STINKY JOHN JONES

T-Ball Finale

Chachi had her last game the other night and no one would have known her delight had she not cheered in glee to never have to play again. 

Don't believe me.....see for yourself.......

That's her playing outfield.  Wondering how she sees the ball coming?  So are we.

Or this....

That's her coach....holding her pet monkey....that she insisted on holding in her glove.  During the game. 

And my favorite......

She is supposed to be "running" the bases.  Notice her hair is not swinging like she is in motion.  Because she isn't.  In motion I mean.  "Running" the bases to her was more of a leisurely stroll as we screamed in the stands for a little faster pace.  Asking yourself why she is wearing shorts with little flowers on them?  She insisted the "baseball pants" made her look like a boy and refused to put them on. 

I do have to say, she provided plenty of laughs and not just for us.  The other Mom's would joke that Chachi just didn't want to mess her hair up, which was so true.  Her favorite position was the pitcher's mound as she treated it like a stage and would dance around as the ball flew past her. 

Needless to say, she does NOT want to play next year.  And as much as we would like her to, we are in agreement.  Thankfully this.........

.....is cute enough to last a lifetime. 

Congrats Chachi for your team effort.  You definitely get an A for sticking it out!

Soccer 101

Remember that talk we had about T-Ball?  If not, go check it out. 
You'll need it to understand what I am about to say.......

Well.....soccer is not much better. 

Sunday was her first game. 
And for this age, they practice for a half hour and play for a half hour.  Against each other.  No score.  And apparently no positions, because where ever the ball is a giant huddle of little people are following behind. 

Now, picture this.  Eight kids on the field.  Four on each team.  The coach throws the ball in.  Seven kids run after it in a huddle. 

Where is the eighth child? 

She is the one who is skipping around on the complete opposite side of field from where the ball is. 

"Chachi!  Get the ball!" you may hear as a woman screams from the stands.
She waves.  And skips, smiling. 

At one point, she was skipping on the field next door, where A totally different game was taking place.  Imagine the shock on those kids faces. 

"Please Dave.  Go down there and explain to her how to play." I begged.
He refused.  Maybe he was trying to impress the very large woman wearing the very small, inappropriate dress.  Who knows. 

Finally, the whistle blows signaling the end of the game. 
It couldn't have come soon enough.

As we ran as fast as hell walked to the car , I nonchalantly asked her if she had fun while congratulating her on a game well played.  *positive reinforcement here, people!*

"Uh-huh. Soccer's fun!"   

I guess that's all that counts.  Right?  

Opening Day of T-Ball

She hit the ball!  We were ecstatic! 

It was freezing and windy on Saturday which is why she looks like a marshmallow!

Tee-Ball.....

....or at least that is what it's supposed to be. 

Chachi is playing Tee-Ball this year. And soccer, but we haven't been to that yet thank goodness. 
So, back to Tee-Ball.  She has had a couple practices, and let me tell you....the child could stand to have a few more because it's bad.  Real bad. 

Take batting for instance.  In Tee-Ball they hit off a Tee.  *just in case you didn't know that!* 
And one would think, how hard could it be.  The ball isn't even moving. 
But, for Chachi, it's a problem.

They set her up, stance and hands are correct.  She swings.  Misses. 
"Oops!" she says.
Try again.
Everything set, swing, miss.
"Uh-oh!" she goes with a smirk.  Yet again.  And again.  Again.  Again.  Miss. Miss. Miss. Miss. 
Finally, she hits the Tee so hard the ball flings forward. 
And in her case, THAT counts as a hit.  Mostly because there are 6 other kids impatiently waiting behind her.

But, she isn't finished yet, because now it's time to run.  And in her defense, she does know the rotation which totally shocked the crap outta me. 

So she's on first base.
And the next kid bats and runs to first.
Only, Chachi is still on first.

Everyone yells to run.  She walks to second, slowly. 
Another batter up.  Only, Chachi stops the game to walk back to home-plate to remove the batter helmet that's bugging her. 

Game restarts.
Batter hits the ball.
Kid on first runs to second. 

Chachi is still there. 

Run, run we yell.

She walks to third, only this time she is giggling to herself about who knows what.

Batter up.  Run for home we scream. 

She begins to trot.  Finally.  Only, she stops half-way there.  To talk to her brother on the sidelines. 
Guy from second runs by her to home. 
She watches from the sidelines. 

And that's doesn't even begin to explain what happens when she is in the outfield which is another post in itself.  Believe me.

They have a game on Saturday.  Opening day. 

I'm scared. 

*I do have to add....Mommy speaking....she is a very talented child....but Baseball doesn't seem to be one of them.*
Mommy still loves you, Chachi!

PHINALLY!

THEY DID IT, THEY DID IT  *as I do my happy dance and sing around the house*! 

THE PHILLIES WON THE WORLD SERIES! 

Last night, as Brad Lidge threw that last pitch I was on the edge of my seat.  Praying, hoping....let it be I said.  And when it happened, I almost couldn't believe my eyes. 

"Dave?  Did they just win?"  I asked.

And then, my answer appeared.  Fireworks and car alarms, people banging pots and pans.  Screaming in the streets.  Pure mayhem.  The kind of mayhem that only happens in Philly when something completely awesome happens. 

Poor Stink comes running into our room, crying.  "Fireworks." he whimpered.  I picked him up and swung him around.  "They did it Stink!  The Phillies won!" 

"Go Phillies." he said in that voice that signifies pure exhaustion. 

"I'm heading to Dick's Sporting Goods!" Dave yelled as he threw his shoes on and ran out the door. 
"Get me something good!" I called to him. 

As I climbed into bed, with Stink in tow I watched as the fans on television poured into the city streets.  People were swinging from light poles, fires were starting in the middle of Broad Street.  The screen was split between the stadium and the fans. 
Stinky laid his head on my shoulder and we watched.  Even as our eyes were closing, we watched.  Glued to the television.  In awe. 

Ring Ring. 

"Hello?" I said into the phone.
"You should see the line!  It's crazy here.  Police are directing traffic into the store.  Listen to this!" as Dave held his cell in the air.
"LET US IN!  LET US IN!" I heard the people chanting. 
"I'm staying!"  he said. 
"Okay.  Don't forget something cute for me!" I yelled into the phone. 

I guess it was around 1am when he finally fell into bed.  And when I woke this morning, my Phillies World Series shirt was waiting for me.  What a great reminder for this wonderful milestone our city has entered.  Let the curse of Ben Franklin be gone!
Just some Mayhem Memories!

What a View!

So, last night we had the distinct pleasure of watching the Phillies clinch the NL Eastern Championship, LIVE!
Thanks to great friends, we had an awesome time at the game!  See for yourself.............

Go Phillies!!!