Busy Busy Busy

Where to really begin with this post, the past few weeks seem like a blur, a frenzy of so much going on. Softball got started with a lot of excitement from Selena. The weather was not as cooperative, any many practices were cancelled. Here is a picture though of Selena playing 3rd base in one of our practice games against one of the other teams.

Unfortunately coach pitch ended up being harder then Selena imagined. Normally we would have asked her to stick it out and do her best, but the frustration was compounding on itself over her inability to hit the ball. It became such an obsession for her that she was loosing sleep, so the decision was made to stop playing. She was involved in the decision and really feels pretty good about it. Sure we know she is sad, but we reminded her that she is not a loser, nobody loses so long as they try, and give it their all, which believe me she did that!

The day after this decision Selena finally spoke up and started talking about how mean the girls were being towards her. We had been watching this from the first practice and we were fully aware what some of the girls were doing. Selena wasn't the only one being picked on. At the above game the girls even went as far as to tell Selena it was her turn to get up and strike out again. Selena seemed like she ignored the girls, and proudly held her head high as she went up to try to hit that ball.

By batting practice following this game, the bullying was escalating to more physical assaults. Teasing and tormenting the girls with the bats, until Selena got hit over the head with a bat, and the coaches daughter got hit in the face. Hearing as Selena put all this stuff in words made me realize I could no longer sit back and wait. I contacted both the coach and the President of the softball organization.

Selena and I had a very long discussion about this matter, and what a good day for that discussion but on April 1st. We used this day to show what is fun normal joking, and what is not. We then talked about standing up against bullying.

I hear many parents complain about bullying in the schools, how mean other kids are, but I feel there is one way to stop this is to Speak Up, We Did!





We joined our homeschool group for a field trip at the local radio station. The kids all had so much fun and learned a lot. They were aired live on radio which was heard by some of our neighbors, as they represented the homeschoolers of our County. They even recorded them and played that the following morning, which Selena was so excited to hear. Below are just a few random shots from the field trip, enjoy!

End of Season Softball

Saturday was our last game. Papa and I wanted to something for the team, so we planned a pizza party. The trophies had been ordered, so it just seemed like a perfect way to end the season. We were very proud of Selena, she has improved many sills and will be moving up to coach pitch next year. While she still needs to work on the dirt playing, she does acknowledge that she needs to figure out how to not play in the dirt, which I believe is the first step in learning not to.

Selena was so worried she would not get a trophy due to her inability to stay out of the dirt, and because she had missed two games. When they called her name and handed her the trophy she held it high in the air and shouted, “This is the BEST Trophy I have ever had!” Of course we chuckled since it is the only trophy she has.

The girls and families enjoyed the pizza, and the girls all got the chance to just go have fun in the park and play together as friends. It is fun to see how something as simple as T-Ball can pull 9 little girls together not only as a team but also as friends. While at this age they can still be awkward in their social skills coming at it as a team effort, can break down those barriers and the bond to lasting friendships begin to develop.

We had a great season, and lucked out without a single rainout, unheard of for here. There was laughter, hard work, more laughter, and the joy of watching all these girls (some first year of T Ball) learn, play, and have fun! We also learned something about ourselves as parents. It does take more then just the coaches to pull of a young team like this. We too grew, from being just spectators, to joining our children out on the field both at practices and during games to make for a successful year and some great new friendships among ourselves.

Busy Busy Busy

I haven’t hardly had a chance to sit down and really write a post this week. As you remember on May 4th we had opening day and our first Softball game. It truly did not dawn on me just how rigid her game schedules were until Wednesday turned around and we had to travel to another town for her second game. This weekend we have a game both Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. While the coach has cancelled practice for right now since the games are really enough in themselves, I have been out working on certain skills with Selena that will improve her game. Can I just say right now Selena is loving being in Softball and looks forward to spending time with the other 8 girls on her team. She also loves to point out to the coach that she is getting better because her grandma is working with her.

I haven’t been getting many pictures of the games since Papa and I are bench coaches, assisting the girls make that transition from batting to fielding, and making sure they go out to bat in the right order. Sometimes we have to chip in and help coaching out on the field, really there are so many different things that we do, but it is all so worth it and so much fun!

Softball ready waiting for the first inning to start. If you click on the picture you will notice a small mound of dirt in front of Selena. She at times wants to play in the dirt more then play the game, oh I shouldn’t say it that way, she still makes great catches and works hard. We have however gone to a reward system that she can earn an ice cream cone after the game so long as she isn’t picking up the dirt nor throwing it. She earned her first ice cream cone on Saturday. She even played one entire inning as catcher and didn’t touch the dirt once.

It is not uncommon to find this to be her out in the field. She is working real hard though to stop this and we are very proud of her for every little step she is making. If you are wondering, no, she isn’t the only girl that finds the dirt more interesting then the game itself. They all want to be there though and are improving their skills with every game.

Opening Day Ceremony and First Game

Yesterday was a very busy day. We had to be at Opening Day Ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. then turn around and be at a completely different field at 2:30 for Selena’s first Softball game of the season. We had beautiful weather for both, though by the time of the game we were looking at 84 degrees, with no shade to be found at the field.

Before we left home we headed out for a photo shoot. I love the above picture as Selena is carrying all her equipment, it just speaks opening day for Softball.

It is hard work to unpack every thing from the bag, and to think I was making her do this just for a photo shoot.

Opening Ceremonies was really pretty neat. They had all the teams lined up around the baseball diamond, starting with the oldest down to the T-Ball teams. After all the awards for the most raffle tickets, the presenting the colors (flag) and raffle drawing, they had a very special girl throw the first pitch. This little girl had been diagnosed with a very rare non-operative brain tumor, and has spent her tender years fighting for everyday. When asked who her favorite ball player was to catch the first pitch she proudly announced her brother. Then came the introduction of the teams. As each girl was introduced they ran from third base to home plate then took their right full place around the diamond. Selena kind of skipped home base and took a short cut just to get all the high fives.

I know there is a lot of pictures in this post, but hey they tell a story all in themselves. Now for the game. Sorry the one picture of Selena batting is blurry, but it isn’t always as easy to get the perfect shot when everything is in motion.

All the girls were totally exhausted after the game but none were complaining as they all exited the field with smiles on their face. Our next game is Wednesday. We are still suppose to have sunny skies but a little cooler weather, which I believe we are all hoping for.

Good Weather is Back!

On Wednesday our we woke knowing we had to go buy Selena a new bat, since her other bat got broke at the last practice. She has her first game on Saturday so off to the sporting goods store her and I went. We also decided to buy her her own batting helmet. There is just something about sharing hats and such that just does not get my approval. You bet once we got home she had to get her equipment and head out for some practice and try out her new bat.

You bet she hit that ball for me to take a picture of. I got a kick out of her though telling Papa that Mama picked out the bat. I did take the bat off the rack, but Selena was so taken by the wooden bats that she wouldn’t look at any of the rest of the bats on the rack. I guess she is right in a way that I did pick the bat out but only because she wouldn’t take her eyes off the wooden bats long enough to look at the bats that she could have. I was thrilled when we found the batting helmet especially since it is adjustable so it will grow with her.

Of course after our batting and catching practice it was time for some fun. Guess who Selena found…that is right Nibbles. I don’t think these little wooly bear caterpillars will ever be called anything but Nibbles. Selena had me run in and grab our new Nature book to see if it had any new information from what we had already learned. She wanted to know in particular when Nibbles would begin to build his/her cocoon. We discovered that it is probably looking for the perfect place now. We had learned earlier that they hibernate in he Winter, now we discovered that in Spring, April or May they find the perfect spot and build their cocoon.

I hope that Selena never looses her love or passion for nature and the world around her. It makes me so happy to see her so at peace when she is exploring the world around her.