5.25.2011
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.
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.
5.18.2011
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.
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.
5.13.2011
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.
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!
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!
5.02.2011
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.
4.29.2011
Royal Wedding Watching (or a random entry about school and motherly angst)
I have no shame in admitting that I watched some Royal Wedding coverage today. It all actually worked out perfectly as today is a crazy school day. Zach has Insect Day at the park and his teacher asked that I come and get some photos and then we have our last POPs Rally (6 week award ceremony) this afternoon, which means I needed to get my work done early.
Let's just sidebar here for a moment to talk about the fact that there is only one month of school left! How can that be? JT will move to 3rd grade, which we all know is just 2 grades away from 5th and there is no way in hell he can be that old. And Zach is very confident that if he and his buddy Bobby can continue to be good in class, they will get to go to 1st grade. Both boys have talked about their top teacher picks and I have to admit I am bit antsy as due to budget cuts the school is making some changes, one of the biggest being the removal of the Autism Inclusion Program (yes, the very one that the school is well-known for) and the addition of a group they call PACE kids (which someone defined as emotionally disturbed children). I don't really know exactly what this means and I reserve the right to change my opinion but based on my one conversation, with one parent, I don't like the sounds of a child disrupting class with an emotional outbreak and the teacher having to stop and work with said kid. I am not 100% clear but I don't think these kids come with aides but they may leave at set times to work with a special teacher. I need to do more research before I get too worked up. I am sad about the Autism program leaving, not because I have a kid that gets to be part of the program but because of the incredible environment of inclusion the school has created. Okay, as I am typing, thinking this one over I realize there is a possibility of me being a tad bit hypocritical as I am heralding the awesomeness of autism inclusion but leery of emotional disturbed behavior inclusion. I guess it is the unknown that frigthens me, the self-ish fear of how it will affect my children, the lament of losing fabulous teachers and aides as well as the loss of a program that not only educated me about a disorder but also my children and the frustration that a group of children who thrive in an environment that offers them security, comfort, and repetition will be tossed in to various schools throughout the district.
Stepping off my soap-box now and back to part of my original train of thought about the boys' teacher wish lists, we also have lots of teachers that are being moved around not only within our school but the possibility of getting moved to other schools. There are only a few teachers that I am not sure I am sold on so I feel certain things will work out but that unknown factor always worries me. And yes, I do have an entire summer to worry about so no need to stress too much right now.
School and kids is tough. I find myself always questioning whether we are doing the right thing and if they are getting what they need to succeed. I feel like my education was so special and of course only now that the boys are in public school do I feel this way. I imagine I hated most days and at some point envied the non-uniform wearing kids. Actually, I am not really sure I was aware there were other schools until 7th grade when we got bussed to a local junior high for science classes. It was such an odd feeling to get off our St. Mary's Catholic School bus right in front the courtyard while the North Pines kids were on their lunch break. We were mocked of course and we all quickly rushed in to the building to our assigned class. I wonder what the teachers thought about us? If they disliked that they had to teach us? I think that experience made me fear public school.
We have some great friends that homeschool (in a liberal arts, non-religious, cool way) and Rick and I have talked about it some but I know I could not handle it and honestly I think the boys may go insane. I think they like the structure and the social aspect of school. Not that we couldn't and wouldn't provide that at home but I think they like being away from us for some of their day too. JT's only interest in homeschooling, is the belief that he would get to dedicate the majority of his day to baseball related activities. The other day he mentioned that a Tuesday night Rangers game in Arlington was a jersey give away night and that if it wasn't for school, we could just all take off and go.
So here I am now, taking a break from work, wedding watching, and scone eating (total dork alert but since we had all the right supplies I made a batch of strawberry scones last night - they aren't worthy of the royals but JT and I liked them).
We have a low key weekend with a small baseball tournament on Sunday. From what I gather there are only 4 teams playing so we will just play three games and from that pick a winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Happy Weekend peeps! My big "project" for the weekend is to get all my baseball and school photos organized and loaded on some sort of public/private free site so parents and teachers can view/use them. So keep your fingers crossed and you too could be going through countless number of photos of kids you don't know.
Let's just sidebar here for a moment to talk about the fact that there is only one month of school left! How can that be? JT will move to 3rd grade, which we all know is just 2 grades away from 5th and there is no way in hell he can be that old. And Zach is very confident that if he and his buddy Bobby can continue to be good in class, they will get to go to 1st grade. Both boys have talked about their top teacher picks and I have to admit I am bit antsy as due to budget cuts the school is making some changes, one of the biggest being the removal of the Autism Inclusion Program (yes, the very one that the school is well-known for) and the addition of a group they call PACE kids (which someone defined as emotionally disturbed children). I don't really know exactly what this means and I reserve the right to change my opinion but based on my one conversation, with one parent, I don't like the sounds of a child disrupting class with an emotional outbreak and the teacher having to stop and work with said kid. I am not 100% clear but I don't think these kids come with aides but they may leave at set times to work with a special teacher. I need to do more research before I get too worked up. I am sad about the Autism program leaving, not because I have a kid that gets to be part of the program but because of the incredible environment of inclusion the school has created. Okay, as I am typing, thinking this one over I realize there is a possibility of me being a tad bit hypocritical as I am heralding the awesomeness of autism inclusion but leery of emotional disturbed behavior inclusion. I guess it is the unknown that frigthens me, the self-ish fear of how it will affect my children, the lament of losing fabulous teachers and aides as well as the loss of a program that not only educated me about a disorder but also my children and the frustration that a group of children who thrive in an environment that offers them security, comfort, and repetition will be tossed in to various schools throughout the district.
Stepping off my soap-box now and back to part of my original train of thought about the boys' teacher wish lists, we also have lots of teachers that are being moved around not only within our school but the possibility of getting moved to other schools. There are only a few teachers that I am not sure I am sold on so I feel certain things will work out but that unknown factor always worries me. And yes, I do have an entire summer to worry about so no need to stress too much right now.
School and kids is tough. I find myself always questioning whether we are doing the right thing and if they are getting what they need to succeed. I feel like my education was so special and of course only now that the boys are in public school do I feel this way. I imagine I hated most days and at some point envied the non-uniform wearing kids. Actually, I am not really sure I was aware there were other schools until 7th grade when we got bussed to a local junior high for science classes. It was such an odd feeling to get off our St. Mary's Catholic School bus right in front the courtyard while the North Pines kids were on their lunch break. We were mocked of course and we all quickly rushed in to the building to our assigned class. I wonder what the teachers thought about us? If they disliked that they had to teach us? I think that experience made me fear public school.
We have some great friends that homeschool (in a liberal arts, non-religious, cool way) and Rick and I have talked about it some but I know I could not handle it and honestly I think the boys may go insane. I think they like the structure and the social aspect of school. Not that we couldn't and wouldn't provide that at home but I think they like being away from us for some of their day too. JT's only interest in homeschooling, is the belief that he would get to dedicate the majority of his day to baseball related activities. The other day he mentioned that a Tuesday night Rangers game in Arlington was a jersey give away night and that if it wasn't for school, we could just all take off and go.
So here I am now, taking a break from work, wedding watching, and scone eating (total dork alert but since we had all the right supplies I made a batch of strawberry scones last night - they aren't worthy of the royals but JT and I liked them).
We have a low key weekend with a small baseball tournament on Sunday. From what I gather there are only 4 teams playing so we will just play three games and from that pick a winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Happy Weekend peeps! My big "project" for the weekend is to get all my baseball and school photos organized and loaded on some sort of public/private free site so parents and teachers can view/use them. So keep your fingers crossed and you too could be going through countless number of photos of kids you don't know.
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