Summer Baseball 2015

The 10U boys played a great tournament and came in second place in Allouez. Earlier in June, they played a great tournament in Shiocton. They won two games and the third was rained out. It was determined, based on runs scored etc, that Seymour came in second place. Plus, the team came in second place in the Denmark tournament at the end of May. One more tournament in Pulaski and the summer baseball season will be over for this great group of boys.

The Silent Treatment

Welcome to my hysterical life.
Last night Riley had a bit of a crying, messy, sniffly meltdown because her beloved brother was sleeping with her "favorite" blanket. Noah has been sleeping with this fuzzy, red blanket for who knows how long. He wraps himself up like a burrito and falls asleep peacefully every night. Mind you, the blanket is mine. However, in reality, nothing is mine in this house. If the kids like something, they take the item for themselves. But, the blanket is mine. I received it from a student as a gift at Christmas, 2013.
Needless to say, I calmly and forcefully explained to Riley we would solve this problem in the morning. She was not thrilled with waiting until the morning, but she was too tired to argue. She was asleep in minutes.
Fast forward to this morning, I walk in Riley's room thinking she was asleep. To my surprise, she was awake, lying on her belly in the only speck of sunlight that happened to be streaming through the slightly open curtain/blind. My initial thought was how peaceful and lovely she seemed in her room. She was at peace, being still, enjoying some alone time.
I boldly walk into her room to find she is not at peace. She is giving me the silent treament. She happened to be hard at work writing on a whiteboard, "The silet tretment to Mom." Please forgive the spelling errors. She is a writer in progress.
This was not a peaceful, be still moment. This was a strategic manuever to get the blanket back from Noah.
My reaction was to laugh heartily at her ingenuity and creativity. She was not pleased.
My second reaction was to grab a picture taking device (camera, ipod, phone). At this point, I wanted to find the closest device because I was afraid she would erase the writing. The phone was located first.
Back up the stairs I race to find she had, indeed, erased her writing.
Bummer.
My third reaction was to help solve her problem. I located the red, fuzzy blanket in Noah's room and gave it to her to cherish and adore.
I still have not figured out how to negotiate with Noah the temporary change of blanket ownership.
To be continued...

Baseball, Pickles, Bars and Medals, Oh my!

Baseball, baseball and more baseball.

I am beginning to enjoy this sport. Noah's Seymour team participated in a tournament in Denmark, Wisconsin and took second place. They had fun playing the game they all love so much. Two things cross my mind when I reminisce about the tournament in Denmark.

1. Noah was stuck in a pickle
2. Riley explained, on the way home, that she is not able to go in bars.

In regards to Noah being stuck in a pickle, it was shocking and funny. The players on the the other team were throwing the ball back and forth, as if they were playing catch in their front yard. Noah was eye-balling their strategy and waffling back and forth between first and second base. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Noah, one runner crossed home plate while he delayed the game. His nimble legs were carrying him back and forth, and his giant helmet head was turning left, right, left, right, to determine his next move. The game of catch continued. Noah's competitive edge kicked in and he was determined to win this battle. As I am standing, cheering and going nuts, Dean is laughing so hard he is crying. With the a bit of strategy, and a good eye, Noah successfully slid into second base. The pickle was conquered and runs were scored.

The other interesting story took place on the ride home. Riley explained that she is not able to go in bars. I immediately think...of course you can't go in bars. You are too little.Where does she come up with this stuff.

"No, Riley. You cannot go in bars." I respond.

"I know. I can't go in bars." Riley shares in a very matter-a-fact voice.

"You can't go in bars until you are much older. Twenty-one years old, to be exact." 

"I know. It is hard to do the bars when your hands hurt." Riley shares.

When your hands hurt? How are bars and hands hurting connected? Oh! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Riley spent most of the day playing on the monkey bars, while the boys played baseball. Her hands hurt because of her isane monkey bar workout. My daughter is not interested in frequenting the bars at the ripe old age of seven. She is disappointed because her hands hurt and she can't play on the monkey bars. 

Pickles and bars on a Saturday afternoon at the ballpark. Oh, and did I mention, Noah's team came in second place at the tournament.

Happy 10th Birthday

Happy Birthday to our competitive, quick witted young man. Welcome to double digits.

Lucky # 7

Happy 7th birthday, Miss Riley!

You sparkle and brighten our days.

Life is a whirlwind.

I have put this blog on hold for a bit. Okay, I am kidding myself. This blog has been avoided for a long time. When I think of writing, I think of being a "truth teller". I read other women's blogs that seem to make the ups and downs of daily life with kids hilarious, yet honest. I haven't figured out how to be funny or honest about the ups and downs of life lately; therefore, I have avoided the blog.
As I process how to dive back into being honest about life, I decided to share a few pictures of our life. It has been a whirlwind ride since Christmas. We were lucky enough to travel and visit my dad, brother and his family during the Christmas holiday. We have not spent Christmas with my dad, brother and family since 2009. Needless to say, it was fun to be in a "snow free" zone in the middle of winter.
The pictures are sequenced appropriately... I think.

This is our attempt at a normal family picture.

This is a better representation of our life. 

Winter involved Dance Camp for Riley and weekly dance classes.

Weekends and Thursday nights were dedicated to basketball.

Plus, Dean was an assistant coach for the team.

The boys earned third place in the Hortonville Tournament.

Celebrating Dean at the Future 15 Young Professionals Dinner

3/27 was the recital; wrapping up all of Riley's dance lessons for the school year.

The girls' performance was fabulous.

Riley's assistant dance teacher.

Riley's dance teacher, Ms. Shay.

Riley is not shy on the stage.

Friends and classmates