We drove down to Rochester Friday afternoon for a baseball tournament. It took us about 2 hours, once we got out of the cities. It was a beautiful drive, who knew southern Minnesota was so hilly, and scenic?!
We were the first ones to arrive, we checked everything out, even took a nice walk around the neighborhood. Once the rest of the team starting trickling in, the boys got ready for the pool. To see how they interacted outside of baseball, off the field, was something else! As we were sitting there watching the boys play, we noticed there were quite a few teams staying there. I know I am and always will be bias when it comes to my son, and his team, his friends. There were boys screaming, running up and down the halls, all around the pool and entertainment area. A lot of boys being rather rude, if you ask me. But not ours. They did run a bit, and they did yell some. Nothing outrageous, kids being kids. But never were they disrespectful to anyone. It was the same thing for the rest of the weekend, even at the field. When other teams were messing around, our boys were either practicing or watching other games. The way they played on that field, cheering each other on, encouraging one another was inspiring. They started out as 12 boys, some who barely knew each other, and have now formed a brotherhood. They have each others back, on and off the field. A far cry from a few weeks ago. They connected, and in my opinion is was just what they needed! They ended up winning their 1st game 16-1! Got beat the 2nd game, but not by much. Game 3 they won, and then they were off to the qualifying game for the winners bracket. That game went into 2 extra innings. They lost, by one. That was a very emotional game, and they graciously took their loss.
On our way home Sunday, Jason and I talked about the weekend. How did we get so lucky to be apart of something so amazing? We’ve complained about the coaches, we haven’t always been happy with the way the boys played. But looking back now, I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world. We have the best group of little guys we could ever ask for. I couldn’t be more proud if I birthed them myself! I look forward to the next 5 years of this.
I’m adding an email Jason wrote to each parent and coach, with his permission. He put it into words, that I never could.
“I am VERY emotional when it comes to sports and being part of a team. I cheer, yell and get carried away at times because my emotions take over. When I’m around a group of kids that I know have the ability and the desire to be the best I become a little harder on them because I will not accept second best when I know they are capable of much more.
After that being said…..Nicole and I were going through the camera on the way home yesterday and looking at pictures of the kids in the pools, rooms and on the field. I don’t want to admit this but it brought tears to my eyes. It instantly brought me back 20 years. Remembering the times I would travel with my all-star team, my BEST FRIENDS. I was in little league so we didn’t travel unless you made the all start team. These boys are blessed with a gift that most kids will never know.
Recapping the weekend through our heads I would like you all to know how proud I was to be a part of BISON 9AAA. The way our boys acted ON/OFF the field set a bar so high for any team behind us I can’t really put into words. The way these boys represented the city of Buffalo , Buffalo baseball, and the true meaning of teammates was OUTSTANDING. We had a parent from Forest Lake come over before our Sunday game and tell us we were a “class act”. As a Parent, a coach it was awesome to hear. Whether we won or lost, every one knew Buffalo was at that tournament.
I just wanted to let you all know how proud you should be of your little guys. I have literally been on a hundred different teams with every sport you can think of and this group of nine-year olds is one of the best mannered, fun teams I have had the privilege to associate myself with. I am proud to be a fellow parent, coach, and at times the 13th little guy.”
Coach Erickson
*I now this is not our typical Free Chat type of post, I just wanted to share this with you all. Thanks for taking the time to read, and have a great weekend! Go on now….chat away!
Us Girls..Our Views 
Awesome! I’m so glad to hear that the boys (and their parents) had a really great experience. It’s great that you all are emphasizing not just playing well but also showing character on and off the field. I think a lot of parents today totally miss the importance of this.
So my kids and I are back to girls’ night out on Wednesday. Today the museum had a really cool new exhibit about music / nature. The girls were scared at first with all the weird sounds and lights, but they warmed up and I think this will be fun to come back to several more times.
I am starting to wonder about my oldest daughter and her visual learning. She has poor eyesight and wears glasses, but she’s too young for them to really pinpoint how bad and whether or not the glasses are the optimal prescription. She knows probably half of her letters (uppercase), but she knew most of those before she started preschool 9 months ago, and they work on letters in school every day. So I am wondering – is she just not interested? Is she not seeing them right? Or does she have a learning disability? I know it’s not necessary for a 3.5yo to know her letters, but it seems that if they are exposed daily to them, they would most likely absorb the information. Or not? I got a note the other day about how advanced this same kid’s motor skills are. Clearly it’s in her nature to focus more on physical stuff. But she has to learn to read someday. Maybe part of my worry is some stuff I know about her bio family. As in blindness, illiteracy, and other things.
Anyhoo, today I started making more of an effort to engage her in talking about letters and words. Each time, she wouldn’t even look at the word I was referencing until I repeated the request in a very specific way. But, I noticed she did know more of the letters than I had previously thought. I am not sure whether she is just used to not seeing words or is avoiding the issue. Obviously, there are many things I don’t know! And I’m somewhat of a literacy expert. This kid is a tough nut to crack in more ways than one. And the last thing I want to do is make her doubt herself. She’s only just coming out of her shell. Gosh, I hope I don’t screw up the balance, but how can I just ignore that she’s not learning?
Not much else to report. I have a couple “free” work days (free from interruptions since my partners are out of town). The challenge is to stay motivated to do the work I need to get done despite the sense of “freedom.” I could use some improvement in the self-discipline department.
Just keep working with her. After some time, you’ll realize what the problem is or she may just take off! I do think most kids should catch on from hearing and seeing. But then again, all kids are different and she may need a different way of teaching also. Bailey has to be enjoying something to really pay attention. I know you don’t really like TV, but for us this worked. Bailey was struggling when it came to History, he showed no interest in it. We got him watching the History channel, and now he’s hooked and loves learning about the past. You just have to find what works. She’ll get it, don’t fret!
I’d just keep working with her too. She’ll learn. It just may not be her favorite thing to do but like anything else, practice makes perfect.
I just had to share a cute moment of the day. My kids dragging the huge garbage can back to the garage (team effort). There were so many “kodak moments” within one minute. My kid even said, “take a picture.” Of course, my camera was nowhere near.
I just love that my girls have each other.
Aw. How cute. They either love each other or hate each other.
This was a wonderful post, Nikki and Jason! I am very happy for you the weekend was such a success and that you were s proud on these well behaved boys!
Thanks Ellen!!! 🙂
Well this morning was a little bitter sweet for me. Baileys last day of school is today. It seems as though he has really grown up this year. People told me he would, 4th grade was the year he’d change the most. They were right. He’s really came out of his shell. That was one thing I asked of his teacher this year. In the beginning of the year, he asked what I wanted from him. I told him, bring Bailey out of his shell that he hides behind. Bailey will probably always be a gentle soul, an old soul. But he is more confident, parents can only do so much when it comes to stuff like that. Between school, and sports he has really changed a lot! Next year he’ll be in the 5th grade. I can remember being in the 5th grade, and it blows my freaking mind that I have a 5th grader now. I am sad and happy at the same exact moment! 🙂 😦
I remember 5th grade very clearly also. I had such a wonderful teacher who got married mid year and I went to her wedding. I can’t believe these kids are getting so damn old.
So glad you had a great weekend.I must say reading what Jason wrote almost got me teary eyed.He’s very passionate about the game.Love the pic too Nikki!
Today I have nothing much planned which is alright.Its been a trying week emotionally so there for I havent gotten much housework done.I coudnt seem to focus on anything.Hoping today will be better.Tomorrow is my husbands birthday and all he ever wants for a gift is dinner and movie.I can handle that..BUT its Shrek he’s dragging me to go see.Have any of you seen it yet?I dont mind watching it but Id rather wait to rent it on dvd and see something a tad more action filled or “grown up” in the theater.Oh well,its a date and we really need a night out.
Wishing everyone a great weekend.
Shrek?? LMAO!!! Go Wes!!!
Nice Post Nikki. I don’t know why I was swelling with pride a million miles a way. But I was happy to hear such a glowing up date. Following over the last few Thursdays. I think the hard knocks in life, the difficulties and losing sometimes gives us the grace down the road. It’s nice to hear the boys did so well on the field and also off the field. I’m glad your excited about the team and watching the team grow together. Also nice that Jason wrote to the parents and Coach about a job well done.
I seem to chat about the same thing on Thursdays, my back still hurting ;+/ pain over a long time can get awfully boring. Trying different things walking each day, good posture, limiting computer time, and exercise oh well. I guess it will be better when it’s better and I will learn more about patience and other stuff. I started a class at the college I’m a little freaked out the first class I took was punctuation, grammar, and spelling. This class is screen writing and it’s harder then I thought it would be. I feel like a duck in a fish pond. Oh well I suppose I will survive this too. :+) Have a good week, and I’m looking forward to pictures and stories about the Summer cabin as I am vicariously enjoying this wonderful turn of events.
I loved what Jason wrote. He’s right, our kids played at the same park but there were 8 teams so there was variety. I don’t think the smaller towns have that option. We had a blast on Jason’s all star teams trip to Nebraska. What a long drive that was. I’m so glad you had a good time and I agree with Karen. I love the pics you took.
There’s not too much going on with me. All it’s done this week weather wise has been crappy. The guys have a golf tourney this Saturday that honors the Military. It’s their favorite one and it’s NOT supposed to be very nice. I hope it doesn’t rain the whole day on them. I’d hoped to have a girls day at the cabin but it’s supposed to be so crappy that I probably won’t go. The humidity is supposed to sky rocket so it’s hard for me to be outside. Make that impossible. You know what I wonder about? How did people in the old days live with what I have? Did they go live somewhere in some kind of sanitarium? Because I don’t know how they breathed outside air before there was a/c. I know people with TB used to go to Denver to cure that. I had an uncle who had to live there for a while after the war.
If it’s rainy, or on the cooler side we won’t come out either. No point in it really. I hope to though, I could use a nice relaxing day on the lake! And Bailey has really been wanting to come out fishing. Our lakes here just aren’t cutting it anymore, not when you have a cabin on a LAKE! lol We’ll see the day of, how everything is going.
Hi to my buddies from PD. Joy got in touch with me. I’m still alive, still kicking, and still the nasty, flaming liberal I’ve always been.
Hope LS and SKL are doing great. LS and I had some good laughs on PD but it seems like I ran out of things to say without repeating myself. Good luck to all of you over here. The writing is lovely.
Thanks so much for stopping by Ann. It was such a good feeling to find you today. LS writes here with us and SKL gives us lot of questions of the day and help with topics. Please feel free to stop by anytime.
Ann Adams! I remember! Those were the good old days, LOL!
I hope you stop by often. Deep down, we are probably four peas in a pod!