I got into the airport about 6.30 and Deb and the boys picked me up. The boys were quite excited to see me, I think. I am not sure sure if they were more excited to see what I brought them or if it was me. Either way, I at least got a ‘Hey…Daddddyy’, promptly followed by, ‘What did you bring us?!’ So you decide, my ego says me, however, reality says, gifts.We met up with Jeff and Alethea for dinner at Paesano’s. We had not seen them in a while so it was nice to catch up over a nice meal in Midtown. As is customary when we eat there and the weather is gorgeous, as it was Friday night, we walk off dinner and head to Rick’s Diner for dessert. Its probably the best Desert Diner in the valley. Their desserts are huge and well tasty!  We got home just before midnight, on the eve of Opening Day for little league. Oops!

Short on sleep it made for a long day, but way fun. We were supposed to be up for the parade at 6.30 am, however I hit snooze and forgot to reset the alarm, so we didnt get up until 7ish to be at the field at 7.30. We got there about 7.45…ish. Ah well. They both made the parade, in their uniforms, so no biggie.

It should be interesting to see how the year goes since I am a coach on both boys’ team. When Bode found out I was coaching Ethans team again, he asked if  I could coach his team too as well. With 4 and half years of cuteness staring you in the face, it’s impossible to say no. And yes, that is the word ‘Sucker’ (the fine print says ‘stupid’, in case you were wondering) you see stamped across my forehead. In a couple of years when they get too good for me in their coaching, I will be able to sit and relax and watch the game. Yeah, I cant do that either. In fact, thats how I got roped into this in the last year, but I will enjoy it just the same!

Ethan’s Team is Coast this year, which means the coaches are pitching the ball to them and by the end of the year, the players will be pitching. Ethan hit the ball each time he was up and had a fun time. The team as a whole did quite well, even had a couple of innings that they ended the ended the inning by getting all three outs before giving up 5 runs (which is the alternate ending for an inning).

Considering how Bode’s first practice went, I was really worried how he was going to do for his first game. His first practice consisted of him being shy and stubborn, meaning he didnt participate at all.

For the first game however, not the case. He had a blast!

He was the catcher and first baseman. So he got plenty of action. The league gave us catchers gear for kids that are 12 not 6. The leg guards came up to is hip!

He reminded me of the kid from the ‘A christmas story’ when he got into his winter coat to go play in the snow. All he did was stand there because he could not move!

A couple of times he could have fielded the ball and stood there. I walked over and told him he can get those balls.

Ethan enjoying his brothers first game!

He looked at me and nodded his head to say ‘Yes’ while in his head is thinking, ‘Seriously, you jackass?

Can you say, fat guy in a little coat…I can barely move, let alone take four steps, bend over, pick up the ball and then throw it!’

Today we rode our bikes to the park to go on our lady bug hunt. Shockingly, we found one and a beetle too. Thankfully, hunger took over so we gave up the hunt after about 15 minutes or so to eat the snacks Ethan packed for us.

We played at the park after that and rode home. They boys rode about a little under four miles round trip.

Bode still has his training wheels on, but they are pushed up, so he is basically riding a two wheeler.

Ethan tried to pass his brother in when we were crossing a minor street and hesitated. He jammed his brakes wobbled decided to bail off the bike and in doing so he scrubbed and nicked his leg on his wheel. Tears ensued, but once I explained that it was his fault he kind of dried it up.

He is still in the ‘Mommy phase’ where blood equals pain. Im working on him…pretty soon he will be in the ‘Daddy phase’ where it wasnt a good ride unless you come home…and bloodied.

Anyway, that was a long winded way to say, I missed the family while I was gone and its so good to be home!

It was a good day :)

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