We've been webbed!

We woke this morning to a yard that is simply filed with spider webs! All shapes and sizes, on the grass and flowers, covering entire bushes.  The morning dew and light fog made each one stand out-there must be at least a hundred in our yard alone.  (Oddly the neighbors didn't have nearly as many... Not sure I want to think about what's living in my grass!) Evan wondered why all these webs were in the yard, and together we came up with the realization that Spiderman must have visited last night!

Orioles Win!

Okay, so technically everyone wins in 4yo t-ball, since the rules are pretty lax and they don't keep score, but today was a huge victory anyway.  Evan's team had a doubleheader bright and early this morning, and made it through without any major meltdowns or injuries, and felt a great sense of pride after both games were done.


It was as gorgeous Fall morning - 65 and sunny.  The grass was littered with parents and grandparents in folding chairs, all clutching coffee and cameras.  We played the Red Sox at 9am and the Braves at 10, and everyone did great.  There are three innings per game, and everyone in the lineup bats each inning.  The kids get three swings on their own and if they still haven't hit the ball well, Coach can give a little assist.  Each child runs one base after a hit, and the last kiddo in the lineup hits a grand slam.  The kids hit in a different order each inning, and get to try new spots on the field each inning as well.  Today Evan got to hang at 1st, 2nd, and "right field."  Fielders all stay on the infield, since hits rarely go more than 20 feet, let alone into the grass, and they're slowly getting better at understanding when to chase the ball and when to let someone else across the field go after it.  Baseball doesn't have a super-fast pace though, so quite a few sand castles and dirt drawings were created, some dancing happened, and many a mom was cringing at her kid scuffing new shoes in the dirt while they waited for the ball to come their way.  Evan passed the time by chatting with the other team's players while on base... sometimes having too much fun telling his new friend a story and forgetting to run to the next base. After each game, naturally everyone lines up and "does high fives," then does a team cheer and gets snacks. I think Evan's sold on playing ball.

Before the game the kids received their official team shirts, and Evan couldn't show off his new #2 enough.  

 

"Hands in, everyone... Goooooooo, Orioles!"

Patiently waiting for our turns to bat.

 

  

Nice hit, Evan!  

Good running too.

Fielding... in the "ready" position, prepared to grab
the ball with our "alligator hands."

 Good game, good game, good game... 

 Drew waited pretty patiently through both games; 

he was definitely proud of his brother.

In the pool

Evan's ready for water-play day at school,
or the pool, or wherever he can wear
his goggles and get wet!

We spent a lot of time in the pool this summer.  I just love how it's literally across the street!  So easy to go after school/work, or first thing in the morning, and not a hassle to go for a quick dip when we need some heat relief or to release some energy, then come home for naps.

Of course, with two little kids, there wasn't much picture taking happening - we were both in the pool with them the whole time. Both boys, but Evan especially, had a ton of fun (and worked really hard) swimming.  Evan's skills progressed quickly being in the water so often, and by the end of his 3yo summer he can use his kick board all the way down the pool and back almost 100% unassisted, jump in and be under without a problem, he's got the basics of arm movements down, and he can even fetch a toy at the bottom and push off the wall under water.

Today, at the end of the summer, he asked if he could use the diving board.  He's been waiting forever for that - he was asking about it last summer when he was only 2!  One afternoon we had the pool almost to ourselves, and with the lifeguard's consent, we gave it a shot.  Evan was a little nervous, and paused at the end, but didn't go back - he jumped right to me.  Oh, the happiness!!  And the repeats... he must have done another 20 jumps before he finally gave in to the blue lips and chattering teeth to skip happily home, proud of his new diving-board status. 

Evan's an Oriole!

We're very excited for Fall.  We've got football, cooler weather, apples and pumpkins, Halloween, and T-Ball season!  Yep. that's right: Evan has joined his first organized sports team.  The Northside Orioles (3-6yo) had their very first practice last night, and Evan was incredibly excited.  Mike volunteered to help coach, and was even more excited that Evan's an Oriole - Mike was an Oriole when he played "little" ball too! 

Who knew when we took this photo in May that Evan would soon BE an Oriole?!?

They started with some stretches, and running the bases.

Then there was a detailed but VERY important discussion, about where home plate is.  And which base we run to first ("that one"), and next ("over there") and next (we caught on to the pattern... "third"), and last ("fourth" No! Home plate!)

Next was a big discussion of how to hold a glove, on which hand, and how to throw.  They buddied up for throwing drills, and were able to work up to a respectable distance between lines of kids.  Evan was tossing some pretty well!

Lastly it was time to practice batting - everyone's favorite!  Evan listened well to Coach Pat, took two swings, then hit it nice and solid.

Time to run the bases... and guess who's not too far behind?  Drew wanted so badly to play with the big kids and was not at all pleased to be strapped firmly in the stroller most of the time.  

At the end of practice, an incredibly dirty, sweaty, and tired Evan declared T-Ball "very good."  He was a little disappointed that T-Ball doesn't just mean "run around a lot, hit the ball a lot, and have a party at the end."  The taking turns hitting, standing still while listening to Coach, practice drills, and lack of uniforms (yet) was tough for all the kids.  It didn't help anyone that it was 92 with 99% humidity either.  However, he's already talking about next week's practice, and the first game is in a couple weeks.  This is going to be fun!

Stylin'

"Mommy, can you put my hair in a jayhawk today? Pleeeaaaase?"
"Do you mean mohawk?"
"Yes, that.  Make it sticky-upy."

Fruits of our Labor

Earlier this summer we visited a small neighborhood "eat local" type festival and Evan got a free tomato plantling and pumpkin seeds.  Around the same time, we went strawberry picking in the fields, and the idea that food doesn't just come from the grocery store was reinforced.  Possibly the same weekend, we stopped at the nursery for some flowers to add to our planting beds, and they had a whole selection of strawberry plants outside.  Evan was overjoyed!  We brought one home, and Evan has been very patient, watching and waiting for his plants to sprout.

The pumpkin seeds unfortunately didn't make it through our vacation week in WI--they were doing fantastically, but ultimately got too dry--but the tomato and strawberry have thrived.  Our lone tomato isn't too big or too red yet, but every morning before school Evan cranes over the fence to see if it's still there (he's worried the deer will eat it) and if it's gotten any bigger.  The strawberries on the other hand are multiplying like crazy - I thought they'd be done in early July, but here it is mid-August and they're happier than ever! 

Brothers Go To School

While getting ready for school this morning, Evan realized that he and Drew have matching backpacks.  Well, not perfectly matching, he was quick to remind me, but "slimilar."  (Kudos to his teachers for teaching that word!)  However, he was thrilled to wear them together, and Drew couldn't have been happier to follow Evan's lead, though is backpack is nearly as big as he is!

My "momarazzi" moment as I crouched on the ground to get the shot then ran forward to get in position again got some sympathetic laughs from the other parents in the parking lot, but could these boys be any cuter?  And they're holding hands?  It melts this mommy's heart.  LOVE.