Another Baseball Season

Handling to the high heat

Rounding third and heading home

Working on the Golden Glove

Base running, like everything in Curtis' life, is serious

It's good to be teammates with your cousin

It's lucky that kids never seem to be affected by the temperature. Watching Curtis' baseball games was like sitting on the surface of the sun. While Curtis happily--or rather, dutifully--stood out on the field, the parents and siblings were scattered far and wide around the outskirts of the field, huddled in tiny circles of shade cast by the far-too-infrequent trees. Because there were only three teams in the whole league, every other game was a doubleheader, a test of those withering in the sweltering heat.

But Curtis didn't mind.

There's no time to worry about the weather, when you're focused on how cool it is to wear your first pair of batting gloves or the awesomeness of playing pitcher (which is mostly a figurehead position in coach-pitch baseball). Plus, there are treats after the game.

Hooray for America's pastime. 

Curtis Finds Religion...Momentarily

Before I had kids, there was one part of parenting I had never imagined: the endless struggle to get kids to eat.

For eight solid years, every single meal has been a challenge. Why kids never want to eat at mealtime (and always want to eat the second the food's been put away or the second you sit down for any reason whatsoever) remains an unsolved mystery in this house.

Today I learned just how far my kids will go to avoid a planned meal.

Always Something New to Learn

Taylorsville Dayzz. A city carnival so good that a boring old s needs to be replaced by two zs. 

As usual, the kids had a great time going on the rides and eating treats. (Traci spent the weekend being appalled by the fashion and demeanor of today's youth. She's getting so old.) But that was not the only adventure and entertainment to be had. 

At one point, Curtis needed to go to the bathroom which, at Taylorsville Dayzz, equals port-a-potties. When we walked in, Curtis looked around, taking in the ambiance and generally assessing the situation. He looked down at the toilet and said, "Why doesn't it flush?"

"Because," I started. Before I had the chance to finish, Curtis added, "BECAUSE IT'S AWESOME?!" 

"Yes, because it's awesome."

--

Here's a look at Taylorsville Dayzz of 2012. 

Them's Some Happy Kids

Celebrating the 4th of July at Grandpa's Ranch