T-ball!

Following our mini-vacay last weekend, it was time for work and school again.  After two weeks off, RJ was glad to be back with his friends, and Amy enjoyed getting back to a routine of sorts.  I went back to work, too, so our lives quickly returned to "normal."  There was only one thing prior to the weekend that was blog-worthy.  While Amy went to a pre-season meeting for RJ's t-ball team -- it's the i9 league which is a large group of kids ages 3 to 14 -- RJ, Ry, and I did some painting at home.  Thank goodness we use Tempera paints which clean up easily otherwise RJ would still have...well...take a look.

His goal was to paint his hand and then press it to paper to see what kind of green hand print he could make.  The only problem was that it was too much fun to only paint one side of his hand, so he painted the whole thing?  For a few seconds, I thought I had a little Hulk in our house.  :)

Back to the t-ball discussion.  There are three large leagues here in Chula Vista--City League, Little League, and i9.  The i9 is probably the least competitive and more for fun learning that any of the others.  For one, it doesn't meet more than one day a week (Sundays for us).  It's a better match for what we are looking for and for our schedule.

Today was RJ's first practice and game.  The format is practice for one hour followed by a one hour game.  Each week the kids focus on one skill.  Today, it was "listening," which was challenging for a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds.  RJ was apprehensive at first, but once we got there and he found an audience to listen to him, he was fine.  I actually got to help out some which helped to ease his nerves.  We had a good time, and I'm sure we'll have plenty more over the next 7 weeks.  Here are some pictures and videos from the day.

Warm-up lap!

Stylish rooting section.

Practicing our catching.

RJ's groupie wanted her own glove and ball so she enjoy the fun, too.

He was more posing than running...

    And the videos.  Let me explain the rules of the game for this league, with these ages.  There are no specific field positions.  The players just stand out in the field and run after the ball once it's hit.  RJ is number 9 if you can spot him.

 Everyone hits once and runs one base at a time.  The last batter in the lineup bats 'em all home.  RJ got to be the first batter for one inning...

the grand slammer for one inning....(note that he passes two other runners on his way around)....

and in the middle of the batting order for the last inning.

It was a fun day and we look forward to many more sports days in our future.  RJ had a good time, too, although he had a hard time understanding that all his teammates also needed a chance to get the ball.  He shed a couple tears after a few dog piles where he didn't end up with the ball.

I think it's going to be a fun season!

-Jip