Baseball is over...

Well, we had our final game for the season. We ended it with a pot luck dinner and trophy presentation. After that, we had a pick-up game of whiffle (sp?) ball between the kids and the dads (and at least one of the moms!). The kids had a great time trying to get their dads out. Brantley got elbowed by one of the kid's older brother when trying to get the ball that Lawson hit. His lip was bleeding but but I think he was more upset that he wasn't able to get his dad out because of that inconsiderate big kid.

School's Out for Summer (music needed)

I need to figure out how to make music play when you open my page. Oh well. Brantley learned a new song. He said he learned it from the kids on the bus. He was pretending to play his guitar as he sang it to me. Very cute. I'll have to get him to do it again so I can get a clip. Here it is:



When I think about rain
I think about singing
when I think about singing
it's a heavenly tune
When I think about heaven
I think about angels
When I think about angels
I think about you.


It's hard to believe that kindergarten is over. Brantley has grown up so much over the school year. He is a totally different child today from that first day of kindergarten. He's adding and subtracting numbers, writing sentences and reading. Not that I am that old, but I don't remember anything by playing in centers and naptime in kindergarten. What are your kindergarten memories?

Sounds

Brantley and his dad went to the Sounds game today and Brantley got a foul ball that went to the bleachers. He said he raced and adult to get it. While they were at the game, I spent 3 hours in the yard pulling weeds and trimming plants.

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Red Sox

Brantley played first base and got an out.

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Cubs

I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but another great game with the Mariners today. Brantley got on the tee for his first at bat. I think he was a little nervous because his aunt and uncle were watching him and he really wanted to show them his stuff. But, he made up for it later in the game with an awesome hit that went out of the fence. Well, it rolled on the ground and went under the fence. But still, it was out of the field!! He also got an out on second base during the game. It was hot out there today and we had to keep telling him to drink water. I don't think he drank enough water today because he isn't feeling well tonight. I'm forcing him to drink water and I gave him some tylenol in case it's a virus or something. If he ends up with strep again, I think I will scream, but I wouldn't be surprised.

Kindergarten Program

Here is a clip from Brantley's Kindergarten Program.

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Tigers

Man, it's a busy week. We had baseball Saturday. Baseball tonight. Baseball Thursday. Baseball Saturday. And again on Monday. Wow! Another great game. Brantley had some awesome hits. Still not much in the fielding department though. Here is a picture of the team. Brantley is the one in the red cleats if you didn't spot him.

It's Pool Time!

We are getting so spoiled. Brantley went to a birthday pool party on Sunday. He had some much fun and hated to leave. Then, Monday evening we went to Roger's house. He has a heated pool and said it was open and warm!! We swam for over an hour. It was really nice. I don't think I have ever gone swimming this early in May. Brantley is already asking when we can go back to Roger's house. Get ready Roger...Brantley is going to become a permanent fixture at your house!

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Yankees

Today's game was against Brantley's old coaches' team. They take the game so seriously. I was being ugly because of course the coach's son got to play in the pitcher's spot and bat first. I see nothing has changed there. Other parents noticed how serious they were too. One of the comments was "I bet they are practicing during the week in addition to the games." Brantley had an awesome game. We got there a little early so I was pitching to him and he was hitting them to the grass. I was so glad to see him play so well in front of his old coaches. He played so well that he got the game ball. He went over to show it to his old coach. He was so proud of himself.

Priceless

Brantley came in the house today after playing outside with his friends.

"HELLO," he yelled.
"Hello," I said back. He plopped down on the floor and starting taking off his shoes.
"Guess what?" he said.
"What?"
"I got my first girlfriend today."
"You did? Who's that?"
"Hannah."
"Hannah huh. Is she in your class?"
"No, she lives up the street. She's four."
"Oh, okay."

All I could do was smile. I was just too dumbfounded to do anything else.

Other Game Highlights

Brantley let his friend across the street play with his bat, and quess what....his bat was in their garage. He had to play his game tonight with his other bat which is heavier. Those hits tonight would have been in the grass if he had his good bat. Lighter bat = more level swing...at least that's what I'm told. We had to have the talk about making sure things are put back after they get them out. When we got home, we stopped by to get the bat and his friend got the exact same lecture.

Brantley also had a case of unsportsmanlike conduct tonight. He was trying to get his friend to say "Bad Game" when the lined up. Lawson said the coach pulled him aside. I didn't know he started it. I heard another kid say it, but Brantley said he started it. At least he will learn now how to act like a good sportsman.

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Cardinals

Brantley hit the first pitch every inning tonight. I say he's batting a thousand. Lawson corrected me to say he's batting .333. Apparently, he has to get on base for it to count. The coaches are calling outs now and Brantley got out twice. Once for a fly ball that, believe it or not, a kid on the other team caught and once for a grounder that was fielded at first base. So, he had 3 awesome hits, no strikes, but only got on base once. Now, if my terminology is off, blame it on Lawson. He's the baseball expert but he won't do any blogs. I just call it like I see it.

What is Brantley doing?

Game Highlights: Mariners Vs. White Sox

Another great game with the Mariners. Brantley got to play catcher on the first inning. I didn't realize it because we were late to the game and I saw him go out to the outfield. And, of course I was chatting with grandma and missed that they sent him back and put the catcher gear on him. Sorry, no picture of that. Brantley ended up on the T on his first a bat. Not sure what was up with him. He was holding the bat out in front of him instead of back behind his head. Second at bat, he hit it straight to the coach who had to catch it to keep it from hitting him. I think he was a bit surprised. Third at bat, Brantley hit it to the grass. He also got a couple of grounders in the outfield. And, since the game went so quickly, the coaches decided to play an extra inning. It was a beautiful day for baseball!

Play Ball!

This year the league was bound and determined to have the opening ceremony. The last 2 years it was cancelled due to weather. This year, they postponed it twice. It was nuts! There is something like 1400 kids in the league. Here is a picture of Brantley in true baseball form and another with his friend.

Discipline

I admit it. I'm extremely over-protective when it comes to Brantley. I'm trying to do better. Brantley has made friends with the 8 year old from across the street. He's a nice kid, but neither one of them seeme to have any sense of what it means to play safe outside. I had to keep reminding Brantley not to play in the street and to look both ways when crossing. Then, Brantley wanted his friend to stay for dinner. I said I hadn't been to the store and we didn't have much but I could make them some mac'n cheese. They both wanted it so I started making it. Then they took off. The mac was ready and I called several times for Brantley and he did not come. I knew he was probably in another friends yard but he didn't tell me he was going anywhere. So, I went to retrieve him. I brought him home and told him that I called several times and he didn't hear me. If he can't hear me, he has gone to far and he had better be telling me where he's going if he does that. He was very upset, but I felt the need to be stern. If I'm not, the next thing I know he'll be in the next neighborhood without telling me. He went to see if his friend still wanted to have mac'n cheese and it sounded like his friend didn't talk to him which made him more upset. I hope his friend wasn't upset. At any rate, I have set the rules and Brantley knows if he can't follow them, then he can't play outside with his friends.

Birthday Party

Brantley went to a birthday party this weekend at a really cool place. He had a blast. The pictures didn't turn out very well, but here is a video clip of him playing Glow Golf. Listen close to what he calls himself... (You may need to click twice on the video to make it play.)

Field Trip

Friday was the field trip to the zoo. Earlier in the week, the weather man was saying Friday was supposed to be nice. Well, surprise, surprise. He was WRONG!!! It was cold and windy and threatening to rain the whole time. The kids at least had a good time. I did not. I had Brantley and 2 other boys from his class to keep track of. I've never said, "Boys, we have to stay together!" more in my live. Brantley didn't want to go home with me afterward so he went back on the bus with his friends. I went back to my car to find that someone had dinged my car door. A HUGE ding with white paint. I was so mad. My car is only a year old. I think I will be able to get the white paint off, but there will still be a noticeable ding. Oh well. I guess it had to happen sooner or later.

Strep Throat

I am so irritated right now. We took Brantley to the doctor Thursday and he was negative for strep and the flu. His fever broke Thursday night and he was doing better Friday. He went to his baseball game on Saturday and then spent Easter with his cousins and went to school today. After lunch today I received a phone call from the doctor's office saying Brantley's throat culture came back positive for strep. They couldn't give a straight answer as to whether or not Brantley was still contagious over the weekend. Too late anyway because he had already been around everyone. He has to take a round of antibiotics to make sure the strep is gone. We kept him home from baseball tonight because we just were not sure if he was contagious or not Brantley was extremely upset that he didn't get to go to baseball. Now, I get an email from the coach saying they are going to drop the jerseys off tomorrow to have their names put on them and I can either meet up with his wife or drop it off myself. This was supposed to have been done prior to the season starting. The place that does it is only open from 9 to 4 and would take me at least 30 minutes to get there from work so it's not like I can do it on my lunch break. It's not my fault they didn't do it before the season started. But, now it's my problem because my son has strep. I am just so irritated!!!

Game Highlights: Mariners v. Astros

It was a cold day for baseball. It wouldn't have been bad if it hadn't been for the wind. At Brantley's first at bat, he hit on one pitch. Second inning, Brantley got to play in the pitcher circle. He grounded the ball and threw it to first. Carson wasn't looking though and missed it. All in all it was a good game. The boys were there to play despite the cold.