Pirates Camp 2010

Caleb got an opportunity to take part in a rare opportunity and go to a baseball camp hosted by the Pirates.

I'm not sure if he fully understood what a cool opportunity this was, but Daddy sure thought it was amazing as did Mommy, Uncle Dan Dan and Grandma.

Caleb was by far the youngest kid, 

but he loved every minute of it. His favorite part was pitching. He did a little praying before starting his least favorite part base running. 

He found that even running was extra fun when you have the Pirate's 1st baseman Garrett Jones and coach Jeff Banister instructing.

Sister enjoyed escorting her big brother to the field and watching him perfect his skills.

Caleb was thankful Daddy was there to rescue him and run him up a 100 flights of stairs, so he made it to the restroom on time. Apparently there are no restrooms in the dugouts, even in MLB. 

It really was a Mommy moment full of warm and fuzzies, watching my little one enjoy himself so much. We all enjoyed burgers and hotdogs and tickets to the Pirates game.

One of  Garrett Jones' at bats.

Thanks to 

for an awesome experience and a treasured memory.

So Long Type A Momma

After my last post I was feeling pretty down on life. Then I had to give myself a swift quick to the you know what and remember that I'm beyond blessed. I have the life I've always dreamed and yet I am still feeling like I don't measure up. What the heck is my problem? Well, the short is that I am a freakin Type A Nazi that has to have everything perfect to be content. Well, life with a 2 and 4 year old is seldom perfect. That is unless you describe perfect as chaos. So, after seeing my true colors thrown right in my face while stressing through every misplaced glitter and glue blob making what should have been a super fun poster for Caleb's 1st day of preschool, I decided to seriously try to roll more.

My goal is to be content with the chaos and let judging eyes remind me that my job is not to impress onlookers, but to shape my children in the mist of bringing them joy. It pains me, because I'm a crazy over the top joy kill. However, my new life goal is to be fun! What about discipline you might ask? Of one thing I'm certain, I will probably never error on the side of lacking discipline. This coming from the girl who would run at midnight if I haven't completed a scheduled workout. For the sake of the fam I must move away from the extreme and toward balance.

I got my first test tonight in the Lexus Club at the Pirates game.

I have to say not worrying about how your kids are acting makes this parenting thing a lot more enjoyable. Me and the kids had a blast hyped up on Crackerjacks and lemonade dancing, singing and screaming behind homeplate.

I even got a compliment from an older man that flying solo I was doing a great job, and looked like I had it together with my little ones. Amazing, the benefits of releasing control!!

Backyard Fun

Attie taught both the kids the joy of entertainment. They serenaded us with singing and dancing. Makaylee and Attie have always been very comfortable on center stage.

On the contrary this is not a place Caleb has historically thrived, but in the comfort of home he was a true entertainer and was quite willing to get his grove thing on.

Of course, it wasn't long before he was back where he feels most comfortable, hitting line drives.

Attie's swing is looking pretty good with Uncle Cory pitching.

They also enjoyed the fun playset, 

playing rescue the princess and slay the dragon. Such creative kiddos. I later went to the top loft of the playset to find that the dragon had laid eggs (round rocks) and left his babies behind.

9th Inning Win!!

Last night we got the opportunity to go to the Pirate's game first class. The tickets included an all you can eat nice dinner in the fancy Lexus club and plush seats right behind home plate. Not to mention the all you can eat snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. Some high end things seem over the top to me, but I have to say I am all about watching baseball in first class. The seats put you right in the action and they are super comfy to boot.

We were really enjoying the game, the Pirates were winning and the kids were all smiles. Then Caleb remembered that balls fly into the stands on occasion and he became obsessed with getting one. I didn't want a replay of the Penguin hockey puck meltdown. Especially, among all the Lexus season ticket holders. I could image their tolerance for a four year old tantrums would be low. I told Caleb we would leave if he got upset about not getting a ball. He recovered, but was still pretty miffed each time someone else caught a foul ball. Around this time the bat boy decided to start pitching the reject balls out into the crowd. Oh great, the ball obsession was turned up a notch and we still had several innings for Caleb to practice self control. I remember thinking, can't you just toss him a ball so the occasional mild pouting doesn't turn into major meltdown. Then I thought, no it would not be good for him. Maybe easier on me, but not good for him to be rewarded for a bad attitude. If we needed to leave that was a sacrifice I needed to make. He about lost it in the 8th and I reminded him that throwing a fit would not get him a ball and we would need to leave. He pulled it together. Daddy told him multiple times just keep trying. He would wave, but the bat boy's glance never made it far enough our way. Finally, in the 9th inning right before Alvarez's second home run

with a big grin and an emphatic wave he made eye contact with the bat boy who kindly tossed us a ball. You have never seen a little guy's face light up that big. He was so ecstatic.

His joy was noticed by all the people around us. It was such an amazing moment for me. There is nothing as enjoyable as seeing your children filled with delight. Especially when it was well deserved.

Here are some highlights from the night.

Baseball Camp 2010