March 29, 2010

Goddard Classic

This past weekend Grant’s baseball team played in their first pre-season tournament and the only word I have to describe it is “COLD”.  I can’t ever remember being so cold in my entire life.  The weather was BEAutiful Saturday morning and by 12:00 when his first game started the temperature had dropped to about 37 degrees, the sun disappeared and the wind was blowing about 20-25 mph.  Not exactly ideal playing conditions but it was still fun to see the boys play.  Jeff reminded me there was a reason that MLB teams from the mid-west head south this time of year.

Here’s a picture of our big stud before his first game.  Check out how white his pants look.  Too bad they’ll never look quite like this again.  DSCN0010

Here was Grant’s first time up to the plate for the season.  DSCN0021

He also got a little action behind the plate as well.  DSCN0055DSCN0054

One of the highlights of the tournament may have been when Grant made it all the way to third base after striking out.  This year there is a new rule that if the batter strikes out and the catcher fails to catch the ball the batter can run to first base.  Somehow there were so many out fielding errors that he actually made it all the way to third base.  For a minute we thought he might make it all the way home. 

Here he is leading off third base after his big play.DSCN0043 

I got a big smile from him when he made it home.DSCN0035

I also got a big smile from Jeff as he enjoyed his first hotdog of the season.DSCN0012

In an attempt to stay warm Jeff and I spent quite a bit of time huddled together.  We actually ran home between games to add a few more layers of clothing, grab some extra blankets and get some hand warmers (thanks mom and dad).DSCN0029

On Sunday the wind was still blowing but we had sunshine.  Here’s Grant and I before the game.  DSCN0059

He had some great outfield plays and managed to get a good solid hit on Sunday.  All in all the boys played hard and despite the weather did a great job for their first time out this season.  They are actually playing in a 9-10 age group {most of them are only 9} so the competition is definitely going to be a little harder and bigger this year.  We are looking forward to another great season!!!

March 26, 2010

What’s For Dinner

Tonight Grant had baseball practice so I decided to take advantage of having the house to myself and I got started on my first few assignments for my master’s class.  Two hours later Jeff called on their way home from practice and asked “What’s for dinner?”  Of course I hadn’t even thought about that.  All I had on my mind was how to navigate my way around Blackboard and post something about how to motivate my students.  So I quickly ran to the refrigerator and started to pull out leftovers.  Luckily since I hosted BUNCO last night there were several choices and there was even some leftover queso & taco meat from Wednesday night and spaghetti that Granny had sent over.

Grant is a HUGE fan of iCarly so he got the big idea tonight to make spaghetti tacos out of the leftovers like he has seen on the show.  Even though they sound awful he seemed to really enjoy them.  I don’t know if it was the taste or just the idea of eating something he had seen Spencer eat on TV.  Either way he sucked down two pretty quickly. DSCN0004 DSCN0005

We’re crossing our fingers that we don’t get too much rain overnight.  Grant’s baseball team is playing in their first pre-season tournament this weekend.  From the looks of the forecast I won’t be surprised if the games are either cancelled or we have some big rain delays tomorrow.  Even if the rain clears up it will be super muddy and that’s not really the way I would like for him to break in his brand new white pants.  You have no idea how hard it is to get them clean. 

March 22, 2010

Chef Grant

Grant has ALWAYS liked to help in the kitchen.  As a little guy he always wanted to help me “mix the gredients” and he asked to crack the eggs anytime he saw me get them out to make cookies.   So I guess it’s no surprise that as he has gotten older he has continued to want to help out.  Last week I taught him how to peel potatoes.  I have to admit I was a little nervous.  I have never really let him use anything too sharp.  But as you can see from the pictures he did a great job.  Thanks to his hard work we had yummy garlic mashed potatoes for dinner during Spring Break.   DSC_0113 DSC_0114

Tonight we had tacos for dinner and he got an idea to make himself a special little treat with the leftover tortilla.  He covered it with peanut butter, slices of banana (which as you can see in the picture he cut on his own) and topped it off with a little honey.DSC_0139DSC_0142

I have to end this post with a cute little story about Grant cooking.  A few weeks ago my friend Becky and I were invited to a CAbi party at my neighbors house.  Jeff was out of town and her husband had plans so we thought it would probably be ok if we left our boys (who are both the same age) together at my house for a little bit to play XBox games while we shopped and enjoyed a few beverages and snacks.  {I’m sure this makes me sound like such a super mother!}  Anyways, I was telling Grant about it on the way to school earlier that week and he got so excited about making Alec and himself dinner.  He thought he might just try to make some fried rice like we had for dinner the night before.  My response was of course, “Are you kidding me?”.  I assured him Becky and I would make sure they were fed before we left.

 

March 20, 2010

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

The big game just got underway and we are all decked out in our KU gear to support the Jayhawks.   DSC_0118 DSC_0137

Grant is also big smiles because he and daddy just got back from the store and they bought a Powerball ticket for tonight.  Grant’s pretty sure he has the winning numbers in his hand.DSC_0116

March 16, 2010

Spring Break – Day 1 & 2

Yesterday I was very productive.  I woke up relatively early and got started on the basement bathroom.  I’ve been wanting to paint it for a while and decided this was as good a time as any so I pulled my hair back, threw on some old clothes and went to       Wal-Mart to look at paint colors.  I had an idea in mind of a dark brown {with all white accessories} but couldn’t find the right shade.  After talking to the paint guy for a little bit he showed me a color that a designer in town comes in and gets on a regular basis {Steady Brown} and he told me he had used it in his house too and he loved it.  So after a little persuasion he mixed me up a gallon and I headed home to get started.  I wasn’t so sure it was the color I wanted but once I got it up on the wall I fell in love with it.  I used the Kilz Brand paint which is only supposed to require one coat . . . and that’s all it took.   Here a few pictures of the finished product. 

DSC_0097 DSC_0107 DSC_0108 DSC_0110 I ended up just putting the towels and shower curtain that I already had back up for now but I would still like to get a white shower curtain and white towels.  I also want a few large white photo frames and wall hangings to put on the walls.

Today I spent the day relaxing.  I actually read an ENTIRE book.  I started it last night and just couldn’t put it down.  Grant had a friend here {Hunter, my friend Amy’s son from Winfield} and they entertained themselves all day playing outside and then playing some zombie game on the XBox 360 so I had lots of quiet time to curl up in my big chair and just read.  Tomorrow though I’m going to drag the ladder and paint supplies back out and get started on our master bathroom.  Jeff thought the basement bathroom turned out so good and he reminded me how bad our master bathroom paint is.  So check back later this week for some more pictures.

March 14, 2010

Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday night Grant’s team ended their season with another loss.  At some points it was hard to figure out if I was watching basketball or at a wresting match.  I’ve never seen so many jump balls in one game.  At the half the score was only 7-10.  The boys played hard but just weren’t able to pull off a win.

Grant got to jump for the ball.DSC_0052DSC_0053DSC_0054DSC_0060DSC_0066DSC_0062

Saturday morning we woke up and headed down to Winfield.  We met up with my friend Amy for lunch at Nieve’s.   Grant spent the rest of the day hanging out with her son Hunter.  They spent a few hours at Amy’s house and then came back over to my parents.  They literally spent almost the entire time playing basketball.DSC_0072 DSC_0083  They of course tried to perfect their trick shots.DSC_0079

This morning we woke up and went to church with my parents.  Grant was so excited to wear his “nice" clothes.  He looked so cute all dressed up. DSC_0087 

We attempted to get a quick family picture before we headed out the door for church.  Jeff had trouble keeping his hands to himself!!!  Here he was poking Grant.DSC_0090

You can’t see it here but he was poking me in the ribs.  Doesn’t he look like he’s up to something.  Check out his little grin!!!DSC_0091

After church we ate a quick lunch and then had to pack up and head home because Grant had baseball practice this afternoon.  We are looking forward to a relaxing week at home.  We are on Spring Break!!!

March 9, 2010

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Tonight Grant’s basketball team experienced their first loss in the post-season tournament.  Since they did so well all season they moved up into a new division for the tournament and I don’t think they were quite ready for what was in store.  They all played hard, but unfortunately were just outplayed by the Gamerz.  {Good thing we always beat that team in baseball!!!}

Thankfully I got my camera working before the game so I was able to take some pictures.  {Silly me kept seeing the letters CHG flashing on the screen and I thought that meant Charge.  What it really meant was Change disks.  My disk was full. }

Grant and his friend Alex.DSC_0006

A few action shots during the game. DSC_0017DSC_0026DSC_0027DSC_0029

Grant, Cameron & Nolan taking a break during the game. DSC_0024   

Grant with Grandma & Papa after the game.DSC_0030

Grant with Nana and Grandma Norma after the game.  Gosh was he sweaty and stinky!!!  DSC_0032

After a quick stop for an ice cream treat, we finally made it home a little before 9:00 and Grant got right to work finishing up his homework.  What a good boy!!!  He worked so hard before we left for the game but didn’t get it quite finished.  DSC_0033

Now he’s all snug in his bed with Spiro.  I’m ready to head that way too!!!  He plays again on Friday night.  Unfortunately now we are in the losing side of the bracket.  Not exactly how we wanted to end a winning season.  But I reminded Grant you can’t win them all.

March 7, 2010

Undefeated

Tonight Grant’s basketball team ended the season with an undefeated record [9-0].  It was such a close game the entire time.  The Maverick’s were actually down by 3 at the half but managed to come back and regain the lead and hold on to it.CIMG0099

Grant of course practiced his mad ball handling tricks before the game.  Do the Harlem Globetrotters have any openings???  It’s amazing just how long he can keep the ball spinning.  CIMG0085 CIMG0086

Sorry about the bad lighting.  We aren’t supposed to use flash inside the gym during a game.

CIMG0087 CIMG0089 CIMG0094 CIMG0098

* I’m having some serious digital camera issues.  The battery to our good Nikon D80 is not holding a charge.  My little Nikon is DEAD and my old Kodak digital camera that I use at school started putting lines in almost every picture.  Thank goodness I had this digital camera checked out at school so I could get a few shots tonight.  Hopefully I will be able to get my battery problems solved before our first game in the end of the season tournament on Tuesday night.