Beyond disappointing

I have been coaching for years now, and tonight I witnessed a setback that still has me disturbed.  We are in 2010, but I heard someone sound like it was 1910.  There was a conflict at our softball field - a makeup game for 3rd grade boys & our scheduled game for 4th grade girls.  After some discussion & calls, the boys knew we had preference since we had the scheduled game.  It was a beautiful night as well - the humidity left for a few days & a great night for baseball or softball!  The boys were packing up, but another gentleman said he was "2nd in Command" and declared the boys would get the field because they "hit harder than the girls" and "he was making the decision."

I almost had an uprising with many of the parents, so he said "we won't have this & the game is canceled."  I told him that I wouldn't argue right here about girls being inferior to boys, but we would play in the grass.  We were all there, and it is so hard to makeup these games.  The other coach agreed, but it was beyond degrading & frustrating.  What a terrible message for both the boys & the girls.  We work so hard on empowering these young women, and they heard a terrible message.  Needless to say, parents are writing letters as I am.  The worst is that he had a daughter on our opposing team - does he really believe what he said?  I just can't understand it, and I am so disappointed.

By the way, we won 18-11!

Softball Update

Saturday morning, 10am, softball game at Brentwood field (a field as in grass field not a true diamond).  The little kids get the worst fields, but they don't care.  Anna is doing great & almost threw a girl out from short stop on Saturday.  The team did great, and she loves playing.  Awesome hits from everyone - especially Anna!  Go Chargers!

They can only take one base per hit, so it is slow moving. They are learning the game though!

Just finished a very hot game with the 4th grade girls, and we lost 15-20 (ugh!)  Our defense was lacking today, but as you can see, both teams pounded the ball.  Rosie had 2 triples!!!!  She did great, but we made way too many errors in the field.  I know what we need to focus on now at practice....  Record is now 4-2 - I can't believe we have been playing since April & have only had 6 games - way too many rainouts.  Trying my best to reschedule games, but these teams are not as diehard as us!

Vacation at Gulf Shores

We headed to Gulf Shores, Alabama the day after school ended!  We went with our good friends, the Gombas', and their family.  It was fabulous & we missed the oil (thank goodness).  The beach is beautiful, and we were far down the beach & very secluded.  It was so quiet, and we had a wonderful time hanging out, eating great food & enjoying time away from it all!

Our house was awesome with 7 bedrooms - we loved it!!

Our very own pool too!  Gabby & Rosie goofing around on the day we arrived!

Gabriella's cousins, Jack & Luke, and Rosie hit the waves every day for hours & hours!  So fun!

Anna & Caroline & Jo in the sand on Day One - time to build some castles!

Jack & Rosie & Gabby with their creation - pretty cool!  I think this was Jack's specialty!

Jo caught a fish & was so proud - that was a staple of fun everyday - crabs and/or fish catching!

End of the School Year

We now have a 5th grader & a 2nd grader!  Anna's teacher was the most amazing 1st grade teacher I've met, and the kids were devastated to leave her (I'm not joking). Anna was not even excited on the last day of school because she did not want to leave Miss McNair.  I could not believe it!!  Rosie was ready for summer though - it was a tough but good year with Mrs. Jorcke. 

I have to boast that Rosie got straight As, and she worked hard & should be rewarded with As for her effort.  Jorcke is tough & gets them prepared for "upstairs."  Anna, of course, did so well.  Her teacher told me that whatever they were working on, Anna wanted to do the next step.  So true - she has a lot of drive! 

Good job to my two hard workers!! We are very proud of them & look forward to the next year at St. Mary Magdalen!

Mrs. Jorcke grabbed me to take a quick picture for her - I knew the shade was going to do this to the picture but she didn't mind.

Jo's Birthday Surprise

Is there any more to say?  This car rocks!!!  She loves it, and it actually has a radio!!  On Day One, she did not mind her sisters driving her around.  Totally different now, she is a maniac driver & somehow she never crashes.  I think Pete & I are going to have a heart attack if she crashes this shiny pink thing!!  It is so cute!

St. Mary Magdalen's 1st Annual 5K Run

The spring was a blur for me trying to work, softball practice with both Rosie & Anna and organizing the St. MM 1st Annual 5K Run.  I was pretty tired by the end of the school year, but it was worth it!  Work is always busy, and somehow I keep up with all the projects (barely!) 

Softball is going so well for Rosie's team - we are now 4-1 and have 5 more games to go.  We had so many rainouts again, and some of the teams are not too flexible when rescheduling the games.  We may only have 4 more games......  The team is just doing so well, and they love playing (& I love coaching). 

But back to the 5K Run - what a beautiful morning we had on May 22nd!  I'm not sure I slept the night before because I was so nervous about it running smoothly.  It did and we received so many compliments - we had plenty of water, volunteers, food & the route was tough yet good!  I am pumped for next year - I can't believe I just wrote that! 

Could I take a worse picture - who takes one right into the sun? Me.....

Jay LaMartina was the winner - Anne worked with me on the race (his wife) so we were so excited when we saw him turn the corner for the finish line.

Did I mention we also had a 1 Mile Fun Run & my 1st grade daughter came in 3rd overall???  She beat 4th grade boys & her 4th grade sister!!!  She is a speed demon.  The kids loved the race too & really enjoyed watching all the 5K runners come in.  All worth the effort & stress!!!

Next year, I'm going to have Pete be my camera man too!  One main thing I forgot - pictures!  How could I forget a crucial item & I am always with "camera in hand."

Mother's Day & More Celebrating for Jo's Birthday!

Mother's Day was not the best day for me as I headed to the doctor in the morning (really the Urgent Care Center) to find out I had the flu.  I thought it was just strep throat, but I did get medicine & felt better within 2 days.  I was pretty out of it on Sunday, but I did my best to celebrate with my mom.  It was a beautiful day at the park, and everyone had a great time playing soccer or wiffle ball or just hanging on the blanket (me!)

My mom having fun opening her gifts!!

My little Jo wouldn't leave my side - she knew her mommy was sick!  What a sweetie!

We also celebrated May birthdays, so Jo opened some good gifts from her aunts & cousins.  She loves her My Little Pony toys!! 

The kids decided the slide needed sand - pretty cool!