Guest blog by Jack

Random

- Kate corrected me when I was singing "Thrift shop" this afternoon. I said, "This is really awesome," a clean version of an un kid friendly lyric. Kate said, "no Daddy, it's 'This is Being awesome.'" I said, uh, okay, sure. That is the lyric then.

- Kate's first T Ball game was last night. In the first moments, to my dismay, she knelt in the grass and wanted no part of it. I threatened her with playing in her room all morning the next day. I pointed out that two of her school friends were on her team. I don't know which words resonated, but she got up and played. And was being awesome!

She got her hits and admired them from the batter box, finally hearing the people (including Jack) yelling, "Run! Run, Kate! Run!!" She proceeded from base to base, as told, uh, every so often. In the field, she tried hard the first inning, even getting her glove on a ball once. To her surprise: she suddenly looked in her glove and there it was. She tossed it in the general direction of first. The next two innings, well, her interest in fielding a ball kind of waned. But she stood up throughout,,which was something.

- Reanna's Bat Mitzvah last weekend. The kids danced and played and easily made friends with previously unknown relatives or kids of similar age. Jack decided this kid named Miles was his second cousin, though I do not believe they are in anyway related. Both were fascinated by year-old Alex, especially Kate, who sort of babysat him for much of the weekend.

Both were very good at the 2-hour service, which was impressive. Jack was sitting next to second cousin Miles, which helped. Kate moved from Emily's to Grandpa's to my lap. But hey, no one had to go to the bathroom or get a snack, so Aces.

- Jack had his first baseball game tonight. Hit Ok, threw ok. He and I could probably stand to practice a little more if he wants to make the Summer Travel team. Weather is starting to get nice, so we will get out there a little more. And, uh, I will talk him out of throwing the football instead.

- I told Jack he had another new teammate, somebody from the waiting list who was added to the team. He said, "Great, more people for the outfield." One of his statements that's funny because it's true.

Happy Kate

Kate's been off from school this week, basically; 3rd-5th grades have testing in the mornings, so kindergarten kids are off until 1 p.m. The first day we got donuts and ran a couple of errands, and the second day she had a morning playdate.

Today Kate slept in, and was very cheery, so after we dropped Jack at school, we ran a couple more errands -- returning books to the library, and mailing birthday cards at the post office.

At the library, we dropped books in the overnight return box. Kate wanted to do her own books and gave a happy little noise as each one dropped in.

Walking the short trip to the post office, I took the direct route while she took each long, winding path. I went up the steps, she took the access ramp that went back and forth and back and forth. She ran so as to beat me, and laughed when she did. I let her.

Inside the post office, waiting in line, I stood while she climbed back and forth over the ropes that separated the line from the windows. Often I tell her not to. Today I just watched, letting her climb over and back, over and back, laughing happily at her agility.

We walked back to the car, or rather I walked, she skipped.

Spring!

It's been a cold spring, rainy and snowy and less than ideal for being outside. So the last couple of days have been pretty nice.

Saturday began at Home Depot, the idea being to get flowers and a wheelbarrow and whatnot. But there was a kids carpentry activity going on, and jack was entranced. He got a little orange apron, and he and I made a bird feeder. Took a picture of him when we were finished and it was an easy, natural, and proud smile.

At home, swept up in the carpentry fervor, Jack wanted to do more building. So we found some scrap wood, the fact that I throw nothing out occasionally pays off, and made him a little toolbox. Came out pretty nice, if I do say so myself. He happily filled it with cool-looking tools and stray nails and such, and then set about instructing Kate on How to Be a Builder.

 Later, while Kate had dance class, Jack and I went to the ball field to practice. We met a couple of his teammates and a couple of other dads, hit some balls, fielded some grounded, made some throws. At times Jack messes around and doesn't take things seriously, then I remember he is only 8, then he focuses and gets a nice hit or makes a nice play, then he doesn't...it's a fine line. Anyway, felt great to be outside. Couple of times, playing short, he ranged to his left to field a grounder and snagged it in his glove while on the run. It actually looked natural, like an extension of his arm.

Today we went to Teatown Lake Nature Center, hiked 1.5 miles around a lake, saw some cool owls, an eagle, and vultures -- all animals that had been in some way hurt and couldn't have survived in the wild. "Education Ambassadors" the signs called them. Kids loved the animals, and most of the hike, making up little games with leaders and followers, captains and navigators. They were game for everything, even when the wind off the lake was pretty strong and we were all chilled.

What was a little funny was Jack being disappointed we didn't see more animals, owls flying about us, snakes slithering by as we walked the trail. I tried to explain that just being in nature, hiking, feeling the air and the sun, was the appeal, but realized I was the same way as a kid, as we went on numerous trips out to get wild flowers and such. I wanted to see animals, not this rippling water, swaying tree stuff!

Anyway, it was a nice hike, and I am convinced Jack and Kate will one day write about such trips themselves, fully appreciating them.

Baseball

Wednesday night was Kate's first T-ball practice, Thursday Jack had baseball practice. The thing to mention first is that it was pretty cold both nights.

I kind of thought Kate would be touch and go, and so she was. First she clung to me. Then she knelt on the ground and buried her face in her hands. Then she cried. Then when I tried to stand her up she went limp. Nothing I hadn't seen before, but always difficult. I cajoled, threatened, warned, implored....20 minutes later, she was about the same. Not participating.

Finally, by offering to restore the TV privileges I had taken away, she stood up, went over to the coach, joined the team. She batted a little, not as exuberantly as in the backyard, but I will take it. She stood in the field near a girl she knows from school and actually seemed happy. Totally oblivious to the ball being hit by other people, of course, but having fun. Babbling happily on the cold walk home, too.

Next week is another practice. It will be warmer, and I dearly hope Kate, in her second experience, is more comfortable.

Jack is a little different. I don't remember his first T ball practice (I know he was a year older), but I am pretty sure he was more into it. The sport is far more male, obviously; I am not sure he has had a female teammate in three years. Anyway, to him practice is like a big party. He loves playing baseball, loves hanging around with his friends ... The ones he knew beforehand, and the ones he's made 15 minutes into practice. He's good that way.

He's going to be trying out for a summer travel team, which has up to 4-5 practices or games each week. At that point he will either get really into baseball, or not enjoy himself because it is a little more serious...should be interesting.

I hope they will both be into it as the season moves forward. And, you know, as it gets a little warmer.