Winfield Tournament

This weekend Grant’s baseball team played in a tournament in Winfield.  On Saturday the boys had two games and somehow managed to lose both of them, which put them in the last seed on our side of the bracket.  They lost to the Westurban A’s and the Ark City All Stars.  For the past few weeks Grant has really been in a batting slump . . . but things changed for him this weekend.  He had a BIG hit almost every time at the plate. 

Relaxing in the shade between games on Saturday.

Somehow between games grandma managed to to home and get a yummy meal ready for us when we got home. {Grant gave himself a faux hawk after he got out of the shower.}

On Sunday morning we were back at the ball fields by 9:15.  It was so nice to be so close and avoid the early morning drive.  We had to play the Westurban Heaters.  {Nothing like traveling to Winfield to play another Westurban team!}  This is a team we love to beat and luckily we pulled out a win in an extra inning.  It was also a great game for Grant.  He hit his 2nd home run of the season.

Taking a break on 1st base waiting for a new pitcher to warm up.

Sliding into 3rd base

Homerun ball #2 of the season . . . it was a big hit over right field.

In the second game on Sunday we had to play the Ark City All Stars.  They are a 10 year old team that crushed us on Saturday.  We managed to sneak up on them and beat them which sent us to the championship.  I had forgotten just how good it feels to beat Ark City.

Grant played catcher  during this game.

He also did a great job batting again.  No home runs, but he had several solid base hits that drove in runs.

By the end of the day on Sunday we had run out of pitchers so Grant FINALLY got a chance on the mound.  He has a really strong arm and everyone has wanted him to have a chance.  I think he really surprised everyone (especially the coaches).   He struck out two batters early on, but the catcher dropped the third strikes and the batters both made it to first base. 

This opportunity never comes along so we took plenty of pictures to capture the moment. 

First attempt {EVER} trying to pick a runner off 2nd base.  

We ended up losing to the Derby Tigers 14-3 but the boys were all still really happy to line up on the field and get their trophy’s.  They worked really hard to make their way back up through the bracket to the championship game . . . we were all very proud of them!

Grant and Nana after the game.  She would have loved to come watch but it was just too hot for her in the sun.We finally finished up at the ballpark around 8:30 on Sunday night.  It was a very long hot day.  Grant was so excited to show off his new tournament shirt, trophy and homerun ball.    

Another Tournament

That’s right . . . Grant had another tournament in Hutchinson over the weekend.  I don’t have a lot of positive things to say because overall the team didn’t play very well.  We lost all 3 games {which is highly unusual} and Grant struck out almost every time at bat.  I think he got walked a few times and maybe hit a double once. 

Our little slugger at the plate . . .The kids {and parents} seem to have the best time when they are hanging out between games.  On Saturday we set up a canopy so everyone could catch a little shade.  We really are lucky to have so many wonderful families to spend time with at these tournaments.

Mr. Oreo Teeth   

The past few weeks I’ve been on the lookout for some animal print items for my new classroom.  On Monday I decided to redo a small chair that I had in my old classroom at my guided reading table.  It was a wooden rocking chair that had a star fabric seat.  With a little paint and some new fabric {and some wood glue to fix the broken leg} I changed the look of the chair all together.

I have some fabric leftover so I’m planning to make a few fun pillows for my big denim chair.

Good Times With My BFF

Last Wednesday Kristen {my BFF} from Texas came to visit with her girls.  They got here just in time to catch one of Grant’s baseball games. 
Grace  and Jeff became instant friends again.  She decided his lap was the best place to sit.
Here’s Grant playing in right field.  I think he noticed me standing on the fence with the camera . . . so he was trying his hardest not to look at me.   
After the game we got everyone settled downstairs watching a movie and we spent what felt like hours sitting at the kitchen table going through old pictures and reading old notes I had written her.  I have never laughed so hard in my entire life.  First, it’s hard to believe that she held on to all those notes and second, it’s even harder to believe some of the things I wrote.  They would definitely make good blackmail material!!!
It was nice and sunny on Thursday afternoon so we headed to the pool for a few hours.  It’s a win win for everyone because the kids love to swim and it gives Kristen and I a chance to sit back and relax and catch-up on everything going on in our busy lives.
Maddie and Grant  
Grace and Grant
A group shot  
I couldn’t resist posting this picture of Grant sitting on the rope right next to this sign . . . I hope the homeowners association is not checking this blog or we will be in trouble {again}.  Long story but it has to do with my children sitting on the rope.  They always seem to come around while we are at the pool!!!
Thursday night we got everyone dressed up and headed out for a photo shoot.  Silly me forgot to check the camera setting before we started shooting and I didn’t realize it was set on a sports/action setting until it was too late.  Several of the pictures are really grainy.  I guess we will have to try again in a few weeks when Grant and I head down to Texas to visit. 

Here are a few of my favorites.  {The Bumgardner Family}    
{The Wood Ladies}