Calvin plays baseball

Calvin has been waiting for the first day of baseball season since he was born. And Saturday was it. 

The day started with opening ceremonies and photos. A Dodger Hall of Famer was there as well and threw the first pitch. And then he had his first game. 

He is on the team Storm. Storm is a minor league team located just outside of San Diego. 

During the game, his coach pitched to kids who he though could hit off a coach-pitch versus a tee. Calvin, as the youngest and smallest kid on the team, took a coach pitch and hit a solid single. He then ran the bases as the other players on his team batted.  He played second in the field, and was one of the few that held his position and didn’t run after the hit balls...which all landed at the pitcher. 

Ellie’s Birthday Celebration

To celebrate Es birthday, Nick took her and one of her best friends to Universal Studios. Another friend was supposed to go with them, but unfortunately she got sick and couldn’t go. But the silver lining...Nick, Ellie and both her friends are going to go again this Saturday! She has learned at a young age how to extend her birthday as long as possible. 

So after her soccer game, they picked up her friend Wren and headed to Universal. They stayed until 9pm when the park closed...long day. They tried the majority of sweets at Honeydukes, Ellie got a robe, and had a great time.

Till nexttime

This morning Susie came with me to drop the kids off and say good bye. She headed to off to the train to meet friends for a fun weekend.

This evening a good friend from college and her family were in town on vacation. They spent the day at Universal Studios so we went to meet them for dinner. It was nice to catch up and the kids could talk Harry Potter. I was sad to only have limited time with Mel, but it was nice to have any time with her at all.

T- ball

Calvin had a big night.

Today was his first practice with his t-ball teams. Nick took him while I had E at soccer. He was excited to wear his baseball pants and cleats which he got last weekend.

Some soccer photos

I have tons of soccer photos. Here are some from last weekend. Ellie is pretty easy to spot because of her hair and pink cleats. Photos of warmup, the quarter she sat out (every player sits out a quarter of the game so everyone gets to play), and the team huddle...with a little looki-loo.

I’m skiing!

Someone has been inspired by the Winter Olympics. He’s apparently skiing. 

Happy 9th Birthday Ellie!!

Happy Birthday Ellen! 

And a school holiday to go with it. 

The whole weekend was a birthday celebration. On Saturday we went to Johns Incredible Pizza and spent the evening there. On Sunday, she got to be a team captain at her soccer game (which they won). 

Today, she wanted Dunkin Donuts for breakfast.

We then spent a little bit at my office. The kids played Legos and colored and played games on my phone. I was impressed with the LEGO building. Ellie built a ninja obstacle course. Calvin made a time machine and said he would use it to go to Disneyland.

We then decorated Es cake and met Nick at home. We headed to Pacos for a big late lunch/early dinner. Ellie had dance class tonight. After dance we came home for cake and presents.

Her cake was Harry Potter inspired. I tried to have some HP font and added a golden snitch, as well as decorated the 9 with Ravenclaw house colors. 

She was excited by presents from LEGO soccer game/goalie to Harry Potter sheet music. She got soccer goals from her brother. And tickets to see Taylor Swift at the Rose Bowl in May. I’m not sure she realizes how hard her dad had to work to get the tickets, or exactly what it means to go to a big concert at the Rose Bowl, but she will love it. 

Olympic fever

I missed last night because I was exhausted. 

This morning instead of watching Disney channel, I found the kids found the Olympics and were intently watching biathlon and speed skating. 

All star update

Ellie’s All-Star team, the Pasadena Flaming Roses, is doing well. They are 5-0-2 (5 wins no losses and 2 ties). There are a couple more season games before the playoffs.

Of course with a good all-star team comes more serious practice. Not only does she have two 90 minute practices a week, but they do a set of drills and warm up before each game.

The practices usually end with a soccer scrimmage against their coaches or each other. The kids do push-ups if the coaches score on them. It’s all good fun and it really encourages the girls to communicate and work together.

The best part is she is having fun and has made new friends. It’s always fun to see who she connects with and how much fun they have together.