The Buzzzzz about Opening Day

The Stingers had their Opening Day festivities! Lucky #13 was all dressed in gold and black and ready to hit some homeruns! The whole family was there to cheer her on with her teammates. Needless to say, it was an early morning and a long, long morning! We had so much fun!
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7:00 a.m. Meet at the Opening Day Parade starting point
Rossmoor School

Charlie and Ryan

Kendall and Ryan show some team spirit! Go Stingers!

And now get a little groove on.

Heeyyyyy....

Finally they pose by the banner for a "real" picture.

Two of the best cheerleaders in their black and gold!

Here are some of the Stingers waiting for the parade to start.

7:30 The parade begins
(I didn't take any pictures of the actual walking... too busy keeping an eye on munchkin)

Lining up for the parade and getting directions from the team mom. See our Lucky #13... she picked that number uniform all by herself.

8:00
Arriving at the fields/ Ceremony Begins

"Team 6U Coach Denhart THE STINGERS!!!"
was announced as the team ran through the balloon arch

The crowds at the opening day ceremonies. OMG... that's a lot of people for girls softball!

9:00 Warm Up Before Game

How cute is this? All the girls put up their own bats and helmets on the fence ready for the game.

Los Alamitos High School Varsity Softball team warmed up with the girls. I think our coach must "know some people" or something because I don't think any other 6U team got this honor.
Most of these Varsity girls played in this league growing up so the girls really look up to them.

9:30 Game Time
Stingers vs. American Girls

Charlie had the most fun eating my breakfast burrito. What a cheerleader!

Ryan playing in the field! My brave girl took one to the face in this position from a toss by the coach! Way to stay in the game Ry Ry!

In the dugout getting ready for her turn up to bat.

Ryan on deck

Ryan's big hit! It landed about 2 cm off the line at home base but my little girl ran as fast as she could to first base and was safe! (Hint: They are all safe in this age division)

On third base waiting for the next Stinger to hit the ball so that she can run home!

"2-4-6-8- Who do we appreciate?"

Stingers team picture!
Kendall (3rd from right top) and Ryan (bottom right) are the two youngest players in the whole league, not just their team!

Love, Love, Love is in the Air

On Saturday, February 14th Ryan had her birthday party celebration with her friends. It was her first drop-off party. 16 of Ryan's closest 3,4, and 5 year old friends spent two hours with us... oh my goodness, am I crazy or what? No really, it was a lot of fun. All of the girls were very well behaved. My teacher skills came in handy and not to mention the "staff" I had on hand to keep the craft stations moving! It was well organized if I do say so myself (visualize me patting myself on my back... heehee). The theme of course was Valentine's. Take a stroll through the pictures to get the play-by-play...

Everyone was to wear red and pink to the party.
(Steve included! But seriously, have you ever met a guy that looks better in pink than he does?)

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DECORATIONS AND SET UP

The gift bags and invitation

The grown up table
(in case any of the parents decided to stay... 2 did stay and enjoy the yummy appetizers)

The sign in table (above)... A little teacher-esque maybe but I wanted all the parents to leave a phone number to where I could reach them over the next 2 hours in case their was an emergency.
The craft supplies (below)... were all pre-divided into little cupcake holders because the crafts were done on a rotation and I didn't want the last kids at a craft to not get the "good" materials.

The heart-shaped sandwiches that I made on pink bread! All about the theme in the Grace house!

Ryan's heart-shaped cupcake pull-apart cake. So easy to serve. It was perfect.
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PARTY OUTFITS

Ryan with her special heart birthday crown.

Ryan and Charlie in their matching red and pink outfits. They also both wore big roses on their outfits. Totally Ryan's idea. She is turning into quite the themed party planner!

Little Char-Char

Our almost 5 year old Ryan Corinne. Can you believe it?

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CRAFT TIME

Ryan is making a placemat to eat her lunch on.

Charlie and Amy are making Valentine's for their mommies and daddies.

Ryan and Kendall are being silly.

Carson is working with some of Ryan's preschool friends on their placemats.

Babysitter Aubrey is making necklaces with a group of girls.

Babysitter Tara is decorating mailboxes with another group of girls.

Love Bug Birthday Girl!

Lunch of all pink and red food was served. We also decorated cookies, read a valentine's story, had a dance party, and ate cupcakes but no pictures of those events. The video though is priceless. Ryan will love to watch when she is older.

Happy Birthday Ry Ry!

Our Budding Photographers

Last Monday was a holiday for the girls and me so we went to the mall for the day. At lunch, I gave the girls the camera and let them take some turns with it! Here's how it went...

Charlie's best shot

Ryan's best shot
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And then mommy took the camera and asked the girls to give their best smiles.
This is how it went.

Charlie's best shots.
(I couldn't decide, they were both priceless.)

Ryan's best shot.

Just a silly little post but we sure had a fun day.

Softball Stud

Ryan started softball last week. Her first practice was on Friday. She is playing on a 6U Team (Six years old and younger) and is one of the younger girls on the team. I was never a softball player so I was floored at all of the "stuff" that is needed for this sport! For soccer all I ever needed was some cleats and shin guards so this is just crazy! Ryan's friend Kendall is on the same team and the coach really tried to keep the kids together who knew each other the whole time. She was a pro. She had 6 stations set up. All the girls got opportunities to hit off a tee, hit from a pitch, catch grounders, and throw. It was truly amazing!

Coach Kim sat the girls down at the beginning of practice to play the name game. They learned each others names and had fun doing it!

Every girl has to have their own helmet. I never thought about this but it makes sense... they don't want anybody spreading head lice or anything! Pretty darn smart!

All the veteran softball families had their helmets decorated and personalized! The Graces didn't know any better! No worries Ryan... mommy will have your helmet painted too!

Like always, Ryan was a great listener. She also had a lot of fun! When we played soccer last year, she had a hard time getting over being shy! Not this time! I think because she had her buddy Kendall there but Ryan was the silly ol' Ryan that we all know and love right from the get go!

Here is Ryan at the station where she got to hit from the pitcher! She hit a couple. The most important thing is that she didn't get discouraged when she didn't hit the ball.
Awww... our little Ryan is growing up!
GO STINGERS!