Softball

Both girls are playing in the Hammond Hurricane softball league (together on the same team they always play on.  This year David is coach (I'm dugout Mom) with the help of a couple of other dads.  For a while there it seemed like the girls were actually going backwards, but this week they have really played well. 

My only complaint is that it takes them a while to warm up, getting better as the game goes on. Not sure how to combat that without coming an hour early and batting.  They won their game Tuesday and had an awesome game yesterday even though they lost.  The girls had a number of excellent catches/stops in the field and really started hitting the ball at the end - even those that don't normally hit.  I have to say, and I know I'm not the only one, that Eva had the 'catch of the season' last night. A girl hit the ball clear into left field (a pop fly) and Eva (who is normally at 1st base) caught that ball.  If that wasn't enough, she listened to her coaches and ran with it to 2nd base getting the runner out - a double play!  Never though I'd see that in this league!  She was so excited and everyone was cheering for her.  At the end of the game the umpire came up to David and told him he has never seen such good batting and field plays from this league - ever!  Both teams did a great job!

Next week brings our last 2 games.  I'd like to take pictures but it's just so hard to do that and keep score and keep the batters in line when I'm in the dugout. 

Next year is when the girls start pitching to each other.  Emily will need to stay behind as she is not ready for the next league, but I am excited for Eva. Next year is also when they start wearing pants - a real softball uniform!

Graduation, Awards, and More

My littlest peanut graduated kindergarten this week.  My oldest peanut is now a 4th grader. WOW! 

 Last day of kindergarten.

Emily and her best friend, Jordan.

Emily and Eva both received a special award for music this year. Eva, for the 2nd year in a row, has gotten all A's for the entire year.  I couldn't be prouder of them both. 

Emily was evaluated last week by her new school for advanced placement in 1st grade and everything is good to go!  They are both very excited about the new school, mostly because they like the idea of getting hot lunches.

Here's to next year!

Aquaterra Duathlon

Eva's previous (and future) swim team put on a duathlon Saturday.  It was a 300 yard swim and a 2.1 mile run (1.5 for kids).  I haven't swam since the last time I did triathlons, which was about 10 years ago so you can imagine how my swim went.  Winded. 

My run was a lot better and I ended up in 3rd place in my age group (out of 5).  I was the oldest in my age group.  Next year I'll be the youngest in my age group, so that's something to look forward to. 


Eva finishing up her swim:

Eva coming in for the finish - smiling!

Mother-daughter picture. 

Maybe next year David can join us. He was supposed to do it this year but his plantar fasciitis prevailed. 

Piano Recital

My intention was to record a video of her playing "Over the Rainbow" and posting it here, but somehow my camera button got switched from movie to camera by accident.  Totally bummed about that because she played it perfectly.

Eva and two of her classmates before the recital.

Eva and her piano teacher.  I think her teacher will not be teaching piano next year, so this was most likely her last year with her.  Looks like I'll have to find her a new teacher for next year. 

Haircut

Before:

After:

She looks so much older with her hair short, but I LOVE it short.

Beauty and the Beast

My beautiful ballerinas were wonderful last night in their performance of Beauty and the Beast. 

 

Emily wanted to do ballet poses for each picture, and they were quite nice.

Had to get a couple with each of my ballerinas with me...

...and me with David.

Baton Rouge Zoo Field Trip

I went with Emily on her Baton Rouge Zoo field trip.  The nice thing about this zoo is that it's small enough to be able to do in a 2 hours, has a train, and plenty of shade.  Plus, it's not near as crowed at the Audubon Zoo. 

On the bus.

 Giraffes

Alligator

 Pooped on the ride back to school.

We had beautiful weather yesterday as it's been unseasonably cool down here.  No complaints here.  After the zoo we stopped at a park for lunch and playtime before heading back to school.  I really did not want to go, but am glad I did. I'm not very fond of most of the mothers in this class, but I was paired up with someone I had not met before.  We got along well and had a good time.

Ballet Pictures