Resistance is futile

We had an epic day yesterday. First Connor had a game at 10AM. It's sort of a mixed bag with him at this point. On the one hand, there is no question he is improving. He's got a great, firm stance at the plate whereas last year he was really all over the place, standing on the plate, facing the wrong direction, etc. He has also made the conceptual leap that takes many of them a long time, namely that one has the bat with the purpose of hitting the ball, which is approaching. As often, but not always, with this conceptual shift, comes the physical ability to actually do it and sure enough on Saturday Connor was three for three on hitting coach pitches and actually hit them pretty hard. In the field he can be really good at pitcher. This is because a) you're in the middle of the action there and a lot of balls come to you and b) because there is no dirt mound. Dirt is the biggest obstacle at this age by far. Virtually no child is able to resist its siren call for something as abstract as the (often remote) possibility that a ball might come in their direction. So when he wasn't at pitcher he lost focus pretty badly, whining about being hot, hungry, thirsty, etc. At some point as I tried to get him to stand ready and watch the batter, he brushed me aside and said "Daddy? How does your heart pumping make you be alive?"

Jamie played at 12 and the Aggies got their first victory of the year 10-3. It wasn't the best we can play, but for the first time we sort of put everything together and played a pretty complete game. And little James continues to be a real contributor. He was 2 for 3 at the plate, both hard hit balls and both contributing to the two rallies in which we scored most of our runs. The second one was great because it was late in the game and although we'd been in control the whole time we were still up just 5-2. The first two batters in the inning struck out. As he was on deck he said to me "Dad, after I score can I go to the restroom?" Sure, I said, though this seemed a little optimistic. But there he was at first and thus began a two-out rally that got us to 10-2 and pushed the game out of reach. He also made a couple of plays at pitcher in the last inning as we snuffed out any possible comebacks.

So then Sarah and I had to go volunteer at the concession stand. The boys were actually very helpful there, getting drinks and candies for people. I had to close up the facilities afterwards, and then we came home and working in the yard and then made dinner. By the time we got them sorted and in bed it was 9 and we were all exhausted. Connor was asleep in seconds. Jamie, however, who does have a tendency to resist at precisely the points when things should be simple, seemed literally to be fighting sleep, coming up with one reason or another to call to us into the room. After he asked me to change the temperature, I went in there and asked for one last hug (sleepy boys hugs are great). He said no, because he was too tired to even sit up, but rolled towards me and said I could pat his head. I did and I think he succumbed before I even left the room.