Bigger Boy Baseball

Prince Go-for-It so wanted to play on the high school team, but firmly believed he'd have no chance against those playing on year-around club teams.  This resulted in his begging to be able to try out for select teams, too, in order to adequately prepare.

Here, I could rant on and on about how I feel about what's happened to kids' sports, and how unfair it is that a kid can't hope to play on his school team (supposedly an affordable opportunity open to all), unless he's played years on an expensive and prestigious select team first.  We avoided that merry-go-round for years with the older kids, and even had a firm rule against select sports.  Unfortunately, it became time to flex for the times, and the needs of the particular kid.



Yes, it was expensive...the team fees, gas for two or three weekly practices -year around- @ 20 miles away, additional food expenses in extra meals for the player, and more costly convenience meals for the family, the equipment, and the travel.  It was also a bit annoying to have all of the requirements set by the team, with seemingly little regard for family schedules, church (I'm not a fan of Sunday practices), and family finances.  I feel that they forget that since we pay the fees, they work for us.


But, basically, we sign up and pay them to help improve our kids as baseball players and give them special opportunities to play, and to be seen by college scouts, etc., so they set the priorities for all in doing so.  --It's time to look at the good of the experience.

His dedication had him spending
hours in our garage hitting into the net.

Prince Go-for-It had several good friends on this team, he loved playing, and improved a lot.  He did make the high school team, playing right field for the C and JV teams.  He intended to play right field for his club team, too, but usually was in center, where with his fast moves and accurate judgement of the ball, he could cover a lot of ground for them.  He also pitched, although not his favorite spot.  I wish that Prince CuddleBunny's pure joy at playing could've transferred to his brother.  The older prince wasn't as quite ready to yell, "Awesome," after a loss.


This group played more games than any other select team in the area, and we had some 'forced vacations' out of it.  Out of necessity, we took trips requiring hotel stays out of town.  It would be nice to be able to choose our own destinations when we're spending the money, but left to our own devices, we wouldn't have gone anywhere.  

Not every game meant tanning time!

We wouldn't have had the breaks, nor the exposure to the new places.  --And I wouldn't have had the best tan I've had since I was 17 years old!  ;-)

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Morning Starter

I'm veering off of summer today, because I have a headache and just feel like sitting quietly with a relaxing treat, so thought I'd share that with you.

'Tis the season of Pumpkin Spice everything (except that a lot of it includes no pumpkin at all), but especially in the coffee-shop-addicted Pacific Northwest, the Pumpkin Spice Latte and it's variation, the Pumpkin Spice Frappe, are big news when they're first available.  We bought one of the latter from our local shop, but being used to homemade concoctions with more nutrition, we found them to be too sweet.  --Also, of course, too expensive to enjoy very often.

Last year, I shared a homemade version of the hot, pumpkin spice latte.  This is our homemade, whole-foods variation of the cold, blended drink.  I started by using a powdered frappe mix, but when we ran out of that, made it using ingredients we normally have on hand instead, which means I'm more in control of what goes in, anyway.

Confession:  Sometimes this is my breakfast!

Pumpkin-Spinach Spiced Frappe

Yield: two 20-ounce servings 

Add to blender:

• 1 large handful fresh spinach leaves (approx 1 1/2 to 2 cups)
• 1/2 - 3/4 c canned pumpkin
• 18 ice cubes (ours are made by our freezer...18 fills about 2 1/2 cups)
• 2 c liquid (* see options below)
• 1/2 to 3/4 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder (This could be optional, but I add this or vanilla yogurt to make the smoothie into more of a balanced snack/small meal.  We use Pure Protein 100 % Whey Protein, Rich Chocolate, because we prefer the whey protein source, and it doesn't have artificial sweetener.  If you leave this out, you may need more sweetener.)
• 2 good shakes of ground cinnamon (~1/4 teaspoon)
• 2 small dashes of ground ginger (~1/8 teaspoon)
• 1 tiny dash of ground cloves
• Sweetener, to taste

This is sometimes our
take-along-on-the-long-ride-to-Grandpa's treat

Blend until smooth, adding more liquid, if necessary, to reach desired consistency.  Of course, adjust the spices to your particular taste, too.

Poor into 2 large cups.  Prince CuddleBunny likes to add a straw.  ;-)  The spinach hides in flavor, but adds a green tinge to the drink, which, overall, tastes pretty much like pumpkin pie in a cup!  Enjoy.



*Liquid combinations I've used to equal 2 cups:

• 3/4 cup cold espresso or coffee, 3/4 cup vanilla almond or soy milk, 1/2 cup canned coconut milk
• 1 1/4 cup vanilla almond or soy milk, 1/4 cup half and half or whipping cream, plus 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder (which is optional, especially for kiddos)
• 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, 1+ cup soy or almond milk, 1/ 2 cup cold coffee (or milk equivalent for caffeine-free)  

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I'm, honestly, have mixed emotions about using and recommending protein powder, even though I'm pretty picky about which I use.  This article just came to my attention that lists real-food options that will add protein to smoothies, without the use of processed powders, so I thought I'd offer the link.

Dad Day

Our GrandPrince and his Great Grandpa

Today, like almost every other Sunday, I am at my Dad's.  As I may have explained previously, in typical weeks, I eat lunch with him on Wednesdays, and take him lunch and dinner, and spend the day, on Sundays.  

Part of the tough duty:
Playing with Grandpa's new puppy!

Sometimes others come, too, but unless he's sick or there is very unique circumstance, Prince CuddleBunny always comes along.  He's quite a trooper... wonderful company on the long drive and a cheerful helper and visitor.  The special memories he'll have of time with his grandpa will be priceless.  

I hope you're enjoying a nice day with your loved ones today, too!

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A Trek for Track

Prefontaine on DVD
Gets 10 thumbs up here!
Or maybe 20.  :-)

We had a little different track experience this year, due to the strong urging of Princess Eager.  Led by Prince Go-for-It's previous running obsession, our family has watched the movie, "Prefontaine" countless times.  (I keep hoping for a different ending!)  Because of that, we have become fans of the Oregon track program and Olympic track events, and Hayward Field seems like a fantasy place.

Steve Prefontaine and his Oregon and Olympic teammates were instrumental in scheduling and hosting the first world-class track meet held at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in the 1970s.  Now referred to as the Pre-Classic, it's an event our kids have always dreamed of attending.  Prince Go-for-It was able to go a few years ago.  

When he heard that Princesses Eager and Artiste and I were thinking of going this past May, he encouraged it.  We were deciding whether to make it just a Saturday day-trip, or stay overnight and get there in time for the Friday night events, and he said "GO FRIDAY."  Those events, he said, though free and treated as somehow less important, were the best.

Are we glad he said that!  

The trip southward was loooong.  The 5 1/2-hour trip turned into almost 7 because of we crawling through Portland commuter traffic on a sunny Friday afternoon.  We stopped off at our hotel in Springfield, where we were given a room with a king-size bed and without the promised fold-out couch. Unable to change rooms, we wedged in a cot, then headed for Eugene.  

The atmosphere was so special... It was a beautiful, clear evening, and we were in HAYWARD... 

...under the lights with the sun setting.  We saw new records set in discus (having only seen high school track meets, I'd never seen a discus sail like that!), and caught our first glimpses of Olympic athletes from all over the world.  The crowd was big for that night, apparently, but small compared to Saturday. It may not be next year, because of the last event of the night.  

Nike, started in Oregon by U of O track coach, Bill Bowerman,
was the major sponsor.  The girls are in front of their lighted sign.

I never thought a 10,000 meter run on the track could be so exciting...but when US athlete, a former U of O runner, Galen Rupp, pushed out of the lead pack in the last couple laps to absolutely own the race and shatter the American record, it was beyond awesome.  

It's hard to photograph running runners!

His last 2 laps were both under a minute, after a race pace of 65 seconds/lap.  For my two 400 m runners, this was phenomenal, and they were blown away... Like the rest of the crowd, which was on its feet and roaring.  I am not a runner, but it was COOL.






The next day we had time to wander the beautiful campus and play a bit before events got underway at noon.  

It was hot and crowded, but we were excited to see more famous names/faces, and see more records broken in all sorts of track and field events.  We saw Justin Gatlin take the 100m dash, and Sanya Richards-Ross ran the 400 right underneath where we sat.

Sorry, again, for a bad photo, but that's how close we were
to Olympic caliber athletes, and that's how nice
they were to sign programs, etc.

Later in the afternoon, we went down to stand by the track, the girls hoping to see the 110 hurdles, and their hurdles idol, Ashton Eaton, much better.   There, we got to see several track greats up close.  When Allyson Felix warmed up for the 200, she ran right at us, only feet away.  We saw the battle between Kirani James and LaShawn Merrit, in the 400 meters, which finished in a tie.  The traditional Bowerman Mile was a highlight, too. (Bill Bowerman was Pre's coach, and also one of the originators of Nike and their waffle trainers.) 






Besides seeing the famous faces up close, the girls got autographs and high-fives from international track stars doing their victory laps.  I do think Princess Eager has washed her hand since, but she didn't want to.




I'm so glad Princess Eager pushed for us to make this trip.  I had so much fun having girl-time-- seeing the campus, watching the meet, and after, meandering our way north, taking a side-trip to get a look at Oregon State University, as well.  Strongly motivated to get moving, the girls just had to stop at the Nike Outlet Store in Portland to get new running shoes on the way home.  :-)  We hope to make the Pre-Classic a yearly outing.

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Tracking

Intermixed with our baseball spectating, was a bit of track. 

Unlike (most) baseball games, track goes on rain/wind/sleet or shine!

 

 Princess Artiste ran her senior year of high school track, hurdling, running longer sprints, and representing her team especially strongly in relays. There were fewer than usual home meets, so we only got a glimpse of her season.  

She had a good time, and was a major asset to her team as a competitor and, especially, a leader, serving as team captain.

Her running has begotten other rewards and endeavors, about which I will share later.

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The Rookie Season

I went to nearly countless baseball games in the past months with 2 sons playing on 3 teams.  

Prince CuddleBunny played his first year of Little League in the spring.  He was his Majors' team starting 3rd Baseman, and his hitting improved so much that he went from awkward strikeouts, to hitting doubles and an occasional triple.  He was awarded Best Third Baseman, and even better, Most Improved Player on the team.  

What was best in all of it was his attitude and absolute joy at the opportunity to play.  After every practice, he'd rush into the house with genuine fervor, "Practice was awesome today, Mom!!"  









I don't want to embarrass him, but it only showed his passion for playing when the Pacific Northwest spring weather would take its usual turn, resulting in the cancelation of practice or a game, when the tears flowed with the raindrops.  

Even though their team lost their first game (and many others similarly), 23-0, he came smiling out of the dugout, and said, "That was AWESOME."  What if we all did that in the face of what seemed like big failure?  To him it wasn't.  The score was beside the point.  It was a couple hours on the field, playing the game he loves with all his heart.  

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October 2014: 31 Days of Blogging

I'm back.  Is anyone out there?  ;-)

It is October again, and so many blogs join in a "31 Days of Blogging" project, started by home blogger, Myquillyn Smith (The Nester).  Each blogger usually writes around a theme of some sort.  Last year, I did 31 posts, mostly on apples, because I had a kitchen full!  


This year?  I haven't blogged since May.  It's a wild and busy life.  Can I blog 31 days in a row?  SHOULD I?  I've been thinking about this for awhile now, and really meant to start a couple weeks ahead and bank some posts to help myself out.  That didn't happen, and now I've even almost missed the first day!  But, I'll give it a shot.  I promise (hope) they'll be short posts.  --Easier for you and for me that way.

Since we have a lot to catch up on, I'm stealing my theme from a classic, fall school assignment:  "What I Did on my Summer Vacation." 

 --Where I went, and what I found, ate, learned, realized, and accomplished... or not... in this past season of our lives, calendar-wise.  It's also a glimpse into this season, lifewise, with our houseful of teens.  --Not to forget our kids in their 20s, and the 10-year-old, too!  This gives me plenty of latitude, and hopefully, it can be fun, and, occasionally, helpful and/or interesting to you.

See you tomorrow!  Or, actually, vice versa.

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