Unfortunately the 3 year old decided he didn't want to play ... after Mom and Dad had signed him up and had him go to a practice. He freaked out at getting his picture taken! So we will be waiting another year for him to take his at bats.

The 4 year old (who will be five tomorrow) played in his first coach pitched game. Unfortunately, his coach can't pitch ... or coach. Fortunately, his dad is a volunteer and works really well with the kids. So when Son took over the pitching in the 3rd or 4th inning, a few kids got hits, including Grandson. In fact ... he made it all the way to third base (on 2 more hits) before the team made its third out. UNFORTUNATELY the other team knew how to hit ... they had to call the mercy rule on them. I hope it proves to be a learning year for Grandson. He seems to have a natural ability.

Granddaughter chose not to play this year. She spent most of the time playing with friends from school. Boppa and I spent much of our time chasing the little one year old around. At one point, I had to pick her up to get her away from some dirt ... and she promptly bit me on the forearm! I have the bite mark to prove it! L'il monster! LOL.

Well, next year, all the grandsons should be able to play. Youngest grandson will be 3. His daddy will be very disappointed if he doesn't play.

The Big Top

Granddaughter stuffs her mouth with cotton candy with Boppa behind her.
Unlike her mother, Granddaughter is unafraid of the clowns.
What a fancy jacket!
Little grandson checks out the people behind us while munching on popcorn. Big grandson is engrossed in whatever is happening on the floor.
Granddaughter gets a snowcone in a pony cup.
Grandson tries to eat his snowcone without spilling it all over everything. HIs big brother is trying to help.

Boppa has been waiting for this day for months! It was CIRCUS DAY! We picked up Granddaughter and her big brother from school, with little Grandson in tow, and took off around 4:15 for the 7:30 performance. Boppa wanted to get there early so we could see the animals before the circus, and then participate in the pre-show activities that were held on the circus floor.

When we arrived at the Forum, where the circus was to be held, the cold weather had caused the circus owners to decide not to allow people to see the animals outside. Disappointed, Boppa, kids and I headed into a lobby area to wait inside, out of the cold. Luckily, Boppa had bought a program ($15) so I sat down on the floor and "read" the program to the 4 and 5 year old.

About 20 minutes later, the line opened, and we herded (yes, herded) into our seats. Boppa had gone all out and got us front row seats. As soon as we settled our scarves, hats, and coats in our seats, I took the two little ones out on the floor. Boppa joined us later. The 13 year old stayed in the seats. We watched the clowns juggle and goof around, and Granddaughter even got to try a circus jacket on. We moved down to the other side, where we watched ponies and llamas prance around (they were so excited to learn those were llamas! "I didn't know that!" exclaimed granddaughter). Then -- wait for it -- an elephant was brought out. This particular elephant painted! I put our name in to win the painting (we didn't). The kids were amazed at how large the elephant looked so close up.

Soon we were back in our seats and the show was beginning. The opening act was all the performers in a parade. One clown, dressed in green, saw Granddaughter and blew her a kiss. She sent it right back. We teased her about it and called him her boyfriend. Every time he came by during the night, she'd wave furiously and he'd wave right back. She was thrilled.

We had a great time. Granddaughter was thrilled with the animals, particularly the tigers. Little Grandson loved the acrobats and the motorcycles in the steel cage ball. He also liked the "wild man of Borneo" -- part of the clown act. Big grandson liked the trapeze. Luckily I had warned the two little ones that the trapeze artist might fall, but he had a net under him to catch him, because one DID fall once, and they took it in stride.

It was a pricey night (the snowcones cost $12 each) but well worth it. We'll have to do it in 2 or 3 years and take the others with us.

Christmas Traditions

Every family has its own family traditions. Here are ours:

1. Each family wakes up and opens gifts for their own immediate family at home.
2. My three children take their spouses and their children to see their grandfather (my ex-husband), and open gifts with him and their two other aunts (my children's half-sisters).
3. The three families then migrate to my house, where I serve brunch. Included is ALWAYS what our family calls "Moon eggs," which is basically Eggs Goldenrod.
4. Before we eat brunch, we open gifts from me and my husband.
5. Everyone departs to his/her own house and the children take naps (ha!)
6. The three families, plus me and my spouse, my sister and her husband, my single brother, my married brother and his family all go to my mother and father's house (about one mile south of me).
7. We eat finger foods.
8. We open gifts from Gee Gee and Pop Pop and all the great uncles and aunt and 2nd cousins. (And my nieces open gifts from me and hubby).
9. We play "Steal the gift" which consists of this. Each of is given a number. On the table are a corresponding number of wrapped gifts (just little baubles my mother has picked up during the year). Starting with #1, we choose a gift. Then #2 chooses to either "steal" the gift #1 got, or choose a different gift. (Remember, we don't know what they are). If a gift is stolen, then that person gets to choose another one. This goes on until everyone has gotten a gift. This year, I ended up with a plastic plate with my favorite college team's logo on it. But that's because someone "stole" the one I originally got -- which was a plate with my most hated college team's logo on it! Thank goodness!
10. We then sit around and talk.
11. More food.

And that's our Christmas.

See above for photographic proof!