Days with the Dorans

 Ali's season ended last week with her team (USSSA Pride) playing in the Championship Game!  I was excited that they made it that far and also that it meant I could finally wash my car (the fields we spent so many of our nights at were quite dusty) and I also got to watch most of the game.  I felt like with the boys having games/ practices at the same time as Al, I missed a lot (of all of their games). I did take a shift of watching the Littles at the playground but got to catch most of the action. K.K. and Ali-Cat Ali tried her hand at pitching this year (and didn't do too bad) but spent most of her time playing infield (either shortstop or third base).  When I was in high school, I played softball as a freshmen with Ali's Coach's wife (did you follow that?) who was a senior.  Her dad was the coach of our team and I played for him for four years.  He was able to come to some of the games at the beginning of the season and it was GREAT seeing him ...

 This year Joe was in the "Minor League" in baseball.  He had "try-outs" and was drafted to a team.  This is so that the teams seem more balanced and overall they were.  There weren't any blowouts and Joe's team did really well.  Joe got placed with some great coaches and teammates and had a fun year.  I think he learned a lot and although he was the littlest guy out there, he did a good job!  In the field, Joe mostly played outfield.  He stopped what he needed to and made great throws!  I was really proud of him and think he's much more comfortable in the outfield.  His arm really grew this season and overall I feel like he learned a lot more about the game (especially with stealing and base running~ after making some mistakes).  I heard a great quote the other day.  "In order to bat .300 you must fail 7 times!"  Joe got walked a lot. He learned that if he was going to go down on strikes~ he better go down swin...

Jeff didn't have to lead worship this year on Father's Day so we got to sleep in but then were woken up by the kiddos bringing him their wonderful homemade Father's Day love! We enjoyed the morning together and then headed to the lake to celebrate my dad.  I think of Jeff's dad often, but especially on Father's Day.  He was such an amazing man.  I am thankful that Jeff and my dad get along so well.  My dad is such a huge help to us and I love spending time with him. Dan, Steph and the kids came to the lake too.  The kids had a great time playing at the lake while my dad, brother and Jeff got the kegerator that we got my dad for his birthday up and running (we finally got the CO2 and a keg and the time allowed my mom to not veto the gift we got him). The boys each picked what they wanted to eat for Father's Day and I went up to help my mom get things set up and started (I think I've mentioned before that I can't cook). While we were upstairs...

With her good friend Amber Last week was a very busy week for me... finishing up school, ball games, practices and DANCE!  Now that I finally have checked out for the summer (only took me four days~ fastest checkout in 15 years), I can finally write a blog about my little star! With some of her tap friends Ali had a GREAT year in dance.  Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that she hasn't been doing this all that long.  It was her first year in jazz, second in tap, third in ballet and first year being a "Dazzling Star."  Many of the girls Al dances with started in preschool.  We have the "no organized stuff" until kindergarten rule (because we'd be even more busy than we are and more broke than we are). I don't think you can tell at all that Al hasn't been dancing as long as the others.  She has a natural feel for the music. Al was in three shows this year (and had two rehearsals).  All four of her dances were in the Friday n...

 I will admit that I am one of those people who doesn't quite get the whole "kindergarten graduation" thing... especially when you're staying in the same school, but I was told that Z's kindergarten graduation was super cute.  I say "told" because of course I missed it (busy with my own first graders) and was very jealous that Jeff could be there.  He finished school before us and was so happy he got to go see Z.  And I was even MORE happy that my mom could be there (because of her trusty camera).  They were both happy because my dad stayed home with Sean (that may have been the best part for them)! Zach's class did a play based on the wonderful book, "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak, they read a poem and had a cute little graduation ceremony.  Z got to be a Wild Thing and was practicing all those things the Wild Things do.  There were two students who read the story while the rest of the class acted things out.  Wha...

 Ali has had a great softball season and was chosen to help represent her team in the All-Star Game.  She was in a bad mood (for some reason~ no idea why) and at her first at-bat struck out.  She doesn't do that often so she was in tears.  Her dad and I told her to knock it off and that it happens to the best players.  She did stop crying ( after I told her that if she was going to cry she shouldn't play anymore)!  She got hits her next two at-bats and both were RBIs!!  I was glad she could shake it off!  Although they played a great game, Al's team came in second place (like last year).  Ali's coach was the coach for the All-Star game and he's done such a great job with the girls.  Sadly, his daughter is in kindergarten so Ali won't be able to be on his team anymore (next year she'll be playing with the fourth graders).  The night of the All-Star game happened to also be the same night as the kids' school's big "Ice Crea...

I don't really understand the point of bottle rocket fireworks.  They aren't pretty~ just loud. I also don't understand why people start setting them off in June. And either does Sean. He wants me to "Turn the fire off..." I wish I could buddy.

 As much as I have missed of the Bigs playing ball, I haven't missed any of Goosie's games!  Thankfully they fell on Fridays and Saturdays (days where nothing else conflicted with game time).  I have to admit, I don't mind T-ball one bit.  I actually like watching it.  I remember when Joe and Al played, I said that I would come and find T-ball games when I was super old because they just make me smile and this season too didn't disappoint.  Z was much more into the game this year (though he certainly did some of those things he did last year... making sure the bases were clean (during play), shaking his head with his helmet on (because it just felt cool)~ That sort of thing.  There was even a kiddo that went to third instead of first.  I love it!  On top of all that cute stuff, everyone is NICE (something that can be lacking as the kids get older in sports). It's refreshing to see people on both sides cheer on EVERYONE. Though it ...