Round Rock Express

We had tickets to last Friday's game and lucky for us two Rangers (Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz) were both making rehab debuts with the team. Since there was rain predicted, the crowd was thin which meant the boys spent their night sitting behind the dugout.

the end

Hard to believe but we have reached the end of league baseball for JT (not including a June filled with All-Stars) and the end of the school year for both boys (it is officially on Friday).

Our June is booked with baseball, then the first weekend of July we are hosting a tournament to raise money for the Voodoo, someone turns 6, and then we start our annual baseball odyssey (more details on this year's adventure soon).

Here are some shots from award ceremonies from baseball and school. JT got all sorts of awards this year at school: all As for the year, meeting his reading goals, and the metal was for Social Studies Student of the Year for his class.  Zach got an official certificate saying that he is ready for 1st grade.

And speaking of ends, here are JT and  I finishing a 5K this weekend. JT wasn't supposed to run but stepped in and took Rick's number since Rick hadn't been training for the event. I admit I was hesitant about letting JT run with me as I really wanted to complete the full race and thought JT may not make it pas thet first mile. JT promised he would run 2 miles and he did it. We walked for the next half mile and then he finished strong for the last half. JT was a great running partner and is already making plans for "our" next race. We also had my friend Lexy running with us, which was nice for me since I am a codependent exerciser. My goal is to get Lexy and I into a 1/2 marathon.

random plug that i dont get paid for

For the first time in my online shopping career I used the website Zappos.com. Ok, really I used the website about a month ago for two purchases: present for grandpa Pete (he needed Charleston flip flops) and new shoes for JT.

Let me just explain one thing. JT and I had been to basically every store I could possibly think of to look at new sneakers for him. It was just a bit frustrating.  Unlike his brother who was drawn to the first pair of shoes that were green, JT hemmed and hawed over multiple shoes. He got upset that I wouldn't splurge $80 on a pair and at one point fellow shoppers may have thought about calling CPS as JT and I battled it out.

And then, on a whim I logged on to Zappos.com (I should really get paid for this plug) and oh! what joy! After I browsed to the appropriate kid, sneaker, sport, whatever section, I walked away and let JT put as many pairs of sneakers in his cart as his little heart desired. I then returned, we edited the cart together, we purchased (3 pairs), they arrived, he tried on, he debated, and then he picked a pair.  And then, this is the good part, I needed to return the two unwanted pairs.  The box with the remaining two pairs has been sitting in my office waiting for me to return. I hit a mild panic the other day when I realized that it had almost been a month (sad huh?) but then I logged on and learned that I get 365 returns and even more awesome Zappos pays for it. I don't know what took me so long to find this place. I logged in, selected the item I was returning, requested the packing slip be emailed to me, and it magically appeared in my in-box.

And a random show related note, JT ordered a pair of Roos Yes the same ones I had as a kid with the zip pocket (except his were navy not pink). Who knew the Roos were making a comeback. He didn't end  up picking those but Zach has already put in his request for a pair of Roos. I should see if they make them in my size.

More non-shoe updates soon.

April

Somehow I missed the month of April and Easter altogether. It was so bad that I didn't even dye eggs with the boys this year (not to worry, they have a fabulous babysitter that dyed eggs with them).

Easter weekend was actually fairly quiet. Friday I took the boys to meet up with Jennie and Abigail at a park. The boys were hoping that the water park would be open but I guess the parks department hold firms to the June opening even when we have had record heat for March/April. Easter Sunday was spent with all the crazy characters at Apache Shores, which is always a good time and something the Lucas clan loves to do. So why you ask do I even both to give you this mundane update of events that occurred weeks ago, well because I have a few cute photos worthy of your viewing.

 Zach and Abi are fast buddies and spent their time playing in the water.

 

 JT fakes out Craig and doesn't jump into 60 degree water at the count of 3.

Slade hanging out in the golf cart the Easter Bunny brought so our voyages from house to beach are just a little more fun when visiting Apache Shores.

rangers 2011

The boys have been Ranger fans for a few years now (well before their incredible world series run last season). Each year we try to take a trip for at least one game and lucky us in the past few years we have been able to rope our baseball buddies the Largents in to our trips.

For some odd reason, Lexy and I decided this year that a night game during the week was not crazy and completely doable. This 12 hour trip was definitely our most adventure-filled.

Here is the brief recap:

Drive to Arlington - uneventful
Dinner - also uneventful although Griffin and Zach were exposed to UF (ultimate fighting) and we now fear for the world
Game - it started off as quick moving, uneventful although incredibly muggy game with the Rangers winning. Then Pennington from the As launched a homerun to right field and we all sat and watched while the ball flew towards Zach and then then the guy sitting next to him stuck out his glove to catch it. Zach raised his hand believing that the ball would be his but then the fan tossed the ball back on to the field to the cheers of the crowd. Zach started to cry (of course) and then it started to rain. The kept playing for a bit but then we went in to rain delay, which for me was fairly fascinating to see how the grounds crew gets out there so quickly and covers the field.
When the game resumed we were treated to some serious Ranger fans treats. First since we were sitting next to the bullpen, Zach moved as close as he could get and eventually asked one of the pitchers for a ball (Darren Oliver was happy to oblige) and that made Zach's night. Then Rangers closer Neftali Feliz came out on the field in front of us to warm up between innings before closing out the game.

We survied the drive home. I am not sure how Bill and Rick managed to stay awake but they got us all home safely and we all made it through Wednesday in our zombie-like states. And of course, I am sure Lexy and I won't hesitate to get weekday night tickets again next year!

can someone please let me know how this happened?

Those first shots are JT in the Spring of 2007 when he played on his first team at Sam Bass and here he is 2011 in his first Voodoo Select outting. We took second place in a 1 day, 4 team tourney. No complaints on 2cd place. It was fun to see the team out together, uniformed, and ready to start the next chapter of baseball.