Sleepovers

What do you remember most of your childhood summer vacations? For most people it was vacations or special times with friends. We haven't gone on a vacation this summer, so friends have played an important role. As a kid we moved almost every summer, so I did not have the same friends for years on end until I reached high school. Katherine has been to some sleepovers in the past and had a few sleepovers in the past, but they were not the same. The sleepover is the magical place that you can escape with your friend and create your own journey. A sleepover is not a place your children stay while you are out of town, it is a place where you want to be. Since springtime Katherine has had friends from school, friends from GAC and friends in the neighborhood spend the night. She normally likes to have friends stay here, but she is growing more increasingly fond of staying at their house. Ethan is now starting to learn the power of a sleepover. In the end of June one of Ethan's friends, Eve, slept over for a few nights. Of course Eve is here from Hawaii while her grandpa continues to recover in the hospital. Although, they needed someone to keep Eve, there are several places that wanted here. Ethan and Katherine enjoyed the time together and keep asking when she will be back. Ethan went to sleepover at a freind's house down the street. While Ethan stayed at Alex's, Alex's sister, Brooke stayed here. The girls had a wedding with one the American Girl dolls and the boys had a funeral for baby Ethan. Ethan had a blast and realized it was his first sleepover without Katherine except for at the Kilmartin's house. My kids are growing up.

Greensboro Grasshopper Camp and Ethan's Love for Baseball !

Many of you already know that my youngest child is a little obsessed with baseball. The funny thing is that only 18 months ago I had to try to convince him to give baseball a try. I just wanted him to try a team sport. When we went to sign up and he saw others playing and turned to a former parent of mine and said, "Well, this sure looks different from the wii". Up until this point the wii was my son's only experience with baseball. So, at the age of 4, Ethan started playing coach's pitch baseball. It would be a far stretch to say that he was the star or even a good player that season. The way coach's pitch works in his league is that they get 5 pitches to hit the ball and if they do not hit the ball by the 5th pitch then they have a choice. They can have a 6th pitch or use a tee. By the end of his first season he had learned how to hit the ball and did not use the tee, pretty good for a 4 year old. Ethan played for the Yankees. His dad and his friend, Ired, were Red Sox fans, so that is where the love for Red Sox came from.

This past season he played for the Cardinals. although, the Cardinals is not his dad's favorite team it was sponsored by his dad's company, so it became the SAI cardinals, and that was acceptable. This past season his team did not win a lot of games, but Ethan learned more than words could ever express. His coach, Coach Hampton, was passionate about the sport just like he was and encouraged Ethan in new ways. Ethan's dad umpired the game, which made a special bond between Ethan and his dad much stronger. As the baseball season was ending and the boys were talking about sports and what they wanted to try in the fall. Almost of all of his team has decided to try out for flag football near by. When I asked Ethan what sport he wanted to try in the fall he turned his face and gave me the most puzzled look as if I asked him what color was the sky and he stated, "Uh.. fall ball of course". Which would mean all year baseball, not just the spring season like most kids play.

Ethan has attended two baseball camps this year. One was with the Greensboro Grasshoppers and the other was at the Baseball Academy with former major league players. Ethan was not the smallest or the largest at either camp. He was not the very best or the very worse at either camp, but Ethan was someone that all of the coaches will remember. He was even nicknamed E-rod, which he loves. What makes Ethan so different is his passion and his true love for the game. He watches games on TV, he plays baseball on the wii, in my house (much to my dismay), and outside in the yard. He has learned a lot of facts and rules about the different players and the game itself. He was correcting former major league players on facts about a recent Red Sox game. He will explain various calls and plays to adults in the stands at the Grasshopper Games.

So, when we went to our seats last night at the Greensboro Grasshopper Game, it should not have surprised me like it did, when a few players from the Bullpen called out Ethan's name. You see when they were at camp last week he met a lot of the players and received a poster that he had signed by about half the team. During lunch on the last day of camp Ethan asked one of the players, Pete Andrelczyk , if he would have lunch with him. Of course the player agreed. While other kids were running up to Pete to get his autograph Ethan and Pete were carrying a long discussion about baseball, being a pitcher, and the Boston Red Soxs. Pete was amazed that a 6 year old knew so much about baseball, and told him to come visit him at a game. Now we know, he meant it. Ethan went on and talked with a few other players during the course of his lunch. He grabbed his baseball bag, his new signed poster and his certificate and left the stadium beaming from ear to ear.

So, the next night when we went to the Grasshopper Game Ethan convinced us to sit by the bull pen, instead of next to 1st base where we normally sit. Ethan was a hit. He spent the whole night right over the Bullpen and talked to all of the players. They gave him gum and sunflower seeds and taught him even more about the sport. They even tried to fix Ethan's worn out glove. Ethan had a chance to watch Peter close the game as the pitcher and win in the 11th inning. Seeing the passion and love for the game that comes when Ethan watches or plays baseball is proof that this is his calling, at least for now. If you would have asked me 6 years ago if my little son was going to be a baseball player, I would have thought you were crazy. As parents we have decided to let our kids passions lead them, instead of our passions controlling them.

As for Katherine, she is very busy following her passion as a competitive cheerleader. Look for a post soon with pictures and more details about her cheerleading.

The Greensboro Grasshopper Game!

On Sunday, Nathan, Katherine, Ethan and I went to the Greensboro Grasshopper Game. Ethan ran against Guilford as one of the mid-inning sponsor entertainment, since he was unable to do so at his birthday party! We got to the game early and Nathan, Katherine and Ethan enjoyed playing catch on the field before the game. Katherine also got a chance to be on the field. She was in the game where she had to hit the bug with the fly swatter. She hit the bug everywhere. She won a family 4 pack to the Natural Science Center and Ethan won a baseball hat. They needed one more adult for the last game of the day, so I reluctantly agreed. I played Deal or No Deal and 3 three cases to choose from I ended up winning a gift certificate from Balance day Spa. Although, it rained it was not enough to ruin this fun day. Ethan just wished he could have been with all of his friends from his birthday party.

4th of July Fun!

Eve, Ethan and Katherine enjoyed twirling a few sparklers on the 4th of July. Nathan set off a few fireworks, small and simple, but very pretty. Then we headed towards downtown to watch the big fireworks. Ethan is all about safety first and insisted on wearing his fireman costume and had his little fire extinguisher full of water.

Amy and Eve: A Bittersweet Visit On Thursday Amy and Eve arrived in NC from Hawaii. It was great to see both of them again, but the reason why they made the long journey once again is not so pleasant. Amy's dad suffered 2 massive heart attacks on Tuesday evening. Amy rushed to her dad's side, and we rushed over to rescue Eve. I knew that a 6 year old would quickly get bored in the hospital waiting room. Although, Johnny has made tremendous progress he still has a very long road ahead. Prayers are still needed! Eve joined right in with my kids and was like a twin sister for Ethan, as they are only 3 days apart. We went to see the new ICE Age movie in 3D, went to lunch, and did a lot of playing. On the 4th of July we encouraged Amy to leave the hospital long enough for some relaxing dinner, and off to see some fireworks. We were in the parking lot with a few thousand of people that had the same idea.

Christmas in July!

A know it is a little late, but here are a few pictures of last Christmas in SC.
My nieces: Samantha Kate (Sami) and Emma Kate
My nephew: Madison
My kids: Katherine and Ethan

What Did You Do Today?

In the past, I took my summer vacation days as if I didn't get to something today, then I can just do it tomorrow. Now with the death of Micheal Jackson and the sudden heart attack of a dear friend's father I have changed my previous thoughts. Now I am realizing that you never know what tomorrow holds and you need to live each moment to its fullest. Instead of telling my daughter or son that I will play with them later, I am stopping what I am doing and taking time for them today.

To quote a great poet:

"Every thing you think you want
Means Nothing in the end
A grain of sand means all
If the truth you do befriend".

Where do I start? I am a mother of two and wife for almost 11 years. I have been a teacher for the past 14 years in grades K, 1st and 3rd grade. I am used to writing very simplistic unlike my brother and husband who are both very articulate writers. I am writing this blog to share my experiences with my family and friends.