One tournament completed

Buzz and Sprout took me out to dinner the other night. Delicious. We went to Station Square where they have the dancing fountains, among other things. It was a beautiful night and we watched the fountains dance to Frank Sinatra's music. Sprout was enthralled. It is truly relaxing to sit and watch the water, see the city across the river, watch the inclines go up and down to Mt. Washington and just enjoy the city. I love Pittsburgh, don't think I ever want to leave. The seasons thrill me...there is nothing better than the first day of spring and later, watching the trees turn colors. We were off then from Station Square to Monekyboy's championship game. At least, the one for this week. Excitement abounds. When we arrived, the score was 2-0, Monekboy's team ahead. Then it was 4-0. At the end of the game it was 4-4 and they went into extra innings. Everyone held their breath as Monkeyboy's team had 3 up and 3 down. The opposing team smashed us...kept getting hits and ended up winning. I think I have mentioned the competitive spirit that I possess. It was a good series. Monkeyboy was pleased with his trophy and this week is another tournament. It remains a great way to spend a summer evening. Thank you Monkeyboy, for playing a wonderful series. And thanks to Buzz and Sprout for a wonderful dinner that I am still exercising off....well, at least thinking about exercising off. That triple chocolate cake was the BEST!

Tournament Ball is Here

I love to watch Monkeyboy play ball, what a pleasure to see how this team has progressed. I am a bit exhausted from all of the screaming and doing the wave for his team, but gosh, they are the best. Championship game is Wednesday. Did I mention I am competitive? Bird had control of the power locks in the car last night, funny how this family is into power and power gadgets in the car. He tried to lock Bean out of the car, would let her get so close, then move the car a few feet. Lots of rain water on the field, a bit of a pond in right field. A lovely evening for baseball, and hopefully they will have as much fun on Wednesday. I enjoy people watching also. There is a lovely lady there and I think she borrowed her teeth from a horse. Honestly, they are very, very large. And the little girl (who outnumbered me in trips to the concession stand) who, for some reason, had to hold up her shorts AND hold her food. Quite a feat. There is the toothless man behind us who yells at the umpire a lot, because the umpire seems to blow with the wind. We have a line up for our team and we are starting the WAVE when someone does well.......actually, Bean and I are doing the WAVE and one time we actually got others to joing us. I am feeling well and continue to be amazed at this laproscopic surgery...if you ever need surgery and this is an option......do it! Have a great day!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't know which are my favorites...chocolate chip or oatmeal raisen, but we did the choc chip. What wonderful times we are having, Bean and I. Tonight Mippy drove us all to my office to pick up some things. The kids were silly, being tired and all, as were Mippy and I. Mippy and Bean were singing a chorus of "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music" as Mippy was pumping $40 worth of gas in her car. I think Monkeyboy was yodeling, but I'm not sure. As we drove down the road Mippy explained that it had been a bad day at work and she was exhausted. At the same time, Bean was singing, Monkeyboy was playing with the power window in the back seat. I could see that Mippy was going to her happy place, a fog beginning to form over her face. Suddenly she said, "I have very little power in my life, BUT THE ONE PLACE I DO HAVE POWER IS OVER THE POWER WINDOWS". She didn't shout this, but said it very calmly as she locked Monkeyboy's window. It took him a moment to notice, and he was quite indignant when he did. I asked her to put my window up, and she got this very odd look on her face and told me to put the hood up on my Tasty Taco sweatshirt. It was kind of a grin, but not quite. Monkeyboy began to complain that he was hot. She just kept driving, mumbling something about power. Bean kept on singing. I think we all need a good night's sleep. Choc chip or oatmeal raisen...your favorite?

Guns and things

Bean and I planted today...well, actually, she planted and I directed. Mippy and Monkeyboy came by to pick up Bean. Monkeyboy looked tired from Cub Scout Camp. I asked him what he liked best about camp, and he said "shooting the gun". When I picked myself up from the dead faint, I thought about this. Grobus, aka Poppy, was president of the rifle club when he was in high school. I tried out for the rifle club, but couldn't even hit the target. Since then, I have not had much contact with guns. Bird was in the Marine Corp during the Gulf War. He fought and did a fine job of that. I was so very proud when he got off the plane and people cheered him as he came through the airport. Bird is a good person.....well, most of the time. He has a great sense of humor, is a kind and gentle person and a wonderful father. Monkeyboy thinks his father is the best thing ever and wants to be just like his father. Monkeyboy could not have a better role model. HOWEVER, there is this matter of guns. Bird and I had a "discussion" tonight about guns. Bird said he would never teach Monkeyboy to kill any living thing, that Bird likes guns, but he doesn't like killing anything with them. So, on this matter, which I feel so strongly about, I will trust Mippy and Bird. I have seen the gentleness and love in Monkeyboy--with Flurrie, the gentleness, and with his family, the love. I don't like guns, but I'll keep looking to the gentle side of Monkeyboy.....that's the side I love, Monkeyboy attached to Flurrie and worrying when some other child wanted to hold him........that they may not be as gentle as he was.

New Food for the Deer

Bean and I decided growing deer need more food. So this morning bright and early, (well maybe not so early) we went to the garden center and said, "We want to spend lots of money to feed our deer friend." The gardener rubbed his hands together and said, "You should spend lots of money to feed your friends, and I have lots of expensive plants to sell to you." So Bean and I came home, and have been planting ever since. Bean whines, "This is harder than cleaning the attic!" Little does she know the best is yet to come...while Mia gabbed on the phone all afternoon, Bean was made to work her fingers to the bone in the garden. Jumping on the shovel, trying to get a hole dug through the rocks and clay. Well worth the effort. Hope the deer enjoy. We took pictures because we are pretty sure it will be gone tomorrow.