Fall Ball- Callan Jones

After coming off a fabulous All- Star season, we were so excited for Callan's Fall Ball season. We knew it was going to be tough adjusting as he had to move up from machine pitch to kid pitch, but we had no idea what was in store. In the first few practices Callan got hit in the knee fielding grounders... and to him that meant DONE with the infield. Before even the first game, Callan got hit square in the back with a pitch from a kid (accidentally and on his team)... and to him that meant DONE at the plate. Because Jones' don't quit, he stuck it out playing mostly in the comfortable outfield. At the plate we offered all kinds of bribery just to get him to attempt to stand in the box for a chance to hit it. We knew if he could ever get the bat on the ball again he would find his groove again. He was just plain scared. He wanted to do it so bad... but he knew better than to trust the kids throwing the ball at him. Finally with just a few games left in the season Brent bought him a chest protector, and although he looks more like the umpire standing at the plate than a batter, it gave him the sense of security he needed to stand in there at the plate. He still did not get a hit in those last few games, but he stood in there and ended up getting walked several times (when he would back out of the box the umps would end up calling strikes because that is what they are taught to do).

He did however do something new... something he enjoyed.

It is very hard to get a good picture of a pitcher... and it was at night... and the OTHER teams coach fussed at me for my flash going off because it was messing up "the little boy that is pitching".

I don't know what the future holds in baseball for Callan. Maybe after a little winter break we will be ready to try again... maybe this is the end and it is time to find something else he wants to do.

Sissy is FIVE!!!

Where did the baby face go? I look at this face and see such a big girl. So many emotions fill me on the day of this sweet child's birth. There is so much I want to tell her birth mother, but mostly I want her to see how happy and loved she truly is. I also want her to know that we get out her picture every birthday and talk about what a special woman she is.

The birthday girls dinner request? Spaghetti and Broccoli!!?? So you know we had to have it!

She also asked for a trampoline since she loves it so much at Gymnastics. Daddy agreed at first and then chickened out on us. She settled for Kaya the Native American, American Girl Doll.

BRAVOS!!!!

When the Morgan's called us and asked if we would be interested in a family fun outing to the ATL (minus the littlest peeps), we were ALL in! I don't think you could have found a more excited crew, unless you would have gotten a pic of the momma's. Dan (Bobby and Sonja's baseball playing friend- or Mike's brother) didn't have anyone using his seats and let us have them for the weekend. Can you say 3rd row excitement, with a dab of fine dining and personal service for anything your baseball heart desires?

Dan (Mike's brother) also threw in some passes to watch a little BP. This youngin'- Freddie Freeman threw me for a loop. He was sweet to sign some hats, but really those legs of his are LONG. His waist was pretty close to my... ummm chest.

Dan was sweet to the boys. Sonj introduced each of my boys as a best buddy to each of her boys. He also made sure they could all see and spent some time chatting.

This was Silas' "Chip-chip" evidentally he no longer acknowledges small children dying to meet him. Oh well, they were so excited about being THAT close that it really didn't matter.

Baylor had to sit for a second to take it all in... all that black on his bill- signatures!!! Can you say DREAMLAND?

These two got the raw end of the deal and never knew it! Callan and Grant got to sit in those nice green seats with the Momma's, and Bay and Cade got to sit in them Sunday. I don't think they knew they did not get the royal treatment. Throw in some Dip-N-Dots and sitting side by side and they would have been happy in the parking lot.

Finally GAME TIME!!! Do you see how close we sat??? We could talk to them and they could hear us... and I took pictures of every single one of them. The Dodger's On Deck Circle was right in front of our face, they got heckled a little too much from our area, but we got the opportunity to learn about and watch  Dodger's newcomer Dee Gordon. He is one to watch (and was very sweet to his High School Coach who came down to chat)!


This is Dan (Mike's Brother) rounding 3rd after a solo homerun. Just after this shot he pointed at us (really  his friend Sonj- but I was close enough to count and afterall I was in his seats). We were hoping for 3 homeruns, per Sonja's request, but the rest of his at bats did not fare as well.

The kids who will never look at the baseball park the same after the option of Roasted Duck and endless Ice Cream Sandwiches. But then again told us that they got the shaft because "THE DAD'S" would not as closely monitor their sugar intake.

Such fun!! In fact, I am having trouble watching the game on TV now, but at the same time, I can't miss a game.

Our First Field Trip

For our first field trip, we headed to downtown Nashville to visit the Tennessee Museum. My dad (Gandie) works in the same building that houses the museum so he and mom took the morning and went with us. I had no idea that it was as big as it was. Of course my kiddos were interested in the Native American stuff and the interest slowed down after that, but I bet when we get to that stuff in our History studies they will want to go back.

We took a before pic while Gandie went and parked the "bus".

Then who can pass up the chance to restrain your kids... one. at. a .time??

 I was afraid to take many pictures, plus the class tends to scatter like ants while exploring!

Fun times...we will have to go back.

Celebrating Last

I am doing my best to relish and celebrate every bit of babyhood in Cruz. But somedays, it is time to move on. For the first time in 11 years our crib came down. He was more than ready and has been asking to sleep with brothers for months.

Do you see the look... it is the "Do you want to tell me why I am still trapped in this thing" look.

And then the BIG BOY BED! Look at his face. He is so excited! He slept in it for the first time with no problems at all.

Can you hear him "This is the best thing EVER!!" I think I will wait a year or so before I tell him that the bed rail on the bed is not holding him in like the crib did. He has not gotten out of bed one time. He just wakes up and yells for me to come get him. "Mommy, I UP!"

Now... if we could hurry up and celebrate that last pack of Pampers!

Native Americans

For our Social Studies every day we have been studying different Native American Tribes. In addition, each kid has picked a tribe to present as a project to some of our friends that also homeschool. I had no idea that Callan would love this so much. He chose the Mohawk Indian tribe and learned all that he could. He even called his Nommie and asked her to help him make an authentic costume from his tribe. Once Nommie and Gandie saw how excited about it he was, Gandie got in on the game and made him some official weapons and jewelry out of actual artifacts that he has found. It was a great family project, and I was impressed how much both Callan and Gandie learned about the Mohawks.

Our young Mohawk.

Baylor

I remember looking at this huge baby and thinking that I could never imagine him as anything but the toddler he was... then I woke up one day and a young man was staring at me.

A young man who is passionate and brave. A young man who knows what he wants and goes after it.

Nicolas Baylor, I am so proud of the young man you are becoming. I thank God for your kind heart and your soft spirit. Everyone you meet always comments on your manners and your attitude. I pray that you will continue to grow as a leader and that you will conitnue to learn to be gracious and generous with what you have been given. I love you!!!

On another note: if you could just skip the hormonal years headed our way that I am seeing glimpses of... I would much apprecite it. I think your words as I took that last picture were "Really, WHY ARE we doing this? Didn't you just get a picture of me the other day?"