I spent the night at Mimz and by 8:15am all I still had to do was brush my teeth, then I could play for 30 minutes before we have to leave for school.   We rode bikes.  Fun and good exercise for Mimz and me.

We found a big spider web between two trees.  It was beautiful in the morning sun.  The spider as still sleeping.

Barbara and GGF picked me up from school and as usual I wanted to know what GGM was doing when they left home.  I always want her to be taking a nap so she will be ready to play all afternoon.  I guess I think she is in her second childhood and is my personal playmate.

The refuse truck was getting near our home, so I went out to watch them.  They honked their horn at me.  When they finished I pulled our trash can back to the house.  I do like to do chores.

I had fruit punch at school that left a mustache and I wanted to take a selfie of it.

I ate a bran muffin GGM and Barbara made this morning as soon as I got in the house.  I liked it.  We played the regular things.  A different thing we did was play "hitting each other with my two pool noodles."  Barbara and I played this for a full thirty minutes.  I won the battle:  44 hits to 41 hits.

GGM, Barbara, and I played baseball in the backyard.  We used four paper plates as bases.  We didn't have a T, so GGM and Barbara took turns pitching.  If they get the ball near me, I generally can hit it.  And we play with a wiffle ball, not my hard ball.  They are afraid of getting hit by the hard ball.   Mostly we were practicing my running the bases..  I was surprised at how well Barbara can hit.  And GGM is good at anything having to do with balls.

A funny story:  A few days ago, after I had gone home with Mommy, Barbara noticed a roll of toilet paper was wet?????  It took her a minute to solve that mystery.  She had done laundry and had not put out clean towels yet.  I had gone to the bathroom by myself.  Not finding towels to dry my hands, I found something else that would work.    She just smiled, glad that I would wash my hands when unsupervised.

I helped wash dishes.  I put coins that Barbara saved for me into a piggy bank.  I took a selfie picture of my face with red fruit punch around my mouth.  My friends at school said it looked like I had on chap stick or lipstick.  Yuck.

We raced cars down my ramps.  We used both the big wide old ramp and the narrow long ramps.  That keeps us busy for a long time.  I have a lot of cars to send down those ramps.

Barbara saves her coins for me.  There was a bag of coins that I needed to put in my bank.

Mommy came over to Barbara's around 5:40 with my practice clothes and baseball gear.  I had practice at 6pm.  Mommy, GGM, and Barbara went.  It was the best practice so far.  Seven dads were there to help.  I was told how to run through first base.  I was showed how to back up the first base man if he misses the ball, which happens a lot in T-ball.  I listen and learn quickly.  Of course, my batting was great.  We practice until it got too dark to see.

I went to the lake to visit Grandma.  

I spent tonight with Mimz, so she could take me to school in the morning.

Below is my

Mason’s Bluejay’s T-ball  games

scheduled for  2014

9-22 Mon. 6:30pm. Field 2  Rothwood Sports Center
9-27 Sat.  9:00am. Field 4
9-30 Tue.  6:30pm.  Field 2
10-4 Sat.  10:30am Field 4
10-9 Thu.  6:30pm. Field 2
10-11 Sat. Noon.    Field 2
10-14 Tue. 6:30pm. Field 4
10-18 Sat 10:30am. Field 2
10-20 Mon 6:30pm. Field 4
10-25 Sat.  9am.      Field 2

Practice every Wednesday and unofficial practice on Friday's at 6pm

 

My second baseball game was this morning at 9am.  Mommy, Daddy, Mimz, GGM, and Barbara were there to cheer for me.  A funny thing: The team mom had all my teammates shirts and hats because she was getting our names put on them.  Well, everyone got a shirt from her except me.  She guessed it was in her clothes dryer, but when she got home she found it on the ground by her front door.  She just dropped it.  So I wore a shirt with number 9 on it.  It all was okay.

I batted three times and had three nice high hits.  Several boys  had some good hits, but so far all of my hits have been great.   I had two singles and one double.  I made it home once.  One time I was tagged out on third base.  And the last time I made it to third as the last out was made.
These four short videos show my first at bat:

Hit and run to first base.

Run to second base.  I couldn't find the base.

Run to third.  I now know I must tag the base.

And scoring!  My next two hits looked like the first one.
We are all learning how to field.  It will take a lot of practice.  I played outfield and first base.  While on first base, I had my very first baseball field experience.  I still have a lot to learn.  But you can tell I am listening and retaining what I am being taught.

End of the game.

 At the team meeting the coach asked a question, and I answered it. 

I am very good about paying attention to the coaches.  I wore number 9 at this game.  But at the next game, I will have my name on my number 3 shirt.

 The mom's take turns brining treats for after the game.

 Daddy, Mimz, and I talked about the game.  They are proud of me. 

Grandma and Bridget would have come to my game, but Bridget was having a couple wedding shower at Grandma's home for Julie Chester early in the afternoon.  

Today, for the first time, I was outside waiting for Barbara to arrive.  I was ready to ride my bike, but first I had to eat breakfast and brush my teeth, to make sure those things got done.  I rode around the cul-de-sac with Carson until he had to go to school.

 

I woke Mimz up at 8am by tickling her face with Monk Monk's hair.   I was happy and had plenty of time to eat, dress, pack a lunch and watch something on the iPad before heading to school.  

When Mimz picked me up from school, I asked Mimz, and Sophia asked her mom, if we could meet at the park to play.  We did and we played nicely.   Sophia likes nature, so we studied a squirrel and observed thing in nature.  Mimz had rice Krispy treats for us and lots of water.  I really am an outdoor-loving boy.  I enjoy doing anything that can be done outside.  But if I think about it, I like doing inside things too.

Later in the afternoon we met Barbara at Neal's Restaurant.  I was not behaving well, but as soon as Barbara started driving I straightened up.  She had already told me I was going straight to time-out if I kept up my bad attitude.  

I ate some fried chicken and sweet potatoes first thing.  I also snacked on some dates.  I love dates.  I love sweet potatoes also.  

 GGM drew some bases on the driveway.

 We talked about the order I am to run around the bases.

GGF and I looked through a bucket of sports things.

Mr. Brad finally got home and we were about to head out for a bike ride, when Mommy drove up.  We still got to go for the bike ride around the big block, which was a good thing because I probably would have been angry if I had not gotten to ride and then I would have ended up in trouble.

 

Mommy took me to Mimz, who got me to school and picked me up from school.  Mimz and I rode our bikes in the neighborhood and I suggested we go to the park, so we did.

And guess who was at the park?  Sophia.  We played nicely and before long a couple children from my school showed up and we all played nicely.

Mimz made me rest for a while but I wouldn't go to sleep and I didn't want to eat, so I was not in a very good mood when it was time for me to go to baseball practice.  I cried that I didn't want to go but that didn't do me any good.  It just made it harder getting me into my practice clothes and into the car, where I promptly fell asleep.  But Mimz did get me to practice on time.  Barbara got there the same time we did.  Mommy showed up a little later.  GGM didn't come because her eyes have been bothering her for a couple of days.  Hope that clears up soon.

I got to practice batting three times and I only swung the bat three times to have three nice solid hits.  We also practices catching fly balls.  None of us could do that.  I could easily catch the balls after they bounced one time.  Practice, Practice, Practice.

Over all the practice was minor chaos.  There were moms there hearing the rules from the team moms, another mom taking orders for t-shirts and hats.  There were seven little sisters running around.  And eleven boys learning baseball skills.  You can tell the coaches are not real teachers.  They also have a lot turn learn.  Practice started at 6 and we played until it was too dark to see.  I find it a little boring, but after I understand what to look for and what to do, I will like it better.

Back at Mimz home I ate three helpings of spaghetti and had a quick bath.  I was one tired boy and I was in bed by 8:40 and fell asleep soon.

All I would tell Barbara about school was that we had two recesses and I made cupcakes in the kitchen.  But when Mommy came to pick me up I couldn't wait to tell her how the teacher pretended she was spreading germs on all of the children.  She was teaching the importance of washing our hands.  I know how much Barbara wants to hear what I am learning at school, so I keep power by not telling her.

Five of the last seven time Barbara has picked me up from school, I really need to go to the bathroom and can't wait.   I really have to go and am running to the gas station bathroom, trying to quickly get my pants down.   Barbara hopes I change my need for this bathroom stop.

Everyday I ask to ride the chair lift, everyday Barbara says no.

Mr Brad is normally off work on Tuesday so I expected I would get to help him work and go for a bike ride.  I was disappointed to find out he was working today.  I rode my bike but not for long, I was tired all afternoon.  We played my regular things, plus we got out my soldiers and played with them.   I wanted to look at my pictures on Barbara's iPhone, so at 4:15pm, I laid down and in no time I was asleep. 

Barbara had a time waking me up at 6pm.

Mommy and I went to pick up the birthday present she ordered for me.  It was a car I have been asking for for a couple of months.  It was in a big box and now all Daddy, Mommy, and I have to do is put all the pieces together!

Well, I have to wait another year to have another birthday.  I sure enjoyed my fifth birthday.
One of the girls left a pair of pink sunglasses at my party, so I took them to school this morning and found out they belonged to Bella. She thanked me and told me she had fun at my party.

I wanted to take my big bike to Barbara's but she said it was too big to get into her car trunk, so I will have to ride my little one at her house for awhile.

Barbara and GGF picked me up from school.  For the past couple weeks I have asked for Barbara and Mimz to roll down my car window so I can say bye to my friends as we drive past them as we leave.  Today Mrs Annette told Barbara I have a big fan club, with everyone wanting to holler "bye, Mason."

This is my uniform, minus the cleats.  Mommy had to order them from Academy.  I asked what the plans were for the day and found out I was to play and then rest some before my very first baseball game.  I was too excited to rest much and I wouldn't eat much before the game.   GGF worked hard to get my belt onto my pants.  Now that it is adjusted to the right size, it will be easier next time and they decided to put it on BEFORE I put on the pants.  That will make it easier too.

The game was at the same baseball center where my dad and Uncle Andy played ball games.  I was to be there at 6pm, with game time being 6:30pm.   I had the biggest fan club at this game:  Mommy, Daddy, Mimz, Grandma, GGM, and Barbara.

The game lasted four inning.  Both teams generally scored 5 runs each inning before they had three outs, so the scoring was high.  They don't really keep score in T-ball, with no winning team and no losing team.  This is just a chance for us to learn baseball skills. 

 The first inning I sat on the bench...

 I did get to playing the other three innings... I am number 3.

The second inning I played right field....  I got pointers from the outfield coach.

 The third inning I played right field again...

The last inning I played third base.  As it turns out I did not see any action.  It was the 6-year-old boys who made all the plays.  They are the aggressive ones who sort of know what they are doing.  I was watching and learning.  Half the team are 6-year-olds, who have played before.

I had two "at bats."  Mommy and Daddy adjusted my batting helmet and I learned that I have a bin under the bench to put my things it.

 The coaches gave us a little instruction before we would swing.

 

My first hit.  I made it to first base easily, then I was told to run some more, so I took off, not sure where I was going.  I ran and ran, almost making it to second base before I was tagged out.  That was fun and I was ready to bat again.

 My only other at bat, I hit a nice ball and made it to first base, driving in the last score of the game. 

 The coaches give us some instruction before we bat.

 I posed so Mimz could snap this picture. 

The team lined up and met the other team out on the field to slap hands and say "Good Game."  I had fun and am ready to play again.

We have practice every Wednesday and then two games a week for the next five weeks.

 I told Mimz I like soccer better than baseball because I got to run.  I didn't do much when my team was fiedling.  She told me when I learned more about baseball, I would really like it.

I went out to eat with Mimz, Mommy, and Daddy.  When I got home, I went straight to bed and fell asleep immediately.

I am officially 5 years old!  How did I get that age so quickly?

I slept 11 hours last night.  I had a very busy day yesterday and it wore me out.  It was a great party and a great day for my family and me.  

Daddy and Mommy came to get me at Mimz' home at 9am to start another busy day.  Miss Karen gave me a haircut. 

We went shopping for cleats and socks.  We did not find the cleats but we did find the socks.

We went to another baseball practice.

 Barbara spent part of yesterday and today wrestling my waterslide.  She was getting it good and dry and getting all the grass off of it.  

GGM and GGF laughed while they watched her rolling around on the driveway trying to get all the air out of it. 

This picture shows how big the water slide is.  It and the blower weigh 100 pounds.

Morgan was invited to Homecoming by a boy from her tennis team.  He is an exchange student from Spain.  Mimz says both of her babies are growing up!  She will have to come help babysit Anna Kate when she wants a baby around.

This was a great day.  We had my 5th birthday party in Barbara's backyard from 11 to 1.  It had rained 5 inches this week, but we were so lucky that this was a perfectly beautiful day.  High temp of 86, nice breeze, just a few clouds in the sky.   Thirty-five people were at my party.

Balloons were tied to the mailbox to help my guests find the house.   Mommy, Bridget, Grandma, Mimz, and I all came over around 8:30am to help set up for my party.
 
 Prolawn came to mow about that same time.  when they finished they helped raise the tent by adding the eight legs.
Daddy came after he got his truck washed.

 Mimz and I looked out my birthday cake.

I like my cake.

I have a birthday cowboy had that says I am five years old.

Anna Kate arrived around 10, along with her parents,  and everyone gathered around to stare at her.  they stayed until time for the party to start.  Anna Kate is still a little young to be exposed to a lot of people. 

She is a cutie and she is one month old today.

 Only because it was my birthday weekend, Barbara let me ride up the chair lift.  Bridget rode it also.  

Mommy, Andy, and Grandma setting up waterslide.  It takes about two minutes for the entire thing to blow up.  So very neat! PaPa and Grandma bought me a waterslide/splashpool for my birthday.  We can use many more times and so can Baby Anna Kate.  We borrowed chairs and a big tent for shade from Sonja Wilson.

I tried out the slide as soon we started adding water.

 My first guests were Bryant, Elijah, and Aubrey.  We didn't wait for the others to arrive.  We immediately started to play.

 A funny thing: Mimz was standing near the water slide when the hose came loose and she got splashed big time.  She laughed.

The three little girls in the picture are Aubrey and Bella and Sophia outside the pool.  Hannah was the other girl at the party, but she didn't get in the pool. 

 My friends and I loved playing in the waterslide/pool.  We had a couple of bumped heads but no real problems.

 We ran around like this for a full hour, then we stopped to eat.  We had cheese and pepperoni Little Caesar’s pizza, vanilla ice cream, a Sheriff cake, and lemonade for the children. (cokes, sprite, and water for parents)

 GGM stayed inside to keep cool, but she could watch everything from the window.

 

 Daddy is talking to Uncle Scott and Aunt Jill.

Here is Uncle Donnie, Uncle Scott, Aunt Jill, and Morgan talking and watching me having a blast with my friends. 
I was happy they came to my party.  I didn't get to spend much time with them.  I had my friends that I had to play with.

 GGF made the rounds, talking to all the adults.

All the kids knew they could go get a cup of lemonade if they got thirsty.

The big tent gave the parents a place to sit in the shade, visit, and watch the children having fun.  This is also where we ate our food.  

Singing Happy Birthday to me.

After eating half the children had to leave, but the rest of us got back in the water.  

 Mommy spent part of the time, helping us be orderly while climbing up the waterslide otherwise we were like a bunch of monkeys.  

More fun.

 Another video of us having fun.

We only invited my school friends so we could keep the number of children at a manageable number.  We had to invite all the children in my class, which is 20 children, but only 8 came, which was just the right amount.

 

At the end we opened the gifts of the children who were still there.

 We gave party favors to the children as they left.  I thanked them all for coming to my party and for the gifts.

 These were the little favors that were in my cute red popcorn container.

Mommy put this treat together.


When the party was over and my friends at left, we all pitched in cleaning up, taking down the tent, and emptying the waterslide/pool.  

 We also opened up the remaining gifts.

 Mimz and I went to Baby Riley's first birthday party. 

I just love that little girl and I had a great time at her party.

 I wore the Texas shirt the Ross' gave me for my birthday.  Riley is their granddaughter.

 Mimz, Mommy, Daddy, and I went to  Shogun Japanese Grill for a special birthday dinner.  The chef did tricks with his knives and spatula and made a volcano from the stack of onion rights with real fire coming out of it.

This was my first time to use chopsticks.  I ate steak, shrimp, chicken rice, and veggies.  The veggies were a little crunchy for me.  

At Mimz home I found another birthday present.  Daddy gave me a big bike.  Oh, what a lucky boy I am!  I spent the night at Mimz and we were in bed by 8:15pm.  What a great day 

*******
Total of 35 people at my party:

Mason

8 five-year-olds, all friends from School in the Pines

15 family

11 parents

*******

Mason, Christina and Chris

Dee, Morgan, Scott, Jill, Donnie

John, Avis, Barbara, Brenda, Bridget, Andy, Kristan, one-month-old Anna Kate

Aubrey and Bryant and 2 parents

Bella and mother

Ethan and dad and sister

Elijah and mother

Sophia and 2 parents

Hannah and mother

Hank and 2 parents