Baseball and Gymnastics and Mom Running Ragged Begin

Josh signed up for baseball this year, and after 2-3 weeks of almost every night having practice, he had his first game yesterday. I was kicking myself that I didn't bring my camera, but it might not have mattered because it was so cold I probably wouldn't have pulled my fingers out of my pockets to take a picture anyway. The wind was blowing, it was probably in the 40 degree range, and was cold. I had Tanner and Parker with me, 4 blankets and coats, and was trying to keep them warm and bundled because it was COLD. Did I mention it was freezing? Anyway, it made me wish, just for a moment, that baseball was actually played in the summer, but then our summers would be filled with games and we'd never get to visit family, so I'll be glad that it happens now, even though I froze sitting there trying to keep two wiggly boys warm. Now that finished whining about the cold, I'll tell you about Josh. He is playing left field, at least for now (I think). His coaches have been moving him around in practices, so it will be interesting to see where he ends up. He never had anything come out his way, but out of 3 times at bat, he got two good hits. One was a line drive to first, which fortunately the first basement couldn't get a hold of and Josh got on. His next time at bat he struck out on a high pitch. His third time at bat he hit a great double right into center field. He probably could have gotten to third, but the kid in front of him stopped a bit, and Josh waited to see what he was going to do. It was a lot of fun to watch. Josh was so nervous that he was going to mess up. We missed playing last year because when we moved we didn't know when sign-ups were and we missed the deadline. It was good for him to see that he is capable and comparable in skills to most of the boys out there. As Shane and I watched, it made us long for the days when we played ball, and we almost thought about signing up to play co-ed next year. But then reality set in that we can barely make it to all the things that the kids have going, never mind getting time to go to our own games, so I think we'll continue to live vicariously through Josh for a while.

Tanner also started gymnastics last week. He was really worried about being the only boy in the group, and he was, but he was feeling much better by the end of the class because they told him that he is good enough to move up to the next level for next week. I guess all that flipping and wrestling and rolling with brothers has been beneficial for his gymnastic skills. He is very excited to get to try cartwheels next week, so hopefully his mother will be more on the ball and get the camera out to have some pictures to share.

I was figuring it out, and next month everyone but Parker will have an activity to go to, most night of the week. Kaitlin has mutual and voice lessons, Josh has scouts and baseball, Luke has scouts and will have an archery class, and Tanner will have gymnastics. On Mondays, we will have two possibles with gymnastics and baseball, which of course happen at the same time. Tuesdays will have scouts, and a possible baseball game and Luke's archery. On Wednesday we will have three possibles with mutual, baseball and archery. Thursdays and Fridays will just have possible games/practices. If I could clone myself, like three times, then I could make everything. Shane's work schedule will hopefully lighten up by then, and I will have some help running and supporting all the many things. I may have to enlist Kaitlin to sit with Tanner during gymnastics so that I can watch most of Josh's games. And Wednesday's are just going to be tricky. Kaitlin may have to get a ride to mutual so that I can got to baseball and Shane to archery, or vice versa. The logistics of it are making my head whirl. Isn't life fun!? Oh well, I'm so glad that there are so many options here for the kids to get involved in and develop their talents. Now if someone would just figuring out the cloning thing.....