Lance's game in Sarasota

Today, LJ and I went to Sarasota to watch Lance pitch.  He was playing the Reds, and it was HOT outside!!!  LJ and I were baking in the sun, ( I can't imagine those players in polyester), but we were ready to go home when Lance was done.  After we got home, (only an hour drive), we decided to try a Saturday night service at a Methodist Church nearby.  LJ had a great time and got to run out some energy outside with the other kids while we worshiped.  They said he was very well behaved and even sang for them.  He's such a ham...wonder where he gets that from?  :)  I'll have to look at my old home movies and see.  We are going to have a quiet day tomorrow because we have been very busy this week.  Just pool and home for LJ and I  - we miss and love you!

throwing with all his might!

# 31 in the program, but #1 in your heart  :)

Pink cheeks, blue eyes and gatorade.  I had person after person stop me and ask me if he was sunburnt today.  His cheeks get so red, even in 70 degree weather, and others think he's just frying.  His sweet skin is ivory white now as he sleeps :)

We had a good time, but LJ was wishing he was 

                  a) out on the field playing - or -

        b) in the air conditioning.

Bama Game!

Yes, you read that right!  Home came to us!  Tampa hosted the SEC Mens Basketball Tournament this week, and we got to go to the Vanderbilt/Bama game.  Alabama won, (glad we attended that one and not last night's where bama got killed by UT).  We had a blast, and LJ was in his glory, shaker in hand.  Enjoy the pics!

This is the cool "wrap-around" jumbotron

When I said "shaker in hand", I also meant "shaker up nose"...what's that about?  :)

My two true loves...

Another one of my loves...how could you not love a huge, soft elephant?

"BA-BA Bama all the way"...that's how LJ says it :)

Post overload!

I know, I know!  3 new posts in one day :) 

 I am behind, but now I'm caught up.  I hope you enjoy them!

A fun day outside!

A few days ago, LJ and I spent the entire day outside.  We woke up and biked to the playground.  Nearby, there is a gravel road, and LJ liked that more than any slide.  He ran from one side with a rock, to the other to drop it in the gutter.  After that, we went from pond to pond, looking for an alligator.  We didn't see one, but we sat down and watched some herons.  The one pictured actually took a stab at a fish, picked it up and ate it right in front of us.  I was shocked because the fish was twice as big as his head!  That night, we ate outside, and LJ had his first taste of corn on the cob...enjoy the pictures!  P.S.  He picked out his own outfit - we tend to change from one sports uniform to another here :)

mmmm...blue eyes, yellow corn :)

Here is our hungry heron - LJ actually took this picture.  When we stopped, he said, "Mom, can we sit?"  How could I say no?

Here he is on one side of the gravel road...

...back to the other to drop the rock in!

Man, I'm exhausted!

I'll just sit on the playground and drink mom's propel :)

I love the mornings - who knew?

OK, so there's a catch to this -- I love mornings here!  I wake up, and there is a family of 5 otters outside on my water hazard, (one of them a baby), a beautiful white bird, a heron and 2 black duck-like birds "fishing".  When I took Rookie out, there were 2 squirrels and a bunny.  LJ is actually sleeping well at the moment, so when Lance leaves at 7 something, these are the things I see as I wake up.  I get a kiss from him, a cup of coffee and a morning with LJ/Rookie/wildlife watching some curious George.  It's great!  Moving to downtown will be a shock, but it'll be fun to enjoy the "other side of the coin", so to speak.

I took some random pictures because these are things LJ does all the time.  He won't smile or pose for the camera, so I caught him doing things I see him do all day.  I hope you enjoy.

This is his face when he thinks about something I just said or asked.  For example, I think I asked him, "Who's your favorite character in Dora?" ...He said "Boots", of course :)  A monkey named after shoes.

As he waits for his breakfast, this is him talking to a picture of Lance.  He does this a lot, as if he's really there.  Today, as we drove up to the field, he says, "I see you, Daddy!", then as he's pitching he says, "Hey, Daddy, I brought my glove!" His dialogue with him is neverending, despite whether he's present or not :)

These are some of my wonderful "morning friends".

LJ goes and gets his bathroom stool and "pitches" to me from it, like it's his mound.

This is him talking to me.  He talks incessantly, and he's just sharing a tidbit of something, I forget what, with me here.  

The Old Ball Game :)

LJ loves to sing "Take me out to the ball game", and after he finishes singing, for a little while, he calls a baseball game, "the old ball game", (i.e. "I want to go back and watch the old ball game, mom".)  Today, we went to the ball game and watched Lance pitch. Our only time in the stands was the inning he was throwing, and the rest of the time, we were at the playground.  It is a great idea to have a playground at a ballpark!  This one is baseball-themed, (as you can see in the pictures from the other day), and he loves it.  There are always other kids around to play with, too, so LJ has a blast.

After the game, we went to the mall.  We were going to let LJ play on the playground, get a snack and maybe eat dinner at the food court.  LJ played HARD, running laps like Rookie with the other kids.  We ate dinner at the food court then headed home to play a few holes of golf.  Keep in mind it was about 6:30 p.m., and LJ was already exhausted.  We only played two, but LJ and I walked them while Lance played, so he was DONE by then.  We came home, had an icecream cone and a bath before putting him to bed.  I wonder how he'll sleep tonight.  

I hope you had a wonderful day, too!

This is him, late into playtime, exhausted and resting.

The taller kid, (around 5), organized a game with LJ and the other kid, (about 4 or 5?)  They kept repeating themselves, not understanding why LJ wasn't obeying their instructions, (he's 2, guys :) ).  Eventually, LJ understood that the game was to stand in a line and throw the ball on the count of 3 then run and get it...over and over :)

Taking a rest on the Rays spinning thing :)

Do you really want a peace of this? 

Brave boy -- standing on top of the ambulance in the mall...making me nervous :)

after all that, running after Lance in the golf cart

Poor Rookie has to stay in the cart, but at least he got to come!

A fun day at the ballpark!

We had the opportunity to enjoy a ballgame with some friends from home today.  Kenny and Angeline Burns joined us.  They own and operate the wonderful Baseball Country Camp we are so crazy about.  After the game, they came over, and we ate too much red beans and rice with graham cracker brownies.  It was yummy and fun!  Enjoy our pictures from today - it was an absolutely beautiful one!!

P.S.  LJ will not go to the ballpark unless he's in FULL uniform  - I think he really believes he just might get in the game!

Lance and LJ  after the game - Lance was actually about to take him and Kenny back to the locker room for a little visit.  That's why he's not smiling - he's ready for me to be done with the picture so he can go!

This is LJ playing on the playground.  He has his hat on backwards, so it's out of his way.  I thought it was so cute.

The playground is baseball-themed, and it's on the first-base side of the stadium.  Needless to say, we don't spend a lot of time in our seats :)

A good picture of Lance pitching :)

Angeline, Lance, LJ & Kenny

Me and LJ at the game 

Too cute!  LJ has no idea that putting his head through that little hole makes him look like a player!

The other kids are playing on the playground, LJ is playing with...the bat- what else?  :)  He LOVES, (all caps, bold) baseball!