I have been sharing here for the past four years.
Crazy to think this is post number...
500 Memories... Thoughts... Activities...
and probably THOUSANDS of pictures.
{ I love having this blog to look back on - it makes me smile }
I have been sharing here for the past four years.
Crazy to think this is post number...
500 Memories... Thoughts... Activities...
and probably THOUSANDS of pictures.
{ I love having this blog to look back on - it makes me smile }
The kids ONE year ago:
Spending the day with Dad at Downtown Disney
{Flashback Friday}
Junior Mighty Mite Cheer Squad - 2011
We had to be lined up at 8-something in the morning on a Sunday.
We took the typical individuals and team photos with all the team and & our Coaches.
Then there was a HUGE one - with ALL of us. Cheerleaders + Football team + 10 million Coaches. The photographer did a great job roping them all in and moving things along quickly.
Afterwards we took some pics of our own. We did our own little group one in the back of the truck (above). Then we took this one : the 5 returning girls from last year...
Our extra photo session didn't last long because they were hot and their uniforms were itchy and the bow was on tight... ugh, girls!
Being away for 10+ days makes you appreciate HOME... your shower, your coffee, your bed.
Our East Coast trip was incredible & memorable - but it's so nice to be back.
SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING
I am a mother to a Middle Schooler - when did that happen? There are couples walking around holding hands, girls wearing make-up and HUGE bras... it's weird.
Luke is adjusting great. They are working on his schedule and he will be transferring in to a new math class within the next week. For electives he has German and Woodshop - how fun.
Syd is in FIRST grade, loves it.
Lots of football and cheer coming up that's for sure. August is over, that means the season starts and we have real games now. That is way more exciting than conditioning and scrimmages.
[ As the boys walk out to the meet on the field with the Refs ]
Today the boys played against Huntington Beach.
I got there about an hour into it - straight from Syd's game.
As I was walking up I watched Luke catch a pass and run it in for a touchdown.
It. Was. Awesome.
There were other things besides CRUSH games in Cooperstown.
In town there was (what else) The Baseball Hall of Fame :
Lake Otsego "Glimmerglass" was within walking distance.
The family rented a boat and went fishing... the kids loved this!
On Friday, after we collected our boy and checked out of our sweet home - we headed up NORTH.
More specifically... CANADA
Niagara Falls is pretty amazing.
(It's kind of like the Grand Canyon, you have to see it for real at least once in your life.)
We rode the famous Maid of the Mist boat tour
We ate dinner at The Keg Steakhouse
We drove back into the United States Saturday morning... and flew home out of Buffalo.
We start school tomorrow - back to reality
I really tried to sit back and enjoy the games.
I took pictures - but not a million.
My sister Kim and her family drove up on Sunday to watch Luke's games.
{{That meant the world to us}}
They stayed with us for two nights in our cute Cooperstown house, it was awesome.
We played this team from Pennsylvania... The Titans
At one point our kids got bored and wanted to go climb the hill...
After the game - Luke got some love from his cheering section:
It was so weird to leave him everyday.
We would give Luke hugs and kisses after the game. Check in - ask if he's showered and eating ok. Then he would continue on rolling his bag to the Village (bunkhouses below) and we'd go to the car. Home to BBQ, rest and wait for their next game...
Here is their week game schedule & a map of the place:
Night games were just as fun!
Following the initial 6 games - Team CRUSH finished #26 out of 102
Their record was 4-2 : allowing an average of 3.17 runs
Games from now on are single elimination.
We beat Team #7 on Wednesday and advanced to the
FINAL SWEET 16
We eventually lost Thursday morning - the Championship was that night.
It was an AMAZING EXPERIENCE that's for sure!!
It's like another world here; slow-paced and seasonal.
It could fall off the map entirely if it weren't for baseball - no joke.
You don't stay at hotels when you visit Cooperstown. You rent an old house or an apartment.
Our house was over 100 years old and called 'All Aboard'. Back in the day it was the last stop for the railroad, evidence by the tracks that are literally in the back yard covered now in moss and twigs.
We had the entire 2nd floor...
All the comforts of HOME
Our house was lovely...
2 big bedrooms, an office, full kitchen, a grill in the backyard, full use of the house including the laundry facilities in the basement + all the charm in the world.
Luke was staying the entire week at Dreams Park with his Team & Coaches so it was just the 3 of us. It was quiet and quaint. It rained, we did crafts and took walks in town.
You almost forget that you have games to go watch - especially after you've enjoyed happy hour on the porch swing.
On the schedule for Saturday was the OPENING CEREMONIES.
I volunteered to go on the field with other moms and made friends go with me.. thank you Patti & Susie.
And yes, we got to keep that blinding pink Cooperstown Mom shirt.
Dreams Park Sky Divers
Team ORANGE CRUSH was introduced...
The festivities finished up with Skills Competitions.
Below is a picture of them doing 'Around the Horn'... they did great and didn't drop the ball once!
The boys will wear BLUE as Visitors and RED as the Home team.
Luke is #6 this week and games will start tomorrow... so exciting!
So we are on our way to COOPERSTOWN, NY for baseball....
We spent two wonderful nights at my sisters house. The kids swam, we sat around the table talking and drinking Kim's favorite wine.
On Friday morning it was time to leave and head WAY UP-STATE to check in to Cooperstown Dreams Park.
But first, we drove 500 miles out of the way for a day trip on 78 WEST
It was a beautiful drive over bridges, past a million farms and thru the rain.
I had the camera on my lap the whole way.
Can you believe he wouldn't stop and take a pic of the family in front this sign?
We were heading to Lamade Stadium to watch The WEST - our local team from Huntington Beach, CA play on ESPN in the Little League World Series.
We weren't the only ones...
*Prepare for photo overload
There was a 45 min game delay due to rain but then the game was on.
South Williamsport is like the Disneyland of Baseball, truly an amazing & magical experience.
We found our seats - the place was packed!
{ The West Families }
As expected, the West killed it.
They are an extrordinary group to watch.
Time to leave this sleepy little town and head onto the next.
300 miles and counting...
FINALLY
At about 10pm - we arrived
It was a looooong day!
A Summer's Night on a Rooftop Bar in Manhattan
[ you can just barely make out that NY skyline ]
I agree, the quality is awful - the pics are from text messages what can I say.
We are in NY for baseball so we had to get in one crazy night on the town.
oh dear...
* Thanks Martellos *
FLASHBACK FRIDAY - AUG 2007
When I finally got the nerve to sell things I made on-line, I started with hair flowers.
Ironically, my daughter had barely any hair. Therefore the headband was necessary.
And so was the loud brushstroke border, apparenly they were all the rage.