If Only I Had a Camera.....

Last night Tristan's baseball team had a game. The first time he was up he unfortunately struck out, but the second time, well let me tell you, that is when the real fun began. The pitcher walked him, which isn't unusual since Bug is so little and has a small strike zone. He stole second and third again which seems to be a running theme with him, and still gives me a coronary when it happens. Well there was a bad pitch and the ball hit the backstop, Bug took off for home. He was still halfway from the plate as the catcher was starting back towards home. The catcher blocked the plate and then Bug tried to slide, it was the most awful, pitiful slide I have ever seen. He started to skid, his cleats dug into the soft red dirt and then lo and behold he was airborne. He literally cartwheeled, with no hands!, over the catcher and landed on the plate. It was the ugliest slide but it resulted in the first run of the game for our Orioles. When that umpire called Tristan safe, his dugout went nuts, they were picking him up and carrying him, while I cradled my head in my hands and took a much needed deep breath (because I had been holding it). I was thinking about the money I had lost from America's Funniest Home Videos, because I know Tristan cartwheeling over that catcher and still scoring a run could have won us some college tuition money!

SeaWorld Trip

This picture just says it all! We pulled the kids out of school and used our free SeaWorld passes (the military is good for that) last Thursday. It was an early departure from our house, but everyone was excited, except for Jaesen, it was way too early for him. It was a beautiful day and Jaesen slept part of the way so by the time we got there everyone was excited. We stopped by the sea turtles first and they were very exciting to Savannah who kept yelling, "Turtle" at the top of her lungs. They didn't move much and so we moved on to the stingray feeding. Jaesen bought some fish and we fed the rays while trying not to feed the vulture like birds who swooped in on unsuspecting kids trying to feed the rays. Everyone got soaking wet but had a lot of fun. We just kept going from exhibit to exhibit and enjoyed the beautiful day outside. For lunch we decided to live it up and hit the restaurant that is part of the shark exhibit. With Jaesen greasing some palms we were able to get front row seats to the sharks and fish.



Our only disappointment to the day was we missed the Shamu show because we let the kids ride the roller coaster one extra time and the stadium filled to capacity 15 minutes before show time. Tristan was of course distraught and the day went downhill rapidly after that, but I try to keep in mind all the fun we had up until that point. It was a fun day spent together as a family which will be few and far between here soon.

Opening Day

Aaaaahhhhhhhh, the smell of dirt, the crack of the bat, kids whining for Gatorade and Ring Pops from the concession stand, yes baseball season has officially kicked off. Opening Day was Saturday. It started at 7:45 (way too early) and it was foggy, gray and cold. We dropped both boys off at their floats and headed back to the baseball park with Savannah to wait for everyone to come our way. The fire truck was late though (they were on a call) so instead of starting the parade of floats at 9, it began about 9:30. Then they all get to the field and it's total chaos to get all the kids to the fields so they can be introduced and repeat the pledge, listen to the anthem, raise the flag and watch the first pitch of the season be thrown out. Jack didn't have a game, but Tristan's was scheduled to begin at 12:30. We got back at noon after a quick run home to grab a bite to eat, but because of the delayed start of the parade we didn't begin our game until 2. By that time it was sunny, hot and the bugs were swarming, it was really great. The nachos were good though, those drippy cheese with jalapeno nachos that are oh bad for you but taste like heaven. Our game was finally over at 4:30, we lost. Tristan was pretty upset, he didn't get to pitch and felt he could have contributed well to the team. I have a feeling we will have a lot of life lessons this season with him, the whole you win as a team and you lose as a team. On a personal note though he stole second and third, giving me an absolute heart attack and slid into home on a wild pitch to score the first run of the game. We aren't sure where he learned to slide since his other attempts looked like a sixteen year old trying to drive a clutch for the first time, a lot of stalling and not quite getting to where you are going. Monday, Jack has his first game against the Hurricanes, his team from last year, hopefully the Tigers won't resemble the Bad News Bears too much.....

Bicycle John!

I just got home from New Orleans where I attended the funeral of one of my Mom's best friends, John. It was a day we knew was coming but always hoped would be just another day away. I lived with John and Chris after I graduated from school and was waiting to get into the military. In that short amount of time I gained a greater appreciation for everything Star Trek, he was a devout trekkie and of music. We would sit around at night listening to music, and not just one type, he loved all music and we would karaoke before it was in fashion. He loved LSU football, KC and the Sunshine Band, and as I was reminded at the funeral, he never said goodbye, he always said "Bicycle". I had forgotten that little piece about him. He loved cinnamon toast every morning for breakfast and he loved his job at TWA. It was a wonderful funeral and I was able to see all of my old friends, more like family since we have known each other for something like 25 years. I sit here crying, writing this little mini obituary for someone I hadn't seen in many years, but I know he followed us closely through my Mom as he was extremely patriotic and loved discussing the military. We will all miss him, there is definitely a piece of my heart missing, but for all the memories that he provided just by being Johnny, I am forever grateful. Geaux Tigers and bicycle good friend.