Let's Play Ball

The baseball season has officially begun!  There was an opening ceremonies over the weekend.... including a FLY OVER!

Wow, Walker thought that it was pretty cool.

Here is our handsome ball player!

Go Braves!  Walker is number 9!  Just like his daddy!

And, the little sister is doing a great job of watching her big brother!

She really is a good little cheerleader.... she loves watching him bat!  And, running to him when things are over!

So, Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day.  Fast forward two days to Walker's first official game.... oh my word, it was cold.  The wind was gusting at least 40 miles an hour!  Seriously, it might have been the coldest I've ever been since moving down here.  I tried to get some pics:

His first official at-bat!

He loves running the bases!

The little fielder!

This last picture cracks me up because he looks soooooo cold.

(sorry for the poor quality pictures.  My hands were frozen and I just couldn't get it right!)

It really was miserable.  But, the good news..... this boy loves playing BASEball.  He gets mad if we call it t-ball.  

We are all looking forward to a great year!  Go Braves and come on spring!

Loyalty

Clark has some amazing friends.  Really. Amazing.  Friends.  David, Stephen, Bryan, Shane and Clark all grew up together.  I've heard many a story about playing baseball until dark, riding bikes around the neighborhood and playing at each other's houses.

When you get these guys together it is pure joy.  This past weekend we got to celebrate David's 40th birthday and all the guys were together.  When I say pure joy... I mean it.  They love being around each other and all the wives love watching them together.   

I love the fact that the wives are all included in the club, no questions asked.  Because their friend loves his wife, they love her, too.  We are all bonded!

So, while it's fun to hear them tell their childhood stories and watch them laugh hysterically at a memory, the thing that sticks out to me about these guys is their loyalty.  I've never seen a group of people (especially guys) who are so loyal to each other.  They really are more like brothers than friends.

They are there for each other during the best times of their life, like weddings and birth of children.  And, they are there for each other during the worst of times, like the death of a parent or grandparent.  

These guys show up.  That's just what they do.  No questions asked.

And, remember what I said about being a part of the club?  Yep, they were there for me during the death of my brother.  The boys all played together at the Snowman Classic, and I was thrilled that they were there.

They show up.  It's what they do.  No questions asked.

They are so very blessed to have each other in their lives and I am very honored to call them my friends! 

I love the smiles in this picture!  

The guys at the Snowman Classic:

And, just because it's too funny not to mention:

That would be my husband on a pogo stick.  Yes, someone thought a pogo competition would be a good idea.  This is something Clark would never do anywhere else, but when he gets around these guys it's game on.

I love Bryan's reaction in this pic.... it was the moment Clark became pogo CHAMPION.  I'm so proud!

We're Going to the Farm!

You know what's fun???  Telling your kids that they get to go to the farm.  It really is exciting to say, "Guess what, we're going to the farm tomorrow!" and the kids go wild.  I'm so glad Nanna and Bubba live there!

We went to the farm so Clark and I could go to David's 40th birthday party.  We had a great time and Nanna and Bubba were sweet to let us leave the babes with them!

And, as usual at the farm, Walker and Everly had a ball.

Yep, Nanna and Bubba brought the air hockey game downstairs.  They were surprisingly good at it!

We have a new gator driver.  She's good, but not as good at steering as her brother!

Bubba was excited to see his grandson play a little tee-ball!

And, Walker loved it when Aidan chased him down!

Everly and Nanna picked beautiful flowers during the baseball game!

And, they had a big time on the trampoline!

No wonder they get so excited when we say "We're going to the farm!"

Over the Top

Okay, I guess there is something wrong with me.  I am the "bad" mom at my children's preschool.  When the teachers told us to bring cards for Valentine's Day.  That's all I brought.... cards.  Yep.  Just a little, tiny card.  Hmmm, I followed instructions, didn't I?

Guess not.  I really should have taken a picture of what Walker and Everly got in their Valentine bags.  Huge pencils, TONS of candy, little games, cups, books.... you get the picture.  It was insane. It was over the top.

You see, I'm missing some kind of a special mom gene.  Don't get me wrong, I love my babies and love doing fun things with them.  But, I'm just not into the little parties at school.  I know it's a fun day for them and all that, but at this age, I just find it silly.  ALL the moms (and a lot of dads) are sitting around watching them eat pizza and cookies. At this age, that's all they do!

Do you think Walker and Everly are going to grow up, read my blog book and think that I was a bad mommy????  Hope not.  Walker and Everly, if you are reading this, remember mommy loves you more than anything, she's just not into preschool parties!

The good news... I did take pictures!

See, I'm not that bad of a mommy.... pictures of their sweet faces is what makes it all worth it!

Put Me in Coach....

.... I'm ready to play!!!!

We had our first t-ball practice tonight and Walker was just too adorable for words!  He loved running the bases (yes, he's going the wrong way)....

And, playing with his new teammates....

And, "coming home!!!"...

And, just doing some more running...

And, learning to throw to his new coach....

My two favorite stories from tonight... When he walked up to the tee the first time he just stood there.  So, I yelled out, "Walker, go ahead, you can hit it."  He responded, "I'm trying, but Daddy told to me to hit it really hard!" All the parents laughed and then he got a good, hard hit!  Precious.

And, when we got home he wanted to tell Daddy all about practice.  He said, "I ran to first, then I ran to second, then I ran to the next one, then I CAME HOME!"  He was so animated and excited.  Needless to say, Daddy was proud!  (and so was Mommy)

Man on Wheels!

Walker got a new bike for his birthday.  Yep, our little man is officially tearing up the pavement!

I'm amazed at how quickly he could ride!  He's very confident, which is good thing, but I hope he REALLY learns the brakes soon!

Not only is he learning to ride his bike.... he's learning to hit a REAL baseball!  Here he is all decked out in his new baseball gear!

I absolutely love this picture.  He's having a real serious conversation with Daddy about baseball.

 
Yay, we're learning to run the "bases"!

I've said it a lot lately, but my baby is growing up.  Wow.  He will be on the Braves this season.  Can't wait, Go Braves!