Game and a Cupcake

Game day! I like to try and experiment with different camera angles to keep myself occupied.

Shane's been solid at bat. He's only "struck out" once this season. The hits are usually infield grounders, but he connects.

Which is good, because running the bases keeps him out of trouble in the dugout. There's no easy remedy for when he's in the field.

Baseball has been a mixed bag of tricks. Shane finds the waiting/focus parts painful and laborious. He does like the other kids, batting, and playing in the dirt. I'd rather play catch outside than soccer or anything else, but he's still working on catching.

It was Christian's birthday and his family brought cupcakes. Orea cupcakes. They offered them to the parents, as well, and they were dynamite.

"Let me get a picture of that cupcake for your mom," I said.

"C'mon. Give me a smile."

Mom was sufficiently impressed when we got home and showed her. Shane wolfed it down. Snacks are the highlight of the sports experience for him!

Moving Aide

Patrick and Shelby moved into a new apartment last week. Sunday, I showed up to help move the final large items. We rented a U-Haul and got to work. 

Here's a picture of the old house.

We cleared out the upstairs first. There were a pair of mattresses, box springs, a dresser, vanity, couch, etc. Then we went around back to the basement.

I'd never been under Patrick's before.

We unhooked the washer and dryer units. We had to borrow some tools to do so, but we were in the right place!

It was fun walking on the narrow path alongside the house.

We made it, though!

We were on a little bit of a time crunch. We told the U-Haul people we'd have the truck back by 2:30 PM.

In my head, I thought it would take a lot less time. I'd help Patrick move, Shane would tag along, and when we left we'd go straight to baseball practice. Shane didn't come, and we barely got the truck back in time. I had padded my original time estimate and was glad I did!

We'd ridden together, so we drove back to the new apartment after.

Patrick was happy to have his sofa back.

There was still work for Patrick and Shelby to do, but we relaxed. We'd done our job! I wish I saw Patrick more. We talked for a bit and then I headed back.

There was no way Shane was going to make baseball practice. I had expected it to get cancelled, but the rain never came. I felt bad we missed, so I made him play some catch to make-up for it.

Nana and Pop Watch Soccer

With storms forecast all weekend, Shane's soccer game looked doubtful. Thankfully, the storms were all bluster and no thunder! I took Shane to TKD at 10 AM and then to soccer at 12 PM. 

This game was special: Nana and Pop were coming. From the top of the hill, I saw their car driving up and gave them directions over the phone.

They parked next to us and hiked up the hill.

Play was already underway. Shane nearly ran off the field.

Nana demanded furniture. I explained the benefits of exercise.

She got her chair. I got the exercise walking to my car to get it.

It was a good, used buy.

Shane's game went as many of them do. He was a space cadet and funny to watch, but he did okay. Nana and Pop got to see him get a goal, too!

It was nice to have company to talk to and cheer with during the game. Some of the other parents seem to alternate who comes, or they have other kids they're chasing the whole game.

There were plenty of things to laugh and talk about.

I cropped this for some poses.

Sports are great for kids.

The kids all dog-piled on Coach Brian at the end.

Coach Jeanluc took a picture and laughed.

A lot of the kids played after the game. Shane was all about Nana and Pop.

We collected Carrie for lunch and then drove down to the barn together.

I helped bring in the ponies while Pop watched Shane harass the ducks.

Aside from the property taxes and needing more jumps, this property is the epitome of Carrie's dream land.

The adults all talked and enjoyed the animals.

Shane got restless and went to explore.

He was on his own until he started throwing rocks into the pond. Pop had told him not to earlier, so I laid down the law. Shane was wise and didn't object or whine, so he was free to go again momentarily.

So long as he avoided going in where two guys were working on a semi. There's some heavy equipment laying around the owners use for their family business.

When the food ran out, it was time for the ponies to return to the herd.

Carrie loves how she can call Nibs over and she'll come.

Carrie ran up the hill with Nibs, so she wouldn't have to return to the herd alone!

Nana and Pop had to drive on after our group barn visit. Shane mourned as usual, but shook it off. We were able to rest for the remainder of the day, because we had plenty of  fun and adventure through the afternoon.

Personal Day

Carrie's been asking me to "play hooky" with her for a while now. I finally did it.

It was the first full day I've missed in the 153 work days this year. Which is probably a personal record (since having Shane at least).

We didn't have anything big planned for the day. I felt half-relieved, half-guilty using the vacation time.  I took Shane to the bus stop, took out the trash, and picked up with my excess energy.

Carrie still had work and went to check on the horses. During that time, I got my allergy shots and drove to get the car inspected. We met up for lunch and a haircut.

In between, I checked online to see if any of my students did any work. They didn't.

It wasn't the most exciting day off, but it was a day off. I took care of some chores and got some rest.

A Different Ride

I took a different ride to work today. Rainbow Dash distracted me every time she swung into my peripheral vision.

Carrie sent me a text to make sure I got to work incident free. I don't get those texts in the Volvo.

The reason for the switch was tire related. Carrie made friends at a tire shop while she was living at Sonya's and raising Nibs. She drove my car to help Sonya and pick up tires for a nice price.

Which left me with the truck.

It took Shane a moment to realize what had happened when I picked him up. I let him walk out into the parking lot (he marched so determinedly) and then I asked, "Where's the car?" That made him stop and look around. He put it together and changed direction. I don't know where he was walking to before!

We had our soccer practice in 90 degree weather.

Since my school is attached to the field, I was able to go inside to refill Shane's water bottle. That let him share some.

Only one coach was present. He made the wise choice of talking less and keeping the kids active. They played a bunch of games. It was one of their best practices all year!

It's amazing how kids improve even when it seems like every practice and game is chaos. The doing is the important part. 

Fun practice. Shane asked for blob tag and there was blob tag. 

Haircuts

This kid needed a haircut.

Look at all that hair!

Buzzzzzzzz.

Mission accomplished.

I needed one myself. Got one the next day.

Mission accomplished times two.

Differences in Perspective

Funny recurring joke at my house.

Sometimes, Carrie is a monster. 

I stopped to ponder this.

Was there something fundamentally different with our thought processes? Maybe our viewpoints?

Standing viewpoint:

Thoughts: The toilet paper is an accident waiting to happen. Shane could send it for a final swim.

Sitting viewpoint:

Thoughts: Nothing could happen. At worst, the TP would fall in your lap.

Funny how a small change in perspective can change how you look at things.