Baseball 2013: St. Louis Cardinals

(all photos were taken by Emily at True Reflections Photography.  She's awesome!)
What a fun year Ty had on the baseball field at Southern Little League.  His Daddy played on the same field when he was younger.  He kind of looks like his Daddy, ya think...

He is all Daddy in the face.  Side profile = Todd made over!

Todd got to help for most of the games and practices...something we both wanted but were unsure of how that would work out with his game schedule.  Ty was allowed to play because Todd coached.  4 years old's are supposed to be playing tball.  I'll admit though...it's really hard for me to remember that he's 4.  He doesn't look 4.  He doesn't act 4.  But, he's 4.

Ty Cannon Lillpop.  He'll always be my Ty Baby.
From behind he is my Dad made over.  Tall.  Broad  Shoulders.  Long Waist.  Little Eddie.

Ty loves baseball.  But, in the beginning of the season he was kind of bored.  He was playing outfield and was basically standing out in the grass watching other kids hit the ball.  As the season progressed he got more and more into the games...cheering, asking questions about plays, etc.  But, he still had moments of clearly just not paying attention.  I was the "dugout Mom" most games so I was in the dugout with him for the most part and he definitely wasn't the only kid out there in lala land periodically, but when you're as competitive as Todd and I are it absolutely drove us bananas.
But, he's 4.  He needs to wear a sign on his forehead that says "I'm 4 Mom.  Chill out!"
We learned quite a few things about Ty this year too.  He prefers to hit balls in the backyard by himself.  He prefers to do fielding practice by himself (with Daddy and I) too.  Why?  Because he gets bored when he's waiting on others to do their thing!  He is totally annoyed when he has to wait on others to bat and when he's in the field and no balls are coming his way.
He also likes competition.  He likes for us to challenge him.  He likes to field balls repetitively but only if you hit it "hard".  If he's playing with others he gets completely over it in a matter of minutes.  There's too much down time for him!  I hear that will change with age but we shall see.

Runnin' them bases!

As the season progressed he also got better running the bases.  The helmet took some getting used to on that large noggin' of his.  For about 1/2 the season he was on "Ty Time" (basically just taking it all in).  The other 1/2 of the season he "got" it.  He ran hard and fast and tried so hard to do good.  He got hits most of the time and he only had to use the tee about 3 times the entire season (his Daddy and him had a goal of not having to do that!)

Sweet boy.  He was so proud to put his uniform on each day!

This year was a year of firsts and we are already signed up for a later summer baseball league at our church that we are helping with too!  He met some great friends and we met some nice parents that our boys will be growing up with at the ballpark.  It was a fun year and we're looking forward to the next league starting in a few weeks.  For now it's swimming for both boys, golf for Ty and tball for Acey.
This is what summer is all about!!!

Show us your Singles: Meet Jamie!

So...it's Show us your Singles over on Kelly's Korner today.  It's like a real life Bachelor/Bachelorette.  But, better.
Here it goes...
Meet Jamie:

Hello, Gorgeous!

Jamie is a Preacher's Daughter.  My Preacher's daughter.
She is 24.
She is from North Carolina, she's lived in Kentucky, and currently resides in South Carolina.
She loves God, her family, and fashion.  And, Bama football.  Or, more importantly...making sure she's got the perfect game day outfit!
She's an Assistant Fashion Designer.  A Fashion Blogger.
So she's posting pictures like this occasionally...

She looks like a million bucks.  

...because it's her job.  And, she looks GOOD doing it!
Yes, I need to hire her as my stylist.  I need her to remove my boring banker/busy mom/exercise comfy clothes loving ways...which is another post for another day.
So, if you're interested (or you have hot brother) that loves Jesus, has a career, and shares the same interests as Miss Jamie, comment right here with your email OR send me an email at homerunmama@gmail.com .
Disclaimer:  This is for fun.  If it works, it works but I will tell you that her wedding will be the most fabulous wedding you ever did see...mark my word!

My Baby Boy is Free

Ace woke up today and after months of asking when he's going to be "free" he could finally say it.  "Mama, today I'm free!".

Ty and I decorated Acey's door with streamers and put balloons on the floor.  New Birthday tradition?
 

3 years old.  My baby boys is already 3.
He's got a smile that lights up a room.  He's playful and cheerful.  He's loud and full of life.

His room is under construction.  We're halfway finished.  Excuse our mess!
(notice the St. Louis Cardinals pj's)

Another year of Ace Edward Lillpop brightening our days and us shaking our heads over and over in disbelief asking ourselves, "did he really just do that?"

Birthday Boy breakfast of Champions.  Sausage Biscuit with no bread and apple slices.  We sang Happy Birthday with a "3" candle stuck in the biscuit that was what he meant by "no bread".   He got to open a few presents from us and his big Bro this morning and he got...a Braves jersey.  You think we like baseball around here?

While I'm loving this stage...I'm so eager to see what God has in store for him.  His determination and excitement for life is contagious.  He gets what he wants.  He's "go, go, go" all day long but most nights he tells us, "I'm tired now.  Take me to bed."


The year of 3's I guess...

He's a Mama's boy. 
He is our Acey!
Happy Birthday Sugar Britches.  Mama loves you!

Sidenote:  Ty Man helped me make cupcakes for Acey's Bday last night. 
Eggless Cupcakes.
Yummy cupcakes BOTH of my boys can eat.
He was so proud of his work and they sure were yummy!
I kept telling him how much his wife will love him one day if he'll make her cupcakes for her Birthdays.

His brain was saying "shut up Mom", but he just smiled and went along...

Smart kid.

Ace got to bring a treat to school today and he got presents all day long!  We had a little pizza party with Nana and Pop Pop before Ty's baseball game and Ace got to enjoy the game with his little Reesie Cup blowing bubbles and raiding the concession stand. 
The partying will continue on Saturday.  It's Orange Leaf party time with all of his favorite people! 
Party on ya'll!

Happy Muh-ver's Day

Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day. Todd got me the boys doughnuts and we went to church as a family...first time in a long time due to baseball season!
Todd asked me what I wanted about 36 times and the only thing I really wanted was to do something as a family.  Just the 4 of us. 
So, off to the zoo we went!

My little monkeys and I.  Gorgeous but a tad bit chilly!

This e-card cracked me up. 

To my fellow Mama's who pushed their babies out ;)

I received many gifts but my favorites are all right here....

A Queen Lillpop crown, painted flower pots and a candy dish, handprint cards, homemade cards, and a cute little picture of Ty Man at church that I just love. 

After the zoo we celebrated with Todd's family with a yummy meal and then we went home to crash. Or clean. Or crash clean.
So many times I think I am not a good Mother. I'm tired. I'm busy. I'm too concerned about my career. I'm too worried about how others think I am as a Mom. If my house is messy (okay, when is my house NOT messy) then I feel inadequate. If my boys act out in public, it's all my fault. 

One day I'm going to beg my boys to make my house messy. They're going to view me as a working Mama who works to provide for our family. They'll see a goal setting Mama that works hard and plays hard. Busy? One day I'll be begging for my kiddos to make me busy! This life is a beautiful life and I am blessed to be a Mama of 2 wild and crazy boys.
This is THE life.

Spring Pictures & a Graduation hat

It's time again for school pictures. 
CHEESE!!!

Hello.  I'm Ty Cannon.  I am 4.  No really, I am. 

Ty:  For real?
Ace:  He is literally saying "I hit by bra-ver" (brother).  I can tell.  His mouth is open weird.  His eyes are also squnty. 

Handsome Ty Man with a fake smile.  I just wonder what his classmates were doing while this picture was being taken.

Thinking Ty Man.  Again, why does he look like he's 8 or 9 here.  Slow down, Son!

I promise when he left the house on picture day his hair was combed and sprayed and he was "so handsome" as he always says.  He's wishing the water behind him was real and that he was in it.  My misvhevious little Acey.

Handsome Acey...but his eyes look squinty again.  Hmmm...

PROUD Ty Man.  We had a bit of a panic moment when he told me that the hat just didn't fit his head.  He gets it honest...Papaw...ahem...  This picture makes me smile. 

I cannot wait.  Okay, yes I can.  But, I will be placing this picture side by side with his high school graduation picture.  Ya'll, I could just cry looking at this picture.  My itty bitty baby boy that made me a Mama in a little graduation hat and gown.  The ceremony coming up will probably make me cry.  I know it's just Pre-K but still.   

It's almost time for a hats of to the graduate milk and cookies toast...