Opening Day

As much as I am known for loving the winter,

 I equally love the benefits of warmer weather and summer.

Something happens to my hibernating state of mind and the hunt for the "Norman Rockwell" version of American life comes into full focus.

I get a heightened sense of love for lemonade, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, 4th of July, playgrounds, flowers, sprinklers, laying in a hammock, bubbles, concerts in the parks, mowing the lawn, picnics, ice cream stands, fireworks, all things red, white, and blue, and... baseball.

Really list goes on and on.

Saturday morning was our introduction into the most simplistic form of

 Americana summer life. 

Sam's opening day of Little League.

After a Little League parade down Rt.11 he had his first "real game". 

It. Was. So. Much. Fun!

I really did not know what to expect. 

Well, I honestly was thinking that it would be just an 

extension of the last 3 years of ball at the Y.

 But it wasn't....

He GOT it!!!

As my aunts said, "He's got his head in the game!"

There was no doubt about that.

He was focused and knew what he was supposed to do.

The most important part was that he LOVED IT!!!

Coming into home plate he decided he needed to slide.

(Just wanted to test out his new skill.)

Brian is  great coach for these little guys.

And as if he knew what Sam was going to do, he pulled the T out of his way.

(I wish you could see Brian's huge smile on his face in the image above.)

On the pitcher's mound, in his "ready position."

Going for the grounder...

... throwing it to first base.

After a great hit, running to first with everything he had.

Playing first base and "encouraging" the pitcher to throw him the ball.

Part of #10's cheering squad.

Aunt Donna, Beth, and Grammie Theresa

#10 Himself.

Get outside. Enjoy the gorgeous weather. Have an ice cream.

I think I have finally been able to put away the boots, coats, mittens and gloves. 

But it was close.

This past Thursday had been awfully close to snowing again.

But in crazy NY weather fashion it went from the 30's on Thursday to the 80's  for the weekend.

The kids are thrilled to be able to wear shorts again.

I'm thrilled that sandals and flip flops are once again part of the daily wardrobe.

I will be able to knock off 10 -15 minutes a day hunting for pairs of socks that match.

Two weekends ago we took the kids for the first ice cream of the season.

Beth of course wanted her 2 berry twist, (the pink/purple one) with rainbow sprinkles.

Sam, on the other hand, dreamed big.

Banana split.

So go outside and enjoy the change in seasons.

Listen to the happiness of some Jack Johnson.

Go get some ice cream tonight.

It's Baseball Season Again!

Yes, it's that time of year again. 

Months of hopes and disappointments lie ahead us with the beloved NY Yankees.

Brian and some of his friends headed to NYC this past weekend for a Mets game on Saturday and the Yankees game on Sunday. 

He wanted to experience the new stadiums.

The Mets stadium was 800 million while the Yankees was 1.5 billion.

When I asked him how the Mets' new place was he said, "Really nice. It's beautiful."

When asked about the Yankees... a huge ear to ear smile developed, "It's another whole world. It's gorgeous. There's nothing else like it."

So there you have it, Brian's official review.

If you'd like to see it for yourself we have season tickets.

Come for a quick NY visit!

So while Brian was living it up in NYC at some major league games, I took the kids to the minor leagues, Syracuse Chiefs. Miss Emily joined us for a fun afternoon of hot dogs, cotton candy, and peanuts. We had so much fun although Sam was mad at me for forgetting to bring his glove. We were trying to tell him that he could use his hat but he didn't believe us until the guy in front of us caught a foul ball with, guess what..... his hat!

But we didn't get lucky and thank goodness because I was starting to have little flashbacks from last summer.

Let me paint the picture for you.

It was a hot and humid August night......

 Heather and I took all the kids to the game. We were sitting on the 3rd baseline in the front row. We weren't paying attention and gossiping about something when all of a sudden we heard the crack of the bat. With everything next happening in slow motion. The ball came towards us and eventually hit Heather in the foot. Well she was 8 and 1/2 months pregnant and for a few hours it was uncertain if her foot was broken or not. 

Seriously we were in so much shock all we could do was laugh.... hysterically.

I will confess I wasn't the best friend I should have been because instead of trying to dive in the path of the ball and shield her unborn child, I moved out of the way and covered my head.

Don't worry she has forgiven me.... I think. 

You have, haven't you?

Heather?

:)

Beth has now inherited Sam's old cap and his Mattingly jersey.

It's always interesting going on an outing with a friend that doesn't have kids.

Emily took Beth with her to get something to eat. They came back with food, stickers for Sam and the most obnoxious noise maker for Beth. 

Thanks Em.

I'm already plotting my revenge.

:)

The kids taking the 7th inning stretch literally.

Sam is officially in Little League this year.

Brian is coaching his team.

And so it begins.

My mother has made remarks to me before that I have more posts of Beth than Sam.

This is why.

He is finally exerting his maleness and independence by not wanting me to take his photo.

I knew it was just a matter of time.

I do pity him having a mother with a camera permanently attached to her body.

Oh well, someday he'll appreciate it.

 :)

Happy Easter

Introducing my EasterBethie.

Happy Holidays.

Tara

Ireland Part 2

The beginning walk up Croagh Patrick.

Connemarra Hills

On the drive from Kenmare to Killarney.

Fence line from Croagh Patrick.

Powercourt Gardens in Enniskerry.

A house on Innisheer.

Free range sheep running on Connemarra roads.

House in Cong.

Gillymots covering this rock formation at the Cliff of Moher.

My Impressions of Ireland (Part 1)

There is no rhyme or reason to these photos. 

They are just simply the first ones I have done.

They are not in order of our trip.

I probably won't get into huge details over our everyday events.

Emily is still updating our adventures.

Thank you for being patient with us.... it was hard to get internet access at times and usually our time was very limited. So continue to check out her blog for the best details.

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/pintobean97/

County Clare Coastline

Cow sticking head out of barn window.

Kylemore Abbey

County Clare Coastline

Emily, the first of two traveling companions.

She was our guide at all things Ireland.

With her Brennan family  living in County Clare she is a familiar to the area.

Lady Jessica. Our second companion. 

The practical one, the one who kept us on schedule.

The following images are all at Clonmacnoise.

An ancient, ancient church and monastery with some of the oldest high crosses in Ireland.

Shipwreck on Inissheer. An Aran Island.

Ironically this wreck ended up being a blessing for the island. They locals took of all the pipes off the ship and it was how they were able to get the first indoor plumbing on the island. Tat was in the late 1960's.

This island is definitely a perfect example of where time has stood still.

Celtic crosses at Clonmacnoise.

A cool tree outside of Galway.

A tiny little section from the Ashford Castle.

An infamous Guinness truck.

On the island again. My friend who tried to kiss me then tried to steal my purse by trying to bite it off my neck.

Ivy growing through a tiny Ashford Castle window.

I think this was a stairwell from Cong Abbey ruins.

We met this wonderful character in Cross, County Clare.

His name is James. 

This was one of the hallways in our hostel in Tralee.

It was an old Georgian style row home converted into a hostel.

I'm home....

Back from a wonderful time.

Post LOTS more later.

~Tara