Thursday, July 28, 2011

Baseball Times Three

Every summer, our month of June means one thing: BASEBALL!! This year, we had three kids playing, so that meant 27 games in 28 days (not to mention all the practices in between). Many games overlapped or occurred during our work schedules--so Justin and I felt like we were juggling while the kids played baseball. We sat through rain. We sat wrapped in blankets. We watched from the car. We laughed with Grandma and Grandpa Stevens. We missed our kids greatest moments while gabbing with friends. We lost baseball mitts and gloves. We ate snow cones. We got sunburned. And we cheered. A lot! Though it was sometimes tough getting the kids to every practice and game, once there--it was relaxing and fun. I really do understand why baseball is called "America's favorite past-time."

MCKENNA--McKenna (aka "Mikey"-her baseball name) loves baseball more than any other sport. She's been lucky to have Suzanne Prestwhich as her coach for the last three years. Suzanne kept the girls laughing and has taught them so much. Because the girls had to pitch this year, they sometimes practiced four times a week! Like years past, Kenna played catcher--but also tried out pitching this year. It was a little stressful for me to have the entire game relying on my child's pitches, but Kenna did great--striking many girls out with her powerful, fast pitch.


KYLER--Kyler wasn't sure he wanted to play baseball this year, but he miraculously got Suzanne for a coach as well--so of course, he had a great time! Kyler usually played first base and prided himself on being speedy fast! He was a great hitter and even hit one ball clear to the back fence! It was nice that he didn't have to play with a broken arm like the previous year. This was the first year that things were really starting to "click" for these boys. By the end of the month, these boys were really good. After doing years and years of tee ball--it's exciting to see your kids finally "getting it" and playing serious ball!

(Ky is front row-3rd from the right)


CARSON--Carson played tee ball and loved being on a team with all of his preschool and ward buddies. Carson likes to make his own rules, so I was a little worried about him--but thankfully he complied with most everything, and stopped talking long enough to make it around the bases. To Carson, getting a drink and treat after each game was without a doubt, the best part! Like always, his unique and oblivious ways kept us all laughing.


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Through My Son's Eyes

As a young girl, I would often fantasize about my future family... all of my sweet little girls. I had a long list of girl names because I, of course, would have lots of daughters--like my Mom. Fast forward 15 years--and here I am... storing bugs as pets on my kitchen counter, digging rocks and snail shells out of Levi pockets, and way too educated about super heroes and weaponry. I have to admit, though, raising boys is easier than raising girls. (At least, at this stage of the game.) I've learned a lot about boys, and one thing that I know for sure, is this:

Few things are as fascinating as a little boy's imagination!

I received a gift from my son today--and it illustrates a boy's imagination so perfectly, but to understand this gift, you need a little background. Let me back up a bit... In May, we seeded our yard, and that means that we have weeds. Yes, we have grass too--a few blades of them--and also a few millions weeds. My planters are huge and unfortunately void of trees, plants, and bark for now--so yep... They're full of weeds too. I work on them everyday, but by the time I finish weeding a two by two foot square, the area I weeded the day before is weedy again! Those darn weeds grow... well, like a weed!! I'm afraid that those weeds are taking over more than my yard... they're taking over my sanity! When I look out my window, I swear I can hear the weeds laughing at me. When I close my eyes at night, I see massive weeds with huge fangs devouring my house... which of course leads to dreams filled with singing and dancing weeds! I even have a green "weed" blister on my right index finger which is seriously ugly.
Well, this morning, I weeded and weeded and weeded only to see minimal progress. I staggered into the house feeling sweaty and defeated, but my discouraged thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Kyler's eager face.
"Mom! I have a surprise for you!" he exclaimed. From behind his back, he whipped out this little Lego creation, and presented it to me.
At first glance, I saw Princess Leah gripping a machine gun from his Star Wars Lego set... but then it clicked. "That's me, isn't it?" I said. Kyler was so delighted that I had recognized his intention. "Yes Mom!" he said enthusiastically. "I call it: Mom Versus the Weeds!"
Yes. Only a boy's mind would conjure up an image of his mother taking down weeds with a lethal weapon. Perhaps I could use a little of this mental imagery to my advantage. I'm sure weeding would bring even more satisfaction if I imagined those scrawny weeds screaming in agony while I ripped them from the Earth. I'm going to try that tomorrow! With a mental machine gun and my son's confidence, surely I can win the battle of the weeds!
Seeing life through my son's eyes is much funner than seeing it through mine... just one more reason to be thankful for the wonderful boys in my life who teach me so many, many things.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

We Got Skillz

We may appear timid, meek, submissive, and a little soft and chubby... in other words, not athletic.
But appearances can be deceiving.
That's right. Tonight I'm revealing a Stevens family secret. ... A secret so secretive that no one in the world knows about it. We didn't even know about it until we went for a family outing last week... and BAM! We discovered a gift that has been lying within us for years--just waiting to be unleashed upon our unfortunate opponents.
WE ARE TENNIS STARS!
I'm talking--unstoppable BEASTS on the court. Our very presence could intimidate the world's greatests! Agassi--slow. Williams--weak. McEnro--boring. Federer--comical. MUH HA HA HA!

Just look at this face!
It would send any "pro" crying home to his mommy!
Oh, and our form: EXQUISITE!
Our concentration: UNBREAKABLE!
Our understanding of the game: UNCANNY...
even if we're facing the wrong direction on the court.
And don't forget the most important element...
Our passion: EXPLOSIVE!
And do you know what the most astounding part of our extraordinary family talent is?
It's ageless. Even Ashton is force to be had!
Be afraid, people! Be very afraid!
And just where do we get these amazing genes from, you ask?
Well, just look for yourself!
I weep for the victim on the opposite side of the court about to receive this killer serve!
... Okay. Okay. We may not be tennis stars...
But we're great posers!