Race for the Cure

Saturday the 18th was a long day. It started at 7am when we departed the house to head Downtown for the annual Susan Komen Race for the Cure, in honor of the many women in our lives who have been affected with Breast Cancer. So many women I love. I am always so weepy at the race. To see these women who are not beaten down by this disease, but celebrating overcoming the challenges placed before them by it. I am honored to be a part of it. I am honored to run or walk for those women I love:
My Grandmother
My Great-Aunt Norma
My Aunt Lori
My Cousin Jennifer
and my dear friend from college, Peggy, who lost her battle 5 years ago at 33 years old.
I did not get to run again this year, since Leah had the convention previously posted about an hour after the race would end. So, I chose to walk the 5K along with my mom, my children and Lori's family. It was so filling. It is a special day. Here are a few shots:

After the race, we headed to Leah's convention, then home to rest and let Lanie nap, then back for awards at the Convention, then to Lori's for a cookout! Whew! Dana was out of town, in DC, in case you were wondering why he wasn't helping me out!! Every year he misses out on this one, and next year, so will Alex, as he will be on the DC trip as an 8th grader...(thankfully I have a year to prepare myself for that!!)
I am hoping to run again next year, though with this many people in such a small place, it is difficult to really keep a pace. It is nice to participate with my family.

Invention Convention

When I was growing up, there was no "Invention Convention"- it was the "Science Fair"- and that was all we day. It was tedious and the work was a lot- but you HAD to do it in order to pass 6-8th grade. I remember doing some really lame work for those, but managed to always do great. At Leah's school, they do have the Science Fair, but they also do this other thing- where you have to "invent" something spectacular. You do the same 3D board and tons of work- even create a prototype, and then present it. She did just that, creating "THE STANDING SPOTTER".
The Standing Spotter (TM?!), is a contraption for tumblers, so that if an adult is not present to "spot" you, so you don't fall on your head or break any bones. It will spot you with a permanent arm and a movable one to flip your legs over. Intrigued?! Yes, yes you are! This was her idea. Her thoughts, her work, her everything. All I did was help with the glitter. And yes, this needed glitter! Purple, in fact!
The school judges loved it so much that she, along with a few others were chosen to represent their school downtown at a college for the Invention Convention Regional! Wahoo!!
She did amazing. Such poise in that girl. Such confidence in her creation. She wowed the judges, I am certain. Though she didn't win any awards, most went to recyclable ideas and earthy creations, she did spectacular. I am so proud of her. She is amazing.

It was a long day. She was pretty pooped, and a little disappointed, I am sure. But we were not. What an accomplishment, just to be chosen! Way to go, Leah!!

I love early summer!

Baseball Boy

Alex's 7th grade baseball team's season ended last night. His 13U Summer Travel Team started on Tuesday. It was a great season. He learned to play a few new positions and his hitting went from zero to hero. Especially last night.
They were in a tournament over the weekend, that due to rain delays, got pushed back to finish this week. They lost the first game, to an amazing team, but only by 3 runs. Then on Saturday, they crushed a team 8-0. On Monday, they played the 2nd best team in their division and beat them- having 2 double plays in the last two innings! It was awesome. That win put is in the Championship Game last night. These boys were pumped! Let me first tell you, that at the beginning of the season, they got run-ruled the first 3 games. It was ugly. They were not happy. But they kept on playing and practicing. They got better and better. They finished 9-7. Not bad. But last night's win was epic.
The weather was hot. Hot for May anyway. They were playing on a familiar field, so that helped. We kept our same pitcher in all game. They switched 3 times. We got one run in early. Then they scored 3. We were down. Then we got a run. Then none. They never scored again.
Alex gets up in the 4th inning. 2 outs and 2 on base. I HATE THIS. I am not competitive, but man, I hate when it's those stats. It doesn't usually end well. This has happened before. Strike out. He is bummed....BUT not tonight. Not since his Dad took all of five minutes to show him why he wasn't hitting. He has hit nearly every time since then. No perfect, but 90% better. Ball one. Ball two. Strike one. I can see it happening, just like the other times. I have my camera ready.

Then, CRACK- he hits it- it soars over the Center Fielder's head. Holy cow! He runs, and our two fastest players run in from 2nd and 3rd. The two winning runs. His single hit with those two RBI's will win the game for us. We never score again, neither do they. 5-3. Final Score. Yes, we are the Champions! So much fun! A little emotional, even. It was so, so fun. I was so proud of him. He played so well this year, has grown so much in more than physical ways. He loves baseball. He loves this team. They are good boys. Luckily, most of them will continue on the summer team, where Dana is the coach. So, hopefully, there will be more days and games like this.

To celebrate, the coaches' families took the boys out for ice cream at this fun shop nearby. They have an ice cream challenge- 4 pounds of ice cream and toppings and stuff. We ordered two of them and let the boys have at it. What a way to celebrate!