This spring my young dudes asked if they could play soccer or baseball. We had intended to put them in one or the other and the fact that they asked us meant that this should be a good family outing. The cost of soccer registration was double what the cost of baseball registration was. Baseball it is!
What? We have a Dutch name. Which means we are cheap. Where do you think the term “Going Dutch” on a date came from?
Baseball started on Tuesday with a practice. I should clarify that this is not actually baseball; it is called blastball. Each kid has the option of using the T or getting pitched to. When (if) they hit the ball, they get to run to a base. Then it is the next kid’s turn. So basically, this is a team sport that I could actually excel at, should I be allowed to play.
The highlight of the first meeting was the dudes getting their team shirts.
Graham looks like he is kicking butt and taking names. While sporting a halo. It’s a good balance.
The dudes then got their ball caps.
I KNOW, RIGHT?
I nearly passed out from the cuteness. Because seriously, HOW CUTE ARE THEY?
The first night was about tossing the ball around and getting used to throwing and catching.
That’s a random Mom; I did not feel like saying, “I have a blog and would like to post your photo.” KILL ME NOW.
Graham was having fun. Obviously.
Here he is going in for the catch.
That would be an AMAZING photo of his baseball skills, were the ball not three feet to his right. I could have Photoshopped it out but I’m keeping it real. Yo.
Daddy was busy tossing balls (Hee!) to Nathan.
I was so busy trying to capture Nathan and Daddy that I missed the foreground action until I opened this up on the laptop. Graham and one of his school friends were having a wrestle-fest. Awesome.
Did I mention that Matthew signed on to be a coach?
RAWR.
Nathan has been wickedly awesome at ball for two years now (we play at home and he can smoke it.) He was in his glory.
What were Miss Emily and I up to? I was taking photos (Duh) and answering her many questions about what was going on. I caught a few photos of her as well.
I had the monstrous 70-200mm (f/2.8) lens on my camera and had a few parents mention its enormity. Then one Dad said, “That’s one serious piece of equipment.” It took every fiber of my being not to say, “That’s what she said.” Hi. I’m 14.
I snapped a few photos of my girl before things went horribly sour. You see, the game is after supper. This is the time that we affectionately refer to as The Witching Hour. Emily has not been napping every day and that day was one of the “missed” days. IT WAS A MELTDOWN OF EPIC PROPORTIONS.
I finally gave up trying to speak reason to her. I told her that she and I were going to wait in the van. I packed my purse, camera bag and diaper bag on one shoulder and Little Miss Meltdown on my opposite hip. Have you ever had a wailing/flailing thirty-five pound child on your hip? While carrying a crapload of, well, crap on your other hip? While trying to navigate down a rocky hillside? Let’s just say that we went down in a blaze of glory. She was fine. My back? NOT SO MUCH.
But wait. We were talking about baseball.
Other than the ending drama, it was a whole lot of fun. I had an older Mom once tell me that each stage of parenting is just as cool and exciting as the next. I now know what she means. My kids are no longer babies. They are these ridiculously awesome personalities who are learning a whole new skill set. I am excited to see what this next stage will hold. Based on the past stages, I am pretty sure that my my mind will continue to be blown away.
The only thing I am wondering is what I should be referred to as. I have heard the terms “Soccer Mom” and “Hockey Mom.” I have never heard the term “Baseball Mom.”
Based on my experience the other night I might just refer to myself as “Crowd Control.”
*cough* Miss Emily *cough*
*Canada may be known as a hockey nation, but my parents are from (and I was born in) Ontario. Baseball is huge back there and we would sing that song when I was little. While thinking of a post title it all came rushing back and I have been humming it ever since.
Pingback: Take Me Out The Ball Game | Chic label
You TOTALLY should have said that comment – even though you’re a wee bit more than 14. ha!
And oh my word, your boys are ADORABLE in their baseball uniforms!
Jen’s last blog post..Park!
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I love young kid sports and how they work it to make it enjoyable for them. Hayley was in soccer at age 4 & 5 and they just played 4 on 4 with no goalie and no score-keeping so that they learned the basic idea and just had fun. I was tempted to sign her up for baseball and looking at these pictures is making me regret that I didn’t – they are SO CUTE!
I’m impressed that you held back the “that’s what she said” comment because I’m not sure I could have.
And finally, at the risk of being bold, your husband makes a mighty handsome coach.
sherry’s last blog post..We need a yard
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I want to play blast ball. I can TOTALLY hit from a tee. You know, if they made a big giant one for grown ups
Rhi’s last blog post..You can take the girl out of Canby?
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i’m a great office fan, myself. i’m very envious of the people who catch the “that’s what she said”s before i can. kudos to you for holding back. tho i bet he would’ve laughed.
great photos. love the one w/ the baseball way over there. THAT would be me.
enjoy the season… lots of crackerjack.
mpotter’s last blog post..easter is for chocolate
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You made the right choice. Baseball is much cooler than soccer
merrymishaps’s last blog post..weekly winners: sushi and sleepy cats
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Seeing those pics of Emily brings back SO many memories of me at the ball fields when I was a little girl and my older brothers were playing. Of course my favorite part was the concession stand… Those horrible cheesy nachos and Fun Dip! WHEE! : )
Your little dudes look ready to play ball!
Elaine’s last blog post..You Capture – Letters
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I love seeing little kids in their sports get ups. It’s so cute!
Sizzle’s last blog post..Frame It
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So cute! That’s awesome that they enjoy it so much!
My nephew plays soccer and baseball. Last Saturday he had a soccer game in the morning and then baseball practice and a game in the afternoon. He had three hours of baseball and I guess he kept saying “is it over yet?” And he cried at his soccer game.
Maybe sports aren’t for him.
Kristabella’s last blog post..And Now, For My Next Trick, I Shall Jinx Myself!
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How cute!! I love watching kids play baseball – it’s so much more interesting and exciting than MLB. I grew up in a community that loved baseball, so I was always going to my brother’s games. Fun times!
Sharon’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Canucks edition
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If that was fun can you imagine the fun of their first game!!!
I love that first pic of Emily!
Kristin’s last blog post..Anniversary Greetings
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I played baseball in our community association for 15 years and LOVED IT. Your boys will have so much fun.
hillary’s last blog post..Victory ‘Til The Storm Is Gone
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That song? We sing it all the time. Jack learned to play it in Kindermusik. We love it.
Jack played Blastball a few years ago, does the base honk? THAT was the best part. That team sport? I could totally play.
Kami’s Khlopchyk’s last blog post..What do you call ‘em?
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They’re going to take after their Uncle Lance- who is pretty much a superstar!
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They are so cute. I loved baseball when I was little. I am purposefully avoiding becoming a soccer mom. We’re keeping them busy with dance, music and trips to the pool.
Danica’s last blog post..Scars
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AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.
Camels & Chocolate’s last blog post..A Lesson on Being Punctual
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The pictures of them in their uniforms are awesome! We took pictures of our boys in their soccer ones…especially the younger one who has been waiting through years of practices with his older brother, is thrilled! Then the younger starts Blastball next week as well…same night as the older has soccer…the craziness begins! My oldest is also in cross country running and really wants to be in basketball…yup…and I’m like you on the sidelines chasing the wee one!!
SarahD’s last blog post..Liam and Shea
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very cool! Love the photos!!
I seriously have lens envy over here. I played with a friend’s 70-200 2.8 and wowza! I loved it soooo much. Someday *sigh*
Domestic Extraordinaire’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday-The ‘I do’ edition
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Start a new trend, be a “baseball mom”. I love being a “soccer mom”, and watching my boys play a team sport. The comment that older mom gave you about each stage being just as great as the next … SO true! There are difficulties that go with each stage, but the new experiences are so much fun. Your dudes look ADORABLE in their shirts and caps, and look like they were having a blast out there. You got some wicked action shots, too.
Hannah’s last blog post..Did you know ?
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Excellent. Love the moments, you’ve shared.
ELizabeth’s last blog post..Annnnnnnnd, breathe out
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I love the b&w of Nathan
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Maybe your Miss Meltdown would like to meet my little Prince Throws-a-Fit and they can live happily ever after with their tantrum-rific family.
Amy @ Muddy Boots’s last blog post..thai lettuce wraps
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Oh angella, you love that’s what she said more than michael scott!
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cute cute cute! I do love my 70-200 2.8 but that thing gives me a sore back, maybe it was the lens that did it to you!
hehehe
Don’t you sort of love it just a little bit when men stare lovingly at that honkin’ thing? An entire camera store of photo nerds went quiet when I bought mine
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Two things:
-love the RAWR!! totally awesome!!
-tossing balls – yeah – i must be 14 too b/c that made me giggle – we have a doc in my area whose name is a commonly used nickname for your backside – everytime i hear his name i giggle – good grief! fun stuff
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Aw man! They are so cute in their uniforms. I love that you brought your big lens to the ballgame!
Amy – BiteTheRabbit’s last blog post..Life Lessons with a Preschooler
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See, I really am not into baseball, but watching Graham and Nathan play? SIGN ME UP. So much better than the MLB.
Kerri Anne’s last blog post..Swing Me Way Down South; Sing Me Something Brave From Your Mouth
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This is another one of those posts that will be so precious 10 years from now — classic day-in-the-life stuff, beautifully captured. Not that they’re not all good posts, but some jump out as being the real keepers.
Jeremy’s last blog post..Friesen Clan (and Kid Pics)
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I love seeing little boys in baseball shirts/caps. So cute. My boys are in soccer AND baseball. Hubby is a HUGE soccer fan so it’s a must in our house.
I wanted to comment on your toilet training but it wouldn’t let me for some reason….I had to read that post to my husband because I was lol. So, so true. Miss Elizabeth is nearing that same stage as Emily…we’ll see how easily it goes for us.
Lisa’s last blog post..Dinner, Hot Tub, no kids…oh my!
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This is my first time visiting your blog. I LOVE IT! Great job! I’m a SAHD of two (boy 3/girl 1) and I can’t wait for them to get involved in organized sports. I’m a huge golfer so I started hitting golf balls with my son as soon as he could walk. He’s got a great swing but his true love is football, which is really my favorite sport as well. My baby girl loves to hit baseballs and kick soccer balls. It’s so awesome watching them learn new things. I know it’s a tough job but I’d love to coach a team. Tell your hubby he’s a good man. I’d love it if you dropped by my blog sometime. Leave a comment or two. Let me know if you’re interested in exchanging some link love
Steely Dad’s last blog post..Moms are from Earth Dads are from Endor
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They look so cute in their baseball uniforms!
I love that you lugged your big lens to the game.
Amy – BiteTheRabbit’s last blog post..Life Lessons with a Preschooler
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They look so cute in their uniforms! I love that you lugged your big lens to the game ;0
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Sports Mom! Not as catchy as having the actual sports name infront of Mom.
Sounds (and looks) like everyone had fun! Can’t wait until the weather gets a bit warmer here.
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