Busy Weekends

We've done a really good job staying incredibly busy since we moved to Seattle. Our weekends in May were packed. In addition to all our outings, every Saturday for 2+ months we had baseball games and swim lessons. I don't like to be that busy all the time, but the cute baseball outfits and oversized helmets made up for all the running around.

Josh and Jude were on different teams (Machine Pitch and T-ball), so that meant we either had to be in two places at once for separate practices, or that we just had to go out most afternoons for one team or the other. Adele and I got to watch a lot of baseball.

  

Josh had wonderful coaches, especially Coach Ron. He didn't know a single kid on his team at the beginning, and was very shy and hesitant to participate.  But he warmed up to Ron because he thought it was so funny that his name was straight out of Harry Potter. It helped that Ron was super patient with Josh, and seemed to watch out for him a little extra. It meant the world to Matt and me. Josh was able to gain a little confidence, become a superstar at bat, and even find the courage to wear the catcher gear.

Watch this video to the end, and you'll be rewarded with a second base victory dance. 

Jude's T-ball team was hilarious to watch. They hardly knew what to do with themselves, and looked like bobble heads running around in their helmets, often in the wrong direction. But they cheered for each other at bat, were really tough playing in the cold and rain, and of course had great coaches. The parent involvement in this community is top notch.

One thing we need to work on before next season: personal space. Jude likes to literally cover the base he's in charge of, standing right up next to the runner. And Josh, for some reason, kept really close to this coach (from the opposing team). I caught him pulling at the guy's pants while he was pitching, and the coach had to swat his hand away. It was weird and hilarious.

Swim lessons often overlapped with game times. When that happened, each boy got a parent to himself, and sometimes they had to stop for hot dogs or frozen yogurt afterward.

  

This end of season trophy was a big deal to Josh. He carried it around with him while playing tag with his teammates for an hour afterward. Wouldn't let it out of his sight!

 Swim lessons don't have so many photo ops, but I love these little red goggle eyes.

It was a fun season, but I'm glad to have a break!

One Saturday after baseball and swimming, we took off for Portland. We stayed the night with Alexa and Miguel (friends from business school) and got to meet their cute twin boys, who are just a little older than Adele.

I think we succeeded in showing them how loud and crazy boys get when they're bigger. The echoes in their big fancy house didn't help.

We went to the rose garden and the park, and couldn't resist trying out Voodoo Donuts. It was super crowded and a delicious experience.

 Another weekend, we headed to a forest area in the city for some easy hiking. The kids LOVED it. We ended up getting lost on a golf course at the border of the trail area, and unsuccessfully trying to cut our way through thick foliage back to the path. It did not work out, but it was an adventure, and the boys didn't mind at all. 

Pausing so as not to interrupt golfers.

On the path, we came across some intense Medieval LARPers and a great little rock wall for kids. Being on the trail really made me miss being out in nature. It felt so free and simple. We need to do more hiking and camping. It would be easier if Adele would learn to walk!

Matt told us to choose our favorite plants on the trail and took a picture of each. None of us know how to smile normally for the camera.

There is so much to do here, we haven't even scratched the surface. Here's to many more adventurous weekends outside!