T-Ball is Wonderful!

Since Stella never played softball until last year, I'd never seen t-ball in action.  I was missing out!  Evan, who is 6, is playing t-ball this year and it is the cutest thing ever!  It is so funny to see all the kids run after a ball hit into the outfield - basemen and pitcher included!

Evan is very excited about the game, which I'm thrilled about, because he wasn't all that keen on soccer.  A slower pace and the opportunity to hit a ball with a bat seems to suit him perfectly.  His team are the Cardinals, and today they played the Mariners.  Here are some shots of today's big game, which almost got rained out! 

(Click on any pictures you'd like to see larger.)

It started to rain just as the game was to start, so there was a delay.

But it blew over eventually and things started. 

This is Evan warming up for his first at bat.

Nice hit!

Notice how while Evan is running to first, the entire opposing team

is chasing the ball into the outfield - so funny!

Evan made a great stop here at third base!

"Play's at first!"  He got to play first base, too.

Even Annie loves to get close to one of the "boys of Summer!"

Pizza at the Lucky Lab after the game.

Evan and his teammate and friend, Adam.

Geaux Saints!

Pardon my Cajun French, but it’s game day, cher! And for the first time in their entire 42 years of existence, the Saints are playing in the Super Bowl!  Win or lose, they gonna be partying big time in the Big Easy – they already are!  That voodoo spell that’s been troublin’ the Saints for so long is broken.  I hope they have enough gris gris workin’ for a win, but I’m just so glad they’re in it!  And so glad it’s at the Super Dome.  Makes it feel like a rebirth and a washin’ clean of bad memories.  I love knowing the people of that fabled city have something big to celebrate again, and I’m so excited about visiting later in this “year of destiny.”  

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

 

Louisiana Revival - Football Style!!

I'm happy for my old home state of Louisiana.  They've been through a lot of no good in recent years, with the big devastation coming from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans of course.  But this year's undeafeted New Orleans Saints football organization has given them something to cheer about!  What a team. What coaching. They are exciting!  Led by Drew Brees, the best quarterback in football today, both in skill and leadership ability, this team is tight.  They play with passion AND precision - and they never give up.  Today a little luck helped them out, but they were the ones to stand up and make it happen when the opportunity presented itself - with a 33-30 win in overtime over the Washington Redskins.  GEAUX Saints GEAUX!

My family is all jazzed up about the Saints, and we're celebrating even though we're far apart.  We're connecting on Facebook to cheer them on and give each other virtual hugs.  It's thrilling and fun and downright healing in some ways.  This Saints season is a nice reminder of what is positive about Sports.  It's cathartic to watch your team fight for a win, and play till the end, even when things are looking bad.  It inspires hope and teaches endurance.  No, it's not life or death.  But I understand the cathartic, inspirational impact it can have on people's lives.  Besides - it's fun!