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!

Leah Time

A lot has happened with my girl recently. She is growing up. Really growing up. It's a love/hate thing for me. The hormones are here. Some days are more fun then others, but when they are good, they are so good. She has come a ways recently. In March, we decided to give her her own room. She has been wanting her original room back for a while now, and we told her we would do it for her birthday in July, but we could not wait. Oh we could not.
Leah needs her own space. She needs a place to go for refuge from others. She relishes her quite space and really loves the solace of her own things. So, over Spring Break, we made the transition. In a few short, tedious hours, she went from being with Celeste in a bunk bed, to her twin mattress (which currently is without a box spring or frame, awaiting a Full size bed for Alex, who will then give up his twin frame). But, nonetheless...she does not mind at all. She hasn't even complained ONCE. Seriously!
There are sacrifices, right? Celeste was devastated. She slept with Leah for days. She had a really hard time, and took it personal. Then there is Lanie. We took down the crib. We set up a toddler bed. We made a BIG deal out of it. She was so excited!....UNTIL, bedtime. Then, all broke loose. She sobbed and sobbed for her room and bed. It was awful. The only thing I could do was put up the pack and play. She was so happy. Yes, so happy. She sleeps her chubby little body on that very thin mattress every day and night. With no complaints. It sits in the middle of the room, next to her toddler bed, that we are hoping she will one day want. Not yet. She is still not ready.
But Leah, oh Leah, she is happy. That was important for us. Our relationship with her has changed dramatically. She is not as grumpy, not as adamant, not as demanding. Nor is she perfect. She has her moments, but this has made a tremendous difference for her. Simple things. She is simple. I love her. She and I write to each other every night in a journal only she and I read. She tells me about her day or whatever is on her mind, puts it on my pillow and then before I go to bed, I write her back and put it on her chair so she can read it when she gets up. What inspiration. It is amazing the things we have shared. She is a reader/writer, so this means a lot to her.
She is wearing undergarments now. Shhh...she would not be happy if she new I put this out there- but it is true. And she got to watch the 5th grade puberty video. Gross. She is growing up, and I do not love it....but I really love her.

Pixie

I decided long ago that I would never have long hair. I just don't look good with long hair. My hair is too fine for it. I have, since then always had fairly short hair...until last week, when I went REALLY short. Pixie short. But I surprisingly LOVE it. It is so super easy to do, hardly any effort, and I think it's rather trendy for right now. Plus, I was envisioning our Summer coming up and our trip to Florida, and I thought, I want hair that looks decent right out of the pool or ocean. I did not have that, but now I do! Oh, and I bought a new dress too.

April Anniversary

15 years. Yep, 15. Great number, right? Yes, we made it this far, pretty sure we can do another 15 or so!
For our celebration, we are taking ourselves to Pompano Beach, Florida for 5 days in August! No children, just us! WOW! We deserve it, right?! Yes, yes we do!
For our actual anniversary, we just went to dinner at Olive Garden and then a little shopping. We couldn't stay out too late, it was a school night and Alex was babysitting! Thank you, 13 year old!

One sunny spring morning a few years ago:

 A few short 15 years later:

I think we have aged pretty well, you?! I hope in 15 more, I can still say that!!

April Showers Finally Bring May Flowers

I just snapped these this morning while the kids waited for the bus. I had to take the tree ones today, because by the weekend, they will be gone. This tree only blooms once a year, and it lasts barely a week. So sad- because it really is gorgeous!