Wonderful Day

On Sunday I was one of my niece, Maggie's two godmothers. Her aunt Pam and I shared the duties and we have been blessed with the most pleasant and happy little goddaughter you could ever meet.

She was so good in church and when the time came for the ceremony the priest doused her head pretty good and she was all smiles. And by doused I mean that he soaked her face and the water went streaming down her back and little Magnolia Jean just smiled up at him, taking it all in stride. What a sweet little baby.

All the kids were so good in church--people in the choir even came up to us after Mass and told us. It was very nice not to have take them to the back, especially when we were sitting in the very front of church. But I think that is part of why they didn't act up. It's hard to pay attention when you're just staring at someone's bottom in front of you! It helps that St. Francis de Sales is a gorgeous church and there's plenty to keep their attention.

After, we celebrated both Gracie's 2nd birthday and Maggie's baptism. It was supposed to be at a nearby park where they had Grace's first birthday party, but it was so cool and there was a constant mist, that it was moved to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We had wonderfully delicious cake from the Bon Bonerie.

On a roll

We had tickets for last night's Reds game out in centerfield, just three rows from Drew Stubbs...and completely surrounded by Cubs fans. The boys definitely got an education about how not to be a fan, but we brought enough good-spirited Reds fanaticism to make up for them.

We dressed like it was November but with all the jumping up and down, clapping and hootin' and hollerin' we didn't get cold. It did help that Charlie would rather sit on my lap than in his seat!

Meredith hung out with Grandma and Grandpa because between the cold, the late night, and her love of running around, it probably wasn't going to be the best night for her. She was missed, but we're hoping that soon she'll be a regular participant in these mid-week trips to the ballpark. Charlie says she'll have to be three.

The sixth inning was the most exciting of the night, with the Reds scoring seven times and one of the boys' favorites--Jonny Gomes--dumped his hitting slump by hitting a two-run homer over the centerfield wall. So much excitement for one night! The boys did so well until the walk back to the parking garage. Lou and Ben did it without much complaining, but Charlie has yet to grow his big-boy legs and had to be carried most of the way.

The Reds take on the Cubs once more tonight, but our family won't be at GABP, just listening on the radio with hopes of another win over the Cubbies!

Good Start

After breakfast the boys rush to brush their teeth and then, it begins. In the ten minutes or so before Lou and Ben's ride comes the three of them play a high-intensity game of baseball in the small space between the front door of the house and the dining room table.

They've created rules for this version of baseball. Sometimes they all agree on these, sometimes they don't (but really, isn't this what they see on the big league fields when players, managers and umpires come together to bump chests?).

But right now they are getting along. I'm typing, listening to the play by play that they call out, imitating the broadcasters they hear. Little Charlie is still in his jammies--pirate-looking striped pants with a "Great American" T-shirt--and the boys have their clothes, shoes and jackets on (yes, it has dipped back below acceptable temperatures for May).

Their ride has driven past our house to drop off a little sister to grandma's, pick up another boy, and they know they only have a few minutes to play baseball before it's off to school.

I love mornings like this.

Oh, and the Reds just swept the Cardinals. It's a good start to the week :)

Caught In Between

I have a traffic jam of pictures waiting to be loaded on here. I have thoughts and memories and funny anecdotes to share. But what I'm giving is a whole lotta nothing.

I'm finding that it is similar to my feeling with the video camera. I'd love to do it more, and I'm going to regret that I didn't, but picking it up (or, in this case, typing it up) causes me to be away from it actually occurring. Ok, maybe not entirely, but that's what I'm saying to make myself feel better.

These days of searching high and low for lost gloves and pacifiers; of reading books and doing math worksheets; of wiping noses and bottoms; of whipping up "three course meals" or nuggets and mac 'n cheese; of playing baseball and Star Wars and house and whatever else strikes our fancy...they are going by quickly and I'm going to be mad that I don't remember the details because I don't write it down as often as I'd like, I don't take as many pictures as I'd like...they're still going to be there. I'll be able to recall them, however fuzzy they may be. But, regardless, I am aiming to do a better job at typing them out and reflecting on why so many parents of grown children tell me that these are the years that you will remember.

The Joys of Opening Day Morning

I feel bad for people who live in Cincinnati who aren't baseball fans and don't get into the festivities of the beginning of the season. Everything--from the television, radio, to the billboards--is throwing this One Day in your face, assuming that you're as excited as everyone else about the Redlegs' return to the Queen City.

Well, you can go ahead and assume all you want about Casa Llena because we are completely on board with all the hoopla. I wish I could video the boys right now. They woke up and put on the Reds Rewind 2007, the DVD giveaway from the RedsFest four years ago. It's a highlights reel of that season and how I wish we had one from last season. Poor Charlie. He was just a newborn that year and keeps asking, "Where's Jonny Gomes?"

The most common used phrase to describe today is that "it's like Christmas." The thing is with cliches is that often they hit the nail right on the head. The boys couldn't be any happier if there were piles of presents for them under the tree when they woke up this morning. What gift will the Reds give us this year? With so many players starting the season on the DL it's still up in the air. But that's the great thing about Spring: it's rebirth, filled with hope for what's to come. So often it isn't the actual gift that you're excited about, but the anticipation of what could be in store for you.

This may be the year for our young Reds, and we'll be there rooting them on every step of the way!

Opening Day Eve

Tonight we ate our dinner in the basement so that we could have our first viewing of 4192, the documentary made about Pete Rose's path to breaking the hit record.

My opinion of Pete Rose the man has changed over time, but nothing can take away from the ballplayer that he was. This is the man that I want the kids to see. The guy who sprinted full-steam to first when the pitcher walked him. The guy who supported his teammates, encouraging them to be better than they thought they were.

Times may have changed, the work ethic of a ballplayer may have changed with the rising paycheck and the fame that comes along, but Pete stood out forty years ago because he was different than all the rest. He played hard, gave every ounce of himself for every game, and when it came down to it, he just loves the game of baseball.

For the kids to have passion for something in life--whether or not it is baseball--it a good lesson to learn.

Happy Mere

It is on a daily basis that lil' Mere grows and changes. She is such a happy baby! Is 22-months too old to call her a baby? I hope not. She is Miss Independent now, keeping up with her older brothers.

Each day she is talking more and more, and maybe it's only those who live in Casa Llena who understand her, but she is making great strides.

She is so funny, and even when the rest of us aren't laughing, she cracks herself up! I can only imagine what is going to happen when the flood gates open completely and she is a non-stop talker. Watch out!

We are so blessed to have this fiery little spirit in our house!