Ballin

Wyatt's first year of baseball started a few weeks ago. He was very excited to be on the Angels! He is loving practice and games and all the gear. He has his own bat bag and glove and hat and pants and jersey and long red socks and cleats and even a CUP. It puts it all on and walks around the house in a way that I might die. 

Remember this post?

He's been ready for this day for sooooo long!

The morning after his first practice, he came out dressed and ready for school with his cleats on. I had to explain to him that cleats were only for baseball, on the field, not for school. He was so upset. Cried alligator tears for 15 minutes. "These are my faaaaaaaaavorite shoes! I don't want to take them off ever!" 

His first game brought both tears to my eyes and giggles to my heart. All of them are still so little. Many barely understand the basics and struggle to hold the bat (or drop it after they've hit the ball!!) But they are so enthusiastic. It's a lot of adults yelling "Swing! Swing! Swing!" followed by "Run! Run! DROP THE BAT! Run!" followed by "First Base! Stop! Come back! Stop!" followed by cheers louder than if it were the World Series.

Right now - every kid gets to bat. No one gets out. You are pitched to until you get a hit. (unless it's taking forever, then they bring out the tee) At his first game, Wyatt didn't need the tee in his 3 at bats and fielded the ball a few times. Even throwing it in the right direction when he let it go again. I call that a WIN! It's fun for him to have his own thing. To have something his sisters can sit on the sidelines and cheer him on in. I feel like he's been the one tagging along to their events for so long! I'm looking forward to many more Spring mornings cheering on this kid, my angel, always.

The Bigs

Guess who got the call up? To the Big Leagues that is...

My cousin, Chris!

#33 was added to the Angels active 40-Man roster today.

You know, the roster that includes names like Abreu, Hunter, Napoli, Kendrick, Figgins, GUERRERO!

Sometimes life has a way of letting you know everything is working, unfolding, and occurring exactly as it should be. That someone BIGGER is in control. After I learned of Chris' good news this morning, not 30 minutes later an email appeared in my inbox titled "Super Late Notice!" The Mom of one of Matt's players was apologizing for asking so last minute, but wondered if we wanted their fourth row from the field season tickets for tonight's game!

I squealed out loud when I read it! So loud that Molly came running from the next room saying "What Mom?! What is it?! What happened?!"
My sweet parents agreed to stay with the kids so we could go. And my sweet Kindergartner agreed to postpone her "Back To School Eve" dinner until tomorrow. (But only if I made her her own batch of chocolate chip cookies!) I considered it a fair compromise.

So quite by chance, but oh so meant to be, Matt and I had a date night tonight! One that included seeing #33 in the dugout and PETTIT in big red letters across the back of his jersey.


So fun! Fun enough to celebrate with beer, nachos, and hotdogs. Fun enough for me to scrap my run. That's freaking fun, peoples!

Chris is the one on the far right in these next two

The Mariners tied it up in the top of the 9th, but the Angels ended up winning in 10. And by this time, Chris had put on his jacket...so he's one of the ones in red.

Congrats Chris. I can only imagine how exciting today must have been for you and your family. I think you've been living, eating, breathing, and LOVING baseball since you were 2. Maybe younger. You've worked hard for this day and so deserve it! I'm thinking if any MLB team is favored in Heaven, it's gotta be the Angels! And I'm sure at least the home games live stream up there. You know your Grandpa was having a PARTY tonight....celebrating bigger than all the rest of us combined!

Not like we ever need one, but thanks for giving us the best excuse ever to go to games. Tonight was really fun! I can't wait to do it again.

For Kate

My Wolverine sister emailed me earlier this week with her suggestion for the next wordless blog post.

I thought it appropriate for today (wordless or not!) this being Opening Day of the Olympics. Notice the block "M" near the top of Phelps' speedo. Go Blue! in Beijing 2008.

We here in the Burns household are very excited to watch the swimming and gymnastics - both of which the girls have taken a shine to this year.

On another sports minded note - Brett Favre are you serious? YOU RETIRED! Is this really how you want the end of your career to be remembered? I am tired of your whining. Green Bay does not want you. Hope you love Jersey. Play your heart out for the Jets or GO HOME. Usually that's what retired people do.

Take me out to the Ball Game!

We went to the Angel's game last night and left in the middle of the 7th...which ended up being a good thing because it took 12 innings for them to beat the White Sox! The girls had a great time - even if they didn't spend one minute in their seats. Megan said her favorite part was the "boom booms" (fireworks after Rivera's homerun) and the cotton candy! I guess she'll grow to appreciate ERA's and RBI's as she gets older!!