New York Pix 1

As promised, here are a few photos from the first few days that Jessica, my mom and I were in New York. Cooperstown will follow...

Jessica enduring our first flight complication... a 2 hour delay in Sacramento.

Post American Girl damage.

FAO

Some of Jessica's favorite places!

Having some issues posting pictures. I need to plan for next week. Will post more later.

Home...

Well, this will be brief and without pictures. New York was awesome. We saw "Wicked" and "Mary Poppins." We did the American Girl thing and rode the "red double decker bus." (One of Jessica's must do things when she is in NY-she just loves the thing and we never got off-we just went in a BIG circle around the city and she took pictures and smiled the whole time)

We saw Miley on the Today show. There were some insane parents that had actually camped out ALL night and then LEFT before she came on because there were too many people. Whatever!

Jessica had a great time. Girl got a $5 umbrella when we were leaving "Wicked" due to the torrential, and I do mean torrential downpour. I never knew that all I had to do was spend $5 and the kid would be so stinkin' happy. I am glad that we had those three days together and were able to focus on just her before we were off to the land of baseball.

All was well until I got a phone call from Ricky that their flight had been cancelled and that they were stuck at JFK. Between lost luggage, a last minute $350 ticket, a "malfunction" with the airplane, sitting on the tarmac for an hour and a 6 hour drive for Richard, my dad and MIL, Jennie we all made it to Cooperstown. Ricky's equipment and luggage were lost. I almost "lost it" in the airport. I was either going to cry or be very unprofessional. I tried breathing, I tried acting like it would all be okay and then, to what did my ears hear, but it was "Dancing Queen" on the airport radio and I started to sing and dance. I did not care what the hundreds of people thought. Little did they know that was their salvation...salvation from not seeing a crazy Mexican go ballistic and end up either on Youtube or on the news for going psycho.To make matters worse, my son traveled to NY with no shoes-just cleats and shower shoes for 2 weeks.

Ricky did not place in the Home Run Derby. He was a bit sad but his team placing 3rd out of 96 teams in the "around the horn" competition made him feel much better. His first at bat on Sunday morning he went yard and crushed the ball over the fence for his first of four homeruns during week 1. The 11 year-old Blue Devils ended up 30th out of 96 teams-please remember that they were playing against 12 and 13 year olds. The team that knocked them out eventually won it all and are a baseball academy out of Florida. Ricky pitched against them and was the only pitcher in the tourney that did not allow a homerun, struck out two and gave up no runs.

Week 2 the 12's came and they faired a lot better ending up 5th out of 99 teams. Ricky hit 2 more home runs. His bat did well and he had a great time. We went back to the Hall of Fame and saw Barry Bond's asterisk ball. It was not there during week 1.

Jessica turned 8 on the 4th. We clebrated by going to Sal's (pizza equal to Pizza Villa but NY style) and then her and her Nana baked her cake. We took her to the Soccer Hall of Fame and to Cooperstown Family Fun Park. Her three days in New York City were also part of her celebration. Her favorite food in NYC-a Dunkin Donut!

Finally we made it home late Saturday night missing 7 pieces of luggage-the saga continued. Jessica and I stayed in Sacramento at the Marriott so we could get some school shopping done as I had no clue that Mc Swain started on the 12th!

It was a great 17 days...would do it again in a heartbeat. Next year will be Ricky's last year to play in Cooperstown. They want to play two weeks and are in the process of building, what he calls... a powerhouse team. Oh to be 12 and have that be your biggest concern.

Our family made a lot of great memories. We laughed, ate good, laughed some more. It was definitely a trip that will be forever remembered by all.

44 hours, 2 minutes-2,914.10 miles to our future home

As you can see, I am once again procrastinating! The clock is ticking quickly before I am to board Jet Blue, Tuesday evening. There is so much craziness in trying to prepare for this trip. We are not rookies, so this year it is easier, except, we are staying two weeks. Gone, for a total of 17 days!

Today I started-and just finished Jessica's birthday banner. She is not to thrilled about being in Cooperstown for her birthday. Hence, the three day jaunt prior. I made a banner for Ricky's team and have done maybe 7-8 loads of laundry. I have also had to make sure that this goes in Ricky's carry on, but that one can't. (especially his three bats)

Jessica is packed. Thank goodness she can take care of herself-she is definitely my mom's grandchild. We did a check and girl had it all together. She is especially excited about American Girl. We are having brunch there on Thursday. I so put off the reservations but was lucky that they had "a few small tables left." Like I was supposed to give the lady on the phone my left kidney.

My goal tonight is to be completelty packed. Since it is 11:20 p.m. it could be a late one. Ricky is just about done. Then there is mine. Richard will pack Wednesday night. I need to get it done or I am going to scream. I am tired of the chaos that comes with getting ready.

This will be our home for the next two weeks. We drove past it many times last year and so I stopped in to check it out. Seems like a great place and this year we will actually have a house and not that nightmare of a Bed & Breakfast. I am looking forward to having a kitchen and laundry room-I know my mom and MIL will use them well.

One Week Left

Amazing that in one week we will once again be walking the streets of Cooperstown. It is crazy that one sport drives our family like the sport of baseball does.

All is well here. Jessica has done a fabulous job of recovering from her tonsil surgery. I am a bit sick of cooking and eating macaroni and cheese. I swear if I see anothe box of Kraft Mac & Cheese...I am going to lose it. My mom taught her how to make it although I am right there with her to make sure we don't end up with any unnecessary 3rd degree burns.

One of my most favorite reality shows kicked off it's 5th season last night and I am so happy as we were able to tell what episode was what before it even started. Diggy is a household favorite. Can you sing and dance to "Jump on It?" Go Neighbor Noah Go!

Well, that is about it for now. I am going to go watch Hopkins and Swingtown. Maybe do some laundry. I am procrastinating, that is what I am doing. I will pack, I will. Just not tonight!

So long Williamsport

Well, we lost tonight. Ricky pitched well and did his job but unfortuantely they came up short. I guess we will be watching the Little League World Series from our couch on Fall Brook Court.

We are down one team and our schedule a bit alleviated.

Two weeks from today the Cooperstown adventure begins.

I am very proud of Ricky. He did his job and he truly was an All-Star. I love you son!

I know the "s" is missing

I know the "s" in baseball is missing, but considering it took me over an hour to post-the "s" will just have to stay missing!

Baeball, Tonsils and Birthdays

July has started off with a bang! Jessica had her All-Star Game and not only did she do well, she had a great time. She finally got to play catcher but realized the position was too hot and from now on can be seen working on her pitching technique with her dad.We also got some crazy news-Jessica is going to have her tonsils out next Monday, the 7th. It was so crazy and quick but Dr.Carter was able to get it done at Children's.

On that same evening, Ricky's team won. He hit a home run that night so everyone went to bed happy!

On the 3rd, Richard turned 43. Due to Ricky's team winning the night before, all party plans were put on hold. We were off to Chowchilla for the big game. Ricky had to play against one of his teammates from his Fresno team. Ricky went 2-4 and his team won. Richard was happy and had nachos and a blue icee to celebrate.

On the 4th we were off to Babu's for a barbecue. We had a good time and ate too much. Since some of our Fall Brook neighbors were gone, we had a smaller celebration. We all missed Mark's patriotic show.

Saturday and Sunday were filled with trips to Fresno for...yep, baseball. While Ricky was at practice on Saturday, Jessica and I were able to see the "Kit Kittredge" movie. It was a great movie and she is even more excited about her trip to the All-American Girl Store.

On Monday, the 7th, we were off to Children's to have Jessica's tonsils taken out. She was a real trooper but would not allow her picture to be taken after she came out of surgery. Despite her drowsiness and pain, her manners were there and the nurse was impressed. We were home by 3 and the popsicles and jello quickly became our friends!

Ricky had a game that night and they won! It was an exciting game that I listened to over the phone. He came in with bases loaded, they scored a run and he then got them out of that inning. He hit another homerun. He proceeded to strike out three batters in a row and then struck out the last batter to win the game! Go Atwater!

So here we are 12 years later and it is Ricky's birthday. He was off to Fresno for practice, came home rested and had another game in Atwater. They beat Madera and will play their nemesis, Turlock, Thursday night.On Wednesday, we finally got to celebrate Ricky's birthday with the family. Grandma Jennie made enchiladas and tacos and despite not feeling well, Jessica made sure her brother had his ice-cream cake.

Jessica is doing well and has handled this whole surgery thing like a champion. One thing I have learned through this whole process with her is she is very INDEPENDENT. At times it is a bit frustrating, but as Richard said, "I wonder where she got that from?"

2:21:00 PM
by 78968400mom