Ben and Andrew's 1st Unofficial Baseball Game

Today the Warriors had their first unofficial baseball game. It was a practice game, but the boys took it very seriously. Ben, Andrew and Spencer (Andrew's neighbor) had their own cheering section. Uncle Jesse, TT, Grandpa, Uncle Paul, Kelsey, Aunt Jamey, Sheena (Spencer's mom), Luke, Abagail and I were all there to cheer them on. John had a swim meet and Leslie and Andy are in Colorado with Andy's sister. Grandma T. watched Heidi, Kate and Allie so they didn't have to be out in the cold wind. Grandpa even got to be the 3rd base coach at the end of the game. TT and Uncle Paul got them warmed up- Ben informed me that it would be much better for TT to help them get ready for the game since I don't know how to throw very well!
I have to say the game was more intense than I thought it would be, at least for the cheering section. We realized there's quite a differnce between 4 and 6 year olds on the baseball field. The boys did awesome though! They hit the ball well, figured out how the game works, mostly, and really hustled to get the ball. It's pretty entertaining to watch a herd of little guys all chasing a baseball and then dog piling to get it. Ben did get a few minor injuries trying to get the ball, but I was very proud of him because he was very brave and kept trying. He finally got the ball one time and ran to home plate with it. He was just standing there while the rest of the team was running back to the dugout and we couldn't figure out what he was doing. I asked him why he was just standing there and apparently he thought that when he got the ball, it was his turn to bat, so he was waiting at home plate. He was a little confused, but he figured it out. I loved watching Andrew go up to bat- every time he ran out there with so much excitement and couldn't wait to hit the ball. He made some good catches today too and threw it to first base.
Next Saturday is Opening Day so it will be the first official game. We don't know who won the practice game, but according to Ben, him and Andrew were the winners. He told me in the car, "I'm glad me and Andrew are on the same team so we can protect each other from the big bad boys." I tried to explain that none of the boys are bad, they're all just trying their best....he didn't really want to hear my explanation so I just told him to do his best and have fun. We'll see how the next game goes- it definitely will be a fun season!
Ben, Andrew and Spencer getting ready for the game

The baseball players with Uncle Paul and Kelsey

TT and Uncle Paul helping the boys warm up in their flip flops

Ben getting ready for his first turn to bat

Ben's first hit

Andrew's first hit

Ben and Coach Mark in the field

Andrew in the field

Ben's second bat

Waiting to run to 2nd base

Andrew's second bat

Ben and Andrew love to run around the bases

Ben and Andrew fielding- they were very serious about this.


Some instruction form the coach- Can you guess who kept getting the ball?

Andrew is ready for the ball!

Ben waiting for the ball

I love this action shot of Andrew- he was going for it

Ben got stepped on in the dog pile and hurt his leg. He was being very brave, but a hug from TT helped!

Team cheer

And the high 5's for the other team

A Dancer and A Swimmer

This week Heidi had her first dance lesson at Maidu Community Center. She was a little apprehensive at first, but after a few songs, she was having fun. She did want to do her own thing though as you can see from the pictures. She was very cute in her little leotard and tights and when it was over, she wanted to have "more dance class."

Getting ready for dance class

Ready to go.


She's such a cutie!

Sitting in the chairs by Mom and Kate

Here she is about to run off

She did not want to sit on the parachute with all the other dancers


Today was Ben's first day of the PAC swim clinic. He had a great time and was especially excited about his new Speedo. He is very proud of it- he thinks it makes him look really strong and swim really fast. He hadn't swam since last summer, but jumped right in and had fun. His goal is to be able to swim all the way across the pool so he can be on the Gators this summer!

Here he is in his new Speedo- so handsome!

He looks so grown up!

Just Some Cute Pictures

A Great Teacher

Ben loves to teach Heidi things, actually most of the time it's more like bossing her around. But this time he was giving her a demonstration. Heidi has been showing some interest in being potty trained so we have been putting her on the potty when she tells us she needs to go. She has been successful a few times, but gets quite upset and scared. Ben went in there to sit with her the other day and she stopped crying. Then a few minutes later I heard them laughing and knew they were up to something. I peaked around the corner and saw Ben showing Heidi how to wipe. Although he forgot to tell her how much paper was necessary, he did tell her to flush after 3 wipes so even though there wasn't much paper left on the roll, at least we didn't have a plugged toilet. Oh and he also taught her that she should get undressed to use the toilet because that's what he does.

A Beauitiful Rainbow

The other day we had a break in the rain and the sun peaked out for awhile. I was working at the kitchen table and looked out the window to see a beautiful rainbow. From our deck, you could see the whole thing. Ben ran out to see it and was so excited because he had never seen a real rainbow before. He must have said 15 times, "I can't believe I saw a real rainbow. It's so pretty."

The Bachelor Finale!

The girls got together last Monday night to watch the Bachelor finale. Notice how we strategically placed a picture of Jason in the background. Toni and Jesse brought over their margarita machine and made us delicious margaritas to enjoy during the "most dramatic ending in Bachelor history". I'm glad we got to share the "historic" moment together. Thanks girls!

Front Yard Fishing

One of Ben and Heidi's favorite things to do outside is play with their fishing poles. Ben is trying very hard to teach her how to cast, but she really just likes to do her own thing. He eventually gets frustrated and casts it for her so she can reel it in. He keeps telling her that if she practices enough she'll be really good like he is- I don't think she really cares.