....May Flowers

Eeeks! It is the end of June, and I just realized I have yet to put up the May post!

May brought the end of regular season baseball for the boys. We only had a few games where both boys were playing at the same time. On those games, we split them. Chris and Grandma stayed to watch Cooper while I watched Chandler. After 40 minutes, we changed places. Cooper improved tremendously by the end of the season. In the beginning, a ball could roll right between his legs and he wouldn't even flinch, let alone try to get it. By the end, it would still probably roll right between his legs, but he would at least move and would know to turn and run to get it, and give a nice throw back to the infield. And by the end, he had hit the ball from the coach pitch a few times (this league has the coach do a soft pitch two times, and if the child misses, then hits from a tee). He was quite proud of himself, as were we. He was estatic to finally receive that long-coveted trophy! He made sure to place it on his dresser right next to his soccer trophy. He said "Someday I am going to have as many trophies as Chandler!"

As Chandler's regular season of baseball ended, we found out that he had been selected for the San Jose Athletic Association 9A-Allstar team. He was quite happy! We also found out that the district tournament was to be held in Jacksonville right at our own league, and the State Tournament was also going to be in Jacksonville, at a league just down the road from us. I WAS HAPPY, as both of these tournaments are normally out of town, so adds the travel expenses. Takes out some of the fun for the boys, but I am loving not having to spend the extra money. So as All-Stars geared up, we found ourselves either at practices or at a tournament at different leagues throughtout Jacksonville. It really is a tour of the city of Jacksonville. By the end of May, Chandler had really proved himself and worked hard for the team. I don't think the head coach was really aware of what he had in Chandler, although WE knew what Chandler could do. In the beginning, Chandler was not even on the "list of pitchers", not even in consideration, and batting 11 in the line-up (all the team bats, even if not on the field). He mostly played 1st base or outfield. Gradually Chandler has impressed the Coach enough that he started to come in as relief pitcher and he was moving up in the line. By the end of May, Chandler was considered the starting pitcher and batting 4th in the line-up. We were so proud of Chandler for working hard towards what he wanted. All-Stars continues into June, so more updates next month.

Chandler also got his haircut into a "almost Mohawk" just as a way to boost team spirits. It is a odd move for him, as he definately does not enjoy drawing extra attention to himself, but yet he makes sure his hair is fixed before every game. One game we even tried putting a temporary color, red, in his hair (team color)...didn't quite work so well, downfall of having dark hair, I guess. I personally enjoy the process as while, it is a like a dream come true, the daughter I never had, putting in gel, blowdrying, etc. FUN!

Mother's Day came and the boys decided to take me bowling. Bowling becomes more fun as all of the boys become old enough to participate. Chandler has been bowling for years now, and this was probably Cooper's 2nd or 3rd time. This was the first time Max had actually bowled. He is crazy about ANYTHING that is related to balls, so he LOVED it! He was so into it, we never had to bring his attention back, he was just right there, waiting for his turn. We tried to let him roll it, but he just didn't get enough OOHMP behind it, so it would hardly move. Instead we let him use a special rail that is used for handicapped people or young children. He sits the ball on top of the rail, pushes it and it rolls down with enough speed to make it to the end. So with this contraption and the bumpers up, even Max was able to knock down some pins.

Early May started "pool season" for us. The boys had been eagerly awaiting for it to get warm enough to go to the pool. We had been a few times, but I thought the water was still too cool to go everyday. But by May, the pool was already like luke-warm bath water. Cooper did two weeks of swimming lessons. Suprisingly to us, he started out the season already swimming quite well, swimming under water, going down to the bottom, etc. I actually thought about canceling his swim lessons, but then thought that it might still be good for him, teaching him some of the finer points. He did learn some things. The instructor mentioned that she thought Cooper would be ready to join the swim team already (they can start at age 4 if they can swim 25 yds alone). But since Swim Team had already started, I figured we would wait until next year for Cooper. He was very proud of himself that he was able to pass the highest level of swim test at the YMCA that allows him to swim anywhere he wants in the pool completely unassisted.

Chandler started swim team at the YMCA in mid-May. We normally do not do two sports at once, but I had signed him up for swim team back in March not thinking he would be doing All-Stars. But once we found out about All-Stars, I figured we could do both, as swim team practices are in the morning. We might have to miss a few meets if they clash with baseball, but it should be fine. So every morning, 5 days a week, Chandler and I go to the YMCA for swim team practice at 7 a.m. It is such good exercise for Chandler. He is enjoying it and is quite a good swimmer.

Although Max isn't doing lessons or swim team this year, he is a avid swimmer! He wears a little flotation device that is on his belly and back, and arm wings, so he is virtually unsinkable! He loves to jump off the wall over and over and over and over! He goes under and then his flotation devices pop him right back up. He has no fear of going under. He can manuever himself around the pool unassisted (although I still stay close to him), and is very confident in the water. Almost too much, because if you don't get his floaties on right away, and turn your back for a second, he will walk right into the pool, jump and just kind of be floating under water. He doesn't realize he can't float unless he is wearing the floaties. So the key is to get those things on immediately, and of course, never turn your back!

Well, that is all I can remember about May....alot of baseball and alot of swimming.