Opening Day: TJ's First Baseball Game of the Season

The Colleyville 7U Yankees won their first game!  TJ did a great job.  He played the pitcher position (the coaches pitch) in the first inning, left center in the third and catcher in the fourth.

He made a couple of good plays at pitcher scooping up the ball and making good throws to first.  Our first baseman didn't catch it to make the out either time, but it was a good effort.

 He got a hit and made it to second, but the inning was over before he had the chance to score.

TJ made a catch in left center, but didn't get it to third in time to get the out.  He did a good job as catcher, but said his legs got tired.

Dr Pepper Honorary Ball Kids

I'm not sure how this happened.  I never "win" drawings or any game of chance, but I entered Paul and TJ for the chance to be Dr Pepper Honorary Ball kids at a Dallas Mavericks game.  That's it: Paul and TJ won!

 We entered at the Media Entrance, where the boys were given polo shirts to wear and we were ushered to the floor.  The boys sat on the bench for a little while.

 Coker and I got to walk around and take pictures.

 Then the boys got to shoot some baskets.

Paul shakes hands with Jae Crowder, and TJ with Dirk Nowitzki

 The Mavericks came out to warm up, and the boys got high-fives.

 Paul and TJ were on the jumbo-tron!

 They watched warm-ups.

The boys on the bench behind Bernard James

Shane Larkin and Dirk Nowitzki
I think Coker's trying out some of the German he tried to learn to get Dirk's attention.

Samuel Dalembert sat down for a chat

Mavs Man

Coach Carlisle, Samuel Dalembert, Vince Carter's back

 They high-fived again before the game.

They high-fived Mark Cuban on the way to our seats

Then, we got free seats behind the goal.  TJ asked if that was it.  Yep, sorry - that was it.

Giant Swallowtail

TJ and I found a butterfly that had just emerged from its cocoon on our lemon tree!  

 Here's the cocoon… Or, as TJ says, the chrysalis.

TJ poses with him.  We let him crawl onto a leaf to pick him up.

TJ said, "Look, I can see his proboscis!"  Do you see it?

Gertie, Like Dirty, but with a G

Gertie is our newest family member.  She's a young adult basset hound.  The vet guesses she's about 4 years old.  She loves to be with people, sleep and eat.  She's kinda stinky, but very sweet.  I think Coker is even starting to like her.  It took a few tries to get a good picture...

 Ugh! She licked me!

 Close…

 There it is! (or the best I'll get)

When I told an older lady her name, the lady gave me a confused look and said, "Dirty?"  Also, she's stinky and sheds hair all over, so it fits.

Spring Cleaning: Neighbor Competition?

On Saturday, Coker suggested we clear the leaves out of the backyard.  TJ and I helped (Paul spent the day with a friend).  We worked hard and the backyard looks much better.  TJ carried the bags to the curb.  I'm proud of our work!

Then, I looked across the street and saw what our neighbor, Pedro had done.  Hmm, no one in my house is that neat.  I know when I've been bested, but I'm still proud of what we accomplished.

TJ's Birthday!

Wow, how did February show up so quickly?  I'd better write about TJ's birthday!

Last fall, at the Mavericks game, TJ decided it was SO MUCH FUN he wanted to go to a game for his birthday.  That's what we did.  I bought tickets for the four of us, plus two for friends.  TJ invited one friend and gave the other ticket to Paul so he could invite a friend.  What a great little brother!

The boys had a great time.  Coker tried to convince them to high five the Mavs Dancers in the concourse.  The two 9-year-olds wouldn't dream of it, and the girls were gone by the time he got the 7-year-olds out there.  Paul's friend, Alec even covered his face during the dancers' performance.

As a part of the package, we got t-shirts, bracelets and hot dog vouchers.  Everyone got a deck of cards, which I held to give the boys when we dropped them off.  Once home, Coker opened them to find they have the dancers on them.  I quickly texted the other moms and apologized.  I'm not sure where Paul's deck of cards went…

We met with Amina, Papaw, Robin, Stuart and the Fairlys for a dinner at Grimaldi's the following night.  Thanks to Robin and Stuart, I know that Grimaldi's pizza is excellent with only veggies and no cheese.   I knew it was good, but that's amazing!

Before the game: Parker, Alec, Paul and TJ

Paul attempts to stuff ALL his cotton candy into his mouth at once

TJ and his bestie, Parker

Sword fighting, what else would you do at a basketball game?

Playing outside

Gift time!

How many versions will Skylanders manage to produce before the game is "old"?

Christmas 2013

Santa brought Hanukkah coins this year.  I don't know that Santa knew what to do with them, but TJ did.  Parents hide them and leave a clue, then the kids search.  I didn't research that, but it sounds good and the boys had fun.  Of course, TJ also said the Star of David on them was to lead them to Jesus.  Hmm.  Maybe he's getting things a bit mixed up.  Paul has found one.

The boys both purchased presents for family at Holiday Shop at school.  When I came home the day Paul went to Holiday Shop, he had wrapped all his gifts and placed them under the tree.  Those were the first ones under the tree this year.  Way to go, Paul!  He was very happy to give those gifts.  Here's the mug for Amina.

Here's the basketball for Coker.  He's spinning it because that's what one immediately does with a ball.

The boys gave me sunglasses from Tiffany!

Amina gave the boys Kindles.  They were both very happy.

Aunt Janice sent boxes of treats.  Coker loves the Alaska jellies and chocolates!  Paul is holding a puzzle.

TJ also bought presents for everyone at Holiday Shop.  Coker got clips and a tool.

Mom and the boys

Dad and the boys

Merry Christmas!