Staking a tree

Pic#1 The cutest chipmunk taking a snooze on the stump at my neighbor's house.
Pic#2 Nolan marching in the Niska Day parade with Cub Scouts.
Pic#3 Thomas' adoring fans.

Forgive me for getting a little deep here. Have you ever noticed that some people put bands and stakes around trees they have newly planted? I think they are trying to protect the tree and let it get strong against the wind. Of course, eventually they have to take the bands off and let it stand on its own, against the wind and storms. Do you think the tree has a hard time once the stakes are removed? Some people don't use these stakes. They plant the sapling and let it withstand whatever comes. I think they must believe that this too makes the tree strong, rather than protecting it. They let the tree experience life as it is, hoping for the best.

I think parenting is like this. Some people protect their children and shelter them from certain things in life. Others just try to teach them right, put them out there and hope for the best. In both cases, I think parents are just trying to do their best. But I wonder if sheltering them in the beginning from things that happen in life is really helping them in the long run. What happens when the realities of life happen and there is no protection? It's hard to teach your children, let go and then simply have faith in them. But I'm thinking no stakes is better. I hope I can be that kind of parent...and gardener.

Bragging Rights

Pic #1: Thank you Rooneys for the Spider Man present! He loves it! There is silly string all over our yard from his webs!
Pic#2: Thomas being silly at 1st base.
Pic#3: Nolan winding up for a pitch

We had a busy baseball weekend with my folks in town. Thomas had a good game Saturday morning. The kids are beginning to learn that there are positions to play, instead of all of them swarming over the ball. Thomas had some good hits and tried for a play at first even.

Nolan played first base most of his game, but pitched the last inning. It got exciting when he hit a ball way out int he outfield and brought in 2 runners. He ran to third base and kept going. The pitcher started running towards him at homeplate to get him out. There was a discrepancy whether he got tagged before or after he touched the base, so they compromised and sent him back to 3rd base. He did make it home though. He had a triple and 2 singles that game. And he's made the newspaper 3 times now! The most exciting news is he went to a Pitch, Hit and Run Competition after his game. I guess he got points depending on how fast he ran, how close he came to the strike zone, etc. And he won! He tied in the pitching category with another player. So now he goes to Saratoga this coming Saturday for another round. I think they keep weeding out players, and then the eventual winners get to go to the All Star game in St. Louis. We're so proud of him that he's trying so hard and just loves it so much.

It was great to see my folks and have a nice warm weekend, at least Saturday. Next weekend is Niska Day so hopefully it will be nice weather then too. I just wish it wasn't so busy! I keep wearing my turtle necklace to remind myself to slow down.

Baseball Weekend

We've become consumed with baseball now. Nolan has 2 games and a practice each week and Thomas has a game each week too. They are both loving life and playing great. On the way home from a game, Nolan told me, "Mom, I love baseball. It's all I think about." He said it so seriously. It's great to see him become so absorbed in something that he really loves, and be good at it too.

I've been planning an intergenerational event for our two parishes, co-chairing with my new friend Holly. The first time they had an event like this, 300 people attended over the two sessions. It's been a great learning experience and seems to eat a lot of my time, when I'm not on a ball field. We keep hitting road blocks that we have to work around. But I'm amazed at how people are giving of their time and talent to make it all work. I hope we get a good turn out with all of this effort. I'm getting to know the most wonderful people.

This weekend Mom and Dad are coming down to see our ball players. Nolan is going to try out for a Pitch, Hit and Run Competition. The winners move on and may have a chance to see a major league game in Saint Louis. We'll see what happens with that. We're sorry to miss Simon's 1st communion this weekend--good luck Simon! We're proud of you! It's Gaba's birthday this weekend, Mother's Day and our friend Danny's 1st communion too. Lots to celebrate!