Baseball and Tee Ball

May and June were baseball months in our household.  Parker crossed the threshold from beginner tee ball, to a bit more serious coach pitch team.  He had a lot of games, and thus, all five of us had a lot of games.  

Parker was second to the youngest on the team and often played against kids who easily weighed twice as much as he did.  Despite this, he always had a smile on his face and even got a hit or made a play every now and then.  I have no doubt we will be cheering him on again next year.  I have to say, I look forward to it.  I am proud of this kid.

At the same time Parker was playing baseball, Ryder began tee ball.  Luckily, their games were on alternating nights, so we never missed one.  Luke coached Ryder's team who named themselves the "Thunder."  This laid-back league of little sluggers does not keep score and is focused on learning fundamentals - a big change from Parker's baseball.  

Ryder played just as we expected.  While he is a great little athlete, he feels no need to conform or hurry. His favorite part of every game was getting a free snow cone when it was over.  On his lasts game, instead of cheering for him and saying, "Run, Ryder, run!"  I yelled, "Go slow, Rye!  Don't hurry!"  when he hit the ball and was headed to first base.  In true Ryder fashion, he ran faster than ever.  He never ceases to make me smile.