Recap

These last couple of week have been really busy for us! I'll try to hit the highlights:

Chris finally got and set up his new batting cage. He's wanted a set up like this for a long time. We put it in the side yard and even put down a little turf rug to stand on. We will probably make a few more adjustments to it over time, but so far everyone is loving it. Even the neighbor kids all want in on the action. I have to admit it is pretty fun to hit the balls.

Softball was winding down and the girls were both in the playoffs. Claire played a close game against the Green Elminators and unfortunately lost. She did manage to get a hit and score. After her game, we all headed to one of her teammate's house for an end of the year party. It was a BBQ on the pool deck and everyone had a great time. Neil spent the entire 3 hours in the water. He only took a break to lounge in a deck chair. We ate and socialized with everyone. Claire was stung by a bee and managed to still have fun. The weather was perfect.

Grace won her first playoff game and then her second game was scheduled against the number one seed team in her age group. We all knew it would be a really tough game. It was also about 90 degrees out that day, but the girls were in their zone. It was one of the most exciting games I've ever watched. The defense was crazy good. Everyone was making good throws and getting outs. The score was 1-1 at the end of regulation, but there are no ties in the playoffs. We played 7 full innings! (They usually play 3-4). It was super intense at the end. Those last few innings each team even started a runner on second base. Grace played catcher for 5 of those innings. She did a great job. The final score was 2-1 Pink Panthers! We did it. We advanced to the championship game!

 It was just a couple of days later that we noticed we were out of hot water. Not really something that is very fun to discover once you are ready to jump in the shower. Sure enough the hot water heater was dead. Someone came to look at it and wasn't able to fix it because the parts needed are discontinued. So we got a brand new one. Thankfully, we are still under warranty so it was all covered. We just didn't get to choose the new one. Oh well. At least we should be good for hot water for a few more years now. I definitely learned how grateful I am to have hot water on a daily basis!

Last week was extra busy. It started out with Grace's performance in Jack and the Beanstalk at school. She was cast as a farmer. It was pretty cute.

It was all about Grace that week because the very next day was her big performance in the talent show. She hula hooped to "Confident" by Demi Lovato. I was really proud of her! She did a great job in front of a giant room of people. She performed in the daytime assembly as well as at night for all the parents. Good job Grace!

After the talent show was the same night that Chris's parents, brothers, and nephew all showed up at our house. They were coming down to see the Chicago Cubs play the SF Giants at AT&T Park. Luckily they were just in time to see Grace play in her championship game! 

It was also Neil's last game as a Rocky that day. His kindergarten teacher Mrs. Allen came to watch him play. He was sooo happy to have her there. He's had a lot of fun being on a team and having us all watch him play. It's been a good season. 

Grace played for the first place trophy against the Royal Rippers. They were also a really great team and the game was again super close. Grace was able to get a hit in this game and got on base. We got a run in pretty early on, but couldn't get anymore. We held the other team though, and the final score was 1-0 Pink Panthers!! They did it! First place for 8u in 2016! It was very exciting for them. Their hard work really paid off. Our coach was fantastic and we had a great season together! Good job Grace!

Now that all of our ball games were officially over, we went home to relax a bit. We had lunch and went to Costco. Chris and the kids had fun showing their uncles the new pitching machine. They played outside for quite a while with that. Then in the evening Chris's uncle Troy showed up and surprised his mom. We all went to a BBQ place called Sauced for dinner and then out for ice cream afterwards.
The next day was the big game, but it didn't start until 5pm. We took advantage of the sunny day and went to San Francisco early enough to do some exploring beforehand. We walked around Pier 39 and then had lunch at Boudin's Bakery & Codmother's Fish & Chips. Then we made our way to Ghirardelli Square for some samples of chocolate. We people watched and walked down to the small maritime history area along the water. A few people had their pictures drawn for a souvenir.

We left to head over to the park early. We got there close to 3:30. It was nice to explore it a little before it got packed with people. The kids were excited to display the signs that they had made.

We even made it onto ESPN!! We are famous now!

We had a really great time!  The weekend was over before we knew it. Back to real life now and the normal busyness that happens at the end of a school year. I'm really looking forward to relaxing this summer.