Dad's Weekend Update - May 31st

Being lazy, but like they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Spring 2008 Home Run Champ... Brant Freeman!!

Wish Brantley Luck!

Brantley is playing in an All-Star tournament tomorrow. I hope it's fun. He had practice twice this week with his team and we practiced tonight with Carson. The other night, he fouled one out over the dugout. Tonight, he fouled one out past third base. It was a nice hit, but foul no less. His best hit tonight landed in the grass about 6 feet(maybe less) from the fence. The competition in the morning includes a running, homerun, and throwing competitions. I was worried about the homerun competition since I know that Jett is competing, but then Brant's coach told me they get 5 pitches, they mark them where they land, and that's it. If Jett hits anything like he did when we played his team, he won't get one off. So, Brantley does have a chance. After those competitions, we'll be playing a game. Supposedly they are not keeping score, but what's the point of an All-Star game if you don't keep score?

This is Classic!

Brantley spent the day with his friend Carson since there was no school. I'm not sure what they did today, but this is what happened about 6:00.

If you listen closely, you can hear Brantley say "Okay, I'll start the movie."

Baseball is over...

Another season is over. The kids all had a great time and some improved a lot. I feel bad now because Brantley got up to bat and he was trying so hard to hit the ball out of the park, he fouled it back 5 or 6 times (kinda like Jett from a couple games ago). And, I feel bad for saying the parents were not very involved. They gave me a gift card to O'Charley's and a gift card to Cold Stone Creamery in appreciation. And the coach gave me a gift card to Chili's. All in all, it was a very fun season. A couple of the boys were trying at times, but for the most part they were all great. Oh, and the trophy's were the cutest I've seen.

Brantley at Work

Yesterday was the big "Grand Opening" of our new headquarters at my work. We moved in about a month ago and it's still not finished inside, but they had the "Grand Opening" anyway. Since the company just laid off a lot of people, we won't be having the normal summer company picnic that they usually spend a lot of money on. They just combined that with this event so family could come visit the new building. They did have a couple of large inflatables and a rock climbing wall for kids and big kids to play on. We also had a visit from the Chick-fil-A cow. Wow. I can hardly contain myself. We did have hamburgers and hot dogs, but being health conscious, no chips. We also had grilled chicken and turkey burgers with salad and fruit as sides. They did have some cookies and I think I saw a slushie station for the kids. It was supposed to last until 8, but about 5:30 my friend said they were starting to clean up the food so we better get over there to eat. Brantley was playing with his friend Ben and his little brother Chase. Did I mention that his mom now works where I do? She started there about a month after I did. Small world. Anyways, the boys didn't want to go eat, but we made them take a break from playing so we could get something. Brantley was going to split a burger with me, but decided after I got it that he wanted it all to himself, so I just got a piece of chicken and salad. The burger must not have been all that good because Brantley ended up only eating half of it. Of course, that could have been because he wanted to go play. Lawson didn't get off work until 6 so there wasn't any food by the time he got there. Prior to hooking up with Ben and his mom, I had taken Brantley up to the fifth floor. When I told him about visiting my building, he asked how many floors it was. I told him 5. Then he asked what floor I was on. When I told him the top floor, he thought that was cool. Our building has lots of security features and we have 24 hour security guards. They had a guard posted on each floor for the event. As we were walking to my cube, Brantley exclaimed, "Everyone has a white board. This is awesome!" He was so excited about the white boards. I had no idea. That's all he wanted to do when we got to my cube. He drew a couple pictures, erased them, and decided to give me a math lesson. Then, all he wanted to do was math. My co-workers kept asking him to draw a pictures and they thought it was funny that all Brant wanted to do was math. Then, he grabbed one of my notebooks and started looking at a contract. My manager said, "I think all he wants to do is work!" I haven't decorated my cube much yet. We are allowed to do whatever we inside the cube, except no plants and no pets. I haven't really gotten settled because I'm not sure how long I am going to stay here. I've been considering looking around. It's been a year now and I'm not feeling like this company is a good fit for me. Who knows though.

Quotable Quotes

I was so riled up last night that I forgot about the quotable quote. After I took Brant out and got him in the dugout, I asked, "Did it mainly just scare you?" To which Brantley exclaimed, "NO, it just HIT me!" He was not a happy camper.

Ranting and Raving

Alright, if you don't want to hear me ranting and raving like a lunatic, stop reading now. If you enjoy listening to a good rant every now and then, read on!

Baseball is almost over. Only two more games after tonight's debacle. Tonight we played Jett's team. Jett is the kid at the tryouts who hit it out of the field 4 times. Brantley is very impressed by this kid. I was interested in seeing the kid play. So, when he was at bat, I paid attention. And I counted. Seven, yes seven!, foul balls. Three no contact. Any other kid would have been on the T. I'm all for playing the game and having the kids follow the rules. I think we have done them an injustice by not following the rules and teaching the outs and what not. But, I have a problem with coaches that want to play the rules but make exceptions for their "Star" player. Of course, the eleventh pitch was hit and went out of the field. I say, put him on the T. Make him learn to hit the ball, not just to try to hit it out. You can't get on base if all you hit is fouls. Of course, Lawson said it would have been dangerous to put him on the T, and he's right. Brantley had some good bats. Two grounders out to the fence and one dud that landed in front of the coach. But, I must say Brantley's attitude was better. He didn't let it bother him and he still ran hard to the base.

It was a rough game. A couple of kids got hurt in the outfield. The second inning catcher got nailed by a ball to his bicep. After that happened, I shouldn't have sent a catcher out for the third inning. But, Brantley was up to be catcher and he wanted to do it. I warned him that he needed to move back when Jett got up to hit. He did, but it wasn't enough. Jett fouled it right into Brantley's chest. Not sure how it really happened, but coach said the other coach pitched it and Jett tipped it but it went back. Even though he had the gear on, it knocked the wind out of Brantley and I pulled him out. There was only one batter left I think.

In the beginning I called the game a debacle, but it really wasn't. Our kids were getting out after out. I don't think the other team ever had the bases loaded. I know Brantley got a couple outs. James caught a pop fly that was pretty awesome. There was some other great teamwork going on that got some great outs. They all played really hard and they loved it!

Dad's Weekend Update - May 10-11th

Apologies for not doing this past two weekends. Though, I am not sure if many would notice :). Anyway, this will be short and sweet. I am back in school and taking two classes this summer. Last Monday we met until 11:00 pm and as usual I waited till the last minute to do my homework and believe me there was a lot. Also, we are meeting twice this week. I know, pour me a wine-e-kin...

Well, Brant continues to improve everyday in baseball. He is hitting the ball quite a bit further most every at bat - all the way to the grass in the outfield. Though, when he doesn't quite get that "good" hit he pouts and doesn't pay attention in the field. But, we are working on that.

Speaking of baseball, maybe one day I will go on a rant about some of the opposing coaches, but I'll save that for another day.

I, of course, didn't have my video camera at Brant's last weeknight game... And, of course, he put three deep that game:) But, this is an excellent hit none the less.

To close, I posted some pictures of the breakfast I made this morning for Mother's Day. It was first attempt at waffles... the later ones turned out alot better :) For my mom, we took her [and Dad] to Mello Mushroom for her b-day and Mother's Day...

Ummm, I wonder what Matt did for Mom? :)

Crazy Bluebirds

I was sitting on the couch and heard the familiar thumping on the window, but it wasn't coming from the sun porch. Those crazy bluebirds were at the front door!

Heartbroken

Well, Brantley did not make the team. He did do really well, but they only picked 12 kids out of over 30 that tried out. They were only calling those that made the team, but because the coach knows Brantley, we got a courtesy call. He said that Brantley scored better than most of the kids that tried out, but there were 12 that scored better. Lawson and I both took that to mean Brantley was #13 (I know...probably not). I didn't tell Brantley that he didn't make it. I decided to let him listen to the message instead. The way the coach started the message, Brantley thought he made the team. When coach said he didn't make it, his heart sank. He put his head down while he listened to the rest of the message and he started crying. I don't think he even listened to the part of the message saying how well he did and to keep working at it. He's over it now, though. He really just wants to start playing real games (keeping score, outs) and he will get to do that in the 7/8s, I think. I'm actually kinda relieved. Those tournaments would have been really tough and I don't think he's ready for that yet.

Dad's Weekend Update, April 19th-20th

Well here goes. Brant played injured this morning [seems some kid like using his back as a place to put his knee last night], but that didn't stop him from playing well [would I tell you if he didn't play well?] and receiving his first game ball this year. He did get a tad upset that someone had the nerve to catch one of his hits in the air. Unfortunately my video camera batteries were not fully charged this morning so there is no video from this game, but there will be video for future games.

[4/20] I was thinking about posting a video a not so bright bird who, every morning, attempts to fly through one of the sunroom windows. But, decided to instead briefly speak about Brant's tryout this afternoon. He decided he wanted to tryout for a competitive baseball league this summer. We weren't going to do it, but he talked us into it. Really, he did! It would be a big change from what he and us are use to - keeping score, outs, rules, etc...

Anyway, 33 kids were at the tryout and they are only selecting 12 to play. I am hoping for the best. Though, it really will be a busy month if [when :0)]he makes it.. Vacation will have to be rescheduled, as will his b-day party. They play one game on Friday night and three on Saturday and Sunday! He practiced as well as I have ever seen and in my unbiased opinion he was one of the Top 15!!!

Keep your fingers crossed!!

Till next week.

Edit - decided to add the video. Enjoy!

Shake Shake Shake

I woke up at 4:38 this morning, shaking. Half asleep, I thought It must be me that was shaking. I was very confused, but then I heard the window rattling among other things. It was some pretty significant shaking, but I thought I must be crazy. I wasn't going to say anything, but I asked Lawson in the kitchen if he was up at 4:30. He wasn't. Then, I said it. "I think there was an earthquake this morning." To this he told me I was crazy. Then, not 5 minutes later they were talking about it on the news. Thank goodness. I really thought I was loosing it.

Brantley says we can't have earthquakes here because we are don't have any canyons near us. I think that is what he said, I'll have to ask him again.

Introducing....

OK. I have been meaning to contribute to Brant's blog and have decided now is as good a time as any. I plan on a having a Dad's Weekend Update starting this weekend. For the first few weeks it will more than likely consist of baseball, but has the summer progresses I am sure we will have many other adventures to tell. Stay tuned and bear with me as I begin my blogging experience...

Need a Math Lesson?

Remeber when you learned to add 2 digit numbers and you learned the rule 'carry the one'? Well, apparently, it's no longer called that. It is now called regrouping. Because you have to 'regroup' 10 ones and move them to the tens place.

Baseball

It's that time of year again. We finally had our first game tonight. As usual, the real first game and opening ceremony were cancelled due to the weather. I haven't heard anything about them rescheduling opening day, which I am glad about. With the number of kids they have this year, I can't imagine what a zoo it would have been. I was running the dugout, but I did try to take some pictures while Brant was in the outfield. He played first base during the first inning. I think I made him nervous taking pictures, so I quit. He had some decent hits, but definitely out of practice. He also got 2 outs and caught a ball. I'm not sure if the ball he caught was hit or thrown to him, I just saw the catch. He did look disappointed that he didn't get a game ball and I forgot to talk to him about that after the game. Last year he understood, but I think he has forgotten.

The coach doesn't seem to be taking charge very much, so I have stepped up and tried to be the team mom. Up until tonight, there hasn't been a lot of parent involvement. Tonight, the assistant coach didn't show up, but a couple of dads were helping out. I guess I'll be running the dugout this season. At least it seems like we have a good group of kids. One kid gets very sidetracked, but at least he doesn't have an attitude problem like the problem kid in the fall. Another kid didn't show up for any of the practices and showed up tonight for the first time.

On another note, Brantley's coach recommended him for a tryout 5/6 team. He only recommended one other kid from the team. When I heard that the coach was Brantley's first coach, I didn't have a good feeling about it. But, I emailed him anyway to get the information. He's going to pick 12 kids for the team. They have four 3-day tournaments in June and July. He only wants kids that can be there for all practices and all games. Since we have a vacation planned in June, Brantley would miss the first 2 tournaments. I'm not sure how I feel about him trying out for a team at this age anyway. I've always said I just want him to have fun and enjoy the game and that just makes it too serious. I guess we have to start thinking about things like this. Baseball is going to start to interfere more and more with other plans. The good thing about this league is they all get on a team, but they do have separate tryout teams starting at 9/10. I'm not sure if they do a 7/8 tryout team or not.

Brantley Speaks (with a lisp)

Well today I pulled my tooth out.In the tub.It was exciting.Then I played a joke on my dad.The joke was a cool joke.Dad lets pull my tooth out.

by brant

Earth Hour

Did you participate? We turned off everything in the house. We tried to read by candlelight, but that just wasn't working, so we had to get out the flashlights. I tried to explain to Brantley why we were doing this, but I don't think he got it. He didn't really want to read so he played with my DS. We are thinking about making this a weekly thing, except we will turn off everything except for a reading light. It's nice to turn off the TV and computer and listen to the quiet. We all need to read more anyway.

Check out Detroit during Earth Hour:

Two Capable Men

Back in August, Lawson purchased a basketball goal to put up. He had to get the really nice one that has to go in concrete in the ground. I figured it would sit in the garage for a couple of years. Well, last weekend we put the base in concrete in the ground. The list of things you need to put up the goal included two capable men. First off, it should say two capable people, not men. Secondly, without one smart female, they would still be out there putting it up. I took pictures to prove they actually did do some work. And, we have already been out there playing.

Oh yeah....a Quotable Quote

Babe Ruth has a big part in The Sandlot. Brantley asked, "Was Babe Ruth really the best baseball player ever?" He also said, "Maybe I will knock him down to second." That's the way to think!

Movie of the moment

Brantley tend to watch a movie, like it, and then proceed to watch it every day for a month. The movie of the moment is The Sandlot. It's actually a really good movie. Even though it came out in 1993, this is the first I had seen it. It's about a group of kids who play baseball every day in a sandlot. A new kid moves to town who is a real dork, and they take him in and teach him the game. My only complaint is that the kids do use some bad language during the movie, but Brantley knows he is not supposed to say those words.