Keeping Score

Keeping Score
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm score keeper for tonights game. Sam just hit a double and scored
off scooters double. Dylan got wacked on the knee by a line drive.
He's out for now.

Early Birthday Presents

Early Birthday Presents
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Nicole opened some early presents today because grandma insisted. It's
a lot of bulbs, plants, seeds and that sort of stuff Mr Woo and his
landscaping team started working on the property today so plantings
can't be far away.

I played golf for the first time in 6 months and ended up winning the
scramble tournament with my partners. Won 75 bucks in the pro shop. I
spent that and another 75 on some sexy golf gear.

Parkway Classic

Parkway Classic
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Nicole left the house at 5am today to run the George Washington
Parkway Classic 10 mile race. It started at Mount Vernon and followed
the parkway down into Old Town. George Washington used to do the
opposite. After getting drunk at Gadsbys Tavern and realizing he was
late for dinner he would run the 10 miles up to Mount Vernon. I
believe he's the record holder. He couldn't call Martha and tell her
he would be late, no cell phone.

The boys and I went down near the finish line to cheer her as she ran
past. We were back home by 10am.

One Last Fire

One Last Fire
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm pretty sure fire season is over but it's just chilly enough
tonight to get one last blazer in before October. Spring smelled
really good today. One benefit of the warmer months.

Game Ball Too!

Game Ball Too!
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Both boys were hitting the ball again today. Dylan went 3 for 4 Sam
smacked 3 for 3 with an RBI. Sam also basically hit two doubles with
two of his hits getting past the the outfielders and hitting the
fence. He stopped on first with his first big hit because he didn't
know he could take more than one base.

Sam also got the game ball which Dylan celebrated with him mightily.

Game Ball!

Both Dylan and Sam had two hits tonight in a 3-2 loss. Dylan had an RBI and the game ball. He was very excited and proud of himself. He kind of got choked up with he got it. Sam was happy for him too, and gave him a big hug, until he realized he wasn't getting one as well. He got over it and explained the RBI probably put Dylan over the top for the game ball, this game.

Hipstabaseball

Hipstabaseball
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam gettin ready in the batting cage.

Old school baseball

Old school baseball
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Made it in at 6am this morning from LA and slept until 2pm. Those red
eyes kill me but it was better than getting up in la at 4am and
spending the whole day on an airplane.

Had to get back for the big game tonight and another one tomorrow.
It's all baseball all the time these days.

I love this camera filter for the iPhone. The pictures look like from
when I played baseball.

Hipstamatic

Hipstamatic
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm laying in bed in Irvine California wide awake about an hour before
I need to be at my meeting today. I'm getting to an age where I can't
sleep past a certain time and time zones effect me. Didn't used to be
that way. Just downloaded a new app that turns your iPhone camera into
a 70's era pocket film type camera. Gives your photos an old analog
kind of feel. Old school.

Looking forward to going home tonight.

Braced Teeth

Braced Teeth
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dylan now has brackets on his front teeth, just like Sam. By getting
the front teeth straight now they may be able to avoid full on braces
in the future.

Greek Coffee

Greek Coffee
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Learned how to make Greek coffee from a woman in me group today. Annie
grew up in Greece and gave us a lesson in coffee making to round out a
busy week. It was good stuff.

Almost Friday

This is the first year I've ever really felt the brutal effects of the seriously high pollen counts in the area at springtime. I've been miserable for over a week now and would like a foot of snow to give me relief. The boys had baseball practice today and now I'm helping Dylan with some homework the we are all going to bed. It's been that kind of week, in bed by 9pm. The weekend includes a 7:30am team picture on Saturday and a game at 9am. I think a lot of nothing is in the plans the rest of the weekend. It's going to be a little colder so I think a final fire or two will be in store as well.

A Big Win!

For the little dodgers. Yes, this is the first win in organized (score keeping) sports. They were win less in the basketball league this winter but pulled out a 6-1 victory over the the little White Sox tonight. Both Sam and Dylan got hits with line drives up the middle that trickled into the outfield. They were both very excited and this was really their first taste of victory, no matter how small. All the teams should get a win or two each season.

Baseball Saturday


The boys got a good game in on Saturday morning Dylan got the first hit in this league between the two of them. It was more like a bunt but he got on base. Sam was takings violent cuts at the ball but didn't connect again. It will probably go a long way when he does connect. Sam has also fallen in love with the catchers position. I bet the fascination will end when it's 90 degrees and humid out there on on the field. It was about 50 and a little windy yesterday morning. The parents were all freezing.

I added a bunch of picture to my flickr account that include the opening ceremonies on Friday night and the game yesterday morning. They like playing baseball and they are pretty good teammates. Hard to say what sports they are really going for focus on in a few years but it's going to be all baseball until early June.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157623706819077/

Opening Ceremonies

The season has officially started with flags waving, the pledge of allegiance and politicians talking about family values. It turned cold all of the sudden so we high tailed it outta there after the pomp and circumstance and got something to eat at King Street Blues. A 9am game tomorrow will be a little chilly but at least it leaves the rest of the day to do stuff.

First Machine Pitch Game

So the baseball season starts like the basketball season ended. They had fun but lost, badly. These kids need to get a win under their belt or they are going to get complexes, or I may get one if it isn't too late. Dylan is number 13 and Sam is number 11. They are lined up here for the National Anthem. Great day for baseball with the temps in the high 80's but the humidity very low. Come on little Dodgers, get a win this weekend. I'm not sure I can take another loss.

NCAA Pool Well, Sam is the champion and the loser in the first annual family NCAA Basketball Tournament Pool. I let him know that the loser was supposed to buy the winner a brand new Ferrari which he thinks is unfair. Oh well. Overall Standings Group Standings Rank Team Name Score Correct Best Score Best Correct Champion 1 Sam Carpenter (1) 85 36 85 36 Syracuse (125) 2 Mark Carpenter (1) 58 34 58 34 Kansas (132) 3 Mark Carpenter (2) 57 36 57 36 Kentucky (135) 4 Dylan Carpenter (2) 50 30 50 30 Minnesota (141) 5 gpa gil 48 34 48 34 Kansas (152) 6 Nicole Duritz 44 31 44 31 Kansas (166) 7 Dylan Carpenter (1) 42 30 42 30 Kansas (125) 8 Sam Carpenter (2) 39 27 39 27 Minnesota (145) Report Updated as of: 4/5/10 4:33 AM EST

Gettysburg


We got up early to beat the traffic and the early season crowds, so I don't have a lot in my to describe a really great day in Gettysburg with the boys. The new museum that is now home to the famous cyclorama portrait is pretty spectacular and comes with a 20 minute film that does a great job explaining the whole battle. Dylan and Sam had been reading up on the battle and the civil war at home and school so they were thrilled to see the places they had been learning about first hand. By my estimation, this was their fifth major civil war battlefield but leaving in the dc area they see many smaller ones all the time. Mananas, Chancellorsville, Antietam, Fredericksburg and now Gettysburg. Pretty good for 7 year olds.

It was a beautiful day and the crowds were lite but I'm very tired now and have to get to bed. I took a bunch of pictures and you can find them here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157623770650696/

Cyclorama

Cyclorama
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

At the brand, spanking new Gettysburg National Battlefield
interpretive center. Got here when it opened at 10 and beat the buses
from dc with tons of tourists. Hiked around Culps Hill and having
lunch in a civil war era tavern. Going to make the boys do pickets
charge next since they are rebs, being born in Virginia and all. A
quick visit to little roundtop then home by 6 I hope.

Apollo

Apollo
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dylan is facinated by Apollo Ono. This is his short track starting
stance.

Springfield Dodgers

Springfield Dodgers
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It's jersey day with the first game coming up next week.