Softball Tournament Younger

Time to warm up!

Lots of ice and a mister, too!

Batter up!

Eye on the ball!

Running fast!

Safe on first!

Heading for home!

Celebrating the final game of the season!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Our morning began early with babysitting (kidsitting?) while parents did some shopping. By 9:45 all of us were on our way to the ballpark for our first game of the day. Younger granddaughter was packed and ready to warm up, including the requisite icy water bottle and last minute hugs from mom.

Batter up, eye on the ball, swing, run, safe at first, heading for home. To celebrate the final game of the season, coaches gave out medallions and daughter gave out cupcakes.

Softball Tournament Older

Saturday, July 14, 2012

By the start of older granddaughter's game at 12:30, sun was hot as Texas in July, heat we intended to leave there. Applying sunscreen was a must, and rolling up sleeves was common.

The game lasted two innings and had her at left field the first and catcher the second. They play their final game tomorrow.

The furry fan sported a team shirt and clearly supported his favorite team.

Toy Theatre Thespian

While waiting for her sister's classes to end, younger granddaughter entertained us with a toy theater she created at theater camp this week. She emphasized that the script she wrote had a clear beginning, middle, and end, just like any good story would have.

After the performance, she took a grassy break on the church lawn. All that drama does wear out a young thespian!

Friday 13

Friday, July 13

Today to celebrate Friday 13, theatre camp asked all campers to dress like Hogwarts students. No problem for granddaughters since they eagerly wear their costumes at any opportunity!

Theatre Camp

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Granddaughters are attending a theatre camp for two weeks, and we were responsible for transportation today. An old church houses the main performance stage, and a second historical church provides some classroom space.

While we waited thirty minutes for older's session to end this afternoon, younger gave us a tour of the block with emphasis on the garden areas. She pointed out various flowers, the benches and statuary, paths, stained glass windows, towers, and other features. One of her favorites was the Princess Amaradevi, a fascinating mosaic sculpture positioned at the front of the Steppingstone Theatre.

After collecting both girls, we drove a couple of blocks to the Grand Old Creamery for cool treats before picking up daughter from work.

Husband and I had our own theatre experience this afternoon watching a movie at our regular movie theatre. Popcorn was so tasty that we refilled the bag and transported it carefully home to share.

Badminton

Thursday, July 13, 2012

With the backyard ready for badminton, rackets came out and birdies flew. Ahhh, summer!

Frio is creeping up our sidewalk!!!

Tuesday

Tuesday the sun finally chased away rain clouds and dried the field for six o'clock softball practice. The basics of catching and throwing took priority, and coaches also worked on running bases and game strategy. Younger granddaughter's broken arm currently prevents her from playing with her team, but she hopes to participate at some level when she can.

On one side of the park we explored a path crossing a brook swollen by recent rains. The water was clear as the Frio but much more frio, and rocks were rich browns and oranges. Tomorrow we return to limestone and our own river hoping for rain to fill its banks.

Monday

With granddaughters in school and their parents at work, husband and I used the morning to shop, partly for ourselves and partly for parents' early Mothers and Fathers Days. Picking up girls after school is always a favorite event, and today we visited with a couple of their teachers and saw the baby chicks that had hatched over the weekend. Dinner tonight was in the hands of our grill master SIL, but we kept him company with games and activities in the backyard while he tended the pork chops and veggies. With our jackets buttoned and zipped, we embraced the best of a sunny Minnesota spring late afternoon.

Sunday

Daughter and I attended the morning church service where the senior choir gave a moving performance of Vivaldi's Gloria. They were accompanied by an orchestra of guest musicians and featured several of the choir as soloists.

After church we joined the other four family members and had brunch/lunch at their club on the Mississippi River for an early Mothers Day. Granddaughters happily noticed that the pool had water and was almost ready to open for the season.

By 3:15 we were taking one last round of photos before leaving for the auditorium and a repeat of the dance recital at 4:00. At home again with the long weekend at an end, we switched gears to prepare for a school week and a welcome early bedtime.