Jackie's got baseball going on

 

Jackie has been going full on with his baseball both in his club team as well as the town league.  This kid has some power too.  This year he's been playing outfield, pitching and catching.  Though the poor guy really doesnt prefer to catch.  it seems he gets to catch whenever the weather rises which leads to an unhappy little 14 year old.  However, he's very good at it.  He has quickly become the tallest member of the family and he's not done growing.  He's very funny and truly enjoys his baseball.  He keeps talking about trying out for football.....stay tuned for that

He did hit a home runner in the big kids field though.  He ripped one straight over the fence in center field.  He's hit many in the club team that stick around because there are usually no fences but thankfully there are fences in the town fields.  Its just beginning though.....

PROM for Laura 2021

 

She looked so beautiful for her prom.  My little girl is all grown up.  But she really looked so beautiful in her green dress.  I'm so very proud of her.  It was a scaled down prom this year as they all went to Kimballs but as usual, they make the best of it and did all the games and activities in their prom attire.  

Oh William....How we have had so much fun over the years.  He's such a good boy.  Oh how i'll never forget him sitting on the bench outside of the Harrington and him reaching over and putting his arm around Laura.  I pretended to be all upset.  So proud of him too.

and our friend Kat

Nicky and Mama Lopez

Our friend Thomas...even though everyone calls him TJ....

who is this cool Cat....???

swim banquet

 First of the year end awards banquets.  Cat and Laura had such a great year and Laura once again received swimmer of the year MVP honors.  Catherine is no slouch either.  She really began kicking butt and coming into her own as a swimmer.  That girl is a great athlete...and a better person.  What a nice little lady she has become along with her sister.  They are two of my favorite children I must say.

Girls swim meet on Daddy's day

 It was so fun going to Gardner and watching both of the gals swimming a meet together.  I'm not sure Cat absolutely loves it as much as Laura....yet.....but she's good!!  She led off the meet in the first heat of the day and i was still adjusting my eyes to see the swimmers, i didnt know what she was wearing for a cover, but i caught it at the last second and she just took off....demolishing the competition.  She, of course, told me that she was put in the weaker heat....haaaa, she kicked ass nonetheless.  There were two other heats that she was in and she looked like someone else i know beating everyone in them too.  It was a fun way to spend fathers day.

After the meet the girls and I went to this great restaurant in Gardner.  Boy did they give you plenty of food and we ate well.   I went home and was so happy to get a call from Catherine inviting me to bring her and Jimmy to Kimballs for some Ice cream.  After my hot fudge sundae we went to the swim and tennis club to see Laura and Jack while they were working.  Daddies heart was fulfilled that way.  they are good kids and especially on Fathers day i appreciated them very much.

Jimbo back on the diamond

I dont think i could possibly explain how happy my heart is to watch this kid back on the field in baseball. Over the years I have recieved much satisfaction just watching him play and being able to coach him.  He's joined up on a college summer league.  He hasn't played in a couple of years and gets a little frustrated until he shakes off the cobwebs but I just love watching them play.  When the short season ends he'll probably just be getting it down but man o man dont i just love watching him play.  

 

March 1st at Sully's

 When we hear the date March 1st there is one thing we think of....Sully's.  Opening day every year means that spring is right around the corner and Ice cream is about to be in our belly.  It was freezing out but Jackie didnt mind braving the cold air to stand in line with me.  Laura and Catherine were just getting  back from swimming so they preferred to have theirs delivered to them....We were happy to oblige. Jackie had his moosetracks and the girls had soft serve vanilla for laura and cat had a golden oreo cone.  and Daddy had a large banana split....which i finished....wow.....i felt pregnant afterwards.

 Lookie here....Jackie is now taller than me!! It was cold there!!!  But we know that spring is right around the corner now that Sully's is open!!!!

Back from outer space

 wow, this is longest i've gone without a post on my baby blog.  Life got a little hectic and Covid took over the world.  The kids are so busy these days with in and out of school learning.  

James is in college.....imagine he's living there and is remote in school.  Thats good because he's got good friends and they are having the college experience.....Laura is in her senior year in school and although there was nerves about the swim season being cancelled, it was only postponed until February and she is there now...with Cat swimming........yes, Cat is starting the swim season too.  She's taking it easy because of her back. is weak....yeah, i couldnt avoid saying it....but she recently said its feeling a little better.  They are both very competitive and this should be a fun season.....even though we'll be watching it on zoom or you tube...Jackie boy has spent alot of this covid mess with aunt jo because she works from home and the two of them are thick as thieves....he rules the roost.....but he has fun and wouldnt have it any other way.  

Pretty soon the weather will be better and tonight Sully's opens for the season so i'll see if the girls want to get some ice cream, I KNOW that Jackie is in!!!   Catherine tells me that i never finish my banana split....we'll see what happens tonight....but i'm excited to be in march.....

Mini Golfing with the boys

 Jimmy and Jackie were playing wii Golf and Jimmy told Jackie if Jackie beat Jimmy then Jimmy would bring him to mini Golf....well, apparently Jackie won and off they went.  They invited me and I definitely would not turn down such an invite.  Jackie got a hole in one on one of the holes and thats all we've heard all night.   Jimmy is getting much better at Golf so his putting is improving.  He said he won but he was the one keeping score too.....but it was really fun to be out with the boys.

We had the whole place to ourselves....it was cold and a Monday night so thats not surprising.  Afterwards, i got an ice cream and all of us went to Ant Jo's.  

 

We always have the face masks ready

Road tripping

I

 

     After a very sad week, we Laura and I shook off the dust, got up and loaded into Nana's car for a wicked excursion to include some college visits.  We started on Wednesday and drove across NY state and stopped at that dental college (Colgate)...Ok, sometimes i just cant help myself..i try but i just cant.  What a great drive it was though.  It was a picture perfect day (of course without a camera) and the ride provided so much scenery.  Colgate was a beautiful school..sort of like a New Hamspshire mountain area...quiet with a college town twist....but still beautiful.

     We spent quite a while there and took off into Pennsylvania, Bucknell it was.  We made it to Lafayette and Lehigh after.  Somewhere in between we went to Scranton to find some scraps of fame from THE OFFICE television show.  Scranton is interesting for sure.  Its like an old fighter thats been kicked too much and kept the white tshirt on.....where did that come from ??  Lafayette was interesting for Laura.  We went into a building because we got an employee to open the doors to let us in....By the time she was pointing the way to some interesting areas to check out we were both looking in the opposite direction to leave.  

     From there we went to Washington DC.  In DC we went to see Georgetown, American University and The George Washington University ......All beautiful schools,, 

     We then went to New York City and a trip to see Columbia University.  Wow, what a nice school that is.  We stayed in the city for the night and made a trip to Times Square.  Well, it might not be the right time for visitors because we had to get the hell out of there because the crowd was a little rambunctious at night.  Its too back because I loved Times Square but the times, they are a changing.