The Boys Club

Funny story about Jack...

John and Deana Golden are friends of ours who live in the back section of our subdivision. They have Alexa, who is a good friend of Gray's and plays on our softball team, and her brother Parker, who is in second grade and is Jack's big bud, and they go to the same school. Anyway, a couple of Friday night's ago, Gray had a sleepover at Alexa's and Parker had a sleepover at our house for the first time. Boys boys boys...Pete blew up the queen size air mattress for them in the living room so they could watch movies until late. Saturday morning, we could hear them in the living room, up to no good. I snuck into the kitchen and listened from around the corner. They were taking turns jumping from the kitchen window cutout ( a ledge over our sink that is about 4 feet high), and catapulting onto the air mattress below. Then I hear Jack say,"Remember Parker, this our boys club where we can say whatever we want!" Suddenly, each jump from Jack was puncuated with a "Shut up Gracie" as he landed below. And each jump from Parker was puncuated with a "Shut up Alexa" as he landed. Even though that phrase is banned at our house, I did have to snicker to myself.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend ahead. We will be low key on Saturday, still have to figure out some kind of surprise for our soon-to-be sixth grader and our soon-to-be first grader for an awesome school year! Sunday is pool party at the neighbors.

Love to all...D

Super "Gracie" Saturday!

Gracie, aka the Energizer Bunny, just amazes me. She had one of the best swim meets of her life on Saturday! It always helps when you swim at your home pool, but I attribute it to her hard work and dedication to the sport, year round. She attributes Saturday's performance to 2 blueberry donuts and orange Fanta. She dropped time in 4 of 5 events, and swam the 50 butterfly for the first time in competition. She got 5th overall in the 50 back for her age group and 2nd overall in the 50 breast for her age group, awarding 11 points for the AquaKids in the team standings. Super job, Gray! We swim again in Fayetteville in 2 weeks.

Sunday was spent in the yard. I mowed while Pete planted. We yanked out a sad crepe myrtle from the right side of our front yard bed and I finally got a Japanese Maple - I have been wanting one for a long time, since we left my other one at the Irby house. Looks good.

As long as the rain holds off, the week holds 4 ball games...D

Super Saturday

So after another win last night for the Conway Custom Crushers (yes, we are currently undeated), we are on to the water today. Up early this morning cooking 7 pounds of ground beef for the crock pot - hospitality room for the coaches at our swim meet today. I have a hair appointment at 9:00, Jack has violin at 10:00, and Gracie swims at noon. And Jack has baseball practice at 3:30.

Swim update later...D

From the Road--- Post From Pete

I am on the road at this moment..... Lately, I have been traveling literally across the country to see my clients in order to grow revenue. Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta... just missing Minneapolis but I am sure they will find a reason to send me there... You name the airport and they have probably seen my face.

When I see other kids roaming the airports with their parents (full of smiles and probably on their way to some disney destination) all that I can see are my kids faces. Then I think of Denise, who at that moment, is probably doing all she can as the "glue" that holds it all together--- she runs her team of 13 at work and then comes home to shape and mold our "ones".

The travel eventually does come to an end as it seems to be in spurts. But I am truly blessed to have my 3 and when I am gone I count the minutes when I can get back to them.

Busy

That's how I sum up our lives lately. Four ball games a week is a little taxing, but we are having a blast! Gray's team is currently undefeated! Let me brag on our girl for sec...she played one heck of a fielding game at shortstop on Friday night. She caught one pop fly in the air, gunned a cut off throw from the outfielder to third base for a tag out, and threw three runners out to first, including the final out of the game - a smartly hit grounder with a short hop - she scooped it up like nobody's business and seriously threw a bullet to first base to end the game. She had this big smile on her face as the girls were high-fiving her. Pete ran onto the field to congratulate her and she asked Pete, "Did I look like a Traveller?" (the AAA baseball team out of Little Rock). We play again tomorrow night at 6:00.

Jack's team got stomped last Thursday, 8-2. I think they have won 1 game so far, but he is having fun. He swings a little late on the ball, so most of his hits head toward first base for easy outs, but it doesn't seem to bother him too much...yet. He plays tomorrow night also.

Pete just left for Wisconsin...quick trip...D

Queen For A Day

Happy Mother's Day to my favorite mothers - Esther, Nancy, Terri, Krista, Deidre, and Brie! Hope you guys had a super day today!

Aren't kindergarten gifts the best? Look closely at the first line below...evidently, according to Jack, I am now 49 years old. Heehee...

Anyway, Jack made me a deal that he would play his violin today at church during the offering. He gave us his word last night and we shook on it. This morning his tune had changed. The jitters got the best of him and he informed me that he was NOT going through with it. I told him I was disappointed, and that Karls don't go back on their word. And do you know what that little booger said? "Well, I am more of a Hartmann." I had to leave the room...

The mother's day Travellers game was fun, although they lost by 1 run. Gracie, Alexa, and Parker (friends from the hood) were chosen to brush the bases with gigantic tooth brushes at the end of the fifth inning, and they got to run the field after the game.

Swim practice, early ball game for Jack, and late ball game for Gracie tomorrow. Looks like another nutritious meal of park dogs and nachos for us....D

Finally!...Recital Footage for you to enjoy!

Crushaz Post First Game Victory

The Conway Custom Builders 'Crushers' came up with a W in our first game last night. Final score was 9-1. Gracie rocked at shortstop and had a nice line drive to second base, but the throw beat her to first, nice crack of the bat, however. Her BBF#1, Madison, was smokin' at pitcher! And her BBF#2, Natalie, was the pitcher for the other team. Game 2 Friday night under the late lights at 8:30. We take on two more of G's BFFs...Kelsey and Sarah Grace. It is so cute how all of these friends hug after the games.

J-man and the Wolverines in action tonight at 7:00...Pete comes home tonight, so maybe I can get the recital vid uploaded...DK

Another First for Me

I was extremely honored to accompany Jackson on the piano for his violin recital solo on Saturday afternoon. His solo was "Song of the Wind" from the Suzuki Volume 1. He played beautifully and was very poised on the stage, and took it very seriously. I am trying to find the power cord that goes with the camcorder to upload the video to this blog, but Pete is away on a fishing trip in Tennessee, and I am technically challenged without my sidekick. Hope to have it posted soon!

First game tonight for Gray - she is on tap as starting shortstop and backup pitcher...D