T-Ball Life Lessons

Many people spend lots of money on big colleges and come away with a degree or two, but I am telling you all you really need to learn in life comes from your first year playing t-ball.

1.  Big or small if we all run in the same direction great things can be accomplished.

2.  Daddies can teach little boys many things if they will only listen.
3.  Little boys can teach daddies many things, like don't stand too close to a t-ball tee when I have a bat because it is...oh about yea high.

4.  Be weary of cute little girls with pigtails...they will get you every time.

5.  Always listen to a man with a bat your coaches in life...they can teach you a lot.

6.  Cute little girls with pigtails can be very nice to have around...sometimes.

7.  Daddies arms can always make a little boy feel better...even in the middle of the game.
8.  Little boys will always need their daddies...even in the middle of the game.

  9.  It is important to find good friends and stick together.

10.  Little boys will always look to their mom for encouragement and support.
11.  Moms will always be there to give it.

12.  Dads will always try to point you in the right direction...you just gotta do the running.

13.  It is always important to keep rooting for the underdog...'cause even the Cubs might someday surprise you.
14.  Have fun and smile, it will get you through any situation.


More Later
- A Ro

Tell Me Why Tuesdays

Second week of "summer vacation" down nine to go.  Let me tell you they are just flying by.  Now I put summer vacation in parenthesis because I am actually working for six weeks.  Those weeks are filled with field trips, dress up days, keeping my eye on 34 teenagers, and giving many voice lessons to students who are going to be headed off to many many auditions next year.  These summer weeks sure have a way of flying by so I am really trying to savor each and every moment. 

I want to give a big thank you to my very well educated friend Roger who sent me a nice message telling me how much he enjoyed my blog and that I should keep doing it.  Thanks for the shot in the arm. 

Off the personal rant and on to tell me why Tuesdays:  YIPEE

1.  Why does watching my towering 14 year old son hold hands and walk a small scared kindergartner to her camp class make me want to cry? #seenotallteenagersaretoocoolforschool

2.  Why does getting to sleep in a whole hour each day make me so very happy? #pillowtimeisunderrated

3.  Why does it please me so much to try cooking a new meal to try to please a picky eater and to have her say "Can I have some more please? #stepmomtobescoringpoints

4.  Why does June gloom have to rear its ugly head on the day of the water slide? #fearlessfrozenkindergartenerswithtinybluelipspleasesmothernature

5.  Why can I run 6 miles but playing soccer for 30 minutes with a 9 and 12 year old wears me out? #iamclearlynotnineoreleven

6.  Why does this salad at Chuck E Cheese cost a whopping $7.50??

#theratsgotaracketgoingon

7.  Why does hearing ELO's Turn to Stone make me happy on this dreary day? #lovethatrockinoldschooltechnosound

8.  Why after all this time do I still look forward to coming home to Rich each day? #sweetwonderfulmanwhomakesmyheartsing

9.  Why am I so looking forward to July 5th? #disneylandwithrichbellaandsarahyipee

10. Why did someone think that a gyro stand, a $.99 store booth, and a bouncy house make a Greek festival worth $2.00 admission? #gladigotfreeticketsofftheinternet

11.  Why couldn't I just stop at 10? #imfeelingwildandrecklesstoday



Hope you feel a little wild and reckless today too...but just a little.

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 26

This week was the start of Rich's daughters S's 4 week visit to California.  We are so excited to have her here and she is having so much fun.  It is really nice to get some face to face time with such a great girl. 

Sunday:

Happy Father's Day Rich

We opened presents (doesn't he look surprised?)and then went to Reds to celebrate S's birthday and Father's Day.  I got a cute picture of the Reds folks singing to S and a big beautiful smile on her face.  It was a great day.

Monday:

First Day of Camp!!

We all started camp today.  Bella is in the Fantastic Fifth group and S and Andrew are CIT's this summer.  Andrew is in charge of the game room and S is in the cooking room.  She loves the teacher in there.  She was with me when there wasn't a cooking class and we enjoyed just hanging out.  She is a great helper.  It was nice and cool outside...so far.

Tuesday:

Our Camp Room

Here is my home for the next 6 weeks.  Usually it is full of bustling middle schoolers (and some high schoolers).  I enjoy my time with these kids.

Wednesday:

My Lame Attempt at a Picture

The camp went to see Toy Story 3 today.  I forgot to get a picture (not sure how that happened...oh wait maybe it was because I was in charge of the CIT's AND schleping popcorn) so when I came home I snapped this pic.  We had a great time and I loved the movie...tears and all!!

Thursday:

S'Winter

If you are Phineas and Ferb fans you'll get my reference...if not forgive me.  Today we had a 12 ton hill of snow dumped on our field.  The kids brought sleds and mittens.  Bella didn't slide but had fun throwing snowballs at her counselors.  Always a camp favorite.

Friday:

Happy Campers

Today we went to Chuck E Cheeses for camp.  Now there are many many reasons why I don't like Chuck E Cheeses not the least the idea of a big rat representing a food establishment.  However, this is also a favorite trip of the campers.  S was the CIT for Bella's group.  They had fun taking pictures and playing games.  Later that night Rich fired up the fire pit and we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores.  It was so nice to just sit around the fire and enjoy each others company.

Saturday:

The Lame Festival

We thought it would be fun to go to a local Greek Festival today.  However, when we got there we quickly realized that wouldn't be staying long...even if we went to every booth we wouldn't be staying long.  So we ditched it and went to a really good Italian restaurant and some outlet malls.  We got S a really cool new watch and Rich some shoes.  Yes I got some shoes too, but they were buy one get one free so I just couldn't pass that up.  We had a really nice day ending with a soccer game.  We started with the old people (Rich and I) against the young people (S and Bella)...that wasn't too fair, so S and I played Rich and Bella.  That was a little more even. 

In Summary:  The only thing that is very evident this week is that having Rich's daughter here is such a blessing.  It really confirms all the things we know are true.  S loves her dad, and S doesn't hate me at all.  In fact...dare I say it...she might just like me.  She is a very happy girl and really loves to be a part of life here.  That is the reality, and that reality warms my heart.

More Later

- A Ro 

Happy Birthday Greg

My brother Greg is one cool dude, and really can sport the business in front party in the back hair cut.

Today is his birthday, so get your party hat on Greg, and lets take a look at just how cool you are!!

He is one cool Uncle Greg or UG.

Andrew loves him...

...Bella loves him...

...T-Y Ty loves him...

...Sami loves him...

...and now baby Abby gets the honor of calling him UG.

UG was an uncle for a very long time and wanted to be a dad for just as long.

Then...

...SURPRISE!!!

Joseph Gregory was born.

Greg loves his JoJo...

 ...with all his heart...

I love everything about my brother Greg... 

...especially his wife Michelle...

 ...because she knows how to capture...

...his good side...(or slide that is).

I love you Greg!!  Have a happy day.

More Later

- A Ro

Tell Me Why Tuesdays

Here we go again with another installment of my I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-my-Tuesdays-without-the-random-dozen.  I need to come up with a cute Tell Me Why Tuesday button.  Oh wait that would mean that I would need to know something about computers and blogging...never mind.

Hope you can forgive me.

1.  Why is it that on the first day of summer camp I come home absolutely exhausted? #iaminchargeof31middleschoolersmostofthemboys

2.  Why is it that trying to get rid of a excellent washer and dryer is so dang hard? #iforgottocallthesalvationarmytofindoutwhentheywerecomingyesterday

3.  Why is it when I get a picture of this little boy I die a little?

#iamasuckerforbigbrowneyesanddevilishsmiles

4.  Why did I believe that Rich's daughter doesn't like me, when she clearly does? #iamnotsomeanandhorribleafterall.

5.  Why is it when I play Words With Friends and I am beating the person I get really good letters and when I am losing by a lot I get nothin'?  #murphyslawofcanibuyavowel 

6.  Why is it when I get a picture of this little girl my heart breaks into tiny little pieces?

 #iamasuckerforredheadsandchubbycheeks

7.  Why is it that I love watching Rich and his daughter together? #iaminlovewithanamazingdad

8.  Why can't I realize that if I would just stay away from Payless I'd have more room in my closet? #ilovefivedollarflipflops    

9.  Why do I just love cooking in my new kitchen?  #granitecountertopsmakemehappy

10.  Why am I feeling so happy and complete? #ilovemylife

I hope you are loving your life too!!

More later

- A Ro 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the special dads in my life.

My dad was an extraordinary man, who I miss everyday.

The way a new dad looks at his child is so very special.

A look that is filled with awe and wonder...

...and bliss and love.

Lots of love.

Then your kids grow up and the fun part of being a dad begins...

...fun at the park...

...at a special first race...

...chillin' on a bench...

...or going to the ocean for the first time.

Watching the man you love be a good dad is something very special...especially when so many roadblocks are put in his way.  He never gives up and loves them with his whole heart.  It makes me love him so much more.


What is even better is good dads make good grandpas.

Then there are those extra special men who are grandfathers and dads by choice...not by blood.

And even though they are not biologically connected, they love and care just the same.

I love all the fathers in my life.  Thank you for being the kind of dads you are.


Just one piece of advice...

...for goodness sake...

...leave the hair brushing to us.


More Later

- A Ro