Putting Jack to bed last night, he just wanted to talk, which is always fun. Sometimes he wants to name favorite things, which for him is typically "family, baseball, (and whatever he happens to be into at that specific time, so, baseball cards, rainbow loom bracelets, Skylanders, whatever)." This time he said, "What are your three favorite things about baseball?"
So I said, memories of going to games with my Dad as a kid, going to games with my family now, and coaching you and watching you play. That seemed to satisfy him, and he went to sleep.
Today we had a morning practice, which was kind of low key and fun. He hit OK, played some infield, smiled a lot. Always nice to see.
The family went to Playland in the afternoon. I think what I like most about Playland is that it's old, it's simple, it's a little hokey, and you don't have to make a ton of decisions once you're inside. This ride or this ride? Both? Ok. This one again? Ok. We go up high on the Ferris Wheel, get wet on the Log Plume ride (our first time -- it was awesome! I don't know how hwe hadn't previously noticed it). Jack took me on a ride that typically makes me feel sick. Kate takes me on a ride that destroys my back. They both love them so it's worth it.
Kate babbled along through and to and from her favorite rides. Jack ran from ride to ride. Kate got cotton candy as large as her torso. Jack took me on the Sky Skater and laughed and told me what to do while I grimaced.
We all laughed through the Log Plume ride a second time, again getting soaked. Then we weaved over to the Pier Restaurant and Tiki Bar, ate fish and chips, and a weary Kate slept in Emily's lap. Jack ate most of Emily's shrimp instead of his own fish, and I carried Kate back to the car.
At home, Emily said Jack talked to her at bedtime. Said he actually doesn't like the roller coasters that much, he prefers the centrifugal force ones (don't think he actually said centrifugal force) but went on them because we enjoyed them. Kid is 9 years old.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Riley
So we got a new dog. Riley is a year-old mix of hound and lab and pointer, I guess, or a pointer is a hound? Whatever. Anyway. She's really sweet and a little shy and mostly gentle,,though there is some rambunctious puppy there too. And three weeks in, it's pretty much love all the way around.
Jack has wanted a dog for years, lamenting the fact that numerous friends have dogs and that we don't have one largely because Kate is afraid of dogs. Not entirely true, but whatever. Anyway, he loves hugging and petting and playing with her. He's pretty much thrilled to have a dog, wanting all his friends to meet her and so forth.
Kate, in the space of a day, went from being afraid of dogs to being a dominant dog trainer. Maybe she likes having someone in the house lower on the totem pole of authority than her? Anyway, she hugs and plays with Riley but also feeds her, lets her in and out of her crate, tells her what to do, and takes her by the collar to lead her where she wants her to go. She's not the Dog Whisperer as much as the Dog Bosser.
In the mornings Riley wants to greet us all in our beds. (We put a gate at the bottom of the stairs now.) Then she runs big Figure 8s in the backyard at high speeds. Her tail doesn't wag as much as it turns in circles like a crank.
She's a happy dog and we are too.
Jack has wanted a dog for years, lamenting the fact that numerous friends have dogs and that we don't have one largely because Kate is afraid of dogs. Not entirely true, but whatever. Anyway, he loves hugging and petting and playing with her. He's pretty much thrilled to have a dog, wanting all his friends to meet her and so forth.
Kate, in the space of a day, went from being afraid of dogs to being a dominant dog trainer. Maybe she likes having someone in the house lower on the totem pole of authority than her? Anyway, she hugs and plays with Riley but also feeds her, lets her in and out of her crate, tells her what to do, and takes her by the collar to lead her where she wants her to go. She's not the Dog Whisperer as much as the Dog Bosser.
In the mornings Riley wants to greet us all in our beds. (We put a gate at the bottom of the stairs now.) Then she runs big Figure 8s in the backyard at high speeds. Her tail doesn't wag as much as it turns in circles like a crank.
She's a happy dog and we are too.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Game ball
Jack's not the best player on his summer travel team. But every once in a while, he plays the best. This was one of those times.
On Saturday, we played a home game in pretty high heat. Jack caught three innings, a position he only just started playing a week or so ago. He loves it; the thing is, he typically plays in the outfield, where he might get 2 balls hit his way all game. As catcher, he handles up to 20 pitches an inning, throws them all back to the pitcher, and takes a shot at throwing out a base runner every few batters. One day he'll throw somebody out, although it's worth noting that the stolen base success rate with 9 year olds is probably about 90 percent. One day! Anyway, he did a nice job catching some off-target throws and fielding the position, and after the game got a game ball for his efforts.
Afterward he said to me, "you know, Harrison would have probably got it if he hadn't just got one the other day." I said -- and I'm sensitive to this because I tend to shrug off or downplay praise -- Jack, don't ever think like that. You got it because you deserved it. You did a nice job. Be proud of yourself.
On Sunday, we played a doubleheader. I kind of had an idea that Jack would make his pitching debut, since the head coach had done some extra work with him in practice last week, and said to me he'd try to get Jack an inning this weekend. So after the starter had worked his 3 innings (the most 9 year olds can pitch), and we had a big lead, Coach said Jack would pitch next.
Pitching is something special, because the ball starts with you on every play. It's basically quarterback in baseball, moreso I think at this level, and it's a far cry from outfield.
Jack had pitched an inning on two occasions last year, at least one of which I think was a favor to me because we had worked hard at practicing it. Both outings he kind of survived, gave up 2-3 runs, got through them. But he's improved. He threw a lot of strikes, struck out 3-4 in three innings of work (he remembered it at 6 Ks), threw fairly hard and was around the plate. Little fist pumps after strikeouts. Moreover, he fielded the position very well, jumping off the mound on a slow roller out in front and nearly getting the guy at first, and finishing his outing and the game by catching a popup off to the third-base side. How great was that? It was pretty great.
His teammates and coaches rooted for him throughout, calling him Jackster and whatnot, and when he finished up he flipped the ball to the coach. Who gave it back to him a few minutes later, his second straight game ball. Didn't matter that he'd just got one.
Good as it gets, right? Well, in the first inning of Game 2, he was in left field with two outs and a runner at 2nd. Guy at the plate had a base hit to left, Coach yelled "Home!" And Jack fielded the ball and threw a one-hop rainbow to the catcher to nail the runner. I'll tell you how often that happens with 9 year olds, or at least I would if I'd ever seen it before. As he jogged off the field with a big grin, teammates and coaches surrounded him and clapped him on the back like he'd hit a home run. Usually stoic coaches gave big smiles, one saying, Jack, that was a GREAT throw.
Jack also hit pretty well over the weekend, an important point because he'd been struggling, and we had been working in the backyard a lot with a tee, trying to iron out flaws. So we made progress. And that was something rewarding to see. Though in a weekend where he pitched 3 innings and threw a guy out at the plate from left field, well, it was still secondary.
Jack sometimes talks like he doesn't care about game balls, and I try to say they're not a huge deal. It's a team game, and everyone contributes. But it was pretty cool that on getting home, Jack wrote the date on his game balls, and built a little trophy case in his room, with game balls, tournament trophies from last year, and other awards and mementos. It's important to him, even if he doesn't always say it.
I remember the bad moments. Striking out a couple times one game last year and coming into the dugout saying, "I stink at baseball!" Lamenting that one of his friends did better than him "and he doesn't even care that much about baseball...I do!" Getting caught stealing in a playoff game and blaming himself for the loss.
And it really is those moments that make the good ones all the sweeter.
Like I said. Jack's not the best player on the team. It's not always this good. But this weekend, it was. It's rewarding to see the hard work pay off. It's rewarding to see the respect and happiness from his coaches, teammates, and other parents. Almost, but not quite, as rewarding as the big grin in his face when he came off the field.
On Saturday, we played a home game in pretty high heat. Jack caught three innings, a position he only just started playing a week or so ago. He loves it; the thing is, he typically plays in the outfield, where he might get 2 balls hit his way all game. As catcher, he handles up to 20 pitches an inning, throws them all back to the pitcher, and takes a shot at throwing out a base runner every few batters. One day he'll throw somebody out, although it's worth noting that the stolen base success rate with 9 year olds is probably about 90 percent. One day! Anyway, he did a nice job catching some off-target throws and fielding the position, and after the game got a game ball for his efforts.
Afterward he said to me, "you know, Harrison would have probably got it if he hadn't just got one the other day." I said -- and I'm sensitive to this because I tend to shrug off or downplay praise -- Jack, don't ever think like that. You got it because you deserved it. You did a nice job. Be proud of yourself.
On Sunday, we played a doubleheader. I kind of had an idea that Jack would make his pitching debut, since the head coach had done some extra work with him in practice last week, and said to me he'd try to get Jack an inning this weekend. So after the starter had worked his 3 innings (the most 9 year olds can pitch), and we had a big lead, Coach said Jack would pitch next.
Pitching is something special, because the ball starts with you on every play. It's basically quarterback in baseball, moreso I think at this level, and it's a far cry from outfield.
Jack had pitched an inning on two occasions last year, at least one of which I think was a favor to me because we had worked hard at practicing it. Both outings he kind of survived, gave up 2-3 runs, got through them. But he's improved. He threw a lot of strikes, struck out 3-4 in three innings of work (he remembered it at 6 Ks), threw fairly hard and was around the plate. Little fist pumps after strikeouts. Moreover, he fielded the position very well, jumping off the mound on a slow roller out in front and nearly getting the guy at first, and finishing his outing and the game by catching a popup off to the third-base side. How great was that? It was pretty great.
His teammates and coaches rooted for him throughout, calling him Jackster and whatnot, and when he finished up he flipped the ball to the coach. Who gave it back to him a few minutes later, his second straight game ball. Didn't matter that he'd just got one.
Good as it gets, right? Well, in the first inning of Game 2, he was in left field with two outs and a runner at 2nd. Guy at the plate had a base hit to left, Coach yelled "Home!" And Jack fielded the ball and threw a one-hop rainbow to the catcher to nail the runner. I'll tell you how often that happens with 9 year olds, or at least I would if I'd ever seen it before. As he jogged off the field with a big grin, teammates and coaches surrounded him and clapped him on the back like he'd hit a home run. Usually stoic coaches gave big smiles, one saying, Jack, that was a GREAT throw.
Jack also hit pretty well over the weekend, an important point because he'd been struggling, and we had been working in the backyard a lot with a tee, trying to iron out flaws. So we made progress. And that was something rewarding to see. Though in a weekend where he pitched 3 innings and threw a guy out at the plate from left field, well, it was still secondary.
Jack sometimes talks like he doesn't care about game balls, and I try to say they're not a huge deal. It's a team game, and everyone contributes. But it was pretty cool that on getting home, Jack wrote the date on his game balls, and built a little trophy case in his room, with game balls, tournament trophies from last year, and other awards and mementos. It's important to him, even if he doesn't always say it.
I remember the bad moments. Striking out a couple times one game last year and coming into the dugout saying, "I stink at baseball!" Lamenting that one of his friends did better than him "and he doesn't even care that much about baseball...I do!" Getting caught stealing in a playoff game and blaming himself for the loss.
And it really is those moments that make the good ones all the sweeter.
Like I said. Jack's not the best player on the team. It's not always this good. But this weekend, it was. It's rewarding to see the hard work pay off. It's rewarding to see the respect and happiness from his coaches, teammates, and other parents. Almost, but not quite, as rewarding as the big grin in his face when he came off the field.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Aunt Robin
It's always nice when Aunt Robin visits. The kids might only see her once or twice a year, but it's immediately like she's never been away. We got home from the airport, they flitted around her telling stories of their days and their summers and their favorite toys and books. And then she brought out the new toys and books she always brings and they oohed and aahed over those. She read them both stories before bed, much to their delight.
First day there was a baseball game, and Robin got to see Jack hit the ball well a couple of times, single and an error, and his team get a win. After the game, Jack ran around with his friends and teammates, Kate ran around with her friends (little siblings of teammates). Next morning, we got Dunkin Donuts, so the pictures of kids posing with donuts and grinning sugary, powdery donut grins abounded.
After a visit to Vermont, she was back in town for a dinner at MaryAnn's, where the kids of course ate too many chips, too little actual dinner, and sat on either side of her. We got home and had big bowls of ice cream, and she cracked them up by telling stories about her dogs, including Bruce, who apparently is not the brightest bulb on the tree.
Next morning, we sat around having coffee and cereal, with Jack and Kate again falling all over her, enjoying stories about her dogs and their cousins. Kate sat on her lap, and then Jack sat on her lap, hard, and she made him laugh by saying she thought she wet herself a little.
We said our goodbyes and I drove Robin down to the airport, talking about kids, parents, life. I saw her off to her plane and we started thinking about the next time we'd all see Aunt Robin, hopefully soon.
First day there was a baseball game, and Robin got to see Jack hit the ball well a couple of times, single and an error, and his team get a win. After the game, Jack ran around with his friends and teammates, Kate ran around with her friends (little siblings of teammates). Next morning, we got Dunkin Donuts, so the pictures of kids posing with donuts and grinning sugary, powdery donut grins abounded.
After a visit to Vermont, she was back in town for a dinner at MaryAnn's, where the kids of course ate too many chips, too little actual dinner, and sat on either side of her. We got home and had big bowls of ice cream, and she cracked them up by telling stories about her dogs, including Bruce, who apparently is not the brightest bulb on the tree.
Next morning, we sat around having coffee and cereal, with Jack and Kate again falling all over her, enjoying stories about her dogs and their cousins. Kate sat on her lap, and then Jack sat on her lap, hard, and she made him laugh by saying she thought she wet herself a little.
We said our goodbyes and I drove Robin down to the airport, talking about kids, parents, life. I saw her off to her plane and we started thinking about the next time we'd all see Aunt Robin, hopefully soon.
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Swimming Pool
Took the kids swimming yesterday. Sometimes we have plans afterward, sometimes Jack is looking around for friends who might be there or making new ones, sometimes somebody is too tired or whatever, and it's more of a scattered experience.
But this time, it was a really hot day, there was nowhere we had to be afterward, and nobody else we knew was there. And so we jumped in the pool and swam. Kids tried to dunk me, we tossed a squishy ball around, we all went down the slide. The kids did little races swimming across the pool, and then we went into the deep end and they jumped off the edge of the pool as I tossed them the ball and they tried to catch them in midair. And THEN, they practiced leaps into the pool for each other, saying, "Kate, look, this is the Zombie dive," and "No, Jack, watch THIS one!" They did this for about 20 minutes, over and over.
And then we got ice cream. And they played shuffleboard. And hopscotch. And we swam more. And then it was time to go home. In the car, Jack said, "I think that was the best pool trip ever." And I was thinking, you guys swam, you played together the whole time, you jumped in the water over and over again. It may have been the best, after all.
But this time, it was a really hot day, there was nowhere we had to be afterward, and nobody else we knew was there. And so we jumped in the pool and swam. Kids tried to dunk me, we tossed a squishy ball around, we all went down the slide. The kids did little races swimming across the pool, and then we went into the deep end and they jumped off the edge of the pool as I tossed them the ball and they tried to catch them in midair. And THEN, they practiced leaps into the pool for each other, saying, "Kate, look, this is the Zombie dive," and "No, Jack, watch THIS one!" They did this for about 20 minutes, over and over.
And then we got ice cream. And they played shuffleboard. And hopscotch. And we swam more. And then it was time to go home. In the car, Jack said, "I think that was the best pool trip ever." And I was thinking, you guys swam, you played together the whole time, you jumped in the water over and over again. It may have been the best, after all.
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Summer day
Kate and I went to the pool again today. It was really hot and after hauling our air conditioner out of the attic I really needed to cool off. Jack went swimming to a friend's house.
Kate went from slide to diving board to slide to ice cream man.
Bought Jack a tee today. He hasn't been hitting well of late and the extra swings should help. On his first swing he ripped a line drive that screamed across our yard and hit our dog in the foot. She was confused and alarmed, I was dumbfounded, Jack felt terrible. Fortunately she seems to be OK, but it was rough for a moment. Once she'd been relocated we hit a few more until he caught one and it cleared our back fence by a wide margin. And that was that.
Kate wrote a nice letter to her teacher, mr. hickey, who had written her from summer camp. She talked about swimming and Arts Camp.
The kids did the songs they are learning at camp. That was fun. It's no "Somewhere," but they were pretty cute anyway.
Jack had his first trombone lesson, from the 16-year-old son of a friend. Seemed a nice kid and Jack was very serious and respectful. Plans to practice every day, which would be impressive. Also already plans to save his money for a new trombone, he is currently using the school's. I have no idea how much they are, but said, Sounds great Jack.
Made what appears to be their favorite pasta for dinner and put them to bed. My turn now.
Kate went from slide to diving board to slide to ice cream man.
Bought Jack a tee today. He hasn't been hitting well of late and the extra swings should help. On his first swing he ripped a line drive that screamed across our yard and hit our dog in the foot. She was confused and alarmed, I was dumbfounded, Jack felt terrible. Fortunately she seems to be OK, but it was rough for a moment. Once she'd been relocated we hit a few more until he caught one and it cleared our back fence by a wide margin. And that was that.
Kate wrote a nice letter to her teacher, mr. hickey, who had written her from summer camp. She talked about swimming and Arts Camp.
The kids did the songs they are learning at camp. That was fun. It's no "Somewhere," but they were pretty cute anyway.
Jack had his first trombone lesson, from the 16-year-old son of a friend. Seemed a nice kid and Jack was very serious and respectful. Plans to practice every day, which would be impressive. Also already plans to save his money for a new trombone, he is currently using the school's. I have no idea how much they are, but said, Sounds great Jack.
Made what appears to be their favorite pasta for dinner and put them to bed. My turn now.
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