Archive for the ‘Sports’ Category

May 19th, 2012 by sara

Nora’s First Baseball Game

Over the past month or so, Nora has gotten increasingly interested in and excited about baseball – playing baseball, watching baseball, finding pictures of baseballs, dressing up like the players, giving signals…  Jonah and Sean have gone to a few UO games together this year, and Nora said that she really wanted to go to a game with Dad.  So today, they went.  This morning, the two of them went to get Nora her very own ball glove.  Then she picked out her Phillies shirt to wear, and they were all ready to go.

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This was Nora’s view when we first got to PK Park. She immediately recognized the foul lines and the bases.

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Her choice of ball apparel got her many comments throughout the day. Some college students who were from the Philadelphia area even shared with her who their favorite Phillies players were. She told them that she liked Hunter Pence, of course.

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When the game started, Nora knew to clap at all of the right places. She was an enthusiastic Duck fan, even though she was showing her pride in the Phillies.

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Out past third base near the visiting team’s bullpen is an area of fake grass that many kids enjoy playing on during games. Jonah likes to play there, and so Nora and I went there to play some catch and run around. Nora even played as if she were “injured,” expecting the “trainer” to come and see if she was OK. A lot of the afternoon was spent here, and fun was had by all.

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Ball players need breaks to get a drink and have a rest, too.

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Following the game, the kids in the stands were invited down to “run the bases” which Nora did enthusiastically. She’s heard about Jonah getting to do this so she really wanted to give it a try.

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Nora made it to first!

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Finally, Nora made it home! She was very proud of herself to run all of the bases at PK Park.  It was a great day at the ball park with Dad and she can’t wait to go back, too.

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With no nap and much playing at the ballpark, she fell asleep within ten minutes of being in the car. This is how she looked when we arrived home:

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And here are some pictures from the backyard games that have been going on the past few days.

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Nora decided to be a catcher, so she had her hat on backwards and Jonah was showing her how to get in position.

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And, most exciting – Nora has been trying to hit Sean’s pitches (just like Jonah) instead of hitting off the tee, and she has actually made contact a few times! I was lucky enough to get one of her hits on video. She just gets so thrilled and proud of herself. :) I also got a few clips of her playing the catcher, too. Enjoy!

May 18th, 2012 by sara

Grandparents Visit!

Grandma and Grandpa just came to spend some time with us this past week. We were all really happy to see them and have a chance for them to see all the fun things their grandkids are up to these days. As a bonus, the weather was pretty much perfect every day, so there was a lot of time spent enjoying fun things outside. Like Phillies baseball. (what a surprise… ;) )

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Oh no! Here comes Grandpa with the ball!

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Phew. Jonah just squeaked by. Safe!

When Nora wasn’t joining in on the game, she was working in the sandbox, alternating between construction work and making ice cream for everyone.

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And the swings, too.

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And riding bikes.

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On Monday, we headed to a rhododendron garden at a local park where there were tons of flowers in bloom, and we all enjoyed a nice walk (well, except for Jonah, who was at school). Lots of spots for good photos.

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I thought it would be nice to get a photo of me and Nora together, so I told her to do a nice smile for the picture. Her response? “How about I will just lick you on the head?” Um. Yeah. She comes up with some real ‘special’ ideas. Crazy kid! :)

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Nora enjoyed being a little chef and cooking lots of funny meals for people. Jonah took some turns with this, too, and made Grandpa all kinds of unusual soups and smoothies.

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Making each other laugh…

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Getting the ‘bugs’ out of Grandpa’s beard. :)

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A bunch of Phillies.

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We all sure enjoyed the visit and wish that it were easier to see each other more often!!

April 26th, 2012 by sara

“I’m Injured!”

With the start of baseball season comes lots of baseball reenactments. Nora’s getting in on the fun and loves to play the role of ‘injured player’ while Jonah is the ever-responsive trainer. :)

July 5th, 2011 by sara

Baseball Kids

Baseball has been Jonah’s activity of choice for a few months now, and Nora has been watching all his moves. Lately, she’s been trying to join in more and more, and one morning she and Jonah started playing their own game after breakfast. She likes to use Jonah’s pink Portland Beavers souvenir bat that he got last summer at a game. I love how she does the same tap-tap on the ground that Jonah does before she swings and says, “Pow!” And Jonah was having fun pitching his blanket to her, giving coaching tips, and announcing the play. This stuff is pretty much the highlight of my days. :)

June 3rd, 2011 by sara

End of May

We’ve had a busy month around here with lots of visitors and projects. Over Memorial Day weekend, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit us for a few days. The kids loved the extra attention and people to play with. Nora read lots of books with Grandma.

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And Jonah had another teammate for baseball games. They brought Jonah a Ryan Howard Phillies shirt – his favorite player – and he has seriously worn the shirt for a week straight. Here he is giving a signal to Sean, the pitcher.

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Then he calls for an intentional walk. Can’t take any chances with this batter. :)

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Nora was trying out Jonah’s ball-playing shades.

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On Sunday the boys all went to a University of Oregon baseball game, and Jonah got to run the bases at the end.

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Then they came home and helped finish up our sandbox project!

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No more digging up the lousy play sand in the tiny sand tub – this box has beach sand and plenty of room for both kids and their friends to make all sorts of fun things. Both of them love digging holes and driving trucks around. They also get a kick out of burying Nora’s feet and then poking holes to find her toes again!

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And the best part? This is my direct view from the kitchen while I’m making lunches or loading the dishwasher. Ahhhhhh….. so much better than listening to the frantic whining about whether or not lunch is ready yet. ;)

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Playing on the swing set

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