Mother's Day 2008

What an awesome day!  Mother's Day is so special.  I love knowing that this little guy is my son and that God trusted me enough to allow me the privilege of being his Momma! 

Hayden's 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Parker, helped the children in her class put together a Mother's Day book.  The kids wrote their pages and drew the pictures to go with it and then she laminated them and put them in a book.  Hopefully the photos of it that I took will come out on these pages.  It is the MOST special Mother's Day gift I have ever received.

 So this is how he sees me when I am cheering for him. 

 Okay so 31 might not be right but I can live with it.  HA

 What a handsome guy!

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Aunt Sara's Graduation May 10, 2008

Hayden does do other things besides baseball.  :-)  This morning we got up and went to Harding University to see Aunt Sara get her second Master's Degree.  We are all so proud of her.  Hayden was just thrilled to see her.  He was especially happy when she waved at him when she went on stage to get her diploma and then again during the recessional.  There were so many people there he was afraid he would not get to see her.  What a silly little goose!

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Baseball Practice May 8, 2008

Hayden had baseball practice on Thurday night.  Coach Carey worked those boys really well.  He had them running laps when they did not listen.  Hayden only had to run once but his tongue was hanging out when he finished.  He just thinks Carey is so neat and listens to him so well.  It is fun to watch.  (Carey had so many of the kids running laps that we "moms" decided we better be quiet and act right or he might have us running)

 Stretching it out

Hayden does not have the whole jumping jack thing down just right.......

 Ow, it hit my leg....

 Coming up - throwing

 Is it my turn yet?

 

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Baseball Game May 5, 2008

Hayden's baseball game was at 6 pm.  We sure like those games better.  At least we are closer to getting in bed at bedtime when the game is at 6.  Hayden only got to bat once but he hit a double down third base line.  He probably would have had a triple (and maybe a homerun) but there was a bigger fella in front of him and he could not run as fast as he would have liked but he was very grown up about it.  He knocked a run in and scored a run.  They won 3 - 0 and were so very proud of themselves.

The coolest thing happened though for me as a Mom and Harold as a Dad.  When we were in Nashville, Hayden saw one of "his" ballplayers before the game, take a knee and asked us about it.  We told him we believed his ballplayer was saying a prayer and telling God thanks for all He does and asking that He help him do well in the game.  Well how much do you think it teared me up to look on the field as Hayden took the field to see this.....

Now tell me these guys are just ballplayers....they are role models and such good ones at that.

 

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A Week of Baseball

This was our baseball week and what a week it was!  Hayden had a game on Monday night at 7:20.  Yes, I agree that is too late for a game for children his age but that is the schedule and at least it is only three or four games during the school time.

His team won 2-0.  Hayden had two singles and scored one run.  He almost caught a line drive.  It came very quickly, hit his glove and popped out.  He was certainly not happy about that at all.  What a mess he is. 

It wouldn't be baseball if we did not get dirty, huh?

The following day, we checked Hayden out of school to take him to Memphis to see the Bees play.  Of couse, we had to tell Hayden before we left that Bobby would not be there because he had been called up to the Angels.  Let me tell you it is not easy to tell a 6 year old that they are not going to see the person they want to see the most in the world.  Hayden's eyes welled up, the bottom lip came out and he said "I'm NOT going."  We told him that was fine but there were other ballplayers to see so he decided he would go. 

 

We saw two great ballgames and Hayden had loads of fun.

On Thursday night, Hayden had baseball practice.   Isn't he so color coordinated?  His aunt would just die off to see all that mixture of color.

On Friday night, we went to the Travs' game.  They won in extra innings so that was neat.  It was long and tiring though.  Hayden was thrilled because Kate was back in town and he got to see her. 

 Cornering ballplayers for autographs.  I went down to ask Hayden if he knew which ballplayer that was because I never think he knows the pitchers very well.  His immediate response was why would I not know that was Brok?  Too funny

 Hayden followed Kate over by some of the players' wives.  Do you know how scary it is for Hayden to be over by a relief pitcher's wife?  Yikes, there is just not much telling what he might say......

Then the biggest part of our week came.  Bobby was optioned back to Triple A and the Bees were in Nashville.  So what do any parents who spoil their six year old do?  They get in their van and drive 5 hours to see the Bees play two more games.  It was more than worth it to see the look on Hayden's face when Bobby came out of the clubhouse onto the field.  He immediately started yelling for Bobby to see him.  It was just precious. 

 Watching and waiting

 Talking it up....

Hayden even waited up in the lobby of the hotel to see Bobby.  He was just so excited. 

 Hugs bye

That's the worst part having to leave.  Hayden said on the way home "Mom, I miss Bobby already."  I see another trip in our future.  HA

At a Travs game the other night, someone said to us, oh I cheer for them while they are Travs but don't keep up with them after that.  How can that be?  I just cannot imagine.  Hayden just adores most of these guys and others are true heroes to him.

 

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So Far Behind Part II

The mood is hopeful because I am so hopeful that I will get caught up and not get this behind again.  (Yea, I know we are all counting on that)

Hayden had a pitching machine game on the 21st.  His Poppaw and Mommaw came to the game.  His teacher, Mrs. Parker, did too.  Boy, was he excited.  The best part was that he did not act silly but was serious about playing ball and doing his best. 

Here are some photos of our handsome boy at his game and after:

 

The rest of the week was good. 

Hayden had practice on Thursday.  He sure likes being out on a ballfield.

On Saturday, we went to Conway for cousin Amelia's birthday party.  We stayed for her soccer game and Mattison's.  Hayden is as thrilled when he is with his two cousins as when he is playing ball.  They are just his most favorite people.

 

 

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So Far Behind

How embarrassed am I?  I cannot believe how far behind I am in posting stuff that Hayden has done or been involved in.  The week of April 14th Hayden had a great week at school, although he woke up on Wednesday the 16th and announced he did not want to go to school.  That was a first for him.  I think he was just tired!  He tends to get all "prickly" when he is tired.

On the 17th, Hayden had baseball practice.    By the end of practice, we were pooped!

The best part of Thursday the 17th was the note that came home from school.   Let me tell you when you are the parents of a very busy, social 6 year old 1st Grader - these notes are a dream come true.

The following day, we took Hayden to Memphis.  Hayden's very first favorite baseball player is Dallas McPherson.  We did not get to see Dallas play in 2007 so when his team was going to be in Memphis, you know we had to take Hayden. 

It was so very hard to wait for the players to come out of the dugout.  While Hayden waited he got in my lap and whispered "Mom, I'm a little nervous."  How sweet is that?  He did not have anything to worry about.  He and Dallas chatted it up and Hayden was absolutely thrilled.  He cheered so hard during the game and the Isotopes became "our team". 

 Waiting and waiting

 So happy

We came home early Saturday morning so Hayden could go to Kiara's birthday party.  It was a skating party.  Hayden was a hoot trying to skate.   We were worn out and had to take a break and watch the other skaters for a while. 

On Sunday it was the first Kids Clinic at Dickey Stephens with the Travs.  Hayden had a big time but was sad because he could not just hang out with Ryan. 

 (You would think we could dress him in baseball clothes for a baseball clinic, huh?)

 

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